Well, we all know what this is about, don’t we?
Every man and his dog knows that the most popular time to watch football is 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
So why the heck do Sky prefer to show all the games at 4pm on a Sunday?
It frustrates the heck out of me and I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that.
So it’s another very convenient, perfect last day decider at the top of the table. It’s also even more convenient that there’s a last day decider at the bottom too.
Coincidence or planned?
I know what I think, but it’s not something you can prove is it?
It’s just all too coincidental and Sky couldn’t wish for a better situation.
I have to admit it is exciting, but it’s also annoying, because you know they’re going to switch to the Liverpool game every few minutes or when there’s a goal, but at least those who actually attend the games won’t have to worry about that.
Although they might actually prefer to miss most of the game, because I can’t see anything other than a very convincing victory and title championship for Man City.
There was Micah Richards’ comment that Villa will earn £15 million if Citeh win the league and I still don’t know if it was a joke or totally true.
If it’s the latter, hopefully it goes into the transfer pot, my concerns about Gerrard, apart.
Squad news and there’s nothing changed from Thursday, which is perhaps a small miracle in itself. I worry now that at least one of our players will be crocked because of something that happened in training.
As for Citeh, John Stones and Kyle walker are training, but it’s not known if they’ll be ready for this game.
Not that it matters, as Citeh have such a superb squad, it’s hardly a problem if they have half a dozen injuries or more.
It makes me sick, but it is what it is.
Tactics then and how can you counter Citeh them and try and stop them scoring?
Quite simply, you can’t.
They’ll massively outwork us in a way that is miles more effective and just pass us to death in our own half, patiently waiting for a chance.
Which, with our defence scares me.
They’ll be full on it and we’ll have to be content with watching them pick up the Premier league trophy.
I’d actually bet on Man City to win here, but the bookies agree with me and the odds are ridiculous, hence I’m not going to bother.
I was speaking to a Chelsea fan this morning and he said he has a feeling that we’ll beat them.
When I asked why, it was the same old “well it’s Gerrard and Liverpool, isn’t it?” and I wasn’t surprised.
He too was surprised when I told him many fans weren’t convinced by him as our manager.
I find it fascinating that so many fans think if you were a great player, you automatically have to be a good manager, but there you go.
Prediction time then and I see goals. I do think we might sneak one, because Citeh may well leave gaps at the back as they go all out.
I’m going to go for a 3-1 defeat.
And I really hope Grealish, if he plays doesn’t get one.
Two reasons. One, because I think he’d genuinely be gutted and two because it would just be sod’s law, yet again. And I hate that.
UTV!
Comments
155 responses to “Man City – Villa; Another Sky “super” sunday.”
“The 29-year-old has been offered £90,000-a-week by Everton”
That’s crazy money for a 29 year old strictly average centre half even given the free transfer.
Now £120k per week according to more media muppetry 🙂
Mings & Watkins dropped from the England squad. A fair reward for their efforts?
Neither have pulled any trees – would you have picked them in Southgate’s shoes?
Ming the not so merciless – always prone to a gaff.
Watkin’s covers a lot of ground but clinical finisher he ain’t.
Neither are good enough for England based on current form. Watkins reminds me of Agbonlahor in the way he is more likely to score when he hasn’t got time to think about it. Neither player look / looked like scoring when one on one with the keeper. However Watkins has a better scoring ratio of 1 in 3 compared to Gabby’s 1 in 4. We need a more prolific goalscorer to compliment our current strike force. Whether Ings needs to go to make way time will tell. I certainly want Watkins to stay because he naturally puts in a shift and has his best years to come. Ings meanwhile is in decline and his best days are behind him. Give Archer a pre season and game time to see if he can make the grade. He definitely knows how to put the ball in the net.
As for Mings, he’s either a squad player or needs to go. He hasn’t had anyone breathing down his neck when he’s had a bad game and I certainly don’t think he should have the captain’s armband.
A couple of bits of gossip that may well have legs – but with all the health warnings!
Roma are supposedly interested in Luiz. I could see this happening; he only has a year left on his contract and has been reported as not being willing to sign a new one – unless a certain young lady in a Villa shirt persuades him otherwise!
We are reputed to have offered Tarkowski £120k per week to sign. Again I could see this as being true given a four year contract would cost around £25m with no transfer fee which is cheap for a centre back – and we know Gerrard is in the market for at least one CB.
