Which manager was it that used to say that? I’ve honestly forgotten. No matter.
Regardless, we’re back to the proper stuff after the tosh that is the World cup qualification. It has to be tosh because we were the first country to qualify and given that I don’t think England are any great shakes, I think that says it all about the levels our oppostion were at. I’m really not keen on a competition that just keeps expanding, hence meaning more and more games, all while my interest wains more by the year.
And then, it poses a risk to our internationals of injuries. This time, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Amadou Onana and Lamare Bogarde all suffered injuries of some sort.
Fortunately, it looks like while Onana is 50/50, the other three should be fit and available to play.
The only downside then is that Mings is still definitely out.
So things could definitely have been worse.
As for Leeds, well, that’s easy. They have the whole squad available. Lucky them.
League wise, while we could go forth today, Leeds are languishing in eighteenth and are second lowest scorers (10 goals) after Wolves. Mind you, that’s not saying a lot because we’ve only scored thirteen.
Which all in all leaves me to conclude that this is a game we should win.
I could harp on about how we’re just the sort of club that loves to give struggling clubs a boost, but it just seems a recurring theme these days in my head, which is perhaps unfair of me given that after our very poor start, we’re actually not doing too badly. But with Pool getting spanked by Forest yesterday, this point keeps coming to the fore. The fact that we’ve got a desperately poor Wolves next week won’t allay that thought either.
So, what to think?
Well, I’m always trying to keep my positive head on, as much as it might sometimes seem different, but I can’t get away from thinking that we should definitely win this.
Quite simply, I’m going for a 2-1 victory.
UTV!
Badger he’s growning on me,
6 mins – that’s a joke.
Good win – tough game.
You called it Badger
Get in!
That’ll do against a crap side.
They were NOT crap today. Leeds fought all the way…
Fair enough.
But we made them look great today.
The table says that’s not the reality.
Wow!
Wow!
Wow!
That was a very tough game and we did it!!!! 4th. Stunning!!!!!
And 4th for now. Lovely!
And now we have Roger’s taking his first free kick. Is there nothing this man can’t do? I know it’s hyperbole- but 2 matches on the trot we score wonder free kick goals.
Up to 4th for the moment. Keep going Villa. Once again let’s rub the noses of the ‘big 6’ noses in it.
Unai you are a star!!!!
Spurs won’t beat Arsenal so we should stay 4th. A much improved second half. I was surprised when Buendia was substituted but what do I know. Malen made a big difference and probably deserves to start ahead of Watkins. I thought Rogers was poor first half and then he gets 2 great goals! Leeds played to their strengths which is long and physical but we dealt with it in the end. Is it Wolves at home next? A great chance to capitalise on top 4 spot.
In my humble opinion, Malen is better playing off a CF.
I would love to see Emery start Watkins and Malen at home against bot Young Boys and Wolves.
This is another Emery charge up the table – just have to keep the pedal to the metal.
Rogers – you lovely lad – kept faith with you in my FF team!
Looking back at the game at hall time Unai was looking as if he has crying with anger, that change just shows how he is completely passionate with football he is, Lads we do have one of the best manager in the game and I’m convinced what ever the scum do by building a new stadium it will never surpass our history or being number one in the City, there will always be only one team in the city. Villa.
Weren’t you calling for his head a few weeks ago…??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes but look back on what was said, I didn’t go with this passing back in the game and the 1 tap pass, he’s changed it, he does play out from the back which is ok some of the games. Today we played an aggressive team and he noticed in changing players that couldn’t be pushed off the ball and it worked.
Hmmm…I’ll let u off, Bill!!!! 😁😁😁😁
Hear, hear Bill.
And who would want a stadium that looks like a cross between a poor man’s Battersea Power Station and a group of Black Country chimneys? 🙂
PSR applies to everyone, even if they had massive backing.
Indeed Bill. They’re a long way off overtaking us.
I’m thinking about Watkins now.
1 in 18 and still looks bloody useless. I can ‘t defend him anymore, I don’t think. He looks weak to me, although I get that he might be playing with a niggle, in which case why are we playing him at all? He offers very little after all, imo.
Malen offered more in a few minutes than Watkins has in weeks. If only he could look more like actually netting consistently. Hopefully it’ll come though.
Think his confidence is very low at the moment which won’t be helping. He probably feels nothing is going right for him.
I’m confident he’ll come good though.
