Well, after great speculation regarding the regulations imposed on travelling Aston Villa supporters by the Turkish authorities, I made the decision to draw the line on attending this fixture.
Whilst watching Villa fans on social media having a party as we speak is giving me FOMO, tomorrow’s proceedings including the planned two hour hold back may cause that emotion to be quickly discarded.
Fenerbahçe SK currently sit 2nd in the Turkish Süper Lig, and look to beat Aston Villa to strengthen their chances of direct qualification to the knockout stages of the competition, with the help of some faces very familiar to B6.
The big one obviously being Jhon Duran, who has had his suspension overturned meaning he is available for tomorrow evening’s clash in Istanbul. I cannot think of any other demeanour other than him being out to brutally haunt us, as something tells me he left on very sour terms and was a huge problem in our dressing room.
Meanwhile, a friendlier face in Marco Asensio also will be available for selection tomorrow, someone who we could probably use on our wing right now, although I am hoping Bailey will be available for selection either tomorrow or Sunday’s clash in Tyneside.
Finally, another player who is registered for Fenerbahçe is Diego Carlos, despite being out on loan.
Well, I thought the reaction of most of our fan base following Sunday’s disastrous home defeat was well amplified on this forum, with it almost seeming as if fans had forgot the losing feeling to a team that we should be beating. Sod’s Law really does exist, Everton haven’t beaten us in the Premiership since I believe 2016, and then they go and beat us to prevent us going second and four points from the top of the shop, which reminds me of the draw to Sheffield United, only salvaged by a last minute Zaniolo header (remember him?) two seasons ago, following 1-0 home victories against both Man City and Arsenal.
I think what plays on everyone’s mind is our newly founded injury crisis. With Boubacar Kamara out for the season, McGinn recently injured, and Onana and Barkley made of the weakest form of glass, we could very easily get overrun in midfield, allowing Fenerbahçe to thread balls through to Duran, who we know is very capable of bullying centre-halves. With Pau Torres prone to being bullied to physical players, I can imagine Jhon Duran giving our backline a run for their money, and I really think it is about keeping their most prolific players quiet.
Team news – Starting with the home side, Fenerbahce trio Archie Brown, Levent Mercan and Sebastian Szymanski all remain sidelined with injuries, while January signings Matteo Guendouzi, Anthony Musaba and Mert Gunok are all ineligible for the Europa League until the knockout rounds.
As for Aston Villa, John Mcginn was taken off with a knee injury in the first half of Sunday’s defeat to Everton and will join Boubacar Kamara and Ross Barkley in the treatment room. (As per sportsmole)
As for Onana, I heard he has made the trip to Istanbul with the rest of the team, which could be a positive for our midfield. If Guessand is in talks to leave the club, it begs the question whether he will be selected for this fixture. Martinez too, agents in Italy, just get him gone at this point, he is very clearly uninterested and I’m bored of even discussing it.
Having said all of that, I am going to remain positive and go for a 1-2 Villa win, although this could very easily end a draw and the hosts will be no pushover. I am hoping Villa fans stay safe and avoid a massive holdback. UTV!
Duran is playing too deep. He is the playmaker in this side, we played him as a sole striker. Interesting, I bet his goal record isn’t very high here as he is having to be the playmaker.
Duran playing deep is like putting Kelly Brook on page 3 with a thick cardigan and overcoat on. What are they thinking? 🤦♂️
Haha!
LOL!
Very good performance – a few sloppy moments and the only criticsm is we should have scored more than one.
I don’t think Fenerbahce can be as poor second half so we really have to be on it and try and get that second (or third) goal.
Fingers firmly crossed!
Very good half, that. Let’s hope we can keep it up.
By far the better team and as I suspected, they’re really nothing special.
The only slight criticism is Sancho looks too slow in his reactions and speed of thought. Probably because of a lack of game time.
By far the better team and a deserved lead, imo.
I hope I haven’t cursed us.
Dare I say this ref looks ok?
Ah – every time I say that he proves to be cr*p 😂
Top of the table atm.
👍🏻.
I was impressed with the first half and particularly how we carved them open time and time again. The only negative is we are only 1-0 up. Buendia and Sancho look lively and Tielemans is orchestrating the midfield. Asensio is their main threat but we have coped well. One disappointment was Watkins who looks way off the pace again.
We are only 0-1 up due to slow decision-making, needs to improve. Other than that, great performance.
Great first half; let’s keep it going in the second half.
BFR your comment about Kelly Brook has made me laugh out loud.
😆
If Duran had the service we’ve provided today he’d have had a hatrick by now.
Fenerbahce just strengthened with substitutes – we need a second goal
Totally agree Hitch.
We have at least some fresh legs, Hitch.
It’s only up top we can’t swap out.
We need a second goal badly.
Yes, 2-0!!!!!
That’s off.
I did say Fenerbahce had strengthened by bringing on their top scorer.
PATHETIC! Asked too many questions of Bizot, and that’s down to the defence.
Bloody hell, you could see it coming. 1-1
Our substitutes – try and hold on to 1-0!
Now we’ll lose this with the substitutes we’ve made. We’re going to suffer for missing too many chances.
And breathe – let off!
That’s off by Duran.
VAR is great 🙂
That is off. But my point still stands. One more big one on Bizot and it’ll go in
Oh get up, Duran! Even your own teammates don’t give a toss!
Badger – told you not to praise the ref – he’s given us absolutely nothing this half.
Unai shoved Tielemens then as he was coming off. He must be fuming about the booking for timewasting. Unai feeling the pressure?
He needs to be careful. He’s putting way too pressure on himself but it’s the way he is and why he’s been so successful. I hope he gave Youri a peck on the cheek and bear hug afterwards!
Disagree, nothing overly significant. VAR also given us a decision, albeit nothing to do with the referee.
Dirty side – most yellow cards in Europa League
What just happened with Emery and Tielemans?!
Emery so concentrated on the game – that’s all
Lescott summed it up well though, imagine that was the other way round?
Yes, we’ve qualified. Weak side next time out.
Great performance and the subs were fine too.
Oh and they are shite. Yet still one of the better sides in this competition.
Hope not I’m going to the game😂
Brilliant, just brilliant win.
Bizot a very good replacement for Martinez – final 16 achieved.