Well, well, well, it would seem I’m on as much of a roll as the lads are and I think that’s 4 consecutive correct calls I’ve made. Don’t worry, It’s not going to my head as I know full well I’m normally bloody useless 🙂
It’s been a hectic day.
I went to get in my car for work this morning and noticed the rear number plate on the floor. It had been stuck on with some rubbish tape and literally just fallen off. It could have been worse and fell off while I was driving, but it wasn’t a good start to the day, as it meant I had to borrow the missus’ car and fix it when I got home.
And after that I was being hit with queries asking why the firestick app wasn’t working.
It’s all resolved now, as I managed to get the answer, but it meant I missed a fair chunk of the game. It was sod’s law that it went down on the same day a game was on, but these things happen.
What I did see was encouraging though.
While Leicester aren’t the best of sides, I thought we looked very decent tonight.
I’m a bit too long in the tooth to get carried away, but it’s great to hear people messaging me and telling me how good we are and what a super manager Unai the Great is.
We’re seventh in the league now and that’s really difficult for even a miserable old get like me to moan about.
Leicester seemed to only have one tactic, which was to hit it over or outpace Ashley Young.
It was proving sucessful too in the first half, with the old timer quite frankly struggling to the point where Barnes skinned him quite easily to go on and score a very nice goal.
Fortunately, Ollie Watkins, who was my MOTM because he seemed to be everywhere, had already scored to extend his awsome run, so it wasn’t overly bad.
The first half seemed a pretty even contest then and the draw seemed about right.
The second half was pretty similar and it was nip and tuck, even though we got most of the possession and it wasn’t until late on that Leicester gave it away at the back, which is pretty ironic seeing as I keep saying how I hate it when we do it, resulting in Bailey Traore getting the ball and unleashing a beuatifully hit effort to seal the points.
It’s only fair that I add here that I thought we looked pretty competent when we did knock it around at the back. We don’t look anywhere near as panicked as we did weeks back.
It was squeaky bum time shortly after though, when at first glance, it looked like Watkins had fouled a Leicester player or handled in the box. It was all a bit frantic and looked like the Foxes might get the penalty.
Indeed, the ref gave it, but VAR rightly ruled it out, as it was Watkins who had been fouled.
So all in all, a great result then. To cap all that off, one of the grandsons advised my daughter on a £2 bet, where Watkins scored first, with the result being 2-1, which netted her £53. I’ve congratulated her and told her to stop learning the lads bad habits!
About the only bad thing I can say today is that I thought Bailey was really, really poor.
I honestly don’t think it’ll be difficult to improve on him and I stand by my guess that he will be gone in the summer. It’s not because I don’t like him; I do. But he has been terrible for too long.
The only thing stopping him going will be his no doubt astronomical wages.
As for Bailey, who replaced the Jamaican, he redeemed himself a little bit with that strike.
Forest next and I’ll save my prediction for when it gets closer.
Suffice to say things are looking rosy at the moment and even I’m beginning to enjoy the ride.
UTV!
Is this going to be that rare Emery beast a 0-0 draw?
Absolute garbage so far. Too much stop / start. Atmosphere here at VP is muted apart from Forest fans. Surely second half has to be better!
6th yeaaaass wooo hoooo
YESSSS!!!!!! I knew it!
We’re 6th as it stands!!!!!!
7th unless Spurs beat Brighton, Brighton have a better GD than Villa.
They’re losing, 6th here we come.
We really are getting the rub of the green, Brighton 2 goals disallowed and a stonewall penalty turned down.
Quick someone tell Badger . He’s done a runner
🤣🤣
Almost afraid to comment in case it became a curse. So many of our best had off games. Thank God for the second. At least we weren’t lucky
Improved second half but too many poor passes in final third.
Still a wins a win and another clean sheet – at last we have a positive goal difference and all other results went in our favour so have a buffer now over teams below us.
Massive game next week – beat Newcastle and who knows?
Some people are never bloody happy!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ah, you’re right Bum Bum – does seem a bit negative 🙂
Was meant to be objective – could have worded it better – but then even Emery said we still needed to improve 🙂
I have watched Villa playing Forest for years, and never thought of Forest as a dirty team until now. But what a collection of talent-less bruisers they started with and brought off the bench today! 4 Yellows, 17 fouls, most of them not an attempt to play the ball. They will be no loss to the EPL when they drop.
I left on 90 minutes so missed Watkins goal ☹️
I didn’t see Canadian Pete either although I heard he was in one of the boxes. He got a mention on the big screen though.
Not a game for the purists. While I’m delighted with the results I have to comment on how dull it is to watch the ball go backwards and sideways sooooo many times. I think it’s contributing to the lack of atmosphere at VP. I guess we can never be totally satisfied 😏
that’s it for me. i’m absolutely over the moon with these claret & blue boys. couldn’t be prouder of them if i tried. i’m close to tears after this result brings us up to 6th. 12 odd years of complete mental abuse really
We’re digging out results which is a great quality and with a few additions next season we could get Europe it’s bit of a tall order this season but you never know
Enjoy your claret and blue easter everyone WOoOHOO
Little – Emery getting the best out of the squad he inherited after only adding one player in January and then bringing back Traore which I applauded at the time as a very shrewd move.
I’m sure we’ll see further improvements once he’s added two or three big signings in the summer.
Been a long time coming and I’m loving it.
UTV
Absolutely fantastic result. 3 wins in a week! With a limited squad available it is natural that this 3rd game in a week may not have been as dynamic as the others. But, the players know the under Emery’s system we will score and most likely win.
Next week is the big one. If we beat Newcastle then a European dream becomes closer to reality.
UTV
I saw William and Purslow in the directors box. I trust our CEO asked about a Royal Warrant.
“Aston Villa Football Club. Purveyors of entertainment to H.R.H The Prince of Wales”. With the coat of Arms and 3 feathers, mounted in the players tunnel leading to the pitch like the “This is Anfield” panel at a lesser club.
I must admit I do like stats. Emery has now won 64% of Villa’s Premier matches.
Villa have won / drawn 76% of all Premier matches.
This is truly amazing. The future is bright, the future is Villa’s!
Don’t know whether you picked this stat up?
Only three players have recorded double figure in goal over the last three seasons (including the current one).
Watkins is one alongside Salah and Kane!
What price Ollie Watkins?
What a fantastic bit of form we are in! It feels great to be in 6th. We probably have one of, if not the hardest run in so it’s going to be very difficult to remain there or catch the teams above us but with Emery and this confident group of players there is a chance which was not there 5 months ago and we can all be happy and grateful for that. Europe would be great but even finishing in the top half I’d be happy with this season as its been a joyous ride and given us so much to build on over the summer. I expect some ups and downs during this run in but im going to enjoy it all the way. UTV.
Well, I booked tickets for Newcastle last Thursday thinking our season was done but would be nice to get to villa park at least once this season. Since then we have gone on and continued a brilliant run and the game seems to be an exciting one now.
Can anyone help me out, I’m driving up from Bristol , where would be the best place to park for getting in and out?
Not too close is the simple answer. Say, a 10 minute walk.
Wherever you park is a nightmare if you want to get to the motorway, getting back home.
But I’d suggest somewhere around Aston hall road if you’re early or somewhere in the Vine street area, if you’re a bit later.
Thanks Badger
dont you just love watching Leeds getting battered
Made my day that getting beat 5-1 I remember the Revie Days the dirty lot they was, hope they go down .