Well, this should be easy, right?
Southampton are bottom of the league, after all, aren’t they?
Except we all know things are never that simple with the Villa.
The saints seem strangely inconsistent. Since Christmas they’ve beaten Palace and Everton away and Man city at home, but lost to Brighton and Forest at home and Fulham away.
So it’s hard to call how this game’s going to go.
Squad news and Emery has updated us that Ollie Watkins has trained well and will be available. Ludwig Augustinsson will also be available, as will Matt Cash, but reading between the lines, I suspect neither will feature. I don’t think the manager thinks much of Cash at all, but no doubt we’ll see. Jan Bednarek won’t be available because of his loan from Southampton and new signing Jhon Duran doesn’t have his visa yet, so is ineligible.
John McGinn isn’t quite ready yet, but should be okay for the Leicester game. I have a sneaky feeling that the Scot’s injury has been a little convenient, as it’s given the manager a chance to have a look at the side without actually having to drop him. He’s another who I suspect Emery might be willing to let go in the summer, if the right sort of offer comes in. I like McGinn, but he’s been poor for too long and it seems odd now that there was talk of him being worth £50 million not that long ago.
Danny Ings has gone and I think that’s a decent deal for the club, with talk of upto £15 million. When was the last time we got a decent fee for someone of his age? It makes a nice change and I actually think he’ll do quite well at West Ham, where I think Moyes will play more to suit him. If he doesn’t get the sack, of course.
Southampton then and they have no new issues.
Theo Walcott could be available after being out with a calf injury for six weeks and new signing Charly Alcaraz is looking for his first start.
The player to watch is James Ward-Prowse. He’s on form, having scored 4 in his last four prem games and is close to beating David Beckham’s record for direct free kicks.
While the Villa have loads of potential to let us down yet again, I feel we should have enough to beat them and I see goals. Emery has some astounding record for not drawing games and I think both teams are capable of scoring.
I’m going for a 2-1 win (he says, with fingers crossed).
UTV
There is no way villa bid £45m for nico williams. You don’t offer that sort of money to get blown off by the player not wanting to come.
According to HITC (I know!) Betis want £54m for Henrique who (allegedly) has an £88m release clause in his contract.
Not going to happen.
Watching semi-final and Southampton having third consecutive goal (following 2 against Villa) chalked off by VAR!
When things aren’t going for you …….
I think the two against us were correct. Tonight’s was really unlucky though. It probably should have stood
Interesting article about Kamara.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12793800/why-aston-villas-boubacar-kamara-is-one-of-the-signings-of-the-season-and-unai-emery-can-now-build-around-him
He certainly looks the ‘real deal’; I enjoy watching him play.
Reading around, I’m beginning to think Villa may well go for loan deals in this window with a view to pursuing their main targets in the summer.
Aston Villa are set to miss out on Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie after Leeds United came to an agreement with the player ahead of a possible transfer.
Oh dear that’s a blow.
I’ll relax when it’s definitely confirmed that he’s signed for them.
I don’t think we’re remotely interested nor where we interested in Danjuma – well the Villa weren’t but it seems I was – shows how much I know 🙂
Must dembele for me would luv him at villa and we need to get our skates on
McKenzie chose Leeds over us? Absolute tosh. I doubt we were ever in for him.
According to Sky, Villa have ‘enquired’ about Henrique staring that Betis value him at £44m and Villa are considering a bid!?
Don’t you just love transfer windows 🙂
Particularly the Preece baiting – making sure Ashley is the last to know when the player signs the contract, but keeping him stuffed with red herrings.
” Welcome to Aston Villa. Now would you mind putting your hood up and this mask of Harry Maguire on. Just until you pass that man with the notebook and camera.”
Great article below evaluating the differing managerial styles of Emery and Gerrard.
https://thecritic.co.uk/issues/february-2023/how-to-manage-up-with-emery/
Thanks Sid – most enjoyable read nicely articulating what, probably, most of us ‘armchair managers’ had been thinking.
Cheers Sidney, a brilliant well written and accurate article.
No doubt painful for Mr G?
Latest winger to be linked with us is Elanga at ManU after Emery turned up at last nights game.
This Jonathan David is an interesting rumour, his goal returns at both Gent & Lille are pretty impressive.
Blimey – which striker are we going to be linked to next – Harry Redknapp’s missus -:) -:)
As long as it ain’t his son (-:
(How overrated was he?)
Take your pick.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gallery/13-players-linked-aston-villa-26080257
It seems to me that the rumour mill regarding Villa has gone pretty quiet all of a sudden – most of what I’m seeing seems more like desperate attempts for clickbait, and a lot of re-cycling of stuff that went cold weeks ago…
We could, in an ideal world, do with someone up top but the reality is the January window isn’t the best time to buy.
Let’s face it, as from the appointment of our new man Emery us fan are, and quite rightly kept in the dark as to who is coming to Villa . You don’t let the opposition know what you’re upto. It’s worked with the young 19 year old we was took back that we got him. I’m pretty sure the next guy will shock us all. Happy days are back but don’t read that rag Birmingham mail it’s the last to know what’s what .
