The big talking point here has to be the fact that Emiliano Buendia and Emi Martinez won’t be arriving in the UK until some time tomorrow morning.
Surprisingly, (to me anyway) the flight time from Croatia is only just over two hours so it’s not exactly long haul, but when you combine it with the usual couple of hours in the airport, the arrival at Brum and then the drive to Bodymoor Heath, you’re probably talking around five hours easily. So it’s not exactly ideal preparation for a top level game is it?
I’d be surprised if they got to play and particularly so if Buendia starts.
I like compromise and was glad that we’d agreed to let the players go to the qualifiers, but this has proved to be an unmitigated disaster and I’d wager the players themselves won’t be so keen to go next time. Buendia especially must be at least a bit miffed that he wasn’t even involved at all.
Otherwise, nothing has changed. Trezeguet and Davis are still out and Chukwuemeka and Philogene-Bidace haven’t trained yet since being injured while representing England.
Everyone else is available, which is an improvement on the first couple of weeks.
As for Everton, Calvert-Lewin is out with a thigh injury, as is hissing Delph, who has a shoulder problem.
James Rodriguez has trained well, so could feature, as could Andre Gomes, who’s appearance halfway through the game against Burnley helped totally changed things.
Interestingly, Benitez went with three defenders on Monday, which leaves a guessing game as to if he’ll do the same against us. If so, it’s pleasing to know that we can also do it and certainly we did okay against Chelsea, even if I don’t think it’s ideal with the players we have.
I think the key to this game might well be who gets up to speed first.
Pleasingly, we’ve improved our sharpness with every game and I didn’t feel there was much lacking fitness-wise last week. You’d have to expect we’re pretty much up to speed now.
We concede too many goals lately, while Everton have scored ten in 4 games.
You have to expect that they’ll score then and I’m going to take them to score at least one.
Which begs the question how many do I think we can score?
I’m happy to think that if we play Ings and Watkins up front we can score, although Ings has to get more involved than last week, that’s for sure. His stats were shocking, but I’m going to look at that as a one-off.
I think we can beat them 2-1, but I don’t feel we could beat them 3-2. It’s one of those “I can feel it in my water” jobs, that’s all.
I’m going for that 2-1 to us.
Worryingly, Lawro thinks the same.
A nice three points it is then.
Ahem.
UTV!
Bailey only on the pitch for 21 minutes yet he scored one and provided the ‘assist’ for the own goal. BBC viewers also rated him Player of the Match.
I haven’t yet seen him play – do we have a really good player on our hands?
If he stays fit, and can play for 90 mins we have a new Tony Morley. Enough said Hitch? appropriate that he should burst forward on the left and blast the ball past an Everton keeper, just like Morley’s GoS.
Remember that goal OLL – who could ever forget it – and what a player Morley was. If Bailey lives up to that billing enough said.
His goal was quality Hitch. I reckon if the goalie had got in the way, he’d have ended in the net too 🙂
Meanwhile, RIP Greavsie 🙁
I’ll try and write something later.
RIP Greavsie. The greatest goal scorer this country has produced. Loved the Saint and Greavsie show too.
The guy Greavsie was a class player, he goal poached and was the top goal scorer of today. RIP Greavsie will always remember you..
Another great of English football sadly gone.
A bygone era never to be seen again.
RIP Greavsie – gone but never forgotten.
Just found out how he got that name Deadly! ! Greavies gave it to him when he showed him how to kill a salmon. Doug loved it and stuck to it ..
Random comment: IF Spurs are struggling come Jan and we’re in and among the top 4, anyone fancy a blockbuster cheeky bid for Son or Kane? Use all the JG money plus any Jan budget and then push for the title next year? See a few peripherals like City did to fund Jack and use more of the super kids? Sanson can go for a start…
We looked good against Chelsea despite the 3-0 score line and we brushed Everton off in the second half but without their key players. You cannot be serious in thinking son or Kane would entertain villa even if we were top of the league and they were bottom. Sorry, that’s just the state of things right now.
Tom, if Villa were top and Spurs were bottom, can you explain why they wouldn’t ‘entertain’ Villa?
If Villa really want to play with the big boys, I think they will need at least one signing to make everyone, home and abroad, sit up and take notice. A signing who will, by his presence and reputation alone, raise the game of the rest of the squad, and the expectation level. If Villa really want to go to the next level, my opinion is they will need that. Kane or Son are just two random names because Spurs are seemingly ‘powering down.’ So a situation like that is ideal for a club in Villa’s position – ‘powering up’, to make a move. Even if you don’t get the player, the media coverage of a bid will automatically plant the idea in people’s minds that AVFC are serious. Think about it. Ambition is not just about dreams (thoughts) and words; actions are needed to realise ambition, IF it is actually authentic. I believe the club are soon to be at that crossroads, where they will have to decide, do we keep trying with players just a notch below, or do we now add a player who is ‘top notch’ to raise the others, raise the club’s profile, and raise expectations? Kane, Son, whoever. My point is, when will the club be ready for that type of transaction? In my opinion, only then will we really be able to play with the big boys. It may be that we have to get that profile of player in his late 20s, to get the boost needed. Son’s physique and jet-propelled legs would suggest that his age is merely a number. It can’t always be about sell-on value; that doesn’t work and won’t bring success – see Arsenal. The idea is simple – a TOP player who is late 20s will bring in the revenue through success on the pitch, NOT through what he will make when sold. We have enough of those. Besides, if the club is planning on selling them all for a profit what the hell are we bothering for? Why are we filling Villa Park full of hope and expectation? Do the club want to make money and be a sound business, which is pretty much what Doug Ellis’ model was, or do the club want to win things? If they want to win and compete, they will need to go up a level in the caliber of player they sign.
