I wasn’t going to bother posting on this one, but how can I not write on what is a pretty historic result?
This is the first time Liverpool have conceded seven goals since around 1963, after all.
Not that I’m bothered by that.
But given that the consensus amongst a lot of Villa fans is that we’re aiming for maybe midtable, this was an outstanding result that nobody expected.
So what happened? Were Liverpool poor or were we really good?
Well, I think it was both.
I asked in the preview that we get at them and we did from the off. The whole midfield were like terriers and didn’t give Liverpool any time at all, which totally unsettled them.
This, in turn gave Watkins room to play and get a well deserved hat-trick. His workrate and movement is exactly what we missed last season and while I hadn’t seen a lot of him previously, I can now fully understand why Smith was willing to spend so much money on him.
And then add in Barkley too, whose driving runs gave him many opportunities. His aggressiveness and power also make him look a bargain too.
I think a mention for Dean Smith is warranted here, because I think he got the tactics absolutely perfect today.
Liverpool play a very high line in defence and it’s proved very successful previously as they caught a lot of other teams out for offside last season.
I’m assuming it was a deliberate tactic, but we managed to get in behind the defence a few times.
How Liverpool didn’t start to defend a little deeper, I don’t know, but I’m not complaining.
Very little went right for Liverpool, as three major deflections in our favour attested, but we weren’t lucky as such.
From memory I think it’s fair to say we could quite easily have scored a nice round dozen on a better day.
Heh, a better day.
That sounds crazy when you’ve just destroyed the champions, but it’s absolutely true.
Barkley missed a sitter and had two other very good chances along with the one he scored.
Watkins hit the bar.
That’s eleven and I’m sure there were more chances that I can’t remember.
The interesting thing was that Liverpools confidence was evidently shot to pieces, while this must have done the world of good for our lads.
We’re now second in the league on nine points while having a game in hand over the rest of the top ten.
It’s perhaps a bit fortuitous that our first two games were against teams that look like they might seriously struggle this time round, but there was no questioning todays result.
Was there any downside?
Well there’s very little off the top of my head and even less worth mentioning.
Heck, I even admitted that Matt Targett was having a good game and you won’t hear that from me very often unless he maintains that sort of standard.
I’m not at work tomorrow, but if I was, I’d be going in with a massive smile on my face.
I’m sure a few of you definitely will.
And it’ll be totally justified.
Happy days and UTV!!!
I don’t get it, your saying Rashica a done deal ,a player that didn’t want to come to Villa !! Someone explain to me how helpful is a player whose heart not at Villa, and why we persisted in going for him, I would imagine its all about money with him , he up till now would have lost respect from some fans saying things like that. If it’s true and he has signed I’d like to know what changed his mind. Please don’t parade him in front of cameras saying how pleased he came to Villa, I’ll probably throw boot at him.
Can’t see any news that he’s signed, in fact all stories I ‘ve seen are that we walked away from this a week or two ago.
He was supposed to move to RB Leipzig today, but that’s also fallen through.
Deflections are predominantly caused by bad deffending rather than ‘luck’. Van Dyk and Trent Arnold both turned their back on goal bound efforts instead of pressing the man in possesion. And nobody could be bothered to press or block Barkley’s goal.
No matter how the bin dippers try to spin it…..its both good attacking and poor defending….no luck whatsover involved IMO
UTV
As we’re ALL constantly being reminded by every TV pundit & all the national papers –
“Villa only survived in the PL by 1 point, less than three months ago”
It follows therefore that if we were somehow lucky-enough to completely destroy the PL Champions 7-2 we HAD to have done it because:
a) They had an injury or two
b) They were tired after a very short pre-season
c) It was an off-day for them
d) We didn’t mow the pitch properly for them
e) We were lucky with deflections & the like
f) ALL of the above.
OBVIOUSLY it had NOTHING to do with a superb team performance and some outstanding individual performances by players in claret & blue, or any game-plan by the coaching staff!
Actually, Liverpool were lucky we didn’t score 10 on the night and it was an outstanding display of fast counter attacking football at its best. So reminiscent of the Brentford side managed by Smith and why the majority of Villa fans wanted him at the club.
However, it’s also fair to say their defending was atrocious and they had their first choice back four on show.
Klopp, unlike Mourinho, was a real gentleman in defeat – fair play to him.
