I’ll bet we’re pretty much all thinking the same thing and it’s that this game has banana skin written all over it.
We’re meeting what should really be classed as a poor Everton side, who are stuggling: so much so that Frank Lampard has been getting more stick than even our own manager lately, which is saying something.
This really ought to be straightforward game for any team aspiring to be pushing for a European place, but how like the Villa would it be for us to lose this with yet another poor performance?
Much has been made of the hot weather, but from the little I saw and what everyone has said of the Bournemouth game, it’s not like we rely on hard graft and pace, so add in water breaks and I don’t see how it should affect us much.
If anything, it’s much more likely that Everton will outwork us, so they’ll be more prone to the heat.
Steven Gerrard is suddenly under serious pressure to win this game after such a dire performance last week and rightly so to my mind, because our next five games (Palace away, West Ham home, Arsenal away, Man City home and Leicester away) look at best, tough. In fact if we lose today, then even the following game against Southampton doesn’t look very winnable either.
In fact, we might as well go the whole hog and say every game looks tough.
We just can’t afford to lose this game and if we go behind, I can see the manager getting dog’s abuse.
Even this early in the season.
Squad news then and the lads are all fit, Hause apart and yes, that includes Mings, who apparently had a slight abductor injury. Will he start?
Even I have to confess he should do, because even though I don’t rate him in the air, he is the tallest player in a not very tall squad.
It’s not much of a reason really, but it does demonstrate that when looking for players, height needs to be factored in. The Premier league isn’t known as the most physical in the world for no reason, after all.
But then I’m telling you what everyone already knows. Apologies.
Sometimes it’s too easy to state the bleeding obvious.
Everton have Yerry Mina (ankle) and Ben Godfrey (leg) out with injuries.
Solomon Rondon is available after a three match ban and is a very forgettable player who typifies what Everton are about these days, but that’s just my opinion.
The Toffees will welcome Conor Coady and Amadou Onana though and I think Coady in particular is a good signing for them. Indeed, I asked a Wolves fan, who follows them home and away, why they’s let him go and he hadn’t got a clue.
He totally agreed with me when I said I couldn’t understand that move.
I wonder if we’re going to pump aimless crosses into his path? I do hope not.
What to think then?
Well, I think I’m glad my betting account is still frozen, like I’m some sort of money launderer, because I don’t think I’d fancy backing us to win.
My heart says this is a Villa win.
My head says it’s a draw, which won’t be good enough to placate the fans in my opinion, unless we’re incredibly unlucky in not getting the win.
But irony says we will lose this.
Hmm, I’ve covered all the bases there, haven’t I?
Decision time and it’s a 1-1 draw.
UTV!
Comments
45 responses to “Villa – Everton: A banana skin?”
It can’t be as bad as last week, can it?
I just don’t know Badger , after last week’s debacle it’s anyone’s game. Is the team for or against Gerrard? It’s a wait and see for me , so sorry on the fence for me.
Mings back instead of Konsa with Watkins in to replace Bailey. The two up top I’m not a fan of but against a back three then I sort of understand. Disappointing to see Coutinho continue to get game time despite his poor form.
We need to start well for once. I can see a 0-0 but if we concede first then Everton will win.
Today like you say Badger is crunch time for Gerrard. Many fans who are still on the fence will be calling for him to go if we lose today.
Got away with one but it just shows how poor we are defending set pieces.
Everton starting to realise there’s nothing for them to beat.
Is Coutinho playing?
Yes, Ings!
1-0
Super goal – we need to see more of that from Ings
Great goal are Watkins and ings finally getting their act together.
Gerrard got his possession game he wants but it’s very boring apart from when Everton get set pieces.
What the hell is mcphee doing he is supposed to be the set piece coach after all???
Anyone know?
It’s all long, long, long.
Not very good really.
Good chance just before HT, with good work from Ramsey.
I don’t ever recall such consistently poor defending on our part.
It’s a good thing that Everton are absolutely crap, although they could still easily score from a setpiece.
But we’re winning, that’s the main thing.
With 4 pretty top drawer first choice defenders you’ve gotta ask why.
Glad we’re one up but should be two!
Yes it’s known that Everton are lacking a class striker, what do I think so far ? Still not good enough we need a player to take the ball forwards, a creative
one that can open the game . It’s going to be a low score game .
Like Buendia, Bill?
I think there’s a few who would agree with you.
Although PC’s supposed to be doing it today.
Our defending ,particularly from set pieces, is abysmal.
A bit better than last week but not by much. Tbf the temperature is going to slow the whole game down.
Last 15 – 20 mins then the fitter team has an advantage.
Buendia on for Coutinho, who looks like he’s got a groin problem.
Shocking that it’s taken this long to make the change, imo.
Blimey, McGinn nearly knocks Coady out with a screamer!
On present form Buendia over Coutinho all day
And we seem to have immediately stepped the pace up now Buendia is on.
I wonder if there’s some truth in my suggestion that our problems all revolve around PC?
More urgency and creativity about Buendia. We look a better team with him in imo
Buendia has made a big difference that’s for sure and he should be starting. We look comfortable but with Villa it always feels like there’s a twist in the tale.
Only 3 attempts – in the last third we’re lacking and we look vulnerable at set pieces.
Watching Villa is never easy 🙂
Big change in the last few mins though Hitch.
Yep but we still seem vulnerable at the back.
Everton put on an 8ft player 🙂
If PC starts over Buendia next game, Gerrard needs sacking, simple as.
SG please take note.
Emi, 2-0.
Nailed on starter next week?
Jesus Christ.
Digne OG
2-1.
Bloody typical Villa, just as things were looking up.
Watkins first touch terrible
Coms saying he’s had a good game. I agree.
SG using the dark arts to see the game out…
Fair play 😁
Heheh, about time.
😁
Cracker of a game.
“Coms saying he’s had a good game. I agree.”
He has mate but that touch was heavy
Agree, it was.
Even Chambers getting in on the “we’re absolutely tripe” defensive act and he’s only just come on.
No, Cash all day, I’m still not impressed.been very lucky..
Impressed by Kamara but Ramsey man of the match for more.
“me”
(F@@k£#g auto correct)
Cash MOM; we won but overall performance not that convincing. Defence looks disorganised and we’re still not creating the chances.
Everton significantly more attempts and more attempts on goal.
Buendia must start next game.
Kamara starting to look a very good player.
Still 3 points which I wasn’t confident we’d get.
Agree with all of that apart from motm.
Ramsey for me, close call though.
Yes – can see that RSS; he looked very good today.
Buendia must start the next game regardless of whether Coutinho is fit. I thought Mings played well and justified is return. Maybe Chambers for Carlos next game? I haven’t been overly impressed with Carlos so far. He certainly doesn’t assist with set pieces against us. His distribution is decent but Chambers hasn’t done one thing wrong when played and his first touch secured a win. Ramsey had a good game too so overall a deserved win although we nearly blew what looked like a comfortable win.
Gerrard is off the hook….for now!
Agreed on Mings – we do look more secure with him in the side (defensively better than agains Bournemouth but still lacking)
I think Carlos just needs time to become accustomed to the EPL.
We have to take in the heat in the game but again I think we play far too much 1-2 to beat a player, need that man to open up the defence, looking back we was very lucky and after all it was Everton who nearly got relegated. Still roll on the next game . Utv
Forgot to mention Kamara who had a good game too.
Whoooo!!!!
Dirty Cash, I want you, Dirty Cash I need you whoo hooo!!!
Buendia all day long for me…