I don’t even know if I’ll get to watch this one, as I’m half expecting a text asking me to work tomorrow. At the minute I’m hopeful that I do get to watch it though.
So it’s Brentford away, which hasn’t proved a very good hunting ground for us.
But it doesn’t worry me.
I said recently that there isn’t a single fixture left that worries me.
Yes, we are going to lose more games this season; percentages say so, but any team we face now must realise it’s going to be in for a fight.
Whereas under Gerrard, we looked clueless and quite frankly uninterested (which is criminal, but fully indicative of how bad he was, imo), we now look up for the battle. I don’t need to repeat how McGinn and others look re-invigorated. We’ve all seen it.
So the headline sums up what I’m thinking, perfectly.
Squad news and not much has changed. The usuals, in Boubacar Kamara, Matty Cash, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey are all still out.
Hence we’ll probably play an unchanged side, unless “t’ grand master” has seen something that I haven’t, tactically.
Which is always and easily possible.
Brentford also have no new concerns. Kristoffer Ajer isn’t ready to return, while Pontus Jansson and Keane Lewis-Potter are out for the rest of the season.
Brentford’s stats are interesting.
They’ve beaten us at home in the last four times we’ve played them and the last time we won was 1953. I’d guess we haven’t met them much since then though.
They haven’t won in five and have lost the last three. This would normally have me saying that we’re bound to lose then, as we’ve been the club to face when you’re on your arse, for years.
Not anymore though!
They’ve only lost two games at home this season, which makes the Gtech a bit of a fortress.
But while I would have been asking for a draw in the last few years, I now expect more.
Chris Sutton, has us down for a 2-1 win. It’s the only guess I’ve seen.
And I have to agree with him.
We’ve scored in all 18 games under Emery, which is unequalled elsewhere in the league and I expect that to continue.
I do however, have in the back of mind that we’ve been quite reliant on Ollie Watkins, who has been astounding in scoring 11 in 12 games and contributed to more goals than any player in the league in 2023 (I think. I’m sure I read that last part somewhere).
Am I wrong to ask “what if Ollie doesn’t score?”
I suppose you have to go with what’s happening and not be concerned with “what ifs?”
If we win this, it will be the first time we’ve won six on the trot since February 1990.
I’m not normally keen on stats, but they currently look so good, I can’t resist mentioning them.
And wow, does it make a great change.
2-1 it is then and a continuation of a real buzz.
And if we don’t get a result, you can’t win ’em all, can you?
UTV!
Comments
97 responses to “Brentford- Villa; Tough, but I have heightened expectations”
Dear Father Christmas,
This week I would like:
An Aston Villa (big) win.
A West Ham win.
A Manchester Utd win (albeit with lots of short term injuries).
Thank you very much and I have been a very, very good boy this year.
Bum Bum
My work colleague has said his season ticket price for next season has gone up approximately 50%. When there’s a cost of living crisis this is nothing short of disgraceful. They know that those current season ticket holders who are struggling the most financially will be forced to give up their seats, knowing that there are 20,000 on the waiting list. So in the future the working class are continually driven out of attending games. Up to now I have been impressed with our owners and what they have accomplished but they are punishing the diehard fans who can’t afford going anymore.
Is that at Fulham’s new stand? If it is I heard the prices have rocketed even for day tickets. Possibly the most expensive in London.
It’s a funny thing to notice, but have u seen how many footy podcasts are all middle class kids? Those microphones are expensive!!
I hear Villa have put up season tickets by 15% but delayed the announcement from mid February until after the Newcastle game – I wonder why?
Or am I just being cynical 🙂
Don’t know whether you guys have clocked this but following this weeks FA Cup semi-finals, European places will now go to the top 7 in the Prem.
OK so 7th is Europa Conference but I’d take it after our Gerradstrous start to the season.
Hope Emi is fit otherwise I fear for tonight’s result.