Never been the same since Leon Hickman retired (-:
Interesting read
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11682741/Unai-Emery-desperate-mark-Aston-Villa-month.html
Delafou injured and out for the rest of the season – so if we were interested it’s no longer an option.
Starting to feel like we’re probably not going to rush out and buy anyone else until the summer.
I see Villa were fined £20k for failing to keep players under control (or something) when they complained about Ward-Preece’s disallowed goal on Saturday.
Luiz was probably correctly booked for putting his hand on the ref, but I’ve seen that lots of times, without punishment.
I’ve just looked at the highlights and I wouldn’t say the protests were anything out of the ordinary.
The punishment, while again probably totally correct, seems harsh, given that it happens all the time and you rarely see clubs fined for over-protesting.
See Old Clippety during the Wolves game have a complete thrombo over a throw in on the halfway line FFS?
Or Arteta have a complete meltdown over any decision that doesn’t go the goooners way (YAWN)?
It’s all completely over the top imo.
Yep, theatrics are okay when it suits.
Or it’s the top 6, more accurately.
Think they just arbitrarily decide to make an example of someone from time to time – makes them feel powerful! And, as you say, it’s never the top sides – heaven forbid they should actually be criticised!
Just watched Archer have a chance for Boro, but he blew it.
I saw similar the other night.
Every time I see that sort of thing, I honestly think the fans wouldn’t have the patience for it if it was sustained.
It’s a tricky one, as I’d love to see him get a run as much as the next supporter.
I see Villa are hosting a Paul Merson night at Villa Park 9 th March. £500.00 for ten on a table. I only paid £ 20 8 years ago . Price gone up then.
Good old inflation Bill!
I’m beginning to think that Villa aren’t majorly pursuing anyone else in this window which would be quite surprising given the number of players leaving.
We had 4 kids on the bench against Southampton and two GK’s because we didn’t have sufficient number of first team players available!
Anyone else get the impression Emery is really angry with his stint at Arse and is determined to make a point?
Yep.
That’s gonna be tasty encounter…
Can’t wait 🕕
Absolutely – they never supported him against dressing room ‘power’ – yet they did Arteta when he came in.
I think Emery feels a sense of grievance against Arsenal and is out to prove a point. Hope he succeeds!
I see the click bait merchants are floundering in the dark and linking us with anyone who has been linked with any EPL club – pathetic really.
Just out of interest, would anyone be up for that Merson jobby?
Mail me if so, at Badger123@astonvillanewsandviews.co.uk
I suspect 10 might be a bit of an ask, but I’ll put it out there anyway.
What Merson jobby?
I think Emery’s blood boils for much more than the Arsenal experience. I think he wants to prove himself big time in the Premier League. And prove it with us, not just queue jumping, managing a super rich club like Citeh or Chelski. I can almost feel him seething…This is bloody good fun!!!!!
Bum Bum – a night with Paul Merson at VP on 9th March. Table of 10 is £500 plus VAT so £60 a head.
I’ve stuck my hand up for it but both Badger and me reckon it’s a bit steep – still you never know – might get 8 more willing punters.
Ah. Gotcha. Can’t really make it but £60 sounds reasonable. Great player and really liked the bloke. Have u seen the documentary he did about his addictions? Sounds bloody horrible to be afflicted with that. He keeps fighting the good fight though!
Which one? 😂🤣
He seems a sound guy but come on this is a bit of a saga?
Definition of madness and all that?
I was at one of his gentleman night Bum Bum and have to say was very good. Had my picture with him and my late son on his table. I’d put my name down but it would be best I didn’t as upsetting to me. He’s a laugh as he tells you of his magical moments in his drinking and betting times with sky .loverly bloke .
Fully understand what you’re saying Bill.
I can imagine Merse telling some shocking stories he can’t share on regular TV!!!
It’s looking very likely that Villa aren’t going to do any further business in this window. If we can’t get our top targets then there’s no point in getting players in for the sake of it – we’ve seen that far too often in the past.
If that’s the case then we are taking a risk with injuries but Emery must be confident he can manage the second half of the season with a much smaller squad.
Emery has been repeatedly quoted (if we are to believe B’ham Live !) as saying that he’s not interested in ‘numbers’ – and will only buy players if they represent an upgrade to what he’s currently working with.
That’s a bit of a change compared to some of the transfers we’ve seen at Villa in the last couple of years: who actually bought-in players like Guilbert, Sansom, Augustinson, etc., when no manager seemed to want to play them, and why?
Still, given the number of departures, it’s a definite risk for the remaining ‘half’ of this season.
And it seems more to leave before the deadline!
All I can say is our wage bill will be a lot lower!
I now think it’s time to believe in our manager, he has seen what we have on our books and probably seen young guns in our club that will fit in time . I’m happy at this time in our club utv.
Well we can only say it’s the quality of the man ,has he sent the best out on loan ? I wonder, time to find out next few months , you’ll find out we have the best manager in the league. Still time for a shock and I hope we get a midfielder.
Looks like Nakamba may be joining the Baggies and also being rumoured that West Spam want Chambers!
Meanwhile Louie Barry has gone out on loan to Salford.