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.”
Do you get the impression I don’t like Leeds?
🙂
And the contrary point of view is – we’ve only won 3 out of the last fifteen games against Leeds, losing 3-0 at home last season.
I can’t remember the last time we beat them; was it the infamous game when they had two players sent off for fighting each other?
They are still missing Phillips and Bamford which is to our advantage but Raphina is fit and the main threat – 14 goals and 11 assists this season which is mightily impressive.
Only Bailey and Traore are missing so pretty much a full squad to choose from. We’ve been pretty poor when playing immediately after a break and I hope that trend doesn’t continue.
I don’t know how to call this one – if we play to our ability we will win but will we, that’s the question.
We beat them 1-0 at their place a year back Hitch.
I think you are thinking of Dyer and Bowyer fighting each other Hitch. That was of course Newcastle.
I think tonight will be a tough game and we will need to match their effort. We get off to a slow start too often, so I’m hoping that we don’t tonight. I think we might shade this one but I’m not confident.
You’re right DS – old age and poor memory 🙂
I’m hoping that the enforced break will have given the coaching staff at Villa a chance to get the players properly motivated/psyched-up for this game; it’s one that we should win…
However, I do remember Leeds have out-muscled and out-run is in recent meetings, and as Hitch has said, we are usually off the pace after a ‘rest’ for some bizarre reason – just when you’d expect the players to be really fit and raring to go!
So I’m going for us to win, perhaps even 2-0.
But I’m not convinced…
4-0 – Buendia, Coutinho and Ramsey to shine. Why not? Let’s be positive.
We should be ready for this game with a mini pre season for SG. However, Leeds are an unpredictable team so we need to get a good start to dampen their confidence. Prediction 3-1 😬
Mings 🙁
1-0 Leeds.
Just given them the confidence to play.
I’m fuming.
Fuck me he’s there again.
I honestly think he’s useless.
Their movement is destroying us.
We’re lucky to not be 2 down.
We’re being ripped apart
Coutinho, from Cash’s cross!
1-1
The magician 1-1
Wow, our defending 🙁
I think Mings is gonna be offloaded soon…hopefully to Newcastle for £30m.
He should be.
He’s far too laid back and frustrates the hell out of me in passing back to Emi when there’s just no need.
He’s a liability to my mind.
That’s the first time a Villa player has scored in their first two home games in the top-flight for the club since Carlton Cole 18 years ago.
Yes Ramsey, from a lovely bit of play by Coutinho.
Class for 2-1
Coutinho hasn’t lost it.
His eye for a pass is astounding.
Ramsey again 3-1.
That’s more like it!
Coutinho’s ball again.
Interesting you’re not praising Ramsey on two very well taken goals but praising Coutinho for playing him in?
I know you don’t like Ramsey but credit where credits due mate.
Well Badger, you worry too much, Nerves was the start for us , Courtinho q goal two assists, Ramsey two goals what more do we want ..
God, our defending again.
It’s pathetic and we’re making James look world class.
Well Badger, you worry too much, Nerves was the start for us , Courtinho q goal two assists, Ramsey two goals what more do we want ..3-2 now more to come..
I’m with Badger on our defending – completely bonkers game.
Coutinho still magic – one goal, two assists but just how good was Ramsey? Two superb runs from deep and cracking finishes.
I know it sounds daft but I’m still not confident.
For a couple of minutes I was feeling smug about my 3-1 prediction. Unfortunately every time Leeds attack our defence is chaotic. I have always thought James as overrated but typical Villa making him look world class. Mings has been great in attack but defensively he is all over the place.