Hands up, I’ve seen nothing of the game and am only going off what I’ve read on t’internet.
I managed to catch that we’d gone one up, conceded via a sloppy Jedinak backpass, then went 2-1 down, only for us to equalise.
That was the last I saw and I was cursing a draw at home.
Until I got back home, where I was delighted to see that we’d snatched a late winner!
I’m gutted that I missed this game, as by the sounds of it McGinn and Grealish dominated for us.
I was a bit concerned about how they might play together, but it seems my fears are unfounded and McGinn really puts himself about, while still showing good skill.
So McGinn edged MOTM, with some hard graft and guile, which pleased me immensely.
Anyone remember the last great player we had from Hibs?
It was a certain Des Bremner.
Which if omens mean anything, bodes well.
And I was delighted to see Grealish doing well too.
He got his head down and did his usual stuff, in drawing lots of fouls.
Steve Bruce went out of his way to praise how Jack and his family have behaved during the supposed Spurs move.
To quote Bruce, that is indeed “refreshing”.
All hail Jack and his Villa kin.
I thought it was a bit harsh dropping Elphick, but when I saw the starting line-up, I was very encouraged.
Although Wigan might be seen as one of the weaker sides in the league, I don’t think Bruce would have gone with quite the same sort of side if this was last season.
Indeed, you could possibly say that it’s about as adventurous as he gets, which leads me to think he’s been instructed to go with a younger side.
If so, that’s great.
Of course, things didn’t go all our way and it seems we gave the ball away far too much again.
And Kodjia is still being too greedy and not looking to bring others into play.
I’d give him a few more games, myself, as long as others are chipping in with goals, but I accept many don’t agree.
The trouble is what option do we have?
Bruce either has a loan lined up, or is frantically looking for one.
But at the end of the day, we’ve scratched another win after going behind, which shows resilence, even if we haven’t played that well.
And believe it or not, I’ve read elsewhere that if we beat Yeovil on Tuesday, it will be our best start since the 1962-3 season.
Surely that can’t be right and my tiredness has made me imagine it, hasn’t it?
Two games, six points.
It’s as simple as that.
Results, results, results.
Is all that matters.
I will only take issue with one point Badger; I don’t think Wigan are ‘one of the weaker sides in the division’. This is the first game they’ve lost in a long period and whilst they were playing in L1 there is definitely less of a problem in stepping up from L1 to stepping up from the Championship to the Prem. You only have to look at Sheff U and Milwall last season; the latter tipped for relegation.
One of the consistent comments is – when we win we are playing a poor side and when we lose ……. we are playing a poor side! OK I’m generalising but you get my drift!
Early days but a promising start.
Yes, that’s a very fair point Hitch.
Tbh, I did say to the lads at work that I thought it could very easily go wrong.
I’ll just keep saying what I think, in that this is no longer an easy league for anyone.
Interestingly, a Derby lad asked me today, which is better, the Prem or the Championship and I had to say it’s the Championship.
It just reminds me of days gone by, where lots of teams had a chance.
Which is how it’s supposed to be.
And to back it up, I had a Chelsea fan asking me if I knew the scores.
My answer was that I couldn’t give a toss about the Prem.
Buzzing with that today, 2 games down and 6 points on the board. After the summer we had just what was needed! That lad McGinn looks a quality player, his set piece delivery was superb today and he was like someone running on batteries. In recent memory the last mid fielder we had who ran himself into the ground and was everywhere on the pitch I think was James Milner. The lad has it all, delivery, can play with either foot, he can score and he seems to enjoy a tackle just as much!
Think the keeper definitely needs a settled back 4, it was interesting to see Bruce saying his biggest regret from last season was not freshening things up and making changes to the team, but the back 4 for me is not something we should be looking at changing very often. However I will say that Johnstone also got off to a rocky start originally so let’s wait and see before we pass judgement on the keeper.
On the Kodjia debate, well I think it’s simple. Hogan has to be our main going forward. His injury record is a worry yes, but especially with someone like McGinn now in the side I think Hogan will finally start banging them in for fun. The first thing the lad did whenever he got the ball today was look ahead of him and see the runs the forward players were making, Hogan will thrive off his service I think. He showed it Brentford and at the turn of the year for us, he scores for fun when he gets going.
The big thing for me is if this game was in any of the past 2 seasons, we would have drawn it 2-2 and had to settle for the point. Can we go one step further this season? Time will tell, but for the first time we’ve been down we’ve made a good start. Last year and certainly the year before we took too long getting points on the board and were playing catch up. The future is looking bright for us.
