Yet another big game then (aren’t they all now?) and I really don’t know what to think.
I have to say that given that we have struggled against some very average sides, I’m not too hopeful.
Team news, which is easier to pull from the Sun than the OS (unbelieveable!) is that Tuanzebe is in for Taylor (who I’m not keen on). Bjarnason retains his place alongside of Hourihane.
But the big news is that John Terry is out and Jedinak takes his place alongside Chester.
What’s that about?
Looking at the positive side, a win today would see us four points behind Cardiff.
How expensive might that Norwich defeat prove?
But I don’t see it making much difference, as it seems to me Cardiff want it more than us.
That said, we rise for the bigger games and you never know.
I’m not a betting man, but my money would go on Cardiff, I’m afraid.
2-1
Comments
64 responses to “Villa – Cardiff: Can we?”
started well but don’t know if the injuries disrupted them. we lost our way very quickly and cardiff were very very unlucky they should be at least 2 ahead. also bree at left back is getting creamed as did axel before him.
got to organise in the h/t cardiff are targeting the left back. we started brightly but stopped doing the good things and joined cardiff in who can kick further
To be fair Bree looks like a disaster waiting to happen every time he plays. reminds of how joe bennett was when he played for us. Warnock seems to have toughened him up.
i don’t think playing at left back is helping. also he wasnt expecting to play or be on bench,that also wont have helped aswell. cant afford to yet him be isolated with the ex wolves player
Shocking first half performance apart from first ten minutes. Johnstone and Elmo have kept us in it. Absolutely clueless going forward. Stray pass after stray pass. Apologies to future king of England for a wasted evening.
Bit more fight from us but woefully short on quality. Riding our luck a bit but you have to match Cardiff for effort for 90+ mins. Elmohamady just cannot cross a ball. Hourihane’s a passenger. Tuanzebe LB and Jedinak CH? What is it with Bruce and playing players out of position?
If not earlier I expect a 92nd minute from Cardiff, but hope it’s us instead.
Great save from Johnston off Whelan.
DS – for all the so called strength and depth in our squad it seems we have no fit left back and only one fit centre half – result players playing out of position.
Yes, there was a comment about Samba being a big ask after 4 months out.
Which begs the question, why the hell did we give him a contract?
Fair enough when it’s forced on us. Fact is Bruce has preferred Hutton over Taylor plenty of times when Taylor is fit. Same has been true at CH with Jedinak being chosen over fit CH. Let’s also not forget who sold Baker who could play CH and LB, leaving us without depth in that area. As for Samba – i don’t really need to say anything there surely?
Hitch, agreed, it’s not good to watch, but it’s intriguing, I think.
Nath, they are targetting our LB, but we’re doing the same, in Snodgrass pulling that dirty donkey Joe Bennett all over the place. Elmo just isn’t taking advantage of it.
I’m not sure what Bruce can do to counter this, as it seems they just have more than us and I’m still expecting the Cardiff win.
Yet again we’ve created very little in open play and I’m just not seeing it with Hourihane.
Unfortunately SB is not up to the task. Tactics, selection and inspiration all absent from his leadership. At current rate what odds would the bookies offer for us to slip out of play off position in the last matching the season.
Bree = crap.
Kodjia on for Adomah
madine coming on this guy is their battering ram so you thought they played long ball before
Hourihane what a miss
did hourihane really miss that one on one
nice ball to hourihane. goes to show you what can happen if you move off the ball
He’s absolutely shit, I would have him in my side if they paid me.
we are playing good again now.
But I can’t see us winning this – sorry guys
he of little faith hitch. kodjia scores soon
Score or not we need to get Kodjia match fit. He may be crucial in the play offs.
Bennett booked and about time.
villa should be looking to break on cardiff now. they are trying to win this game. committing more men forward
What a goal
grealish i mean hitch
Grealish!!!
1-0!
Nice to see that Icelander left him enough space instead of kicking him every time he got the ball
Moment of magic – happy to be proved wrong – nervy few minutes as it’s up and under time LOL
Hitch, can you say the same on Friday please . ☺😃
Happy to please Bill LOL
that might prove to be a turning point in our season. cos we were sinking fast with the most important part of season still to play.
Better second half performance although it couldn’t get much worse. Commentator said it would be a wonder goal or a mistake that would win the game. Take a bow Jack Grealish. Have to say Johnstone deserved MOTM though. Thought Bree settled in second half too. Tempo improved throughout too and Kodja looks close to his old self as well.
dare i push my luck and say steve bruce could have pulled off a master stroke in introducing kodjia straight away after coming back. i wouldnt have played him. end off but bruce has been slowly introducing him 20 minutes here and there. tonight kodija was looking close to match fit. he might come on strong and peak for the playoffs. he is hungry and nothing beats hunger and skill its a lethal combo
Nath / Holte agree about Kodjia – he’s starting to look a threat and with Grabben drifting wide they improved us a lot. I have to say that Adomah looks a shadow of the player he was earlier in the season. Could we start Grabben and Kodjia Friday? Also agree on Bree – thought he improved as the game progressed.
adomah has looked tired for weeks leggy is a better word to suit. he has been injured not quuite looked the same player returning. i dont kodjia is ready to start not so quick wed and thur recover and play friday. that might be a step too far. but if he gets another 20 minutes there. he will be more ready.