Bournemouth – Villa; Not sure

You’re probably aware that the site hasn’t been working properly lately.
I can only apologise. I’ve tried numerous things to sort it and it seems it may be partly fixed.
I’d reach out to WordPress, which setup and maintains the platform, but I wouldn’t have a clue what to ask them, as there have been so many different issues.
Trust me, I’m as frustrated as many of you probably are and am currently hoping that some update or other might resolve things. Meanwhile I’d ask that you bear with things.
Come to think of it, I’m going to contact the host and see if there’s anything they might be able to help with.

Meanwhile, onto the game.
This one so reminds me of the Luton game, where I thought it was very much a banana skin game.
The good news was though, that we went on to beat them quite soundly.

So while I think this could be similar in that we could either lose it, as is somewhat expected or win it, which would be more demonstrative of our relevant league positions, I do feel this is a tougher test.

Team news and the big one for us is Ollie Watkins’ fitness. Emery has said he’s not completely unavailable and I’m not sure what that means. Does it mean he could be ruled out totally or is it more that he just might not be up to a full 90 minutes?
The thing in our favour here, is that Bournemouth concede a lot of goals and their record is third worst behind only Sheffield and Burnley. With Villa being able to create goals from players all over the pitch, if Watkins is in any way doubtful at all, I’d rest him and save him for bigger games coming up. I think Emery will think exactly the same. That said, nobody will know better than the player himself and apparently he’s going to be looked at and asked the question this morning.
So while it’s not great, I’d expect him to be rested and we go with Duran, while not forgetting we could go with Bailey or Ramsey in another more forward role. Don’t forget Zaniolo has also been touted as a possibly very good centre forward too.
Blimey, do we suddenly have an abundance of options? It would seem so. Much of this is down to the way we play, with an out and out attacker not quite being the neccessity it usually has been, I feel. Particularly against a team that concedes a few.
Apart from the long termers, we’re all good and it’s a pleasant position to be in, with the squad at as full strength as it can be. I’m sure it’ll all be needed too.
There is one fly in the ointment and Kamara is suspended for this one for picking up five yellows.
I’ve also just realised that I’ve forgot about Traore. I’m relly not sure what his position is.

Bournemouth have Lloyd Kelly ruled out after being forced off last week with a hamstring injury.
Max Aarons, Tyler Adams, Alex Scott and Ryan Fredericks remain out.

They’re a strange team, Bournemouth.
They went 13 games without a win, but have now seemingly come good and have won 3 of their last 4 Premier league games, including a very good win and clean sheet against Newcastle. We all know how hard it is to beat the Barcodes, too.

And of the 6 times we’ve played them, they’ve won 4, so a bit of a bogey team too.

Prediction time then and as usual of late, I’m struggling.
Will we go at them, with Cash continuing to be used further forward? I don’t know.
I’m going to say Bournemouth will concede at least one goal.
It would be so easy for me to go for a 1-1 draw, but that’s just safe and boring.
We have to consider that we’re away and generally our results have been as good.
I’m going to be a bit bolder than 1-1 and say it will be 2-1.
Who to though?
Villa edge it, for me so there you go, a 2-1 win it is.

UTV

44 Comments

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  1. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 2:56 pm . Reply

    Carlos and Zaniolo off JJ and Cash on, imo.

  2. Holte
    Holte December 3, 2023 at 3:02 pm . Reply

    How is Semenyo still on the pitch? What’s the betting he goes on to score the winner. Zaniolo isn’t suited to this Villa team. I’m hoping he gets replaced by Diaby 2nd half.

  3. Adam
    Adam December 3, 2023 at 3:03 pm . Reply

    I would make those subs too Badger. Mainly Zaniolo though for either Rasmey or Diaby. How is Semenyo still on the pitch? Cynical tug on the shirt is every other time a straight yellow. Ref bottled it and it better not cost us as he’s been their only serious threat.

  4. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 3:12 pm . Reply

    Semenyo should be off without a doubt.
    Shocking reffing.

