The above says it all really, doesn’t it?
After that disgusting performance against Stevenage, I don’t know what to think.
If we can’t beat a league two team, that came with a plan, but was totally out possessed for at least an hour of the game, how can we expect this bunch of mugs to beat a side that runs for fun and will seriously outwork us and press us high?
I have serious doubts about us being able to beat Leeds and it’s all backed up by the fact that despite us having a decent points haul since Unai Emery arrived, I’ve consistently thought we’ve played poorly, as much as others have thought we’ve played quite well.
We just look too lazy and we play as one of the slowest games in the Prem, almost like we’re playing a friendly, with seemingly no real purpose or intent to our passing.
Running in treacle springs to mind and it’s shocking for probably the overall fittest league in the world.
I’d love to know what the manager thinks about the lack of effort in our game and he surely can’t be happy?
Squad news and maybe the big news is that new signing Moreno may come straight in, although Emery seemed a bit cagey and said he wasn’t sure.
John McGinn (hamstring), Matty Cash (groin) and Augustinsson (ankle) are all out, as is Dendoncker, who is suspended after his ridiculously stupid red card last week.
Jed Steer and Diego Carlos are still long term injuries.
As for Leeds, Luis Sinisterra, Archie Gray and Stuart Dallas all miss the game. Adam Forshaw is very doubtful and the cheat Patrick Bamford is expected to be on the bench.
It seems that Unai Emery has his eyes on at least another couple of players coming in to freshen things up, but given that we might have at best one new player in for tonight, I’m expecting very little to change and expect yet another mediocre performance, with the only variable being which result we get.
When was the last time we had a convincing win? I honestly struggle to remember, although my memory is atrocious these days.
I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
Will I be happy with that? Will I heck as like.
But it would be better than a defeat, I suppose.
Fingers crossed and UTV!
I think I’d actually take a loss if it proved to be an exciting game to watch.
Is that wrong of me?
Fair comment Badger.
It seems (from what I’ve been reading) that Emery is a fan of playing a ‘double full back’ so for instance Cash & Young playing together on the right side (which didn’t work last time out) so maybe Moreno will play in front of Digne? (Assuming his work permit and international clearance came through in time).
Will we see Bailey dropped? With Watkins playing wide right with Ings leading the line and Buendia / Ramsey playing as two number 10’s? Although that seems more than unbalanced to me.
Anyway I originally forecast a draw so I’ll stick with that but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we lost!
OLL has implied we’ll lose because Oliver’s the ref! Probably hard to argue with that prediction 🙂
This is a really good piece by Phil Shaw.
Note the choice of ‘Villan of the Week’. Talk about a damming verdict on the squad as a whole.
https://www.myoldmansaid.com/league-position-now-takes-priority-for-emerys-unacceptable-fa-cup-flops/
Badger, very quiet on here tonight!
Is it the calm before the storm 🙂
No team surprises:
Martinez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins
Moreno on the bench along with the usual suspects!
Martinez, A. Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Luiz, Kamara, Buendia, Ramsey, Watkins, Bailey.
Villa subs: Olsen, Sanson, Ings, Alex Moreno, Chambers, Nakamba, Bednarek, Coutinho, K. Young.
You beat me to it.
Yep, quiet.
Lack of interest, maybe?
Prediction; if we have our usual crappy slow start, we’ll concede and be on the back foot.
We need an early goal.
Er, same old, then.
Badger it’s not possible to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
This is not Emery’s team. The overall improvement in league results are good. When Emery can bring in the players he wants I anticipate something special. As previously mentioned on this site it appears Emery is in charge of the team and players bought. Purslow now directed to stadium development and Lange to be replaced.
Tonight I expect it to be tight. But with Ramsey back I am optimistic.
Good point and I meant to mention Ramsey, Sid.
He’s the only one who drives with proper intent lately.
He is a welcome addition.
I think we will win tonight. Leeds will come at us and I think that will suit us.
Bloody hell, Bailey scores one!
1-0.
Leave Bailey out, leave Bailey out. Oh…..
Left foot Gerry, left foot.
With his right, he’s awful.
Not knocking it though. Great footy, with a good ball from Ash and great work from Kamara.
Digne off with a disclocated shoulder?
Moreno on already.
Apparently he’s not really fit, so could be interesting.
To right Gerry , he’s got quick feet and ball skill in dribbling.
Baaaiiilllleeeeeyyyyyy!!!
Who wanted him dropped again?
We do need to reorganise half time though. Leeds look good.
Kamara is a standout already.
While Moreno looks totally out of his depth.
Expected though and let’s hope he can get into it.
This messing around at the back is driving me nuts. Again.
I’ll guess we’re going to concede because of it.
I said it twice lads, once for you lot and the other for me. You can’t trust anyone these days. Just hope he remembers that he can do it and he has a left foot.
Agreed, it’s that mentality we’ve built to go safe 1st instead of looking forward and getting on the front foot. Annoys me to death. Moreno difficult start but looks decent on the ball.
Frankly we’re crap – again
Let off by off side again.
Leeds will win this unless we start playing some football.
Hitch, we are not aloud to play football are we, this like all our games are physical, dirty Leeds every game, we are lightweight team and they know it .
Great play from Leeds then, but Martinez pulls a worldies save. Wow.
They equalise, but it’s off.
We’re playing a dangerous game, Villa.
Badger – Leeds have been by far the better side.
What’s the point of all the possession we have in our own half going sideways and backwards?
Emery needs to sort this out.
A much better game to watch, that.
I forgot Buendia was playing for about the first half hour.
Moreno seems to be getting into it.
Martinez is coolness personified .
And dare I say it, Mings has been excellent 🙂
I suspect Emery will improve us in the second half.
But mostly, I’m loving that we’re actually playing like the game means something.
Well apart from the goal it was pretty much one sided. Ponderous is the best word I can describe our play as. Injuries again are going to cause us problems with our small squad. Leeds are quicker and stronger in the tackle and we will be fortunate to get a result if we carry on the same way second half.
Watching this on Sky.
Why is it whenever Villa play on Sky the main commentator is accompanied by a completely one-eyed bigot – and that bigot always supports the opposition? Are there no Villa-supporting bigots? I guess not.
Still time for Oliver to make the difference and that knee in Digne’s face wasn’t an accident. Justice that his replacement should clear Leeds’ best effort off the line.
One shot – just one shot at home in the first half.
Sorry – not good enough.
Back, back, back then Mings slips. ARRRGGHHH!
Attack them!
Kamara is different gravy. I’m loving this bloke.
Moreno has an effort on target. Come on Villa!
Leeds have another effort.
I thought it would change in this half, but we’re still not looking right and Leeds will score, imo.
Touches in the oppo’s box;
Vill 3 Leeds 18. 🙁