There’s something about Leeds that I really, really don’t like. It’s only a recent thing, as they’ve never even been a threat to us in the vast majority of my time supporting the Villa. Yes, they’ve won trophies and some even more recent than us, but otherwise I’ve always found them to be meh.
Until they got promoted and were then immediately loved by all the media for absolutely no reason that I could see.
I think I just detest media darlings.
It’s quite an interesting game for me, this one as we really have been very similar this season.
We’re four places and four points above the Whites, having both played the same number of games.
Our form over the last six games is similar too. We’ve won two, lost two and drawn one, whereas they’ve won two and lost three.
Hopefully being at home will be to our advantage.
Squad news is not much different for us.
Traore probably won’t be involved because he only finished the ACON on Saturday. It’s doubtful he’d have been involved anyway, in my opinion. He might make the bench as an option, I suppose, because it’s probably too early for Leon Bailey to be involved and he won’t be risked. Trezeguet has joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan and I don’t think he would have featured either.
As for dirty Leeds, the good news is that cheating striker Patrick Bamford is out because of an ongoing foot injury.
It couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
The stupid break we’ve just had has been kind to Leeds, as Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw, Crysencio Summerville and Charlie Cresswell have all recovered from injuries.
It’s probably a game too soon for Junior Firpo, while Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are also close to a return.
It’s yet another game where I’m not sure what to think.
Leeds don’t score that many goals, which suggests they’re missing cheating Bamford’s contribution. That’s good for us.
But then we struggle to take our chances.
They concede decidedly more than us, but I don’t see many goals in this game.
I’m tempted to say it all depends if we can get off to a flying start and apply the press from the off.
Leeds have superb workrate, as we all know, but I haven’t watched them for a while, so don’t know if they’re suffering any sort of burnout or not.
Our problem is we sometimes struggle to play at a good pace and that crisp, fast passing we saw when Gerrard first arrived is all too often missing.
It all boils down to the fact that I don’t see many goals in this game.
I do however think we should have enough to beat them, given our home advantage.
I’m going for a 1-0 win.
I’m even going to say John McGinn will get the goal.
God knows why; I just have a feeling.
So you can bet that’s wrong then.
UTV!
Comments
107 responses to “Villa – Leeds; I really hope we win this.”
First – I hope Buendia and Coutinho have just minor knocks and are not sidelined.
Second – Konsa should be fined by the club.
Third – if we play like that with no midfield then the barcodes will walk all over us.
It hurts me to say it but Leeds were the better team.
That feels like a defeat after leading 3-1. For 20 minutes in the first half we were outstanding but defensively we were a shambles. Leeds tried to rough us up and succeeded. Mings offensively was great but defensively he costs us too many times. Konsa was an idiot after being booked already. Plus points were Ramsey and Coutinho. I thought Watkins worked hard but nothing productive. We are still a long way off pushing for European football.
Shambolic defending. Both Mings & Konsa keep getting caught out. And Konsa’s definitely in need of a lecture from SG – his 2nd foul could easily have been a straight red.
First-half attacking was a joy to watch, but we definitely need a defensive enforcer.
Not sure why McGinn seemed rather subdued tonight – not effective at all as far as I could see?
Our midfielders was not up to scratch, pressure on our defence time after time. I feel sorry for Minns because he does make mistakes but he tries hard to amends but Konsa what a idiot.
The really annoying thing is that for the last couple of seasons Konsa has struck me as a much more cool head than Mings: reliable, calm, classy.
This isn’t the first time this season where he’s commited a totally unnecessary foul, so I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing…
Behave bill, Mings was at fault for all three goals, konsa get sent off and it was stupid of him but feel sorry for Mings and slate Konsa is ridiculous.
I’d also add that konsas first yellow wasn’t even a foul let alone a yellow card
Firstly, games against Leeds always have the potential to be messy, such is the way they play. However, had we not conceded in the 45th minute (criminal – players should be docked wages for that), then I think we’d have gone on to win.
