In line with my usual negativity, I’m seriously concerned that when I commented a few days back that we might be facing a bad 10 days, where we get kicked out of the Champions League, suffer a massive blow in trying to qualify for this season’s CL and get knocked out of the FA cup, it’s all coming to fruition.
We seriously need to change the momentum and the truth is I can’t think of a worse team to be facing at this moment.
I was originally pleased to draw Palace, as league placings says we’re better than them, but the reality is we have a shocking record against them,
Palace are on a high, while we’re not. That said, I still actually believe that we can beat Palace.
Emery seems to be quite relaxed about the game and in his comments he basically told reporters to enjoy things.
I can guarantee I won’t be enjoying anything tomorrow, unless we’re winning by at least 2 goals, but I did find his comments encouraging. And he’s right. It’s about the game, that’s supposed to be enjoyed.
So we’re going to go for it then, if I’m reading those comments correctly and that’s exactly what I believe we should do. And if we try and sit back, I’m going to have the hump.
Squad news and the only omission is Disasi, who is cup-tied after featuring for Chelsea earlier in the season. Not that he’s looked brilliant lately, but he would at least he’s fresh legs, particularly if we need to sub Cash, who I see having another torrid time.
Palace are also in pretty good shape, with only Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad both long term injuries.
I’m not going into our shocking record against them, suffice to say it’s been poor this season too and it concerns me because they seemingly have the measure of us. Eze and Mateta are both powerful players who can produce great football and super goals and I’m sure they’re going to give our defence a real problem, which concerns me even more. Never mind attackers, it’s the defence that needs sorting in the summer, because that’s overwhemingly where our problems lie most of the time, in my opinion. Only Brighton have conceded more than us in the top 10 teams and it’s not as though we’re particularly prolific goalscorers to make up for it either.
Playing at Wembley suits us in attacking sense, because it gives us space to run into and we all know we can be devastating at times, when we do attack but the trouble is it means we’re likely to leave plenty of space to run into as well. I think this game calls for Mings, who is our best player at chasing back with maybe Maatsen too, as he’s pretty nippy. The trouble is, I don’t think much of him as a defender, personally and his strength is more in going forward. I read a comment that said Digne tends to be preferred for this fixture and that’s okay, as I prefer his defending. The right back position is one I’m haven’t been happy with for years and I think I prefer not to think about it.
Prediction time and I see goals.
I’m going to go for 2-2, as 90 mins has a draw written all over it.
Unfortunately, I see my fear of this being a terrible 10 days coming to fruition, as I said. I think we’re going to lose in extra time, which will sum up the Villa totally.
Come on Unai, pull it out the bag for us and get that cup final we’re all longing for
UTV!
We all knew what would happen if Emery adopted the same tactics as our other defeats to them. As Badger said, the definition of madness is…..
Another bugbear for me was the feeling that we would never score from a corner or free kick into the box. Time for MacPhee to f*** off! We had 12 corners to their 1. We had 71% possession (which was mostly due to the faffing around at the back) We also had 16 shots to their 9 but only 5 on target to their 4. We had 547 passes to their 238.
Emery likes to control the game but to me when we are passing sideways and backwards between defence and keeper, that to me is pointless possession. Torres used to be able to play a killer pass but I can’t remember one this season.
I watched a YouTube video with Ramsey and Rogers who said Torres and Kamara were Emery’s favourites. I can only assume they are right if Mings is left out.
The season is over now in the space of 10 days and major changes are necessary in the summer.
Can’t have favourites. I hope that’s not true.
Regarding ‘controlling the game’, shit mangers like Lambert and Potter do that. It’s not controlling the game. The opposition is resting and waiting to pounce while you’re farting about in your own half. The opposition is controlling the game. They’re letting you think you’re controlling it but you’re not. It’s not about possession. It’s about hurting the opposition. I recall a Brighton player being interviewed after DeZerbi was in charge for a few months. Paraphrasing, he said DeZerbi showed them how to hurt teams while Potter was happy to keep the ball. Hmm.
