Lets get the bad bit out of the way.
What a load of rubbish that was to watch. My son in law(ish) said the same and even the grandkids admitted it wasn’t very good. Given how easily pleased they are, that’s saying something!
But, I have to look past that and think that this was a massive banana skin game that it would have been just typical for us to lose in previous times.
As much as I’ve complained that I’m not particularly keen on the way we play, I quite simply have to take my hat off to Unai Emery.
I heard two contradictory stats during the game. We’ve won more games than any other team except either Man City or Man City and Arsenal (depending on which is correct), during the manager’s reign.
Regardless, it’s impressive.
Think about that for a second.
If it had carried through from the beginning of the season, we’d be third in the league!
Not since the MON days have we seen these giddy heights and I’m worried about getting a nosebleed.
I find myself in a bit of a quandary.
I’ve said many times that results are all important. Yet now we’re getting them, I find watching is hard going.
I know, I’m never happy.
We do play some very nice football at times. We can break at a decent lick and it’s exciting to watch. But it’s only for quite fleeting moments and the reality is that the majority of games are played at a really slow pace.
We should bear in mind that it’s the pace of the British game that makes it so popular worldwide and it’s not just blind negativity on my part.
But then, I suspect I’m being really unfair on the gaffer.
He was dealt a pretty poor hand, with a squad that was clearly not interested and totally uninspired by Gerrard.
The fact that he’s turned the likes of McGinn and Watkins and others back into the players that we always knew they were is some achievement in itself. It’s always easier to demoralise than encourage, in my experience.
I’ve commented that while we’ve questioned his choice of players at times, so I’ve thought that he is just closely looking at them.
There’s an article today that says Dendoncker is a goner, even though he got on for this game.
It just shows that the manager is pragmatic.
He doesn’t have favourites and will put results first.
And as much as I might not like the footy on display at times, I do like what I’m seeing overall.
So much so that I nearly bought tickets for the Newcastle game, so I could go with my Barcodes supporter gaffer.
I have to give a mention to Ollie for his (I think?) 9 in 11 games.
I’m currently feeling totally vindicated in my view that getting rid of Ings wouldn’t be much of a loss. Which reminds me. I have to give the grandkids a load more abuse about how I was right, after them following the herd in saying how good he was. 😉
Dare we dream?
Probably not, as it’ll only end in disappointment.
But to think relegation looked very much on the cards, shows what a job Emery has done.
The thought of him adding two or three players that will suit his system is mouthwatering.
Unai Emery’s performance so far is nothing short of remarkable. It’s like he has given the whole team a new intelligence and confidence. Along with improved individual performances, link up play is much slicker – they play as a unit, find spaces and move the ball quicker.
I’m very excited about our current form.
Nobody could argue what Emery done for our club , even me bringing Triore back raise my eyebrows thinking WHAT , then the man wins us 6 points in playing. I have to take my hat off to whoever talked Emery to our club because the evidence before our eyes. I smile to myself in how the media still not noticed we are Aston Villa and are a club equal to the so called big 6. My worry is how bad refereeing this season has been and how they seem to protect the big six in decisions. Still we are the Villa and back to the good times. Vtid.
Villa we’re not at their best, particularly in the first half, but that’s just being honest and objective.
Not helped by Forest who basically stuck 10 men behind the ball with a low / medium block to stop us playing. We’re historically not good in those game situations and tbf Forest did it pretty well until Shelvey got an assist with his pass to Traore – who made sure with a lovely shot to the back post.
Ollie’s goal – icing on the cake – showed how much he’s improved under Emery. Quick feet and a nice dink over the keeper. Less running – more goals!
Interesting in todays Times talking about the coaching work being done with Watkins and the detail involved. If that’s the same for all the players ….
On playing out from the back – all the top teams do it – but they do it quicker. Maybe, with more practice and growing familiarity with the way of playing, that’s what we’ll see at Villa.
UTV
Strange that Villa were prepared to reveal their coaching strategy with Watkins, ahead of an important game v Newcastle. Unless there is a sub-plot. It won’t surprise me if Watkins has a training injury which keeps him out of the starting 11, but he is on the bench. Thus leaving Jhon Duran to the attentions of Dan Burn.
