Well, what an entertaining game that was.
The headline score makes it seem close, but the reality is we could have had a boat-load of goals today, if it wasn’t for Max O’Leary playing an absolute blinder. He made that many close range and reaction saves that I lost count.
Hourihane spurned three chances before he finally managed to score.
This was another very good performance against a decent side, although I have to say I don’t think City offered much.
Lee Johnson quite rightly pointed out that City would have an advantage in having an extra day’s rest and I think he was right, as we did look a little leggy.
The only blot for me today was Elmohamady, who seemed to give the ball away more often than not, but it’s hard to criticise anyone when we’ve just won eight games on the trot for the first time since 1975.
The big concern today was how we would get on without Jack Grealish and while I think we missed him, we created loads of chances and scoring goals doesn’t look to be a problem. We maintained our average of 2 goals a game at home.
Even rusty Keinan Davies was unlucky and should have scored.
Given that I think we looked a little tired at times (albeit still playing well), I think the squad is going to come into play more and more as the games keep coming.
Even though we looked light in the centre of defence on paper, it proved to not be so and Jedinak did well.
Special mention should be made about Jed Steer.
I think he looks very confident when the ball is played back to him quickly and he distributes very well, even when under serious pressure.
That surely has to instill confidence in our defenders and no doubt has played a big part in the way we play at the back.
Well done lads and the Villa train keeps on rolling.
UTV!
I thought at this point in the season the yellow card count was wiped clean so that promotion / relegation teams were not unfairly disadvantaged – it seems not so.
McGinn is only two yellow cards away from a three match ban which could see him miss vital promotion or play off games.
Should we rest him for Friday’s game against Bolton?
Apparently bookings in the play offs are disregarded so should we play McGinn and if he gets another yellow rest him or rest him for the next two games and then play him against Leeds – same approach as above in respect of picking up another yellow.
Hitch, I was under the impression that a 3 match ban wouldn’t apply for play off games if he got 2 more yellow cards with the second one being last game of the season.
So was I, they saying season over and yellow cards don’t count in play off. Now I’m confused.
According to Birmingham Live if McGinn received a 15th yellow card against Norwich he would be banned for all three play off games. If he went into the playoffs on 14 cards, any yellow cards picked up in the playoffs would be disregarded for the purposes of the totting up process.
On that basis if McGinn gets a 14th card we would have to rest him because losing him for the playoffs (assuming Villa qualify) would be a disaster.
Sorry guys that was my post – pressed the wrong button 🙂
I think we have to play McGinn against Bolton and Millwall as those points could be crucial. I’d guess that if we get well ahead in either game then Smith will take him off just in case.
It may be that the Leeds and Norwich matches could be less important depending on results but, I’d also guess that, if McGinn does get a yellow then that might be him done until the play-offs. I can’t see Smith taking any chances.
Just shows how important he now is to the team.
See that Steve Gibsonhas been shouting his mouth off about FFP with Villa and Derby in his sights. Strange that this should coincide with Middlesbrough producing a string of poor results and dropping out of the play off places.
Perhaps he should spend more of his energy shouting at Pullis although I suppose his rant does divert attention from their own shortcomings!
So the Small Heath thug Paul Mitchell has been released after just 4 weeks and commented it was the best month of his life! Clearly this idiot has no sense of remorse after insisting he won’t apologise for his actions. I feel sorry for his children that they have this muppet has a role model. I haven’t heard of any more action being taken against the noses for the incident. Banning him and sending him to jail obviously hasn’t achieved anything. Would he be bothered if his team were fined or deducted points? I’m guessing probably not because clearly this numpty is a complete moron.
Well Mr. Mitchell may not be bothered if Small Heath get a points deduction and get relegated but I think that the rest of the noses might have something to say about it.
If I were him I’d prepare for a quick exit from the Midlands region.
I read he was not welcome in his local pub. I think that might upset him more than going to jail.
You would like to think that sensible noses have realised that the idiot’s behaviour seriously jepardised the club’s position. The fact is that their form has been abysmal since the incident happened.
Well I guess it’s hard enough to keep your morale up in this most competitive of divisions without being directly undermined by your own fans.
I almost feel sorry for the noses but I’d expect them to be made an example of. They might as well get their map books out now and see where places like Scunthorpe, Accrington and Gillingham actually are for next season.
It seems Friday’s game against Bolton is in doubt related to their financial problems and the ground’s safety certificate. Seems to me that if Bolton can’t stage the game then it should be forfeited in Villa’s favour? I’m assuming it’s in the EFL rules somewhere?