Amazing when they win its their attacking but when we win its their defending……..bring back Shanks to give their heads a wobble….
Nyland has been paid off.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-aston-villa-transfers-nyland-19055673
A bit surprised that he went before Kalinic
Me too really.
I think his contract was up in this summer coming anyway.
I suppose it’s a case of as and when and this one didn’t cost much?
Makes you wonder how many are going to have to be paid off, doesn’t it?
God, we have an awful history of overpaying for rubbish players we lose an absolute fortune on 🙁
I don’t think we’re actually any worse in that respect than most sides.
Wait a few days until the full transfer lists are shown (on the BBC website, for example) and see the names of players who were famous for 5 minutes a few years ago for ‘big’ transfers to ‘big clubs’ but who’ve just quietly been ‘released’, ‘loaned out’ or given a ‘free transfer’ to some lower league or foreign clubs…
It’s only a few who make the news (e.g. Jack Wilshere today) but it happens at the end of every transfer window – the ending of what were once supposed to be sure-fire star careers.
Well, yes, fair enough.
But you’re supposed to make a few bob on them sometimes and we’re not good at that, imo.
Yes, we’ve had some, but not many.
You might be interested in the right hand side of this page;
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/alletransfers/verein/405
I found it fascinating, fwiw. Some of the names bring proper memories back 🙂
Interesting list.
Some names on the ‘gone’ side who were home-grown as well, and who were touted as ‘great prospects’ when they were 19,20 or 21 and have now ended up without a club (in some cases) in their mid-late 20’s when they should have been at the peak of their careers…
Stephen Ireland! What a wasted talent.
A proper trip down memory lane!
Sickening to see lads that might have been but failed in other peoples minds . Our policy changed about the youth of today in playing potential younge men.Grealish was lucky and had that extra talent ,thank the Lord for that. I still think their was better players than Ramsey that have been thrown to the wolves but who knows he might come good.
Always thought we had too many keepers on the books…..
having a brilliant week sofar at work lmao, so funny taking the pi ss of the scousers and utd lads. they have been even at each other throats, who done worse lol.
i seen loads said about the black art of defending being lost on todays game. i have too agree. pool have not let in 7 every week, but now that villa have shown the other teams, how it can be achieved loads more will try to recreate.
pool cant defend for shit. last season we exposed them with trez popping up at the back stick unopposed. they dont defend as such as they caught you offside. the deflected mcginn goal and the watkins header, they are more concerned with pushing out than marking their men.
its also not just pool other teams cant defend. villa have now got some decent players around grealish. we will be a real threat on the break,we also can push higher than we were last season, cause he have better players you can hold the ball and pass it well. but we must not forget to defend properly. push up to keep compact, but when you lose possession we need to keep our shape and pick up our men.
i keep saying this but its true iam really looking forwards to this season.
oh and i forgot almost, i wonder if southgate will now kiss grealish arse now. he has to see now what everybody else has been seeing. jack destroyed pool every time he had the ball. he made our england defenders look like cardboard cutouts, that arnold and gomez. he took the pi ss out off pool best defender van dijk.
i been saying to utd mates, look what you could have won lol they were convinced jack was off to utd this summer. don’t know if you remember bullies catchphrase
i saw a interview with one of the laudrup brothers reflecting on england last game. he said we have to be greatful england kept their best creative player benched most of the game. goes to show you how good grealish when a legend talks about you like that. yet southagte treats him like shit.
trouble is now he will have too pick grealish and grealish will end up saving southgates job.
Yes, defenders definitely can’t defend these days Nath.
I’m looking forward to the season too, mostly because I see us doing better than a relegation battle. I’d like to think we’ll do a lot better, but we’ll see.
Oops, looks like I need to put another 50p in the meter and pay the “like” button bill.
I’ll sort it shortly 🙂
I’m just watching England and my god, it’s rubbish.
Do people really actually pay to watch this crap?
England are going minutes without even touching the ball.
The forward movement is none existent and Grealish is totally wasted here.
Horseface says it’s an experimental line-up.
He needs to get the experimental drugs out and see if he can keep the spectators awake.
To think we’re stopping the proper footy so this can happen 🙁
And as soon as he actually gets on the ball, Grealish assists.
Same complaint from me as usual: who the f..k is coaching defenders these days to keep passing back to the keeper and telling keepers to play as outfielders?
