Spurs – Villa; I’d take a point. Will we get one?

After the Liverpool game I’m finding it difficult to have much confidence in the lads.
It’s totally unfair of me really, because we have had very decent results against Utd and Brighton, but it’s just really easy to see how poor a side we are when compared to the top sides.
I watched all the games yesterday and there’s a gulf in quality between those at the top of the table and the rest.
Arsenal’s third goal in particular stuck in my mind. It wasn’t anything special, but it was noticeable to me that they had something we never seem to have, which is players racing into the box for a rebound.
It led me to asking myself why we never seem to do that and I think the answer is that we can’t go gung ho, because we have to be so careful at the back.
That and we don’t have the same pace or energy either.
Or quite frankly, the quality, which is the same conclusion I came to the other night.

So going back to the first line, I’m not expecting much from today’s game, purely because of that seeming lack of energy and desire. I’m actually wondering if the new manager bounce is over already.

Squad news then and the big one is that Emi Martinez is available and will surely be back between the sticks.
Diego Carlos and Jacob Ramsey, who I thought might be ready by now, are both out.

Tottenham have Cristian Romero available, but Rodrigo Bentancur has a calf problem, so is out, while forwards Richarlison and Lucas Moura are both longer term injuries which is just as well with our defence, although they do still of course have Kane and Son.

I’m pretty downbest then, but am going to put my positive head on and say we can get a point. It’s more blind hope really, but I’m going for 1-1, mainly because Spurs don’t strike me as anything special.

Emery has indicated that there will be movement in and out of the squad in this window and while I don’t expect much in the way of players coming in, our current squad seems stale and could really do with a shot in the arm. A striker with some athleticism and decent finishing would do as a starter, but a quality central defender wouldn’t be bad either, although I’ve read that a new left back is being targeted. That’d be a good move, because he’s just another who I don’t particularly rate, because he’s just so average.
Players should bear in mind that they’re playing for their Villa futures, because I’ve no doubt Emery would like to have a good clearout, as much as he says key players won’t be leaving.

1-1 it is then.

54 Comments

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  1. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 January 1, 2023 at 3:58 pm . Reply

    Don’t doubt Emery. We looked really good side and had a clear plan. Even Olsen looked OK. Great start to 2023. Now it’s about how we kick on with the games ahead of us.

    And a word for Luiz – absolutely brilliant and McGinn only did one thing on the game but what a pass for us goal.

    Well chuffed and so happy.

    UTMV

  2. Holte
    Holte January 1, 2023 at 3:59 pm . Reply

    I’m going to predict a 4-0 defeat more often. I never saw that coming and a clean sheet for Olsen. Got to say that Kamara is class. It won’t be too long before the big clubs are sniffing around.

    1. Hitchens60
      Hitchens60 January 1, 2023 at 4:02 pm . Reply

      Absolutely Holte. How the hell did we get him on a free?

      1. RSS
        RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:05 pm . Reply

        Watkins, well apart from his finishing, was excellent.

        1. Ardent Villain
          Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:21 pm . Reply

          Hqve to agree – he contributes a lot, although he’ll never score 20 in a season!

          1. RSS
            RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:25 pm . Reply

            His hold play mate, what more could you ask for?
            As you say he’s no natural finisher, never going to be prolific but he offers so much in other ways.

    2. RSS
      RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:12 pm . Reply

      We as fans need to get with the program, how many times have you heard the away team need to silence the home crowd?
      That’s what happened today, you could hear a pin drop, we had a plan to contain them and it worked.
      There was a fair bit of criticism on here regarding that first half performance but imo the game plan was bang on.
      In Unai we trust.

      1. Ardent Villain
        Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:23 pm . Reply

        I thought there was something wrong with the sound on my TV. Turned up the volume until the commentary was almost deafening, but still no crowd noise…

        We score, and suddenly all I can here is the Villa fans.

  3. Sidforever
    Sidforever January 1, 2023 at 4:07 pm . Reply

    I need to row back on my over reaction to the Liverpool loss.

