Well, this one’s a bit of a dilemma isn’t it?
No doubt you’ll know that if we lose tomorrow, we’ll be knocking a nail in Birmingham City’s coffin and helping them to a very possible relegation.
But at the same time, we know Steve Bruce wants to finish on a high, which is of course, the correct thing to do if we want to maintain momentum ready for next season.
To be honest, I’m not sure any fan should ever wish for their team to lose, but then, the thought of the blues fans crying in their beer really appeals doesn’t it?
I find myself in a bit of a quandary there.
Blackburn do genuinely have a chance here though and it may not even come down to us having to play the kids.
Let’s face it, our away form has been poor and the bad news is that Mile Jedinak has been carrying a groin injury for a while.
Will Bruce really want to risk the player aggravating his niggle for what is really a nothing game?
While it wouldn’t be a massive problem if Jedinak was to worsen the niggle at this stage of the season, I suspect the logical thing is to rest him and give him chance to recuperate quicker.
That said, Bruce is happy that the player knows his own body, so no doubt he’ll be the one who chooses.
The point is we look a worse team without Jedinak and we haven’t looked too clever even when he is in the side lately. The trouble is we don’t have decent backup for him.
Otherwise, the long-term injuries apart, we’re all good.
Which raises the question of which side will Bruce put out?
If the media are to be believed, the manager is struggling to choose between Kodjia and Gabby.
Hah, really? I’m not even going to entertain that thought.
So Kodjia starts, with the aim of getting his 20th goal of the season.
Gabby might get minutes, but that’ll be about it. Things might be different for the Brighton game, which I’m guessing will be Gabby’s swan-song, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I also think Bruce will stick to pretty much the eleven you’d expect and don’t really see the kids getting much of a look in.
Again, the Brighton game might be better for starting kids, as the atmosphere will be brilliant and it’ll leave them chomping at the bit for next season.
Back to it and I think this has a draw written all over it.
Our lads couldn’t really get fired up for the blues game, so I’m not convinced they’ll be madly up for this one either. Blackburn, on the other hand will surely going all out for the win.
I don’t see many goals either, with much of the weight resting on Kodjia’s shoulders yet again.
It’s got to be 1-1 for me, but whatever, I doubt Blackburn will have enough to beat us.
Mind you, much depends on if Jedinak doesn’t start and Gabby does.
It has to giddy, did you see any of the game mate,?honestly you would have been hiding away with shame, i love the Villa but I want to see passionate play, they knew it didnt really matter,but Blackburn knew it was a win game.Villa had 2 shots on goal, 1 corner, I’d take the wages off them.
I didn’t see it mate thank god, the loss would of been a bit less sour if it had resulted in the SCUM slipping into the drop zone. Certainly a disappointing performance overall
Huddersfield made 10 changes having secured a play off place – if I was Blackburn I would be livid! Will the FA take action for Huddersgield gielding a weakened team – bet they don’t but football is becoming a farce.
Apologies for the prefictive text rubbish 🙂
I wondered that, was it wolves who got done for that under Mccarthy??? I could be wide of the mark
The fact this was even a question is ridiculous, should we win or lose… Of course we should’ve attempted too win. Although under Bruce we’re an attempt not too lose kinda team. Not even good at doing that, is he? Fact is, Blues are safe, because now Forest are below them on Goal Difference and they’ve been in a huge downward spiral. That formation was pointless and the no tactics football along with it really worked well. What scares me is he claims too want 4 players of real quality. Well if the players he bought in January are of any indication of what he thinks is quality… We’re screwed next season too.
The fact our fans cheered when Blackburn scored (despite the Blues having already scored against Huddersfield) is the biggest embarrassment of all time, more so than being relegated.
We are a poor side but I think its because of Bruce and his coaching team. I’m not convinced it makes any difference who we buy in the summer
Trust me DSVilla, I’m 100% with you. Never wanted Bruce and he’s only proven he can’t handle the job. Despite what his cult followers claim of 4 promotions…
I think we need to look at the bigger picture. Don’t no about anyone else but watching this side is boring the s $#t out of me. I’m a season ticket holder and have been today. No pace, no creativity, and worst of all, no idea. I appreciate you don’t get out of this div by playing pretty football but a little bit would do me. Fulhamain’t done too bad have they. can any true villain say that this team will get promoted cause I not seeing it.I don’t like dissing individuals but seriously what does Bruce see in Gardner ( my gardener at home is better than him😊) and bacuna. What’s happened to hourinahe lansbury . Are villa too big a clcub for them, and i reckon we signed hulk Hogan never mind Scot Hogan. We can’t keep chucking money at it. Something has to change otherwise it’s gonna be a long long season and I for one do not fancy watching that c#@p again next season. We, as fans deserve better as its our hard earned money that’s paying their wages. About time they gave us something back. Rant over. VTID.
Take blues out of the equation a today and all we have is another poor performance under bruce. Sadly I just don’t think he is capable of taking us back up.
