I missed the whole first half of the Fulham game because I thought it was a 3pm kick off. Well, it was for me here in Spain, but I thought it meant UK time. Hence I didn’t start watching until a couple of minutes after the first half started. So I can’t comment on any of that.
We did though concede early on (again!) but Ollie took a great chance to equalise after lobbing a lofted ball over the goalie’s head. Let’s hope that starts him on a run again. We all know he has these dry spells, but the plus point is that he generally bags a few afterwards. I’m glad he scored, as I really do like him and typically it was just after I’d called for us to drop him. He has been awful though lately.
And then just as I started to watch the game, John McGinn hit another cracker for the second. I love this bloke. Always works his guts out and gives everything. I think he makes an excellent captain too. I forgot to mention when the twins watched the players get on the coach after the Villareal friendly, they told me he took loads of time for selfies and chats with the fans. He’s an excellent ambassador for the club who’ll probably go down as a bit of a club legend. I reckon there’s a good chance that if he doesn’t go into presenting/analysis on telly, he’ll possibly end up representing the club at events and take over from some of the old guard European Cup winners.
And then Emi Buendia scored too, with a nicely taken goal, again typically as I’d just been saying that I don’t rate him. I’m eqally glad he got one too. All he needs to do is do it more often, imo.
So while it wasn’t a stunning performance, it was a lot better. It seemed to me that Emery’s comments about the players being lazy must have hit home. That’s a plus, in my mind, not just because it seemed to have had a fair effect, but more because it indicates that it’s not something Emery does very often, if indeed he’s ever done it before behind closed doors. And it indicates that he hasn’t lost the players either.
Anyway, there was no doubting the effort and just like Ollie, let’s hope the team goes on a roll, eh? It was a great result and we actually look like Fulham’s bogey club now.
Feyenoord up next and the twins are going to that too (!) Blimey. To be 18yos following the Villa around Europe. How good would that be?
I know nothing about them, except I’ve just read that defender Malcolm Jeng, who joined them on deadline day and made his first appearance on Sunday has had to have surgery on his right leg.
Not good for them, but defintely a plus for us.
It’s early days, but the team has made a very bright start in the Eredivisie. They’re top of the table, having won 6 and drawn 1 in 7 games. So although the Dutch league isn’t any great shakes, it suggests we might have a pretty tough proposition on our hands. My stance on this competition remains unchanged. I still don’t care much for it at all if it in any way causes us to suffer in the Premier league, where survival comes head and shoulders before anything else. That said, while the odds are stacked against us winning it, as much as I think we’re favourites, I would like to think that we have enough to get us the right result here.
And if we settle down in the Premier league, with better form I’ll happily take any victories in the Europa league. Fickle? No, not all. If the circumstances change, any sensible person’s stance should change too.
I’m going to be bold and say a 2-1 win to Villa. Please don’t prove me wrong lads.
UTV!
I do genuinely think we’ll win this. Although that’s not backed up by much, tbh.
I feel a bit meh about the Europa league too, which is most likely down to the fact we were playing Champions league last season, so it feels a bit of a come down. The fact the attendance was only 31,000 suggests the lack of interest in general, plus the over priced tickets and Thursday nights suggests the club have cocked up big time. They haven’t just missed out on sales through lack of fans but also the lost money in merchandise, food and drink.
Having said that, it’s our best opportunity to win a trophy and qualify for Champions league. We have little hope of qualification through Premier league getting 4th or 5th considering our poor start.
Hope you’re right Badger – we need to go a run of positive results now.
I also get the views about the Europa League which Emery has also said is number two on our priority list behind the Prem.
BUT we have to go all out to win it – a trophy would be great and, more importantly, it qualifies us for the CL – that’s the real prize.
I don’t feel “Meh” about the Europa at all. Champions leagues was an amazing experience and we want to be there every season but only 4 teams get it a year and we got the next best thing. A few years back and we would have snapped your hand off for Conference league. We all went mad when we beat Brighton on that last home game to finish seventh. Come on guys , these are great times!
Watching Villa under the likes of Alex Mcleish and Paul Lambert inevitably dropping down to championship and having our moments down there, now that doesn’t do it for me. I’ll take Europa next season now if offered going on our start! Positivity is a lot in football!
i do agree with most of your points.it is great compared to what it was like 10-15 years ago..i just hate the thursday – Sunday games most weeks..cant beat satday 3pm games.i hate it cos i have to work Sundays
Sunday’s result was refreshing, but all eyes are on one thing really, and that is this evening where I set off to Rotterdam! Very much looking forward to our trip!
