Now don’t spit your beer, tea or coffee out.
It seemed to have been suggested that because we’ve lost a couple of friendlies, the manager, Unai Emery, needs to go.
Seriously. I’ve seen the comments on social media, courtesy of my younger relations.
It’s just nuts.
Yet it does raise an interesting point that I’ve been contemplating myself.
I watched that starting lineup against Walsall and didn’t know who most of the players were.
That’s fair enough. I don’t know enough about the second string or even lower. And that’s a weakness on my part.
But then, that’s not really what we’re being sold, is it?
No one gives a toss about the lower levels, do they?
Same as the women’s game. No one cares, yet it’s being sold to death. Okay, it did really well in the 1930’s, when there was little option, but it’s a fad now, that won’t be maintained, in my opinion.
No, there’s only one real subject of interest and it’s over-riding. The Premier league.
It sells itself all over the world and execs are coining it in, in pretending that they’re marketing it. They’re not. Football fans all over see the English game and just love it. Blood, guts, pure energy and effort, combined with loads of skill. What’s not to like?
Erm, I could probably take out a few of those factors, but that’s a different subject.
So going back to my point.
I always thought that friendlies were about getting the team up to speed. Granted, the “team” was a lot smaller 40 years ago, but I thought that was the aim?
Now it seems it’s more about using them to look at really young kids and give them a bit of experience at a higher level?
And from what I’ve seen so far, against Walsall and Hansa Rostock today, is that the jump is by far too large. Both games, it’s looked like men against boys to me.
Our kids might be great by some metrics, but I’ve been down this road before in saying that they’re really nowhere near as good as we think.
So if, as I think, playing these kids is going to do nothing in moving the first team forward, what is the point of friendlies?
And jesus, the footy I’ve seen has been terrible.
Way too slow in the build up.
What happened to that “take it to ’em” attitude that Unai used to have?
There’s a fine line between being pragmatic and downright boring.
I suspect I’ll be broaching that sometime this season.
I’d go one step further Badger – these early friendlies are also about getting young players in the shop window and match fit ahead of loans or sales to EPL clubs.
The EFL starts a couple of weeks ahead of the Prem that’s also a reason why Walsall looked the sharper and if Villa are negotiating a loan deal with Sheff Utd for Louie Barry then why has he played in each of the first two games other than to increase his match fitness?
Dobbin is another as is, possibly, Garcia and / or Moreno.
The primary (no only) reason for friendlies is match fitness which is important but, other than for the reasons cited, Unai is not going to take them seriously against significantly ‘weaker’ opposition.
But the results are meaningless as a guide to form or ability.
* to EFL clubs
Can we stick dendoncker in the shop window too, or maybe he is not good enough 🤔
Don’t panic! We have 6 friendlies before the season starts with Eintracht Frankfurt being the first of those. I think this will be the first time we will see more first team regulars playing. I agree with Hitch that Emery saw the first two as an opportunity for the kids to shine and hope for a loan to a league 2, 1 or even Championship side. Not many unfortunately stood out but it was experience for them at worst. It’s a shame but many of them will end up playing non league by the time they get past youth level.
The worst part was the fans who attended both games didn’t get much for their money.
Before we jet off to the States to begin the 6 friendlies, I hope we will have seen some positive activity in the transfer market. It really pisses me off that the window doesn’t shut before the season starts. No point in buying a shirt with a players name on the back these days when they can still be gone by end of August!
Pre-season friendlies have no bearing on your season. How many times have we seen teams spank everyone in front of then, and come proper KO, they’re rubbish. You can get players up to speed in training. The bigger friendlies are just exhibition matches.
We really had ‘fans’ calling for Emery’s head because of these games??? We really are going through an immense period of global stupidity.
As far a non-signings go, I’m intrigued as to the ‘Why’ nothing has happened yet. Has Emery seen the squad solidify and got more focused so we need less fresh blood?
Badger, didn’t even know about the friendlies, I never go by them as its a way of finding players out. I been very busy over the last few months being a chairman of a society of allotments, bloody time consuming looking after 54 plots. What the meaning about Unai is who would have got us this far in football?, wish he would be more comuniting with us in general. Being the other side of 86 getting harder as time goes on.
Nice to hear off you Bill. I’ve been wondering where you were.
Another observation. You cannot judge whether a player could make the step up to the first team from how he performs when a full 11 juniors are pitted against a senior side. The only fair assessment is when the young player performs with 10 senior players. Lamar Bogarde showed last season he was fully capable in the back 4. With that reservation: Louie Barry has not shone in the 2 halves he has played. However, he is a striker who relies on service so he needs to play as the lone replacement for Watkins, Malen or Bailey to be judged correctly. My impression is he is too small to cut it in the EPL, like Archer proved at Southampton.