UTV
It will be interesting to see how Bruce approaches the Yeovil game in terms of selection.
bruce has already said their will lots of changes to the team against yeovil. i think the changes saturday, where made to give the players returning late cause of wc a game. Bjarnason and jedi particular, plus the new signings which were needed to be introduced. the thing is we are playing catch up. our preseason was compromised, money problems and uncertainty of which players we will lose.
i thought mcginn is a player we lacked for a good while. hes all-rounder hes a grealish type forward thinker. he has a good powerful shot on him, he can cross a mean ball, deadball taker and tackler. hourihane take note
off the game. i thought villa dominated first half, but they gave away a silly goal. this isn;t down to just jedi it was a collection of mistakes. they passed it back negatively, ball was being pressed by wigan and jedi under hit the back pass, but we started this move near wigans box and retreated to the mistake
second half wigan grew in confidence and deserved at least a draw, villa could and should have won the game but kodjia was unable to put away two simple chances and wouldnt pass again when he cut in from the right, but wigan are no pushovers and they also missed two great chances to win it.
two games two wins and like hitch said two games we come from behind to win. we need to improve and we will, but we do need to show some patience, pre season was a nightmare and we all can remember that. we didn’t think we would have any team so lets give um some time to sort out the defence and attack. once they do we will be right up there
I watched the highlights – on my PC eventually not Freeview which did not show channel 37.
A goalkeeper takes time to bed in and start to order the defence about – the first goals was down to a stupidly under-hit back-pass. I too think Elphick if fit would have brought more cohesion to the defence, which is one area were we are short of last season’s performance – so far.
McGinn is a steal for the money spent, and already the midfield looks much better.
A decoy centre forward can work, he takes the attention of the best defender, and can often be double-marked so is unlikely to score. The secondary effect is that another player must be unmarked and if Villa can score goals elsewhere in the team Kodja can still be useful. It is worth remembering Kodja was effective on the counter attack when Villa had been sitting back absorbing the opponent’s forward pressure. A consequence of improving the midfield with McGinn is that Villa will in the ball more often in midfield and put more pressure on the opponents – forcing them back. In those circumstances Kodja will have a harder task to score.
Has there been any news on how much longer Hogan will be on the sidelines? I agree with comments on here that McGinn and Grealish will appreciate his runs when he is back in the side. Against Yeovil I would be tempted to keep Kodja up front because he desperately needs a goal for confidence alone. Another option would be to play Green up front as he did well there in Germany in pre season. Hopefully De Laet will be available for RB against Ipswich and retain Hutton at LB. The only other question is who partners Chester unless he plays 3-5-2. We have plenty of options in midfield and I was pleased for Hourihane coming on and supplying the winning pass for Bjarnasson. Considering he has scored the most goals from midfield in a season since Platty he gets unfair criticism.
I thought De Laet had left?
Nope but apparently he picked up a 2 match ban at the end of last season when he was on loan in Belgium (I think)
Gotcha. He started well until his injury.
Bruce says – “To win back-to-back games with all the difficulties we’ve had, is huge.”
I can only agree. I can only imagine the uncertainty and perhaps even despair that Bruce and the team must have been feeling at the total mess that the club had gotten themselves in. Now we have new owners and a bit of hope.
I agree that a midfield of McGinn, Grealish and Hourihane sounds good. As for the attack I’d give Hogan a chance. BTW whatever happened to Davis? Is he still injured?
Groin, same as Hogan
Notice that Snodgrass is now on for West Ham.
Damn!
The rumour mill have us linked with Bolasie, and although I would be delighted with this, I can’t see it happening. Also story that Bruce wants owners to cancel contracts of Richards and McCormack. I would assume that would mean paying off remainder of their contract which wouldn’t benefit us exactly. Especially if they join another championship club and do well. Snodgrass came on as sub for West Ham and part of me hopes he makes it in premier league because of his age, and the respect he deserves for his professionalism to us.
If we really think that we should be playing them!
I think Richards is in his final year so that’s a no brainer – no additional costs to the club. McCormack has two years to go (I think) so that would be an increase in our losses which we probably want to avoid – unless we can do a deal with him over compensation.
Paying them up would involve negotiation, bearing in mind it frees them up to go and get another deal, quicker.
It might save us a few bob in RM’s case, but I can’t see even the MLS or China wanting Richards. It’s just been too long since he played.
The money that this pair will receive for having contributed next to nothing sticks in the throat.
