It would be remiss to write a post without at least mentioning the unwanted headlines about Grealish’s driving ban and heavy fine.
I think we’d all hoped that he’d learnt from previous unwanted press attention that he needed to be fully aware of the consequence of his actions – but alas it seems not. As it happens, like Villa, I picked up three points last week (on my licence that is – my first in over 50 years of driving I hasten to add) so we can all be guilty of poor driving or lack of attention at times however experienced we might be but JG’s litany of offences is more than an acceptable individual lapse.
Now, as captain of our club, he has a greater responsibility to be a role model to the younger players and fans and lead by example. I imagine the club may also fine him but I also hope that Dean Smith will provide a strong guiding hand.
Anyway enough of that.
We are four games into the run of seven that started against Brighton before which Badger set up a poll to seek our views as to the number of points we would secure. I don’t have those results to hand but, from memory, the general consensus would have it between 10 and 13 with a goodly number even more optimistic.
To date we have secured just 3 points and those from a game I suspect most thought we would lose! OK the Newcastle game was postponed so, in reality, we are looking at six games with three to play.
Can we get a further 9 points from those three games which would align with Badgers own prediction and 27 points by Christmas?
First up we welcome Burnley to VP tomorrow night (another strange piece of fixture scheduling – a 6pm kick off on a Thursday night)! Notwithstanding, we do have the benefit of an extra days rest which might prove crucial.
I watched Burnley against Arsenal and first up I though Arsenal were really poor. Although they dominated the first half they were woeful in front of goal and completely lost their discipline after the break (lucky only to have one player sent off). Burnley were workmanlike and organised without really showing anything special but they deserved the win which will boost their confidence ahead of tomorrow’s game. They also have a number of players coming back from injury which will also strengthen the team.
Burnley were slow starters last season and are starting to show an improvement; I think with their EPL experience they will be OK. So this game is not a given for Villa.
Our home form has been pretty poor lately having now lost four on the trot in all competitions since demolishing Liverpool 7-2; nothing wrong with restating that fact is there?. Were we subsequently guilty of believing we could demolish any team at Villa Park? Well, if we were then Leeds disavowed us of that believe but, it seems to me, that we continued a gung ho approach in our next two games, losing both.
We can probably argue that we were unlucky not to, at least, gain a point against Brighton; a combination of failing to take our chances and being screwed (yet again?) by VAR conspiring to defeat us. For me we had enough chances to win the game so VAR notwithstanding we just didn’t do enough against a poor Brighton side that offered little. Smith defending the defeat against Southampton as ‘a freak result’ – bit like the Liverpool game then?
After the avalanche of red / yellow cards courtesy of Mike Dean, we will be without Cash and Luis for the game; two ever presents and key members of the defence. Trezeguet will also be absent with a hammy and Barkley will have a late fitness test. Davis is out with an ankle injury and Wesley is unlikely to figure anytime soon. Gilbert, Hause and Heaton are fit as is Engles.
So, for the first time Smith has to seriously shuffle the pack? If Barkely is unfit then I would expect Ramsey to keep his place (Barkley may well start on the bench) and Traore will start instead of Trez but how will Smith reshuffle the defence? I fully expect Smith to show faith in Elmo to come in at right back. He’s dependable in defence and is a good crosser of the ball.
But what about the role Luis plays in front of the defence – I don’t think we have an obvious replacement although Nakamba probably comes closest but without the vision or passing ability’s that Luis possesses. He could though opt to drop McGinn into the role and bring in Hourihane in a more attacking midfield role.
Whatever Smith does it might answer some of the questions over the depth (or lack of it) in the squad.
Lawro still can’t find it in himself to forecast a Villa win. This time though I think I’m going with him and a 1-1 draw – but then I’m useless at this forecasting lark!.
You can watch the game on Amazon Prime – they are offering a month’s free trial which is worth taking as Villa’s game against Crystal Palace is also on Prime. Go to Prime Football.
On Amazon! Nice one!!!