It looks like the gig’s up for Mings. Interesting how he’s gone on record saying Smith – the man who gave him his PL chance and made him an England international – had used him as a scapegoat. No, big fella. Smith dropped you because you kept f****** up and costing the team points, resulting in your gaffer being put under extra pressure. I think Gerrard has realised that the big man can’t be the lynchpin in our defence if we’re going to be successful. Two top class centre backs on the summer shopping list, hopefully one world class…
Watkins also getting some stick – had an excellent start under Stevie but things seem to be petering out. No one seems to know what the problem is though – second season syndrome? As for Chuky, pace isn’t everything. He may have been off it today, but this lad is a better ‘baller that Ramsey. Give him the same game time Ramsey has had since last season and then we’ll talk – that’s if he’s not picked off by a bigger club.
Our lack of ‘bite’ in the middle, compounded by the failure to purchase during the window, again seems to be having an impact. Would we have won if Marvellous was shielding the defence? Probably.
Ultimately, a draw is about as useful as a fishnet condom and we really are struggling to get top 8 – shame. As for the weekend, Newcastle will be at least as vibrant as Leeds were, so I suggest the boys don’t overdo it in training, or there maybe nothing left come Sunday, resulting in a pasting as St James’, which wouldn’t be the first time.
Having said all of that, I recall Smith’s 5-5 draw at home to Forest about the same amount of time into his tenure as Gerrard is now, and many on here were tossing themselves off at the entertainment. Funny how expectation levels chance perspectives, eh? Today, we’re all pissed because we’ve seen a 3-3 thriller but not won the game.
Onwards and, errr, sideways!
UTV
Agree with most of what you’ve said – although not the bit about Ramsey!
IMO he is a superb player, and getting better by the match. I haven’t seen anything from Chuk yet to suggest he’s going to be as good in the real world as in the U-23’s!
To be fair, if we’d not lost Buendia and Coutinho so early I still think we’d have beaten them in the 2nd half anyway – although I’m still seething about Konsa putting us down to 10 men for absolutely no good reason…
Don’t get me wrong, Ardent. I agree Ramsey is a superb player, but he’s been given a lot of time in the first team to get him to this stage where he’s thriving at that level and able to cope with the demands. All I’m saying is we can’t judge Chuk until he’s afforded a similar run in the team, which will include a number of poor performances – like Ramsey was to start – before he gets to the level that’s required. What I am saying is that Chuk HAS the talent to get to the level required, like Ramsey. My comment was more a defence of Chuk, not a slight on Ramsey.
Losing Buendia was a blow because Coutinho was never going to last 90 minutes and with them both off the pitch we lost our creativity. It’s a shame we couldn’t get a midfield enforcer as Luiz isn’t that player. Nakamba is a big miss who offers protection our defence needs.
Stevie G will have a big summer ahead. He will need to be ruthless which means replacing Mings with a solid top drawer CB. Get Archer back as competition for Watkins (if he stays) plus add a couple of big signings to improve our squad depth. Bringing on Young isn’t exactly inspiring.
There seems general agreement tonight that we need to improve the CB position(s) to make the next step up. (& after Konsa’s performance, he shouldn’t feel ‘safe’ either…)
Question is who could we realistically expect to go for in the summer?
Bear in mind that Mings is still an England player, which rather shows how limited the options are among English players in that position (& I think McGuire is a donkey at ManU and for England…) so is there an obvious target we should be trying to persuade to VP?
Very good question, Ardent. Conor Coady? Webster and Dunk at Brighton? We were in for Webster before they bought him but got scared off by the price tag, I recall. Those 3 are the only ones playing for ‘lesser’ clubs currently above us. Everything else is Sky 6 territory. I’m not clued up on the Europeans – will leave that to Lange. Zouma at West Ham? I hear he’s a big fan of the Pope – a cat-holic by all accounts.
Goal-keeping coach – work to do mate.
Martinez is consistently beaten by a ground shot inside his right post. If he can’t get over and down fast enough then he needs to stand further to his right. That obviously opens up the other side but teams are so heavily coached now it will take them a few shots maybe a whole game before the penny drops. At the moment they are all targeting the known weak spot and Emi is having a poor season compared with last.
