Second Half, Second City Derby

Second half. One change for City. Whatever, like it'll help.

9:05: Jerome with a fantastic opportunity, only to watch it immediately deflected by Zat Knight. Over/under for number of hours of sleep Knight got last night: 3.

9:07: How does Schmidt not get called for holding Agbonlahor like a hostage?

9:08: Muamba with a yellow for stabbing Petrov in the leg with a cleat. Ouch.

9:10: Apparently even when our reserves play City it gets heated. I love this team.

9:11: Petrov with a beautiful ball to Gabby. He's not getting a whole lot of touches, but seems to be making the most of them.

9:12: Reo-Coker with a cross to no one in particular. Where's our offense?

9:12:30: Kelly with a yellow for failing to keep up with Young and resorting to cheater's tactics.

9:14: Carew has that "flick with the head to an advancing player" thing down. Soon it's going to pay off.

9:15: City with another wasted opportunity. What a beautifully sounding broken record.

9:15:30: Bouma advances the ball into the corner...and a goal kick.

9:16: Mellberg with an interception in the box. I wonder what will happen to him when we get a pure right back in the January transfer window.

9:17: Officials blew that call. Young obviously had won a corner. His touch is getting better every game.

9:18: Well, City finally made Carson corral the ball, so there's that.

9:20: City goal. 1-1.

9:22: Gareth Barry is tired of you. He will dribble past all of you, pass to Reo-Coker, and earn a corner.

9:23: Petrov just shanked a shot from way too far out. I want to like him, I really do.

9:25: Ridgewell is trying to make up for his blunder earlier. He knows Gabby's tendencies far too well.

9:26: Jerome just about gave me a heart attack. Thankfully we have the man who will become the England keeper. Seriously, that does not get old.

9:27: City are applying way too much pressure. Time to switch out size for speed. Carew out for Moore.

9:28: Reo-Coker just blew one of the best chances he'll have all season. I want to eat my new hat.

9:28:30: Another City player down, but he's not faking. It's Nafti.

9:29: The City fan at the bar is explaining to the bartender that he's "the most responsible drunk in the world" and apparently has told his 11-year old daughter how much a DWI arrest will cost her. You know, that and being able to reach the pedals.

9:32: Why are we still playing long ball? Big man not in game.

9:33: Barry is applying some pressure. Not enough for a goal, but we've got 15 minutes left.

9:34: Last substitution for City...

9:35: And the new guy wins them a corner. Ridgewell gets a head on it, but wide. If Ridgewell scored the game winner I think I'd be sick, and not just from the shots I'd start doing.

9:38: Frenetic pace. No team gaining a clear advantage. I guess this really is a true rivalry game.

9:39: Mellberg is not a midfielder.

9:40: Neither is Bouma.

9:42: Corner for City. OK, fine, I'll still get worried when I see the ball crossed into the box.

9:42:45: Another corner. I'm getting chills, and not just from folks opening the door.

9:43: Ridgewell almost made me cry. Gabby with the best save of the game.

9:44: The third straight corner is cleared. I am a mess.

9:45: GABBY WITH A GOAL!! HE RUNS TO THE VILLA FANS AND THERE'S A MOB SCENE!! WHAT A PHENOMENAL HEADER!! I CAN'T STOP YELLING!!

9:46: And of course he gets a yellow for all that. Like. I. care.

9:47: More pressure, and a free kick just above the box.

9:48: Event staff are beginning to circle the field. The Villa section at St. Andrews is absolutely insane.

9:49: Four minutes of stoppage time.

9:50: City fans are leaving. Fairweather pansies.

9:50:20: Gabby is just keeping it in the corner, forcing throw-ins. The City fan here just keeps saying, "Fuck."

9:51: Gabby appears to be limping slightly. Let's hope he can walk it off.

9:53: That's it! Villa win! They head straight to the Villa section of the stadium. What a fantastic finish.

The first Second City Derby of American Villan goes to the good guys. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Finally!

Liveblog! Just me and a City fan in the bar, but there's WiFi, so I can't complain.

7:59: Carew is in the starting lineup. MON obviously doesn't read this blog. Petrov is also in the starting side. I still don't understand it, but I'm also not paid millions of dollars to lead a soccer team. I like the 4-3-3 formation, though.

8:01: Kickoff.

8:01:10: Nigel Reo-Coker already commits a foul. That boy doesn't learn.

8:03: New permanent Villa keeper Scott Carson. Damn, that sounds good.

8:05: City are dominating. We've barely played in their half yet.

8:07: Another free kick. Is it just me, or do City have loads of space with every touch?

8:09: City's keeper actually had to touch the ball! Crazy!

8:09:30: Carew has Ashley Young all alone, but double teams are never fun. Just ask your mom. Sorry, had to say it.

8:10: LIAM RIDGEWELL WITH AN OWN GOAL! Guess he still bleeds claret and blue. You can't argue with your subconscious.

8:12: Phenomenal series of passes from City but headed out at the last second by Bouma. I like him as long as he's not trying to push up and send crosses.

8:13: ManU fan enters the bar. I have no sharp objects on me.

8:16: The announcers mention the financial disparity between City and Villa, giving Ashley Young as an example. They acted like we were Manchester United.

8:17: Yellow card for Barry.

8:18: Barry intercepts a pass and sends a fantastic ball through for Carew...but no luck.

8:19: See, I told you, Bouma is not the one you want sending in crosses.

8:21: Djourou is down for City. He's faking, obviously.

8:22: Guinnesses all around. Have to give the bartender reason to open up this early again in the future.

8:25: Olof, please bring the scary beard back.

8:28: How does Barry thread those long passes?

8:32: City are terrible...as they should be.

8:33: And De Ridder gets a yellow card for diving in the box. What a cheater. Well done, Steve Bennett.

8:35: De Ridder almost deserved a second yellow for taking down Young from behind.

8:36: Barry just keeps his head down as the City scum berate him. You stay classy, Gareth Barry.

8:38: Carew just blasts one wide. I think he's a bit rusty, but that header he just flicked to Young was nice. Too bad Ashley was offside.

8:39: Young and Nafti getting into it. Good to see some fire in the derby even though City haven't been in the Premier League for a few years.

8:40: Barry joins the City wall to give Young a hole in the wall...so of course Young's free kick hits Barry dead on.

8:42: Petrov makes an appearance. Shot on goal is blocked, but it's nice of him to join.

8:44: How do City beat anyone with such terrible touches in the box?

8:44: 20: Gabby with space in the box...right at Taylor. Use the left foot!

8:45: City on the counter, but shot wide. I can't help but be worried when I see the opponent down there, but since it's City maybe I'm overreacting.

8:47: Guinness is like drinking coffee in the morning, right?

8:48: Young impeded in the box, but no call.

8:49: Halftime. 1-0 Villa in MON's 50th Premier League game. A hard-fought match thus far. Back soon for the second half. Up the Villa!