Newcastle have developed the bad habits of top 6 teams since their rise, including clogging the opponents’ danger man.
We haven’t look impressive in our games, we’re just efficient. We will struggle next week though performance wise, we’ll get out pressed for a lot of the game. But look at our performances in the games we’ve comfortably won, it really wouldn’t shock me to see us go and get something out of it.
Alfie, I have a ticket for Saturday and frankly, would be delighted if they have 90% possession and Villa take 3 points. I just want the 3 points; performances will come, but for now, let’s hold on to 6th and maybe, maybe, push for 5th. Having said all that, I’d also take a blockbusting 3-3 draw, with a last minute equalizer coming back from 3-1 down!
Alfie the performances might not be impressive but the results are. Make the most of it kid, as a Villa fan these days don’t come around to often.
Dean Smith in talks with Leicester, good luck to him
Bill, I had a hunch. When I heard they were looking at Jesse Marsh on MOTD2 on Sunday, I thought “no way, Dean Smith would be ideal with Shakespeare returning.” I wish I’d put something on it, oh well. It’s risky for Deano, as if he takes them down, it looks bad for him; there’s enough quality there for him to work with and save them. I hope he does it.
Smith and Shakespeare confirmed along with Terry until the end of the season. Good luck to them!
All a little odd the how, why and when he (Terry) left Villa.
Never really heard a satisfactory explanation, all a very strange episode.
Guys, I’ve heard little mention on how well our defence is doing! Regular clean sheets are the things dreams are made of. A stupid article in the DM the other day about not being suprised if Martinez leaves! How xxxxing stupid is that? He’s been solely responsible for half a dozen of not more points this season.
With several departures expected this summer, with our paper thin squad we’ll need to look at between 4 and 6 new players in the summer.
This is such good fun for a change!!!!
But that’s the funny thing, isn’t it?
Our defence looks hopeless, to me, a lot of the time, particularly at set pieces, yet the opposition doesn’t take advantage.
Then, as I’ve said, results are undeniable.
Martinez constantly talks about how happy he is, but at the end of the day he’ll want European football, because he’s not getting any younger.
I’d expect him to give us next season to try and attain it, if we don’t this year, but then I’d guess he’ll be looking to move on.
Yes, the summer window is looking very interesting.
There seems to be a strong consensus that Emery is going to get a fat wad to play with and we’re going to smash our record fee.
It’s genuinely needed if we want to step up a level.
The rumours are still doing the rounds about them clashing so if a silly offer comes in…
Adiós, amigo.
When or if it happens then I’ll believe it but until then Martinez says he’s happy at Villa and wants to repay them for giving him the chance to play regularly at the highest level.
Why would we (or Emery) agree to sell a key player if we’re building a squad for an assault on the top four and Europe? We don’t need the money to balance the FFP books and our owners, despite not having sovereign wealth, are probably the next best thing!
UTV
Better late than never in the Times football pages.
I have written already that the Times manages to report a match which Villa won without mentioning the Villa – the entire report focusing on the faults of the opposition players or manager. Of the 14 EPL managers sacked – Villa’s performances have done for 4, including Gerrard.
Yesterday at last – Henry Winter wrote a whole page about Unai Emery and his attention to detail improving so many Villa players. Concluding that Unai must now be regarded as one of the elite coaches.
There was a footnote about Southgate being there – no doubt preparing new excuses for omitting Mings and Watkins.
Thanks for the pointer OLL.
Just read and enjoyed the article. I particularly liked the the piece about McGinn which demonstrates the respect Emery holds for his players.
Finally, Villa are being respected again and are back challenging for Europe where a club of this stature should be. Add to the mix two exemplary owners and it’s enjoyable to be a Villa fan after so many years of famine.
UTV
The newly extended Villa Park is included in the 2028 Euro bid with a capacity just below 52,000
Interesting that The Etihad is preferred to Old Trafford (with the largest capacity outside Wembley) – then bid requires Government support so is this a political decision (dictat)?
It might possibly be because the place is practically falling down (something their own fans have complained about) yet they won’t spend any money to maintain it.
Awful owners, who sum up why fans distrust the yanks on the whole.
All they’ve ever done is take money out of the club, the utter scumbags.