Well, to say that was disappointing is a bit of an understatement, isn’t it?
Newcastle tore us a new one, it’s as simple as that.
I said in the preview that on opening day, anything can happen, including freak results and it would seem my crystal ball was in fine form. Which is good, because it means I’m not going to read anything into this match.
It seemed pretty obvious to me that Mings suffering an apparently very bad injury affected the team, but I’m possibly going to be a bit controversial here and say that we already looked ropey even with Mings at the back. I get that he brings something to the team and is possibly a bit of a talisman for the side.
But he was nowhere to be seen for our second goal, for a start. I haven’t watched any replays of the goals, because, well, I just don’t like to when we’ve had a shoeing.
Still, I get that the majority think Mings is the business. I’ll just say I wouldn’t have wished his injury upon us but look forward to us learning to play better without him. Which I think we can, as much as Pau Torres looked totally out of place yesterday. So much for him being eased into the game.
I said during the game that I really wished I was there live for this one, because I strongly got the impression that I wasn’t seeing the play properly. It was either that or we were tactically poor and Emery got this game totally wrong. Certainly, we were often too easily caught out playing the high line.
We’ve seen it before too, many times, where a ball over the top or played round the outside for the opposition to run on to. It seemed even worse today, because Cash was repeatedly nowhere to be seen and our daring to try and play three at the back ocasionally was plainly not working.
Cash was obviously under instruction to get forward as much as possible, but my question was why didn’t our coaches change those instructions?
Cash looked a class below the rest of the team (and that’s saying something!), yet I wonder if I’m being fair in saying that? If you’re told to continually push up, it’s not surprising that you are going to leave a big hole behind you. We have seen it work well against poorer sides, but fair play, Newcastle are a very good side and we have a poor record against them. I didn’t see the friendly against them in the States, but apparently we had similar problems there too. I’d expect other teams to try to play a similar game now, meaning we have to have an alternative plan.
Then again, I have even more sympathy for Cash when I think that he has to play with Bailey in front of him. It would appear that Emery is giving the winger every chance, but I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that he’s had more opportunities than he’s deserved and I’ll continue to say that he needs replacing urgently, as his contribution is just non existent.
He wasn’t alone though. John McGinn was noticeable by his practically being absent and none of the midfield played well. It doesn’t inspire confidence in a defence when the opposition are slicing through those in front of you at will, I suppose.
Not that that excuses Konsa for his shocking error to allow Newcastle another easy goal. Just when I was thinking how he’s done reasonably well up until then.
I’m trying to find positives from the game and have to say that some of our passing was pretty slick. You can see what Emery is aiming at, but that apart, positives were pretty slim pickings.
We just weren’t sharp enough and any physicality meant we were blatantly fouling players. I know you have to resort to such tactics at times, but Martinez is seriously beginning to irk me with incidents like that yesterday, being so far out of his area. The only saving grace was that if it wasn’t for him, Newcastle would have reached double figures.
And then it’s onto Ollie Watkins. What to say?
All I know is that if Kane had had that chance yesterday, it would have been a goal, without a doubt.
I’ve suggested that we expect goals to come from all over, yet as much as I like Watkins, our main focus for goal has to be doing better than that and he should have scored.
As I said, I’m not going to read anything in the game.
It’s all part of what the Villa do, in raising your expectations and then knocking you flat on your backside.
And then couple it with that first day syndrome and it is what it is.
I certainly don’t think it’s going to be an indicator of how our season is going to go, but I do think our owners may now have to get an even bigger chequebook out, as our squad, just as it was looking decidely deeper, so it’s been thinned out again
Onward and upward! Which considering we’re bottom of the table, shouldn’t be too difficult.
We move on.
The quicker the better.
Everton will be a different proposition.
After a night’s sleep and reflection my reaction is one of anger at the performance up to the Mings injury. I will disregard the performance thereafter except to say one thing. During Pau Torres medical the Villa TV was running. I was stunned to see his upper body physique, no other EPL centre back will look as skinny and lacking in muscle. Until he bulks up he is going to be pushed around now he is replacing Mings – if he is chosen for that role.
I did watch the Villa friendlies in US including the 3-3 draw with Newcastle in which we outclassed them until they twigged late on that they had the speed advantage when running on to balls over the top. Toon pulled 2 goals back by that simple response to our high line.
Eddie & Jason and Unai & Austin(?) worked on the lesson from that unique opportunity to test the new look side of their opponents. I am not paid £1000s a week to draw those conclusions but I could see Newcastle’s strength was their springing the high line of Villa’s back four by several forwards who could shoot straight. Whereas if Villa sat back, when they got the ball, their inter-passing counters were going through Newcastle like water through a colander.
Unai said afterwards ‘We are not going to change the way we play.”
Eddie & Jason decided in Philadelphia that they needed to, in mid game.
