Fulham 1 – 3 Villa; Could we be on the verge of something special?

Ok, I don’t want to get ideas above mine or any Villa fans expectations, but if I was one of my Grandsons, I’d be very excited right now, because the possibilities are endless and we so remind me of the title winning team that we all revere.

The grandsons were at that game and strangely enough, that’s the first time they’ve seen the Villa win away. Go figure.

Cut to the quick and Fulham were unbeaten at home this season. Yes, it’s early days, but it matters, imo.

The simple fact is I thought we battered them.

Yes, they saw the same old tactic of trying to beat us with pace down our right side, where we all know that Cash, (while a good, hardworking servant who has performed well) is the biggest weak link in the team. I continue to call for an improvement in this position, as even though he can do good things, so he can do bad ones.

But it mattered not too much as our midfield had too much for them.

This struck me as a very impressive win, because I still believe Fulham are a good side, who will easily finish in the top half. It was made even more impressive when you consider the players we had on the bench.

As the currently fit squad stands, we look very strong, with decent quality as back up.

McGinn on the bench, for example?

Of course, we’re not at Man City or Chelsea type levels, because let’s face it, they’ve been able to blatantly bypass the rules over the years. And as we’ve seen, a couple of injuries makes us look lacking, meaning we don’t quite compete on level terms.

Whatever. What did I like?

The constant search for goals. It’s the name of the game, after all and I thought we totally took it to Fulham without fear. The midfield won us this, with Tielemans pulling the strings yet again, while strongly backed up by Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey. I’m loving those two rampaging lads and there are no doubt many envious eyes on them.

Ollie scored again and what is there to say about that? He keeps doing his job, while I still often keep telling myself “how the heck did you not score there?”. Is it fair to sort of criticise him for not being clinical enough, with this season’s goalscoring record? I’m not sure it is, but I’d guess that if it was Haarland in his place he’d have double the goals.

His header today was quality, let’s have no qualms about that. It’s hard for me to question him too, because I think he’s quality, but the question needs to be asked, I feel.

What didn’t I like?

Cash, while a decent defender occasionally, isn’t good enough. What it is specifically, I can’t say.

He can defend well, but often gets caught out of position. He lacks pace too. I don’t know. I’m struggling to pin it down, but the fact is he’s just not good enough. Other managers know it, plain and simple.

Yes Pau messed up for their goal, but that apart, I thought he did well. And then when you win 3-1 away , how can anyone really complain?

The truth is you can’t. But it’s obligatory for us old farts to moan, isn’t it?

Consider we’ve only lost to Arsenal, who by all accounts from neutrals I’ve spoken to, were lucky and I think we currently sit in a very good place.

The name “Aston Villa” is becoming feared, I feel. Long may it continue.

UTV!