“It’s a funny old game” is something that will never leave me, when it comes to footy.
First, I want to give Liverpool’s kids massive credit, as they came straight out off the blocks and had us on the ropes early doors. On a better day, they could easily have been a couple of goals up and that’s not good, as it smells of complacency.
It was 7 chances for the kids and 1 for us, at one stage.
But somehow, with us having 3 chances, we got 4 goals as Hourihane’s freekick, that didn’t seem to be touched, hit the back of the net. Kodjia claimed it as one of 3 and I don’t begrudge him his hat-trick.
And then it all seemed like a training game on our part, as we appeared to have bags of time with every single ball.
It wasn’t tactics that won this, although I do think Dean Smith played the game perfectly today.
I add that, as I have doubted him lately.
Even Wesley got one today, which shows how well things went, but I was truly glad for him.
Regardless, I’d start Kodjia in the league now, purely because he is way more likely to be in a goalscoring position.
I strongly think he’s gone in the window, but it doesn’t matter. He needs to put himself in the shop window and we need goals, simple.
And he’s a much better bet than Wesley, to get them.
And then the game panned out with Liverpool’s kids chasing our much more experienced players, who looked so relaxed, it was surreal.
If only we could look like that in the Prem, as opposed to a load of panicking idiots, particularly in defence.
Is it confidence, conviction or just self belief that makes a good side?
I still don’t have a clue and you would think I might, with all my years of watching the game.
A convincing win then, that doesn’t leave me at all convinced in any way.
Nyland was probably our MOTM; how weird is that?
Yep, it’s a funny old game.
But onwards we go, to a very tough semi final, whoever we face.
UTV!
Comments
33 responses to “Villa 5 – 0 Liverpool; Interesting and even lucky?”
Footy bamboozles me again.
That’s why I love it.
Leicester City and I note that Denis Wise has already dismissed us!
Badger
We avoided the potential banana skin and we have hit them in the last few years!
Next three games are critical to our season outcome. 9 points and we should be ok. 7 points in the balance and less than 6 and I am fearful.
On another note I was disappointed to read some questioning a change of manager. 17th has always been the minimum target. Anything else is a bonus. I really detest the football culture of lose a few and sack the manager. Is Dean Smith the right man, yes, then stick with him. Look at Burnley for continuity and growing a club. Then again we are fickle.
Agreed, Sid, the next few games will define the season, for me.
Tonight’s game showed us nothing wrt the Prem.
As for the change of manager, don’t worry about it, imo.
I reckon even if we were to go down (which I don’t think will happen) Smith will stay.
As long as it seems his backroom staff are good enough.
If there’s doubt about them (and I’m not convinced, especially medically) it might be a different story.
I’m not sure our slow start was complacency – possibly the opposite. Overly concerned about the lose, lose outcome we started far too cautiously – sitting back rather than pressing. Once we got that early goal it settled us down.
‘Footy’s a funny game’ – how true. In the second half there was a complete reversal of the chances count yet we could only pocket one of them – a good finish by Wesley and I’m also pleased for him.
The Liverpool kids played well and they deserve all the congratulations they receive.
Nyland was my MoM as well and will be a safe pair of hands as our number 2 whilst Steer is injured.
I think Kodjia might be available in January but ONLY if we get an effective replacement first. However, that would still leave us very light in the striker department so don’t be surprised if he’s with us until the summer even though he may well be speaking to other clubs come January.
Agree it’s a funny old game. When you look at the final score, it suggests we trounced them and we kinda did, despite their good play and early pressure. All I read on BBC text updates was obsession with Liverpool’s performance but as has been often proven, cup games can be slippery and we put out our B team too, yet very little credit. I certainly think it should have given DS food for thought about Chester/Kodja and also Luiz.
Also, great to see Nyland looking settled. We need to keep hold of him and keep him happy.
The semi draw is on Sky Sports tonight and we’ll most likely be in the hat with Leicester, Man U and Citeh.
That’s tough all round, but I’d prefer Man U out of those three.
Why did my post appear at the top as a response?
Either you accidently replied directly to me or the site has a fault.
I know where my money is 🙂
Leicester it is then.
Well, if you can’t win the prior games, you can’t expect to win the cup.
Given the way they beat us easily, that might actually be the worst team to face.
Daily Fail are reporting that we’re in FFP trouble again.
I very much doubt it, myself;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7807011/Aston-Villa-threat-FFP-rules-Dean-Smith-possibly-forced-fire-sale.html
Click Bait?