Jamie Redknapp pretty much said the same about the high line pre match. Every team knows that’s how Villa play now. It’s dicey. Brighton went through us numerous times on the last day of last season. The offside trap, which must be watertight to play that system, saved us that day and we rejoiced in the end. But. Now that Mings is out, can that defence recalibrate? In my opinion, Konsa will need to step up and become that organising voice. Is he up for it? Can he handle that responsibility?
well we thought we had a good pre season, but looking back we seem to have had a bad one, the loss of Moreno at the end of last season was the start, then we lose J Ramsey playing for England, the transfer window opens and we go straight in for Tammy Abraham and just as it was looking like a done deal he gets injured. then right in the middle of Emery’s planning for Newcastle we lose Buenda which not only hits the moral hard but probably meant that Bailey would play and on top of all that we now lose Mings , it seems the footballing gods decided to give us a right kicking.
as for the game yes we were poor, but the Mings injury on top of Buenda must have been really hard for the players to cope with.
Newcastle is not the easiest place to go in the best of circumstances
but give them an early goal and you are going to struggle big time.
personally i thought the refereeing and VAR was shocking , the ref let so many fouls go i couldn’t believe it and not just villa but newcastle too, and what has happened to VAR where were the lines for offsides it seems instead of improving its going backwards .
so we have to write this off and start again, with players coming in and Emery adjusting the tactics as the high line has been found out so it needs to go a little deeper in my opinion.
But at the end of the day i have faith in Emery, and still think we will have a decent season.
‘The footballing gods decided to give us a right kicking’
TGV – succinctly put.
Four of our best players (acknowledging that Badger might not agree – back to that later) with long term injuries. Any team (apart from maybe Citeh) would struggle with that and possibly the most difficult opening day fixture to boot.
Mings and Konsa as a pairing are normally excellent and Mings organises the defence – he is a leader and Konsa will miss him. I can forgive Konsa in the circumstances – in fact after Mings injury (from what I saw which was only short periods) the whole team looked shell shocked.
Emery and his team have a massive job this week in rebuilding team confidence – this is where the coaching staff’s role is far more than analytics.
Although NSWE have the financial muscle to dive into the transfer market it’s not that simple with FFP and in trying to find ‘short term’ replacements for Buendia / Mings.
I really can see us struggling in the EPL up to the International Break with, hopefully, Ramsey and Moreno back thereafter. In the interim Emery must go all out to qualify for the group stages of the Conference League.
UTV
I wonder if there’s a rope for Chambers to play in all this, who seems to be ignored as an option for some reason.
I’m also concerned that upgrades for Cash and Bailey won’t be arriving and that will be a problem. Personally, I would never start Bailey in ANY away game in the PL.
role
Although the score might suggest a real tonking, it was actually much closer than that. Gold-plated open goal opportunities were missed and, to be honest, you don’t deserve to get anything from a game when you do that.
However, we are, and will be, better than this. While the football gods are currently having a good laugh, I think that it’s still going to be a good season.
Sorry mate but I can’t agree with that, 5-1 is a proper good hiding how ever you dress it up, we played a high line, they exploited it – end of.
As for the injuries just maybe too many pre season games, at too high an intensity, too early?
Mid table mediocrity sounds good at moment.
It’s a rarity but Emery got it wrong with his team selection and in game management. Playing a high line at a place like Newcastle was never going to work. For some games, yes but not against a team where Gordon and Joelinton had Cash and Bailey on toast.
The decision to play two full backs which he never did in pre season was strange. While Digne had McGinn as cover, poor old Cash was reliant on Bailey back tracking. I’m beginning to think he has a hold on someone high up to keep getting so many opportunities and continually failing to produce anything on the pitch. The problem is no one else would want him for the silly money he is on so possibly we play him in the hope he improves which I’m convinced will not happen.
Losing Mings for his leadership especially is a major blow. Carlos might be one who has similar abilities but I doubt Emery wants to rush him back. Therefore a major signing seems to be the best option. Another loan deal with FFP being a factor could be the way forward.
Don’t laugh but maybe Villa should make a late move for Maguire? At £30m not overpriced imho.
Not completed his move to West Spam and would, I believe, be more tempted to move to Villa with European football on offer.
He’s the sort of player that would compliment Konsa as well,
And it would put a smile back on my face to gazump West Spam 🙂
That’s not a bad shout Hitch. Absolutely no way would I want him ahead of Mings but he is left footed and used to playing under pressure. Unless Monchi knows someone better with a couple of weeks before transfer window closes, then beggars can’t be choosers!
Loan with an option?
Guys, are we serious? Playing a high line with Maguire in the team would be the footballing equivalent of bending over to pick up the soap in the showers of a Columbian prison.
😁😂🤣
Very true
I retract and distance myself my previous post.
😂
i know it doesnt matter now but
well it seems the VAR lines are working as the spurs goal showed them, so it seems it is just the Villa where they dont work
talk about being bent
Jesus don’t get me started on that…
THREE, YES THREE
Newcastle players offside!
I really really don’t get this new offside bullshit.
Yep.
We all know VAR is bent so there seems little point in going over it.
It’s bent because of the ‘referees’ operating it apply there own subjective judgements rather than following strict protocol as in rugby or cricket.
VAR is just a tool, it’s the tools that use it that are the problem….
AI would be a much better approach!!
I despise AI yet fully agree with that, Hitch.