As for the new kit it’s a template used for other adidas kits just like umbro did a few years ago absolutely lazy manufacturing from adidas
Correct, Brian. Lazy indeed. But lazy = fatter profits. Especially when the fans’ pants are yanked down every time they purchase this merchandise. Having said that, I’m already considering getting my two boys one each – with names, even though they had one each last October – and there lies the problem: the consumer (you and I) is stupid. And stupidity will always be exploited by those looking to make money!
A phrase my mother uses: “without stupid people, clever people wouldn’t live.”
Looks like the early friendlies are just throw aways.
But I am worried about what is happening with villa
It’s beginning to look like what happened at the end of learners time at the club. He went all out for champions league and failed just like last seasons gamble which failed due to shambles at man.u.
Have owners had enough of the rules preventing the club going forward.
Are they going down the route of bringing youngsters on in the hope they can develop into a team.
It’s getting me down i must say,the wife had cancer again beginning of year all OK apart from when had radiotherapy which has caused damage to bladder. I look forward to football with villa to cheer me up
And look what happens we going backwards at a rate of knots, we’ll be bottom half this season and nothing in the cups a laughing stock once more.
Then unai be off and who can blame him
After 68 years following villa I’m tempted to leave
Hi Roy,
I just want to start by addressing the most important thing, above anything with regards to football, and that is that I am dearly sorry to hear about your wife, and I wish you both all the best and hope that her health improves.
I, like you, have had a similar feeling with regards to Aston Villa. There is undoubtedly something missing in comparison to last season, and I think that has come almost directly through missing out on the Champions League spot on the final day.
My case is also unique to (I presume) everybody else on this site, which is that I could be falling victim to a new system which lessens the number of away matches I can attend next season (Think I got to 9 or 10 last season), so that is also a huge negative, but I figure I may be the only one on the site who has to worry about that issue, but anyone please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
What I would say is that it is far from impossible to win the Europa League, we do have what it takes we just need to show up in the big games, and people forget that the Europa League is Emery’s strong point! That is what is going to keep me going this season, and you should also use it as a way to boost your hopes for the Villa despite the lack of transfer activity!
I wish you and your wife all the best in the issues you may be facing, but remember football is a great escape for so many people and if it is possible and you do not do so already then maybe get yourself down to Villa Park and soak in the amazing atmosphere under the lights in a big game! UTV
And now my favourite villa site not working
Hooray at last good news able get my favourite site back.well done
Roy, sorry to hear of your wife’s illness.
I understand how you feel about Villa at the moment; we’re undoubtedly being caned by the dual financial regulations of the EPL and EUFA both of which are designed to maintain the status quo.
I don’t believe however that you should equate the current position with that of the end of Lerner’s time at the club. For various reasons he ran out of cash but he also had a poor record of ownership in the NFL and we were warned by the Brown’s fans!
Our owners are both billionaires and have invested enormous sums in the club. They both have a successful track record in business and sports ownership and I really don’t believe they are about to throw in the towel. Nor do I believe Emery is looking to leave; he’s fully committed to the owners vision.
Yes they are going to have to be clever with how they manage finances and transfers but I’m still confident we’ll be fighting at the top end of the EPL and challenging in the Europa League.
Like you I’ve been following the Villa for over 60 years; chin up mate.
Thanks for your replies guys helped cheer me up that us old and younger villa fans stick together.
Unfortunately been unable to visit villa park for a few years now as cost is prohibited by the time get tickets and then train fare and timing.
Last time we went had to stay in hotel the holte pup I think as train times don’t match up with end of game time.
I live in Wales takes an hr to get to train then 4hr to Birmingham so expensive I’m afraid.
I hope what you say is true and it’ll come together when season starts.
Maybe signings made last year will come good this season
As you say football is a way to escape every day problems utv
At least site is back that was depressing too as all other site’s not as good
Hope your wife gets better soon. It certainly sounds as though she’s going in the right direction.
I think we may hear some Villa news this week. I can feel in in me waters!!!! 😁
Roy, sorry to see the news on your wife’s illness, wish you and the wife better times ahead and good health.
Roy, I support everything thats already be said by your friends here on the forum. I hope dearly that your good lady gets the help she needs to claim back her health. Nothing else seems really important and you have put my feet back on the ground. Good luck my friend.
