THAT'S definite then. It must be the shirts. Last October I issued a plea for claret and blue garb to be standard issue for the opposition at Ewood.

As if to prove the point last week, Rovers notched up their 15th goal in three home outings against teams sporting that dubious livery.

For most of an electrifying first half it was looking as if it could so easily have been another seven-goal Hammers or five-goal Clarets job.

On the night the woodwork was undoubtedly Villa's most effective player as three efforts bounced out during that opening period.

By half time Graham Taylor must have concluded "Do I not like that!".

A tactical Villa reshuffle and the onset of nerves led to a very different second half before Damien Duff's superb strike thankfully settled the issue.

There then followed a moment of sublime comedy to round the evening off nicely. Peter Schmeicel had already provided enough entertainment waddling around the pitch like a barrage balloon, complaining and wasting his own team's time at 1-0 down.

To charge 40 yards out and gift a goal on a plate to his former United team mate was service beyond the call of duty.

While the three points were crucial, tomorrow night's game against Ipswich is of course every bit as vital.

It must be said that if we can prevail over the Tractor boys they then face a hellishly difficult run in to the end of the season.

But which Blackburn Rovers side will turn up on the night? If it's the Ferraris who almost roared clear out of sight during Tuesday night's first half, we will win.

If it's the Minis who spluttered and misfired their way through much of the second half we'll be lucky not to lose. Everyone knows what is required.

Elsewhere TV commitments and the pending rearrangement of the Newcastle and Chelsea games mean Saturday football will be a thing of the past at Ewood for the rest of this season. I'm sure most people much prefer their football played at 3pm Saturday in the time honoured fashion.

Living locally and being somewhat of a football fanatic I'm personally not too bothered when and at what time the games kick off.

However, I think all clubs should bear in mind the repercussions of too much tinkering with the fixture list.

What of the unfortunate fan who lives further afield and has difficulty getting to midweek evening games?

What incentive is there for him or her to renew their season ticket next season?

What of the future lifeblood of the game, the very young fan who isn't allowed to attend a midweek night match?

As the TV cash starts to dry up in years to come surely considerations to be carefully weighed up.

As far as the players are concerned it means a potentially damaging fixture pile up.

However we sailed through a similar log jam with flying colours at the end of last season and I've every confidence the side are young enough to cope once again without any real problem.

Finally I was saddened last week by the departure of Damien Johnson to Birmingham. Johnty never once let us down on the pitch and I'm sure will go on to do well in the years to come.

I might be missing something but the logic of letting a talented 23-year-old international leave the club for just £150,000 escapes me.

I suspect we could come to rue the departures of Johnson and Marcus Bent in years to come. In Marcus's case let's hope it doesn't start tomorrow night.