Controversial, maybe, but maybe Emery has taken us as far as he can.
He’s come up short tactically on a number of occasions and seems unable (reluctant) to vary his thinking.
If we don’t qualify for Europe next season, I can see NSWE looking at making changes at managerial level.
Over to you Unai.
We’ll qualify but in what competition?
Don’t think the Conference is much of a money spinner.
Ancelotti’s looking for gainful employment?
At least we can win the Conference (theoretically).
Individual errors have cost us ALL season in EVERY possition. From Ollie’s misses to Emi’s fumbles and everything in between
Unai has screwed up but the players have to take responsibility too.
That’s a little knee jerk isn’t it?
Frustrated as we all are, let’s just remember how far we have come. Yes Emery will no doubt eventually reach his ceiling. It could be next season it could be another 10 years. I guess it’s a business decision soon. Are we being realistic and accepting the growth we have made but yes it may stay around this level now, or we brutally push on and upgrade again but it is a gamble!
Mate it’s a ruthless business, just ask Daniel Farke.
The powers that be feel he’s taken us as far has he can…
Adios Amigo.
Disappointing today. We looked lethargic and nervous. 2 games ago I watched the best Villa performance I had seen in a long time. Don’t know how to explain that.
I personally think calls to sack Emery over this are misguided but each to their own.
Try and enjoy the rest of the weekend lads. Life is too short
Not calling for the sack DS but Emery has to take some responsibility for the way in which we’ve been mauled by Palace this season – it’s embarrassing and today could easily have been another 5-0 drubbing.
Simply Emery got it wrong – again! Why didn’t Mings start instead of Torres who offered nothing. Knowing the way Palace play, why didn’t we start with a wide player – maybe Maatsen at FB overlapping and/ or Malen wide right. Rogers could have played 10 with Asensio available as a sub.
We’ve been clouted in EPL games as well and Emery seems unwilling (unable) to be flexible with his approach. All this walking football, playing narrow in front of low / medium blocks is tedious and non productive.
Palace and other teams have shown that use of wide players and intensity in attack and defence is the ‘new’ way of playing.
Far too passive and far too predictable dwelling on the ball and making poor decisions – Glasner said we just play patiently and wait for them to make mistakes and we’ll get chances which is what happened.
Listening to the pre-match stuff, talking about Wharton and his ability to hit a pass on the half turn like it was something new?
To turn defence into attack with one cutting pass.
This was was Platini”s stock-in-trade 40 years ago.
Oh, and don’t sign Asensio. There’s a reason Madrid and PSG got rid. And he’s shown it in the last few weeks. The game changer has gone missing. Glad he and Rashford are loans, as neither are good enough. Send them back. No receipt needed. Your statutory rights are not affected.
Agree 💯👍
Sadly I have to change my mind and agree.
Asensio, Rashford and Disasi aren’t good enough to take us to the next level. Rashford’s transfer fee and wages could be better spent on young and hungry prospects. Asensio has not performed for a few weeks now and Disasi would be on ridiculous wages if at Chel$ea.
Other outgoings for me would be Torres, Digne, Cash, Barkley and Bailey.
Personally I’d keep Digne and Bailey. ( The rest can go)
4 winnable games to end the season to push for Europa league minimum. It’s up to Emery AND the players to try and get something substantial to go into next season with. A defeat against Fulham would have them 3 points behind and a possibility to slip to 8th or even 9th if Brighton hit form.
We’ll probably be alright Holte, Palace (as I keep saying) simply have our number.
I fear we’ll implode and miss out on Europe next season which will be a financial disaster.
We’ll be selling players to comply with PSR – not buying them.
It’s Villa all over again – just when we think they’re going to be successful they fall off the edge of a cliff.
I’ve been supporting them too long and seen this too often.
