Game highlights here
I listened to the game on AVTV and it sounds like we played quite well overall.
Of course the point has been made on here by certain fans, that Rotherham are a poor team, but you can only beat what you have in front of you.
We apparently did that very comfortably today and as far as I’m concerned you can’t do much more than that.
By the same token, we’ll meet better sides who will give us a much tougher test and that’s where we’ll see more of what we’re really about, but for today we should just be happy that we got the result.
Tony Morley is a bloke I respect and his view was that Gestede, McCormack, Ayew and Grealish all played well along with Elphick and Chester at the back.
Gestede particularly seems to have had a great game, having scored two goals from headers and being close with another effort. It just shows that if you give him the service, he’ll get you goals and the crossing was excellent today.
Ayew did well and had the right hump when he was subbed and possibly rightly so, as Morley said he’d been our most creative player, particularly in the second half. But then it’s a long season in the Championship, and we’ll need to rest players as much as possible.
It was also nice to see Grealish’s name on the scoresheet too, after he rounded the keeper and scored from a very wide angle.
Overall, that’s three points towards the tally we’ll need to avoid the imminent relegation that we’re facing, if you listen to some and I’m one happy bunny, who’s out for a few beers later to celebrate.
Happy days!
Comments
170 responses to “Villa 3 – Rotherham 0; A win, finally!”
Any thoughts about the BMail’s story saying that Steve Round is about to be appointed Technical Director?
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exclusive-aston-villa-set-unveil-11747181
First time I have ever seen a Technical Director’s job described as ‘improving the club’s dealings in the transfer market’. Anyway has Riley finally gone, someone else is lined up for his job?
Should be an adept at unsettling players and tapping them up if he learnt anything at Man Utd.
It’s a bit odd because just a month ago the BMail was reporting that the club were bringin in Andrew Stone [from Southampton] as “Head of Performance Analysis and Technical Recruitment”.
As for Riley, I can’t find anything definitive as to whether he’s still there or not – since Xia’s comments apparently slating his results a couple of months ago – although I’d guess that he’s quietly been paid-off and disappeared?
The Riley case is extraordinary. Normally a new owner gets shot of the previous owners first team ‘performance’ staff. Stadium staff usually survive. It is not as if Riley was some star, quite the reverse. I guessed, and it is only a guess, that the Telegraph story about fraud in the scouting set-up meant that Riley’s compensation for loss of office would be disputed, and that was taking the time.
Not another technical director. What does that even mean? They are usually overpaid jobsworths that think they are more imp than the manager and are little more than number crunchers
I saw a week or two back that Riley is still here, but other than that, I couldn’t say.
I thought he’d already collected his P45 but no, he’s still gainfully employed at VP and was on a scouting trip down at the Molinuex the other night.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-who-paddy-riley-11729607
Yep, that’s the story I saw.
Very strange, as even the article suggests that we want him out.
He must have someone by the balls, it seems.
Or Lerner gave him some water-tight contract-for-life that’s going to be very expensive to terminate [- a bit like Shabby]?
So we may have a Jedi joining the ranks soon. The force will be with us this season 🙂
Breaking news – Tuttosport £17m (Euros) and personal terms agreed for Amadou Diawara. Apparently keen to play in the championship. If this comes off, what a fantastic statement of intent by Dr Xia in building a string future for Villa.
What are other peoples views?
He is not the future for villa though. If any good he will piss off to a sky bore club as per normal
My feelings exactly – I’m guessing he’s coming with a view to some EPL club picking him up in the January window…
Shut up again, Oohah mate.
If this works (which I have serious doubts about), he’ll have a proper transfer clause in and it will make millions.
Knowing us, it’ll just be another failure though.
Who’s sanctioned this, I wonder?
What’s the point in that. Big deal we make more millions but there has to come a time when we have to keep our best players and build around them not just keep selling them on. It’s pointless. West Ham in theory could of won the league if they had kept the Ferdinands, Lampards, Cole, Tevez etc. Instead they were just a feeder club for the sky four. Maybe not so much now as things have changed for them but u see my point
Sid, I’ve seen that and have being trying to translate the original, to no avail.
I’m rubbing my eyes, trying to confirm it in my head.
That’s megabucks for a defensive mid kid.
I really don’t know what to think, apart from yes, it’s a massive signal of intent.
Keen to play in the Championship?
Yes, right.
The money is the best his agents could get, more like.
Monster risk, imo, but I’m not knocking it, as it’ll get Xia his headline, no doubt.
See that someone’s been into his Wiki page [about 1/2 hour ago] and already edited ot to say he’s a Villa player!
He sounds like a right mercenary wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole tbh
I know we are bruised from the Learner years. However, I think under Dr Xia Villa are trying to future proof Premiership survival for next season. There are a number of players who will be shifted off the books next year. Plus they don’t want 11 player who are all Championship quality. The more premier quality secured now, whose best days are yet to come the better.
I can certainly understand that logic: I’ve been saying for months that there’s a huge difference between what’s needed to get back up, and what’ll be needed if/when we do.
It’s just that this particular transfer seems like one that we don’t really need for the job in hand, whereas this kid doesn’t seem like one who’ll still be here by the time we get back to the top-flight [if he’s actually any good]!
I can’t believe we are back on the “moneyball” strategy already.
Could it be Westwood to be sold, as some sources are indicating. It would then allow either Tshibola and Diawara to be in centre of midfield allowing the likes of Grealish, Green, Ayew and Traore to attack.
Or if Jedinak is coming Tshobola and Diawara rotate – both are young and can learn from an experienced player, before taking over from him.
Now here is a crystal ball, except for Jedinak, all could have very long term future at Villa?
