Let me say straight off, I’ve never seen first games as really meaning much.
They’re sort of in-between, as not really a friendly, but not really a proper game, where you can judge much at all.
You only have to look at some of the opening day results to see that.
But if I’m going to judge, I have to say that I thought Hull were awful and we weren’t much better.
Was I alone in thinking Jack was playing generally way to deep, to keep him out of any real trouble? Maybe.
I thought Steer had a pretty good game and I wouldn’t blame him for their goal. He did all you could ask in getting the ball away, only for our defenders to be half asleep.
But the MOTM for me was easily Hutton.
He’s the only one that I saw actually drive at the opposition and when you consider that’s not really his job, you have to wonder what’s going on?
Isn’t that exactly what Hourihane was bought to do?
Don’t get me wrong, he does get up there occasionally, but it’s nowhere near often enough.
And although I keep hearing he does the dirty work, I don’t see he does that enough either.
He’s far too anonymous for my liking, as much as the stats might say otherwise. Ok, he got a decent return, last season, but how good could that be if he was given his head?
Elmo produced the goods, but I wasn’t impressed overall.
Kodjia was greedy, yet again, but I’ve previously said I can live with that. But he looks out of sorts.
I seriously suspect he’s just not up to speed and it’ll come back.
And those players apart, I’m struggling to see anyone else as being anything more than total average.
Taylor? Oh dear.
Interestingly, Bruce is just saying that things are going to change, in that we need to go with a younger side.
Which is just as well, because I don’t see the new owners living with Bruce for long if things don’t change.
Hull, as poor as they were, made a couple of driving runs, straight down the middle, that had me thinking “why don’t we do that?”
And there lies Bruce’s problem for me.
His midfields are far too much designed to be an extension of the defence and they offer nothing in the middle.
Yes, Bruce brought on a couple of kids, but they need to be thrown in quicker, as much as I’m cautious.
It’s just that I see the current midfield going nowhere fast, especially against better sides.
Ok, we got three goals today, which is great.
But I just see us as frankly average and Bruce’s defensive attitude will not win him any favours from the owners.
Unless we’re top two, come October, Bruce will be gone.
It’s as simple as that for me.
As much as I think he’s been our best bet in giving us stability during some torrid times.
Oops, I just tried a new editor and it was a disaster.
Hopefully corrected now.
Sorry, I was totally uninspired by our open play.
Pretty much sums it up for me.
Already we are in a better position than last year! First match of the season win since being relegated.
Alan Nixon stating Lukas Nmecha from Man City in Villa director’s box tonight. Also, looks like we are the only one in for Bryan from Bristol City. Sure need to replace Taylor.
Not impressed with our game, Kodjia not on the planet if you asked me, Taylor gets me worried, Chester looked out of position playing left side, the whole side was struggling, they had chances (Hull) and fluffed them, had they been lucky it would have been us with no point’s. not impressed.
Yet we still won away 3-1 first game!
Okay we may not be up to speed yet but it would seem from other results that we’re not the only one.
A win is a win after all and an away win is even better.
Absolutely Pat!
An away win is indeed great.
But were you convinced that we look top 2?
I’m really not.
We all know Bruce is defensively minded.
I’d love him to change that mind-set, as I believe he’s been great for us when the club was under massive pressure.
But I very much doubt he has it within him to build a team that can dominate a game and punish the opposition, just as Wolves did last season.
It’s a tough league and that’s what’s required now, imo.
There are too many decent sides that will be on a par with us, at least.
Which just reduces the odds of us going up.
I’m with you Badger on this post, I know a win is a win Lads but the team didn’t look stable to me, Badger was right it was how I seen it, Hull was poor make no bones about that. Kodjia didn’t look as if he wanted to be in the game, Taylor gave Hull them chances they didn’t put away. Yes a win was a good start and it put to bed Hulls three games we didn’t win against them. I hope it gives Bruce and the team confident to go straight to the juggler and March on up the league.
I sat opened mouthed when Hutton went past five hull defenders and put the ball in the back of the net. He deserved that goal and was also my MOTM.
I was getting quite angry about the sky commentators going on about Grealish leaving at the end of the week all the way through the game. It was as though it was all done and dusted. I find that very disrespectful to Aston Villa.
Overall I didn’t think we were that great, but it’s still 3 points to kick off the season with. I just hope we can improve.
Seems churlish to complain after 3 points but another couple of decent incomers would be welcome. Still the wrong manager though, and if the owners can get a good replacement I think he will be gone soon.
October.
See above, DS.
See my previous posts on the subject – 10 games!! looks like we think the same.
I see that a lot of people are purring over Leeds yet, having watched the match, I couldn’t understand the great reviews they got. Butland gifted them a goal and I thought they were more than a bit a bit suspect at the back.
We’ll all need to wait a few games to see how it’s going to pan out.
So far so good though!
I’m with you Pat. OK, it wasn’t the greatest display and there are clearly issues to address but we won. For me playing Chester on the left of defence was a failure – he looked unsure in that position but do we have an alternative – Tuanzebe?
