Colour me seriously impressed with that performance. I am honestly now beginning to believe that while I don’t think we’ll win the league, we might get second.
If you consider we’re supposed to have a totally threadbare midfield, it didn’t look like it today. Fair enough, Newcastle have their own problems in the middle too, but our lads held the ground well.
And if we could only sort out the really poor final passes that occurred lots of times today, we’d have scored a lot more goals. All while our defence was mostly excellent and Newcastle never really seriously threatened. Well they did, but Emi was up to the task every time.
It was a game played at a frenetic pace all the way through, which is quite impressive when you consider both teams played midweek and I wonder how much it might have taken out of the players, but that’s why it was so encouraging to see the likes of Bailey come in and actually put in one of his 1 in 10 performances. I definitely didn’t want him back, but thought he did well today, with some good work defending and going forward. He definitely gives us options when he’s fully on it and as has been said, knows how we play,
Who else do I think did well?
I’ve mentioned Martinez, who I thought secured us those two points and I thought edged it for MOTM. Buendia actually got the award and I’m not going to argue, because he was creative and his goal was superb to watch. Exactly the sort of thing Rogers does, in getting it up, down and bending at the same time. It’s like art and a joy to watch.
Who else? Maatsen. I’m not his biggest fan and I prefer Digne as our defensive left back. But fair play, he was excellent today and kept Trippier mostly quiet.
Rogers didn’t do a vast amount on the face of it, but he added plenty of strength and physicality, along with all the midfield, which was just as well, because the amount of stamps on ankles by Newcastle led to me thinking that it was more than coincidence and accidental. Along with blatant shoving, it’s looking much more prevalent these days and if it’s a deliberate tactic, it’ll only increase my disgust at the way fotball is going.
But black arts apart, this was a great performance and an even better result, which has made my weekend.
This was a game we normally write off as a loss and surely makes up for the Everton game?
The question now is, who’s capable of beating us, even though we have a couple of our best players out?
And I’m not seeing many teams.
It’s a great time to be a Villan!
Absolutely superb result that I nowhere near expected!
Loads of comments on the socials about the horrific refereeing, even from Newcastle fans.
He was poor today. But surely VAR could have pulled some of the incidents back?
Barcodes fans were apparently accusing us of using the dark arts, according to the Sky comms.
That truly is a joke, imo.
Martinez. Nobody does it better.
Fantastic result and for the majority of the game, we had them at arms length. We could have scored many more if we had played straight forward passes when we broke through. That’s another hoodoo put to bed. Just hope Tielemans will be okay for next weekend.
This word Black Art is coming to the forefront more lately as it was said on sky today, and yes the kicking of ankles and studs down the back coming into the game more frequently, we should have had more protection from that ref than we did, I take my hat of to the lads today and yes match player was Buendia, I thought the subbing was questionable taking off Sanso and Maatsen but it proof to be ok.
One Newcastle fan commented on our use of ‘black arts’ but said Newcastle would do the same!
The use of ‘the knee’ as a weapon is very fashionable.
https://forums.vitalfootball.co.uk/attachments/img_1506-jpeg.86974/
Can’t access that site Badger
Sent you a whatsapp.
Cheers – love it.
Went on a Newcastle fan site and have to admit that the majority of the comments were very balanced and fair.
There was criticism of the referee so both sets of fans felt aggrieved so he probably did OK 😂
Having said that he gave significantly more fouls against us which didn’t reflect what actually happened on the pitch.
Just hope Tielemans injury is not serious – we can at least sit him out for Thursdays game.
Here’s an interesting question (or two) – I assume Bailey is ineligible until the knock out rounds but Elliott can play. Is his 10 game buy obligation just EPL games or any games for Villa’s senior team?
I’d guess it’s any competition, but who knows?
Wooo hoooo yeaaaaasss what a win absolutely stupendous yeeehaa
Shove that up your arse big 6 we are brilliant and I actually think unai is as up for it as any of us fans the passion and commitment of that man is a joy to see
Emi martinez was immense and in my eyes still the best in the world wow
This club our club deserves a trophy cos for 90% of this season the team has been amazing
Wow just fuckin wow
UTMV
🙂 Indeed, Little8
Did you see the wonderful little hand pat with Emery as Tielemans left the pitch – it didn’t get a mention (why would it) but I thought it was a brilliant two fingers to the media and pundits in general.
