They say Villa Park is a fortress. Well, I really hope that is true because I think we need not much short of a miracle tonight given how good Arsenal look and how disjointed we looked at the weekend.
Lineups out – Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Barkley, Kamara, Buendia, Hemmings, McGinn, Jackson.
As good as it is to see Jackson and Suzuki, Goretzka would’ve been nice. Arsenal’s team also looks strong.
I suppose this can be seen as a free hit today, because our chances are slim – the bookies have wrote us off with a 5/1 price. But I actually think we have a chance with the backing of the fans, and I’ve no doubt the score line won’t be as heavy as last week. I think it’ll be a close game, and don’t think that 4-0 defeat on Sunday is much to worry about with our team looking stronger and stronger by the day.
Key threats for the gunners include shavers, who has a good scoring record against us, as well as Tzolis, who had a great debut last Friday against Coventry. I’m quite happy Martinelli is out the door for them, the one who scored the counter attack years ago when Martinez went up for the corner / free kick (whatever it was) at Villa Park in the dying moments.
I’m walking to the ground where I’ll take my seat in the Trinity Road stand, having to turn my head right for the whole game given my seat is right by the bashed up North Stand. I actually went to my seat earlier and the NS doesn’t half look unrecognisable now it’s been bashed. I was able to access the stadium earlier today at about 3pm due being new to the stand.
Given that I’m trying to type this on my phone and my focus is on not being run over by cars, I’m going to have to apologise for the short article.
Let’s cut some slack tonight against a formidable opponent and if we can’t win, keep the score as low as possible. I’ll be remarkably positive and go for a 2-2 draw. UTV
Sorry this one is so short, it’s more designed to separate the discussion from the Brighton defeat article. Enjoy the game everyone. UTV.
Do you want to bet against us?
Yes. 🤪
Watch it Ron!!!!
Hmmm. Starting line up looks underwhelming, I don’t get how I’ve spent the last 3/4 weeks glued to my phone watching players come in and yet I really only see 2 new boys in the starting 11. I guess with another 2 all but guaranteed not yet through the door,injury to the most exciting signing and then suspension for another big signing, it just reminds you how many players you need….. Am I being dramatic? My lad said Arsenal is the worst team to play in our current situation but I did say I think it would be worse playing somebody we should beat and getting another pasting. I sort of want to get to the international break with a few draws or a win and just let Emery and team work their magic.
I’ve had a little bit of that 5-1 Alfie. Its a sportsmans bet. I think, like most of us, we share not a great feeling about the result. Why do we leave it so late to get a team ready.
A draw would be a terrific result
I hope we don’t get hammered tonight. I don’t think one of our players makes it into their starting XI. McGinn and Kamara possibly but that’s it.
Emery doesn’t normally play new signings straight away but tonight he has no choice.
Prediction 0-3 but lets hope Arsenal get a red card early on or something to lift the crowd.
I’ll
Sum this up in one go, not a cat in hell’s chance of winning or drawing, all the hype in buying players an sit them on the bench!! Great, that to me says we are not good enough yet. It’s going to be a long season and a finger-biting time. Good luck lads.
Bill, Unai never puts signings straight in. He always gives the current players the chance to stake their claim. I think that’s admirable and the right thing to do. That way, there can be no complaints if they lose their place to a new signing.
A good start, much, much less emotion than last week.
I’ll say nothing more for now!
Playing fine.
That’s the thing about being a top six club, you get the decisions
To be fair we’ve had our share.
You mean a ‘Sky 6’ club?
Jackson and Hemmings doing ok
Jackson looks really prolific up top.
Let’s look at the positives;
Suzuki’s distribution is far better than Emi’s.
Jackson looks really lively off the bat.
Hemmings keeps doing well (although he may be off at HT as he was limping, doubt he’ll last the game)
Defence looks sound, good offside trap.
Just got a sneaking suspicion we’re going to nick this Bayern at Home style.
Disciplined so far. Important after the shambles last week. Happy for 0-0 half time. Would be nice to win but more important to get through this with some kind of morale intact and then get the new players in as soon as ready and we will be good.
I’m really excited for this season. We should end it in good shape even if we haven’t qualified for Europe (which I think we will). I think we end this transfer window stronger than before. Just a bit short on Prem experience but younger, hungrier, faster, more skillful. UTV
Just another thought. There’s been a bit of speculation about Emery quitting due to spending constraints. I think it’s more likely that he is excited about the transition. I don’t believe he has any intention of quitting. We are lucky to have him and I think he appreciates the influence and power he has
I am SICK of hearing that! It’s just anti-Villa rhetoric designed to unnerved and unsettled us.
Emery is loving this! I get the feeling he’ll be glad to move on from all this ‘players leaving’ questioning.
Keep focused lads. I can see this being a very good season! Look at the incoming players in the stands!!!!!! Bloomin’ ‘eck!!!!
Have to admit we are well disciplined in the game, also Cash is playing a blindingly good game, keep it up lads we might snatch the game.
We are a to six club so we get the call
Is it just me who thinks Saka is a cheating little twat?
Despise the guy.
Hemmings is getting into some good forward positions but his through ball is not good. Get Garnacho on!
That was a salvage job and we did it. A good performance and it will get better.
I’m sorry but I’m not calling a performance without a shot on target good regardless of what people say.
Only managed to watch the second half but a much improved performance.
Suzuki (on a very small sample of one) looks the real deal and Jackson encouraging (whilst Abraham ran around like a headless chicken).
Two games and not a single shot on target – that’s the biggest concern.
Given how the first eleven have been decimated there are signs we will still be competitive this season.
And the ref didn’t give us anything – not surprisingly!
*Poor grammar – unsurprisingly 😂😂😂
Might as well get something right!
Abraham was absolutely woeful. Meanwhile Malen scores two tonight. I’ll never forgive the person who sanctioned that god awful sale.
Hull is a must win imo regardless of how poorly we started last season.