Why can’t they find a midfielder to pass-forwards to?
Don’t understand this modern habit, and it’s certainly not fun to watch.
Mings assist for the 3rd.
Wales’ defence is abysmal, which goes back to what’s been said.
Eager to hear the comments now, thought the Villa lads did well but to tell the truth the game lack something? .
It was like watching Grealish at Villa last season: he was having to come back deep to find the ball because England’s defence were too busy passing it between themselves and the keeper..
Eventually he managed to show what he could do when he had the ball.
Grealish MoM – now what does Southgate do when all the naughty boys are back?
First 15 minutes he stood on the left wing and watched the game pass him by as everything went down the right side to no effect. So he forced himself into the game and immediately made a difference. Say what you want about Calvert-Lewin but Redknap’s granny could have scored from Jack’s peach of a cross having completely outwitted the Welsh defenders.
After that Jack ran the show.
Stopped watching when he was substituted 🙂
Don’t forget our Jack can be a naughty boy too! 😁
That little cameo on the right – cross – goal…reminded me of a certain Mr Little in 75….took him years to get in the team as well. Lets hope Jack stay clear of injuries.
I also hate the modern pass it around getting nowhere but as long as you keep possession “style” of footie……and most times they end up getting pressed up and the goalie has to hoof it up and they loose possession in the end.
Had to watch it for years at the Villa and it was just torture. I cant afford to visit VP now for years but we had a family present thing at Xmas for a few years and a party of us went to the Sunderland match ….89 mins of passing all over the place getting nowhere and then we suddenly passed forwards and hit the woodwork…….one hell of a price to pay for one attack.
Before the 7-2 on Sunday I watched the 6-1 and Spurs could and should have got a 10 or 12 like us….but the difference was they started playing silly buggers passing along the defenders and goalie from about 70 mins…I was shouting for them to get it forward. Dont know if Jose told them to back off or they were just Dumbos…..
I’m starting to think this mentality must be being drilled into them from about the age of 11 now- not sure whether it’s actually down to the club senior coaches any more.
It’s become the ‘natural’/’default’ setting for most of the current generation of players.
Whoever is responsible should be ashamed of themselves!
The papers all full of praise for Grealish today. It’s a shame Gareth Southgate can be a bit of a fool at times, but should our shining star get a starring role in the England team, we’ll all be capping ourselves every time there’s an international on in case he gets injured. As much as the Villa is in my blood despite the Lerner inspired transfusions, to see England win the World Cup would make me explode. Imagine Jack scoring the winner!!!!
You can’t bloody win can you!!!!
The Leeds game will now be on the Friday night.
The Premier league have come up with a new scheme for October where the fans will be able to watch any games that aren’t being scheduled to be shown on the Sky and BT box office platforms.
Only £15 a throw and this will be on top of any subscriptions!
Isn’t that good of them?
So if you want to watch the Villa’s 3 games this month, it’ll cost you £45.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12099870/premier-league-announces-pay-per-view-fixtures-in-october
What an absolute disgrace and the greed knows no bounds.
I won’t be participating.
The £10 on NowTv is bad enough, although hands up, I have coughed up for that more than a few times.
I would support it if the money is being returned to the clubs over and above the financial deal in place. I suspect, however, that it will remain in the pockets of the broadcasters.
Lots of fans will find it hard to resist and, I suppose, £15 represents a cheap ticket.
Apologies – I withdraw my last comments having read more. If clubs can afford to spend £1bn on transfers then why a £15 (sur)charge when many fans have already purchased season tickets?
I support the idea of making games available but not at £15 a game and there should be a refund for season ticket holders. Villa fans particularly hard hit with no games scheduled for ‘free’ viewing over the next month or so.
Notwithstanding, I do think many fans will pay because it’s the only way they can watch their team.
“If clubs can afford to spend £1bn on transfers”
Exactly right.
As far as I can see only Villa & Fulham have no matches scheduled for viewing (without the £15 charge) over the next month. Of course the usual subjects get more than one match!
I hope Villa have the decency to refund season ticket holders – but I’m not holding my breath!
I read that the Government are not best pleased with the EPL over this decision – with clubs having taken season ticket monies, furloughed staff, taken advantage of business loans as well as making staff redundant (not to mention having £1bn to spare) – and may put pressure on them to reduce the charge.
