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.”
So a majority of Spurs fans want to lose tomorrow, so Arsenal don’t win the league, according to a Sky poll?
What a load of tosh and Postecoglu was rightly pissed at that suggestion.
To suggest they’d knock CL back just for that reason is laughable, imo.
Typical of the rubbish that Sky find to make some ‘headlines’…
And while on that subject, somebody PLEASE get rid of Alan Smith, or at least stop him ever commentating on Villa games. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him have a positive thing to say about us – he makes Robbie Savage sound like a Villa fan in comparison.
Worse than Lee Dixon?
Never really noticed Dixon – it just seems that every time I see a Villa game on Sky it’s Smith (+ someone or other that I don’t recognise ) and he’s at the negatives/digs from an hour before the start to the final whistle!
He appears to hate us with a passion matey, nothing but disparaging remarks.
Here’s Gabby having a pop at him…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaFJBdS9gd0
Ardent, I’m pretty certain that Alan Smith is a Villa fan. If you played FIFA with him on the commentary, he refers to being a fan. Maybe when he does commentary on Villa he tries too hard to make sure he sounds non biased. Something Neville and Carragher need to learn.
I thought he was Villa too, tbh.
Funny that, I rather think Smith is one of the best pundits in terms of informed, balanced remarks and he says it as he sees it.
Didn’t know that he’s a Villa fan but he’s from this area of the world – started his career at Alvechurch.
I had a feeling that we might get something from this game but, like many here, I began to doubt it. But we did it. Somehow we got our mojo back and I’m absolutely certain that we will make CL now. It’s been a hell of a season with its ups and downs but it’s been the best one we’ve had in ages. Emery is a genius and, whatever people say, I honestly think that we’ll make a fist of it in the CL.
As Unai said, ‘Up the Villa!’
Well, if Grealish plays tonight, it’s like we have a somebody representing ourside of things on the pitch tonight
12 hours until kick off part 2!!!!
I had the strangest dream about Villa and Liverpool last night…😁
So proud of the lads brilliant fighting spirit and we’re missing 6 players buzzing today
Nothing on the new kit though
https://www.reddit.com/r/avfc/comments/1cgafgd/new_villa_kit_leaked_in_a_market_in_turkey/
Those Turkish boys appear to be ahead of the game.
It’s f****** hideous, so I hope it’s not even close. If that’s the new badge – awful. Why a yellow lion, again??? Zero impact. And the 150 anniversary logo is questionable. Small and on the sleeve, maybe, but the bigger it is, the uglier it looks. Less is more when it comes to design. Keep it clean and simple and you’ll sell shit loads and a classic shirt will endure the test of time. The more bits of shit you add, the worse it gets. Designer’s rant over!
Oh , and UTV!!!
I reiterate that the badge is butt ugly. I sincerely hope it’s not that!
BFR, I hate that badge too with the cowardly yellow lion! We have our best season in a generation after ditching that shite badge and possibly reintroduce the ‘unlucky’ badge. Based on the teaser advertisements with the adidas logo in yellow, I think it’s very likely which is madness!
Also if they want to sell more shirts, why not sell shirts without the horrible sponsors name across the front. I would buy one even if it cost more than the one with a sponsor. Just a thought 🤔
Agree, Holte. Personally, I’d go for the vintage look like Liverpool’s this season. No shield, just a biggish rampant lion, with a star and ‘Aston Villa’. Yellow is a bad idea. Ideal for the away kit. Other than that, no.
Anyway, City looking sluggish. But so far, so good. 🤞
Up at 5-30 watching it again on catch back , knackered now all this energy kicking the ball for them mentally done me in , I see we are the talk of the media now and them picking up on how small a squad plus injuries the lads where heroes. I look back and marvel how lucky our club was to get Uni Emery and thinking whats the future now for us . Even now when I’m out and about the first thing in talk is the Villa we are back lads and a proud Villa fan . UTV
Brilliant RSS I’ll fly over there and get one now always one step ahead the turks haa
Isn’t Turkey where Adidas have their kits made alongside a whole host of other clothing manufacturers?
