Yes, it’s another incredibly tough game at a ground where it’s very difficult to get a result. You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you? Not only that, but without checking, I’d guess it’s the game where we have the highest number of goals against us too, over the past couple of decades. Newcastle regularly seem to put three or four past us and we must be one of their favourite teams to play against.
Will we see the same today?
I’m going to put the squad news up while I think about it.
Kamara is out for what may be the rest of the season, which is a serious blow. John McGinn’s injury needs more investigation because doctors aren’t sure of what his injury is and whether it’s a couple of weeks or a few months is very much up in the air. Hopefully we’ll find out this week, so fingers crossed he’s not absent for long, as he’s another important player and driving force for us. Onana should be available after he played a part against Fenerbache, Leon Bailey is fit and available. The one I can’t find any news about is Alysson. I have a sneaky feeling Unai wants to get him on the bench as soon as possible.
Newcastle have Bruno Guimaraes out with an ankle injury which could be good for us for two reasons. First, he’s their highest scorer this season, on eight goals.Second, in the eight games that he’s missed for Newcastle, they haven’t managed to win one. It’s probably just one of those quirky statistics and we all know how we’re everybody’s favourite club to play against if there’s a bad run involved, but let’s hope the run continues today. Dan Burn is also out, which is also good, because I really rate him. A proper defender, in an old fashioned way.
Talking of bad runs, this one is pretty sobering; we have only won one in the last seventeen games we’ve played at St James Park. That’s a really poor statistic and must be approaching our record against Man U.
Do I think we can win today? Definitely.
Will we win today? No, in my opinion. This is another one of those steps too far. But I seem to recall that I said that before the Fenerbache game too.
We’re a very resillient side these days and we know we can beat anybody on our day. Okay, we have some serious injuries, which have really weakened our midfield, but the game midweek showed we have players who can step up and the overall performance then was one I found encouraging.
So while I don’t think we’ll win today, I don’t see many goals against either.
I have a feeling we might pull off a draw, so I’m going for 1-1. If that were to happen, I’d probably be ecstatic.
UTV!
Come on Leroy! *said in Jamaican accent.
Come on Leroy!!!!
😆
Put the big lummox on for Ollie. Can’t do any worse and will throw his weight about a bit.
Who???
Evann.
Chesty looks like he’s accidentally taken some Night Nurse instead of Day Nurse. 🤦♂️
When did the ref put on his black and white shirt?
And I don’t like the look of Tielemans injury – ref missed two obvious fouls!
Dirty fouling *****.
There’s so much stamping on ankles here, it’s looking deliberate to me.
Tielemens injury looks bad.
This deliberate use of the knee…
Looks like Palace have imploded too.
It’s disgraceful and getting out of hand. Referees need more education and there needs to harsher punishment.
Yet another foul missed by the ref – he’s definitely put his bar codes shirt on
Who’s the best commedian? Emi or this f****** ref?
Wow!!!!! What an player!!!!!!!
Watkins!!!!!
OLLIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
F U DIRTY BASTARDS! 🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
Ollie’s back – deserved that – he’s led the line really well.
Less of the “really”, Hitch.
🤣🤣🤣 need to encourage him BFR.
😏
Well fk me!!!!!!!
Do I win a gold star?
U can hear the Villa fans now!!!!
Maatsen stamps on an ankle, like theye done about 10 times.
Booked.
WTF is this?
Joke.
Cheerio, arseholes! Get yourselves home. 👋👋👋👋👋
Leroy has slotted straight back in!!!
What a win!!!!!!! Equal 2nd place!!!! Fantastic!!!!!
Top marks to the way Bailey committed himself – looked like he wants to stay and is determined to prove himself – hope he can keep it up.
Once again the subs all looked really up for it and Lindelof looks pure class.
Who in their right mind would want to leave Vulva right now???
It depends on whose vulva you’re referring to, Bum Bum. 🤭
What an absolutely stonking win that is!
We’re taking this for granted like everything else. But it really is incredible. Unbelievable Unai and the boys. 🤯
Onwards and upwards.
Two brilliant away performances in four days.
UTMV
And two clean sheets with two different defensive set ups.
GD now up to 10 – keep knocking the goals in lads.
Absolutely loved that display. Every player gave their all. Onana just eats up ground and him staying fit for the rest of the season will be critical. Mastsen was superb. I give Watkins his due, he kept going and deserved that goal. I think he has lost a yard of pace, hence the indecision.
And finally, thank you Unai Emery, you truly are a genius.
I thought we were awesome today.