Well, that was just awesome. Simply put, we have just annihilated the top current form team in the premier league.
I was worried after the first half, because although we had been the better side, we weren’t taking our chances and Ollie alone had hit the woodwork twice. It just looked like one of those games where you do everything right except win it.
But the reality is that I thought Newcastle offered very little, which seems strange given the run they’ve been on. It’s a funny old game though and where it was a possibility that we could have suffered from a downer due to the loss against PSG, so we looked the best we have in a good while in the Prem.
And call me fickle, but I’m now extremely encouraged for the rest of the season. I thought before this game that we have an extremely good chance of beating Man City on their own turf, but I’m now even more convinced that we will win.
And it’s all about what Unai Emery has instilled in our team. I saw an interview earlier from some Senegalese player (his name escapes me) who played for Unai at Sevilla and he was raving about him, citing how he had turned him into a proper player and even educated him how to train better.
Unai played this superbly today. His tactics were spot on and the subs were too. When was the last time our bench looked this strong? To be honest, I don’t think it ever has.
Man of the match? Tielemans for me, but I’ve had conversations and some think Maatsen, while others think Watkins. I don’t think I could argue with any of them.
So what went right or wrong then? To be honest, I don’t really know. The goal in the first minute didn’t really put Newcastle on the back foot. Were they tired? I’m not sure I’d say that either. Ollie having been left out recently seemed to have massively fired him up and he was on it from the off.
Our midfield dominated them, even though they were dishing out their usual dirty tactics that include stamping on player’s heels, which is the lowest of the low, in my opinion. The barcodes showed some weakness to us running at them and just seemed to have no answer to anything we offered.
So a very convincing win, when I was fearing Newcastle might beat us after our disappointing exit from the CL.
My confidence has massively risen after this game, because Man City now look like the only team that might beat us in our remaining games.
I was going to say that we’re coming into form at just the right time, but we’ve been in form for a while, so that’s not true.
Here’s a controversial one maybe; I wouldn’t have bought Rashford on. I know he scored midweek, but I’m not sure I’d want us to keep him.
And even if you think I’m a total idiot for even thinking that, it tells you very much about where we currently are.
And it’s in a good place.
UTV!
Awesome performance, as much as the lads still scare me to near death.
Great write up Badger.
Rashford, to think we are going to, or even can afford to, pay £40m and £325k per week on top?
That’s for the birds.
Today absolutely brilliant, we are a far better side than the Barcodes but they usually bully us off the park!
Not today though matey 😁
Onwards and upwards, roll on Tuesday.
Badger, having a fully fit squad of the quality in depth we now have is starting to show.
Unai, in his Sky interview, said ‘I can only have a squad of 20 so had to leave three out’ – Bailey, Torres and Bogarde – ‘I don’t like doing it but I have to make these decisions’
When did we last have a (fully fit) squad of such high quality where we leave out three players that would walk into almost any squad in the EPL.
Things can go wrong but we have the quality to achieve silverware and or CL football next season
It’s interesting Hitch, We now have to move good players out to bring better ones in.
This is exactly what the top clubs do and shows we’ve moved up a level.
While we’ve spent a lot of money, it’s incomparable to Chelsea, for example.
The HK feed had Andy Townsend as co-commentator so the usual Media bias against Villa was absent. Andy thought that was the best Villa have played all season – and I wouldn’t argue.
I know what you mean about scared to death, we try the twinkle-toes stuff and a soft pass when playing out from the back under pressure and contrive to give the ball away close to our goal. We look good when it comes off though – and will be the class act on MOTD tonight.
We must have been watching a different game OLL.
On around 60 minutes, Clownsend was waxing lyrical how it maybe it wasn’t going to be Villa’s day. How good Newcastle are and one piece of magic by Isak blah blah blah.
4-1 up and we were the best thing since sliced bread (No shit Sherlock).
I don’t think Rashford or Asensio will be at VP next season. My opinion is that we needed strength in depth and those two players were frozen out at their own clubs. For both it was a case of the need to impress so they could get a summer move. I don’t think we would be prepared to pay their wages full time at this moment in time. We are good for each other till the end of the season. I think Emery and Monchi have probably identified next season’s incomings already.
Holte – I agree on Rashford – he’ll be looking for a ‘top’ European Club or, if money’s his thing a move to Saudi.
Emery is a big time fan of Asensio so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see his loan move made permanent.
After that – I’ve no idea – other than I think Bailey will be moved on.
I’d keep Asensio if we can do it for the right wage. He offers plenty at times, although I get what you’re saying. He disappears in games.
I’d happily replace him for a more consistent no. 10 though.
Consistency is key and Asensio doesn’t have that in the slightest, imo.
I think that Rashford will go if Villa fail to qualify for Champions League again – simply put we cannot afford him at the asking price and wages. However, if we do qualify for CL then Rashford has a hard choice if we agree a transfer fee with United. Does he take a basic wage cut, perhaps countered by performance bonuses to stay at Villa where the plus points are: he has already fitted in. He will be with a decent CL team. He will be in full view of Tuchel, so should retain his England shirt. Or does he make a big money move where he has to start again with the relationships and – apart from Barcelona – probably no CL. If Villa cannot afford him nor could Barcelona so it looks like Saudi.
