Villa – Man City; Bring it on! or maybe not.

I thought I’d better do a bit more research, so decided to watch the Luton-Arsenal game last night. I’d started by watching the Wolves game, but didn’t think too much of it.
Anyway, because the picture quality was so poor and constantly buffering on Amazon Prime, I actually watched the Arsenal game on another channel. Great game it was too.

Anyway, afterwards, they showed a re-run of the Man City-Spurs game, which proved quite handy. I’d watched it live, but only half heartedly as I was busy.

So after watching I came to a conclusion, more of which in a minute.

Squad news then and for once there isn’t any. Well, apart from Kamara being available after his suspension, that is.
Unai Emery has talked of tiredness and “small pain”, but that’s about all. His comments seem to suggest that he’s going to be responsible about his team selection, but I struggle to see how he might be able to afford to deviate from what he (and probably we) think is his best eleven.

As for Man City, they have loads of problems. If you can say that about a club that has such wealth in it’s resources. We all know that their second string could easily compete in the Premier league, after all. I don’t dislike Man City particularly as a club, but I really do hope they get their come-uppance over those 115 charges(!) that they protest they are entirely innocent of.
Good news for us is that Rodri is out for reaching 5 yellow cards. He’s a player I really like. A lot revolves around him and he’ll be a big miss, I’m sure. Grealish is also out for the same reason. I actually wonder if his petulant kicking the ball away was done on purpose, because he didn’t fancy it tonight? It wouldn’t surprise me. After all, he knows he’s done nothing of late and would probably have got loads of stick.
Injury wise, De Bruyne is out with an ongoing thigh injury, Matheus Nunes is weeks away, while Matheo Kovacic is available but probably not quite ready. Stones is very close and may well be called upon to cover for Rodri.
All in, I’m sure I heard they have 10 out, which probably includes some real long termers.

So while I’m drooling at the prospect of this game, I’m also petrified.
One thing I thought after watching that re-run, is that if you really take it to City, they are nowhere near unbeatable. They have drawn their last three games and conceded a whopping (by their standards) 8 goals. They can’t be firing on anything like four cylinders if they concede 4 to Chelsea, can they?
So do I think we can beat them? Dead right I do, if things go our way.

But the problem is I also feel we could be in for a bit of a spanking too.
Three draws on the spin is what’s known as a really poor run for City and you have to wonder how long that’s going to continue, don’t you.
Need to face a club that will end that poor run? Enter Aston Villa.
My brain just knows it.

So what needs to go right?
Well, if we mess about like we have done in the last couple of games and play at half the pace we know we can, we have no chance, in my opinion.
We need to go all out and get at them from the off.
They have the attack to destroy our decidely poor defence of late, without a doubt and it seems to me that we’re just going to have to try to outscore them.

Which all in all should mean we’re in for a cracking game of footy which should have the neutrals drooling at the prospect.

We know there are going to be goals. It’s just a matter of how many, I think.
Hence, while I can see a loss, I also have that “Villa park = fortress” in mind.

Hopefully it’ll be a case of City don’t like it up ’em.
3-3 it is then and I’d quite happily take that.

UTV! Come on you Lions!

47 Comments

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  1. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 6, 2023 at 9:00 pm . Reply

    Konsa has been awesome at RB. Bailey and Teilmans both fantastic. This is one hell of a game.
    3 points tonight and my prostate will implode!!!

    Citeh are resorting to fouling us constantly…

  2. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 6, 2023 at 9:06 pm . Reply

    McGinn has been awesome tonight and Bailey is showing why Purslow bought him as one of the Grealish replacements.

    Sadly, I suspect City will sneak a goal somewhere – wish I was more positive – but I’m enjoying the football we’re playing.

  3. Holte
    Holte December 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm . Reply

    I can’t help but think we needed a goal first half when we were dominating. McGinn was magnificent but all the team gave 100%
    Need to stay alert early second half because they will punish us if we don’t.

    1. Adam
      Adam December 6, 2023 at 9:26 pm . Reply

      Great first half. Feels ominous already this 2nd half though

  4. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 6, 2023 at 9:44 pm . Reply

    We are Villa.

    We are incredible.

    We just need a goal!!!

    1. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand December 6, 2023 at 9:48 pm . Reply

      Anyone care to tell me Bailey ain’t a player??!
      Get in!!

  5. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 6, 2023 at 9:49 pm . Reply

    Oh God!!!

    Oh Bailey!!!

  6. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 6, 2023 at 10:05 pm . Reply

    And now John Brooks is trying to help City!

  7. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 December 6, 2023 at 10:12 pm . Reply

    Un fucking believable.

    Dominated City in every single stat.

    City only had two shots and those the two Harland attempts.

    And who said we don’t have a defence?

    Oh me of little faith 🙂

  8. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum December 6, 2023 at 10:13 pm . Reply

    OH MY FECKING GOD!!!!!!!!

    I HAVE NEVER SEEN US PLAY LIKE THAT!!!!

    Sorry, but I’ve always believed in Bailey. Proper strength of character.

  9. Holte
    Holte December 6, 2023 at 10:13 pm . Reply

    Absolutely brilliant!
    Most convincing 1-0 ever!
    Very happy 😃

    1. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand December 6, 2023 at 10:15 pm . Reply

      Played off the park

  10. Adam
    Adam December 6, 2023 at 10:17 pm . Reply

    Wow wow wow that was probably the most dominant I’ve seen us in a long time against one of if not the best team in the world. If it wasn’t for Emery this would never happen the guy is a genius. Bailey the best game of his life and the rest of the team were just as good, particularly the back four plus Martinez who were outstanding.

  11. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson December 6, 2023 at 10:26 pm . Reply

    It worked it worked I knew if I predicted a loss we would win , I said in the past I don’t do it because I never get it right bleeding brilliant a happy chappie now off to bed . Will I sleep? Not on your Nellie..

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