For the last couple of months or more, I’ve become more and more confident and predicted quite a few wins. We all know where that got us.
It just goes to confirm that as soon as you genuinely start to believe, the Villa will do what they’ve done for decades and kick you in the proverbials.
Last week’s win came on the back of me reverting to type and predicting a loss by more than one goal and I find myself sticking to the same vein and going back to being downbeat and not at all confident as it just seems to be a more successful tactic in getting the results we want.
Squad news and the good part, I suppose, is that we haven’t added anyone else to our injury list. We all know the script, I’m sure, so I’m not going to bother to write it all again.
As for Forest, they are without Chris Wood and injured Africa Cup of Nations finalists Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare.
Defender Gonzalo Montiel is training, but probably won’t be ready and Taiwo Awoniyi, who played an hour last week, should start.
I know this should be a straightforward win really, but Villa don’t seem to like playing struggling teams that fight hard and I think this looks very drawish. Hence I’m going for 2-2, mainly because I see a very open game, where I’d like us to get the first goal. If Forest get it, I think I’ll probably be very concerned.
The bad news is I don’t think I’m going to get to see the game, as I’m going to be working.
A quick mention of other stuff and I’m not liking what I’m reading about Heck and his disregard of what the fans think. He needs to go, pronto, but I wonder if he actually has the okay from the owners to ride roughshod over the “customer’s” wants?
Then, we’ve drawn Ajax in the Conference league and I’m fine with that.
They aren’t what they used to be and are actually a place below Alkmaar, who we beat fairly easily in the earlier stage, in the Eredivisie. In keeping with my new totally non confident approach, I’d expect us to narrowly scrape it over two legs.
UTV!
Comments
88 responses to “Villa – Forest; Trickier than it looks.”
Fingers crossed, as I can see us slipping up again if we’re not careful.
Badger good post matey.
I absolutely detest predicting (it’s a funny old game) but I really can’t see past a Villa win.
Onwards and upwards and we’ll see at 17:45 tomorrow (we don’t say too often).
Like you Badger (good post by the way) I’m less confident than I was and even then I wasn’t that confident – the lot of being a Villa fan for 60 odd years I suppose.
Holte referred to O’Neill’s (disastrous) season when he sacrificed Europe for the league and in so doing blew both. I believe Emery is much better than that and am hoping that the recent blip is down to a combination of injury disruption and a touch of bad form that all teams go through each season (Boxing Day through January seems to be a perennial problem for us!)
I’m hoping that the recent improvement in form continues and we start to pick up our home form again – we’ll need to if we’re going to stay in the top 4 (maybe 5?).
A win today will see us go 5 points ahead of Spuds whose game in hand is against Chelsea which will be a psychological boost.
UTV
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13115583/Legia-Warsaw-ultras-unveil-surprise-motherf-s-banner-let-fireworks-Europa-Confence-League-tie-despite-UEFA-ban-fan-trouble.html
Quite comical really…
They got well and truly trounced – couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch!!!
Villa’s solitary defeat in 14 Premier League fixtures this season against teams currently in the bottom half of the table came away at Nottingham Forest in November (Won 9, Drawn 4).
Sorry Badger I don’t agree with your comment “I know this should be a straightforward win really, but Villa don’t seem to like playing struggling teams that fight hard and I think this looks very drawish.”
I see no reason to not seeing this as a Villa win. But I also understand how much you like being wrong and if that works for us, then please don’t stop.
This the the 3rd and least likely team to attempt a league whitewash at VP this season. The other two succeeded so Villa I hope have been practicing two skills: the chip; and almost the opposite – smashing a shot between chest and bum height into a crowded penalty area and being alert to the rebounds. Those being what we lacked against the low block last time.
Problems with steam continually buffering so missed the goal!
Now watching on a dodgy stream with no sound as commentary in Arabic!
What channel???
Bein Sports (UK) Sports 1 Xtra
Yeaaaaaaa come on the Villa great start
It looks like it’s gonna be one of those corrupt ref kinda days. Not called one thing in our favour yet.
Who is that bloody ref ? Is he from a blind school or what . 3 blatant fouls and nothing from him .
I’ve got it on Now tv Hitch and ok
Where did u find that? Or are u on holiday???
2 up! I wonder if my 4-0 prediction will happen!!!????
Not sure I’ve got that option Bill – I’ll have a search around at half time. New source supplying the stream and it’s all different.
2 now Hitch and bloody blinders.
Have you found a channel yet ?
3-0! VILLAAAAAAAA!
3 nil!!!!
Woooo hooo 3 nil brilliant were on fire wooooo
Nuno looks pissed! 🤭
Interesting watching with no sound – tend to concentrate on the play more – enjoying it
That won’t count as an assist for Cash but it should. Mafe the correct call on the Forest clearance and then a brilliant ball out to McGinn. Utter class
Cheers Hitch!!
Conceding a goal just before half time – worst possible thing – the only saving grace is we have 3 but defending from corners is a concern
Their goal was far too easy…
They switched off. I know they were 3 up in the first half but I want them to be even more ruthless. Emi needs to be demanding clean sheets.
Argh. Clean sheet! 🤦💩
Whoops! another slack piece of corner defending. The regular back 4 players all confident that the scorer has run offside only to find a Villa forward idling and playing him on.
Still pedal to the metal for the 2nd half and maybe Digne on for Moreno, that was what Digne queried when Unai told him. Moreno does not seem to be comfortable against this opponent.
Random thought: if we’d taken the 3 points at Goodison and held on at Old Trafford for 3, we’d be 3 points off the top and challenging for the title.
Come on Fulham! Hold on for the draw!
As for Villa we must not concede the next goal if there is one or it will be squeaky bum time. Pure sloppiness cost us switching off with seconds to go.