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 Match Report
Match Report
Porto vs Aston Villa
 1 - 2 
Date: 
31/07/2009
Venue: 
O Dragao Stadium
Attendance: 
26,000
Referee: 


Villa stormed to a Peace Cup final date with Juventus - after a performance full of class, composure and craft against Porto.

Martin O'Neill's men face the Italian giants in the showpiece final on Sunday at 9pm BST after seeing off the challenge of the Portuguese giants.

Emile Heskey gave Villa the lead on 14 minutes - drilling home from close-range after a terrific Marc Albrighton cross from the right.

Steve Sidwell, excelling in central midfield alongside Nigel Reo-Coker, prodded home in the box to double the lead just before the break. And it no more than Villa deserved after a terrific first half performance by the claret and blue troops.

Goal hero Heskey was red carded on 69 minutes after an altercation while Brad Guzan made a series of tremendous saves soon after to keep Villa on top.

Hulk converted a late penalty for the former European champions but it was too little, too late as MON's men celebrated the terrific victory on the final whistle.


90mins - Man of the Match? Sidders - great news.

90mins - Jonathan Rich and Bob Dunbar are delighted. Great isn't it lads.

90mins - Juve take on Real Madrid at 9.30pm BST. See who we face. Call me a romantic but would love The Galacticos

90mins - YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES. We're in the final. Awesome.

90mins - Biting my nails at the moment like you wouldn't believe.

90mins - Ref blow the whistle.

90mins - GOAL - Hulk blasts past Brad Guzan.

90mins - PENALTY - Foul by NRC

88mins - FC - Sandeep Sagoo: "We can beat Juve or Real Madrid 3-0 like we did with Inter a few years ago." Like the confidence Sandeep and great to hear from you.

87mins - Great chance for Hulk but he heads wide. Phew.

86mins - Shane Lowry again - with another block - this time from Hulk. Great work by the Aussie.

86mins - Near the end now - I'm getting excited. Peace Cup final. Peace Cup final. Peace Cup final.

86mins - Don't worry Carl Johnson in Los Angeles - the updates will keep on coming.

85mins - SUBSTITUTION - Barry Bannan for Nicky Shorey

83mins - Great block by Shane Lowry from Maicon Roque's long-range strike. Well done Shane.

81mins - Does Nigel Reo-Coker ever stop running?

81mins - Porto are flying forward at every opportunity but they've got Brilliant Brad to get past. Awesome stuff.

81mins - Whoops. Spoke too soon.

80mins - BOOKED - Chris Herd (foul)

79mins - Nice to see Chris Herd out there. Good box-to-box midfielder who loves a tackle and has a mean shot.

78mins - What a save from Brad Guzan. He manages to get his body behind Cristian Rodriguez's hard drive from close in. Magnificent.

77mins - Good point from Jay in Halesowen - hasn't felt like the 'Peace' Cup in the second half.

75mins - Curtis Davies is fine - taken off purely as a precaution folks.

74mins - SUBSTITUTIONS - Chris Herd and Andreas Weimann for Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton

72mins - Been a niggly second half, without doubt.

71mins - Brilliant save from Brad Guzan as Hulk breaks and shoots from inside the area.

70mins - Big Emile is gone - for reacting in the ensuing melee.

69mins - SENT OFF - Emile Heskey

68mins - Ash Young tries to finish from close-range - is tackled - and then confronted by an angry mob of Porto players because one of their defenders is down.

66mins - A massive hello to Danielle Sarver, a good friend from Cleveland in the USA. Glad you're well and reading the updates.

65mins - Another good save from Brad Guzan - who holds Hulk's fierce 20-yard drive.

64mins - BOOKED - Nigel Reo-Coker (foul)

64mins - SUBSTITUTION - Shane Lowry for John Carew

64mins - Lynne, you make a fine point.

63mins - Good point Bob Dunbar - Brad Guzan is having another solid game.

62mins - FC - Nick Runham: "I wonder if their Hulk is green and angry or on fire like ours?" Brilliant work Nick.

61mins - FC - Michael Bill: "At work here in Dallas, Texas. Can't believe this after watching the Malaga game. Should have booked the afternoon off to watch but your updates are almost as good." Thank you kind sir.

60mins - BOOKED - Marc Albrighton (foul)

58mins - Brad Guzan gets down low to save a thumping 25 yard strike from Bruno Alves. Good work Brad.

57mins - Another amazing tackle from Carlos Cuellar.in the box The Spanish star deserves a lot of credit. He has been tremendous throughout this tournament.

56mins - FC - Bob Dunbar: "Imagine if our Hulk clashed with their Hulk. What a mess." Absolutely, you wouldn't want to mess with either of them.