Off topic but how did this new Spuds manager get that gig?
A long a successful career in Australian soccer?
Really?
Very odd.
BFR – hide behind the settee as reports are emerging that Villa HAVE approached ManU about a deal for Maguire. No offer made but Villa have made it clear they will match any other offer for the player. Villa will only make a bid if their worst fears over Ming’s injury are realised.
Onto Aaron Ramsey – now this is interesting.
According to reports Villa have offered him a new contract which he will sign tomorrow. That contract will apply to him coming back to Villa within a couple of years as it’s reported that Villa definitely want him back and see a sort of sale and buy back deal the best for his development (and also, presumably, a clever way to smooth FFP). It seems Monchi is the architect of the deal structure.
Sounds clever and very innovative.
God help us, Hitch.
Positive news on Ramsey.
We need somebody who can boss the back line, and Maguire could do that: he would say ‘I can’t sprint so you will have to sit back with me where I am comfortable’. Which might not be a bad thing.
I will take a wild guess for the way he landed on locked leg and the way the medics did not flex Mings knee that Mings might have fractured the top of the tibia. There did not seem to be enough twist or sideways buckle to damage ligaments.
That’s fine, OLL, but is Unai willing to play a different way to accommodate Maguire? He’s already said he’s not going to change. And I’m sure Maguire can’t operate with a high line.
Reports are we are trying to hijack Everton signing Jack Harrison. Thoughts?
We’ll we need someone to replace Bailey!
Surely the coaching staff now realise that the odd flash of brilliance is of no use to Villa. I feel sorry for Cash – gets lots of stick but is trying to play two positions at once for all the help Bailey is.
Gazump Everton and West Spam – class 🙂
According to Wikipedia he’s already signed…
Team information
Current team
Aston Villa FC
Number
11
🤔
Ha – Wikipedia – that anyone can edit 🙂
Yep, that’s the very one hitch 😁
Jack Harrison has decided to join Aston Villa after direct call with Unai Emery 🟣🔵
Despite medical tests at Everton, he’ll now prepare travel for medical at Villa — been his first choice.
Can someone please please explain to me how Newcastle’s goals were onside while Chilwell was off? Preferably a match official. Sick of these cheats already. Where were the lines? Lines for Liverpool and even then it was borderline. I said it in 19-20 and I’ll say it again. AVFC should take the PL to court if this continues.
The ONLY way for VAR to not be susceptible to corruption is for the VAR (the actual human) to be required to stand in front of the camera post match and explain their decisions. Why can’t this happen?
VAR was introduced for the benefit of the Sky 6 or 7 as it is now. These clubs are the ones that the neutrals watch. Let’s face it, how many watch Crystal Palace v Fulham as opposed to Man Citeh v Fulham? They clearly spend as much time as possible to manipulate the pause in play to place the line to suit the favoured team. When no lines are shown on TV, then they can’t show proof of their decision so we have to accept it.
Unfortunately for us being Villa fans, we aren’t a big draw for the neutral audience. That’s just the way it is and Sky / VAR will do everything possible to protect their golden geese!
Agreed, Holte. In my opinion, if that could be proven in a court of law, Villa should take the PL to the cleaners. And if it’s true, why do we and the other clubs even bother?
Just a thought on Bailey, as you mentioned Palace, surely the Villa could prise away Eze or Olise? And what’s happened to Zaha? He would be a massive upgrade on Bailey.
Zaha – gone to a Turkish club if memory serves correct – anyway he’s signed for someone.
Confused picture on Harrison with conflicting reports although the BBC are running with it as a done deal for a move to Villa not that it helps immediately as he has a hip injury!
Normally the BBC only run transfer stories that are a 100% done.
Sky also running with the story – using Romano as the source.
Bailey, Cash, Kamara. They were awful. Bailey just his usual do nothing, fake an injury to come off performance, Cash was like a headless chicken, no composure, giving away needless fouls all the time, constantly put of position, Ashley Young would not have put in a poor performance like that I’m positive. Kamara, played like he had lead weights in his boots all game, clearly not fit enough and concerning lost interest at 3-1. Kamara I will forgive as I still think he’s quality but Cash and Bailey need replacing immediately. Big wake up call time to put it right this week and show it on Sunday.
Ray Graydon at 76 would be an improvement on Bailey 🙂
Zaha went to Turkey for free?? Wow, we should’ve been all over that.
Harrison WILL be joining Everton after we pulled out when we realised he was injured for 5-6 weeks
Just seen that – we’ve got enough injuries as it is!
What concerns me about this Harrison saga is the implied fact that Villa weren’t aware of (the severity of) his injury?
Are we witnessing a small amount of panic at Villa Park with increasing injury concerns, the continual failure of Bailey and the end of the transfer window closing in?
i think it is more like that emery has had enough of bailey and is now looking for a replacement
Worst fears confirmed – Mings requires surgery on his knee so probably an ACL (although specifics of injury not confirmed by the club). Suggests he’ll be out for the season.
This is a massive blow – over the 11 games in which he hasn’t played we have won just one and conceded an average of two goals per game!