I was contemplating what to say and even if I should say anything at all, because the result today pretty much said it all for me.
But then it dawned on me that we were actually very unlucky in that we didn’t win this by four clear goals after Ollie did what he usually does, in missing some and scoring some.
Not that we can complain about him. He’s second top scorer to probably the best striker at the best team in the league after all, as much as I’ve seen some Villa fans ripping him to pieces at times.
The first half was a bit scary, because Arsenal were very dominant and creating chances, but the simple fact is they didn’t finish, while we were pretty much backs to the wall. We actually had the best chance, with Ollie hitting the inside of the post.
A funny old game indeed and the sort I was secretly hoping for, but didn’t dare to dream of.
Onto the second half then and we actually improved and started to take it to them.
As I type, I’m listening to Merse, who I’m sure is saying that Arteta didn’t have anybody to bring on. I must have heard that wrong, surely?
Whatever, you could see our belief building and the goal came via Leon Bailey at the far post.
And then blow me, if we didn’t get a second within two minutes with Ollie scoring with a lovely chip over the goalie.
So that’s a stunning result that has more than one benefit;
1 Unai and Martinez both say FU to Arsenal.
2 Arsenal get stuffed for the first time this calendar year.
3 It looks like Arsenal have blown the title.
4 We are still playing for the Champion’s league, when all looked lost on Friday.
It’s as I said.
Expect the worst and anything else is a bonus.
Because of that thinking, I’m currently ecstatic.
And then I have the thoughts of Liverpool fans at work tomorrow.
Should I laugh? Probably not, they can get the right hump if you wind them up 🙂
What a great weekend!
Wow, just wow.
Carlos, outstanding!
Good write up Badger but Merson said before a ball was kicked he wasn’t happy with the line up,that Arteta did the same thing against Southampton last season and it cost them and how right he was?
Superb performance by our lads, not far off perfection.
Mr Emery, take a bow 👏
And I forgot to add that the sky pundits looked absolutely shell shocked, as though someone had died ( along with Arsenal’s and Liverpool’s title challenge 🤣).
Badger you are spot on.
I just could not see a positive result for us today. I think I allowed the end to the Lille match influence my view. But then again with our injury / suspension list, I could still not see a positive outcome.
Emery’s game plan was immaculate. And what a team performance. I now have hope for Thursday.
UTV
Interesting point Sid about the Lille game – it was strange; we won but I felt really depressed and it influenced my decision not to watch the game today.
Emery is clearly a top, top manager / coach and still, it seems, underrated. We’re lucky to have him.
Interesting to hear his post match interview and his comments about how he and the team had to / could learn from the City game which the interviewer leaped on.
He never makes excuses or criticises which is pretty impressive.
How many of us have had a ‘sneaking feeling’ in the past that we may get something from a tough game only to be humiliated? Today was a classic example of this and we discussed it earlier in the thread but boy did we buck the trend and beat the diminishing odds.
In the first half we defended well and got numbers back although I thought there were too many forwards and attacking midfielders not tracking back, our defence was immense. Utterly brilliant, especially Konsa and Carlos.
Tielmans was so unlucky not to net but we pushed and pushed. I cannot believe todays result at New Highbury, and withour so many first teamers missing.
The pride I feel is indescribable. Each and everyone involved in AVFC take a dozen bows. It’s not worth highlighting individual performances as we’d be here all night. Emi. Carlos. Konsa. Baily ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC…
You are all incredible and do the shirt proud.
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. We Effing love u all!!!
UTMV
I hang my head in shame as I didn’t think we had a cat in hell in getting that result, still I did say when ever I predict I get it bloody wrong .so lads you can thank me for getting that win .Well Merson he couldn’t hide the fact he still Arsenal although he played for us and to be honest he was close to tears that we turned Arsenal over. We are the luckiest team to have him there’s no doubt about it , I’m back on cloud 7 now .utv .
I think that performance today was better than the one against Citeh. A perfect away day result against a team who looked unbeatable at the Emirates.
I thought that a point would be a magnificent result but this? Palace hung on by their fingernails to get their win against Liverpool but we won by simply being the better team. I really find it hard to pick out any player as they were all brilliant but kudos to Carlos who had a great game. I remember at the beginning of the season several of us were muttering about getting rid of him, so glad we didn’t.
I was also just wondering where Arsenal might have been if they had had the good sense to stick with Emery? A couple of PL titles and a Champions League or two I’d guess.
So, I’d just like to say a big thanks to Arsenal for sacking Emery and not forgetting their largesse when they sold us Emi who is better than Raya, Ramsdale and Leno all rolled into one. Breathtaking times to be a Villa fan. COYL
Fell asleep as MOTD2 came on last night after the beer!!!
Enjoying it on TV now though!!!!!
You have to admire Emery’s ability to create a winning game plan using the depleted resources at his disposal. I suppose the one advantage of Douglas Luiz being unavailable was that it made it harder for Arteta to predict how Villa would approach the game. Well done to all players involved for how they implemented it. The perfect performance and result ahead of an important week.
Side note, it was hilarious how a trickle of their fans started to leave after the first goal, with a flood following immediately after the second. Some of them really don’t know they’re born.
