This is probably the only time I am going to be able to write in the next few days, and, to be fair, it’s probably more of an adrenaline fuelled article – as it’s currently approaching 2330 and I’ll very soon be making my way to Brugge at about 2am, where I’ll drive to Dover to get the ferry to Dunkirk at 8am. I’m definitely excited, first away day of the season for me just happens to be a European adventure!
Saturday; a game that I said had 0-0 written all over it to my mate, who is sadly a Nose, in the first half. A lot of people saying we can’t finish our grub, my response was what grub? We didn’t create near enough, and if we carry on like it then it’ll severely cost us. Mind you, a point is most certainly a point against a team with a 100% record going into the game, and it takes me back to last season where we drew to newly promoted Sunderland away from home, and it turned out to be a good result.
I heard talk of a penalty claim on our end, I don’t even remember it to be fair, and i haven’t bothered to put myself through watching the highlights of that game because I’m no mug. So long story short, I cannot comment on it.
What I do know is that Hull should’ve opened the scoring towards the end of the game, where McBurnie should’ve most definitely scored. He could’ve even taken a touch and beaten Suzuki from where he was standing. I am very much grateful that he did not, though.
Despite the lack of chances created, the biggest criticism by utter far is the passing. I don’t know what’s going on at the moment, and I’ll put it down to the team not being gelled together, but we just cannot seem to string three passes together without losing the ball or looking threatened of losing it, and likely resorting to backward passing. I had Barkley down as a team player who can pass the ball well and not hold onto it for two long, but all I’ve seen him do is dribble for as long as he can and misplace passes. Are we playing to our strengths or not?
Another big issue is the physicality. We are so easily bullied and I say it week after week, we just cannot cope. Given what Hull did to Man United, I am quite grateful for a point. I thought their crosses were going to be too much for us.
Despite the negative outlook on the game that I hold, I acknowledge that we did dominate possession, have a few chances and that the team are still gelling togehter – not to mention that we’re missing half our new signings. Having said that, I do believe that a team with fair squad depth should cope fairly well, but oh well.
Enough about the weekend, a look ahead to Brugge. As I said, I’m glad to be making the trip. Because of the game, or because of original brewed Belgian Stella Artois? I’ll let you work that one out 😉
We all know that we’re a much different outfit in Europe, and most teams we’ve come against in UEFA competitions since we first kicked a ball in the Conference League have struggled to cope against us – even the PSG backroom staff professed that we are the best team they’ve come against, and the Forest game at VP last season… just wow!
Goretzka is confirmed out until the international break, but we are getting there, with Manzambi apparently available tomorrow or the weekend against Forest. If we play like we do in Europe normally, we’ll be fine. I would love for us to properly get going in the Champions League with a win. It’s a competiton that you have to be a mug not to take as seriously as the Premiership, in my opinion.
I’m going to go for a 0-1 win for the Villa. Will we go on a run after the first win like we did last time? I most certainly hope so.
UTV
Wooohoooo off and running UTMV
Proud of our lads tonight. UTV!
There is no doubt in my mind that in Emery we have one of the very best managers in World football.
He will win the CL – maybe not with Villa although one can dream – but I certainly hope he does win it.
I believe he can win it with Villa. And I believe he does, too.
Me too.
The King is dead – long live the King.
Suzuki looks so impressive as the (so far) rightful heir to Martinez’ throne.
Calm, intelligent and impressive in distribution – we may just have made the signing of the transfer window.
He looks a brilliant buy. I wonder if his application has something to do with his Japanese upbringing? Personal responsibility and all that…
It seems some of our squad can be up and down with their performances. Emery will demand consistency. Pau was immense last night. Compare that to the horror show at Brighton.
Glad the unsettling window has closed. Now we can get down to work!
UTV!
3 games before the break:
Forest home (Glasner, effing Glasner!)
Spuds away
Coventry in the Carabao
I honestly have no problem with going out of the Carabao with the aim of going to the latter stages of the CL and challenging for the CL spot in the league. In fact, I’d prefer it if Villa didn’t enter.
We can’t lose back-to-back home games! But it’s Glasner! I’m hoping for a rock ‘n’ roll performance with lots of shots and goals…3 points is a must on Saturday…
Will be happy with a point and no injuries after the game with those shit-heads in North London…
That will set us up nicely for the real start of the season after the Internationals…
Like Brighton who we always beat – the reverse eventually happens. Same with Glasner this time around?
I hope so but he knows how to play Unai. Basically let Villa have possession (so they think they’re in control), then pounce clinically when the errors come (which they will).
I’d play more long balls against them and surprise them – put them under pressure deep in their own half. Forget playing out – they’ll be ready for that and have all the traps set. That’s my opinion, anyway.
What odds another Japanese star arrives in the future? We have two Brazilians, two Argentinians, 2-3 French speakers… I think that’s by design to help players acclimatise and feel more at ease.
I should add: 5 of the 6 games after the break are at VP! 5! Opportunity…
Maybe we should practice crosses. Cash runs down the left wing, stops, plays the ball back to our midfield. Now Maatsen runs down the left side, runs to the touchline and plays the cross into their first defender. Its not that hard but we only seem to cross from free kicks when their defence is organised
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0re0n84yz7o
Another prime, glaring example of the PRL in all its glory. Bent.
What odds the much maligned Liam Delap exploding into life tomorrow at VP? 😬
Fk dat sheet…
Even Emery acknowledges that Glassner has had the measure of Villa and is an exceptional coach.
Hopefully we can win tomorrow – Glassner has different type of players at Forest so has to either change their style or adapt his.
Hopefully playing them early will help us – fingers firmly crossed.
UTMV
Think we’ll get off the mark tomorrow Hitch.
Tbh Alfie I don’t know.
It’s still very early in the Emery v2 rebuild and Glasner does appear to have our number.
There are positive signs that the team is starting to find its feet but no Gomes and that weakens us although Barclay will do a job alongside Kamara.
Draw possibly and a goal although a win would settle a lot of nerves.
Hitch, woke up at about 6 today and instantly got the feeling that it could be a draw too.
Article hopefully out tomorrow before the game if I find the time. Feel like I haven’t had a proper night sleep since before I was in Liverpool…
In Zion Suzuki, Aston Villa have a goalkeeper who passes like a midfielder with either foot – The Athletic https://share.google/ywqWIaHSuJAT9YGX9
Excellent article. But I wish they’d stop talking about him!
Unai’s comments about Garnacho are worrying. It’s admirable that he’s willing to invest time and energy to develop and unlock the talent. It sounds as though Villa have committed to the purchase, based on what he’s saying. For me, that’s a mistake, based on the sums involved. With lower fees like Duran’s, ok it’s worth a punt. I do worry that Unai is backing the wrong horse here. Time will tell…