Sad sad news, this was my idol as manager.
Aston Villa legend Ron Saunders is now in a care home near Solihull, unable to remember his glorious achievements at the club.
Saunders, aged 85, is being looked after at a nursing home not far from his family home in Hampton in Arden.
In a moving interview in the Portsmouth News, his son Ronnie told of how Villa’s 1981 First Division title-winning manager has deteriorated in the past five years because of dementia.
Saunders is also a Pompey legend, as the third highest goalscorer in the south coast club’s history.
Ron Saunders, then manager, shows off trophy after Aston Villa became champions in 1981.
Ron Saunders, then manager, shows off trophy after Aston Villa became champions in 1981.
The interview in the Portsmouth News was conducted by Villa fan and Portsmouth reporter Neil Allen – and is a very moving account of what the Saunders family are now having to contend with. You can read it here.
Saunders moved into the care home in May after wife Breeda was no longer able to tend to him.
READ MORE
Every word Steve Bruce said after Aston Villa beat Wigan
The family have spoken to campaigner Dawn Astle, daughter of West Bromwich Albion legend Geoff, about the links between football and dementia.
Saunders’ son Ronnie said: “I know him, if he had known this was going to happen to him it would be “You put a pillow over my head.”.
“I saw it starting 20-odd years ago, there were certain things dad did which made us realise.
“We knew his brain was quite damaged. We feel quite lucky he has lasted this long because we never thought he would.
“Mum couldn’t cope with him any more, his brain has gone.
“It crept up very slowly, now he struggles with every aspect of his life, everything he does.”
Yep, very sad to see such a tough bloke reduced to that Bill 🙁
I watched my dad deteriorate with dementia. First signs were repeating things he had already said and getting upset when he realised. Eventually the body gets frail and simple things like eating became difficult. Heading footballs probably doesn’t help but in a lot of cases it’s becoming more common as we live longer. It’s a horrible thing to happen to anyone because it takes away the person and leaves the shell of the body so they no longer recognise those closest to them. Sir Ron is the greatest manager we have had I think most would agree, and I feel for him and his family to have to suffer this condition.
I watched my Dad pass away with vascular dementia – it was a horrible time so I know what the immediate family are enduring. It’s also tremendously sad for the wider Villa family of which Sir Ron will always be a part and remembered for everything he did for our club.
Also my mother Hitch, its a disease they can only slow up in some cases, yes my thoughts are with his family and hopefully they won’t suffer in grief. Ron Saunders was the best manager in our time if Deadly Doug hadn’t been so demanding on Ron who knows where we would be today, Just to let you know Villa are on the box Tuesday. (SKY).
Thanks for the ‘heads up’ Bill
For those interested in a new kit, the third kit is getting released tomorrow before the match. Based off the reveal advertising I’d assume a blue kit with white/claret trim?
Rumors In: Bruce continues to be linked with attacking options up front and on the wings; Bolasie, Snodgrass, Odegaard.
If the three of them are actual targets of the club it may come down to actual wages, which would fit in line with Bruce asking the owners to cut a deal with McCormack and Richards to free up wages. Rumor is Richards should will be off shortly.
Strangely enough Snodgrass may be the cheapest option considering Bolasie I believe is on 80k a week, Odegaard 100k, and Snodgrass 60k.
Rumors Out: Sheffield United apparently interested in Hogan.
Richards been terminated of his contract . at long last he’s gone 665 days of not playing football ended.
No brainer Bill with only a year left on his contract – at worst we’d have to pay himself his years wages but probably negotiated a compromise deal which saved us a few bob and Richards is a free agent – that’s if anyone will have him. Probably go to Turkey and earn a few million lira!
I haven’t seen anything official yet, but it would be nice for everyone involved. He’s still young enough I’m sure some club, some where will take a chance on him.
Hi Marvin, this is the article i readI
The 30-year-old’s contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, but Bruce asked the new owners to talk to the defender so that they could try to come to some sort of agreement about ending his contract a year early.
The talks were successful and Richards is now looking for a new club. However, due to his injury history, his poor attitude,and his high wage demands, there probably won’t be a long line of clubs looking for his services.
I hope Hogan doesn’t go out on loan. I can’t help but think that he would do really well with a good run of games and staying injury free. Glad Richards has finally gone. That’s one out and hopefully one to follow soon, as long as the gates are working.
I’m with you on Hogan – with McGinn and Grealish in midfield you would expect them to be able to feed Hogan’s intelligent runs off the ball.