Cardiff away next then and what to think?
The bad news is that it seems Kodjia won’t be able to play, as the Ivory coast won’t allow him to join them late.
To be honest, I don’t have a problem with that.
The player is committed to his country and I admire him for it.
Given that the club apparently offered a private flight, so he’d only arrive a few hours late, it seems a bit petty.
But I guess the argument would be “what if he were to get injured against Cardiff?”
And it’s a fair point.
Hence I don’t feel we can moan too much. Them’s the rules, after all.
But it’s a right royal pain and he’s going to be a massive loss, more so because I worry about where our fire power is going to come from.
Here’s a list of our goalscorers and when you take Kodjia out, it doesn’t make for great reading;
Player LG LC Total
1
Jonathan Kodjia 9 0 9
2
Rudy Gestede 4 0 4
3
Jack Grealish 3 0 3
3
J Ayew 2 1 3
3
Ross McCormack 3 0 3
4
Albert Adomah 1 0 1
4
Leandro Bacuna 1 0 1
4
Nathan Baker 1 0 1
4
Gary Gardner 1 0 1
4
Aaron Tshibola 1 0 1
Gestede can be forgiven somewhat, as he hasn’t featured that much, but it’s looking increasingly likely that he’s off to Boro and probably won’t play tomorrow.
Grealish isn’t an out and out striker, so we can discount him.
Ayew has been allowed to stay for tomorrow’s game, but I wonder if this is more about giving him time to sort a deal with Swansea?
That’s a bit of a wild guess on my part, but stranger things have happened.
Kozak’s a goner and Bruce seems reluctant to introduce Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
Which basically leaves us with Ross McCormack, whose return has been poor to say the least.
Or Gabby, who, well…..
Maybe now you understand my concern.
On the plus side, McCormack has often been a late starter, who goes on runs in the back half of the season.
But he doesn’t look fully match fit, does he?
And Gabby?
Well, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying he shouldn’t even be at the club, let alone starting.
So considering we’re supposed to have an abundance of strikers, I’m not seeing it myself.
So if we go with two up front, it’s going to be Gabby and McCormack.
If it’s a one, it’ll be Gabby. Which is scary.
So maybe a three? With Gabby, McCormack and Adomah?
God knows.
The midfield will probably remain as per the Leeds game, seeing as Westwood played a blinder(!), although if Tshibola doesn’t get a look in you have to think his days are numbered, regardless of what the manager says about him.
The defence and Goalie likewise picks itself.
So it’s all about who is going to step up and score in Kodjia’s place?
We beat Cardiff 3-1 at home, but they were on top for long periods, so tomorrow certainly isn’t going to be easy and even given Cardiff’s lowly standing in the league, I don’t think we can count on a win here.
Any Warnock team will try to bully us and I think it’ll give them an edge.
Couple that with the fact I worry about where the goals will come from and it has to be a draw for me.
1-1
Which frankly won’t be good enough.
Anyone confident?
It seems Grealish is out with a minor knock (dead leg?)
That’s another option gone.
Gestede’s pretty much gone;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4080506/Rudy-Gestede-arrives-Teeside-complete-medical-Aston-Villa-striker-moves-closer-Middlesbrough-switch.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
I’m wondering if Rhodes will be part of the deal he’s being linked by some papers
What’s up, you lightweights?
The booze caught up on you? 😉
It’s understandable, no worries 🙂
Lol 😁 I’ve still got plenty of room mate keeping it coming 🍾🍷🍺 0-2 VILLA UTV
Badger,.I agree what you said in your lasr post midfield is our problem it needs change and any one with a football brain would know this. This is McCormacks chance to shine. Very tough game tomorrow after Leeds the Leeds game I don’t know, happy with a draw . Midfield needs a complete change man with balls .
It’s why I can’t understand Tshibola not coming in, Dave.
He looks like he has a lot more energy about him, than certain others.
Madness, imo, but we don’t know what’s gone on and there must have been something.
McCormack?
I really don’t see him being our saviour, I’m afraid 🙁
We need to give McCormack a chance as the main CF now. That’s his position.
Gabby is a waste of time. Hopefully RHM and green now get a spot on the bench and some game time.
That’s the trouble, Benno.