John Gregory once accused Ellis of talking big and acting small; he allegedly tried to sign Shearer from Newcastle. Just the idea of it makes Aston Villa sound more serious. Merson wasn’t a spring chicken when he signed, neither was Dublin, but they were a cut above what we had, and sparked a title attempt, albeit a short, failed one.
The club will need to act as big as they talk if they want success.
*sell a few
Other players who could go to raise 30ish million: Davies, Trez, Fred, El Ghazi?
Should get about £2 million for Davis if we’re lucky.
All of those for £30 mill? I think I’d prefer to keep the other three.
From what I’ve seen lately, Kane looks either massively out of form or quite simply past it. I know he scored in their last game, but he just doesn’t look the same player to me and needs plenty of chances.
I do like Son, but the money would be frightening, as we’re talking Levy and he gives no quarter.
Kane is 28 and Son 29. No resale value which goes against Villa’s transfer policy. I know we signed Ings but we got him fairly cheaply. There are plenty of other options out there which will be more suited to us. Spurs are in decline and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nuno gone if results don’t improve quickly. We can and probably should be aiming for top 6 this season. Losing he who shall not be named and spending on 3 top players in Ings, Buendia and Bailey offers us more variation. If we are there or thereabouts come January, I’m sure our owners will stump up the readies to get anyone who will boost our squad further.
Mbappe anyone? Isn’t he a free agent in the summer. Wishful thinking 🤔
Them top players will only come to a certain clubs , unfortunately we are not their yet!! We have a lot of youngsters coming along that are showing promise and my fear is to see top clubs picking them off us. I don’t want the likes of Kane , Son or anyone else coming for the money when they have spent most of their time in the limelight and now showing lose of abilities for the team that they play for. I want to see our players that we trained and brought to the front of their skills, we have them now waiting for that chance so let’s see how we progress in the next few years,
I’ve certainly killed the post with that comment me thinks, we’ve crossed a lot of bridge’s over the last decade and one being players coming for the money. I don’t care if we only manage half the league position this season as long as we try our younge guns that been with us for ages, we’ve seen one jump ship for big money and medals more so for glory, we are now a club that tv wants to show clubs now fear and we’ve already made progress and money, Man Utd lost 92 million again last year and don’t own their club , we do lets keep it that way.
Bill, I want the kids to play and I want the club to be solvent. I’m talking about one or two next level players to give the kids a boost and the finances, and ultimately get the club to where it should be: the Champions League and top 4 of the Premier League. They wouldn’t be coming for the cash; they’d be coming to an ambitious, historic club with the aim of winning titles. Again, I use Shearer as an example. Blackburn told him they’d win the league in 3 years, which they did, but they’ve never been a big club. Think big. Big doesn’t always mean bankruptcy if done properly.
Big Fat Ron, I think we’ve already bought in with the likes of Ings , Bailey , and introductory of Ramesy, Chuckie, we even got players out on loan , I understand how your thinking but going for players like them to me are not mean full players , they’re in it for money and at our loss, let’s see what Smith does and if he doesn’t get rid, that’s more I’d be interested in to be honest. We should have beaten Chelsea they had luck on their side that day, tomorrow will give us more of a look at what we should do . Ron i understand but quick fix is a gamble and lose of money in the end. . Utv. .
BFR, You do make a very decent point.
However, I think we’re one step away from what you want.
I reckon if we could get a top 6 place this season (and it’s a big ask) then we would be looking at that next level of player.
I think we’re still in a position where we’re not settled yet and I totally understand why many think we’re in a transition season.
It would only take some bad luck and we’d be down again; not that I think that’s going to happen.
The thing is, while we’re still not at that sort of level yet, getting the top level players in is beyond us.
Tom’s comment about Son seems a bit harsh to me, but again, I see where it’s coming from.
As you say, just as we’re in the ascendency, so Spurs have blown their chance.
Kane knows it and that’s why he wants out, imo.
Patience, is what I’d suggest. It will come, imo.
Completely off topic but I’ve just been reading about Derby’s woes. It seems likely that Derby will not only go into administration and be subject to a points deduction this year but could also suffer further points deductions next season.
It seems there’s are real chance Derby could disappear from the football league or from football completely – that would be a real shame.
I have the greatest sympathy for their fans and realise that if it wasn’t for NSWE that could have been Villa.
There is something very wrong in football given the wealth of the few and the problems of the many.
We should be very grateful that financially we are now in a strong position but we should also mindful of the financial troubles of other clubs.
Whilst I want Villa to be successful, I also hope our club will always be financially responsible and respectful towards others. I really don’t want us to become another Citeh.
Or am I being unrealistic?
Not at all Hitch, it’s got to stop with over paid players , it’s bringing down clubs and fans don’t have deep pockets. common sense needs to prevail in agents and footballers , into today’s world one month’s money is a lifetime of work for the average man for some players, I feel for Derby as it’s a club with history over the years and would be sad to see it gone. The FA don’t help by giving points deduction, it adds to their difficulties in staying solvent, I just hope they have the same luck as us with a buyer. .
I think Derby will be ok, but it’s no thanks to Mel Morris, who I always thought was a decent owner.
It all started with them selling the ground, just as we’ve done, but in their case, for a seriously inflated price.
They’ve paid players really high wages and it just hasn’t happened for them.
Going for broke in trying to get into the Prem is a dangerous game if you can’t see it through and now they’re paying the price.
I think they’ll be on -2 points and will have a lot of money to pay in the next couple of years, else they’ll be punished again.
They were embargoed last season and probably are now.
It’s hard to see how they’re headed anywhere but down in the short term, but I do think they’ll survive.