An earlier goal would have been nice

It is no secret that an early goal settles the nerves and gives players confidence. I was hoping that would happen at Villa Park for AFCB, but it was the home team that got that boost and it did make a big difference to their game. On the day though I would say that Villa came out at the start of the second half with a lot more confidence. I don't put that down to the Fabien Delph announcement but a change in how Villa went about the second period, trying to use the width more than ploughing through the centre where AFCB had set up an impressive road block.

Macca nearly got his name on the score sheet.

I can't say that the Cherries didn't have their chances though. Shaun MacDonald almost scored with a move that was similar to the goal he got up at Rotherham in the previous round, but his burst through did not end up in a goal this time. It is also not a cup tie unless someone is bandaged up and playing through the pain and Eunan O'Kane was the unfortunate one who had a little extra attire around his head. I did not see when he picked up the injury, but it did not affect his game much. He grabbed hold of the ball with real intent and hit a very powerful shot low down to Given's left. I suppose it was comfortable enough for the keeper, but if it had got a slight deflection it would have been even harder to keep out.

Eunan had an eye for goal.

We had to wait until the last couple of minutes into extra time for AFCB to get that goal. It was a case of what might have been. It's never satisfying to lose and in many ways the team can feel unlucky as they put up a good fight. I would have been interested to see how Villa might have coped with going a goal down and I think that would have really seen Villa throw more players forward sooner. As it was, they could control the pace and flow of the game and it felt like AFCB were sticking to their principles, but were not really getting us out of our seats as much as we had hoped. There is always next year though and we should not be too greedy having had an even better run in the Capital one Cup. I should say good luck to Villa in the next round against Leicester City, but I went to Uni at Leicester and would kind of like the Foxes do well, so sorry Villa fans!

Rantie Watch
Tokelo Rantie is expected to take to the field against Ghana tonight to try and get South Africa through to the second phase of the competition. Good luck TK!

All Departments looks back at the FA Cup match between Aston Villa and AFCB. See All Departments' website or scroll down Cherry Chimes panel to the All Department's sound bar to listen in.