McCormack doesn’t do main CF.
He’s better playing off another striker, picking up the pieces or creating.
Gabby is finished and I really can’t see any plus points in playing him.
He doesn’t even have his one trick, in pace, these days.
It’s why I’m concerned.
But hopefully I’m wrong.
I’d go with McCormick with Adomah and Green. Forget who’s CF play it on the ground and use the pace we have.
If a Plan B is called for I’d put on Rushian-Murphy or even Elphick up front as CF probably as much as a distraction as anything but you never know he might get a knock down or something.
Shows that we do need another attacker – Rhodes or Hernandez might fit the bill.
Another close game but we’ll shade it Cardiff 1 – 2 Villa
UTV
Pat – can’t see Bruce introducing youngsters against Warnock’s rough house game tactics.
I’m pretty confident we’ll beat them. They’re an awful side with an awful manager. We should be winning it 3-0, but it’ll be another 2-1 win.
Xia claims we’ve gotten a loan deal done, and he’s negotiating a loan deal and 2-3 signings. Classless from our fans tweeting him on the 1st asking him when he’s announcing signings before even mentioning he’s in talks for these players, but hey ho. We’re looking at like 5 signings and that’s good news.
Wish I was confident about today’s game but Badger makes an excellent point about us having six cf’s (Bruce’s words) but only one striker who is off to AFCON.
I think Bruce will play Ayew and Mac as the two strikers today with Adomah or Gardener (dependent on whether SB opts for more defensive approach) joining the Jedi, Westwood and Bacuna in mid field – defence picks itself. I expect a new striker in before our next EFL game – someone more mobile than Gestede.
Best I can see is a draw.
Come on Hitch! Where’s yr New Year fighting spirit? 2-0 Villa. Goals from Baker and Ayew.
Fair play Bum Bum – must be the festive period hangover – I’ll just have to take Giddy’s advice 🙂
If I’m correct Cardiff are dirty fuckers
Lol! Warnock’s sides play it close to the mark that’s for sure. Looking forward to it too! It’s gonna feellike a Saturday but then we’re all back at work tomorrow:(
Gestede £6 mill bid accepted;
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11677/10715206/aston-villa-accept-6m-bid-from-middlesbrough-for-rudy-gestede
We got our money back then.
Don’t blame Rudy, he always tried but I could never see him fitting in with the way the team plays. I wish him luck at Boro.
Hear hear Pat
Interesting team selection – attacking for Bruce away from home and Murphy on the bench – does that suggest he’s about to sign a new contract? Also see Tish is on bench and no Jedi – too many games for his legs?
Mile must have a knock as he’s not even on the bench. Otherwise I’d guess that this would be the type of game he’d relish.
Grealish playing which is a bit of a relief as we need all the creativity we can get.
Bacuna up front with McCormack? Well he can hit a ball but it will be interesting to see how that turns out.
Bunn
Hutton
Chester
Baker
Amavi
Gardner
Westwood
Adomah
Grealish
Bacuna
McCormack
Showing 4-4-2 on the OS, Grealish and McCormack.
Interesting.
Ayew’s on the bench and I’d guess he’ll figure if Grealish tires???
Substitutes
11 Gabriel Agbonlahor 6 Tommy Elphick 28 Aly Cissokho 10 Jordan Ayew 1 Pierluigi Gollini 8 Aaron Tshibola 29 Rushian Hepburn-Murphy
I wonder if RHM might come on?
Shite
Bloody hell 0-1
Sounds like they’re on top again.
Bollocks!! the lowest away scorers In the league now have to score 2 at least to win looks unlikely!
No this is McCormack up front on his own and 5 in midfield. Now to all those who posted on here that McC is better playing of a CF, I am sorry but I saw him play 2 games for Fulham in the lone striker role, and doing so with success. Proof of the pudding shortly.
Give them a goal start though, why don’t we.?
Cardiff should be 2 up.
This really doesn’t sound good.
Jeez, should be 4-0 now 🙁
Half time.
What’s Bruce going to do here?
McCormack hasn’t had a look in and the comms are suggesting Gabby.
I hope we get our heads out of our arses second half jeez
Time for Gabby!! Hahahaha oh dear were fucked.