Any regular reader on here will know that I’m inherently and massively pessimistic when it comes to how the Villa are going to do. It’s a self defence mechanism bred over decades of watching us underperform compared to the likes of Pool and Utd, where if we do poorly, I’m not so much upset and disappointed and if we do better than expected it’s a bonus.
So imagine how I feel when I say I think we’re going to beat City. On their own turf. Thinking about it, I’m terrified, because the pessimist in me knows I’m setting myself up for a very big fall and monster disappointment.
It’s all Emery’s fault. He’s got us on good form when it matters and looking incredibly strong for this stage of the season. It’s all even scarier that I think we’re finishing stronger than any other team in the league. Liverpool don’t look all that; Arsenal are doing their usual bottle job; Forest are having at least a blip, although I suspect they’ll beat a poor Spurs later and Chelsea were somewhat lucky to beat Fulham, I felt.
All in all, it just seems to me that we’re in a very good position. We beat PSG on the night and destroyed the form side in the league who had scored a boatload of goals on Saturday. What better can we do as a run-up that must give the lads supreme confidence?
Add in we have the whole squad available, with some superb options to bring on and I just feel this is as good an opportunity as we’ll get.
I said the Newcastle game was a season maker/breaker, but the truth is, this one is too. That said, if we can beat these, I feel all our remaining games are ultimately winnable and Champions League is achievable.
There’s no team news to report yet, but I don’t see that we’ll have any issues and you would imagine everybody is itching to play.
I don’t care about City’s team news, but all I can say is that they’re not the side they were a season or two ago. It just shows you can’t let a team age too quickly and I think that has caught even Pep out.
Who would I play and how would I play it? Well, I don’t have a clue. And whatever I say anyway, Unai will just make me look like a mug as he does his usual something I didn’t expect.
So all that’s left is to predict the score.
And given that I think we’re going to win, it has to be 2-1.
Blimey, I feel even worse now I’ve written it.
UTV!
Comments
123 responses to “Man City – Villa; I’m scaring myself”
What’s that saying?
“We dare to dream”.
Brave call Badger but not unrealistic given how we played in the last couple of games.
I agree that if we win this one there’s every chance we will go on to qualify in the top 5.
A draw wouldn’t be a disaster and it’s what, on balance, I think we’ll get.
A footnote – apparently we’ve only ever won one game at The Etihad – food for thought!
I’d take a draw Hitch, but I think it would make the job much more difficult and leave us a lot less wiggle room.
It’s a big ask, I know. But not beyond us.
As someone said earlier, we could do with Spurs winning, but they’re rubbish and I don’t see it. I’ll be watching that, as I do most of their games, because there’s always goals involved.
City’s run-in after tomorrow looks piss easy and they will more than likely pick up 12 from 12. As with Saturday, we need to beat them. Easier said…
Spurs are their usual Spursy self and losing again. All our remaining games are cup finals now. Even a draw tomorrow would be a setback considering we are in a mini league of 5 teams which we are currently bottom, despite our incredible form of late.
Their usual Spursy self 😂🤣
Ain’t that the truth.
Ange needs to be Fired.
He left his entire forward line on the bench and puts out that miserable C*** Richarlison, and two wingers with zero composure who would be hard put to find him anyway even if they crossed accurately.
Don’t want him fired before the game against us.
Absolutely mate, the last thing we need is “new manager bounce” or, heaven forbid, someone that actually knows what they’re doing.
Ange is a dead man walking, Everyone knows it, including himself and the only short term saviour for him is winning the Conference (?)
He’ll get the end of the season and even if they win the cup, he’ll be gone shortly after.
Just shows nice new shiny grounds can prove ruinous in the short term. They’ll get over it though, with the revenue they’re making now.
Europa League Badger – Chelsea are in The Conference and likely to win it.
Gotta agree Badger. My bowels are a-quaking too.
Almost terrified! Bloody, bloody football. How am I meant to get a days work done!!!
Mate of mine went to Spuds last night. Said they were absolutely terrible.
I’m with you.
I can’t really look forward to matches at the moment, because there’s too much at stake on each one.
Pepto Bismol, BumBum. Their latest ad is worth the money alone. 😆
Nah – a large malt whisky – or even two!
Thats OK for you guys but what do you do when your just as squeeky down there and you have been taking Nexium for the past 20 years. Just moving the TV into the bathroom.
Will take a draw but will expect the win. These are great days to be a Villa fan.
My local team here in Drogheda play in the Claret and Blue and for the first time ever top of the Irish Premier League.
No Mings – even on the bench, so the left side of our defence is Digne and Torres. If that turns out right it proves Unai is a genius and I know nothing. Rashford back in place of Watkins but I think that is with an eye to the Wembley team.
Mings and Ollie to start at Wembley. I hope…
Is Rashford cup tied on Saturday Or is it Disasi or both? 🤯 Hopefully Mings isn’t injured and will be available against Palace.
It’s a really tough game and I’m like Badger and lean towards my pessimistic side to avoid huge disappointment if we lose.
I do think we need to at least draw this if we want top 5. We are currently bottom of a 5 team mini league for Champions League football. Dropped points at this stage are costly.
I’m thinking 2-0 to Citeh and I hope to be wrong.
No, Rashford can play for Villa in the FA Cup – Disasi is cup tied however.
The one down side in having a fully fit squad is that Emery can only select a squad of 20 for the game – hence three (I think) have to miss out. I can’t ever recall Villa being in a position to leave out players like Mings and Bailey tonight and Torres and Bailey against the Barcodes. Bogarde is the other ‘unlucky’ player.
The ultimate in squad rotation!
So either Unai doesn’t give a stuff what Ollie thinks or it’s all been agreed or at least explained that it’s about rotation. And yes, OLL, I suspect Ollie will start against Palce too.
Badger we will win tonight. I believe today is the first time in recent years we know we have a team to win.
Last 14 games at the Emptyad have resulted in 14 defeats. We need to change that NOW!
Oh dear – is this going to be 15 consecutive defeats at the Etihad.
Poor by Martinez
Bloody hell.
Not sure you can blame Martinez for that. 0-1.
Or maybe you can. It did come at him quick though.
Penalty?
I don’t think so, but it’s given
When’s a penalty not a penalty?
Cash looking a little suspect?
He’s being targetted.
Because as I’ve repeatedly said, I believe he’s the weakest link.
Rashford, supremely confident, nets
1-1, game on again.
We are a top six team and we get all the decisions
Emi having a shocker up to now.
It’s a clear penslty. Neville is talking out of his jacksy. Ramsey slowed down and waited for it? What? I’m pretty sure he was bursting into the box and didn’t adjust his body in the slightest in order to invite the contact. Diaz went in like a rhino and bounced his over. Yes, Pep, you dick.
Pep suggesting Ramsey jumped backwards – that would take some doing 🙂
He’s just spitballing. Pardon the pun. 😉 😏
Well done the referee and the VAR btw. Fair’s fair. That’s how it should work. 👍👏👏
I’d get McGinn on. We miss his terrier like tenacity at times…Asensio would offer trickery too…
We need to stop twating around at the back
Malen on for Rogers for a bit of fire power from the right? Chesty’s not up to much this evening…
Morgan winner on 87 min then 😂
Is Rodger playing ? I personally think Unai weakened the team tonight they are not together in play . Badger think you’re right about Cash a frightened man with their winger. Same old same old standing on wings and nobody seeing their play .
Pep has put three players on Rogers – that’s how much he worries him
The Watkins we saw at the weekend would demolish these