UTV
Hitch, I really not sure I want Thursday evening football on the continent. History has consistently shown, time and again, that it seriously damages a team’s domestic campaign. I’d love the Villa to finish 5th and believe that is achievable, but I also wouldn’t mind declining to enter either Europa League, a-la United ditching the FA Cup in 2000. I think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I know that will never happen and most will disagree and might even hammer me for this view. But consider, as things stand, we are only second to Citeh on points in 2023. In other words, with no distractions, Emery is capable of challenging for the top 4 and even the title, based on that evidence. If we play on Thursday nights in Europe, that simply will not happen. It will be one step forward and two back, unless of course, Unai wins the Europa, which we know he can but there’s no guarantee! I’d prefer a guaranteed top 4 finish in a year’s time – then we’ll be really motoring!
Villa will actually earn more money from West Ham staying in the Premier League, due to the reported £3m add-on in the Danny Ings deal, than they will receive from the 15% gate receipt increase. So, is the sour taste it leaves with fans really worth it?
It seemed a bit rich considering they haven’t finished a season in the top-tier top-half since 2011, and have spent most of this season 11th or lower.
15 minutes in and this ref is a disgrace.
How did we not get a penalty for the challenge on Watkins?
If the ref had given it I guarantee VAR would not have overturned it.
No idea Hitch looked a stonewall to me.
MINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally dominated first half but only 1-0. I can’t help but feel second half that Fulham will improve. Could have had a penalty although Watkins didn’t complain too much. Hopefully a quick second goal for us will be coming up.
We know from Saturday that at 1-0 the game is not won.
We haven’t started second half
We need a second. I’m holding my breath here!!!
I don’t think there’s any love lost between Watkins and Buendía
Fulham goal – OFFSIDE!
Bloody sort it out guys!!!!!!!!!
Yea I’ll take the 3 points but what a dull game, dreadful watch.
OK not a vintage performance particularly in the second half but Fulham had one shot all game and that in the first 30 seconds!
Fouls Fulham 18 – Villa 6
Good professional win – that’s what good teams do.
5th – blimey!
My one concern is whether – given our small squad and the high number of games in April – we’re starting to see fatigue impacting on our performances.
We need some of our injured back to give Emery some options.
I’d agree 💯 with that Hitch, they look tired.
Big ask to put in a big performance week in week out.
Fair comment.
Wow! 5TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we sound a bit leggy…Especially Buendia. Any chance our injuries will be fit for Utd?
Well done guys!!! Bit hairy though!!!!
I don’t think so Bum Bum.
The club have been very cagey on the injuries and we haven’t seen any of them in OS training pics.
Yeaassss woo hoo another win the lads look a bit tired but we’re up to bloody 5th sooo happy
Second half was disappointing but fortunately Fulham didn’t really offer anything in the final third.
3 points at this stage is all that matters.
We have an extra day recovery over Man Ure for Sunday so let’s hope it’s a really physical game for them against Spuds.
I’m going to screenshot the league table now and print it off at work tomorrow. Happy days. UTMV!
In reality utd are to far ahead to catch and the spuds losing really would be to our advantage but to wave the flag for utd?
go utd go
Painful
An appalling win? Perhaps saving energy for Man Utd is a valid excuse. Only excitement at our end – wondering who would cock it up. Some got close.
We might not have played like Barcelona in their pomp but Fulham went 90 minutes without a shot – given their only shot all game was after 30 seconds!
So you might be right OLL – why over exert ourselves unnecessarily – it was only Fulham after all!
Not sure I’d describe it as appalling – maybe the draw at Brentford was but not today. Efficient, professional although, maybe, a little underwhelming 🙂
5th. I really can’t fathom it! Remarkable. I think the lads will be really relishing Sunday’s match. Especially with Utds injuries and us having a day extra to rest. I can’t wait!!!!
(And still the media largely ignore us…Fine by me. Stay under the radar).
Gonna be following Wed and Thurs matches too…The Utd v Spuds will be interesting. West Ham may well get something against Pool.