The biggest issue for me was the complete failure of Kodjia to contribute to the game. His failure to hold up the ball and then bring other players into an attacking position was significant. If you compare his performance with the Hull cf who created opportunities for their midfield to get forward.
Kiernan Davies would be a better solution than RHM but he’s injured – who else do we have? It’s pretty obvious that Kodjia is not match fit and lacking confidence but Bruce probably has to peresevere with him and hope he quickly gets up to speed.
I actually thought defensively we were pretty solid, Hull had the usual half chances that every team gets in every game but nothing more than that really, i never felt worried seeing them go forward. Taylor though 🙈 i said when we signed Taylor he is an awful left back and im glad most now see it clear as day..no wonder we are in for Bryan that would be a definite upgrade, although i feel Mitch Clark deserves a shot at LB first..but we tend to ignore our youth most of the time until its forced. Green should now start agaisnt Wigan, he did more than Adomah did in his 20 mins.. Kodjia will get better thats a gurantee, one thing i will say in his defense we were just hoofing it all the time to him when he is much better ball to feet and that showed in glimpses when we actually passed the ball along the floor to him. At least he doesnt sulk around he loves it when we score, definite team player. Wouldnt mind seeing 4-4-2 agaisnt wigan. Kodjia – Hepburn-Murphy…..Green-Grealish-Birkir-Hourihane….Clark-Elphick-Chester-Hutton….Steer. Feels fantastic to win first game of the season though. UTV!
wow A couple of weeks ago we were all expecting administration, no players in and loads more leaving, just leaving us with kids and a relegation battle.
if you were told then we would win our first game 3 – 1 away although it was obvious the team still needed a lot of work, i am sure most of you would have taken it
but now because we dont look like a top 2 side …………….
really!
Give it time
Good to get off to a winning start, albeit against a woefully poor Hull side who may well be bottom 3 material.
The squad definitely needs incoming reinforcements. Hoping McGinn replaces Adomah, Joe Bryan replaces Taylor and Tuanzebe replaces Elphick in the starting 11.
Up front is a concern though. Green and Hepburn Murphy look lively but Kodija is a shadow of his former self and has been for some time now. Likewise since the goals dried up for Adomah around last Jan / Feb, he has been abysmal. We’ll need more going forward as you cant rely on Hogan’s fitness given his poor injury record.
Another centre half wouldn’t go amiss either, Elphick is woeful but overall im okay with him as 4th choice / reserve. He’ll always cost you at least one goal though
Bruce needs to go. Beating Hull ain’t no big deal.
They are not relegation favourites for nothing.
Far better teams in this league that will give us a stern test.
According to ‘reports’ Nyland to sign a permanent deal today (not a loan) for about £1m, also John McGinn supposed to be in Birmingham for talks. This kid seems to be very highly rated but…… and is he Grealishs’ replacement. Again a permanent deal worth around £4m. If you add to that Bryan at £6m it does suggest that they expect to sell Grealish.
Also reported Middlesbrough interested in Kodjia – would we be happy for him to leave and who should we get in – swap for Assombalonga plus cash (to us of course)?
BBC reports ‘Villa and Spuds £7m apart’ on JG fee – how do they know that? It does look likely he’ll be off.
Traore supposed to be having medical at Wolves – that transfer worth £3.6m to Villa – 20% sell on fee.
£25M offered, £32M demanded.
Cheers OLL
Are you ready to embrace the Scottish Cafu?
I remember McGinn from watching Hibs play Celtic last season. All I can is that he played really well and looked like a quality player.
Could be a very good buy.
Just had to repeat this tweet after Hutton’s goal
‘Hutton dressed as Lahm’
LMAO – Brilliant, just brilliant
Oh – I don’t’ do tweeting hence here!
What happened to the £40m transfer fee for Grealish? Demanding £32m after being offered £25m! Why don’t we just tell Levy to f*** off. If we sell Grealish we can kiss goodbye any hopes of promotion. Bruce might as well book a cruise because he will be out of a job when results go pear shaped, which they will. We were average at best yesterday with Grealish! Without him we will lose all creativity. We will resort to hoof ball as our best means of attack. None of the players linked today offer anything inspiring. Another goalkeeper without giving Steer an opportunity is strange.
Holte – £40m was paper talk. £32m for a player with some historic bad press, one brilliant sf and half a season in the Championship represents good business.
I’ve rationalised my views about a Grealish as being influenced by his being a Villan and I’m not so negative about life without him. Yes, he’s a special player with a big future (maybe) but you don’t get out of the Championship by being a ‘one man’ team. We need to add to the squad and I’m encouraged by the players that are being mentioned.
Long term the money for Grealish squares the FFP problem (whatever one thinks of it) and means we have a sound financial base to move forward.
On Bruce, well like any manager at any club it’s marmite on the toast!