If Villa ‘avoided’ breaching EFL FFP rules, it seems highly improbable that they’ll breach the higher FFP losses allowed by EPL.
They mention the sale of the ground and then ignore it’s impact on last years results. I still fail to see that a club electing to sell one of its assets is ‘controversial’. In fact the EFL have all but acknowledged it’s within the FFP ‘rules’. The only question appears to be around whether the price was (a) overvalued and (b) a special arrangement i.e. sold to a ‘related party’ – read owner. The two are not mutually exclusive.
In regard to the land at Bodymoor Heath, I was under the impression this was related to HS2 compensation – in any event what’s the relevance?
Still let’s write an article in which Grealish can be offered for sale – yet again!
‘We’re not under any pressure to sell (in the January window) contrary to popular belief’ – Dean Smith in today’s press conference.
Massive, massive game Saturday.
UTV
https://video.avfc.co.uk/video/dm9kJTdDMF9sdGg2emU2MiU3QyUyRnNlY3Rpb24lM0ZzbHVnJTNEaG9tZSU3Q2hvbWUlMkZoZXJvX2Nhcm91c2Vs
Wesley plays and Kodja on the bench. Just a few games for Wesley to start proving he can play at this level. Upcoming transfer window means a new striker is priority. Hourihane and Luiz start over Nakamba and Lansbury who were both poor against Sheffield United.
no game post Badger ?? its not Christmas yet lol we will let you off if we win this one
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we should beat these today. but the pressure could make it difficult. i don’t think it will. under smith we rarely suffer from nerves and freeze in the headlights. smith breathes confidence into the players to play . we just have to be a little cautious of them breaking. lets get three points off a rival. 4 1 villa
merry Christmas everyone except them bluenoses
This is really bad
If only we had a striker like Ings
Turned it off. Absolutely pathetic! Relegation here we come.
‘Fraid so.
Loath as I am to say it but I can see Smith coming under massive pressure which the owners may find difficult to resist.
shocking defending,basic errors littered all off our defending . guilbert had the worst half i seen. ball watching and caught out on numerous times. el ghazi started poor giving fouls away at will in dangerous positions and beaten for the header at the corner they scored. the list goes on. engles and hause have been poor.
maybe mcginn injury disrupted us. but we were awful. saints just did the basics correct and we self imploded. we are caught pressing and then standing off. its crazy. guilbert doesn’t know whether to go to the man or retreat and does neither.
fans have been constantly against wesley. he missed one today but other than that he has been one of the better players. fans need to watch the defending if they like to critic. plenty there to get their teeth into.
like to change my prediction. if we defend like that second half we will concede 7 or 8 if we can cut out the mistakes and build some momentum we can win this 4 2
I love your optimsm Nath or is it just desperate hope?l
Game over. Another shite halftime talk. They have Ings and we have Wesley!
Looks like your 7 or 8 might be nearer the truth Nat.
Is Smith out of his depth?
I think we have to judge Smith as if he isn’t a Villa fan. Does he get a January transfer window to turn things round?
Were not good enough, We’re going down . Simple.
And Smith won’t last the season
Agree simples.
Lose against Norwich and Smith will be gone.
I’m starting to question Smith’s decision making.
Inexperienced CH pairing and Wesley starting instead of Kodjia.
Why bring on Marvelous ahead of Lansbury?
Why keep El Ghazi on the pitch?
Etc., etc., etc.
And I’m not even watching the game 🙂
If the rumours of FFP and very little for spending in January then we are really going to be up against it.
Smith denied them in the press conference.
That doesn’t mean we have money to spend in January
Consolation goal plus added value for Grealish when season ends.
second half slightly better, but how could it not after the lows of the first half. mistakes did continue, but not as many as in the first half, good goal from grealish the rest was unfortunately average. saints were good first half, or i feel it was more down to our standards or lack of. we need improve standards fast as norwich will be rubbing their hands,
that result knocked me for six i didn’t see that coming, i wouldn’t swing any axe for smith. but we need answers to questions. why were majority of our players so poor first half. we were three down before we started to ask the saints any questions. i seen them many times and they are quite poor team. they counter well but if they have any weakness its is their defense but we never asked them any questions until the game was over
Nath, I did see this coming. That’s not a gloat, more admiration of your faith in Smith. I hope Smith proves me wrong but it’s not looking good.