Source: Daily_Mail
Blackpool 1 Aston Villa 1: Elliot Grandin delivers as Seasiders prove they're not washed up
Ian Holloway jumped to the defence of assistant referee Sian Massey after she copped her share of terrace flak on her Premier League return at Bloomfield Road.[LNB]Massey returned to the top flight for the first time since she was the subject of sexist remarks surrounding Liverpool's win at Wolves last month. Those comments led to Andy Gray and Richards Keys losing their jobs at Sky Sports in the wake of the scandal.[LNB] Gift of the Gab: Agbonlahor rounds Blackpool keeper Richard Kingston to score[LNB]Holloway said: 'I didn't like some of the shouts. 'There is only one Andy Gray'. Is that funny?[LNB]'That's rude, you have got to forget about all of that and get on with things. Did she do all right? Absolutely.'[LNB]Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllieradded: 'She took the right decisions. I was confident in her. She isgood at what she is doing.'[LNB]Massey got off lighter than WorldCup final referee Howard Webb who left the pitch with boos ringing inhis ears. Webb was abused by Villa fans convinced he should haveawarded their team a penalty in the 90th minute.[LNB] Grand stand: Elliot Grandin (left) saves a point for Blackpool[LNB]Striker Ashley Young went down undera clumsy challenge from Alex Baptiste but Massey's colleague on theother line, Andy Garratt, kept his flag down and that was good enoughfor Webb. [LNB]He had sent off Villa midfielderJean Makoun 20 minutes earlier after the Cameroon star's lunging,studs-up challenge on DJ Campbell.[LNB]Villa manager Gerard Houllier said:'Nothing I can say about the penalty decision can change anything. Ithink the sending-off was a reckless challenge. It wasn't malicious,but there was one foot off the ground and the rules are simple. It hasto be a red card.'[LNB] Back in the big time: Assistant referee Sian Massey (right) is led out by referee Howard Webb[LNB]Both managers declared themselvessatisfied with a point Houllier after watching Gabby Agbonlahor fireVilla in front on 10 minutes and Holloway with delight at the fightbacksparked by Elliot Grandin's 14th-minute equaliser.[LNB]MATCH FACTSBLACKPOOL (4-3-3): Kingson; Baptiste,Cathcart, Evatt, Carney; Grandin (Puncheon 39 min), Vaughan, Adam; Harewood (Phillips 67),Campbell, Varney (Reid 72). Subs (not used): Kettings, Southern, Eardley, Beattie. Booked: Baptiste, Evatt.[LNB]ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1): Friedel; Walker, Cuellar (Collins 27), Dunne, Clark; Downing, Reo-Coker, Makoun, Agbonlahor (Bradley 73); Young; Bent (Heskey 57). Subs (not used): Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delph. Booked: A Young. Sent off: Makoun (70min).[LNB]Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)[LNB]Darren Bent, substituted in thesecond half, sent Agbonlahor racing free with a deft flick and hisfellow England forward rounded Holloway quick to back Massey as shegets it right despite Gray areakeeper Richard Kingson before slottingthe ball into the bottom corner of the net. [LNB]Grandin's stooping header was thesignal for yet another thriller at Bloomfield Road, with Blackpoolsurging forward throughout and Villa always a threat on the break.[LNB]Houllier said: 'Down to 10 men, wehad to be resilient and I have told my players I am proud of them forwinning a hard-fought point.[LNB]Holloway, whose team halted a run offive league defeats, said: 'Knowing our luck, the penalty decisionmight well have been given. I like to think we have stopped the rotwith this result. Now, let's see how we go on against Tottenham onTuesday.'[LNB]If Blackpool reproduce this numberof goal attempts in the game against Spurs, they might just be in linefor their first win since beating Liverpool at home on January 12.[LNB]'I'm proud of my lads,' saidHolloway. 'The first 15 minutes was the worst I have seen from us sinceI came here, but the equaliser stabilised us and I thought we weregoing to go on and win it.'[LNB]Sian Massey back in the big time - Just eat your heart out Andy Gray1.05pm Massey arrives in a chauffeur-driven minibus, along with World Cup final referee Howard Webb and fellow assistant Andy Garratt. Accompanied by a 'minder' from the Premier League, Massey is shown to her changing room.[LNB]1.10 Spends 10 minutes on the pitch with her colleagues.[LNB]1.30 Back out to warm up with Webb and Garratt.[LNB]Kick-off: Massey gets a quiet reception from the fans.[LNB]2min Hampered by the sunin her eyes, Massey makes her first decision, an easy throw-in for Aston Villa.[LNB]8 Gets a long stare from Young after flagging against him for a foul.[LNB]10 Spot-on to keep her flag down as Agbonlahor breaks on to Bent's lay-off to score Villa's opener.[LNB]19 Another hard look from Young as she refuses him a free-kick after a challenge by Varney. Villa's fans chant: 'Andy Gray, my lord, Andy Gray.'[LNB]23 Jeers turn to ironic cheers as Massey awards Villa a free-kick near the corner flag.[LNB]61 Right again as she flags Varney offside.[LNB]80 Flag again kept down correctly as substitute Phillips runs on to Adam's through ball.[LNB]90 Shakes hands with both managers.[LNB] All the action from today's Barclays Premier League matchesAston Villa boss Houllier to hold talks with Reo-Coker over new contractWatch TV on the move: BBC confirms iPlayer app for iPad and Android devicesBLACKPOOL FC
