Picture courtesy of www.nufcblog.co.uk
I have to admit to being somewhat bored with trying to drum up some optimism lately, but I’m going to give it another try.
Let’s keep things simple. Newcastle have won their last two games, against Tottenham away and Liverpool at home (by two goals, no less). God knows where they got them from, as I think they’re a poor side, but they got them and it puts us in an even worse situation.
Whereas we can’t beg a win, full stop.
So where’s the optimism here?
Ok, I lied. I don’t have any.
I’ve come to the conclusion that we have the most gutless bunch of non-fighting wimps that I’ve ever seen grace the hallowed turf at Villa park.
That said, I believe Newcastle have won those last two games by sitting back and hitting on the counter.
Probably good tactics against more successful sides that are expected to beat the likes of Newcastle and want to go at the opposition.
The very same tactics have worked for us against Liverpool and on the odd occasion, Spurs too.
So how is Garde going to approach this one?
Will he also try to attack Newcastle, knowing that we need wins and draws are not good enough?
I seriously doubt it, myself.
If Newcastle are that dangerous on the break, we’re only going to see a repeat of the disgrace that was Arsenal’s second goal last week.
The thought of any team, let alone Arsenal, surging forward against our non-existent midfield and clueless defence on the counter, is a frightening one.
Hence, I don’t believe Garde has any option other than to try to sit deep and scrape a draw.
The trouble is, I don’t believe that will work either, because of our awful defence, who are opened up even easier than a very accommodating woman I knew in my younger days (don’t ask).
If Newcastle get the goal, it’ll be all over, because the manager is too slow to switch the tactics when we go a goal down, in my opinion.
It’s no good trying the same stuff, when we’re a goal down, when we need wins to have any hope of survival.
If we do indeed go a goal down early on, we need to try plan B straight away, as things obviously aren’t working unless the opposition have scored totally against the run of play (which hasn’t been the case in a good while).
And plan B means we take the game to them, big time.
Normally, I’d say it’s a daft tactic, as if you outright attack an away team which is winning, you’re inviting more counters.
But my opinion says you might as well lose by 2,3 or 4 goals when you’re in our position.
We need wins and simply need to go for them.
Goal difference doesn’t matter, it’s as simple as that.
Squad news is that Newcastle have Cheick Tiote available and no other problems.
As for the Villa, Micah Richards looks to be unavailable after his knee injury, which I thought didn’t look that bad.
And Gary Gardner has also done his knee. No surprise there and surely he’s sadly finished at the Villa?
The result then and I don’t know what to think.
Part of me says it’s a funny old game, which has been proven by some of the results we’ve seen so far this season, which suggests that anyone can beat anyone, at any time.
Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re turning any corners anytime soon without an injection of some grit and fight, even if they’re not particularly talented.
I’ll go for a 2-0 loss.
But I’m praying for a win.
The bigger worry for me, is how I’m going to get to see this, as I’m working again:-(
I might have to sneak out to a pub, somehow.
I can’t see past another loss, I’m afraid.
But you never know.
BADGER get a hip flask FUCK sneaking out to a pub works for me MATE, 0-1 VILLA GET IT DOWN YER :-D.
Isn’t it a bit early to be thinking about beer Giddy? Even under these circumstances! ????
It’s on Sky but I can’t bear to watch it live. I’m recording it on the off chance we get a result of some sort otherwise I’ll just delete it.
I can remember the days when I used to get excited when the Villa was on the telly, now I just groan inside.
So who was this woman?
I’m with you bum bum, there seems to be a side story here within the story which is more interesting than the story itself
Badger, you lucky sod, you won’t be able to see the match? I would think that would cheer you up, no ok joking apart Badger , every posts are doom and gloom over the Villa saga, but what gets to the fans are reports that player’s are injured before a ball is kicked? GARDNER a right disappointment to us all alongside Richards and other’s long serving I’ve got an injury gits, I know we are down, I know we have babies playing or trying to play football, be a man now Badger,ask the gaffer for more overtime its Christmas, Ho Ho Ho to date I’ve done 5 father Christmas for the Schools with two more to go.Merry Christmas as to You all.