Ultimately today, I think it was our strength off the bench that made the difference. How often have we bemoaned the paucity of options – now we are blessed to the extent that Elliott can’t even get into the squad.
Can see us strengthening further in January.
Every Villa fan wants Ollie to get back to his best, but at the moment he looks way off it. Today he couldn’t hold onto the ball and looks either he’s not interested or he’s massively low in confidence. The biggest concern for me is his lack of pace which was one of his strengths. If he is carrying an injury, then I can’t see any sense in him starting when Malen is available.
Send him on holiday for a month. No phones allowed!
I’m quietly stunned at our quiet creep up the table. Speechless.
I like the way Emery encourages his players – particularly those subbed or coming on as subs – in his media interviews.
He never criticises – he encourages and compliments.
When a player like Watkins is struggling, the last thing he needs is criticism whether from his manager or the fans. We all know he’s a good player going through a torrid time – we all need to get behind him.
When that confidence starts to return, he’s going to batter someone – back luck Wolves!
UTMV
Woo hoooo one nil down and win tough test passed today absolutely buzzing with that win and up to 4th wow
Interesting watching Emery’s BBC interview.
When asked whether he thought (or felt that) Villa should be in the top four he responded in the negative. What, I think, he was trying to say, is that Villa do not have the squad quality of other teams so to be where we are requires a significant effort week in, week out always being at the absolute top of our game.
Can’t argue with that but in Emery we have, without doubt, one of the best coaches in the World, who can get something exceptional from a like minded, committed group of players than from a group of talented individuals – if you understand my drift.
Long may it continue.
Onwards and Upwards.
Do you believe him? He’s a master of the understatement.
Yes and no.
I agree that we haven’t got the quality of squad say Arse / Pool (not clicking), Chelsea or Citeh have but we do have a decent one.
The point is we have to consistently perform to the highest level just to stay where we are.
So yes to the reality and no to Emery’s ambition and ability as a coach.
Football is a paradox. Look at Pool spending half a billion quid this summer, and they’re currently shite…Funny old game…
Fourth after Arsenal demolish Spuds.
Only Manure can overtake us but would have to beat Everton by 4 clear goals!
IF we can beat Wolves next week would only serve to cement that position. But, beware the banana skin and we don’t have the greatest record agains our dog head neighbours.
But, first things first, and a win against Young Boys is an imperative.
UTMV
Martinez fluffed the Leeds goal but more than made up for it with that save through a very crowded penalty area.
He balanced out. Job done.
Best keeper in the world some of his saves are incredible and he’s so quick off his line
Couple of corkers yesterday… And the Bournemouth game!!!!
Nice Toffees win at Ye Olde Trafford. Did us a favour! So much for the Amorin revolution!!
Loving the re-runs of the fight between Dyer and Bower when we tonked the bar codes 3-0 at their place.
Keene and Guye not even in the same league – hand bags at 10 paces by comparison.
Yes, once Unai had decided at half-time he did not need both Buendia and Tielemans. Re-arranged, Villa performed better and took the initiative.
I have been critical of McPhee in the past but he has got the team practicing free kicks. The key to Roger’s goal was not hitting the ball as hard as possible – do that and the ball is still rising over the bar. This was a chip shot with the foot turned out: effective at 18 to 20 yards.
Someone on here raised the question as to why Ronaldo was joining Infantino and Trump; was it to get his red card suspension reduced?
Well, surprise, surprise it’s been reduced to one game with two games suspended. Some rubbish excuse of a good behaviour consideration – not heard that one before.
It’s a con – perhaps Infantino shoukd be charged with bringing the game into disrepute. No wonder so many fans see conspiracy theories and corruption at every turn in football.
With 2 up front, Ollie is stretching out the defence to the left, which creates space for Malen etc to break through centre and centre-right. Not a traditional 4-4-2 but a variation of??
Our midfield is packed with players who all offer something different. What a pallette to have!
My only worry is if anything happens to Konsa or Cash. Bogarde can deputise as can Kamara, but still…
Just watched the Villa Christmas film.
I really liked the fact that Harvey Elliott was included despite the challenges he’s faced at Villa.
UTV
Wow, Pool spanked 4-1 at home by PSV. They really are rubbish and makes our result against them more annoying with each game.
Slot on borrowed time?
I’d say so.
9 defeats in 12 games. Worst record since 1953, apparently.
I’m loving it, haha.