Musical Match Report: Swansea 0 – 0 Aston Villa

Gary Speed’s death on Sunday left a lot of people feeling a bit hollow and sad and confused, as is death’s wont. Only a few hours after the news broke, the first Welsh Premier League team paid tribute to the national sporting icon and started their match. One might understand if not everyone’s heart was really in it that day.

A goalless draw, that most solemn and mournful of football results, ensued.

Swansea have gone three games without scoring and have the best defensive home record in the league, but I believe more than that the lack of goals was simply up to the fact that no one really wanted to score. That day, everyone lost. Winning would feel wrong.

Despite everything, the match was quite comforting. Swansea played their usual game of dominant possession and ceaseless passes, merciful on the eyes. Something about the sight of men passing the ball around, and around, and around, and around. It got to feeling almost restful, serene. At peace.

Just the thing we all needed, I think. A fitting wake.

Goodbye, Gary Speed.

Good night, and good luck.