It’s only a brief initial reaction, but that result will do, won’t it?
I jumped in the car after work around half time, expecting to hear the commentary on radio WM. Only to find it was on D.A.B, which I don’t have (or want).
So I had to listen to the Blues commentary in the hope that I’d get the odd minute of comment about the Villa.
And my heart sank when I heard Blackburn had scored, after another mistake from Gollini?
I might be being unfair there, but the commentator said the goalie thought it was going wide and it crept between him and the post?
Even if it wasn’t his fault, I’d expect a new goalie coming in, in the transfer window.
Whatever, the mood soon changed when I heard we’d quickly equalised through a Kodjia pen after Grealish was fouled.
I got in the house with about twenty five minutes left and ran to the computer to hear the AVFC commentary. Only to spend the next five minutes trying to get on the site. Does anyone else find getting the live commentary a total joke?
Anyway, I’d missed Kodjia’s second goal in the meantime.
To think I’m paying for this crap service.
So the only thing I know is from the live update;
“Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mile Jedinak.”
After some reservations about Kodjia, he certainly seems to be doing the business and justifying his hefty fee doesn’t he?
I see Gabby came on for McCormack and I suspect Steve Bruce doesn’t rate the latter, probably because of the way we play. It’ll be interesting to see if he keeps getting a start, as he hasn’t exactly set the world alight.
And when I did finally manage to get the commentary, it sounded really nervy and players were dropping like flies through injury.
Adomah sounds like he won’t be available for a game or so and Baker got crocked, although maybe he ran it off?
And Bruce apparently went to a 4-5-1 to try and keep the result, which we did, with what sounded like some bodies on the line defending. Very encouraging.
While it’s early days, we may now have killed the hoodoo of conceding late goals. We even came from behind. When did that last happen?
And perhaps most importantly, we simply held on.
I talked in the preview about a new manager bounce and noticed a comment suggesting Bruce has been lucky.
Perhaps he has. But that’s now eleven points from a possible fifteen isn’t it?
If it’s all done on good luck alone and I don’t think it is, I’ll take it.
I’m a content bunny for the rest of this weekend.
Oh, we’ve also pulled two points back on the Blues too.
Not that I’m overly bothered about them, but it would be great to finish higher, if nothing else.
Whatever you’re doing Steve, just keep doing it.
Interesting point about McCormack – apparently he’s habitually a ‘slow starter’ but finishes the season strongly. That could still be very important for us plus we’re going to need him during the Nations Cup.
Good call on the African nations; I forgot that.
It’s hard to see how he fits in though, isn’t it?
I personally think he’s mostly being played because of what he cost.
Badger, I’m not sure we’ve yet found a system to suit McCormack and he also seems really out of form at the moment. He seems to play best off the shoulder of a centre forward but with Kodjia liking to play wider in that role it doesn’t work for McCormack. If Gabby got fit and played an old fashioned cf role then I think McCormack would profit playing off him – just my view of course
According to my brother who was at the game Gabby played alright when he came on.
I’d have never have thought it a few weeks ago but maybe he might actually contribute something this season.
Anyway we now have the luxury of relaxing for a while knowing our team are safely in mid-table. When was the last time we could do that?
UTV
It grieves me to say it Pat, but if Bruce deems that Gabby has something to offer, I can live with it.
It’s not ideal, as Gabby has been an utter disagrace, imo.
But at the same time how the team/club do is way more important than how I feel.
Another international break?
Oh man, just as we’re coming good.
Brighton away next that will be our hardest game yet on paper. Gabby is playing as Bruce needs a striker for Jan for African World Cup. He’s hoping his fitness improve at the turn o. The year to replace Kodja
Some truth in that OohAh (Gabby) but I get the impression SB is expecting more contribution than just a fill in in January
Saw highlights on Sky News and McCormack was virtually on the line on his own and managed to pass it back to their goalie…..wonder if thats why he went off……international break…hate them but could help us get some fit.
2-1 against one of the bottom teams doesnt sound brill but added to the recent results it will do.
Wish Chelsea could have got another 5 in the last 20 mins…..
Somewhat agreed. I’d have liked to see us get some goals in this one, but we got the result, which ultimately, is all that matters.
Cue Oohaah, saying we were shit. Or lucky. Or whatever negative slant he can take 🙂
Forgive him Badger as Oohah in shock still, round about midnight he’ll pop in giving them bad reviews, stays on till 3 ish tthen does a runner.
Actually I agree Badger result is that matter and IV always said that. I was the first to criticise posters on here when they said we were all over a team and hit the bar 50 times but still lost! Rather play crap and win than play well and lose.
Blimey Football on 5 just said we have the only intact unbeaten home record in championship.
Great win. Kodjia is starting to look the business.
Personally don’t mind the international break. We’ve got a few knocks so it might help there. Even more so in giving SB some more time with this players to drum into them how he wants them to play.
Honestly think we can do even better and if we’re there or thereabouts by January and Dr. Tony splashes a little cash I think we’ll have a shot this season in the play offs.
Certainly didn’t seem likely before SB’s arrival.
Really feeling optimistic for the first time in years
UTV
I share some of your optimism…
Unbeaten at home so far this season – now there’s a bit of a novelty for 21st Century Villa fans!
Bruce has done extremely well in his 5 or 6 games so far, but this team isn’t the finished article by any means.
Of the summer signings Kodjia is proving a gem, and I’d say that Gollini could well develop into a fantastic ‘keeper in the next couple of years; Jedinak seems to have shaken-off the bad patch and is starting to look like a sound buy. But some of the others [McCormack, Elphick, ?] don’t look particularly clever right now, and there’s a distinct need for some more quality in midfield.
If they can keep grinding-out wins and draws until January, and if the club find/afford some suitable additions in the window, then we might see a real promotion challenge in the 2nd half of the season.
Agree with pretty much all of your post Ardent. Good players don’t turn into bad ones overnight (well except possibly Gabby 🙂 ) so I would expect Elphick and McCormack to come good in time – maybe some players need a little longer to settle and Elphick, by all accounts, is very superstitious.
See that SB has really bigged up Gabby as (potentially) the best cf in Championship – fair play if he can get him firing and playing down the middle which is where he’s always been the most dangerous I will happily forgive Gabby for last season.
I’m of the opinion that McCormack has been played out of position too much, and that’s why he hasn’t scored as many goals as we’d hoped. We should not forget however that he has at least 2 assists and he has fashioned some wicked, through-balls in the games I’ve seen him play in. He’s got a clever touch.
The problem is that at least 3 of Villa’s strikers prefer a central role but only one of them can be there at one time.