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!
Fingers crossed and bring it on!
Missed this massively.
Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Amadou ONana, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, Evann Guessand.
2 English players on the pitch out of 22. Doesn’t bode well for the World Cup. Not that we don’t love all our players though!!!! 😁. Quite an ironic ‘taking of the knee’ considering the Police decision this week. Anyway, enough politics. Let’s get on with the footy!!!!!
Come on Villa!
Well that’s what effing about and playing from the back does for you! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
1 down already.
Normal service is resumed by the look of it.
Very high line and caught 2 Spurs players out then
Spurs won’t have been expecting that which worked well for us previously.
Onana pretty much at fault for that goal. Poor pass in area leading to corner and not closing down goal scorer. Disappointed Bogarde dropped for Onana, felt he deserved a run based on recent performances.
Yep, so much for playing players on merit.
Yep. I’d say the same. Bogarde’s are off the charts!!!
(Remember the old Top 20 chart run down on a Sunday night??? Straight in at number 5…).
Two incidents tell me it’s going to be the London club who the ref going with, why do Villa get disliked be these unbelievable so called refs .
We’re too nice, Bill.
This is rubbish. We’re being out-muscled again.
…and by a traditionally lightweight side…We’re pressing. It’s taken us time to get going!
We look very lightweight and rather slow. Guessand looks out of his depth.
Their goal courtesy of Onana’s block whereas I think Emi had the shot covered.
I’m not at all confident – although Spurs don’t look all that good.
They are banning the tel aviv fans because of the because of the fear of violence from the Islamic massive community and our piss poor shithouse police are scared of them (This bit deleted, because I can’t allow it as it’s too strong a comment).
We will be an Islamic state within 40 years and then they can ban football then as well
Anyway rant over badger just had to get that off my chest
As for the football getting beat no surprise don’t expect much today
Perhaps that will kick start Rogers season
Great goal.
Chesty!!!!!!!
Bloody right bum bum, again fouls and McGinn pointed it out I just think we’re the most disliked football team in the league. What a goal from Rodgers.
Oh get in there! Great goal by Roger’s. Ironic as he’d just given the ball away just before. Have to give him credit he still wants the ball.
We’ve been playing ok.
Woo hooo morgs go on son yeeaaaa
Yes, Rogers!
Done fuckall, but produces that out of nothing.
1-1!
What is the ref doing – should have stopped the game when the ball hit him.
Just picking up on Guessand – looks rather like he’s scared of making a mistake.
You telling me that’s not a ankle breaking tackle? See what I mean about the attitude of then f ing refs.
Rogers may well have scored a great goal but his outfield play is still sloppy and lacks conviction
Bent as a five-pound note that ref,
F..king crooks, we are going to get robbed in this game mark my words.
I agree it was risking breaking his ankle Bill. But he took the ball cleanly and it was judged to be momentum, which I agree with. Totally accidental.
Otherwise, Onana has been total junk and is beginning to look a total waste of money,
Our defence, even with 10 men defending looks terrible too.
I’ll be surprised if They don’t score again, but it’s a funny old game.
And then Buendia scores a beaut!
1-2
Little Emi!!!!! Class!!!!!!
That has to be in there for goals of the season