Blimey, I’ve nailed my colours to the mast there, haven’t I? But the fact is, it is what I think. That’s done for that, then, knowing my predictions.
Legia beat us 3-2 on their turf and we really weren’t very good. Their crowd helped them massively but they aren’t going to have that today and our home form is seriously better anyway.
Straight into squad news and it’s all good for us, with only Mings and Buendia out.
Given that Ramsey made an appearance against Spurs, you’d expect him to start and I’d also expect Moreno to get minutes too, if things are going our way.
Duran no doubt takes Watkins’ place and if so, I’d take that as a sign that he is still firmly in the picture.
Tielemans has done well recently, so he’ll probably start too.
Otherwise, I’m going to assume Emery’s learned his lesson about ripping the team to pieces and he won’t change too much from the off and swap things out when the game is won.
Three changes then, but they’re more reasoned, I’d suggest and not like throwing Chambers and Dendoncker in, when they haven’t played for a while or demonstrated any form.
As for Legia, I’m seriously struggling to get news about them and that’s a bit disappointing, in that it seems they’re not given much respect over here.
Villa are 1/4 to win this and I’d guess that’s about right.
So while I’m not counting my chickens, I’m fairly confident we will win it.
We need to win it by two clear goals to come out as group winners, I believe and I firmly believe we’ll achieve that too.
No more messing about, let’s just do this. Then we can play all sorts in game 6, which is against Zrinjski Mostar.
I’m going for 3-1, because we’re always likely to concede. But I’m hoping it will be more.
1-1 it is then, knowing the Villa.
UTV!
Comments
107 responses to “Villa – Legia Warsaw; I think we’ll win. Convincingly.”
COYL!
Let’s wrap this up tonight.
Love your confidence Badger.
This is a ‘real’ European game. Forget the group table – this is a two legged tie with Warsaw 3-2 up. To progress we need to win tonight – simples.
A win by one goal is likely to be enough given our superior GD but a win by 2 goals guarantees us a place in the knock out rounds without having to ‘qualify’ through a play off.
Strangely, the only team that can deny us second place (should we not win tonight) is Mostar assuming they beat AZ.
So a win is what we want, a draw will mean we’ll probably finish the group in second place.
No prediction from me – don’t underestimate Warsaw they’re a good cup team and gritty opponents.
Fully confident Hitch.
No Watkins is an odd one. Either a late injury or personal reasons, I’d guess.
Olsen in goal 🙁
Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Moreno, McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Tielemans, Diaby, Duran
Subs: Martinez, Marschall, Carlos, Digne, Pau, Chambers, Zaniolo, Bailey, Dendoncker, Ramsey
Emery not going full out on this one although has named a very strong miss field – clearly has his eye on the Bournemouth game.
Interesting that he’s on record as saying he’s ‘happy to accept’ having to play an additional qualifier if required.
I think the sub text is, despite his protestations to the contrary, he’s main objective is to qualify for the Champions League.
Let’s hope he’s more successful than MON!
If we score first then I think we could win by 3 or 4. At Villa Park we seem to start better and go for the jugular from the off.
Legia Warsaw like Hitch said are no mugs. I reckon their fans will be noisy too so we need to silence them quickly.
Emery said he was prioritising the league but I’m surprised that Olsen starts unless Martinez is carrying an injury. Too many changes for my liking and concerning that no Watkins!
I heard a rumour it’s Ollie’s Mums birthday and he’s taking her out for a curry in Basall Heath. Apparently he’s bought one of those balloons with ‘Happy 50th Mum’ written on it.
🙂
Or is that serious?
Nothing surprises me these days.
I read somewhere that the Legia fans are banned from attending. Does anyone know if this is true? Or have I misread something!
Only 1000 tickets allowed for Warsaw fans (normally would have been an allocation over 2000) because of their terrible reputation for bad behaviour.
They are outside the ground throwing flares and trying to storm the gates as we speak.
Legia fans are at the game and causing trouble. Seen a couple of videos where they are throwing projectiles at police with a couple injured. It’s a worry if they start inside the ground. Legia fans are amongst the worst in Europe so I have been told.
Watkins – ‘slight injury’ so not risked
Emery just confirmed Ollie has a niggle so is rested.
How much would you have wet yourself if Unai said “He’s taken his Mum for a curry”!!!
2 Police injured outside VP…
It looks bloody cold out there.
Yesssss!!!! Great ball from Teilmans!!!!
Here we go! Diaby, what a goal!
1-0
Great ball from Tielemans and a good finish by Diaby.
See AZ beat Mostar earlier so we’re guaranteed second place. That should allow us to play with freedom.
And that sums up why I hate the messing about at the back!
What a stupid mistake.
We have become too passive
Balls. Nice finish by Muci though…
That totally changes our outlook on the game now.
We only needed another and they’d have had to chase the game.
That is so frustrating.
And so bloody typical.
We’re actually playing very poorly. Getting turned over too easily and our passing is very poor at the moment.
Early goal may have worked against us.
Too much Patti around at the back
I beg your pardon, Sid. Who’s Patti? And round the back of where? 😏
Very lackadaisical of us then. I feel like in these games we almost play like we don’t give a shit and play extra slow like trying to score the perfect goal in training. Just get at them fast and hard get the 2 goals then chill out.
I just do not know what the hell we are up too, this is identical to when we played them last time. It seems to me this way we are playing is training ground idea which doesn’t matter in training. Get that bleeding ball up the pitch for god’s sake and play football.
Quite, Bill…
Warsaw the better team at the moment
A bit of fannying around methinks…
Moreno needs to be used more. Lots more space in the wide areas.
…and dicking around…and arsing around…