I really shouldn’t say it, as we all know that when it comes to the Villa, getting confident usually leads to us not getting the result we expect.
But I can’t go into every game feeling pessimistic can I? It’s not in my nature, as much as I try to keep my enthusiasm down when it comes to football.
I’ve always found this particular fixture something I can’t get excited about for some reason.
It’s unfair really, as although I’ve had it in my head that Leicester are a bit of a non-entity, a quick look at this site tells us it’s actually the tenth largest city in the UK and as such, it should be no surprise that they do pretty well sometimes.
Actually that site is quite interesting because it well and truly puts Manchester firmly in it’s place.
Second city, my arse.
But I digress. I just like a good list.
Squad news first and the big news is that Leon Bailey is out with a quad problem and we won’t see him before christmas. While it’s refreshing to hear a call from Gerrard that doesn’t emulate Dean Smith with his totally non-informative updates, it’s incredibly disappointing that the player is injured again. He’s beginning to look like a really poor signing. It’s okay them having lots of skill and costing a fortune, but if you don’t see them on the pitch, they’re a waste of time and money. But then, we have a few of those, don’t we?
A big part of me wonders if Bailey is one of those who just doesn’t fancy it, particularly in the cold, but a quick Wiki shows he made 56 appearances in one and a half seasons at Genk, before rattling up 119 appearances in three and a half seasons at Leverkusen.
That’s surprisingly good and I think I’m being harsh. We’re seemingly just unlucky.
Danny Ings may be available, but any decision will be left until last minute. The position on Matt Targett is uncertain, as it’s not known if his head injury would be classed as a concussion, but he’ll also be a last minute decision. Otherwise, nothing has changed.
As for Leicester, Youri Tielemans and James Justin have returned to training but are unlikely to feature.
James Maddison is fit after being treated in their game against Southampton.
The main thing around this game is who will Stevie G pick to play?
A lot of the side picks itself, after a pretty impressive second half against Man city, even if the first half was pretty dreadful.
The back four go without saying, but if Targett does prove to be not fit, I assume Ash Young drops in. Talking of who, I saw on one of those market value sites the other day that he has a value of only £900k. When you consider we paid £5 million to loan Ross Barkley, how good was that bit of business in getting Ash for free? We do get it right sometimes.
I’m hoping Targett is fit, because having Young as a backup gives me quite a comforting feeling knowing that he can come in and not be absolutely rubbish.
Does the manager go with Luiz and Nakamba again? That’s a tricky one, because while Dean Smith dropped Nakamba at the drop of a hat, he’s actually just been voted player of the month which is a great call in my opinion, as he’s been excellent.
Yet, if both he and Luiz play, it doesn’t leave any room for Ramsey and I’m pretty sure the manager will want him on the pitch today.
I don’t envy Gerrard making that decision.
And I haven’t even mentioned Sanson, who’s also an option.
It’s all a bit strange as just a few weeks ago we were moaning about how poor the midfield was and we now have what seems to be an abundance of riches. Well, options anyway.
And then there’s the younger lads, like Chukuemeka, Philogene-Bidace, the younger Ramsey and Archer to bear in mind too.
Who’d be a manager, with so many cards to shuffle eh?
With Bailey out, it seems logical to go with El Ghazi on the left, as much as I’m just not a fan of him and I’d expect that’s what will happen. If Ings proves fit, I guess you could put Watkins out wide, but even though I think he’s been poor over the last couple of months, the fact is he’s scored two in the last three games. If a striker is scoring, you have to leave him in place to my mind.
And that basically leaves Buendia. I so want him to come right for us and he has shown some really good touches in his play. He undoubtedly has an eye for a pass and seems a good player. But he’s been absolutely awful overall pretty much whenever he’s come onto the pitch.
Fair play to the manager, he’s giving Emi every chance to play himself into some form and hopefully it will come.
But you have to wonder how long a team can continue looking like it’s a man down for long periods of the game.
I can see Buendia being replaced and relegated to the sidelines come the winter window if he doesn’t improve.
He’ll start today, even after I’ve said all that about him.
So as I’ve said, I’m reasonably confident here.
I see goals. Three of them to be precise.
And the points go to us.
Villa to win 2-1
UTV!