If Tarkowski were to sign that would be three upgrades to our existing squad for a combined transfer fee of £17m!
We could then go out and splash really big on another midfielder and striker.
What is so great about Tarkowski? He is far too ready to resort to the dirty stuff whenever a forward goes past him. Now he has a relegation on his record so I hope he goes to Everton. We have to set the sights higher than a player with proven incompetence in the EPL.
You have a point OLL.
If you compare his record with Mings then they are very similar (when looked at on a ratio basis as Tarkowski has played 70 odd games more in the EPL).
Tarkowski does foul slightly more than Mings but his disciplinary record is slightly better; his successful tackles per game and ratio of duals won to lost is significantly better as are his aerial stats.
What I did find interesting is that, despite the view of many Villa fans, Mings has only made 4 errors leading to goals conceded, the same as Tarkowski (according to EPL stats / Mings 122 games, Tarkowski 194).
If, as I suspect, Mings is going nowhere then we need a reliable experienced centre half to play alongside him and, for the money Tarkowski may prove good value. Of course there are better players around but can we get them and at what cost.
But then it’s all about opinions isn’t it!
And it’s probably all media click bait rubbish anyway.
Congratulations to Cameron Archer who’s been selected for the England U21 squad, alongside Jacob Ramsey, for the upcoming EuroU21 Qualifiers.
Well deserved.
Will he be in the first team squad next season or will he spend another year on loan at PNE – they certainly want him?
Apparently his mum is Tamsin Archer, 80s pop star.
Agree with badger on the players I would keep the rest are bang average
Thanks for all the great work badger and everyone have a great summer
40 years today we were European champions wow
Cheers Little8
A bit of news and Barce are apparently showing interest in Chucky;
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/barcelona/transfer-talk/news/barcelona-hold-talks-over-chukwuemeka-deal_486723.html?newsnow
A big mistake if true, imo.
If there are concerns he can’t get game time at the Villa, do his advisors really think he’ll get it at Barce?
That’s gotta be a gamble, buy for nothing (or next to) with the hope of a large profit a few years down the line.
I really don’t what all the fuss is about with this kid but hey ho what do I know?
Looks like SG’s raiding north of the border…
Calvin Bassey (Rangers)
Rory Wilson (Rangers)
Ewan Simpson (Hearts)
Happy days!
We’ve had some top players from sunny Scotland.
Getting the two highly rated lads into the academy is in line with Villa’s strategy and looks good business. Ewan Simpson turns 16 in a couple of months (I think) so it seems he can’t move until then. Reported we’ve agreed a fee of £250k!
My only concern re Bassey is he’s another 22 year old and I do think we need some real experience in the centre of defence although it seems he can also play left back. Gerrard signed him for Rangers so must rate him – will cost a bit and I see him as strengthening the squad rather than being the centre back we need.
Will he signal the exit of Hause even though he only recently signed a new (5 year?) contract?
Being left footed I’d guess he’s a direct replacement for Mings (the writings on the wall?)
Not such a bad thing?
RSS it’s interesting that the majority on here seem to think / want / expect Mings to be moved on this summer, the implication being retaining Konsa is preferable. Yet Konsa’s form throughout this season has been pretty dire which of itself has heaped pressure on Mings and may have contributed to some of his errors.
I’m no advocate of Mings but neither does Konsa fill me with confidence.
If Mings goes then I would think Konsa would depart as well meaning we’ll start with a completely new centre back pairing next season. That I’m not sure is a good option.
On balance I think Mings will stay but I don’t think he will retain the captains arm band.
But then what do I know 🙂
Badger
I am in agreement with your thoughts about Chucky. I’ve mentioned on this site before Crowley who was rated higher than Grealish found all that glitters is not gold. Off he went to Arsenal and since he was even turning out for the Blues, not that long ago.
With regards to Konsa and Mings. Both are above average Premier defenders. But, if we want to make that quantum leap, they both become the back up defenders. I would not look to bomb either out the club, but have them as back up. I still believe Konsa has the ability to get better.
10/10 on transfers to date. Two quality players for £17m in transfer fees. Looks like we are boxing clever to get the best return on the transfer kitty.
With regards to wages of £125,000 per week, this is a clear statement of intent by our owners. If they want to break into European football they have to attract quality players who cost.
Just did a quick calculation, as a bit if fun. If Villa sold 30,000 season tickets at £500 each = £15m.
