If you look at this game on paper, it looks like it’s all over for us even before we kick off, doesn’t it?
And to be honest, I suspect that’s about right, as in my heart of hearts, I don’t feel we’re going to get anything out of it.
Even the bookies, who are generally correct most of the time, rate us as having practically no chance whatsoever; I’m currently seeing odds as low as 9/2 on for Arsenal and 13/1 for a Villa win for example.
So an Arsenal win’s in the bag then.
Or is it?
There are some factors in our favour though, that make that 13/1 worth a couple of quid as a punt, in my opinion (not that I’m a betting man really and I’m not encouraging gambling at all).
First, we actually have a very decent record over recent years at the Emirates.
I’m sure many will remember some of Gabby’s goals and it seems he’s fit and will again be a threat with his pace.
Christian Benteke has scored three goals in four appearances against Arsenal.
And we’re actually quite difficult to score against, if the defence is playing well.
Then again, lately, we’ve struggled to score. Let’s not forget we’re just shy of nine hours playing time in the Prem without a goal. I’m going to turn that around though and say that the longer we go without scoring, the more likely we have to be to score, surely?
Hence, I’m expecting us to get a goal.
The big question for me, is how is Lambert going to play this one?
I’d expect Sinclair to at least play and he’ll probably start, else why buy a wide player, if Lambert isn’t looking to add width?
So who loses out?
As per usual, I don’t have a clue how Lambert sees things, so I’ll just see on the day.
Team news?
Gabby’s fit, but we still have Cole, Vlaar and Sendoros out.
Arsenal have Wellbeck as a possible, but doubtful.
So how do I see things panning out?
Well, I’ve tried to be optimistic and although I think we’ll score one, I can’t see us getting the result we want.
It’s got to be a 2-1 loss, I’m afraid.
You just never know though and I’ll have my fingers crossed.
My biggest problem is how I’m going to see the game.
I either risk a crappy internet link at work or just finish early.
Throw a sicky mate.
Tricky Giddy, trust me.
I’ll get to see it somehow 😉
If the players needed motivation, and they shouldn’t, then that has to be a perfect set of results for us.
I’ve only just looked at the results and I see what you mean.
A good day for us, even if we’ve dropped a place.
“Then again, we’ve struggled to score goals of late”. Christ thats an understatement! we’ve scored 11 ALL SEASON.
How can dropping a place be a good day for us?
Your starting to sound more and more like Lambert with each passing comment Badger.
Gareth, while I can’t disagree with what you’re saying, I totally refuse to be 100% negative.
You’re obviously Villa through and through, but I don’t understand why you put yourself through it, tbh.
I’ll bet you don’t spend your life concentrating on the day you’re going to die, do you, for example?
Anyway, I believe I’ve looked at things realistically and I’ve predicted we’ll lose, which is by no means a comment that favours Lambert.
As for today’s results, yes we’re looking at what those below us do and it’s pathetic.
But then, I had a conversation the other day with a Baggie, who fully expected to be six points better off than us after the Arse and Chelsea games.
That hasn’t happened and has to be good, from my pov.
I think we’ll grab a point.
Piss poor that as early as January we are looking at results below us, recent history say’s we may get a point – reality points to a heavy defeat. I can’t see Sinclair starting as he’s been in semi retirement for 3 years, but if ever this “new tactic” of holding the ball with little end product was needed, then this is the one.
Sasa, I think we’ll try and keep ball and totally sit back, hoping to counter, which is why I don’t think Sinclair will start either, even though many suggest he will.
A plus point is that when we play teams that have to come at us (note a positive, Gareth) we can cause problems.
But I’m expecting nothing.
Forgive me if I’m wrong as I’m interested to know why you think Sinclair wouldn’t start if we are going for arsenal on the counter. Surely sinclairs pace would be perfect for just that ?
I would start Sinclair, gabby , Gill and Wieman for this one if counter attack is to be out approac
totally agree mate, for me, the Sinclair “debate” is a nil brainer, he just cannot be match fit / sharp after so long not playing? but like you, I’m no tactician or manager. It’s one of those games where Cole would be ideal, but certainly, we need to hold the ball and show proper tactical guile, and for that reason alone, I wouldn’t have Gabby anywhere near the place! on a positive, good to see Kozak back in training.
UTV.
Sasa, completely agree – it’ll take weeks to get the splinters out of Sinclair’s arse after two years on Citeh’s bench, so if he plays at all tomorrow I reckon it might be a 15 minute token appearance near the end!
Forgive you?
Bloody hell Tom, I’m no tactician and don’t claim to be mate.
I just think we’ll want to hold the ball as much as possible.
That’s not what Sinclair’s about from what I’ve seen of him.
Hence if we’re going to play a pacey player, I’d expect it to be Gabby, who’s quite frankly Lambert’s lovechild, it would seem.
I’m probably totally wrong 🙂
U-18’s result: Aston Villa 3-8 Chelsea.
Lets hope none of these are anywhere near the first-team come the end of Tom Fox’s 5-year-plan!!!
It’s all about the academy Gareth.
I won’t add to what I’ve already said about it and I’m sure you know my view.
Although, in fairness, it’s kids, so it’s not the be all and end all, imo.
They scored 3 more goals than the first team usually do!
Yet they still sit 2nd in the Southern Group, but are 8 points off leaders Chelsea. So while the score obviously looks a terrible one, it’s FAR from the end of the world.
A few comments above about the pace advantage that Villa might enjoy on the attack. It could work out with two fast players – though the probable scores will come from penalties Arsenal’s CB’s concede.
