Well, here we are, the last game of the season and it’s against a Chelsea side who are still fighting for a Champion’s league place.
You can be sure they’ll be trying then, even if they do probably have one eye on this year’s final. They won’t want to miss out on all that filthy lucre after all, will they?
The big news here is that the fans are back; well at least the lucky 10,000 who won the ballot are.
We’re not really playing for much, as we can’t improve or lose a league place, so there’s no extra money to be earned. Which really annoys me as it means Leeds have proved me wrong and finished above us. I know many of us think we’ve done well to be where we are in our second season, but I really thought we’d be able to do better than them in their first season back in the premier league. It is what it is, I suppose.
Squad news and it’s the same for us. Trezeguet is out long term, Cash is out for the season and Sanson is also out.
As for Chelsea, N’Golo Kante went off injured against Leicester and is doubtful, as is Kai Havertz.
There’s a chance Andreas Christensen will be available.
I found one interesting stat and it’s the one that says Chelsea’s highest league scorer this season is Jorginho with a measly seven goals. That’s incredibly low for a team challenging for the Champion’s league and I thought it’s also interesting that all of his goals have come from penalties.
They don’t score as many as you think either, although they have the second best defence this season after Man City.
I don’t see many goals then and think a single one will be enough to take the points.
I don’t know who to call it for though.
If we play as well as we did against Spurs we’ll win.
Yes, I’m going a Villa win, 1-0.
Comments
83 responses to “Villa – Chelsea: And the fans are back. Well, some of them”
I’ve been busy, so it’s only short.
I’m not expecting much performance-wise today.
We’ve nothing to play for and Chelsea certainly won’t want to risk injury.
Martinez, Mings, Targett, Konsa, Hause, El Ghazi, Grealish, McGinn, Nakamba, Traoré, Watkins
Substitutes
El Mohamady, Chukwuemeka, Davis, Luiz,Taylor, Philogene-Bidace,Heaton,Wesley, Ramsey
My prediction? If we win Smith will be the messiah. If we perform badly and lose he needs to be replaced 😂 I guess leaving Chuk and P-B on the bench makes sense with the cup final coming up but I’m still a bit disappointed.
Traore scores from a dodgy corner 1-0 🙂
Had him to score first goal ! Get in there !!!
A dodgy corner Badger?, might have been a dodgy kick at goal from Traore.
Did you see the way the ball grubbed across the ground Bill?
Good idea, but terrible implementation.
It’s not important, I’ll take it.
Chelsea aren’t very clinical are they?
Loads of chances and we’ve been lucky really. Hause and marv doing well.
And we actually score from a corner1
Thought it was a clever training ground routine 🙂
Don’t you love it when a plan works out 🙂
I very much doubt the ball was supposed to just bobble it’s way to Traore Hitch.
And I thought it was actually a great strike by Traore. It looks sublime from behind.
Tongue firmly in cheek mate 🙂
Jesus, riding our luck again already.
Blimey, Chelsea are actually challenging for the fair play league.
You’d never know it.
Surely there’s no need for them to keep blatantly taking our players out?
Penalty!
And El Ghazi scores!
2-0!
A lot of play has come through Traore today.
They score.
2-1
Now it’s interesting, 82nd minute, have to say proud to be a Villa fan, we have the making of becoming great again.
Is Emi the best goalie in the world atm?
Probably.
Naka is MOTM.
Can’t argue with that, but there are contenders.
Agreed on both counts Badger.
No one let us down today
And that’s a great win.
We’ve beaten Spurs, Arsenal and now Chelsea.
When was the last time we could say that?
And Liverpool.
Brilliant – momentum. Finish with two wins against clubs in top 6. First time we’ve won last game of season in 10 years!
My MOM – Nakamba. Outstanding. Why doesn’t he play more often?
Must be on the team sheet first game next season.
Totally agree Hitch. Nakamba was excellent again and broke up so much of Chelsea’s play plus got some great blocks in too. It was certainly a battling performance by everyone and with the right additions in the summer we should be pushing for top 6. UTV!
Woo hoo great end to the season im happy enough with 11th luv to go for a cup next season on the 40th anniversary and cant wait to get back down to villa Park woo hoo
Well done tekkers on the bet enjoy
Yippee great end of season and what better time to the fans back onwards and upwards now.
On next season how about 3at the back with cash targett as wing backs Gilbert as back up.
Konsa hause and Ming’s great last few matches. With nakamba as defence midfielder in front of back 3i think the more he plays the better he could become utv
Martinez – supporters player of the season but interestingly Targett gets the player’s player of the season.
It has been a red-letter day of football for me. I can’t remember a better one since Rotterdam and it could continue tomorrow.
Started at Sutton United to watch a part-time (pub) team from Surrey that I once briefly played for win a place in League 2. Then on the way home presented the cup at a Sunday League final, and home to see the second half rearguard action at Villa Park as we beat a Champions League finalist.
Hope to see our exceptional U-18’s win the FA Youth Cup tomorrow – and that brings me full circle. Some of the young players from both teams can expect to join the first team squads – but only a few. For the rest it is either joining the U-23 team playing in empty grounds or what? Teams like Sutton in L2 will need to borrow players. Going on a 6 month or 1 season loan would toughen up these youngsters: they will enjoy playing in front of a crowd, and get a reality check about football outside the EPL bubble which is where most will finda career.
Just to add to oll on the under 18 youth match Today (Monday 24th ) . It’s on BT sports 1 at 19 45 if anyone’s interested, against Liverpool.
I’ll be watching Bill. About 5,000 Villa fans allowed into the ground for the game which will be great for the lads.
Puts me back to the time Brian Little started out 20,000 turned up Hitch …….
Reckon that crowd would have been equalled tonight in normal circumstances.