Rashford looks pretty healthy at the Ben – Eubank fight 🤦♂️
Ah, the missus said she thought she saw him.
Tbf, you can be injured yet still watch a boxing match (good fight but not a 3 point win for me).
Any call for Emery out is extremely premature and we need to keep some perspective.
We’ve made massive strides, but yes, this is a major setback, as much as it doesn’t affect CL qually, which was really the big one.
Agree mate, not calling for Unai’s head but should he fail to achieve some kind of European football then that decision may be a given?
With regards to Mr Rashford, 14/1 with bet 365 on him going to the Goooners and seeing his company at that this here fight, well maybe that’s a good bet?
If we implode, that says a lot about the players. Damning.
Get angry. Play with purpose.
Win 4 games. And qualify for Europe. It’s simple.
Sadly, nothing is that simple BFR
With you on that hitch well pissed with that today 29 fucking years
Really – Emery has reached his ceiling or should be replaced- truly do one. The guy has won 11 trophies. We’ve had a bad 8 days where we have gone out of the Champions League quarter final, FA Cup semi final and looked to have blown Champions League finishing position.
Really – Emery has continued the upward trajectory. And yes he has made mistakes. I stated before kick off I wanted Maatsen and Mings for their pace. I think his selection was wrong today but I’m not calling for him to go. We told David O’Leary we were not fickle, but those calling for Emery or questioning his ability are fickle. Ferguson took 7 years to win the league at Utd. Ron Saunders took about 7 years to win the title for us. Stop the modern affliction of wanting something immediately and build towards it. Let’s face it, we’ve followed the hire and fire model for many many years and not won a trophy of importance since 1996.
Emery is our best chance of becoming a team that wins silverware regularly. He needs to learn from this mistake and move forward, which he will do.
Mate this style of football is old hat had its day, it’s moved on.
It’s become more direct and less possessions based. See how we get on for the remaining games and early next season (should he get long).
Sid, I don’t believe asking objective questions about the reasons for our failings this season – and there have been a few – can be interpreted as calling for a change in manager.
Concerns are raised about the performance / cost / value of players so why not the manager?
IF we fail to get Europe next season – and it’s a real possibility – then I can see us having to sell at least one of our most valuable players to fund any changes to the squad and comply with the much hated PSR rules
Ferguson and Sir Ron operated in a different era without the financial regulations that now hinder teams from developing without the significant additional revenue from Europe.
It’s not really about football anymore, it’s about maximising the revenue stream.
Agreed with Sid here. Unai modified his system allowing us to kick over the ‘low block’ which he didn’t used to allow. He’ll do it again and alter how we do things.
Quite frankly I’m astonished at anyone calling for his head albeit after yesterday’s shit show.
I certainly wouldn’t be up for Rashford’s £300pwk wages but the contribution of him and Asensio has been massive.
Football is a weird game. I don’t get it. Managers don’t get it. Players and us fans don’t get it. Get pissed off but for God’s sake!!!!!!!!!!
Amen Sid.
This season is pretty much over.
My 17 yo grandsons have seen half as much in about 6 years as I’ve seen in 55 of following the Villa.
We go again next season.
With Unai!
Consider what he’s done for our squad. It’s miles better than we’ve had for yonks.
He’ll improve it again in the summer.
What failing to qualify does to our finances is something I’ll worry about later.
Like I said. We go again!
RSS, who would be the replacement if we sack Unai?
I honestly can’t think of anyone who would be approaching as good as him.
And that’s why we need to slow down and think.
Badger I’m not calling for his head mate but should we fail to qualify for some type of European competition thee omens wouldn’t be good.
And his style of football as been superceded by a more dynamic type of football.
It’ll all come out in the wash.
The style against Newcastle was pretty damn good. Rock ‘n’ roll football. Why not every week?