55mins - Great defensive work by Carlos Cuellar as he prevents Hulk from crossing on the left.

54mins - Some tasty tackles flying in. Porto are not happy being behind.

53mins - FC - Nick Walker: "Let's hope The Hulk is The Sulk by the end of the game." Like it Nick.

51mins - FC - Griff: "The scoreline so far is why I told the wife I should be there watching the boys. When she reminded me she was pregnant and about to give birth any day now, I thought she had a point." You're a bad, bad man Griff.

50mins - Mr Joesbury is looking forward to taking on The Galacticos. Don't speak too soon.

49mins - BOOKED - Eric Lichaj (foul)

48mins - Porto have been attacking at the start of this second half. Villa need to keep it tight.

46mins - The Hulk is on for Porto. Can he produce a 'change' in fortunes for Porto? See what I did there? Ha Ha.

HT - FC - Richard Hawkins: "Watching this on my blackberry in a sweltering Vancouver. Quality result so far. Steve Sidwell to come good next season." Good man.

HT - John Green is hoping the Villa boss gives Steve and NRC 'pitch-time' next season. Let's wait and see what the gaffer does. In MON we trust.

HT - FC - Frank Antram: "Marc Albrighton is going to keep James Milner out of the side at this rate. Keep it up in the second half lads." Great to hear from our regular from Canberra. What's the weather like there Frank? I'm in a hot climate...for a change.

HT - FC - Dave Hingley: "Anyone remember a bloke named Gareth Barry?" Behave Dave.

HT - FC - Roger Evans: "Villa are truly global now and deserve to be." That's from Roger in sunny Cyprus. Great to hear from you.

HT - Come on Villa. Just 45 minutes from a final spot.

45mins - Bob Dunbar has said the same - he fancies NRC and Steve next season.

45mins - FC - Jonathan Rich: "This is amazing. Stevie Sidwell and NRC are playing themselves into the starting line-up for next season." They are doing wonderfully well.

44mins - Stevie Sidwell blasts over the bar. He's looked good alongside NRC this evening. Bodes well.

42mins - John Carew holds off about 35 people and is rewarded with a free-kick. The term 'man mountain' was made for our JC.

40mins - This pre-season tour has been awesome. Bullring to Bullring - all the way through to the semis and at, at the moment, it's looking good for a final spot.

38mins - FC - Ant Wilkes: "I'm in Tenerife. Supposed to be having a meal with my girlfriend but Villa comes first." You're playing a very dangerous game Ant. Ha Ha.

37mins - GOAL - Super Steve Sidwell. From the resulting corner, the ball somehow finds its way to Steve's feet and he slams home from close range. Oh yes.

36mins - Villa are really knocking at the door. Ash has been sensational again. His latest cross causes all kinds of problems but flies out for a corner.

35mins - So nearly 2-0. Ash cross - Big JC header which flies just wide. So close.

33mins - FC - Ed Gill: "Good to see Emile score." Yes certainly is Ed. A big season for Emile next season.

30mins - Emile Heskey drives a shot from 25 yards out - just over. Whisper it - but Villa look assured.

28mins - Seems to be a shoulder problem for Curtis. Will update you after the game. Fell awkwardly.

27mins - Superb ball through by Sidders but JC is just offside. Great move - unlucky. Villa look sharp.

25mins - Very funny Paul Henson.

24mins - FC - James Martin: "How good would it be to win silverware before the season has even started?" Hadn't thought of it like that - great point.

23mins - SUBSTITUTION - Ciaran Clark for Curtis Davies

20mins - More good work down the right - Eric Lichaj and Marc Albrighton combining - before laying the ball off to NRC in the central area. His cross is not quite accurate enough. Promising signs though.

19mins - Glad to report a settled few minutes after the goal. No Porto attacks so far.

15mins - Good point Michael Swenson - fantastic play by Marc Albrighton.

14mins - GOAL - Emile Heskey. We salute you. Super cross from Marc Albrighton and the man mountain drills home from close-range. Awesome start.

13mins - Ash Young breaks down the left and gets to the byline but his cross is too close to keeper Nuno, who gathers. Better.

12mins - The fans are in good voice asking for waves from everyone - Martin, Marlon, Nicky and Nigel. Bizarre - but brilliant - stuff.

11mins - First problem for Villa as Radamel Falcao breaks down the left. He can't seem to decide whether to cross or shoot. He really does neither as the ball drifts past Brad Guzan.

9mins - FC - Joel Pettigrew: "Another unproductive afternoon of watching Villa over here in the States. Into the finals for Villa." Ha Ha. Good stuff Joel.

8mins - Blimey. NRC and Sidders are snapping into tackles in the central ground. Good stuff.