I just think that letting him go after playing pre season and playing last night will leave a gaping hole going forward. Bruce has built his team around him, and with a couple of days before transfer window to go, all his plans are likely to be ripped up. McGinn might prove a decent replacement, but Scottish premier football is only a step up from Sunday league football IMO! He will most likely need time to adjust. Selling Grealish after saying we don’t need to sell just shows that we will be a feeder club for a long time yet. Tragic that just 8 years ago we were every bit as big as Spurs, and now we are a million miles behind after their new stadium. Bad ownership has consigned us to a long time away from top flight. Anyone who thinks last night was the start of a promotion run I feel will be massively disappointed. More like a false dawn. I know I’m sounding pessimistic but I have taken off my claret and blue tinted glasses that I have worn for too long now.
Understand your concerns Holte but I don’t think any Championship team could turn down £32m whoever the player and I don’t believe accepting that level of offer means ‘we need to sell’ but we sell because it makes sound business sense – that’s me taking off my claret and blue tinted glasses.
You are right about the divergence between Spuds and us and that’s both frustrating and galling. Learner and Xia have both proved to be poor owners both in terms of their business acumen and their limited wealth. You only have to look around to see how many clubs are falling foul of FFP – is that a commentary on how English football is being destroyed by Sky or the failure of FFP to apply itself to how business is run rather than being a set of self serving club rules.
We have to hope that we now have owners that are sufficiently wealthy, committed to the long term and sufficiently astute businessmen to get us back to the top of the Premiership. As Bill and Pat have remarked, for us oldies that experienced 1982, we want success tomorrow so that we can enjoy it but the reality is that success for Villa is sometime in the future.
On yesterday’s game – we won, can’t really say more than that but whether we are top two, top six or mid table is too early to call IMHO
i am amazed how we fans reacted to a fine opening game win. but i don’t want to elaborate how this made me feel. just lets say this summer has been a total disaster. but for the last two weeks, we would have been lucky to stay in the league never mind winning away in the opening game.
the game itself i agree with most posts, wasn’t the best display but most teams rarely hit the first game playing in style. second half villa looked better. the defence is new and made mistakes, this i expected and will happen for the first few games.
one thing which again most of you spotted was kodjia. this is the main reason for the villa poor performance, i watched leeds game. was very impressed with their main striker roofe. every ball they played into him he collected and recycled. compare to kodjia everything bounced off him and he never managed one lay off. he works alone in closing down aimlessly. where roofe was the point of where all leeds pressing, you see you press together and it starts from the front.
grealish is going and i said way way back. i think if we tried to make him play he would just not be as affective, if we get 32 million then sell. been impressed with bruces targets. some quality players and if they settle quickly into the club we will be far stronger team.
I find myself in agreement Nath – blimey that’s worrying LOL
i don’t think thats a worry on my part, i have been in agreement with most things you posted, you have always posted views very close to spot on. times we disagree its mostly down to my stubbornness
What I fear is that most supporter polls have Grealish going for 35-40m and holding on to him this long into the summer has only made things more painful if he goes. If the club sells for anything less than what the supporters think JG is worth there will be a division in the club for years to come… queue the feeder club comments, etc.
While 32m is probably a fair price with sell on clauses, etc. It is also fair to say JG is probably one of Britain’s hottest prospects. Regardless if he stays this season or not, he is homegrown and the name Grealish is going to be on the back of thousands of England supporters within 4 years. This alone should negate any bad press for a 22 year old starlet.
For me, Villa should take a firm stance on 35m – 40m or nothing because as far as I can tell the club doesn’t need to sell, but Spurs do need to meet their homegrown quota.
I chat regularly with a blue nose customer at work. His son plays for Villa U23s named Prosser. Feeling is that Jack is happy at Villa and it will purely be about Spurs meeting valuation for transfer to happen. It probably still boils down to FFP partly but I would prefer Middlesbrough signing Kodja to try and resolve some of that. I disagree that Grealish wouldn’t perform if deal is not agreed. It’s not in his mindset to not give his all when playing for Villa. Also some harsh comments in my opinion about Adomah. Unfortunately against Hull he was playing in front of Taylor. He was our leading scorer last season after all. Deserves a bit more respect, and always plays with a smile. A good personality and against Wigan why not play him on his preferred right side and Green on the left.
I’m not sure if all of this is regarding my above comments, but I agree Jack looks happy at the club and I honestly believe his bad press/issues are behind him. I agree Jack will perform where ever he is and/or goes, but if he does leave for a big EPL team the game time won’t be up to him and he may find his opportunities limited. To be honest though, at this stage of the summer I would be shocked if Jack’s head wasn’t a pretzel will all the press going around now. The sooner the window can close the better.
As for Adomah, I’m not sure what the comment was – personally I rate him. He was always a threat last season, but I would love to see Bruce phase in Green in the event Adomah gets a injury – its a long season. I could be mistaken but I always thought Adomah preferred working the left side over right, but don’t quote me.
i do so wish we could have given grealish the platform to perform in premiership. his game really excites and not knowing what he will do next is the fun. but it is the correct thing to do. green is a player i expect to step up if indeed we sell; grealish.
i just hope grealish doesn’t get any bad reception from the fans. i saw some on fb other day calling him a snake, this make me sick to read such nonsense
Green looks the real deal; he just looks like a good footballer; balanced on the ball knows what he’s about and looks confident. I think he will be a real hit this season.