Mate you couldn’t help but notice as our lot were giving it the Ole! Ole! Ole! it was to a backdrop of empty Emirate seats! 😂😂
Jed Steers death stare, I can’t approve your comment from my phone. I’ll do it later. I’m not sure why you’re being modded, but check your name and email details very carefully. Else the system thinks you’re so e one new. Once I’ve approved a comment. Those sign in details should continue to work fine.
Ah, it was because of a different IP address. Hopefully you’ll be ok now.
Vile TalkSport earlier about ‘Is it time Emery moved onto a top 6 side’?
I hope they all get a terrible bout of gout.
Retards. Have they seen the league table? All season.
Talksport only say these things for effect, imo. I never listen to the rubbish.
Meanwhile, what have we here?
“Joining the Villa board is Atairos chairman and chief executive, Michael Angelakis; managing director of Atairos, Chester Hall; while Canadian Bashir Lebada and American Sarah Louise Waterson have also been appointed.”
And Atairos are not going to have any say? Er yeah, right.
I’d suggest something is seriously afoot and it could be very good for us. I hope.
I don’t see our owners stitching us up, put it that way.
Chester Hall?
Any relation to Albert?
Chester Hall.?
Chesty Morgan?
I see a pattern developing here!!! 🙂
Both got big things in front of them? 😂
Badger
Atairos has been a connection Villa have been cultivating. My understanding is that they have “successfully partnered with numerous leading companies in the leisure, sports, live entertainment, and media industries”. I see this as a positive synergy adding value to Villa. I expect this to drive up revenues as we have to deal with FFP, where we cannot spend on transfers and wages more than 70% of turnover.
Personally I am relaxed about this partnership and have no fears about our owners. Their track record in other of their sports investments is impeccable. And what they have done for Villa so far is exemplary.
I’m not quite so relaxed. Too many chefs and all that…
BFR, look at how many Chefs are there when you go to an all inclusive hotel. It works just fine there…as long as the starter chef sticks to starters, the fish chef sticks to fish…etc, etc if you know what I mean!
Sorry. I think it must be the covid…
Sid, NSWE looking forward on ‘FFP’.
Next season the same rules apply – i.e. cannot lose more than £105m over three seasons which I’ve consistently argued is a nonsense. Villa have zero debt and two billionaire owners so we can easily afford to lose more and be perfectly OK. Meanwhile United are £660m in debt – go figure!
T he EPL is likely to move to the EUFA model the following season but on a graded basis. Talk about the transfer / wages to revenue ration being 90% in the first season and then moving towards the 70% over the next couple of seasons.
Ratio of wages to revenue is a widely used measure of financial ‘well being’ albeit it still favours the leading European sides and restricts teams like Newcastle and Villa in trying to build a substantial move into the top 4.
Chaps – here’s two great stats
The last time Villa lost in the Capital was the defeat to Fulham that saw the back of Gerrard – thank you Fulham and for removing Dr Tony, this season’s six points and the defeat of Spuds!
But this one’s even better.
Unai Emery has the best points per game average – 2.26 of any manager at Aresenal – ahead of Wenger and Arteta. Don’t you just love it!
Now we just have to demolish United for the next ten seasons to balance the books 🙂
In the immortal words of Sir Ron – ‘Do you want to bet against us’.
UTFMV
Hitch, I’m sure I commented last season that Emery had a better record than Wenger’s last season and Arteta’s first.
All while being ripped to pieces by the Arsenal fans.
They treated him really badly and that’s their loss, as far as I’m concerned.
Entitlement Mentality.
Apparently it’s a medical condition most commonly found in North London, Liverpool and Manchester
Random question. When looking for striking reinforcements in the summer, is Solanke worth a look? 17 league goals is extremely impressive playing for a mid-table team with low expectations. Ideal back-up to Ollie to add strength in depth and hopefully kick on in the cups rather than have to let them go. Nowhere near his peak yet. That’s not to say there’s no room for Duran.
Not a bad shout BFR.
Will we exercise Bodace buy back clause?
I suppose it depends on available funds and Emery’s priorities.
Arsenel out of the CL. We must have softened then up at the weekend! Bayern owe us one…
Citeh going to pens?
If, sorry, when, we play in the CL next season, we have to remember it’s a non contact sport…The fouls and yellow cards are a joke…
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Bum Bum! 5th is no good and Spurs aren’t going away! It will go to the last minute of the last game. Buckle up…
With last weekends results and Spuds run in, Injust can’t see them getting ahead of us now. We better not fk up the Bournemouth game like we did Brentford orbthe Arsenal result will have been dor nothing…
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Bum Bum! There are five games remaining and Spurs aren’t going away. It’ll go to the final minute of the final day. Buckle up…
Well that’s City and Arsenal out. Looks like no 5th place for the Champions League.
It’ll take a miracle now, I’ve seen only 4.9% chance now. Both German clubs to lose their semi-final matches, and Liverpool and West Ham to somehow get through. Not to mention Villa winning the Conference as well.
Lads, 5.45 KO today I’ve just noticed!
I was planning on sitting down at 8pm! I’d have missed it all…
Thanks Bum Bum – would have missed it too!
Alex Moreno out for 2 to 3 weeks with a calf strain Are the Sky 6 sending secret agents to hurt our players?????
Sounds like season over!