At the other end of the pitch though we could have Baker, who must be the slowest young CB in the Premiership, and any of Arsenals forward’s could leave him for dead. I can’t see Hutton getting away with an average position on the half way line in this game.
Arsenal are the Premiership home banker of the weekend at 73% (Manure were 70%) which I agree does not square with Villa’s record at the Emirates. But perhaps they have the inside info on Lambert’s team. The mistakes he could make include. Having Benteke and Gabby on the pitch together. Playing Richardson and Cleverley in preference to Westwood and Sinclair. Starting Delph.
Prediction 4-2 defeat and another Red card. However if Lambert makes none of the above mistakes I would change that to 2-2 and no Red.
OLL – you clearly don’t rate Delph!
Must admit I haven’t made up my mind about him: sometimes [OK – rarely ] he’s looked the real deal, then the next few games he’s completely reckless and looks out of his depth.
Wonder which one will turn up tomorrow?
I don’t start off with a negative view of a Villa player, even if I didn’t think much of him at his previous club. I just find Delph’s record, particularly when starting at home, unbelievably poor. No other player with such a bad win/loss record has lasted for as many games as he has.
He is better playing away – but the typical Arsenal midfield player Cazorla, Wilshere Ramsey are just the type to provoke one of Delph’s rash challenges or to nick the ball off him when we have no cover. Delph is the sort of player I would bring on for the last quarter if we needed a goal.
Ardent, hope you are well mate, I’m in the camp that really rates Delph, I know he needs to reel it in a bit at times, but he can move forward and can pass, and although I am certain that he has signed with a view to be released whenever suitable to either him or the club, the fact that he signed at all makes him a country mile a better man than Ashley Young all day long, and for that I respect the kid – just wish we had got Barry back when it could’ve happened as he really would have benefited the team and allowed Delph to get forward without the need to “fly into the tackle” irrespective of the cost.
I think Delph is great, and I will always love him quite simply for what happened in this exact match last year. His reaction to hitting the post showed just how passionate he is about the club, and the exact type of player we need.
Sasa, I’m with you on his re-signing; whatever clauses they’ve agreed for the future, he said all of the right things [and yes, he’s shown up both Young and Downing for what they are], and the basic fact is that he’s not taken the first available exit out of the club.
I’m hoping that if he gets to spend a bit more time in Hodgson’s England set-up then the reckless element of his play will get removed – or even that Lambert and the coaches at VP must be pointing out to him that he’s spent enough time out through injury himself so more red cards or time in plaster are hardly going to progress his career now [he’s not 19 or 20 any more, the ‘promising future’ will be behind him sooner than he knows…].
Rosicky’s looking on form lately
We are in for Izco on deadline day from Chievo Verona
I doubt it jay . We will purchase some obscure striker on loan.
Wouldn’t be all that surprising to see a Midfielder still come in, especially one that can play CM or RM, as I suspect we’ll still see a lot of a 3 man midfield.
I do think we’ll sign a striker on loan.
arsenal will be a test, but i feel villa players have been released from their chains. all season off field politics have affected um, injuries, lack of depth of squad. but the new signings, delphs resigning the contract, this has injected belief back into players, which was affecting um. today they will run riot, wishful thinking maybe. but i can see this, only thing missing is benteke. once he clicks into gear our season will be saved.
villa 1, 2
Defeat today and next game too. I think it will be how we fare in the next three games after these that will decide our fate. We need to put in a couple of decent performances to try and get some confidence going into more winnable games. I’m not really hopeful of that though.
Really hope I’m wrong but I don’t think I have ever felt so dejected supporting Villa.
Call me a silly old fool DSVilla, but I have an inclination the game will be close, strange things can happen ,Villa know what they have to do in this match, the first 20 minutes will decide the out come, some of our players are playing for a place or they are gone in the summer. If I got it wrongly call me one, but I’m sure we won’t lie down.
Why should Villa “know what they have to do in this match”, when they haven’t had a clue all season?
Yes give you that but we do have a change in direction from that prat Lambert, today will give us more idea as to whether we stay up or heading to the bottom three, we all not defeatist ,I live in hope Gareth,
Gabby out, Gil in.
And no Sanchez for Arsenal (Hamstring) no bad thing from our point of view.
Why is gabby out one of the few games that’s tailor made for him Ffs. He always does well at arsenal ffs
Dunno mate, perhaps he aint doing the business at BMH? Perhaps Gil and Benteke have looked the bollox on the training ground, who knows?
Fancy us to get something today, I can feel it in in me water.
Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud.
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Chambers, Flamini, Rosicky, Akpom.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Richardson, Sanchez, Delph, Cleverley, Weimann, Gil, Benteke.
Subs: Given, Baker, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Cissokho.
Damn you beat me to it (-:
Ha, sorry mate 🙂
Guzan,
Richardson, Okore, Clarke, Hutton,
Delph, Cleverly, Sanchez, Gil,
Wiemann, Benteke,
Could somebody please tell me how richardson is starting ahead of cissoko and how does cleverly still get a game at all? Man u must hav a clause that we must play him!
Totally agree Kerry. It’s strange.
Jeez!
Oh B****x here we go.
Hammering????
Here we go playing for to high up the pitch against a top team rip use apart.
Have we got 11 players on?? Fucksake already should be 3-0.. we’ve turned up already beat, nice one Lambert..I’d turn off now if I were you lads.
Keep giving the ball away, Villa are all over the place not on the same pitch.
we’re luring them into a false sense of security Bill.