One interesting comment on that page:
‘On another note, it’s a sign international awareness is growing, you’d struggle to find bootleg Villa tops a few years ago’.
Quite true. So our international profile IS growing!
Nerves still jangling as we go through it all again tonight.
For me a perfect result would be a draw – we could enjoy the final game with all finger and toe nails intact and Arse / Citeh can fight it out on the last day of the season!
But with Villa we know it won’t be that simple – or will it ? 🙂
UTMV
Good work from Chambers on our second goal. Hats off to Diaby who showed what he is capable of in the second half and well done Duran. I do like that he hits the ball with real venom when shooting.
I expect City to win tonight as they have to if they are to win the title (don’t care if it’s them or Arsenal tbh).
The whole club deserves our congratulations. It’s a stunning achievement given our squad strength and injuries to key men
Not there yet. The fat lady is clearing her throat. Spurs are capable of beating City. Champers on ice for now…
Ye looks a bit shit hope its not that the 150 looks awful
Some of the concept kits are fantastic the money they pat these designers as well
Should do what tranmere do and have 4 designs done by fans then let everyone to choose their favourite it’s not hard
OK guys, brace yourselves. In 4 visits to Spurs’ new stadium since it opened, City have yielded precisely ZERO points and ZERO goals. That’s ZERO. And ZERO.
Strap yourselves in this evening. 😬😬😬
The odds have to change one day! The longer a run goes on, the higher the chance of it being broken!
Most those results came while either Conte, Pochettino or Mourinho at the helm for the Spuds and they incidentally, also happen to be joint third and second placed mangers with the the most wins against Pep.
More than a just coincidence I’d say?
They won 1-0 there in January in the FA cup. That’s the most recent match there
Mate I’m trying to put a positive spin on this! 😂
Agree gentlemen it’s, shall we say a little busy?
And that 150 logo looks like something from a 1950’s Cadbury’s chocolate bar wrapper?
But in saying all that, off to sunny Turkey in a couple of weeks and if by chance I was to stumble upon one?
Well who knows?? 😊
Haa spot on rss it’s not the best still not sure if that’s the design though
Come on citehh
RSS what part of Turkey? almost bought a place in Turunc wife said no done 18 years holiday there , not been back for 14 years. I loved it wife didn’t. 35 minutes to ko and bloody nervous as if Villa are playing , tonight I’m a Man City fan with a glass of whiskey 🥃 standing by. UTV
Jangle, jangle – sound of my nerves 🙂
Seconded. Spuds started well. Could go either way!
Cripes! I can’t believe Pep would fail to get them fired up for this…
How is it a tackle from behind also a push in the back are not a fouls? and the prat in the middle is the prat from VAR on our game last night. Something stinks .
Dirty side Spuds
What’s going on in this game ? It’s crying out for a footballer both are playing one tap football and it’s not working .
Citeh pretty poor by their standards
Correct me if I’m wrong but Spurs have to win tonight to catch us. A draw means they’re be on 64 and we’re already on 68.
Is that right?
Very quiet game. Pep ready with a rocket at HT?????
Correct, Bum Bum.
Correct Bum Bum. A draw would suit us, Citeh just mustn’t lose.
I very much doubt that is our next kit because it should have Betano on the front for a start.
Whatever, the badge is way too big and agreed, that 150 thing is horrible.
It’s all just too cluttered.
Anyway, an interesting read about next season’s income here;
https://tbrfootball.com/aston-villa-poised-to-break-2x-financial-records-300m-windfall-now-all-but-certain/
Bloody hell Badger. Our owners seem to know what they’re doing!
With Heck saying we are NOT moving from Villa Park, it makes me wonder watching this game if Spuds ground is too big for them? I’d expect it from Real or Bayern but you can upset the balance with something like this. I preferred WHL.
Citeh goal!!!!!!!!!
Random: love the new Volkswagen ad. Proper advert. Made me want to buy a Vdub.
Go on City wrap it up
Get in!
WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Champions League here we come!!!!!!
What is it with refs allowing stamping on feet, shins or heels these days? We saw so much of it on Villa last night and Spuds doing the same tonight.
Spurs fans complete numpties booing Ederson – complete idiots – not that surprising really.