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
As I said after Thursday. We are crossing the ball so much earlier. Keep it up Villa
There is a big chance in it for West Ham so we need to score again. Spurs losing 0-1 to Forest.
Brilliant should be more just hope we don’t put in a stinker in the second half come on lads massive opportunity here will be gutted if we blow this
We need another goal!
Onana needs to work on his finishing…
Barkely’s work rate and chasing has been phenomenal.
Massive, massive goal and Tielemans back – brilliant
Ollliieeeer!!!!!
Onana MOM for me. Great stuff at times. Happy days..
I thought Sancho was good today, but won’t argue against Onana.
I honestly don’t get it.
Wtf has changed to turn into a good side again, when we’ve looked like relegation candidates for weeks?
We’ve made West Ham look really poor today and I am honestly perplexed.
Maybe I should sit on the sides for longer.
Simple Badger – John McGinn and Tielemans back adds another level of quality.
McGinn. I used the heart surgery analogy when we lost him and the midfield weeks ago. Now the heart is beating again. How to replace him when the time comes?
He’s a generational star, like Viera or Keane. Things move on don’t they. We’ve lost some legends in the past.
Are we back?
Looks likely but a challenging game against the Tricky Trees next who are starting to show some real form. Still McGinn and Tielemans back is really big for us.
Spuds collapsing in a heap – think I’ll now start supporting West Spam 😂
We needed that! Best performance for a long time with SJM the heartbeat of the club driving us.
Lots of positives finally with Watkins scoring and Tielemans back.
Let’s hope no injuries from the IB and we can kick on for the final 7 PL games and hopefully 5 more Europa games.
Woo hooooooooo yeaaaasssss great win we’re a different team with super john mcginn his presence alone seems to give the players so much confidence absolutely buzzing with that
A nice 2 weeks no stress till our next game UTMV woop woop
Whilst Emery has never used injuries as an excuse we did have the whole of our first choice mid field wiped out!
It’s not only the loss of three high quality players, I believe the psychological effect on the players – even subconsciously – is immense.
McGinn back and Tielemans back gives the team a huge psychological boost and it showed today.
5 very winnable games before we finish against Liverpool and City. We need to get over the line in the next 5. United, Chelsea, Liverpool all play each other during that period. It’s in our hands. No excuses. Just keep pushing. The spring time and longer days usually bring new energy. 💪
Why is Ian Wright dressed like the man from Del Monte?
Because “He say ‘Yes'”!!!!
He did look a bit daft. That’s a summer hat. Worn with a pale linen suit while on holiday in the sun is fine, but not today…
Hey!! What an effing weekend!!!!! Could not have asked for more!!!! Thanks footballing Gods!!!
I think we’re starting to see why Villa paid £50m for Onana – immense display yesterday. Once Tielemans gets up to speed that midfield partnership with Onana could well be the difference that gets us CL football.
With McGinn seeming to want to make up for lost time and Ollie having found his old shooting boots I have hope.
Now, it just remains for Onana to stay fit 🤞🤞
We have some easier fixtures upcoming, obviously you have to take into account that Forest and Spurs will be fighting for their lives so that Forest game is of slight concern, but if we mean business we should be winning a minimum of 3 of the next 5, and even trying to take points off Liverpool. City, lets just write that one off lads.
We should beat the dippers in the last home game of the season; it should be a great atmosphere, whether we’re over the line or still need the points. The issue is if the reds desperately need the points at that stage…
Well, I’m a guy who has to see the game again and again, John McGinn to me is on the same level of God, Paul McGrath. In tackles, he inevitably pass a ball and splits defence. That’s why we was at a loss when he was out, we are definitely back no doubt about that. What a game I’ve had to console my next door neighbour who was at the match and said I told you was wasting your money watching West Spam. 🤪
Totally agree Bill. McGinn for me is my favourite player of the last 25 -30 years. We had great players with the Little / Gregory time and before that BIg Ron with the likes of McGrath! Fortunately I am old enough to remember Sir Ron’s league winning team that was victorious in Rotterdam. I was privileged to be there thanks to my mom getting tickets for my brother and sister and myself. All those 14 players plus Sir Ron are legends and should have statues around VP. Include Brian Little, Charlie Aitken, Peter McParland, Paul McGrath and SJM.
Any other worthy names welcome.
I think Ulises de la Cruz should be on the list. And Aleksander Tonev. They’d be my top two. Oh, and Michael Boulding, the tennis player.
The brief stay of David Unsworth? Sean Maloney?
Bit harsh on Maloney. I thought there was a real player there had he not been homesick. I really liked him.
Maloney was a good player and scored a few nice goals for the Villa.
Salifou (‘Daddy cool’), on the other hand…
Agreed on Maloney.
Always liked him as a player.
Did Unsworth actually stay – I thought he left before he arrived quick back at his wife’s beck and call.
Billy Goffin – remember the name but can’t remember seeing him play.
Unsworth never played. He did his photo shoot then buggered off.
Why not Billy Goffin BFR, surely you remember him .
Was he any good, Bill? A tad before my time.
Well he was the most bandiest legs in the game, he looked as if he was still riding a horse running down the left wing, players had no problem nutmegging him. Thought you would have seen him, 😁
Sorry to be boring but this BBC article – all be it about the bar codes – applies equally and relevantly to Villa and a subject I’ve posted about before.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp8dxz6173xo
Simply put – if the club is not playing in the CL then the differential financial effect between UEFA and EPL’s SCR rules means it’s not worth the effort – unless it’s just a trophy that’s the end game!
Badger will also note the point about stadia revenue, one he’s made a number of times.
We have very wealthy owners – not PIF wealthy – but able to spend far more than they are permitted to. Add in the three year handcuffs placed on the club by UEFA through the financial agreement forced on the club last season and, unless we qualify for the CL regularly, we would be financially better off by not being Europe at all.
So the rich get richer and just a handful of clubs will dominate football throughout Europe for tens of years to come.
The European Super League is just around the corner and there’s nothing the Football Regulator nor the fans of clubs outside the inner circle can do about it.
Hitch a one-sided article that, I’ve said before Villa own their own club the likes of Man Utd are owned by banks, I wonder if they take into account the advertising of sponsors, i.e., a league of first and second, and third and so on down the league, football clubs are after all a business and should be run like one, robbing sods, they should go after Sky and TNT for robbing fans.
BFR I don’t think it’s wise to bank on a result against Liverpool.
It’s one of them games you write off to be on the safe side and make other games a must win because of that, and then win that as a bonus.
Already said we need to be over the line before, Alfie. But last home game with a carnival atmosphere, you’d like to think Villa would at least battle for a point.
Has anyone tracked updates on Allyson? I noticed he’s not been on the bench the last few games and thought he was over his injuries for now.
Probably another lightweight dud. Time will tell…
Anyone seen the new England kits? They’re so good, I was seriously considering a purchase for the first time since 2000, both home and away. But then I saw the price: £134.99! For a piece of recycled nylon. I’ll leave it, thanks.
Correction: Nike are selling it for £135. It’s £156 on FA England Store. 156. 1.5.6. For a very well designed plastic T-shirt.
Theft, plain and simple playing on people, same as Facebook, who have just had their arse kicked and might face billions in recompense.
Bloody good, in my book.
Absolutely, Badger.