This is what I don’t get. Why not rock and roll football every week? Boy, is it strange…
All I saw before the game was posts that were titled along the lines of “This was our starting 11 last time we were at Wembley”, featuring a photo of the lineup. All I can say is that team worked three times as hard, which wouldn’t have went a miss last night. We played so privileged, as if we thought they wasn’t going to score and that we could beat them on the break a few times like we usually do when it comes to winning games at Villa Park.
And, to be honest, I’m going to say it. It might teach some fans to speak with a less privileged mindset, basically comparing the two teams, when, if we allow ourselves to be bullied with no effort to show for it whenever we get to a big game, we will have nothing to show for these exciting times of being Villa fans.
Martinez? Lost for words. I’d like to see him stop gobbing off if he’s got nothing to show for it, which, this season, he hasn’t. Torres, bullied by physical and fast players. Surprised? No. Midfield so disjointed against physical and fast players. Surprised? No. We couldn’t get near them.
Chance wasted IMO. Back next year? Well, there’s a very valid reason we were so excited for this, and it’s because we don’t get here, so bare that in mind.
Suppose we nail down Europa now or win our last 4, but we won’t beat Bournemouth and will probably lose to either Man U or Spurs.
Sorry for the negativity, I was there and it really frustrated me. UTV
All very fair comment Alfie and the points you make do ask questions of the management team and that’s the point I’m making.
It’s not the first time these questions / issues have been raised and it’s down to them to address the shortcomings that the fans are concerned about.
The fans pay the money and they deserved a better performance than we witnessed yesterday.
Football can be like a game of chess. There is variety of chess played in serious tournaments which allows the players to set up their pieces in the back row to their own pattern not the standard. It was found the player who set up his pieces second after seeing what his opponent had chosen had a big advantage.
Emery has played 3 games v Palace prior to yesterday and achieved only one draw. Were Palace bound to win? Yes, but look at the league table – half of the premier league do better against Palace, so Palace are vulnerable to a different set up and tactics than Villa employed.
I agree that Emery and Monchi have made Villa into a much better team. But the set up we employ cannot be the same for all opponents. Palace have 3 quick and intimidating forwards who can shoot hard and accurately – as each of them proved.
Watkins is not that type of player so when defending Palace could afford to double up on Rogers and let Watkins receive the forward passes Villa made. Mings had to be preferred to Torres at the back and with Rogers taken out by Palace’s set up Villa needed goals from midfield.
We pushed them back for long periods but they got bodies in the way and held on. It has been like that even against bad sides – Villa struggle against packed defences – our weight of shot and accuracy of shot are below average throughout the squad but especially in midfield. Expect some changes next season. Villa must be better against negative tactics.
Does anyone else on here get excited when we get a corner or a free kick?
Yesterday we had 12 corners and numerous opportunities to cross into their box. On our bench we had our tallest players in Mings and Onana. Against Palace, I would suggest that was a most likely way to score. As OLL posted, we seem incapable of scoring many goals from outside the box. Onana has scored a couple from distance but Tielemans seems like he has slippers on when taking a shot recently.
I’m not as angry as I was yesterday but I feel like we won’t be picking up silverware any time soon.
If we do finish 7th, do we go into the conference league? There is a chance Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth could change that.
Thats,a good point Holte. I’m forever slating our set pieces, because they’re mostly junk. Not in the idea, but the execution. How many times do we see a grubhunter ball go to the first man, whose so easy to defend against and then we have to play it back? Again!
It happens so often it’s boring.
I think Mcginn and Tielemens have decent shots on them, but Oll is right, when they hit it reasonably hard, the accuracy is atrocious.
So many points to address and still mostly in the defence imo. But let’s not,forget where we were not long ago.
Merry is still the man for me, by a long way, but I’m happy to listen to,alternatives.
Except I don’t expect a single suggestion coming.
Bloody new tablet and spellcheck. I’m sure you know what I mean.
Merry with his sidekick Pippen (aka Monchi) – still part of the fellowship at VP.
