It’s easy for me to think that Burnley will seriously struggle this season, as returnees to the league.
But I don’t think they will, as Vincent Kompany seems to have done a decent job in managing them.
I can’t say I know much about them or how they set up, but I do suspect they’ll have to be on good form to beat us.
Their previous form this season is nothing to go on, because they’ve only played Man City (losing 3-0) after their fixture at Luton was postponed so the Hatters can install new media facilities. A few seats wouldn’t go amiss while they’re at it.
Anyway, losing at City is no disgrace and we certainly can’t read anything into that game.
I’m rambling, because frankly I don’t know what to think, other than three points would be nice.
Team news and the big question is Aaaron Ramsey going to feature for them? I don’t think he’ll start, but I’d expect him to get minutes so the locals can take a look at him.
While I’m talking about Burnley, I might as well mention that Michael Obefemi is their only injury. Anass Zaroury is unavailable after being red carded at City and their other new signing, Hannes Delcroix could be in line for his first appearance.
As for the Villa, Martinez is probably being assessed as I write, after suffering a slight calf injury at Hibs. I’d guess he wants to play, but it may well be a case of you can’t be too careful with these things, which would see Olsen replacing him. I hope he’s fit, put it that way.
Mings and Buendia are obviously long term injjuries and Dendoncker, Jacob Ramsey and Coutinho are still recovering.
Talking of Coutinho, I’ve just read this in the Sun;
Philippe Countinho has agreed to QUIT Aston Villa after agreeing personal terms with Qatari club Al-Duhail.
However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Villans are yet to accept the deal as they are holding out for a higher transfer fee.
I can see that one happening.
In other news, Cameron Archer’s transfer to Sheffield Utd has been confirmed.
Prediction time then and I retain my confidence.
Villa to win, 2-1.
UTV!
Keinan Davis is having a medical at Swansea and apparently Hull are fuming, presumably because he’d agreed to join them?
We shouldn’t underestimate Burnley but I would hope Emery isn’t doing that.
Olsen plays and I reckon he’ll play against Hibs midweek with Villa aiming on getting Martinez back and fully fit for the Liverpool game. And talking of Hibs they’ve sacked their manager this morning – not just down to the loss against Villa as I think they are still to win a league game this season.
On Davis – I read he hadn’t agreed personal terms with Hull so I suspect Swansea have offered him more bucks.
Back to Burnley – Turf Moor has not been a happy hunting ground for us over the years so a draw wouldn’t surprise also given our relatively poor form against promoted sides over the last couple of years. However, if we have top six aspirations, these are the games we have to win.
UTV
Olsen plays
25Olsen
4Konsa
3Diego Carlos
14P Torres
2Cash
44Kamara
6Douglas Luiz
12Digne
19Diaby
7McGinn
11Watkins
Substitutes
8Tielemans
9Traoré
16Chambers
22Zaniolo
24Durán
31Bailey
42Marschall
48Zych
Referee:
Michael Salisbury
Ramsay not in the squad for Utd. I wish him well and look forward to him being good enough to come back
Cheers Gerry.
I forgot about Zaniolo.
Hitch, you would hope things have changed under Emery and we can reverse that poor history against these teams.
Cash!!!!
That’s a goal from the training ground. This is heaven me thinks
Cash again!!!!!!!! 2-0!!!!
Brilliant!!!!
Can posters on here regularly slate Bailey and Cash please. It seems to be a catalyst for great performances and a shedfull of goals!!!!
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Just for you BumBum I hate them I hate them ❤️❤️
Bill can you hate Ollie a little as well.
Mustn’t ease off – Burnley carry a threat but so far very good.
Two excellent goals.
Be interesting to see what both managers do second half.
I did warn you!
Seen it coming Hitch, we got too complacent took the foot off the gas, we was in a excellent position for the 35th minute then for some reason we dropped our standard. Oli I think has to sit on the bench at some stage as he’s not his Dynamic self .
Spot on Bill – got complacent but great Diaby goal after a super turn and run by McGinn
That was a great goal now don’t sit back
Watkins unfortunately lost his confidence you can see it in his game , ,if your watching take a look at his play in this game , is it because Archer no longer with us and he feels safe ? He’s not the same man we’ve seen in the past .
Bill, I don’t think it has anything to do with Archer.
We’ve seen this before from Watkins: he’ll have a dozen games where he can’t stop scoring, followed by 15-18 where he looks shot of confidence (or talent) and missses what look like easy chances. He’s only ever going to average about 1 goal in 3 games at this level – whereas a top striker should be able to get 1 in 2 (or better) long-term.
Personally, I doubt if we can afford one of those – even if there was one willing to join anything other than a CL team – we’re going to have to dig one out of South America or Spain before anyone else finds him!
Nicolo Zaniolo. Like him. Settled already
I was only listening to the radio commentary on WM, but he does seem to have fitted-in very well already.
Our enforced new defensive line up looks interesting. Burnley are no pushover but we’ve done well. All our defenders.. Carlos and Torres look like they’ve been in that role for a few seasons.
A great win! Well done Villa!!!!
Carlos was always likely to be a big player for us, if it hadn’t been for that unfortunate injury when he arrived we might have been raving about him last season…
Yes, a great result.
It’s early, very early days, but with pool equalising we are above Newcastle and level with 5th place Brighton.