It’s a bit late this one, as I’m working away from home and couldn’t get in the front door of my digs. Long story short, I spent three quarters of an hour stood outside before I managed to get in.
There’s always something isn’t there (said with gritted teeth).
Anyway, it transpires I’m working with a Liverpool and a Man U fan. We started to discuss the game and instantly the verdict was out. “Ah you’ll beat them easily, they’re rubbish.”
“Wolves done ’em 4-2 the other day”
Of course I knew that, but it just goes to show doesn’t it? Sometimes you just don’t win the games you’d expect to. That and of course, it’s just a funny old game.
Anyway, I soon put them right and explained about how we’re talking about the Villa.
I won’t bother with squad news now, as the team news will be out shortly and I’ll put the actual teams in.
Martínez, Moreno, Lenglet, Diego Carlos, Cash, Tielemans, McGinn (c), Luiz, Kamara, Bailey, Watkins
Substitutes from: Olsen, Wright, Pau, Chambers, Diaby, Zaniolò, J.Ramsey, Iroegbunam, Kellyman
Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Petrović, Chilwell (c), Badiashile, Disasi, Gusto, Enzo, Caicedo, Palmer, Gallagher, Madueke, Jackson
Substitutes from: Bergström, Bettinelli, Gilchrist, Silva, Samuels-Smith, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Sterling, Nkunku
What to think then?
I don’t have a clue. While everybody was over the moon against Sheffield, so I was seemingly in a minority of one who had doubts and didn’t think we looked very good, as much as we thrashed them.
But if I assume we’ve now turned the corner of decidedly average performances, I have to go for a victory, don’t I?
And to be honest, that’s a position I’m very happy to be in. I’d always rather be positive than negative, but the realist is usually foremost, regardless.
I do think we’ll win, but can’t quite find myself going as far as the scousers prediction of “3-1 and get some money on it.”.
Hence I’m going for 2-1 because our defence looks such a shambles at times. Then again, their attack is pretty impotent, so if we can keep them tied up, they probably won’t even score.
2-1 it is then.
UTV!
Poch saying that was their best performance of the season.
Make the most of it mate. You’ll soon be back to having your arse spanked.
Which makes me wonder where Villa are going.
Tonight was a very multi facetted game. But quite frankly I can’t be arsed to explain right now.
Night everyone!
No doubt about it we were poor.
Am I down hearted and going to put the boot in -NO.
We don’t have the squads of the established top teams. All teams have injuries and this causes disruption. I would argue we have been disproportionately hit by injury.
Torres, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Buendia. Ramsey off the pace through missing pre-season. We just don’t have the depth.
Any combination of Torres, Konsa and Mings is far superior to Lenglet, Carlos and Cash in terms of defending and playing out from the back.
A fit Ramsey is superior to Tilesman who always seems light weight when it is a more physical game.
We move onto the weekend and Man Utd. We do need to win this one. Do so and we can make top 4. Lose and I doubt we will. Then again 5th could make Champions League next year. All to play for.
Bizarrely, the stats show they only had 2% possession more than us. Both had 15 shots. They had 8 on target to our 5. Which is basically their 3 goals. 33% accuracy is poor on Villa’s part.
Anyway, I honestly believe that December drained the batteries. I was at the Burnley game and we were lucky to get the 3 points, if I’m honest. And injuries have just compounded the problem. Personally, I would change it up and surprise Manure. I’m thinking a back 3 with Cash and Moreno as wingers and making a back 5 if needed. I’d also bring in Tim for Kamara for the fresh legs and sit Dougie and the skipper either side of him. Bailey’s been excellent but I’d also be tempted to give Zaniolo a run up top with Ollie to give the team more physicality. Diaby and Bailey impact subs with short blasts of explosive pace. Blah blah, what do I know? But something’s got to change…
Back 3 depends on Torres being back. Risky, I know.
The most rational post I’ve read, Sid. 👍
I’m so disillusioned with what’s gone on, what with Sheffield utd and now this performance lastnight words fail me, as for Kamara along with Cash why did he persevere with them two in the game .I have to say not one of our players put in a game and that includes McGinn what’s surprising I think he’s over training the players and it showed . Badger apologies mate your right the wheels have come off and we will finish below 6th and dreading Man utd game the weekend . I know this lads the fan base will go down and you will be able to find two seats together we better start finding our form or it will happen .
Guys. There is a long way to go yet and we’ve had some stinkers over the past few weeks. Let’s see if Emery’s Magic Bounceback Win happens again against ManUre. That would cheer us up enormously. If the guys can’t get pumped for that one then I’ve no idea what’s happening.
I do wonder if it’s physically impossible to do what Emery is asking week in week out with such a high pressure game and such a small squad. Kamara was terrible last night, but we all know he’s quality. Luiz, apart from a couple of passes against SU, has also been pants these past few weeks. Ollie isn’t getting the service and our defence is decimated.
I don’t just think teams are learning to play against us, we just look knackered. I’m only hoping an improvement in the weather (not due for a few weeks yet), and return of a few players will revitalise us. Pau, Digne, Konsa, and possibly Buendia will be back March. We just need to be resolute until then.
I don’t think the wheels have come up, but we definitely need some air in our tyres.
*Wheels come off…
Off subject – sort of – but have been reading of the shenanigans at UEFA. Fair play to the FA for being a lone voice in voting against another carved up piece of power seeking autocracy.
Every fan believes that football’s corrupt and has been for years – there will be a Super League within a couple of years so the rich can just get richer and b***er the rest.
F*** the Super League. And f*** ’em all.
Amen to that BFR
That would no doubt put the icing on the cake , i envisage a mass protest from all clubs if that was the case. BFR
I see a problem in that the lemmings of Europe will all travel on the direction of an European Super League but the UK (or more accurately) England will not with the FA being fully behind fan participation and an independent regulator.
Don’t get me wrong here I would fully support the FA stance – but the reality is it would kill the Premier League cash cow and all fans know that football (in fact most sport) is now all about money – to support the unreal amounts paid to the ‘sports stars’.
Clubs like ManC will resign from the EPL and join the super league – mark my words it will happen and, it doesn’t matter what the fans say now, they will go with it.
Given that scenario what would our owners do, given the opportunity – after all they are in it to make money – and how would we, the fans, react?
Reality or the ramblings of a depressive old man 🙂 ?
I think you’re right, Hitch. European clubs are trying to assimilate the EPL and its associated wealth into their own orbit for their own benefit.
No surprise there.
If they join the SL, then out of the EPL they go. And good riddance.
You have to wonder if at some time down the the line the game will split into two different disciplines akin to rugby league and union? A contact and no contact version (you have, after all to protect your investments?).
I know which of the two I’ll be watching and Man City, Real Madrid, PSG won’t be playing it.
“Reality or the ramblings of a depressive old man 🙂 ?”
No Hitch, I don’t think you are to wide of the mark.
Echoes of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket?
And LIV glof?
…golf! (It’s early…).