I really must stop these Literary allusions 🙂
I think we should all ask the question? Why was he sacked at Arsenal, my take on Unia he gone as far as he’s able . Yes brilliantly dragged us back from disaster and we all thank him for that but he’s unable to change his ways , in this modern times. But saying that who is there to move us on , we will not win nothing this season and struggle next season because teams know us now .
One thing is for sure Bill – there are a lot worse managers out there than Unai. There should not be a murmur of a change until a better man is lined up. The’ favourites’ charge would be a serious flaw and it is beginning to stick. Managers inherit a squad of players they might not have bought like Mings, whereas Torres was a Unai choice. That should not mean – after proof is seen that Mings is a better CB and leader – that Torres still gets the shirt because his forward passing is better. A defence that has a negative GD is the most pressing case for change.
Tyrone is pretty good at bringing the ball out of defence, if I’m not mistaken.
OLL -yet again you squarely strike the nail on its head.
I suggest that as it stands Emery has a significant amount of credit in the bank which, given what he has achieved in advancing our club, is fair enough.
But, reasonable questions are being raised as to whether he’s able to radically rethink his approach to football tactics so as to move us to the next level. In today’s world changes take effect quickly and football is no different. New, younger, managers are pushing high intensity football based on mid to low blocks with an incredibly quick transition in numbers linked to the ability to shoot accurately from outside the box.
Torres in comparison to Mings, is imho, not good enough at CB in the EPL, neither does he have Mings leadership qualities, when Mings and Konsa play together we look a far more resolute defence. If many fans see this, why can’t Emery. Torres may well convert to a very good defensive mid but CB?…
Similarly Disasi who’s performed well at CB but is clearly not a full back, so why repeat the ‘experiment’. We all know the definition of continually repeating the same thing whilst hoping for a different outcome!
I honestly feel that Emery will be under close scrutiny from our owners next season.
Bill, he got Arsenal to the Europa final and was unlucky not to win it (again). He was sacked because the English media ridiculed him to the point that the idiotic masses believed the joke and he had to go as his credibility was almost destroyed irreparably. But he came back with finger raised and a big f*** you, costing Arse the title. I like that, personally.
Unai Emery is a winner. He wants to win and he often does/has. Can the same be said of AVFC as a club in general and the players? Have they done enough? Add to that the now stale excuse of the squad being weakened due to PSR last summer, and I think Unsi may be thinking “f**k this” and much as some of us are thinking “f*** you.”
If Unai leaves, under any circumstances, watch the team go into freefall and back to the dark days.
Keep calm and carry on is the message.
Oh and if it wasn’t for Disasi’s disaster, we’d be very well placed for top 5 and CL qualification, which would be an excellent season.
But why put Disasi at Right Back? He’s a CB
Why not put Garcia on if we’ve bought him to ‘replace’Cash’ and, if we haven’t, why have we bought him?
I haven’t seen anywhere on here a f**k you attitude towards Emery but no one is immune from criticsm or question. Even Martinez is getting his fair share of performance questions this season!
There have undoubtedly been issues this season and tbf to Emery he’s never once sought the easy excuses like injuries. I want Emery to succeed as much as I want Villa to succeed but I do feel we need to adapt our game more than we do.
Emery has encouraged the fans to buy into his style of football and they have, now surely, he has to understand the fans are, maybe, becoming a little frustrated.
Win the next four games and all will be well in the Villa World!
Spot on BFR.
We should be careful in what we wish for.
It’s all a bit academic anyway, because sacking Emery would be utter madness and it simply won’t happen.
Changing tack – it seems Rashford has a hamstring injury and, reading between the lines, is unlikely to play again this season!
Over to you Ollie.
Well all I can say if he makes decisions like he has done on numerous occasions fans will muster and call for his head, you all seen the changes been made and wondered what the hell did he do that for, lads you all couldn’t understand what he did on Saturdays game , if he would openly admit he was wrong I’d understand. You know he wouldn’t that alone makes me feel what ever he says goes regardless, sorry that don’t wash with me , he lost us that game and it’s happened many times before. He’s on a short leash with me and know doubt many more fans feel the same .