Do Villa want him? Last Tuesday is the answer – the most dangerous player we had against a CL elite team. Monchi and Emery surely cannot find a younger replacement with the same skills and attitude that any club is selling.
Gossip is that ManU interested in a Rashford / Watkins swop.
I could well believe that being touted by United but would Emery want to lose Watkins?
Agree 💯 Hitch, that is unless at 29, Ollie wants that last opportunity of a big pay day?
Rashford + 40 million for Rashford and you have a deal (maybe).
Am I missing something? Look up ‘flatter to deceive’ and you’ll probably find a picture of our Marcus looking a bit grumpy. Would be a bigger mistake than Coutinho. Not for me, thanks.
And he doesn’t have enough for a ‘top’ European club. Doesn’t being in the last 8 of the CL and beating the favourites make us one of those, by the way?
Every time he’s attacking on the left, he does that half-baked step-over, stumbles, and gets dispossessed. Not good enough.
* Rashford + 40 million for Watkins
But it still comes down to wages. The £40m outlay for Rashford isn’t the issue. His weekly take home is.
Bloody Chelsea earlier…🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Wages or transfer fee. Either way, not worth the money.
Funny how Shearer isn’t on Match of the Day tonight. I wonder why ????
He was working on another channel and praised us very highly!
Thought Mings was brilliant V Burn. He nearly jumped over him at times. Could have picked 4 or 5 man of matches there and there wouldn’t be too many arguments . Absolutely loving this season and I personally love our brand of football. It’s brave, skill full and goal filled.
According to BBC gossip Ollie’s on his way to Utd in swap deal for Marcus Rashford.
Can’t see it myself.
With you tom playing our best football for years as for Washford ans asensio look at the difference they along with the other signings have made I’d keep all but baily tho Washford wages will be a problem
Still buzzing after yesterday woo hooo
Ollie for Rashford?
Not a prayer that’ll happen, imo
And if it does, that’s a terrible choice.
Then again, the £30-40 million they’d have to add on would come in handy.
It’s bollox anyway. Why would anyone want to go to that absolute circus of a club?
If he does leave, it’ll be for Arse and I suspect that ship has sailed. Plus their board is notoriously tight too and won’t pay what we’d want. Remember the derisory offer that they’re supposed to have made?
A last payday would surely involve Saudi and he has plenty of time before retiring there.
Exactly, Badger. Just saw this after I posted the same. No deal, United. And f you while we’re at it.
I think Saudi is the best he can hope for. He’s not shown anywhere near enough for a ‘top’ club to come on. And that includes Villa.
Just watched Chelsea collect 3 points at Craven Cottage but Fulham brought that on themselves.
1-0 with 10 minutes to and every time they are in possession they simply launch it down the pitch, giving the ball back to Chelsea and as consequence invite Chelsea on to them.
Absolute suicide.
Never again will I whine about Unai’s possession football.
Good point. Panic defending.
Terrible mate, you could see it coming, all self inflicted.
Wankers.
😆
I think that Emery’s foresight in assembling a solid squad will pay off in the chase for a CL place. It’s my bet that all of the others will drop points as fatigue and the pressure mounts.
It will be an interesting end to the season that’s for sure.
Sorry all i don’t know where Washford came from
IF we beat City on Tuesday, we will be 3rd. The highest position since late 2023 if I’m not mistaken.
It’s a big if. And another ‘final’…
Every single game is a final now. Incredible end to the season…
Ollie Watkins. Underappreciated and underrated. Needs to be said. Despite a ‘bad’ season (after practically no break in the summer), his numbers are still excellent.
I wonder…had he started against PSG, would we be now looking forward to a CL semi final against beatable opposition? We’ll never know. 🤔
Maybe Unai knows exactly what he’s doing?
Re-ignite the Watkins we all love; light the touch paper and watch him go.
On balance I want Watkins to stay and Rashford is too expensive unless he’s prepared to take a massive pay cut and even then I want to keep Watkins.
Asensio, in my humble opinion, is different class and I’d love him to sign a permanent deal.
You’re probably on to something Hitch, a bit of man management going on with Ollie?
Remember the story of Sir Ron with Tony Morley playing against Everton?
Not playing you son, to engrained with the club blah blah blah.
Plays him, scores goal of the season 😁
Mr Rashford for all his qualities, I believe the price tag is a little too rich for our blood.
Ascensio? It’s well known Unai loves him as a player so every chance he’ll be staying.
My biggest concern with ‘big’ name signings on big wages, is will they affect the harmony amongst the squad. It’s a natural feeling to want to be on the same money if contributing to the team at the same level. From the outside looking in, the players look like they have a togetherness that we must solidify if we want to compete at the highest level. We have seen how toxic it has become at Old Trafford with crazy money spent on average players and managers. Keeping Emery as the main man who has full authority is paramount.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, because of Chelsea winning, which was gutting after being behind for most of the game, means more significance on getting a result away to Citeh. Hopefully Spurs will do us a favour tomorrow night.