Don’t think many would complain if it were a nominal £5.
sky screw the punters over again and in a time where real fans can not get to matches and forced to pay to watch their clubs. government implement no social gathers and sky impose a massive extra fee to watch footy. whats going to happen? i wonder. fans are gonna chuck in and buy games, lots of beer and social gathering in smaller venues(homes) up and down the country and covid will be the only winner from the situation. i cant see anybody paying this extortionate price i would rather go back to watching ceefax and the vidiprinter
p/s lots of love for grealish 🙂 its almost as worse as none. i think real villa fans have appreciated jack ever since he burst on the scenes, media and other club fans where not impressed but they have slowly start to see what we villa fans saw at the beginning. manure fans are totally in love with him and angry there club did not capture him. england fans are now seeing his worth now. i saw one utd fan write we could have bought him for 60 70 million next season that will be double for sure.
Nath – you make a good point that a charge of £15 will encourage fans to collect together in homes to watch matches – will they observe the ‘rule of six’. The Government keep telling us that the main location for the spread of virus is in people’s homes.
Yet another reason why this is a poor decision by the EPL.
another good point some lower league clubs have removed seats from their stadiums to spread out the fans, making it safer for their fans to return and support the club. far more safer than indoor events such as pub showing the games, or fans chucking in for these games and watching um in their homes together. i noticed these games are also second rate games except ours off course. most of the sky wanking teams are on sky but the rest are on this box office events. probably cause the fans of not the top 6 sky darlings are better more loyal fans, sky think they can exploit them and they are wrong.
what a joke england played wales in a 100k stadium and no supporters, they could have spread them out and stayed much safer than travelling on a train near a unmasked mp. government need to address this issue cause lots of lower clubs will be burst before this current season ends. if they think they can socially distance on public transport, then iam sure they can socially distance in a outside stadium and save jobs/clubs doing so
Nath, I have this theory that Governments are now scared of making any decision that seems to challenge the scientists (or risk the wrath of the omniscient press). I describe it as Governments all being on hamster wheels with not one knowing how to get off!
Without wishing to dismiss Covid, it seems to me that once you give scientists power they become very controlling – and lets be honest science is all about theory, modelling and what ifs!
To the normal, rational thinking individual, a lot of what is happening in terms of social restrictions, doesn’t seem to follow any logical pattern – and that’s not just in the UK.
If pubs and restaurants are not Covid secure, why are work places any more so? As you say, if a stadium can hold 100,000 people why can’t there be – say 5,000 (or more) accommodated – without anymore risk than eating out or meeting in groups of 6 at home?
There are calls for everyone to wear masks all the time wherever they are – but team sports can carry on. So I walk down a road with no one else around – even if there are I practise social distancing – why do I need to wear a mask?
All seems completely illogical to me although perhaps we’re seeing a move towards being dictated to by those who desire power – scary.k
I see Grealish is being compared to Gascoigne. All i know is as a villa fan he is one of the few players after going for 45 years that i absolutely love to watch week in week out. As was Gascoigne. I think all of england should be able to see what i do for our national team.
The main difference between the 2 is that gascoigne had england managers that backed him and let him express himself which i’m sad to say grealish doesn’t.
If southgate picks mount ahead of grealish tonight it will be such a shame for us all.
we have covered grealish with england loads on this site. imo he is the only england midfielder / attacker that can open up defences with ease. his game is based on taking on his marker and the way he draws more defenders around him, can only help the other players who will have more space cause of him. simply grealish is a diamond, southgate doesn’t like him, cause he wants his team to pass and move and he hates players holding onto the ball for more than 1 or 2 touches. he wants the ball to move and that creates his spaces, if the players only have one or two touches plus a good old switch when the defenders filtered to the right they switch to the left lmao
secretly i wished grealish would not be overly played for england, cause i am villa supporter and i want him to be fit all season and playing for england / international is a risk iam not prepared to risk. but thats selfish and i do want him to fulfil his dreams and england will be up there in his dreams. also international footy they will target grealish like they do when he plays for villa, but international he will not be protected as much. south americans will kick him all over the field knowing it will just be a yellow
gazza and grealish are a good likeness, just hope grealish doesn’t do a gazza off field. but if he can replicate on field what a career he will have
The box office screening of premier league games is another kick in the balls for fans of clubs who don’t support the Sky 6.
