It’s a funny thing isn’t it, coincidence?
Just as the club has been embroiled in world headlines about supposed anti-semitism, today we face the UK’s club most known for it’s Jewish support. I’ll have to say Spurs, because I daren’t print the word that the club’s fans actually call themselves, for fear of being accused of anti-semitism myself. You know what it is and just in case you don’t, it begins with a “Y”.
For the record, I view all religions with equal disdain, but do have the opinion that some come across as more peaceful than others. Extreme wings of Islam AND Judaism are amongst the worst in my book. I’ve seen much said that the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv has been based on anti-semetic grounds. That stupid councillor apart, I’m not entirely convinced that’s true. I personally think that the Israeli club’s fans have a really bad reputation and while it’s probably true they don’t get banned at other grounds, I do think there is a serious risk of serious trouble for this game because of our demographic in the area. Now, I totally agree that the demographic of the area should have nothing to do with who the club plays. But I’m of the belief that the decision was made on the grounds that the police wouldn’t be able to police the game adequately. I think that’s definitely true, as was demonstrated with the Legia Warsaw fans, where many police got injured. It looks to me that this decision is going to be overturned because of the backlash and I’m fine with that. As long as we get adequate, extra, resources that the club doesn’t have to pay for, I’m happy for the Maccabi fans to come. As long as innocents, particularly Villa fans don’t get caught in any crossfire, any hate type groups can knock seven bells out of each other and I wouldn’t care less.
What did make me laugh amongst all of this is that some Jewish entity has threatened to sue the club. As if we even had anything to do with this decision.
Anyway, on to the game I’m hoping for a good one.
Squad news first and it’s more good than bad. Ollie should be available, as should Emi Buendia and Jadon Sancho. Tyrone Mings should be available too, but none of those four sound much more than 50-50 to feature, in my opinion. Watkins is most likely, because of what he brings to the side generally, I guess. The fly in the ointment is Youri Tielemans, who it seems will be out for a few weeks more yet. That’s not such a bad thing as long as young Bogarde can maintain his excellent form in the pivot. I’m sure I read that his passrate is amongst the best in the whole Prem. I believe it.
Ah, that word. “Prem”. How good is it to hear that again after yet more of that World cup qualifying rubbish? I found it notable to myself that I never watched any of our recent qualifiers and really couldn’t care less. Going back to the title, it’s no coincidence that we’re the first European club to qualify. To think we stop the best football league in the world for this rubbish.
And then, Spurs. Randal Kolo Muani looks likely to get his first start in the league, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie could also feature, but the bad news for them is that Yves Bissouma is definitely out.
Thomas Frank has got Spurs playing quite well, which is no surprise, because I think he’s a very good manager, who sets his teams up properly, unlike the clown Postecoglou, who has just been sacked at Forest, I see. (Not as much of a clown as their owner though). Whatever, Ange made Spurs great to watch but I expect a much tighter game today.
It’s another tough one to call (aren’t they all?), but I do have a feeling we will come away with the goodies here. My heart feels this is a 2-1 win. But my head says a 2-2 draw sounds a decent bet.
Would I be particularly downbeat if we lose this one? Well, it all depends on the performance. I want to see something from Watkins, if he starts and Rogers needs to continue his improvement in form too. If both perform, I’m confident we can win this, but their performances will prove central, in my opinion.
Sod it, I’m going 2-2.
UTV!
Wow! What a game!
That bloody Emery is one sh1te manager! 5 wins in a row? Rubbish!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
A worldie – the build up and execution of Buendia’s winner. GOS contender.
Different rules for Villa games?
Nothing in the laws says when the ball hits the ref, you can watch where the ball goes and choose to play on.
A player may only dry the ball with an item of clothing that he is wearing. SKY seems to think there is an exception for when it is raining, but if so a towel has to be available for both teams. Cash was denied one.
That was a team performance. In the 90+ minutes players will make mistakes. But today how good was that win.
Recently listened to the My Old Man – Guillem Balague interview – who is a friend of Unai – I would recommend listening to it. It really helps with being able to look at the bigger picture rather than – Rogers looses passion or Cash passes back etc.
Today was a statement win. Well done the Villa
OLL – you have to come up with a different acronym for Emi 🙂
Fair play to him – he wanted to stay and, boy, has he proved his worth!
According to Sky both sides agreed to use of towels but, no doubt, Spuds cheated – no surprise there then 😉
Glasses may have Emery’s number bit Unai has Frank’s!
Glasner – duh – predictive text
Emery out hey bum bum😇I’m on the 🥃 at the minute due to us winning, what a game and two cracking goals too boot, that’s pissed the London mob off and the ref .
Just been shown Buendia ankle injury, and believe me it shows how bad that ref was allowing tackles like we suffered in that game .
Massive win woop going to spuds and winning is a big statement utmv