So with me worrying somewhat that we might not be able to sustain our run against the Blues, it would seem we actually performed really well, with us dominating the game and grabbing a well-deserved 3 points that kept the momentum going.
The good news for me was the continuing fact that we don’t need to rely on the strikers these days and it seems goals are likely to come from any of our players, which is always a good sign.
I won’t harp on about that game, as although it was a great result, so it’s gone and we move on to another very tough test against Fulham, at the Cottage.
Squad news first and Albert Adomah has a tight hamstring, while Jack Grealish suffered a knock on the calf.
Both are quite a bit doubtful, but my guess is they’ll be itching to play and probably will do, unless they’re over-ruled.
It’s amazing how differently players feel, when they’re playing well and the team’s on a roll.
Fulham will have a late look at captain Tom Cairney, after a niggling knee injury.
Otherwise, both squads are pretty much ok.
It’s interesting to note that many of us see Fulham as perhaps the major threat to the Villa taking second place in the league.
It’s a view that I concur with, as they’re playing some nice footy and have won their last six games at home.
But I wonder how many of us knew that Fulham face six of the top eight Championship teams in the next three weeks?
I certainly didn’t and if they come through that particularly well, they’ll definitely be challenging.
I’m minded to think that it’s a big ask though and it may be a chance for us to gain some more daylight between us and them, regardless of what happens tomorrow.
If you’d asked me a few months ago how we’d get on in this fixture, I’d probably have said that we have very little chance and the draw would be the best we could hope for.
But following on from the “Can you see it now?” post, I now think our chances are better than that.
While I don’t think we’re anywhere near perfect, we’re a much more cohesive outfit these days.
There’s a resilience about the defence and the team seems much more “together” than it’s been for a very long time.
All in all, it makes us very tough to beat.
But that doesn’t mean that we should sit back and try to nick the point, at all.
Fulham have the guile to unlock the tightest of defences and they will, if you let them.
Fortunately, I think Bruce has a lot more confidence in the team these days and will not shackle the side.
The players are brimming with confidence too and I’m sure they’ll try to take it to Fulham, as best they can.
If we can keep them on the back foot, I’d be quite confident of us actually winning this.
But I’m not going to take that extra step in predicting a win.
This is a really tough game, I reckon and if we can nick the win, it might actually be a game-changer in my outlook.
But given that I can’t pick my nose, let alone the right result, I’m going for the draw.
I suspect we’ll concede.
So 1-1 it is.
And I’d happily take that.
I’m sick of saying I won’t get to see it, but that’s how it is, yet again.
Our best season in ages and I’m bloody missing half of it 🙁
And I still need to improve my proof-reading.
Title amended.
Not to worry I forget most times , it seems the Birmingham mail knows more than anyone, Terry off back to Chelsea, Snodgrass, is given another lease of life by signing to West Ham.and Grealish plus Adomah won’t be playing, are they deliberately trying to sabotage the Villa, Grealish might play and boy we need him to destroy Fulhams defence, Albert is a doubt with a pulled hamstring. my take on tomorrows game 1-1 UTV.
The Birmingham Mail know very little more than we do, Bill.
Terry, he’s supposedly on £80k a week if you factor it all in.
If he can do better elsewhere, he’ll most likely be gone.
Snodgrass is on £50K+ at West ham.
Depends if we want to keep him or not.
It all comes down to the money, as much as they might say they’re happy.
As Bruce said, if we got promoted, he has a lot of options. We can afford Terry, Hutton and to sign Snodgrass if we go up. We can’t if we don’t. It all currently depends on if we go up or not.
Something about this game says to me our winning run will come to an end. But the lads have done so well recently we can actually afford to lose and still be in 2nd or 1 match away. A win would be massive and could see us go on and win a few more on the bounce. But my head says 2-2 draw which i wouldnt be dissapointed with at all.
fulham will pose a big threat to our winning record run. but the game is evenly balanced, fulham have to win to claw back the points we have already got on them. fulham play some decent football. but its not direct its lots of passing and they attack with numbers side to side. which if your strong at the back you get lots of chances to break on them. grealish will have lots of space to cause havoc.
will fulham press home and try win the game straight off.if they don’t the game will end as a draw. if they do treat it like a must win game. it opens up to anybody game. if grealish plays i will go for a villa win 2 nil
my coupon flopped bigtime last week. so i aim to win today. any tips welcome must be before 9am
thanks bill i do feel better = iam getting old this one almost knocked me out
This is the reverse of Blues games in stats with Villa only winning one of the last eleven games played at the Cottage.
Fulham have six straight home wins, we have three away wins in a run of seven straight wins. Don’t know the odds but reckon a draw is going to be favourite.
Still going to stick with my prediction of Villa matching Newcastle’s 10 straight wins last season – nail biter 2-1 Villa.
My get out of jail card – I’m assuming super Jack will play otherwise ……
Well you lot are a bunch of pussies! 😊 A win is on the cards. I’ll actually be paying attention to this game come 3pm!
3-1 Villa.
On Terry, I thought he said he’d never play against Chelsea which means he won’t sign proper for any Premiership Club including us at a guess.
And Badger, you need a new job!!!! You’re putting too many hours in!!!
Meow, not me Bum Bum I a sure you, I say a draw or win, not a lose by the way Grealish is out so is Albert.. that is when we will see if who comes in up to the mark.1-1 or 1-2 Villa.
My prediction will be based on who plays. If Adomah and Grealish play with preferably Bjarnasson instead of Jedinak to cope with a much more mobile team than Small Heath, then I think we might edge it, although I predict 1-1. If Onomah plays instead of Grealish and probably Bjarnasson for Adomah with Jedinak as defensive CB, then I reckon we will lose 2-1. Fulham will dominate possession so defensively we will have to be at our best today and hope we can hit them on the break.
Tough game. I think we might lose this but I’m hoping for a draw.
Just got myself a season ticket for next season. regardless of what division we are in it’s brilliant to finally have some optimism back.
1-1 today and the promotion charge continuing.
UTV.
No Grealish or Adomah. Ouch.
We have lost all creativity from last week so will be an achievement to get a draw.
its so hard to fathom out who is playing where. i think elmo will be playing the free grealish role and axel will be right back up against their big threat. jedi sitting infront of the back four and birkir playing on the left midfield
injuries are part of the game. we will be lesser team without grealish. but its a big opportunities for the rest of the squad, to step out of the shadows.
or elmo plays right mid axel right back birkir left mid jedi sitting and snoddy free grealish role
Team
Johnstone Elmohamardy Chester Terry Hutton Snodgrass Jedinak
Hourhane Tuanzebe Bjarnason Hogan.
Good selection.
1 nil down, .New Grealish was needed.
Try knew. Bill .
My only criticism really of today is the team selection. There is no pace. Why is Green out in the cold? He would have been perfect for todays game.
It is a concern that we don’t have decent back up to Grealish or Adomah. Hogan is starved of service and with only 30% possession i would sacrifice Jedinak for Grabban and push Bjarnasson alongside Onomah.
Over and out 2 nil.
I’m convinced that the team to go forwards is with Grealish and Albert, your right Holte in saying our attacking is none existent with what been chosen today, if ever a game to win was this one.on a happy note the Scum are 1 down.
I was disappointed with the line up Bill. Tuanzebe is still raw and Jedinak is ideal for physical games but there was no like for like replacements to two players out. Why not Lansbury for Grealish and Grabban for Adomah. Don’t know why Andre Green hasn’t been included.