Had a quick look at the rules here –
https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules–regulations/section-5–fixtures/
As far as I can see it only mentions a misconduct charge and compensation if a fixture is cancelled and says nothing about where the points go.
Interesting; thanks Pat.
There is a possibility that Bolton will not be able to fulfil the fixture at all given their ongoing financial problems – we shall just have to wait and see. I feel there is more of a disadvantage to Villa should the fixture be postponed.
Callum O’Hare’s contract extended to 2020 – sensible move.
The Bolton game will take place , the club has been bought, they have new owners.
Saved by the bell. Any postponement would only be bad for us.
We need to get this played and won.Just hope that there’s no such thing as a new owner bounce but hopefully the Bolton players will be thinking more about spending their money now that they’re finally getting paid.
A few points;
Dean Smith has taken a pragmatic approach wrt McGinn.
He’ll worry about bookings if the player is booked on Friday.
Exactly right, imo.
The Bolton game seems to be on; Hurray!
I’d have been gutted if it wasn’t although 3pm on a Friday just seems totally wrong to me.
Spurs knock blue manc out of the cup, after the latter thought they’d won it; ha ha!
And finally, I was going to make this one a headline post, but thought I’d better not, for fear of being seen as a sexist dinosaur.
Does anyone on here know somebody who is even slightly interested in women’s football?
I ask, as it seems it’s being hyped to death and England’s women have just had a record sponsorship, yet I’ve just seen glimpses of Man U beating Vila to get promoted, yet the only spectators seemed to be wearing tracksuits or some sort of uniform.
Does anyone know anyone who is slightly interested?
I know it’s totally non-PC, but women’s footy seems a total waste of time and money to me.
I disagree Badger.
I think that we’re way behind in this country as I know that it’s much bigger in Europe. In fact a women’s game between Atletico and Barca in Madrid recently had over 60,000 at the match.
I read somewhere that women’s football in this country was incredibly popular around the turn of the century with gates of over 10,000 reported. They were actually banned form using grounds affiliated to the FA because the authorities were worried that it might get more popular than the men’s game!
I think it should be supported at all levels and, given time, who knows where it might go? As to those who bang on about physicality, Messi’s not exactly the biggest player in the world is he? Just look at someone like Lieke Martens. With her skill I think she’d make it into a lot of men’s teams.
Badger – I agree with Pat although I do think (also being a sexist dinosaur 🙂 ) that the wider feminist thing is being overplayed at the moment – but that’s a different issue.
Back to the football question – I’ve really enjoyed watching England’s women football team and the standard / skills displayed are really good. I’ve always been disappointed that Villa haven’t (in the past) appeared to take women’s football more seriously although now there seems to be a greater effort being applied.
I have watched a few women’s footy games when on TV and have been pleasantly surprised by the standard and technique on show. Funnily enough my missus has a gripe about women commentators and pundits covering men’s games. She gets really annoyed about it although I have mentioned to her they make more sense than Souness and a few others who waffle on.
I only have to watch my 16 year old grandaughter to see how far women football has progressed over the last 10 years, she commands the right back position for her club and proud to say motm last week. She is the youngest girl being two years younger than the main team. I watch as many women’s games if shown on tv, some have unbelievable pace and skills than some men. Can you remember the goal scored from a throw in a year or two ago? It should have been goal of the year but given to a man . Roll on tomorrow’s game, but no prediction from me.
Bill I’m out of the prediction game too as we’ve won eight since I last predicted a game.
Just glad that the match is going ahead tomorrow.
Bill, our daughter Anna played women’s football for years at a reasonably high level and it was both skillful and combative. She even featured in Coca Cola’s World Cup advertising one year – 1986 I think it was – having been chosen (one of eight – 3 girls / 5 boys) from hundreds of aspiring young footballers. The highlight for my wife was meeting Dennis Law who was far too amorous for my liking 🙂
Dennis Law hey. The player that ran from full length of Villa Park to kick our player who was spark out on the ground. Nice man that Dennis, yes grandaughter very athletic Hitch 1 belt away from black and thought highly at Coventry ladies F C. told her takes after her grandad. with a smile.
Womens footie is great and changed a lot through the years but as Holte 66’s wife says when women commentate on matches its terrible….don’t mind them summing up on sky news when they go around the grounds but actually doing the matches….NO. The radio is the worst…screeching all the time….lol