Forgot to mention BT sport! Before the game they were touting McGinn for a big transfer asking how much he would cost Man Ure or the other ‘Big 5’ and after the game, Ferdinand saying bigger clubs than Villa will be wanting Ramsey! 😡
I know I should shrug it off but it really pisses me off.
Interesting conversation going on here.
See, I totally agree with BFR.
Ramsey makes great runs and is a very good finisher. In fact I’m very tempted to say I’d drop Watkins and play Ramsey in his position.
Watkins just isn’t doing it and hasn’t been for a good while, as much as I like him.
So we now have two strikers who have 9 goals between them. That’s not good enough.
So while I rate Ramsey’s striking ability. the truth is yet again I didn’t know he was playing until about the 23rd minute. He might have touched the ball previously, but I didn’t see it and it was such a surprise, I made a point of clocking the time.
But in fairness, he wasn’t alone. There’s something not right about the way we set up, but it leaves us overwhelmed in the middle. None of the mids were very good, when it came to the defensive side of our game.
Going back to Ramsey, I happily concede that he’s a good attacking, goal-scoring type mid, but Chucky was involved more in the first couple of minutes he was on than any other mid. Okay, he needed time to get in his stride, but he soon did and was moving around the middle passing it about.
The point is Chucky and Ramsey are different types of players to my mind.
We have massive problems in defence.
I honestly think if Mings is playing poorly and he had a shocker tonight, he unsettles everyone at the back. Konsa was awful today and his judgement seems to have left him.
There was one stage where Mings ran down the wing with the ball, told Digne to run in front of him for the pass, only to kick the ball square and straight out and then throw his hands up like he was frustrated at Digne.
I can’t stand him and for me he has to go.
Probably along with Watkins and Mings, if I’m honest.
I genuinely worry about us at the moment.
Digne was okay, as was Cash, maybe.
Coutinho, Buendia and Ramsey can hold their head up high and the rest?
Well, going from 3-1 up to drawing is not good enough, especially against Leeds, who really are not much better than relegation candidates, imo.
What that says about us as a team, I’m not sure.
Dion Dublin is praising Watkins on MOTD for creating space for Ramsey and Phil with his constant running. Who are we to argue with a master center- forward?
Yes, Watkins does do that; I don’t disagree.
But he has scored 5 goals this season, as opposed to Raphino’s 8 in a struggling side, where he’s not even a proper striker.
The question is what have we got Watkins and Ings in for?
I thought it was to score goals.
And they ain’t doing it.
If that’s not Watkins’ job, whose is it?
Which is where Ramsey comes in, imo.
There was actually one piece of play where Watkins was deep and fed Ramsey who was further forward.
I wonder if Gerrard sees things in the same way as me?
Interesting question Badger.
Remember back (say-) 10/12 years ago, when both Gerrard & Lampard were in their pomp: both were ‘simply’ attacking mid-fielders – but each bagged a huge number of goals.
If I’m not wrong, I think Lampard is still Chelsea’s all-time record goal-scorer, and Wiki says he’s the only midfielder to score more than 150 goals in the Prem.
Perhaps that’s how SG sees us playing – particularly with Ramsey & Coutinho up there?
Correct, Ardent. Lampard was a 20 league goal a season man – most top strikers would aspire to that. However, Drogba was bagging 30+. A goalscoring midfielder is essential for success, but not INSTEAD of a goal-machine. We need BOTH if success is to come. A 20+ league goals a season striker is needed in the summer – world class, ideally. Having said that, Ings is more than capable of 20+ a season. So something’s going wrong.
BFR, I agree we can’t only rely solely on goals from midfield.
My post was really to stress that perhaps SG sees that as an essential 1st step, given his own playing days.
Looking at SG’s post-match comments on B’ham Live, he was complimentary about Watkins’ contribution last night, despite the lack of a goal; maybe it’s just a work-in-progress thing?
As has already been said by others, Watkins may just be going through a goal drought at the moment, but he’s capable of getting 20 a season IMO. Ings is another one who should be capable of at least the same – it’s down to the coaches to get either of them into a ‘system’ that works!
I think Watkins is just going through a spell that affects all strikers. It might be a matter of confidence or just not quite getting his timing or runs right.
