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
Great post Alfie cheers
2-1 tonight then a huge one against wet spam win that then we should have Youri back after the internationals for the run in
UTMV
In their last game, they were 1-0 down and turned it around by winning 2-0.
I’m just hoping that doesn’t happen again.
I have very little confidence, but will predict a 1-0 win.
Looking at the ticket availability a couple of hours ago showed there were plenty of tickets not sold.
K3 and K4 included.
It seems quite a few are not interested in this game.
I’d have gone but there are so many bloody hoops to jump through to get tickets.
FWIW, 1-1. As long as we get through.
Wet Spam on Sunday is MASSIVE!!!!!
If we play at the same lethargic pace that we have done for the last couple of months, we can easily lose and bow out of the competition. I can see it now. Martinez and Konsa pissing around with the ball early on to waste time and frustrating the faithful who want to be entertained for £70 a ticket. This is my biggest gripe with Emery football. It’s asking for the fans to be patient as we try to control games, if passing along the back 4 is what controlling is!
I want to see a gung-ho approach against a team we should be beating. Surely the sensible thing is to get a couple of goals early on to finish them off, and rest players with substitutions as early as possible for West Ham.
Kevin starts.
Might see a goal or two then if the rust has rubbed off a bit.
Martinez, Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Luiz, Onana, Rogers, Sancho, McGinn, Abraham.
Subs: Bizot, Wright, Konsa, Garcia, Cash, Digne, Mings, Elliott, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins.
That’s a bloody good bench. Shame we’re not gelling at the moment…
Jesus, but its cold in here. Just watched a bit of the forest game , gone to extra time, and it was awful stuff. Got to to be positive about tonight. This is a good side and Abraham get his chance.
Of course we win.
Giroud worries me – he habitually scores against us.
Lyon knocked out. That’s a major competitor gone.
Rogers looking sharp so far. Hope he is ok.
Mitylland hit the post twice in pens
Well done Forest!
And their third penalty skied. Forest go through and probably more action in a couple of mins than we’ll see in our whole game.
Better go back to watching our game, I suppose
Put Coronation Street on, Badger. It’s less stress! 🤣
Imagine paying £70 or whatever prices are to watch this shite.
You’ve obviously never been to the opera, Holte!!!!
😂😂 – actually I quite like Opera; just need to pick which one you watch – a bit like tonight 😂😂
I’ve been with the missus to watch Phantom of the Opera! There was definitely more action!
Me to but not my favourite musical!
I was thinking proper snobby opera, which is actually quite mental and great fun!!! At £250 a ticket…
Wow, £60 for this I’ve paid… how utterly tragic.
You have my condolences Alfie. Maybe wait for an encore!
We’re scared of conceding so aren’t really committed in attack; that plus giving the ball away in good positions.
Still struggling to find any sought of cohesion or flow in our game; it shows how much Kamara and Tielemans brings to the way we play – particularly the transition from defence to attack.
It’s important we get through to the quarters even by a 0-0 draw.
Stan making a lot of sense in his comments.
Stan being asked what he thinks about the crowd not being very vocal.
And doing his best to not say ” WTF do you expect? This is utter shit”
My money says we will concede.
I’m with you Badger.
And Sancho puts the ball out with nobody anywhere near him. Says it all.
Both wrong, dudes!!!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁
It’s gone from boring to absolute cr*p
SJM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get in!
What a ball from Martinez – SJM
I fucking LOVE Martinez!!!!!! A Villa legend!!!!!
So we go direct and score. Quelle surprise.
Tammy off? OMG!
I give up. If Watkins is the answer, Emery’s asking the wrong questions.
Let’s see how many chances he can waste today.