Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Villa: Great win. Is it about the fitness?

This was yet another strange game.
We walked the first half and looked totally in control, even though Sheffield took the early lead.
I remained totally confident, until the home side seemed to get their act together and were all over us.
I thought Whelan was not at all suited to the way we were playing and Green seemed ineffective. Until he put that cross in for McGinn’s very nice take.
Which shows what I know.

So 1-1 at half time and I thought we were well worth that and should have led, even though we never had many shots on target.

The second half and Sheffield looked a different side and much more threatening.
It seemed we were struggling to contain the onslaught and I was blaming Whelan at the time, as he did very little right today.
Taylor still looks lightweight to me, even though he made a great tackle at one stage. He just always looks out of position to me.

So while we were being battered as the game went on, injuries were ocurring throughout.

Which had me thinking that given the really fast early pace of the game, it has to be down to fitness.
I thought both sides looked tired as the game went on, but obviously we had the edge, which sounds about right if supposedly Bruce doesn’t put the emphasis on fitness.

Given the balance of the game, I’d have called it a draw, but the fact that we got two goals in the last few minutes, tells me we either are much more fitter, or possibly just have the winning mentality.

I strongly suspect it’s the mentality.
But it’s combined with the fitness.

That, plus the fact that we have very good back-up in reserve.

Which is exactly where Steve Bruce should have positioned us,
regardless of what he says about our financial position at the time.

I’m wondering how he ultimately managed to make such a mess of his time at the Villa.


Comments

78 responses to “Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Villa: Great win. Is it about the fitness?”

  1. What a come down tonight miss a penalty, get a man sent off, we look as if we are the useless team in the league, unbelievable.

  2. DSVilla avatar

    Oh dear. Maybe the team were expecting to roll them over. Uphill task now.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      No way were we going to roll them over. Of all the teams in the bottom 5, they are the most likely to avoid relegation. We hand them a boost with the worst penalty I’ve ever seen and then show no fight. They are all over us like a rash.

      1. DSVilla avatar

        Agreed. I thought this might be tricky. It will be a monumental effort to turn this round with 10 men

  3. Pat 57 avatar

    God even Smith has been yellow carded…

  4. Tekkers48 avatar
    Tekkers48

    That referee is a prick.

  5. Where the hell is Mcginn, not seen him, not heard him being mentioned. Infact where is the wanting? This is going to be goodbye playoffs the way it’s going.

    1. Tekkers48 avatar
      Tekkers48

      We can still salvage something from this and given the way we have played first half we cant get any worse. It looks to me that they seemed to think they only had to turn up. They will have to put in some performance second half to get back into this. Bite your hand off for a point at this moment.

  6. Holte66 avatar

    Rotherham are just a get ball into the box team in any way possible. We have played into their hands. Abraham penalty was shockingly bad and set the tone. Grealish apart from winning the penalty has been woeful. Mings red card could be costly for this game and against Bristol City. Referee is a joke. He is spoiling the game with his pettiness. Booking Smith for placing the ball for a throw in was embarrassing. It looks like it’s going to be a repeat of Bolton last season! Expect to just turn up and get 3 points! Will Villa never learn.

    1. Tekkers48 avatar
      Tekkers48

      The referee looks like he is looking to make a name for himself. Just looks like an arrogant git. Two penalties, sending off and the booking DS for stepping outside his technical area. As much as i do enjoy the championship, the refereeing standard is quite poor.

  7. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Oh shit.

  8. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    But it’s not over, until the fat lady sings (and all that bollocks)…

  9. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
    Bosnich’s Dealer

    Is anyone watching the game? Is it as barmy as it looks my score application, Jesus three pens and a red?!

    Get in the boys!!

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Yep, watching on red button. It’s an awful game of football!

  10. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Manna from heaven

  11. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
    Bosnich’s Dealer

    Get the fuck in lads, 2-1!!! What’s going on?! Super jack

  12. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    What a goal Grealish – get in

  13. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    2-1 utv

    1. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
      Bosnich’s Dealer

      Are we actually on top of the game hitchens60, What’s deano done after the sending off shape wise?

  14. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    I’ve suddenly remembered an old chant from the Holte End from my younger days which made me and my dad laugh. It was between two crazy Villa fans having some fun and bouncing off each other. Here’s how it went:

    “Get into ’em!”
    “…and fuck ’em up!”
    “Get into ’em!”
    “…and fuck ’em up!”
    “Get into ’em!”
    “……..ah bollocks, I’m knackered.”

    Good advice for right now!

  15. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    GET INTO ‘EM. AND FUCK ‘EM UP!

  16. Pat 57 avatar

    If we win this one then I’ll believe that they can do anything

    COYL

  17. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Great save by Steer – this isn’t won yet

    1. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
      Bosnich’s Dealer

      Are we actually on top of the game hitchens60, What’s deano done after the sending off shape wise?

      1. Jimbovilla avatar
        Jimbovilla

        Kodjia up top with Abraham who pulls into wide positions when we don’t have the ball, jack Hourihane McGinn and back 4

      2. Hitchens60 avatar
        Hitchens60

        Not on top but definitely causing Rotherham problems.

        Jedi on for Adomah after Mings sent off and Kodjia on for El Ghazi so playing a lot narrower and relying on Taylor / Elmo playing as wing backs. Hourihane playing a little more forward.

        Both Jedi and Kodjia making a difference. Kodjia causing all sorts of problems in the penalty area. Abraham anonymous.

  18. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
    Bosnich’s Dealer

    Cheers lads! Hopefully we can see this one through..

  19. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    Agree with BFR – this referee is pants

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Correction – with Tekkers not BFR

  20. Bosnich’s Dealer avatar
    Bosnich’s Dealer

    F**cking get in the villa boys! That there is a big big result! Destiny lads, it’s gotta be our year! How have we pulled that one out the bag. Absolutely buzzing!!! Coyl

  21. Sidforever avatar
    Sidforever

    Weird, whilst on this site tonight we were crap. Stayed off and Villa pulled it together. Super John McGinn is fast becoming a legend. What a player, reminds me of James Milner with his never say die attitude.

    1. Hitchens60 avatar
      Hitchens60

      Sid – McGinn was immense second half but Kodjia was back to his best and deserves a start Saturday.

  22. Tekkers48 avatar
    Tekkers48

    Get fucking in there. Thats a big big result.

  23. Hitchens60 avatar
    Hitchens60

    What a f***ing win but at what cost?

    Rather than an easy night when we rest our stars, it’s been a long hard grind with10 men. No Mings on Saturday and Bristol having a day extra to rest.

    But, for now, brilliant team effort. Every single player second half were magnificent in what they did for the cause. Proud Villan

    UTV

  24. Big Fat Ron avatar
    Big Fat Ron

    Fat lady’s singing, chaps! What did I tell ya? 😉
    Had a feeling because the team has shown so much resilience this season. Would defo take a draw on Saturday now!