I think about this game and struggle to stop myself from laughing.
It’s really not funny, but if I don’t laugh about it, the possibilities of what could happen are just too depressing to think about.
I said before the Arsenal game that I was actually more worried about that one than the City game, although I also said that it wouldn’t surprise me if we managed to keep the score reasonable, which we did.
I’d like to think we can do the same in at least limiting the goals against City, but I just don’t see it happening.
Which leads me to the headline, where I can see Emi getting a real workout in picking the ball out of the net.
Given that our defence has more holes in it than a fishing net, I find myself wondering if Gerrard will try and tighten us up by playing a more defensive setup. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t, but I’m not sure it will make any difference as I fail to see past Man City beating us convincingly.
Straight into squad news and only Diego Carlos is injured for the Villa.
City have Aymeric Laporte out for a few weeks, but Kalvin Phillips, Nathan Ake and a certain Jack Grealish are all available, as is new signing Manuel Akanji.
Oh, that we had similar options to the Citizens, eh?
But we haven’t. Instead, we have a load of players who are either badly out of form, or more likely just totally demoralised by a manager that seems out of his depth at a club where the fans are seriously worried for the future because the super transfer window we thought we were going to get failed to materialise, leaving us with major inadequacies still to be remedied.
And I’m sorry, but while there is nothing intrinsically wrong with players such as Bednarek or Dendoncker, they ought to be just backup squad players if we’re supposed to be pushing on the way we thought we were.
The point has been made that top six Prem clubs have spent lots of money and indeed we apparently had the 13th highest gross spend of £63 million, with a net spend of £25 million. It’s a good point and we all know we’re not going to be competing with anybody, let alone the top six, at this rate.
I’ve previously said that perhaps because the hierarchy doesn’t trust Gerrard anymore.
If that isn’t the case, we need to be seriously concerned.
So we go with what we have and frankly hope for the best, which is at least a half decent performance.
Worryingly, I can see a red card today, particularly if McGinn and Ramsey both play and if we do get one, you can see things getting really nasty if you’re a Villa fan.
There’s been quite a bit of talk about Haaland being rested for this game, as he won’t be needed.
You’d normally think that’s crazy, seeing as he’s on target for three hat-tricks in a row, a feat that’s never been achieved in any major league anywhere in the world.
But Pep doesn’t do sentiment does he?
If he thinks the player needs to be rested, he will be.
Regardless, I see that as the ultimat insult to the Villa, yet it says it all about us currently as a team.
I’m going for 0-3, which given our current level probably wouldn’t be classed as a disaster, or at least is no worse than we’re all expecting.
But it’s the fans’ reaction that I’m more interested in.
It seems pretty unanimous that Gerrard needs to go if you read anywhere on the internet, but it’s the fans at the match who are the ones I take the most notice of.
If I had some hatches, I’d be battoning them down.
For all his so-called ‘successes’ I’ve never rated Southgate.
His one consistent ability is to relegate teams.
Does that count as success?
I predicted that Hitch , Southgate last stand is world cup , we are going to be humiliated Mark my words.
Southgate has always been a yes man and it’s why he’ll never offer anything except average. We’ll do okay in the WC until we meet a decent team and everyone knows it.
Tonight’s relegation doesn’t bother me, it’s just a money-spinner failure of a competition, similar to the Europa rubbish.
Except it was achieved against the worst Italian side in decades.
Well done, Horseface.
The most important thing for me, is when he fails at the WC, will we stick with him again?
It would be laughable if we do, as it would just prove the total inertia of those who run our game.
As for our setup, yep, 4-4-2, or even better, the 4-2-3-1, because half the players are wasted up front because of the total lack of chances.
Sort the defence and confidence will build, imo.
It’s no coincidence that our defence has been useless, because our FB’s have been thrashed to death.
Again, everyone knows it, but still we persist.
Fortunately, Digne won’t be able to partake in these suicide tactics for a while.
Badger, you know I like a good debate, so I’m playing devil’s advocate here. What would be classed as ‘failure’ at the WC? Not winning it? I believe that whatever happens at the WC, it will be his last stand as England manager. He’ll either leave in a blaze of glory or ablaze and gory (I made that up, really bad, I know). Whatever happens, and despite the dire football and disgraceful recent results, his record will be WC semi-final, Euros runners up. Yes, it could and should have been much more, but if he gets to another semi-final, that records stands up against any England manager.
I have a theory that will probably be wrong: England are now at rock-bottom, so the only way is up. The ideal time to hit the bottom is now, so the World Cup will see huge improvement – it can’t not. Could ‘horse-face’ go one better this time? Semis, then final already achieved in major tournaments. The next and final step is the win. The excuse for failure in the past was players were knackered come the summer with no winter break. Well, now they’ll be peaking in November, coming fresh and strong from the strongest league in the world. Add to that the opposition’s more relaxed state due to recent dire results having the psychological effect of England not being deemed a threat, which of course isn’t true, and we could be in for a a surprise. Having said all that, I won’t be putting any money on it! Then again…
Just an argument for argument’s sake. 😛
According to Football Insider, Pottchentino Is open to managing Villa.