I’m truly glad NSWE own the club. I do not see them having these knee jerk reactions when we lose a big match.
The defence has been the major problem this year.
I expect a further evolution of the squad next year. Cash & Digne are not good enough for the level we need to operate at. Neither strive to go past the defender and send in a cross. This weekend the team. Often when they are in good positions they check back and the ball goes back and forth amongst the defenders.
Torres has had a poor year. I am sure his injury has had an impact. There were rumours Real Madrid are interested- if we can turn a profit on him then maybe a sale will occur.
Lastly, Martinez has been below par this season. I think I read we have conceded a goal on the portions first shot in excess of 20 times this season. There is no pressure on him for his place. A good up and coming keeps is a necessity.
If Emery sorts out these issues then we will be much better next year. He will sort it.
I agree Sid. Emery is surely too clever to not know our weaknesses.
And you’re spot on about the full backs, Cash, in particular is a poor defender and rarely puts the ball in, so what’s the point of him?
Maatsen is poor defending and better attacking for me while Digne is the exact opposite. I think Emery picks the LB based on the game, so he can see things.
Meanwhile we signed Garcia and hardly play him, while I and many others thought he looks very promising. What gives?
Playing Pau was a terrible decision from the off, but the biggest criticism has to be that Emery refused to believe it and never swapped him out at half time.
I’m asking myself why that was and can’t think of a good reason.
And if I do, it’s not good.
Some absolute tosh on here, all anger driven.
Even if we don’t qualify for Europe Emery will not be sacked and nor should he be.
We have still had a fantastic season and are still in the mix for CL qualification.
Yes he got it wrong today in my opinion with his selection, I actually think it started on Tuesday at City where he should have played the same side that thrashed Newcastle. However, he has more than enough credit in the bank, what he has done for us is nothing short of miraculous, I may not like our style of play but he gets results, but he human and will make mistakes like anybody else, the players need to take responsibility, all of their goals came from mistakes, that isn’t Emery’s fault.
As Badger said, who would replace him?
We have had some amazing CL nights at VP this season, and we certainly didn’t embarrass ourselves, to reach the QF was an amazing achievement, look at Newcastle’s campaign when they were last in it, didn’t qualify from the group stage, didn’t qualify for Europe that season either as they finished the season so far down the table as they couldn’t cope with the demands of it all, did they sack Howe? No.
Emery is an elite manager and turned this club around, show him the respect he deserves and get behind him, we might not agree with his selection at times and might not love the style of play but i’d rather have him than gamble on someone else.
Fickle.
You’re right Guest to a point.
They have an absolute beast up front and Torres ain’t the man to deal with that type of physicality.
Playing Disasi as right back against City? Again a good call?
Dropping Ollie for a loan player, a wise decision?
Getting done against Palace time and time again but using the same system and expecting a different result?
Not our finest 90 minutes Saturday and whether you like it or not people are going to ask questions.
Absolutely, i wasn’t once suggesting we can’t question Emery’s decisions, i have plenty of questions, i wouldn’t have signed Rashford in the first place, i can’t stand him and think he’s completely average, his attitude stinks and he thinks he is bigger than us.
The Disasi argument is a non-starter for me, he had an amazing game at right back against Brentford, you can only judge on past performance, Doku would have skinned anybody, i doubt Cash would have done any better.
I would however, question his constant changing of the back line, Liverpool have won the league with the least amount of changes, you can rotate further up the pitch but a settled defence is a must.
I would question playing Torres over Mings, Mings is a far superior defender, and it’s no coincidence we were keeping clean sheets recently until Torres came back in.
I have loads of other questions like anybody else on here but the one question i do not have is wether or not he is the right man for us or wether his job is currently on the line.