Hello everyone. All pretty dismal at the moment.
This has to be it today doesn’t it? The last ditch attempt? The last chance saloon…etc
If we don’t win today we’ll all be watching (in fact I won’t, out of principle on how our club has been bled dry by bad ownership) championship football next season. Been reading a load of bollocks this week in the rags, Tom fox saying we’re pregressing (the nerve of the bloke), the fact we’ll apparently be backed heavily in January…yeah yeah, oh, and the return of the messiah that is…yep, the mighty aly sissokho!! All in a desperate attempt to keep us interested…yawn.
Have to say as many others have already said there is no blame from me toward garde whatsoever, seems a decent bloke with good and clear knowledge of the game, unfortunately the players are letting him down.
I’ll go for a villa win today because I’m fucking bonkers, 2-1
First time back on here for a number of weeks.
Like some of the optimism with fellow posters, but cannot see anything beyong a loss here today. A packed St James with the crowd beying for blood after what happened a few seasons ago, and players who are more assertive and passionate than ours (which doesnt take much).
Colback will boss the middle of the park, Colocinni will have little Rudi in his back pocket and same old story.
I’m going for a 4-0 loss. Sorry.
Can’t see us getting anthing today. Going to have a couple of beers watching it on TV. Could be a bad idea might need a new TV after the game. Villa must win this and thier next 3 after it to have a sniff of a chance of staying up. They need to grow a set of balls and fight like lions. Can I see this happening NO. For what it’s worth . Come on the Villa
We have a punchers chance today remember we got a point v saints which is a decent result yes we were lucky but Westwood blew a great chance to win in the end.
They will come out all guns blazing .I hope we don’t sit back and let them. 0-0 at half time we might have a chance
Anything can happen and who knows what could happen if we win. Two results and suddenly everything looks doable again.
We have to relax for a start, we look like we are playing in the final third all of the pitch. It’s rushed and edgy. We desperalty need a solid old head in the middle I think
Easy win for the barcodes. Happy Xmas everyone (football aside of course)
And you DSVilla, Merry Christmas, Chelsea 2 up now.
Chelsea 1 up in 5 minutes against Sunderland. Player power?
Sunderland look absolutely awful. Their 2 CB’s basically moved over so Oscar could get a free run in on goal. Unfortunately he didn’t score but Chelsea should get a couple more easily.
Is there actually a team worse than us in the league??
Sunderland are. Wouldn’t say Newcastle, Bournemouth, Norwich or Swansea are better than us either. Probably have the better side if we got the ball to Ayew in the box, or get a striker in January the team are comfortable getting the ball too.
Andrew, a thought here, the new manager appointed today is on a end of the year contract, could it be that Chelsea knew the players was playing against Jose and a move to save money by getting to the end of season with him and re-appointing Jose again ,and getting rid of some trouble makers? To me something is not right.
I think you’re 100% right. Costa’s in the box far more than he was. Oscar’s running the show. Fabregas and Matic haven’t done half bad in midfield. They’re getting players in the box which has always been a problem under Mourinho.
Chelsea players should be ashamed of themselves fans should boo them of the pitch
Really? Sorry but when you’re blamed for everything and your manager won’t take any blame at all, and insults you in the media, you’d wanna play for that? Get real.
You have some strange points of view Andrew…or are you just being contrary for a laugh?????
Norwich 1up as it stands we’re 10 adrift call it 11/12 with our GD FUCKING jeeeeez
LVG will be sacked today and Mourinho will be appointed so obvious
It Stinks, the whole fans are against whats going on, posters out condemning players, as you know its a Russian owner with very dubious wealth, its a type of move he would make, Mourinho is the top manager and players have played him out of a job.
Chelsea players are a disgrace whether they like him or not they should play for the shirts they are cheating their fans and themselves
United average 3 shots on target a game. The fact they’re still in the top 4 shows the quality of the Prem and the fact Norwich are beating them does too. He has to go. Mourinho wouldn’t be a step up. They need a manager with new ideas, not the same ones.