Thank you Man utd thank you, now it begins for the title.
I’d have preferred the draw, but that’s a big loss for Arse.
Just goes to show, Man U players didn’t want to play for Amorim.
They’re looking a big threat, imo.
I’m with you Badger. The bigger the points gap with our pursuers the better.
3 points where none were expected. Digne commented on Friday ‘ we think we can win every game’ and that attitude seems to permeate the team. Maybe it is a good thing we cannot buy half a team in this window because it has not been the fix-all for last Summer’s big spenders.
It was a quality performance today including the contributions by the substitutes. Mings returned to the place it all went wrong for him and laid that ghost.
I have just watched us beat Newcastle away from home in the flesh. I hope everyone on this site knows I wasn’t even conceived or thought about the last time that happened. TMI? I don’t care. Up the Villa 🤣
Quality, nip.
Now you know what the Villa do to you 🙂
Come on in, you probably have another 50 years of this love that nothing else will be able to compete with.
It’s really quite strange. Partners can come and go, but you will never lose your love of your football team. You were truly guided wisely, grasshopper.
Martinez was outstanding today.
He was. In his saves and timewasting. He really is quality when he’s on it.
The enormous groan from 50,000 Geordies when he went down clutching his back was hilarious. Pantomime stuff.
Just watched Emery’s BBC interview. If u watched it with the sound down, you’d think we’d lost. Incredibly humble and focused chap.
What a guy! Never mind putting up a statue at Villa Park, I’m putting one up in my front room!!!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/SkySportsFootball/videos/unai-emery-plays-down-talks-of-aston-villa-challenging-for-the-premier-league-ti/869296605979489/
Quality.
McGinn out for a couple of months which is a dampener on a great result. We need to act now to get a midfielder in otherwise we are taking a huge risk. Tielemans limped off today so he could be out for a while. Onana (Mr Glass) took a whack from the Barcodes thug and is always likely to be out anyway. That could leave us with Bogarde only! It’s time for Olabe and whoever responsible to pull some rabbits out of the hat. Emery is doing is bit but not be supported now it matters. Let’s buy now and sell in the summer if risking SCR.
Holte, there will be loans incoming, I’m sure.
Agreed it is looking dodgy now, with those two injuries though. Hopefully they’ll be fine.
We don’t have a pot to piss in, if we abide by the rules though and it’s so frustrating.
It’s all about stopping clubs going bankrupt, my arse!
If there’s one pundit I dislike more than all the others put together it’s Carragher – arrogant, self opinionated with a horrible whingeing voice.
His latest comment is that (Aston Villa) are just an annoyance that won’t go away.
‘Just an annoyance’ is an insult to the team, the club and most of all to Emery.
Better that I don’t say anymore 😡😡
He is scum. Shows how low Sky are bringing him back after the spitting incident.
Be thankful our super busy period is passing and are games are spread out somewhat now giving SJM time to recuperate and the lads time to regenerate their batteries.
I heard McGinn could be out for 1-2 months.
It varies. Some saying two months, some saying the rest of the season.
The reality is he needs more investigation before anything is conclusive.
Did he actually say “just an annoyance”? What an absolute bellend.
He did plus ‘Nobody outside the West Midlands believes they can win the title’ followed by the just an annoyance comment.
I’d put up a link but I can’t find it on Sky – maybe they took it down out of embarrassment? 😂
I would get a massive poster of “just an annoyance” printed and stuck around Bodymoore Heath to fuel the players’ desire further to give these pricks the massive finger come the end of the season.
6 of our next 8 games are at Villa Park. Chelsea have a piss easy February, while Manure look like the penny’s finally dropped. Liverpool no longer look a threat. Need to get 3 good players through the door and keep ticking over. Can’t afford to get complacent. Everton was a good lesson and a reminder.
I remember looking at our fixtures from Christmas and January was mental. While Feb, I think we have 3 scheduled games!!! Arsenal’s is still a nightmare for some reason. That 6 at home run is fantastic. I hope we can rest Onana, Youri, Cash, Konsa and a couple of others Thursday.