Two players on £125,000 per week would cost £13m. We really are dependent on TV money. Critical we start to run deep into competitions, increase sponsorship and get into Europe and increase Villa Park above 50,000, despite the economic downturn. Perhaps Villa Vegas franchise will help raise our profile in the States and help furnish the coffers.
That quick calc u did explains why so many clubs don’t give a damn about their fans anymore. TV money unfortunately is King.
And money from Mrs Miggins pies obviously.
I think you’re dead right, Sid.
For us to seriously improve, the likes of Mings etc have to become backup and improved upon.
but at the same time, while we seem to be doing great business, I always have this niggly worry that we might end up with a bomb squad mk11, with players who prove to be poor for us, yet are sat not playing on massive wages.
Which indeed leads us to revenue.
You make the great point that gate receipts are next to nothing in the scheme of things.
Tele money and Merch is much more important, but it all adds up.
Get that 50k stadium and we’ll soon be back in the top 20 highest earning clubs in the world, just like we were when MON was in charge.
But at the same time, we need to play footy that gives the fans something to cheer about, which goes hand in hand with players playing better.
We all know what a cracking VP atmoshere can add 🙂
Interesting article here, where fans of all the Prem clubs give their thoughts on their season.
Note the Norwich fan wants Buendia back 🙂 ;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61493522
“He was even turning out for the Blues, not that long ago”
F:(&ing harsh mate 😂
Blimey, if this is true, it shows we’re really playing with the big boys now;
“Aston Villa are ‘firmly in favour’ of getting a deal for Carlos over the line, and while they could face competition from AC Milan, it seems the Rossoneri can’t match Steven Gerrard’s side ‘economically’.”
http://sportwitness.co.uk/agent-meets-club-make-firm-offer-aston-villa-situation-progressing-rapidly/
SG’s recruitment is so far pretty impressive and as much as this pains me to admit …
It appears BFR was bang on the money.
Badger, I was just going to comment on the Carlos rumours.
I’m always wary of Birmingham Live and their misleading articles but it does seem their might actually be mileage in this.
IF it goes ahead and he signs Bassey as well then who of our current CB’s will be on their way out?
You have to think Hause and either Konsa or Mings as I suspect Gerrard will stick with Chambers who’s proved to be pretty reliable when he’s come into the side.
I can see the Tarkowski rumours fading into the background
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/26/full-90–aston-villa-1-0-bayern-munich/
If anyone feels like reminiscing for a couple of hours.
Sky reporting Villa have agreed a fee of £26m for Diego Carlos and the player is travelling to UK to finalise terms etc.
Happy Days although I don’t know a thing about him 🙂
Yep, done deal.
Jeez, this is impressive business!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/26/villa-agree-diego-carlos-/
Oh, sorry Hitch, 29 yo defender from Seville.
Rumoured £50 mill and mega wages, that AC couldn’t live with!
To play alongside Mings or replace him, I wonder?
Probably there to show Mings how to defend, in fairness 🙂
Yeah – I read AC needed to sell him to deal with a £40m debt.
Seville – sorry my confusion.
Ah, sorry, Hitch, I missed your previous £26 mill comment.
I’m sure there was a 75 mill euro clause, but they’re desperate for the money by the end of June, so that would seemingly be cheap.
Undisclosed fee according to OS so Sky may be guessing at £26m
Right footed with a value of £40.5 mill here;
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diego-carlos/profil/spieler/329145
Are we going for samba football.
If Luiz stays that’s three Brazilians and two Argentinians – Suarez to follow? 🙂
🙂
I’m really impressed with the way we’re getting this done.
Coutinho £17 mill
Kamara Free
Carlos £26 mill
and I wonder how much in wages? £80 mill? (Average 120ishK a week for 4 years x3)
Whatever, it’s around £60 mill committed for this year.
I’m going to guess one top striker or maybe two players still to come.
Badger and friends
I am pretty sure Ron Saunders was advocate of building the spine of the team.
I must admit to being bowled over and the season only ended 4 days ago: The spine as of today has:
Martinez -GK & world class
Carlos -CB & quality
Kamara – DM & high rated
Coutinho- CAM – & world class
Is Peter Withe the missing piece for a return to better days?
Well done NSWE, Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrard. Recession or no recession Villa Park will be packed out next season.
Truly exciting times.
Absolutely Sid.
By the way all, I’ve put a new post up, to get away from this Man City one 🙂