Well, I can hardly let that go by without commenting, can I?
What to say?
We played well and never stopped working probably sums things up, but I think it was the way we approached things in midfield that won this for us.
Unai Emery had obviously done loads of pre-work for this game. He quite rightly to my mind, dropped Guessand for Tielemans and swapped out Maatsen for Digne, which surprised me, as I thought Digne would be the better bet against an ever lively and tricky Bacary Saka. It says it all when I thought Saka never really got as involved as I would have expected. Likewise, Matty Cash on the other side was also very good and looked like he had run himself into the ground before he went off.
Given that I don’t normally rate either player, I think it should be taken that that’s a massive compliment on my part.
Back to the midfield and to a man, I thought they were great. They worked with tenacity and never gave Arsenal a chance with the way they hunted the Gunners down and teamed up against them.
Mind, you, you could say the same about their mids too, in fairness and you could say that there wasn’t much of a gap in it. Even Ally McCoist agreed with me in saying that Villa edged the first half.
And then there was the defence, where Pau really seems to be coming into his own. It has to be asked if we’ve missed Mings and simply, we haven’t in my opinion. Not in the slightest.
So we went into half time one up and as I said, I thought we were worth it.
The second half was different. At least at first, as we never got going at all and a goal against looked to be imminently incoming. And so it was, where Emi Martinez, who otherwise proved to be very competent today was beaten by Trossard, who had been subbed on by Arteta. to make it 1-1. You could just see it coming.
We didn’t let our heads drop though and the game continued with the same, mostly frantic pace.
Two top quality teams, both in very good form and it was intriguing as to which way things were going to go, albeit nail-biting at the same time.
Subs aplenty were made on both sides, mostly to relieve tired legs, because nobody had played badly.
And while we had a great chance, with a ball played straight across the face their goal, there was noone availble for the tap in. They also had a similar chance, but again, it wasn’t to be.
And then, as things looked to be drawing to a not unfair 1-1 result on either side, I think it was Sancho who crossed in from the left to lead to a bit of skittles in the box. The outcome was Emi Buendia, who himself had only been put on as a last throw of the dice in the 85th minute, was on the floor, got up sharply and beautifully hit a rising shot that beat two defenders and the goalie.
The crowd erupted and then shortly after, the whistle blew to make it another great victory. 2-1 to the Villa!
What a great game and coming so closely after the Brighton comeback, what a great week it’s been.
I think the comms said we have won nine of the last ten games. Something we haven’t done in a HUNDRED years!
We really are setting records under Emery. I feel embarrased at the moment for ever doubting him, albeit never calling for his head.
We’ve beaten City and now Arsenal, which begs the question: Are we title challengers?
I said in the previous thread that I’m a pragmatic/scientific type thinker. And that tells me that without a doubt we are.
I pretty much expect a not so good rest of this month, as we still have some very tough games, but this is one we could easily have lost on paper and even if we do, it might prove to be our poor run. All teams get them, although you could say we had ours at the beginning of the season, but whatever, a poor December run might prove to be good timing if it leaves us going well for the rest of the season.
A title push would be great, but for me the aim is the Champions League and back with the big boys.
I’ve got a smile on my face.
UTV!
8 changes from the weekend which is always a risk remembering Go Ahead Eagles!
No sign of the lesser spotted Harvey Elliott again. Definitely wasted half a season poor lad.
Last chance saloon for Guessand.
I reckon that should be enough, as it’s actually not a bad side if they perform. Decent ammo to bring on later too, if needed.
Can’t underestimate Basel.
Undefeated at home in Europa League since 2015 (7 consecutive wins) and have named a full strength side.
Got to silence their fans early.
Guessand!!!!
Guessand – let’s hope it’s a different outcome to GAE 🙂
Whoooooo!!!!!! Guess who!!!!
GOA all over again?
That’s lucky – Villa must learn from that.
Useless defence. Too busy calling for offside.
Fortunately, we get the shout.
Phew!!!
Crap goalkeeping, that.
1-1
Bizot at fault there – too slow.
We’d better buck up or we’ll lose this – looking far too lazy and thinking we just have to stroll to win it – no intensity.
Reminds me of Monaco.
Looks like Bizot has decided today is the day for his Olsen impersonation. Crapmsave led to their goal – luckily off side. Then when they score he bottles out of the challenge.
Bogart has decided today is going to be the day he plays poorly.
Sancho just makes poor choices / passes when in an advantageous position.
Time for a half time Unai bollocking.
Guessand is rubbish, a big stumbling oaf, atm. I don’t rate Sancho either.
Our defence is shot, no confidence in each other, Konsa unsettle with his midfield, lads we are struggling unless he brings on the big guns.
That’s how I see it too, Bill.
And me Bill
Guessand needs to go. He looks an absolute non-footballer to me.
8 changes seems like disrespect not respect for the opposition.
Basel is not a L2 side and certainly not when playing at home.
Understand rotation but …..
Disagree Hitch. We’ve been the better side by far, same as we were against GAE. But we don’t have the mentality to go 100% at it.
Weak mentality, imo.
Badger mate, you don’t make 8 changes two or three yes, he did the same before and we lost, unless he makes changes it’s another loss. We know he’s concentrating on the next league match and giving key players a rest, but it will cost us.
Nothing wrong with the changes Bill, imo. We’ve been the better side.
And we’ll be better second half, I’d wager.
They really are no great shakes, imo.
The only way we’ll lose this will be down to ourselves.
We’ve swapped 8 out.
They’re full strength.
Tielemans coming on.
For Cash?
Ah, Bogarde, RB
Put on the class
Tielemans 2-1.
And a nice ball from Guessand started it, I think.
I’m going to slag players more. It seems to help 🙂
On comes the cavalry
To show the real gulf in class, hopefully.
Strange referee – Turkish – mmm?
Not pretty but a win’s a win
Get in,
And I predicted the score, yay!
I’m hoping Unai learned lessons there.
A decent team will beat us easily, if we play that sort of side from the off.
But it was enough for today.
And their manager looks like some sort of troll or goblin, or something.
At 2-1 I felt they were there for the taking but we reverted to training mode and they upped the tempo and we nearly blew it. It’s a fantastic run we are on but it would be even better if we finished teams off when we are on top.
Guessand is an enigma for me. His goal was a quality finish but sometimes he makes the ball look like a hot potato.
Tielemans showed his class when we needed it. I don’t think he has signed a new contract yet. We have to ensure we do everything we can to keep him long term.
Didn’t he sign a new contract last season?
He’s contracted until June 27, Holte.
I’ve no qualms about him signing. He’s surely in a happy place?
Original contract of four years so you’re right Holte.
We won. We rested players for Sunday.
Job done.
Yep. It’s all that matters, I suppose.
Badger I think the performance and levels were sacrificed today to ensure squad rotation. We’ve now won the first 3 games in December and 4 to go.
If we can get past West Ham, then there is a week gap before Man Utd and another week before Chelsea, then 3 days for Arsenal. That’s why this 2nd team was put out.
Looking back to Sunday no player left anything in the tank. The changes were needed. Bogarde was used to give Tilesman half a game rest and then Cash.
Guessand had to play all match to give rest to others such as McGinn and Rogers. So yes it was a bit scrappy and disjointed at times, but the result justified the means.
Just keep winning!