Bruce has explained it why we was so bad, we was in the holiday mood, i wondered what the matter was, l feel better now he’s know what the problem is.ffs get the lazy sods out ,or even better play the young kids they got further in their league than that shower have for less money.
Not defending it but we’ve seen it many times before with many teams when there is nothing to play for. Blackburn had so much more at stake. What makes me mad is Huddersfield fielding a ‘second’ team in a match that has a major bearing on relegation – completely unacceptable in my book whoever is involved.
I don’t know about relegation candidates being pissed off with Huddersfields selection yesterday what about their fans paying good money to watch a second string team put out, a full refund wouldn’t go a miss.
Hitch, i understand that take in football we have nothing to play for, but I look at it this way, I’m paid to play, i have fans to please, i have honours to work for, they was not it the same frame of mind as Blackburn who was at the bottom of the league, its wrong and deceiving to any fan that travels and spends his hard working money.sorry its the way I believe in Hitch, they should have played to win.
Don’t get me wrong Bill, I’m completely in your camp on this. I think I was trying to say that it’s not only Villa who are guilty. Giddy makes a similarly good point about Huddersfield yesterday. Secured a play off space so now ‘resting’ their best players.
I agree with you Hitch as giddy said Man utd and Arsenal, Chelsea all guilty of playing under strength teams, in the past Hudderfield should be asked why, but I cannot get my head around yesterday’s game, that was disgusting performance from us.Bruce saying we want 4 top class players? only two player’s put a performance in in that game,,my take is move the bloody lot for player’s that love to win.
Sorry Bill but Bruce is all talk. He can claim whatever he wishes was the reason we lost. Bruce is the reason we lost. 4 center midfield diamond and two strikers up top. When has that ever worked for us? Ever? Never, that’s when. It’s clear too see Hogan and Kodjia can’t play together. We haven’t won when they played together. Bruce just wants too keep his big money signing Hogan happy, and is too clueless to realize this. He’s also too clueless to realize the only games we’ve ever won under him is when we played 4-3-3 yet he tries changing up the formation all the time. The guy’s clueless, it’s hard too take a word of his seriously like the team’s on vacation. Well then he’s just crap at motivating players, which is the only thing he’s been known too know how to do, and he can’t even do that here.
good honest post andrew
meant to write well wrote andrew
I have to agree with that assessment Andrew. I think the players are good enough to perform much better than they have. That leaves me with coaching, tactics and motivation. I think Bruce is way off the pace on any of these and I can’t see any reason why that is going to change.
I get why people feel we need a period of stability. That is only true if we are making progress. Bruce has, at best, stopped the rot. I would replace him in the summer if I was Xia. I expect he will be fired if we don’t get a good start next season, but i would rather get things in place earlier than that.
Andrew mate, its something we will find out in time no doubt, I cannot believe a manager would not understand why its going wrong, me I’m still in the days of left and right wing play, even inside forwards ,left half right half, when they put it onto drawing boards they lost me, wing play pulled back out, inside forwards worked the middle, he must know with the staff he has what’s going wrong..I watched that match I just couldn’t believe how bad we was, i need him to explain why, not turn round and make excuses by saying we need 4 top players, I’ve asked for people to give him time, he better wake up by January’s Windows or knives will be out.
I’m itching to write a post about Bruce, but I’m struggling for time, as per usual.
I’ll try and sort it tomorrow.
Think that would make interesting comments Badger, I’m not against him in fact he’s done well to stop the rot, I’m just not able to see why i see silly things going on and he doesn’t , maybe it’s the influence of other’s and he’s at a loss. To be honest I don’t know. we do need to change our attitudes in games and get player’s to work for the club and not be there with a I don’t care attitude.
Cannot see Kodja leaving this summer as it has been confirmed he has broken his ankle and will be out until next season. Bad News for us, just hope he is back asap. UTV
Bummer – injury to Kodjia will affect the start of next season. No Jedinak and no Kodjia on Sunday – the title is there for Brighton to take – probably at a stroll.
I’m amazed no one’s come on & blamed Bruce for his injury.
I’m surprised a certain someone hasn’t come on saying what a wimp he is.
Post coming up later.
Bit left field, but I see John Ruddy is available from Norwich, been out of the team of late/indifferent form, however not long ago he was in England squads. I’d take a punt on him and good age for a goalie. Sam Johnstone doesn’t really fill me with confidence and would prefer a young goalie to get experience and make mistakes elsewhere.
Very lacklustre performance by Villa at the weekend, I’m keen for the Jan signings to get a good pre season under their belt and hopefully we’ll see an improvement in their form.
Just on the comments regarding Huddersfield I feel they’ve earnt the right to rest their players seeing as they’ve secured a play off spot. The EFL set a precedent of a 25 man squad, so in my eyes they’re entitled to tinker as they wish. The clubs in the relegation dog fight can’t really complain as they’re down the bottom as a result of poor performances through the whole campaign.