So it’s Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett/Young
McGinn, Nakamba/Luiz, Ramsey
Buendia, El Ghazi
Watkins
Or is it?
Will Gerrard up the ante given that Leicester are really not much better than us so far this season?
So it’s Young in for Targett.
Luiz and Naka start, as does Ramsey.
AEG is on the bench..
Ings and Targett are not even on the bench.
Gerrard obviously rates Ramsey and I think I quite like that side.
The width that AEG added seemingly doesn’t matter any more, which means the rumour about Trez, Traore and AEG possibly being up for sale may prove to be correct.
Bit of info Vardy on the bench.
Indeed Bill. That’s a plus 🙂
Maddison, the one to watch?
Just watched Jamie Carragher’s prolonged interview with Gerrard and the manager came out really well. His point about how you can “lose” a player these days was very noticeable and he made quite a point of man managing players in different ways.
Very encouraging and if interviews are any method of judging anything, he’ll do very well for us.
Completely agree.
Have to say i wasn’t overjoyed at his appointment but he has got the team playing better and he comes across really well in post match interviews.
He has the tools so now is the time to use them . In Gerrard I trust. I also watch that interview and yes came over as knowing what he wants.. .
“Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa” is pushing it way too far though.
And that’s what Sky have just called us.
They can piss off with that lark.
A couple of last minute stats;
Villa have lost their last two hone games against Leicester
Brendan Rogers has never lost a game at VP (played 6)
Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet against Leicester in the last 12 games at VP – conceding 23
Make of that what you will.
1-1
And Leicester have failed to keep a clean sheet all season.
They’re poor in defence and we need to take advantage of it.
Otherwise, a disappointingly slow start.
I thought we’d be all guns blazing from the off.
Wow that’s far too easy.
0-1 and we’ve been crap.
0-1 Leicester, it has been coming we have been a shambles turning the ball over all over the pitch with rushed and inaccurate passing.
Another game when we give ourselves an uphill battle 😡
Well that was crap.
We have lost every game this season were we’ve gone behind in the first half!
Oh we’ve equalised!
Buendia.
Buendia scores a soft header.
1-1!
1-1 Buendia header? or a Konsa touch. Hope they settle now.
Yep, looks like a Konsa touch. Was he off?
Doesn’t matter now.
Here’s another rubbish stat.
Oliver referred the last two games against Leicester at VP – we lost them both!
Free header from Leicester then.
Bloody defence need to wake up!
Still giving the ball away and looking lethargic.
Cash needs help against Barnes – should it be Ramsey?
Here’s a rarity;
Is McGinn actually playing?
Did I just hear right in this ref also refereed this same fixture last season and the season before?
Surely not?
Yep
That’s nuts!
How can that possibly be?
Wow, we look poor at the back. Leicester players are basically walking around our area with the ball and we’re just not stopping them.
Very poor
Just checking in. I have to say I’m surprised at the confidence levels pre-match. Our record against the Foxes is truly dreadful in every PL season we’ve played them. I can’t recall a win, other than Barkley’s smash and grab at the King Power last season. I do recall the drubbing two seasons ago, and last season’s limp defeat at VP. And going back a bit, one that sticks in the memory is 4-4 capitulation at VP after leading 4-1 in Feb’ ’95 when trying to pull away from the drop-zone in Brian Little’s early days. I’m sure MON’s Leicester handed us our arses several times, too – Muzzy Izzet on the score sheet and even Gary Parker in late ’97. Ah memories…
Anyway, I won’t be happy with a draw at VP, but I will take it; Leicester are a dangerous side, in-form or not.
BFR, Leicester are crap.
I still fully expect to win this.
I hope you’re right…
Smash and Grab again. Ramsey 2-1
That’s f***ong ridiculous
What the hell is football coming to.
Just complete and utter rubbish
Yes, Cash in space heads it in and Ramsey slashes it for the goal.
2-1, except it’s judged to be in Schmeichal’s control and disallowed.
That’s poor for me. He had his hand on it, but that’s hardly under control.
Oliver trying to keep his 100% Leicester win record
Disallowed. Another decision that will be deemed erroneous by FIFA is my guess. The keeper did not have control of the ball with his hand when Ramsey kicked it.