Last night he was inches off getting a toe to a superb Digne cross and that has been a bit of a repeated story recently – that and his ongoing love with the timber around the goal 🙂
Two other points occur to me.
1. He’s probably one of the first names on the team sheet – Ings isn’t pushing him for his place which is a shame.
2. With Coutinho and Buendia playing narrow alongside Ramsey, Gerrard has changed our system and I’m not sure that Watkins has fully adapted to it – yet.
I still think he’s a very good player and the goals will come. In the meantime I’m happy the midfield are contributing.
I’m far more concerned with Luiz and the defence than Watkins.
Hitch, I don’t see an issue with Luiz.
He’s not a defensive mid IMO, and has never been, although both DS and SG have used him in that position, presumably because we don’t have anyone else to do it (except if/when Marvellous is able to get fit & find the form he showed he’s capable of).
Square pegs / round holes; and I see reports this morning that Arsenal will be after him in the summer…
The defence – absolutely.
BFR mentioned Coady as a possible upgrade on Mings. I’d suggest he’s right!
Fair point Ardent.
If we turn Coutinho’s loan into a permanent move we are likely to find ourselves with an embarrassment of riches in the attacking mid role – if, for argument’s sake, we include Sanson, Traore, Bailey and Chukweumeka in the mix. That means Gerrard will be shipping players out in the summer as well as bringing in new upgrades.
If Luiz can command a £40m fee will Villa take it or are they more likely to ship out both Sanson and Traore to pay for a top class defensive mid.
I read (on another blog) the opinion that Villa had (apart from a defensive mid) done all the ‘heavy lifting’ in the January window and didn’t expect much activity in the summer.
I beg to differ – Stevie G and NSWE’s wallet are both going to busy this summer.
Hitch, I don’t see a huge future for Traore(despite his undeniable skill) , and Bailey has still to prove that he can actually do anything at all for more than 1-2 games a season.
Sanson is more of an enigma for me:a decent player, but what exactly did they buy him to do?
Certainly I agree that SG will likely persuade the owners to spend again in the summer, even if it’s only on a couple of big signings – and if that means shipping-out people who are surplus to requirements then so be it.
I would describe Mings as a firefighting defender due to his lapses in concentration. Quick and mobile forwards like James should be left for Konsa. The commentator last night said the ball always finds Mings which is a positive but his reactions often let him down. Konsa hasn’t been particularly good recently either so he needs to improve. Poor Hause must wonder why he is nearly always on the bench. Like most on here I think we need a new quality CB and that key midfield enforcer in front of the defence. I don’t have any worries anywhere else if we sign Coutinho on a permanent deal. We have Bailey to come back, Traore too with Archer looking good for next season. Chukwuemeka I think given more time will flourish just like Ramsey has.
Hitch, that’s a good point when you say Watkins is one of the first names on the teamsheet, yet there is no-one pushing him.
There’s the answer in itself, imo.
And there are probably too many positions where that’s the case.
Coincidentally, they’re mostly in the areas we’ve had problems tonight too. ie defensive mid, defence and striker.
Things are getting better, to the extent that we almost have an embarrassment of riches for attacking mids, but we need to keep improving.
Quality reinforcements must surely be incoming in the summer.
Good shout Holte, Konsa was poor so was unfortunately Mcginn who only came into play late second half. Doing the round on other post its showing that our midfield and defence was lacking . The state’s show Leeds well on top 16 shots on goal 8 on target, Villa 8 shots 4 on target. As for Mings guilty not putting his foot through the ball, Guilty letting the smallest player head the ball , but other player’s share the Blaim . How would you play with the opposition shouting your name Tyrone Mings is shit !! Nerves had a part to play you could see that with Mings pushing forwards and unlucky not scoring twice. He also cleared off the line twice. Yes he worries me but it’s the team you should look at not one player.
A few comments about Watkins’ form now in the posts, so here it my take on him.
His principal strength is his phenomenal engine. So long as forward balls are not played directly to where he is standing with a central defender right behind him, but instead played wide forcing Watkins and marker both to run – Olli is likely to control the ball. He is quite selfish and does not pass to a colleague as often as he should having won the ball.
