Well, Steve Bruce will feel justified in playing that weakened team in the FA cup and fair play to him, as today’s result says he got it right.
Forest play some nice football, but they totally lack when it comes to effectiveness.
And as much as they played the better footy in the first half, according to all the stats, so we countered them with what was a very solid performance from the defence and midfield.
I have to be honest and say I found the first half bored me witless, as apart from the goal, which came against the run of play and Terry’s header, we created nothing.
That said, Forest did nothing either.
The second half, however, made for much better viewing, with both sides opening up more.
While I still felt Forest looked the better side when they crossed the centre line, so they were still pretty ineffective.
Whereas we had that bit of a difference in a superb cross from Snodgrass, combined with some really nice movement from Scott Hogan to nod in the winner.
Add to that that our defence was very solid and we frustrated the Forest players with some old tricks like deliberately getting your body in the way and totally denying the opposition player a fair chance, but drawing the foul.
I hold my hands up and say I don’t like to see that sort of cynical play at all, but we’ve had it done against us enough times and I’m beginning to accept that it’s part of the game.
Add in the slowing the game down and a bit of time-wasting and it was all good.
If you like that sort of thing.
I say that as someone who’s brain blows a fuse when it’s done against us.
So all in all, very professional and I’m certainly not going to complain, as we got the points that keep us on a roll.
As was pointed out by the comms, we have what would seem some very favourable games coming up, where we might be able to apply some serious pressure to the teams above us.
We’re looking in a very reasonable position, I feel, as long as we can keep racking the points up.
What pleased me most though?
I thought Jack Grealish worked his nuts off, which suits us overall as a team, I think.
But I also felt that while he’s tracking back, so it takes the edge off his attacking game.
Which is the dilemma I’ve always had with him.
Still, never mind.
It’s 3 points in the bag and a very disciplined performance that I’m sure Steve Bruce will be delighted with.
He might even get some sleep tonight.
Villa under 23s are on u tube now if interested.
Cyrille Regis RIP. A truly great player who was instrumental in Albions great years under big Ron. Special that he played for us for a while too.
Regis was fantastic. I was too young to realise the importance of him as a role model and one of the first successful black players. Hard to believe things were so bad at that time.
RIP
I’m really interested to understand whether Agnew is making a difference in the coaching. I thought some of our play against Forest was an improvement on what I have become used to. Clearly it’s impossible to change things overnight, but it will be nice if we progress over the next few games.
Stoke were excellent and they’re gonna have to go again after losing to United…
Agnew showed at Boro he isn’t a manager when he became caretaker. But he’s showed as “head of coaching” that he can coach a team. The team looks more confident on the ball. Off the ball is all Bruce really has coached the team and improved them, but on the ball now, I think Agnew has done well. Interesting, Jordan Rhodes is his nephew. Maybe that’s why he signed for Boro and then left.
4-1 for our U23’s. Green, McKirdy (penalty), Tshibola and Sulliman with the goals.
I am feeling more optimistic than at any time since we dropped. We are promotion contenders. On current form we are at least the 3rd best team in the division.
Old habits die hard so when the possession stats come up we are usually below 50%. But it it what you do with the ball that counts, and passing along the back four to keep possession isn’t our style.
Johnstone is a diamond – If England take Buckland to the World Cup they are missing a trick.
It’ll definitely be Pickford, Hart and Butland. Heaton would be going over Butland if he didn’t get injured. Lets be honest, England would take Ruddy over Johnstone as he’s playing for Wolves.
There’s no way Hart should be going, but sadly you are probably right…he might even be number 1!! Grealish keeps playing the way he is right now, and Southgate has to come and take a look. No other player like him in that England squad.
I completely agree Hart shouldn’t get a look. Do wonder if Heaton wasn’t injured if Butland and Heaton would go over Hart, doubt it though. I do think Pickford will be first. Butland’s been god awful this season.
Other than Villa fans, I don’t think much of England would be behind Southgate if he took him. Then again I mean the other creative players they have are who? Sterling… He’s been great. An injured Lallana who is just coming back. Chamberlain who has had 1 good game all season. Who else? Alli? He scores but that’s about what he does. Walcott? I agree with you but there’s too many names Southgate would rather pick. Lingard is having the season of his life. And then Rooney will go.
Should be interesting who gets picked up front. Vardy and Kane obviously… But there’s like no one else.
