So that purely money-spinning Nations league rubbish, that I’m sure is a big part of leading to players complaining about playing too many games, is over. The sooner they get rid of it, the better, for me, but the money stream is established, meaning it probably won’t happen. Hence my guess is it will become the international equivalent of the League cup, in that players won’t want to turn up and clubs will hold their best players back fron the tournament.
But we’ll see.
The big news is probably that about the squad and it’s good. For the first time this year, we have no injuries. Robin Olsen isn’t available, but even he is training.
Of course, this means that Mings and Buendia are both available and by the sounds of it, ready to see minutes on the pitch. Let’s hope we’re in a good enough position to give them some tomorrow.
Unai Emery has pointed out that we have a Champion’s league game against Bologna, meaning that he will at least be looking to shuffle the pack as much as possible. He’s also talked about Duran getting starts and the big question there has to be will that be alone up top, or half a pair alongside Ollie? I personally suspect the former and it might happen on Tuesday.
Squad news for Fulham and Saša Lukić and Timothy Castagne returned from internationals with injuries and will be unavailable for Saturday’s match. Jorge Cuenca and Carlos Vinícius are both out.
I actually thought Fulham were seriously struggling, but they’re only three points behind us in 8th. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, as they are my dark horse tip for this season. So I expect them to be quite good while hoping they’re not tomorrow, of course.
We don’t seem to have really hit any form up to now and I’ve commented previously that generally I see it as a good thing if we’re winning games while playing relatively poorly, as it’s a sign of a decent team. Given the demands that are being placed on the players, because we are fighting on four fronts while not having the squad depth of the bigger clubs, I expect Unai to continue this pack shuffling, which means while he still has his favoured first eleven, they won’t be playing together for much of the time. Hence it wouldn’t surprise me if our play remains somewhat disjointed.
It’ll probably lead to some consternation on my part as we struggle on the face of things, but if we keep winning, I won’t mind.
The thing is, we haven’t been winning lately have we? The odds have to be strongly against another draw, but it just seems the most likely outcome to me. I’d call a win for us, but I’m sure I’ll only be let down again and it’s the hope that kills you, isn’t it?
While I don’t see us losing, I really think at most, there will only be a single goal in it, so it could go either way.
But I’m going for a fairly dour 1-1 draw, where Marco Silva has his players well set up and we struggle to break them down.
UTV
Comments
43 responses to “Fulham – Villa; Can we get back to winning ways, please?”
I just know my prediction is going to be wrong.
Some very interesting stats, courtesy of the Beeb;
A Villa win would give them their best start to a Premier League campaign after eight games since 1998-99.
Villa could remain unbeaten in their opening four away league matches for the first time since 2006-07.
They could keep consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since December 2023, when they won 1-0 against both Manchester City and Arsenal.
Their only defeat in 12 visits to London since Unai Emery’s appointment was a 5-0 loss to Crystal Palace on the final day of last season (W8, D3).
Emery has won all five of his league meetings with Fulham by an aggregate score of 15-4.
Jhon Duran averages a goal every 46 minutes in the Premier League this season, the best ratio of any player to feature for at least 90 minutes.
That’s torn it then 🙂
Game on at 10am local time – just have enough time to watch it between breakfast at the local farmers market and lunch in a rum shop.
Happy days.
I am so looking forward to this game and what a bench we will have. Hopefully 2-0 up with 20mins to go and Mings and Kamara coming on for a run. What a selection problem for the Boss.
23,E. Martínez (c), Captain
12,L. Digne
14,Pau Torres
3,Diego Carlos
2,M. Cash
8,Y. Tielemans
24,A. Onana
41,J. Ramsey
27,M. Rogers
31,L. Bailey
11,O. Watkins
R. Barkley
E. Buendía
J. Durán
J. Gauci
B. Kamara
E. Konsa
I. Maatsen
J. McGinn
J. Philogene
Bloody hell. Look at that for a bench!!!!
A sneaky 2-1 for us…
Well not Mings then
A bit early for Mings I guess – maybe Tuesday?
What a shite start. Mings doesn’t get bullied like Torres did.
All about homework. 4 pens and he hits to the same place as previous 3.
From the first few minutes I can see problems in defence, 1 goal down already and more to follow .
Goal Villa rogers
Chesty!!!!
Beginning to get it together now 3 attempts with two corners ,
come on Villa .
That’s never handball.
But it’s given. Fucking total joke. His arm was less than 2 foot from where it was headed.
Total bollocks.
Got to get my R s right Ramsey not Rogers . Bloody pen now Cash hand ball y
Shit pen that’s saved.
Justice!
God bless you Martinez. He saved it
We’re bossing the midfield.
Keep it up lads.
Missed the goals – that’s the penalty for having to sort out a wine delivery 🙂
Playing well but worried about the missed chances particularly Rogers who should have got a second.
Agree Hitch, we are playing some good stuff midfield and down the left wing. The problem is in our own box as we seem unable to win a header. Maybe Konza for Cash.
Gerry, your point is well made, we didn’t win a single aerial duel in the first half.
Bailey appears to be back to his worst which is a concern.
Yes, Watkins, cracking header.
2-1!
Goal …Villa. 2-1 .. watkins
Great goal from Watkins – Emery is right to take Bailey off.
Waaaaat-A-Kiiiiiinnnnnss!!!!!
Diop OG.
3-1
Goal Villa
1-3. Own goal
3!!!!!
If we’d have beaten Ipswich we’d be top tonight…And Arsenal we’d be on 23.
And if we’d have bought Messi…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Grrat result today! Shame about Billie Jean’s red though…Very silly.
My thoughts exactly. We should be top. Nonetheless, kudos to Unai and the boys! 👌👌👌