Bein sports, channel 11 has it
i used my brother in laws account last time we was on prime.but i think he stopped his subscription. so i will look into the free trial so nice info hitch.
looking forwards to the game too. burnley are always hard to play against. seen um quite a bit and they have been easier to play lately. except they have returned to basics last few i seen. so expect them to be solid in their half down the middle. less adventurous going forwards relying on dead balls to load the box.
key is scoring first i suppose its same for most games. but burnley players head drop when they go behind and they score few goals. so they know the importance of the opening goal too. they wont leave us space at the back for our countering. so i am gonna be interested in seeing us break down a team intent on defending in numbers
predicting score is hard if we get ahead early we will win comfortable, if they get settled into good shapes defending deep and we struggle moving the ball fast enough to stretch um down the sides. 1 nil villa i think we will nick it late on like wolves
The Palace game on Boxing Day is on BBC if I recall correctly.
My apologies Bum Bum – it’s the Chelsea v Villa game on prime on 28th. I misread the Prime schedule.
you can watch the game on ‘Live Football HD’ app on any phone, and mirror to a computer or smart TV.
No Barkley and no Konsa
Martinez, Elmo, Hause, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Grealish, Traore, Watkins and El Ghazi.
That doesn’t look the strongest of teams so I’m concerned. Will stick with my draw prediction but ………
Konsa a big miss with both Luis and Cash out. Of real concern – the only upside is that Burnley are not prolific in front of goal
It seems Konsa is ill – not Covid I hope!
Burnley will have heads in from free kicks/corners like a few other teams have done so far.
If Konsa has Covid we can get postponements to get others fit…….almost worked for Newcastle until last night….
Even more worried for a result tonight with this team.
Fortunately Burnley do not have a lot of pace up front, so a high line (but not in their half, Mings) should help keep the corner count down. We need to score 1st, and 3 goals to win.
Five lightweights in the starting 11. This is where they can step up their performances and impress the manager – or confirm that they are not quite good enough.
Not sure what to predict with key players out. Our right hand side looks suddenly vulnerable and Burnley will try to overload wide areas. Crosses and set pieces will be their strength with Woods and Rodriguez to name just two. We need to get off to a good start ideally because they will have to open up a bit more. If they score first then we will be up against it.
Is this going the way of recent games where we fail to put the ball in the net and pay for it?
Fair play to Hause – so far he’s been excellent and dominated in the air.
We had most of the game and hit the woodwork twice so fairly happy with things so far. My only worry is whether it’s going to be one of those days when the opposition score and it’s just not our day.
well my prediction is is going as expected. burnley thou have been more attacking than i thought they would be. so we have had plenty chances to counter them.
that mee should have got a yellow for bringing grealish direct running to a end. he never made attempt for the ball, yet ref never even talked to him.
we have got to be careful burnley have not come for a point like i predicted they would. they fancy themselves for a break away goal. they are also alot higher then i expected. so i expect us to pick them off second half. need alittle luck we hit the bar and post pulled a save or two from their keeper.
Its not our night, twice on the bar ,off the goaline by a defender what do we have to do to score. Right Question !! What is Olli Watkins bringing to the game so far, I’m just so disappointed we are not scoring goals.
need to play for him – same as so many up front in the past
The cards just aren’t falling for us, just like the Wet Spam and Brighton games.
So bloody close so many times!!! Come On Lads!!!!!
Bloody painful this. So close!!!!
Bring Connor on!
If we score tonight it will be a miracle! Finishing is terrible, plus making the wrong decisions all the time! Grealish….SHOOT!!! Put your foot through it for gods sake!
We know how this ends lads….
He Elmo off he’s wearing pissing slippers, 21 shots on goad and not scoring, Watkins not getting the service ? You have to be joking. I suggest watch him , he’s not involved.
I was worried we would lose this with all the changes to the team.
To be fair we had chances and with a bit more composure we should have won this. But this season it’s all about trying to punch higher than last.
It’s not often I will single a player out, but I am not convinced by Traore. For £19m, why did we not push out that little extra for Benrahma.
Not Elmo, Elgazi.