They’ve not had mourinho before though. Mourinho is still living in uk he will be a perfect short term fix for Utd he will get them CL and may get them into semis at least and will probably win league with them next season He might even do it this season they are only a few points behind and he will have millions to spend in Jan
Mourinho’s the same defensive manager LVG is though.
True but he may get them stones in Jan and a top striker which should be enough to sustain challenge.
Couldn’t get Chelsea Stones, how is he going to get United Stones? Unless we’re talking 50m+, Everton won’t sell in January. And United will struggle to find any big striker who would leave their already much better club for United.
Utd are doing the same to get LVG sacked as well. It’s ridiculous they will probably win 10 in a row in pep or Jose takeover
Don’t have to worry, Pep won’t leave Bayern before the season’s over, especially for United. He’ll leave for City this summer.
Agree though wouldn’t surprise me if Cheksea got him. Depends who offers the most money. Whoever gets him should win everything in sight brilliant manager
German reports claim City has agreed a contract with him. Sad for Pellegrini, wonder where he’ll go.
Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna; Sanchez, Gana, Westwood, Veretout; Sinclair, Ayew
4 CM’s and Sinclair gets to play still. What?
Bench: Bunn, Clark, Richardson, Traore, Gil, Grealish, Gestede
A famous Villa saying, do I like that not, Hutton? Think we given them the game there.
It’s odd but looks a hard working diamond to start out with, then bringing on the more technical players to try and kill them off.
Why is Sanchez playing we start a goal down already. Why isn’t Clark at left bk surely better than bacuna in that position
Because Sanchez is a good player? Wasn’t the only reason we got scored on last game. Fans really need to watch games to learn that.
Sanchez never even bothered running back for their second that’s unforgivable.
Guess what, Veretout didn’t either if you watched the game.
Really? So pretty much no creativity and just looking to hold a mediocre team. Doomed to failure
Can’t see shabby wearing the claret & blue again.
On Jeffs sky today they saying only 1 Villa player been playing anything like all season……………………….. Hutton.!!!!
how long into match before HUTTON GUZAN SANCHEZ OR WESTWOOD MAKE FUCK UP
and by the way where are kozak ilor Crespo gone
sky pudits keep banging on about 13 players come in well so far we have not seen
bunn sark ilor Crespo amavi only played couple matches and Richards is showing why no one else wanted him in summer injuries
We all knew Richards would be out injured for ages. Will be about 3 mins before one of them makes a mistake. The only way we will win this is to completely fluke it and hope they miss their gifted chances we give them
Wtf was bacuna doing
PMSL @ Sanchez. He is shit
Yes always said it ,tell me how the fuck can you have a face mask on pissing down of rain there ain’t no window wipers on them. He’s a joke.
To be fair Bill his hair is probably keeping the water off his mask.
More great play from our friend Carlos. Get him off ffs he’s going to cost us this game.
Nearly cost us again always making errors get the useless twat off
Never thought of that Stubbs,????,its over 1 down
Game over we’ve had it now
Defence all over the place again
Agree we have to win 2.0 in second half it a chance
captain shite
Here we friggin go again.
I blame Garde, he keeps picking the same players that are losing week after week and leaves our gifted players on the bench. The team he picks is clearly broke so at least attempt to fix it by throwing other players in.
Our only hope now is this game gets abandoned
I also blame Sanchez too.
Sanchez started the panic
It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch , just not good enough.
Of course it matters we’d be at least 5 down if we had another 10 Sanchez’s on the pitch!!
Be surprised if they don’t postpone this, that pitch is far too waterlogged and someone’s going to get hurt.
Hopefully Sanchez
Hope so it’s the only chance we’ve got
A broken metatarsal would be a nice Xmas present for him.
If game gets called of and they are still winning will replay start with them being a goal up or is it 0.0
They replay the whole game again so it’d be 0-0