Or is it?
This should be dead easy. Ipswich are second bottom in the league and have gained a solitary point from their last 18. Even that was six games ago, meaning they’ve lost the last five games on the trot. Easy and this should be a gift of three points for us.
Except we very rarely do easy, do we? We couldn’t even beat Ipswich last time we played them, after all.
We should give ourselves every chance in this game if we manage to not let them score early, as most other teams manage to do . How nice was it for us to get an early goal against Spurs? Do the same today and it’ll be game over, I would think.
Squad news and foremost is that Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings are both in contention. Mings, as much as I’m not his biggest fan, is at least a proper defender and is sorely needed with the injury position we’re in. More good news is that our new loan signing, Axel Disasi is available after being cup-tied against Spurs. He’s only played six games this season, but even so, I’d expect him to come straight into the team. Mind you, we all know Unai isn’t afraid to play square pegs in round holes, so you never know. He may decide that Disasi isn’t ready. Given that Ipswich don’t score many, it wouldn’t surprise me.
On the downside, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Matty Cash, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are all still out, with no updates on how they’re progressing.
As for Ipswich, Sammie Szmodics will be assessed after he had a setback with an ankle injury last week. Conor Chaplin, Christian Walton, Wes Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene are all out but goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who made his debut last weekend after joining from West Brom, could play his first Premier League game.
For the stattos amongst us, here’s a couple; Ipwich have only beaten us once in our last 14 meetings and they’ve only beaten us twice at Villa park in the last 44 years. Everything seems to be in our favour, doesn’t it? Which, knowing us, makes it scary.
Prediction time then and I simply cannot see us losing this one. Indeed, I think we should get a few goals today. That said, there’s another stat we’re probably vaguely aware of. We’ve only kept one clean sheet in our last 14 games.
So any score is invariably going to end in a -1
And I’m going for 3-1. I could easily see it being a bigger victory if we manage to motivate ourselves, but I see the lads subconciously taking it easy and the tractor boys giving us a tough time.
UTV!
Comments
198 responses to “Villa – Ipswich; A shoe-in, yes?”
Honestly, I was watching it and thinking keep running, follow it in. Well done, lad!
It’s working lads. ,
What a game!
Liking Rashford hanging wide on the left you blind e and his positive approach.
Also well done to Garcia, he provides balance to the right and we can now attack down both flanks. I appreciate he made the mistake for their goal.
Class cross from Digne, not flat but up and down so only Watkins could reach it – and for once a great finish. Now if Garcia can mimic the parabola from the right i might forgive him.
Why are some of our players wearing black armbands?
Christ!
Rashford and Asensio well below par, in my opinion.
Unai must’ve heard me!
At least Rashford is pulling his tripe out, why is a really good sign.
I’d forgot Asensio was playing, which is a bad sign.
Our 21st pairing of centre backs this year.
Anyone hear anything from clubs meeting about all the injuries we’re facing?
Bloody hell Mings you twat!
This bloke is so laid back, it’s an utter joke!
How come Pool look sharper, but are playing even more games than us?
Maatsen up against Salah now.
Colour me concerned.
MacPhee trying to look authoritative on the set piece. 🤦
F*********K! Malen!
You’ve got to feel for Unai. He really lives every kick.
We had enough chances to win it.
I’m confident Malen will prove a good player for the Villa. The only newbie I am concerned about is Asensio, who disappeared tonight.
Whatever, a great result against the best side in the world, from what I’ve seen.
I’ll happily take that.
I thought Malen’s shot at the end was going in. We deserved something from the game IMO.
Two goals disallowed as well which on another day might go our way but fine margins.
Cash, Ramsey, Malen and Maatsen added a bit of bite. Asensio looked way off the pace although Rashford had a few moments.
A draw is a decent result but it’s still only one point and mid table is looking more likely for us this season.
Oh and did anyone else see the lesser spotted Onana before the game!
Oh, MOTM?
I thought Garcia was exellent, his slip up apart.
That was so close to being a winner by Malen. You’d have had to scrape me off the ceiling!!!!
Great match. A proper heavyweight bout! Cash looked very fresh.
Van Dyke and Slot are arrogant twats. You would think it was a one sided game if you listen to them.
I avoid them. The commentators may have well been cheering Liverpool on…
Digne was his usual brilliant self. Ollie had a much better game and Chesty was like The Terminator!
Nobody leaves villa park early these days. Great entertainment but frustrating. Well done lads.
Jury’s out on all 5 newbies for me. Need much more from the 3 forwards.
12 goals from mistakes. Really bad number. Really bad.
Too many draws have really cost us this season.
But to keep the thinking straight, the best team in the world also made mistakes tonight.
In our case, it’s costing us because we don’t score enough.
A very good game and a well deserved point. The offside for 3-2 must have been very close – they didn’t want to show the lines.
A pity Rashford hasn’t scored yet, I’ve got the chant ready.
“He’s one of our loans. He’s one of our loans – Marcus Rashford – he’s one of our loans!”
[you read it here first]