Sid, not moneyball as such, because it’s a different level, but it would explain how Xia works.
Jedinek is quite old and there won’t be much return from him, for example.
It’s about buying the players that are needed at this particular time.
I suspect this specific deal is about something else, in headline grabbing.
Which is great if it comes off, as it goes to adding to the aim of making us a massive club.
But I see it ending in tears, along with the way Xia posts on Twitter.
Sorry, I’m loving this kind of thing, but I think it’s doomed to failure.
If RDM has sanctioned this signing, I’ll be amazed.
Oh. if it means Westwood out, it will be worth it.
Agree Badger Jeninek is what we need now and his age means nothing. Look how good Zola was at an older age. As long as he looks after himself it’s no problem.
Wikipedia now has Diawara as a Villa player! Could be someone typing over Bologna as it is in red and has his appearances from last year against Villa
Here’s another one where Xia might prove to be a breath of fresh air;
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2016/08/14/seems-urgent-arsenal-drubbing-jolts-aston-villa-owner-over-academy-reform/299844/
We might well meet all the metrics at the academy, which makes us look the best in the game.
But the fact is it doesn’t produce in the way that others do.
Bring on the changes, imo.
First thing Lerner did was revamp academy and BMH. We won the next gen and still no youth players have come through and established themselves. Clarke and baker are woeful
Clark wasn’t bad. He would’ve done okay next to Elphick. He reminded me of Davies. Very good next to Laursen, but put him next to someone who can’t lead and yes he’ll put in a challenge but he won’t know what to do with himself.
Lerner’s academy plan seemed to be get them out as quick as possible, and almost kinda screw the future. We needed a Manchester City plan, where you gather the best to the U13’s-U15’s and let them grow together. They’ll soon gather from that.
Also other than Houllier we’ve yet to really have a manager with any gull to bring through youth, I think Garde would’ve brought through more if we were successful or he stayed.
Problem is, if we start signing youth players, our fans will start crying they’re not 27 year old’s who can replace so and so, instead they’re 16 year old’s for the future.
So Clarke’s yet another world better to go with Hutton, Westwood, Bacuna and well, all of last seasons relegation squad?
Now come on Andrew let’s think about this, maybe the reason the team was relegated was…
They weren’t good enough??
Just a thought mate.
*beater *
Is there any academy that’s consistently produced players that have gone on to established themselves in the first team?
(The class of 92 being the exception).
Yes Southampton!
True they have produced a few going back as far as Le Tissier.
Guess he wants to bring the academy into the 21st Century.
We need the people who know how to run academies, new directors down to coaches. I’d look at the models of Ajax, Porto, or even the likes of Espanyol who keep producing talent if we can’t match the first two. Look into the Spanish style of academies, or Ligue 2. None produce better than Ligue 2 academies.
Cant understand why Stubbs got banned whilst BWS has abused both myself and my family on here for over 3 years! He is the main reason for me not posting on here anymore. Whereas, Stubbs posts were mainly ‘banter’, BWS comments were bang out of order, discriminatory and abusive!
Double standards?……you bet they are!
And now he’s been gently warned, Langford.
If it happens again, be sure to mail me.
Lol.
So you find abuse amusing?……no more please.
Langford you’re hardly a shrinking violet.
Dreadful news about Dalian Atkinson, one of my favourite ever Villa players. RIP big man.
R I P Dalian ,
scored some great goal for the villa also one of my favourite players when i was a kid.
Sad,sad lose. Yes magical moment that gaol at Wembley, rest in peace Dalian.
R.I.P Dalian, absolutely gutted.
That’s such a shock. And so young. Terrible news. RIP Dalian
Deepest condolences to his family, RIP Dalian.
Awful news. RIP Dalian
Remember that goal at Wimbledon and the equaliser against Tranmere in the LCSF Great moments
+1
What a player! What a loss.
R.I.P DALIAN
Why has my last post gone into moderation?
My fault tried to put post up re DA but crashed site. Badger sorting out for me sorry
RIP Dalian
My thoughts are with your family, friends and loved ones
*** why are all my posts going into mideration? ***
According to BBC reporter Pat Murphy, a £4m fee has been agreed between the two clubs.
Pat Murphy
Jedinak to @AVFCOfficial for £4m depending on today’s medical & sorting out complex visa issues (an Aussie!). Hopefully all sorted tomorrow.
Isn’t Dr x unveiling a new signing after tonights game???? I thought jedinak was it.
Dr X ”the gift that keeps on giving”
Giddy….the problem with Jedinak is that when you change your employer you have to renew the visa…..typical red tape is holding it up. We could do with him for the Derby County game on Saturday.
I forgot that mate
*** more good news (hopefully)…..Lescott rumoured to be going to Glasgow Rangers. The new regime is working very well IMO. Just Gabby and Richards to go and I’ll be happy. The only one that I didnt want to leave out of all those who have gone is Gil.
Can’t believe any other team are stupid enough to take him. Great for us though
He is so slow that I think Scotland will suit him. Look forward to watching him trying to catch Sinclair in the ‘old firm’ game.
That will be a laugh
He’s become another third rate player in a second rate league
i think okore needs to do one too, before i start cracking open the champagne. but squad is developing nicely. away with the deadwood, in with more quality, more backbone and more integrity.
we are gonna beat huddersfield tonight, all the pundits (and ooohahaha ) will all stand up and take notice, claret and blue are back and we are going straight back up
R.I.P V.T.I.D
p/s don’t forget to click the dislikely button if you don’t approve. lmao
Dalian Atkinson R.I.P
V.T.I.D
was the end of the first message 🙁 i messed up as usual sorry