I have just checked the schedule for the next 3 games and this is what we have in store:-
Liverpool one game on box office.
Man City no games on box office.
Man Utd one game on box office.
Chelsea two games on box office.
Spurs one game on box office.
Arsenal one game on box office.
All the other games for Sky 6 are being shown on Sky sports or BT!
So if like me you have these in your package, apart from Chelsea their fans will be paying an additional £15 or in City’s fans case nothing more. Villa fans on the other hand will have to fork out £45 for the next 3 games which is totally unfair.
The £15 charge is going to force fans to congregate, most likely round a mates house to save money. This like already mentioned by Nath is going to increase risk of Covid infection.
Sky and BT continually piss off all fans outside their beloved 6 clubs.
Do we all resist the temptation to watch our games in protest or will we cave in because of the emotional pull of watching our team?
i only hope that fans stay strong and do not purchase these games on box office. its a rip off and if ppl pay, then the money grabbers who pull the strings will only dream up more ripoff schemes. also if you are a sky customer or bt then they have just taken games from you. pay more and you can watch more.
ppv tv takes off in football then subscribers will see their standard games reduced and more ppv will happen. so you will end up paying for individual matches but you still will need a subscription but less games and if ppl buy these ppv games that will take the better games all top wanking side will end up there. bit like boxing first only the best fights were ppv now even tea ladies disputes end up on ppv box office
#
ripoff britian
Liverpool and Manchester United are leading radical proposals for the reform of English football.
The plans would see the Premier League hand over the £250m bailout required by the Football League to stave off a financial disaster among its 72 clubs.
Under the proposals, the Premier League would be cut to 18 teams, the EFL Cup in its present form would be abolished and the Community Shield scrapped.
In addition, the top-flight’s 14-club majority voting system would change.
It is thought English Football League (EFL) chairman Rick Parry is in favour of the plans, first reported by the Daily Telegraph.
It is understood Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group, came forward with the initial plan, which has been worked on by United co-chairman Joel Glazer. It is anticipated it will receive the backing of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur – the other members of England’s ‘big six’.
The idea is to address long-standing EFL concerns about the huge gap in funding between its divisions and the Premier League by handing over 25% of the annual income, though the current parachute payment system would be scrapped.
There would be a £250m up-front payment to address the existing crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the Football Association would receive what is being described as a £100m “gift”.
Paul Pogba (right) is congratulated after scoring
Manchester United are among the clubs driving the change
No date has been set for the proposed new-style league to be in operation but sources have suggested 2022-23 is not out of the question.
In order to get down from 20 to 18, it is anticipated four clubs would be relegated directly, with two promoted from the Championship. In addition, there would be play-offs involving the team to finish 16th in the Premier League and those in third, fourth and fifth in the second tier.
It is also planned that, as well as the ‘big six’, ever-present league member Everton, West Ham United and Southampton – ninth and 11th respectively in the list of clubs who have featured in the most Premier League seasons – would be granted special status.
If six of those nine clubs vote in favour of a proposal, it would be enough to get it passed.
There is no mention of Aston Villa and Newcastle United, both of whom have featured in more Premier League campaigns than Manchester City.
Oh man, it’s so easy to bribe these greedy sods and if Parry is in favour of this, he’s crazy.
The top 6 are only in it for themselves and are not doing anyone any favours.
And no clubs should be given special status.
I’m beginning to get totally sick of football.
See Grealish has been relegated to the subs bench whilst Calvert – Lewin (who only scored because Grealish presented the ball on a plate’ gets another start.
Southgate has his live child Mount back in the side.
Nath, I feel for Grealish – exactly what is he supposed to do – but like you England’s loss is Villa’s gain.
No enthusiasm for England’s game tonight – my patriotism has worn exceptionally thin when it comes to Southgate’s sides.
What is going on with the game when clubs can decide how English football is structured!
I wish the Sky 6 along with the top teams from the rest of Europe would all f**k off and form the European super league which is what they REALLY want, as it seems inevitable sooner or later anyway.
Money is destroying the game, with fans almost irrelevant as long as TV and sponsorship revenue funds their fat egos.
Maybe we should all go and support our local non league teams and leave the greedy tossers to rot in their corporate boxes.
Rant over.