A casual glance at the scoreline by anyone not in attendance might lead one to conclude that Villa nicked this on the counter, but even the most hardened Rovers fan would have to concede that they were comprehensively outplayed on the day, with only a couple of late lapses suggesting that possibly the match could have gone either way. After Matt Atherton put the visitors ahead in the first minute, a strangely subdued Rovers never looked like they were in with a shout. 

As suggested, the match got off to an explosive start. Right from the kick-off, Rovers conceded a free kick just inside their own half. Daz Davies floated the ball into the box, and Matt Atherton ghosted round the back to guide an unchallenged header past a rooted keeper.  With confidence thus boosted, Villa quickly settled and carried the game to their hosts with high tempo sweeping football, which saw their opponents on the receiving end through most of the first half, though the accomplished skipper Porter dealt admirably with anything that came his way and virtually single handedly kept Villa at bay. 

That is until on twenty five minutes when Villa won the first corner of the game. Gavin Cooper swung a tester into the mix, and two defenders rose together, resulting in a weak clearance which fell beautifully for Ian Kirkpatrick, who coolly volleyed high into the rigging from round the penalty spot. 

Cooper had a couple of golden chances to show what he could do with a dead ball from two almost identical free kicks twenty five yards out, but on this occasion he failed to test the somewhat unorthodox keeper.

Mark McDonnell’s half time shpeil must have been pretty straightforward for once – ‘more of the same please!’  And indeed, after the break, Villa picked up exactly where they left off and stretched their lead to three with barely five minutes elapsed with probably the pick of the afternoon’s goals.  In fact it almost looked like a manoeuvre from the training ground. Cooper swung a corner kick beyond the far post to where Kirkpatrick lurked, and he in turn headed a very deliberate ball back across to where George Craddock waited seven yards out, and twisting his neck muscles, he bulleted an unstoppable header to herald rapturous celebrations.  

Villa lost the influential Elliott Dunn to injury, but continued to look the more likely. However, a wake up call arrived mid way through the half, when careless defending at a corner allowed the home side a lifeline.  Five minutes later Villa should have been out of sight when Atherton and Craddock found themselves clean through for what looked like a tap in, but somehow a combination of good work by the keeper and the ball getting stuck under feet saw the chance pass. 

With the match over as a contest McDonnell changed things around with fresh legs up front, Adrian Briggs and Pavel Zverina’s hold up play ensured that there would be no way back for the home side. Or would have done but for a complete lapse at the back which allowed the Blackpool side a late, late consolation with what proved to be the last kick of the game.

Shouldn’t let that detract from what was a great all round team performance, though special mention for Craig Chambers, in the form of his life at the moment, who had another flawless afternoon, and Matt Atherton, playing in his preferred role and responding with an outstanding display of skill and endeavour.  

Now Villa face massive eight day period which could define their season. Saturday (29th) sees them represent Lancashire against Sculcoates from Hull in a 2.0 pm kick-off at LFA headquarters in Leyland, followed on Monday Evening by the Semi Final of the Goldline trophy at Chorley's Victory Park, try to get to both to cheer the lads on if you can. The following Saturday sees the visit of local rivals Coppull in the Richardson Cup,-kick-off-1.30
 

Villa Line Up: Baxter, C.Chambers, Davies, L.Chambers, Clitheroe, Dunn (Salisbury 56), Bolton, Kirkpatrick (Briggs 83), Cooper, Atherton, Craddock (Zverina 80).