Aw Roy I wish your wife all of my best wishes it’s horrible having to go through pain I hope she continues to get better and bfr ye I will still probably buy the home kit cos as a collector they’ve got me by the bollocks could wear a plastic claret bin bag as the home top and I’d still buy it
Rumours gathering pace of Rogers going to Chelsea with Jackson coming to VP. Oh dear…
May I suggest that if Villa do this, they get Jackson PLUS 50 million?
More click bait BFR?
According to rumours we’re going to sell Martinez, McGinn, Watkins, Rogers and Ramsey – whilst keeping Bailey and the rest of our fringe players!
Really?
I hope it is, Hitch. I worry about the Palmer connection – apparently he and Rogers are pally, with Morgan even claiming Cole stole his ‘ice cold’ celebration. Villa can’t sell him, surely?
(not to mention Chelsea’s seemingly limitless financial might…)
The new Football Regulator Bill passed through Parliament.
All it will do is reinforce the power of the most wealthy clubs whilst stymieing those that have ambition.
It will finally kill competition in English football.
Did you expect Labour to get this right??? Nandy is an idiot.
The papers are full of nonsensical madness. They really hate us don’t they…I wonder if it p1sses the owners and staff off?
Unless…we are undergoing a major restructuring on the field. It wouldn’t suprise me, but to sell all of our best players, take everyone else’s leftovers …nah. That won’t happen. Bloody robbed by that twat ref at Utd. Nothing ever changes.
:(((
Football being run by the rich, has been for years, I’ve always advocated who ever sits it chairs making them decisions lean towards who they support and live.
Here it is Bum Bum – Louie Barry off to Sheff U on a season long loan; your ‘waters’ were right – well sort off 🙂
Another small loan fee and a few thousand quid off the wage bill!
As Peter H says put Dendonker (plus others aforementioned) in the shop window OR maybe they’re just not good enough so no one wants to take them on the inflated salaries we’re probably paying them?
Excellent loan for Barry. If he can make it there…
Dendonker – started in arguably Unai’s best performance in 2.5 years – the 3-0 over Newcastle – played the holding midfield position well. An oddity, like Garcia and Ned.
United with Mbuemo and Cunha in the final third will be a VERY different proposition this season – top 6. Spurs will also be back in the mix with Frank at the helm and the money they’re splashing. It’s only gonna get tougher at the top. 10 into 5 doesn’t go. Over to you messrs Edens, Sawiris, Monchi, and Unai…
It’s OK BFR, it seems we’ve turned down a loan move from Manure for Martinez.
Arrogant b………….s
Although a loan fee of £20m with an obligation to buy for £40m and all his wages off the books might be a decent deal! 🙂
A LOAN!!!! If that’s for real then their arrogance is worse than ever!!!!
We should offer £2m for Fernandez in retaliation.
James Trafford is available (apparently) if the club decide to go down that route…
I honestly can it work that one out. Offer for a loan deal of our 1st choice keeper, who is currently easily within the top 5 keepers in the world. They offer this deal to a team who has finished higher than them in the last two seasons. Jeez. I’m all for keeping contacts sweet in the name of business but I’d have to seriously ask what on earth are they thinking. In other words , can we borrow your keeper for a year to help us out because. As writing the wife has just told me about ozzy
Very, very sad news with the death of heavy metal legend Ozzie Osbourne.
A true Villan that left us following his last gig at his beloved Villa Park.
Now a true Holte Ender in the Sky – what a gig they are going to have.
Villa need to immortalise him in some way.
RIP a legend HEITS
…as long as it’s not an Al Fayed style Michael Jackson statue outside Villa Park!
Except BFR – Ozzy was a life long Villa fan and British rock icon born within touching distance of VP; whilst I suspect Mr. Jackson had never heard of football in the UK!
It’s more the quality of the statue that concerns me, Hitch! Although I still think such tributes should be reserved for individuals who have made a profound impact on the club directly: players, managers, owners, founders etc.
It says it all that Villa officials were apparently incredulous at Man U’s request for Martinez.
I’m not at all surprised.
Man U are cheeky, arrogant bastards..
If it’s indeed true..
As for Ozzie, condolences to his family.
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of him, but obviously RIP.
Tell United to go F themselves.
Gonna be playing ‘Sabotage’ VERY loud today. I think most people have never really heard Sabbath. I only really got into them myself 10 years ago and they are an awesome band. Some of their early folk stuff you wouldn’t believe.
Thanks for everything Ozzy! A life well lived indeed!!
Villa are fast becoming invisible!
Given we need to unload the fringe players, what is going on?