Should see Kevin confirmed today, and imagine having SJM back the end of March? What a boost that would be.
Phew!
p.s. Apparently at the Emirates yesterday, the tension and nervousness was palpable according to David Seaman. Wobbling??????
Correction. It’s March we have 3 scheduled games. 6 in Feb, 4 at home, 2 away to Wolves and Bournemouth.
Kevin???
Arse have been wobbling for a while now…
It’s Tammy’s first name!!!! 🙂 Kevin The Gerbil? You know how much we like nicknames on this site…
3 games in April scheduled too, and 4 in May BTW. (Discounting Europe and the FA Cup).
Aston Villa have won every game this season after playing in Europe the Thursday before.
WTF.
Which is the exact opposite of last season in the CL.
We’re learning.
Yeah.
“The terms of the transfer contract of professional football player Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham have been fulfilled, and the provision for the player’s permanent transfer has come into effect. In this context, a transfer fee of 13,000,000 EUR will be paid to A.S. Roma S.P.A.”
Statement from Besiktas confirming Tammy Abraham has been recalled by AS Roma and imminently sold for 13 million Euros.
We are playing a substantial premium for Abraham.
Beskitas, including loan fee, have acquired him for €15m and are, I believe selling him to us for €20m plus Ozcan who cost us around €8m last season. I believe the loan fee will be negated through us calling him back so with amortisation we will owe (additionally) this season around €5m on the deal.
Overall it means a fee of c. €25m (£21.7m) or amortised over five years around £4m per annum.
Abraham is 28 (I think) so €25m for an experienced quality striker is not big money. Separately his wages are potentially a bigger issue with £145k per week being mentioned.although I did read a figure of nearer £80k per week having been agreed.
I’m quite positive about this signing and looking forward to seeing him play for us.
UTV
*paying a substantial premium
I heard he took a substantial paycut to come back to Villa. He absolutely loves the club for some reason!!!
What d’ya mean for some reason?! 25 goal season, all the way in the playoffs with glorious victory and promotion.
😁
The £80k is after tax Hitch. That’s how they do it in Turkey, apparently.
Is Dougie on his way home? Surely, he wouldn’t choose Chelsea over unfinished business at Villa where he’s loved? Come on, Dougie, help Villa lift a trophy; not many people get a second chance! Unai turned him into a top drawer midfielder. Don’t forget he was floundering and neglected by the other guy.
The affection of the fans for Tammy and Dougie, as well as their familiarity and feeling for the club cannot be underestimated; it is a massive bonus!
BFR – Fabrizio Romano on ‘X’ saying Villa in talks with Juventus over Luiz loan although Villa have two more options on their list. Romano also claiming that Chelsea have withdrawn their interest.
Romano is, arguably, the most believable when it comes to transfer rumours so there might be something in it. The one conclusion is that we are looking to strengthen midfield this window.
As to Luiz, I can only assume that (a) he hasn’t played for Juventus this season and (b) that Juventus have a recall option. I could see a problem if Juventus will only play ball with an obligation to buy clause which I don’t think Villa would want.
Random one: looking at the table and what’s happening, I wonder what odds Palace to go down? It’s looking nailed-on, I think…
There are 4 worse teams below them. Why couldn’t we have played them after they started to implode???
Worse teams, yes. But they’ve all downed tools and are in absolute freefall. West Ham, meanwhile, are quietly building up a head of steam. If Palace keep losing…
If they go, Wharton has to be target number 1 in the summer. He’ll run the midfield for the next decade and would be an ideal longterm replacement for McGinn.
HIS ARSE ISN’T BIG ENOUGH!!!!!!
Looks nailed on Guessand will leave this window.
Where did you get the Guessand info from Bum Bum.
Nobody in football can match SJM’s posterior 😂
Mateta would give him a run for his money.
Another random one: is Malen allowed to play against Villa in the Europa if we face them???
Yes – as far as I’m aware players can play against their owning club in European competitions.
Shit. Even if they’ve already played in Europe for the original team? Not cup-tied, then?