This is going to be a quick post as I have a lot on my plate at present.
Villa’s first team squad will not have played for 19 days since the 1-2 reverse at United. Bodymoor Heath was only reopened on Sunday and it would seem that not all the first team squad will be fit for selection tomorrow. Whilst the players will be rested they will be lacking match fitness and the after effects of the Covid outbreak.
Whilst Smith is trying to maintain a positive outlook, pointing to our excellent away form as a marker, the reality is that we’re going to be seriously disadvantaged against a team that is looking to secure its sixth straight win in the EPL and that without Aguero.
Our recent record against Citeh is about as atrocious as it can get and whilst OLL makes a valid point about self belief, I share Adams concerns. Having said that, I have no doubt that whatever team Smith is able to put out, they will give their all for the shirt and no fan can ask for more than that.
Before the Brighton game, Badger put up a poll for forecasting the number of points Villa would get from the ensuing 7 games which, with the Newcastle postponement, became 6. We eventually secured 10 points in what was to become an unbeaten December and a MoTM award for Dean Smith. I’m not able to put up a poll but it would be interesting to get your views on how many points we will get from the next 6 games. It’s a tough run of fixtures and I would guess 6 to 9 points would be a decent return.
On the transfer rumour mill – ignoring the obvious lazy journalism – Phil McNulty wrote a piece on the BBC web site this morning claiming that we had opened talks with Marseille over midfielder Morgan Sanson. Now I don’t profess to know anything about him but reports suggest that a number of premier league clubs are interested in him. It would seem his transfer value has dropped from around £25m to £15m and he’s likely to demand a lower wage than say David Brooks from Bournemouth although it’s interesting that Bournemouth have just resigned Jack Wilshire – is Brooks on his way out?
Whatever the reality, with Smith favouring Jacob Ramsey it seems that Hourihane’s days at the club may be numbered.
It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks.