As for Fulham, Rogers improved massively from recent weeks, and hopefully Watkins can keep firing now, going to go for a 1-3 Villa win against Feynoord, but I just want to take the lead and celebrate in that away end!
15 hour coach journey isn’t for the week, but whatever it takes to follow the Villa in Europe.
Sorry, gone to Europe!
Alfie, your talking me back to my youth traving to Villa games, safe journey and we will get that win, keep the faith.
I see Tom Wagner – the real owner of Birmingham City – has been talking about redistribution of funds from the EPL downwards.
I have to say he talked a lot of sense (albeit one might not fully agree) unlike the pretend owner Brady who just throws out rhetoric and nonsense. I suspect he’s a bit of an embarrassment 🙂 !
Team news isn’t good. Tyrone Mings, Jaden Sancho, Youri Tielemens, Amadou Onana and Ares Garcia are out.
And let’s hope it’s many happy returns for Lamare Bogarde, who is going back to his first club.
Good for us, that is.
From the BBC.
“A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League’s controversial profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and adopt an “alternative system” is “coming up”, says chief executive Richard Masters.
The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.”
On another day we would be talking of extending a no loss run of 5 games . Put me down for 6.
Goalkeeper jinx in Rotterdam again!
I very much doubt it Holte. More like Emi is working his ticket by picking and choosing his games and trying to fuck Emery up.
You know as a goalie if you’re fit or not, imo.
Touch harsh Badger – according to BBC, Emi picked up a knock in the warm up. It happens although I never quite understand how!
I honestly think he’s picking and choosing. Hitch.
Not fussed anyhow. Bizot’s doing a great job up to now.
I cannot see that at all Badger. Unai would tell him to do one if that was the case.
Rogers being a bit rubbish today by all accounts. Was the sale of Duran a bad move, driven by PSR?
That would have been a bad red card. Ollie’s next touch would have been a cross and not a shot. And 2 minas later that is what his finish from that angle would have been
That would have been a bad red card. Ollie’s next touch would have been a cross and not a shot. And 2 minas later that is what his finish from that angle would have been.testing
I just hope Emery can see where the problems are in this game because I bloody can .
Reckon if Spec Savers were to go the training ground , they’d clean up ££££
Not only with glasses but would realise that half the team are colour blind
Cannot see Claret or Blue 🤣
Looks like the Fulham win was a case of us playing a team we like. Just like Palace would choose us as their favourite team to play.
Rogers also back to his usual leisurely stroll around the park with many stray passes to opposition.
Our best player is Bizot which says it all. Mind you if it’s a repeat of 1982 with Spink being our MOTM and we score on the break and win 1-0!!!
Jimmy, they even might find out how many times a curtain player give balls away and how many times he contributes passes to his opponents.
Agree . Strolling around .
Rodger’s played better Sunday but tonite ????
Cash also !!
Cannot wait for Gracia to be fit
Buendia!!!!
Drag Rodger’s
Surely Elliot ain’t colour blind
He would keep it simple and find a claret shirt
McGinn!!!!
Great result.
Getting better match in match
And to think two weeks ago we were worried
A good team performance
Well done Unai and team.
I enjoyed the second half. So much better than the first. Buendia was excellent and also Konsa and Torres. McGinn and Kamara dominated the midfield in the end and I’m getting more excited by the progress of Bogarde when he plays.
MOTM though was Bizot who deserves to keep his place against Burnley even if Martinez is fit.
I love Rotterdam!
Yeah bizot should keep his place but we all know that unai will just put emi straight back in..i do feel sorry for bizot though if that’s the case.. Although he knew when he signed that he was gonna be back up to emi 🤔
Credit where Credit Due
We are looking more like last season
And once Olly and Roy ( Rodger’s ) Orbison click , and a fully fit squad
We look up 👍
In Unai we trust
Still in Florida but followed the match on live BBC text.
Bit worried after reading first half comments on here but it seemed we stepped up second period. Well done the team and Emery.
A special mention for Emery and Monchi – Bizot might just be the buy of the window.
Back home Saturday and looking forward to watching on Sunday.
UTMV
Do you like nfl by any chance hitchens??
Great result 2nite.i was getting a bit worried at half time with feyenoord being the better team & having some great chances but we made them pay in the 2nd half. They must have regretted not putting them chances away..