Aston Villa 0, Blackburn 1: Mat Kendrick's big match verdict

May 10 2010 By Mat Kendrick

“MARTIN, give us a wave, Martin, Martin give us a wave.”

If the Villa Park faithful’s standard chant was conspicuous by its absence yesterday, then that’s probably because they were anxious to avoid anything that could be construed as a farewell gesture.

Martin O’Neill did nevertheless modestly raise an appreciative hand to all four corners of the ground from near the tunnel after allowing his players to take the acclaim for a season of steady progress during a lap of honour.

But, even after such an anti-climactic last day defeat to Blackburn, it was impossible to read too much into the manager’s typically restrained response to the warmth from the galleries.

Because the only wave which carried any significance was the wave of good feeling that still exists towards O’Neill from most Villa supporters as he approaches his fourth anniversary in B6.

O’Neill’s post-match comments that managing Aston Villa remains a special job because it is a “remarkable” club were more telling than the preceding 90 minutes.

As for the tepid 1-0 loss, all that told us was that Villa would again finish sixth – and we knew that already, didn’t we? – for the third season running, albeit with two more points than last term.

Whether that will be enough to convince O’Neill and Randy Lerner to continue their partnership when they resume talks remains to be seen, although the number of noughts on the chairman’s cheques will be just as important as the number of sixes in the table. But, however the next few days, weeks and months pan out, there will be a few goodbyes, even if the manager is not one of them.

Although Luke Young got a rare run-out after Stephen Warnock was injured, the likes of Steve Sidwell, Habib Beye, Nigel Reo-Coker – or ‘unused subs’ as they are otherwise known – will also have to be rejuvenated or replaced,

So, if O’Neill stays he must hope his infectious enthusiasm is also retained because he could be busier than ever.

One thing the Villa Park public will be glad to see the back of is the indifferent home form which has undermined their Champions League challenge.

Having lost on the opening day to Wigan and similarly on the final day to Blackburn – with a setback against Liverpool in between – Villa have only suffered three home defeats all season.