Watkins has been the most affected by the loss of Grealish because he only scores two types of goals. Rarer of the two is an unchallenged header. More common is a shot from left of centre. However those shots come from passes from the left also – not crosses from the right of goal, from which he hardly ever gets a shot on target. McGinn and Buendia if they receive a ball in the middle both favour going forward down the right, as obviously does Cash. Coutinho so far has been nearer the middle of the pitch than Watkins when looking for a pass so if he made it – that would come from Watkins’ right. That leaves only Digne who is likely to supply Watkins the best ball for him.
OLL – simple question for you:
Do you think Watkins is good-enough to be regular 1st team choice if we’re going to achieve the ‘next level’ (i.e – at least consistently challenging for top 6, say- ) ?
No Grealish at Citeh again. Is he throwing it all away? He was absolutely trollied in the week, and all captured by phone again…
Sounds like he’s ‘lost’ at Citeh.
At Villa, Smith protected and looked after him. It’s a much harder world where he is now.
Possibly regretting his move?
I agree he’s lost respect in the game now. Pep didn’t know what to say when asked made it up by saying he was injured in a friendly training, the lad not grown up in life and like Best, will throw talent away from us fans .
I think OLL you are reinforcing the point I made that Watkins hasn’t adapted to the style of football we are now playing – then I added – ‘yet’
So a little addendum to Ardent’s question – so can he adapt?
Ardent and Hitchens
The art of football management is playing to your strengths and trying to cover your weaknesses – and the mirror image tactics against your opponents.
I have seen enough of Watkins now to believe that the only thing that could improve is his willingness to pass to a colleague. The rest of his game is based on his aptitudes. Coutinho and Chucky are the two players who look like they could, and maybe prefer to, make left of centre runs to supply Watkins. That is the key change Gerrard could try to make.
An important aptitude Watkins has is wearing down and pulling out of position opposition CDs. That enables Ramsey to make the central runs. Overall I think Watkins is good enough to hold down a place unless we buy or bring through a player with Kane’s skill set who could replace him.
Team news for Sunday.
Coutinho should be OK – mainly cramp and tiredness against Leeds but Buendia is a definite maybe 🙂 Reading between the lines I don’t think he’ll start.
Our new ‘Mr Sick Note’ Traore has yet another hamstring injury and is out for (another) few weeks. Can’t see him being at Villa after the summer.
Maybe we might see Bailey on the bench.
Yup, think Traore will be shipped-out to anyone we can find to take him…
Cameron Archer, maybe he could be our very own 20 goals a season striker?.. beautiful goal against Peterborough. I think that and a top drawer defensive midfielder is what’s needed for us to really push on. I’m not sure if Watkins will be that striker but I love his work ethic and it makes it hard to drop a player like that.
Dion Dublin thought the way Watkins makes space is a massive contribution. He may not be banging them in at the minute but he’s an important part of the team.
Mings on the other hand looked like he was playing with a hangover.
Why does McGinn have games where he’s anonymous?
The first yellow for Konsa was not a foul in any way. Shocking.
Gonna be an exciting game today. We desperately need Marvellous back though in Luiz’s role.
Bum Bum totally agree on Watkins. if you watch the third goal he made a great run pulling the defence to the left which gave Ramsey the space to run into. Watkins was also well positioned to take a pass from Ramsey for a tap in but Ramsey is so confident at the moment he just smashed it into the net.
We have this 19 year old lad Tim Iroegbunam who is getting a lot attention – plays as a defensive (or box to box) midfielder and reckoned to be technically very good. Is training with the first team and has been in the match day squad now for 11 games. Gerrard has spoken very positively about him and appears to trust the kids so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him given a chance pretty soon.
I see Archer had the Preston fans after the game singing Cameron Archer Baby,
they love the lad. as ive said hes ready and dot need to be loaned out.
((Don’t )
Team news – Coutinho and Buendia fit – only change is, as expected, Chambers for Konsa which is imho an upgrade on Tuanzebe.
Bailey on the bench.
Got a touchline of coaches and non can see that booting it up is a crap idea….