  5. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 3:19 pm . Reply

    I saw it coming.
    This is so frustrating when they really should be down to 10.
    1-2.
    The fucking defence is useless and they’re being allowed far too much time in the box.
    Piss poor, for me.

  6. Adam
    Adam December 3, 2023 at 3:21 pm . Reply

    That’s a poor goal to concede given the ball away with a poor kick from Martinez and defence just watched Solanke pick the ball up and score no challenges at all. Now we are in trouble.

  7. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson December 3, 2023 at 3:23 pm . Reply

    Why am I not surprised Being 2-1 down , we have sleep walking players in defence, McGinn he’s not himself? no fight in defence or midfield whatsoever.

    1. Bum Bum
      Bum Bum December 3, 2023 at 3:27 pm . Reply

      Tiredness creeping in???

  8. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 3, 2023 at 3:26 pm . Reply

    Only saw last 10 minutes of first half but we look lifeless – no energy in our play at all.

    Is it another example of complacency?

  9. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson December 3, 2023 at 3:33 pm . Reply

    McGinn off Duran on why don’t we put more into this game it’s important to win .

  10. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 3, 2023 at 3:37 pm . Reply

    It’s a vital game but the players who’ve had most minutes look fkd…Luiz. McGinn. Ollie. Pau.
    We look knackered. I don’t think it’s tactics or a lack of desire.
    Good job the winter break is coming up…Oh, hang on…
    I would stick Moreno on now though.

  11. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 3, 2023 at 3:39 pm . Reply

    I like the look of this change!!! 3 on!!!

  12. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 3:45 pm . Reply

    We can go on to win this by 3, but we’ve been absolutely crap up to now.

    1. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand December 3, 2023 at 3:53 pm . Reply

      Diarby blows hot and cold, I think the physicality of the league is too much for him.

      1. The Ron Saunders Stand
        The Ron Saunders Stand December 3, 2023 at 3:57 pm . Reply

        But what do i know 😂🤣

  13. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 3, 2023 at 3:49 pm . Reply

    A reality call this.

  14. Sidforever
    Sidforever December 3, 2023 at 3:56 pm . Reply

    What a goal Watkins

  15. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 3:56 pm . Reply

    Ollie!
    Get the fuck in!
    2-2

  16. Badger123
    Badger123 December 3, 2023 at 3:57 pm . Reply

    That was miles behind him too.
    What a header that is!

  17. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 3, 2023 at 4:03 pm . Reply

    Great goal by Watkins.

    We didn’t really deserve to win.

    Take a point, move on

  18. Holte
    Holte December 3, 2023 at 4:05 pm . Reply

    Bournemouth are a tough team to beat at their place. If the referee had played to the laws of the game they would have been down to 10 men but twice he bottled it.
    At least we have a couple of easier games coming up next.

  19. Adam
    Adam December 3, 2023 at 4:27 pm . Reply

    Snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat is a bonus but their defence really wasn’t great and we just didn’t give them enough problems all 2nd half i think we just couldnt find that cohesion in the middle, Kamara back next game after having a rest will help that though im sure. 2 massive games coming up now I just hope we don’t give away cheap points and play to our best that’s all we can do.

  20. OLL again
    OLL again December 3, 2023 at 4:42 pm . Reply

    The fruit metaphor rides once more as the Bananas again prove to be a Cherry-skin for Villa on the South Coast. The high offside line isn’t any use against a team who can all run with the ball from their own half, and do. And against a ref who bottles a home player double yellow. Semanyo committed 2 worse flow-interrupting fouls than the one he was booked for. Snatching at chances also Villa weakness when several players had a shot through a crowded area,
    but did not try to work an opening, and so a defender.

    Zaniolo – according to the Italy manager – may turn into a match-winning forward. If he leads the Italy line they will never win another tournament. Because his ability to pick the wrong choice even when there are just 2 is infallible. I am happy with a point from that.

    1. OLL again
      OLL again December 3, 2023 at 4:44 pm . Reply

      “but did not try to work an opening and so hit a defender.”

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