6mins - Marc Albrighton looking eager early on. He's wants to bomb down the right.

5mins - The claret and blue army sing 'there's only one Bobby Robson.' Touching stuff.

4mins - MON is seated with COO Paul Faulkner in the directors box. John Robertson is barking out instructions from the touchline.

3mins - Villa looking very smart in their new home kit. Classy.

2mins - FC - Jim Cohen: "My prediction of 3-1 was right last time. So I'm going for 3-2 Villa tonight." Good man.

1mins - Thanks Chris Thomas, will try and keep you updated. I got told off the other day for not reporting enough on the game. Sorry all.

1mins - Where's the crocodile?

1mins - An immaculate minute's silence for Sir Bobby Robson. Rightly so, we've lost a legend of the game.


8.25pm - FC - Glyn in Skegness: "Steve Sidwell to get two I think. Fill those empty Gareth Barry boots." Could be a good season for the ginger ninja.

8.20pm - FC - John Lowe: "Hello from Tokyo. Villa to win 3-2." I would take that - actually I would take anything that involves Villa scoring more goals than Porto. Lol.

8.16pm - FC - Jason Whittleton: "Emile and JC in a 2-0 win for the claret and blue."

8.14pm - FC - Dave Dignan: "I'm happy to see Nigel Reo-Coker get a run in the centre. Think it could be a big season for him. Ash to score both goals in a 2-1 win." That's what I'm predicting, good shout Dave. By the way, spoke to NRC earlier - great lad and desperate to impress next season.

8.07pm - The lads are out and warming up.

8.02pm - Jack Cannon predicts 2-0 Villa with Sidders and Big JC on the scoresheet. Like your thinking.

8pm - Luke Woodward reckons Marc Albrighton will be a real star of the future. Any relation to JW Luke?

7.58pm - FC - Geraint Davies: "The quality of our pre-season opposition is a measure of our progress under Martin O'Neill. Fiorentina, Porto and possibly Real Madrid and Juventus." Well put Geraint, excellent point.

7.56pm - FC - Jack Pickers: "Massive game tonight and another chance for Marc and Eric to prove their worth. We need Ashley at the top of his game to have a chance too." Ash will turn it on this evening - got a good feeling about it.

7.53pm - MON will be watching this game from the stands - he's got a one-match touchline ban after being red carded against Atlante.

7.52pm - FC - Garry Clarke: "I'm here in Chicago looking forward to an interesting game - Go Villa." Strong line-up.

7.51pm - Damn. No Hulk in their starting line-up. I had loads of puns prepared for that - like not making him angry, being green with envy and having an 'incredible' chance to score. Not happy.

7.50pm - Porto: Nuno, Alves, Pereira, Roque, Fucile, Meireles, Guarin, Reges, Falcao, Gonzalez, Varela. Subs: Helton, Beto, Benitez, Fonseca, Andre, Belluschi, Valeri, Costa, Lopes, Prediger, Rodriguez, Hulk, Farias.

7.48pm - Immensely strong team put out by MON. Marc Albrighton in for Stiliyan Petrov - good chance for the talented youngster.

7.47pm - VILLA: Guzan; Shorey, Cuellar, Davies, Lichaj; Albrighton, Sidwell, Reo-Coker (c), Young, Heskey, Carew. Subs: Friedel, Parish, Clark, Lowry, Bannan, Herd, Weimann.

7.45pm - FC - Julie Sykes: "Greetings from Belfast. Hope tonight gives us the right result in preparation for the coming season. Trust in MON and RL." Words of wisdom Julie - well done.

7.40pm - FC - Tim Smith: "Hello again from Toronto. Massive game for the lads and I bet Martin O'Neill is chomping at the bit to get some revenge on Porto." Absolutely - MON is a winner and won't have liked losing that UEFA Cup final.

7.36pm - FC - Griff: "A mouth-watering tie and great preparation for the Fiorentina clash next month." Yes that should be a cracker too - click here to check out ticket prices.

7.35pm - FC - Paul Rooke: "In Ibiza and looking forward to hearing about MON's men making the final. Come on Ashley." He's been brilliant so far and we're backing him to do the business this evening.

7.12pm - FC - Stuart Young: "Will be a good test for the lads this evening and one we can have a good go at." Absolutely - looking forward to seeing the line-up.

6.56pm - Can MON's men make it into the showpiece final - would be awesome if we could.

6.55pm - We're here - and looking forward to the semi-final clash.

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  FC Porto Aston Villa
Goals : 1 2
Possession : 0% 0%
Shots On Target : 0 0
Shots Off Target : 0 0
Corners : 0 0
Fouls : 0 0
Yellow Cards : 0 0
Red Cards : 0 0
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