    We have an elite manager in Emery! We’ve beaten in the league Man Utd at home, Brighton away and Sours away, with only the Liverpool loss at home. The man is a winner. Great goal by Luiz!

    I believe it is time we all leave behind are negative thoughts based on so many years of disappointment. This should be the start of something special.

    UTV

    1. RSS
      RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:14 pm . Reply

      I still think they (Liverpool) got the rub of the green.
      We deserved something from that game, the score really flattered them.

      1. Ardent Villain
        Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:23 pm . Reply

        Absolutely agreed.

  4. William Pearson
    William Pearson January 1, 2023 at 4:24 pm . Reply

    Lads as from today I’m going to slate Us of because whatever I say the opposite happens, we won lads and our defence was first rate , Mcginn in his loved position centre mid and our full backs with the centre backs they was a credit to the club . Luis, Konza, kamara, Buedia, all should be made m.o.t.m. fully entertaining game . Well done the lads.

  5. Alfie Ricketts
    Alfie Ricketts January 1, 2023 at 4:25 pm . Reply

    What an excellent, well-deserved result. Keep this up and I don’t see how we can differ to Newcastle last season, especially with the January window now open. Bare in mind that we’ve won 3/4 fixtures, and all of the teams I do believe were in the top 6 at the time we’ve played them. What an excellent start under Emery, finally a genuine reason to believe and more importantly not fear you’re getting carried away in the process! UTV!

  6. Ardent Villain
    Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:27 pm . Reply

    Great result.
    Good performance (although I was surprised by just how ‘average’ Spuds are, for a so-called ‘elite’ team).
    Emery clearly knows exactly what he’s doing with the players available to him already.

    But I STILL hate the constant back-and sideways- passing between the back 4 and the goalkeeper. There were a great many opportunities to pass forward where Kamara, Luiz and Buendia were in space waiting to make a break, only for the ball to go backwards yet again.

    1. RSS
      RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:35 pm . Reply

      Mate I think you’re have to get used to it under Unai, that’s the way he does things.
      Personally if he keeps getting these results then bring on the half hour borefest.
      😁

      1. RSS
        RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:37 pm . Reply

        And in all honesty Ardent, I think we made them look average.

        1. Ardent Villain
          Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm . Reply

          That’s the part that I still haven’t quite worked-out in my own mind. Yes, I thought we did some things really well (as in the L’pool game-), but Spurs looked like a team below us in the table.
          Were we really that good?

          1. RSS
            RSS January 1, 2023 at 4:47 pm . Reply

            That well organised and drilled. It’s the taking the chances bit (see Liverpool).
            I think we have a master tactician at the helm mate.
            Clinical finisher up top and we’ll be force to be reckoned with.

  7. Roy Bracy
    Roy Bracy January 1, 2023 at 4:29 pm . Reply

    Welcome new year to all villa fans and all on this forum
    That’s how you win a chess game
    Must admit I thought we’d lose especially with olden in goal
    I think emery wants emi to be better with his distribution and I can see him selling emi to bring money in for better players in attack
    Well drilled team today kamara and Louis are dovetailing brilliant and Watkins although not scoring is working hard for the team happy new year everybody

    1. Ardent Villain
      Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:31 pm . Reply

      I don’t want to watch chess.
      I want to see full-bodied, full-fat attacking football, with optional blood where required!!

      (Happy New Year..)

  8. WARRIOR
    WARRIOR January 1, 2023 at 4:37 pm . Reply

    Badger 123 WARRIOR Here Badger just read your pre-match comments and before the match, I couldn’t agree more I have just read your words after the game and my question is Where did that performance come from they picked up from the rebound and we’re gun how in the box and all over the pitch long may it continue we didn’t move up the table but looking at our next fixtures surely we should we’ll come on the VILLA WARRIOR VTID. UTV

  9. Texas Villan
    Texas Villan January 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm . Reply

    I’m gonna sleep in till 10 and miss more games if this is the type of result we manage to spring! Can’t wait to watch the replay.

  10. Ardent Villain
    Ardent Villain January 1, 2023 at 4:43 pm . Reply

    Simple request to Emery & Villa: make 2023 the year we win the FA Cup!

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