Of our last two games, Pool and Palace, I’d normally be most worried about the former, probably because it’s rare for us to beat them.
But Palace are in excellent form and have taken 16 points from their last 18, only bettered by Citeh, who we rely on tomorrow.
A glance at the form table is a bit of a surprise really, because while it’s pretty universally accepted by us that we’ve been miles off our best, with our small squad and tiredness having taken their toll, we’ve won two, drawn two and lost two in our last six games.
The surprise then is that Liverpool have done exactly the same.
We’ve actually done better than them if you only take the last five games into account and while I don’t set to much store by previous games, it is at least a bit of an indicator that Liverpool aren’t exactly flying either. Not that they need to be. Third place is guaranteed, so can we hope they will have their holiday attire on?
I doubt it, as we don’t get that sort of luck.
Squad news then and with Villa, a lot is up in the air as the fitness of several players with small injuries, including Nicolo Zaniolo, Youri Tielemans and Alex Moreno is being monitored.
It’s all demonstrative of how fatigue has caught up with the lads.
As for Liverpool, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are out,but they are hoping Diogo Jota is ready for a return.
A Reds fan who I’m working with in Liverpool has had a bet that Nunez and Watkins will get two shots each and Luiz will be booked. I told him it could be a decent bet, particularly the Luiz part, but that I wasn’t sure about Ollie, as he can sometimes be taken out of the game if the midfield isn’t offering any supply.
I think this game is easily summed up by the fact that if we were in top form, this is a game I’d have been pretty confident of winning.
Unfortunately, we look jaded and slow, hence I don’t think we’ll be able to live with Liverpool’s overall pace and press.
Would a draw do tonight? Maybe, but Spurs need to win both their gams really because a win and a draw would also require them turning round our 8 goal difference in the difference.
The trouble is, I don’t see a draw, as much as I’d probably take it and it’s another game where I just don’t see us winning either.
It’s a 2-1 or maybe even 3-1 defeat, I’m afraid, with us holding our breath tommorow night.
UTV! and come on lads, one last push!
Comments
221 responses to “Villa – Liverpool; I’m not sure if I should be worried or not.”
I’m so f’ing fed up
It’s offside…..amazed
Tielemans off which means McGinn withdrawn to central midfield
Hooper’s now put his red shirt on!
McGinn’s been kicked all night and now he books McGinn!
Forest were right.
Look at Liverpools bench compared to ours!
Their squad is virtually at full strength. We still have 7 first teamers out.
This isn’t a game we should be losing 3-1. We’ve had a hatful of chances. I just hope lady luck is with us tomorrow night, ‘cus she ain’t at Villa Park.
Agreed Bum Bum – no way is it a 1-3 game. As I said it’s like we’re jinxed agains certain teams.
It’s not a jinx. It’s the biased/corrupt referees.
I hate Liverpool although we have been architects of our own downfall again.
Now we have YET another injury!
Just have to hope Citeh win tomorrow night because we haven’t got any players left.
Zaniolo looks like he’s f****d. He’s been on 5 minutes. Another waste of space. Get rid!
Diaby can be great on his day, but today isn’t one of them.
Bailey MOTM. Never stopped fighting.
Bailey!!!!!!!!!!!
FUCKING YEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
Oh. my. god
I don’t believe it !!! 3-3
Will 9 minutes left .
But can we hold the point?
Do not sit back, for god’s sake!
Have u lot turned off????? 🤣🤣🤣
No still here Bum Bum – just can’t believe what I’m watching – no way did we deserve to lose it.
Pressure on Spuds.
I’ll take that!
What an amazing match. Well done Villa on the fight back, especially Duran.
Even better Spurs have to beat Man City and Sheff Utd.
We can now draw at Palace and Spurs have to win both and pull back 9 goals to over take us.
Well, that’s a great point in the end.
Not slating Ollie, because he’s been great, but how incisive did Duran look compared to Ollie? Tiredness again, at a guess.
Brilliant game to watch for the neutrals and I think I’ve had all the emotions today.
The crowd were good too, once they saw a glimmer of hope.
Plan B: Ollie left, Duran up top.
Duran should have come on sooner. Dare I say Chambers added more to the press! We need to do something about defending crosses in particular because they have been a major contributor to our goals conceded.
3-3 and somehow a point. We need Citeh to at least draw now!
And specifically low crosses.
I’m not seeing valid excuses for that.
One thing about Duran – he makes things happen and he’s only 20.
Do we need to spend big on a back up for Ollie – don’t think so.
That point helps us massively going into the Palace game.
Just a shout out for Tielemans – we look so much better with him alongside Luiz and McGinn pushed forward. Emery was right to take him off – we’ll need him Sunday.
Wow! A very, very significant point!
Wow! Spuds have to WIN both now where a draw will be sufficient for us. What a cracking game!!!!
We are Aston Villa and we ROCK!!! Even when we play against 12 men.
Same place. Same time tomorrow guys!!!!!
See you there – hopefully – if I get permission from the Mem Saab!
What a performance, thought we were dead and buried at 1-3 but the football gods blessed us with fortune with that equaliser but nothing less than we deserved.
Come on City do the business tomorrow 🤞
Well that was a great comeback. I thought it was all over at 3 – 1. But that looked more like the villa we have come to expect. If we can just get over the line tomorrow night, I think we will see a whole host of quality players queuing up to play for villa and Emery next season. Now I want spuds to get a draw tomorrow. Not enough to get champions league, but maybe enough to give Arsenal the league. A real spursy thing to do lol.
Hope the Spuds get smashed out the park tomorrow, 0-4 by halftime will do nicely thank you.
My nerves couldn’t stand a draw Tekkers.
Tom Hanks’ celebrations were great and looked genuine
USA sports don’t have the tension football has.
That save from Diaby at the end was mental. We’d nearly won it!!!
It almost feels like a win.
You forget he’s an Oscar winning actor! 😁😁😁
One last thing before bedtime, why is everyone assuming Palace will beat us?????
Watkins was excellent for the first goal which he created out of nothing but he seems too obsessed with getting that 20th league goal. A couple of times he could have played someone in but chose to shoot. I hope he can get it against Palace. He might find it easier if Citeh get a win or draw tomorrow night.
A valid point. Strikers often get that mental block. He’ll just have to grab a brace on Sunday then!
I was so impressed with Bailey’s fight tonight. He was kicked, stamped on, shoved, and he never gave up! What a star.
Anyone catch Luiz’s celebrations at the equaliser? He went mental!!! Also Emery walking down the tunnel with his arm wrapped around Emi Martinez. A nice touch.
Hope he gets it. He deserves it.