As predicted, the worst possible game we could’ve had following a dismal few weeks at Aston Villa Football Club. The way I saw it is that we were just completely spineless and had pretty much given up before we kicked off.
The fans were in full voice in the first half again and it was quite a jolly away end to be in given the last few weeks, but again, this did not seem to rub off on the players. Something just does not seem to be working at the moment.
Interestingly, sporting director Damian – and I am not going to attempt to spell his surname – has put a post up asking for support, and actually says “Maybe we don’t deserve to ask nothing”, which just tells me that all of these players and staff members definitely read the negative comments posted by fans on social media.
The truth is, they do need our support tonight, because to crash out of the Europa League after bringing a 1-0 win home would be utterly tragic, and would destroy our season, especially if we keep at the rate we are going in the Premiership.
One positive from Sunday was Ross Barkley getting himself on the scoresheet! That was quite unexpected, but I was happy to see it. I think he is a very organised team player, but realistically most Villa fans predicted the end result correctly and as soon as they made it 2-1 I just knew there was no way we were going to get back into the game again, once seemed too much to ask.
Watkins, I’m sorry… just utterly useless at the minute, nobody is going to tell me otherwise. I severely hope not anyway.
In terms of tonight’s game, Buendia, Tielemans and Cash are set to miss out, along with the obvious Kamara. McGinn is seemingly back at full fitness now, and will hopefully start in the midfield again, which is much needed. We will need to block the influence of Oliver Giroud, as we seem to struggle against prolific strikers, but we have a chance to make this a sound victory, it just all depends on how up for it we are, where at the moment, I am not too confident that we will be on it.
That being said, I do think we will win tonight, 2-0 – and I hope this can be the start of our turnaround, because West Ham on Sunday is an absolutely vital game against a side who are never an easy game for us at Villa Park.
UTV
Villa this season:
No penalties awarded.
Most fouled team in the league
Most points won from losing positions
In other words, despite the playing field not being level, the boys keep going. And how does most fouled and no penalties correlate? It doesn’t, does it. Defying the odds.
Not to mention the net spend due to, again, an unlevel playing field.
Well done Unai and the boys. One last push… 💪
Add to that the fact that Ollie doesn’t get any real protection from referees. He’s constantly tripped and pulled down by CB’s with the ref’s nearly always waving play on.
Likewise, Rogers.
Sancho injured in pointless friendly with what looks like a dislocated shoulder. He left pitch with arm in a sling.
FFS! Just as he was coming good!
Typical i knew someone was going to get injured ffs
Bad luck – can happen in training as well.
Depends on severity and whether he’s damaged ligaments as well and needs an operation – if not, hopefully, shouldn’t be out for too long. It’s a blow though – just when he was starting to show his best form as well.
Very sad few days at Villa with the passing of both Geoff Vowden and Alex Cropley. I enjoyed watching both at Villa, the first a no nonsense forward with an eye for goal (22 in 97 appearances for Villa) who was one of the few players making the successful transition from the Blues.
Cropley was a supremely gifted inside forward who played at Villa for four years and was part of the team that downed Liverpool 5-1 and won the league cup after two replays!
Games I attended, as a season ticket holder in those days, (apart from the second LC replay much to my everlasting disappointment). Even my (young) wife was at the 5-1 drubbing of ‘Pool
Ah – those were the days of youth and optimism.
Holte Enders in the Sky welcome two great Villans. RIP
Alex Cropley! My first Villa hero!!!
Nobody has mentioned the death of the mighty Chuck Norris though!!!
Did he play for Villa?
Only joking Bum Bum – he was one of the first ‘all action’ heros alongside Bruce Lee taking on outrageous odds and winning of course. Always on the side of right – corny movies but fun; I loved them.
One of his last film appearances, which was true Norris and made the film imho, was in The Expendables 2 – 2012 which is scary; were those films really14 years ago!
Started two new martial arts styles – they really don’t make Chuck Norris’s in the modern world.
I might be a bit of a fan even if he didn’t support Villa 😄
Norris rocked! Just digging through the history of Didier Six. There are some cracking photos and awesome European kits during that period…
Loved that team we beat Everton 2-0 at goodison in the fa cup that’s when i was chosen that beautiful white away kit drew me right in
RIP Alex and of course Geoff whom I never seen play
Holte enders in the sky
Took all three kids to their first Villa game as a Christmas present – 1st January 1988 v Hull City. In the upper centre of the Trinity to watch Villa smash Hull 5-0.
Goals from Stuart Gray, Aspinall (2), McInally and the other Andy (A) Gray on his debut.
Our oldest (13) claimed she was a ‘Pool supporter but no longer after that first visit to Villa Park. Dyed in the wool Villa fan along with her two siblings – when you’re called you can’t resist it.