Wilshere will probably get back in if he can stay fit
Nice to see so much positivity about the club. Not sure if Agnew has made that much of a difference in a short space of time. Just that Grealish has come to the fore, Snodgrass keeps getting better and injuries are clearing up. Jedinak made a big difference in midfield before he got injured but we also have Whelan and maybe even Bjarnason as well. Maybe, maybe not, either way still think second place is ours for the taking especially with the fixtures coming up.
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See Prince William is doing his dad bit for the cause and George and Charlotte both have Villa kits (according to Hello magazine). Royal support for the future is secure (as befits our great club) UTV
Good new lads we have Ulloa, from a poster we miss .
I’d believe it as Ulloa’s not in the squad against Fleetwood. And at home if he was to stay there, he’d be playing or at least a sub.
Two players by the weekend, you heard it first on here, the other is Man utd player.
It’s came from a good source Andrew, not let us down yet.
I really hope you’re right. I don’t care much about Tuanzebe as he should be no better than a 4th choice center back.
By the sounds of it though Jose is only loaning him for guaranteed football. Could mean its in the loan deal he has to play if fit? Hope not as its disruptive for the team but wouldnt surprise me with Villa! Ulloa is a good deal but id rather Hogan keep his place over him for the forseeable if im honest. Good backup tho thats for sure.
Seems Bruce is trying to help his former club. There’s absolutely no reason we’d go after Tuanzebe if that was the case. Ohhhh, he put Sanchez in his pocket. When? In a cup game? Sanchez doesn’t even care about the club he plays at. Unless Bruce is scared Samba won’t come back and Terry will get injured again, he’s pointless. I swear if he goes to a back 5 or drops Chester…. Be absolutely pissed off. Unless we plan on moving him to midfield.
Ulloa will be a great signing. Hogan is decent but Ulloa is a must with kodjia out for the season.
Interesting comments re transfers. Always rated Ulloa but not clear on why we need to bring in a Manure kid on loan particularly if we are forced to play him as part of the deal. Time will tell I suppose.
Ironically I was reading an article on Villa’s transfer model (or lack of it some might say) and loved the following line
…..’Couple these deals with the enigma that is Gabriel Agbonlahor, who seems to gather wages in combination with guest appearances at derby games for a living ……’
The other point made was that we spent £30m on three strikers who between them have managed 3 goals in the last 27 games! (OK, I know Kodjia is injured but it does make you think)
Personally I wouldn’t be upset if we only signed Ulloa during transfer window. He would offer something different to Hogan although I would prefer Hogan to be our first choice while Kodja is out. Wasting our time trying to sign Manure kid especially if part of the deal is guaranteed football if fit. At the end of the day Jose has said if he goes it won’t ever be a permanent deal! If Elphick wants to leave then we will be forced to get someone in but hopefully we can hold on to him.
It looks like Sanchez will be joining Manure as the highest paid player at a sickening £500,000 per week, which reminds me what I hate about the premier league. In a way I have enjoyed the championship more because it feels a bit more like the football league before 1991 and Sky’s destruction of the working mans game. A small part of me doesn’t want promotion purely to make up the numbers. It would require millions spending on players if we did get promoted just to survive relegation.
Holte – completely understand your sentiments and have felt similarly about the Premier League. If we get promoted we know it’s going to be a struggle to avoid relegation. But, and it’s a big but, we all want our Club to be the best and that has to be in the PL.
Can Xia deliver (and success in modern football is, apart from the ODD exception, driven by money) only time will tell.
So, despite misgivings, I keep hoping we can achieve automatic promotion.
UTV
It is right in what you say Hitchens in that we all want to repeat our glory years albeit a couple of seasons under Sir Ron. Just hate the thought that to achieve this unless we do a Leicester is by signing prima donna’s and mercenaries and paying them in a month more than most will earn throughout a lifetime. 😡
Took the words out of my mouth holte, Leicester did it no reason we don’t, I thought we get parashoot money? , all will be revealed soon and we never know happier days ahead hopefully.
One thing I do know. Since I moved back to the UK and starting going to the games again it’s brought back my hunger and passion for the game. I guess we’re doing well helps a lot too.
I’m one, regardless what division we’re in next season, who’ll def be getting a season ticket.
UTV.
I would be interested to hear from fellow Villans who out of the current squad could cut it in the premier league. Assuming this is Terrys only season, I would suggest Chester, Hourihane, Grealish, Adomah, Hogan, Kodja and Johnstone if he stays. The youngsters we have show promise but need to establish themselves as first team regulars.