Well, this is another tough game, which I’m sure is a statement I’ll be making repeatedly this season. Dean Smith has said they’re all tough games in the Premier league and he is of course, correct.
We’re nowhere near the stage where we can confidently predict a victory yet, in my opinion.
There’s been quite a bit of talk about how Norwich are playing pretty attractive, attacking football and Pukki’s goalscoring escapades, but the reality is they are only one point above us and have an inferior goal difference.
So while the Canaries have the pychological advantage after last season’s double over us, Smith has pointed out that we’re a very different team to last season, while they’ve not changed too much.
I guess what I’m saying is that this game isn’t a foregone conclusion, by any means.
Squad news is that Kodjia won’t be ready until after the international break and Chester isn’t ready either.
The good news is that Mings is ok after his knock last week, Lansbury is available and Targett is also good to play.
It’s not so good news for Norwich though as Tim Krull and five others are defintely out and they have doubts about another four, including their number 2 goalkeeper.
Which all in all probably makes it a good time to play them.
My money says Targett will start, as he offers way more going forward than Taylor, although he is also a poorer defender.
And then the other main talking point is Wesley, who is fit afer his head injury against Burnley.
Dean Smith has made the point that the young striker has trained well all week and looks determined. I reckon he’ll stick by him, in the hope that he can bag a goal, boosting his confidence, which looks shot.
Even so, I’d expect Davis to get some minutes either way.
So what do I think?
It’s all about our defence for me and they have to stay alert.
Norwich are dangerous and don’t have a problem scoring, but they also concede too, with Palace and Burnley both putting two past them recently.
We always look quite likely to score though and I definitely see goals.
A 2-2 draw looks a decent bet to me, as I just get the feeling that we look prone to lapses at the back. That, plus we don’t seem to have learned how to kill teams off yet.
While that would only be a single point, when we could really do with all three, I think it’s a result I’d be ok with.
Unless we maintain our habit of taking good leads and then throwing them away again, in which case I’ll probably be quite annoyed.
I just don’t see us having enough to win this game, and while that’s possibly a bit negative, we’re still finding our feet.
I’m sure I’ll be more confident in other games this season.
Comments
37 responses to “Norwich – Villa; Does Wesley start?”
I’m not sure how I’ll get to see this one, as I’m currently sunning my butt in Gran Canaria and don’t think my internet connection will carry a stream.
Hopefully one of the bars will have it on.
Well we’re playing the Canaries, Badger, so Gran Canaria is the place to be! Did you see what I did there? Don’t all groan at once! :’)
I predict Wesley will start and score.
Wesley should start, but if he is poor again, then Davis needs to get the last 30 mins. Personally, I think we will win tomorrow and Wesley will bang in a header from a Targett cross!
BFR Love your belief In Wesley hope your right, its on Bein TV channel 7 will be their with my boot blacked, Wesley at the moment either trying to settle in or don’t understand our way of football and wanting the ball in front of his feet. Davies however different player covers the ball and turns, he also helps out his midfielders. Let’s see how he pans out today, don’t get me wrong want him to do well and hope he makes it, up till yet Davis over Wesley. Got no other to fill that spot.
Travelling again – this time between Durban and Windhoek in Namibia so no way can I watch the game.
I agree that Smith will start with Wesley – putting him on the bench would not be good for his confidence but if he struggles Davis should come on for last 30 minutes or so.
We’ve lost our last three against Norwich and are now 17 away PL games without a win, On that basis we are due an away win but I’m with Badger and a draw would be an acceptable result.
Brighton winning v Spurs is a massive bummer. Makes today’s match even more important…
Wesley leading the line Hourihane in ,
Team https://www.facebook.com/groups/astonvillafcATCB/permalink/2458393624405621/
Aston Villa
1Heaton
24Guilbert
22Engels
40Mings
18Targett
7McGinn
11Nakamba
14Hourihane
21El Ghazi
9Wesley
10Grealish
I’m watching it, but with no commentary.
Same line-up then and it’s probably not far off our best side.
Very open game already and the pace is frightening!
Wesley! so glad for him.
that’s been coming, but could have gone either way.
Wesley gets a second!
Get in!
Still frightening pace and looks kamikazi defending, but hey.
Jeez, Wesley has a pen saved and then fails with what should have been an easy follow up.
ppl will say bad penalty and follow up, but the penalty was not placed too bad low and almost in the corner, i would say it was a fantastic double save.
this game is not over by long way, its as open a game as i seen in ages, very entertaining and we have missed many of glaring chances to have a bigger lead.
2 nil h/t i am more than happy with, we have to continue playing to win this because norwich score and they will be right back in this. we could get the big scoreline win, i thought our performances deserved in the opening seven, but we havent killed norwich off yet. game very much on a knife edge. place your bets if you dare
At least Wesley playing loads better, grealish gial 3 -0
Seems to me the game plan is to run them ragged, which we have done.
We’ll make subs, whereas Norwich are down to bare bones.
It’s worked well and we’ve simply battered them.
Some of the players look knackered already and I’m not surprised!
i noticed we have three high grealish wesley and el ghazi these three are preventing norwich playing out from the back and forcing them to hit longer, where villa are picking up more balls.
3 -0
And Grealish gets the third!
Whoop!
Williams at the game with his Miss is and kid. Another Villa then.
Prince William that is…..
Hourihane stormer for 4!
What a strike ..
I dont know what you think Badger, are we playjng better? Or are Norwich suffering lack of premier players being out. Whichever way it gives us confident in our games to come. Tyrone played well today in fact all the team.
I’ll tell you in the review, Bill 😉
“They” will say that Norwich have all those players out….but they did when they hammered City…
Just arrived at hotel and catching up – super excellent news.
You can only play the team in front of you and Norwich have a great record at Carrow Road. My Ipswich mate will be chuffed.
Got to give the lads confidence.
Fuck me, a stormer from luiz.
5!