We’ve have enjoyed so many great days together as a family supporting Villa – as well as a few sad and disappointing ones – but that’s what being a fan is all about,
Sorry yall it was 3 not 2
Very sad news about Alex Cropley. He was one of the players Sir Ron bought to establish Villa back in the top flight. A dirty Albion player taking him out with a horrific tackle to break his leg when he was looking at his best.
Sometime after, I went with my brother to watch Cradley Heathens speedway if anyone remembers them on here. I lived just down the road from their stadium, and it was a time when they had the best team, with the likes of Bruce Penhall and Erik Gundersen. 5-1 to the Heathens was a common thing back then, before they were booted out of their home so housing could be built.
I digress, the reason I link Alex Cropley and Cradley Heathens, is the fact we were standing watching the speedway, only for Alex to arrive with leg in plaster, on crutches to watch 6 feet from where we were standing. I regret neither of us bottled up the courage to go and say hello.
RIP Alex! HEITS!
I remember when I was in the McGregor suite and said to Dug Ellis, why do we play these foreign teams and who arrange that game prior to the start of the season and get Alex Copley’s leg broken, he replied I did,
Whoops😂
Classic Bill.
I see we posted for last financial year £17m profit after tax. This has to be a step forward and help with SCR. With revenue up to £378m edging ever closer to the £450m, where we become self sustaining (an article I read sometime ago). The only hiccup is this years financial performance. Without champions league revenues will fall. However, a good run in the current European competition and finishing higher than last season in the league should rescue some of the shortfall.
I am hoping that it means instead of the usual ‘Rogers’ fire sale stories will now be knocked in the head. Hopefully, sales of Malen, Barrenechea, Dobbin and Nedeljkovic, Ling Jr and Guessand would negate any losses and leave a small amount for investment. It is crucial Villa get their act together in the transfer market. Their large spends under Emery have been very hit or miss, and we do not have the financial resources for misses. Diaby, Guessand and Malen come to mind. Further large spends on Onana and Maatsen were at a level for 1st 11 ready, it has take them both into 2nd season to become regulars and both had premier experience before joining Villa.
By qualifying for next years Champions League we should become financially stronger. The problem I see is us being able to cope with the demands of fighting for league position and going deeper enough into champions league to generate the bonus cash we desperately need. With our aging squad, I think this will become an issue. I think Emery really can’t avoid any longer blooding U21 players. Serious consideration needs to be applied to:
Oliwier Zych – goal keeper
Triston Rowe – right back
George Hemmings – centre midfield
Then the likes of Alysson and Bogarde become even more important in making a quick step up. Also Mario, as and when they can have him registered- looks like another 10 months before he turns 18.
IF Villa reach the Europa League final, there are (only) 12 games of the season remaining, 7 in the league. If a late, and long, winter break – Villa don’t play until next Thursday- has recharged, reset, and re-energised the squad and the manager, it could be a famous end to the season. If, however, the extended break results in the squad going ‘off the boil’, things could go the other way. I’d like to think it’s the former scenario…
Lots of ‘ifs’.
Wow chelsea dealt with six hundred million in transfer fees and paid 65 million to agent fees Villa dealt with seventy million in transfers and paid 38 million in agents fees something needs to change there
I think the more important figures are Chelsea loss of £246m and Villa profit of £17m!
I assume these are accounting pre tax figures which are not those used for PFR. Villa’s ‘PFR’ profit should increase but conversely Chelsea’s loss is likely to decrease.
Whether each materially affects the three year loss aggregate of £105m remains to be seen – although in Villa’s case I would hope it will materially improve the position in regard to the agreement with UEFA.
Sorry Little, I should have added that your point is well made. Agents fees are a financial drag on the game and should be regulated.
Relatively good news is that Sancho’s injury seems to be a jarring or bruising of the shoulder joint not a dislocation,
Out for (possibly) two to three weeks depending on pain management rather than six to eight or longer!
Seemed a cracking West Ham v Leeds game yesterday! Talk about being put through the wringer!!!! What a relief for the Leeds fans at the end. I bet they thought they’d thrown it away…
Can’t wait for the next Villa KO!!
I had a bit of fun with my next door neighbour Bum bum watching the game . I had to laugh on 89th minute all the crowd going out then announcing 11 minutes et , West Ham scored 93 minutes crowd trying to get back in , police locking gates then the Hammers got the second and it going to pens. Who said the FA cup was dead it was entertaining.
It made me laugh too!!!
Quiet villa days recently. Will put something new up shortly.
I think, for a number of reasons, Badger is taking a break and has been doing so for the last few weeks. I’d like to keep this going and keep articles going up as I’ve always loved the forum even though I’m not always the most active myself.
And of course I’d be fine with others having a go at it so just let me know 👍🏻. But I’ll try get one out soon.