BFR – suggest you get on the phone quick!
Haha, saw that and afforded myself a wry smile, Hitch. Perhaps the two Emis (his countrymen) could have a word? Joking aside, I genuinely believe he’d be the perfect fit for the Villa.
I often use ‘news now aston Villa’ to keep abreast of all articles in the press related to us.
I have noticed the start of a trickle that could lead to the full tsunami of articles – you’ve guessed it Pochettino to Villa (which Hitch has rightly stated) Whilst accepting most news articles are by ITK, who actually know sweet fa these articles are occurring. I have a theory that SG has many friends in the media who out of respect for him as a player have not gone to town on him, as they would do any other manager. However, the cracks are starting to appear and hence the trickle of naming a new manager for Villa.
My bet, if SG does not achieve at least 4 points from Leeds and Forest he will be gone. NSWE have already witnessed Potter go, depleting the pool of replacements. Will they let Pochettino slip through the net? I think they will act.
I tend to agree Sid – Purslow will try and defend Gerrard as long as he can as appointing him was his project – but NSWE hold the purse strings. Purslow may already be cooking a humble pie 🙂
Appointing Pochettino would result in the same brand awareness as Gerrard – maybe more – so in that regard it’s a ‘no brainer’.
Is Pochettino orchestrating the news to send NSWE a message and can they resist it?
Interesting.
I bloody hope so!!!
So do I!!!
Great result for the Ladies. Should we import the players or the manager.
Was going to post the same Gerry. First time we’ve won two consecutive matches in the WSL in 46 matches.
Great for the club.
Be careful what you wish for with Pochettino. Just look how well Spurs are playing without him. His only award is winning 100 games in the Premier. Thats ok but their trophy room is as empty as Birmingham City.
Poch laid some great foundations to make Spuds what they are today. Understandably he had lots to work with at PSG so he knows how to work with big names.
Gerry, I agree. But like I said a few weeks back, he’s a marquee manager that doesn’t win things; Villa are a marquee club that don’t win things and need a marqee manager to go to their next level. Villa’s next level is where they were in the 90s and under MON: consistent top 6 and competing in the cups with Euro qualification. I think Poch is capable of that with the players we have. Let’s get there first, and if, in a few years, he still hasn’t won anything, we’ll be in a stronger position to attract the final level manager. One step at a time, eh? I’d like to think he could get us top 4 and win a cup. What Poch won’t be is a glorified work experience student like our current manager.
P.s. Spurs aren’t playing well without him anymore than Arsenal are playing well without Wenger. He’s ancient history there and they’ve been through Mourinho and Nuno to get to where they are now. But much of that team is still Pochettino’s and Conte is a classy enough manager to get the best out of them, which Poch also did until his final season, when he and they seemed to run out of steam with zero support from Levy’s checkbook, which has since been unleashed, resulting in what you see today. With support from NSWE, he’d be an amazing Villa manager and the biggest and best since Big Ron three decades ago.
Good second half tonight though. Should have been a win if it wasn’t for the goalkeeping error.
Didn’t watch it and frankly have no interest in watching England.
I certainly don’t have the same enthusiasm for a corrupt World Cup being held in the winter.
Fabian Delph retires at 32. Quite sad, really. And reinforces how short footballers’ careers are. I wonder if Jack will end up the same. Injuries aside, judging by the front pages of the tabloids recently, he’s risking everything with his antics and dodged a massive bullet after his ‘escapade’ with Mr Mendy.
Not that sad really, I’d suggest.
Yes, he sold his soul, but got a couple of Prem champs medals and a boatload of money.
Which is more than he would have got with the Villa.
And his U-turn apart, I wouldn’t say he stood out for us in the scheme of things, so it’s not like he’d have gone down as a legend or anything, is it?
And yep, Jack will end up the same, albeit even more minted.
Would he have gone down as a legend?
Only about a similar level to Benteke, I’d say.
No doubt he’ll be watching the Villa games at VP in a few years time.
While sat on about £30 million as his pension for the next 35 years.
All while us fans are thinking “who cares?” and he’s thinking “I did the right thing.”
I implore everyone to watch the latest ‘The Holy Trinity Show’. Brilliant analysis and he is saying what we are thinking. Do watch well worth it.
Good watch Sid and very interesting comments on the management structure at VP and what NSWE might be doing to change it.
First one I’ve watched this season but was a big fan last season.
https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-emery-poch-sources/
Well, the thought of it cheers me up, even if it’s rubbish.
I’m trying to think about what to say about the Leeds game.
Hmm.
All very interesting but as Sid has ‘implored’, watch the latest Holy Trinity Show it might encourage a different line of thought.
That’s not to say a change of manager isn’t the right decision but – is a change of manager in isolation without understanding what the identity and philosophy of the club should be – the right way to go?
The real question is about the hierarchical structure of the club and who’s making the decisions? Purslow has excellent credentials as a business executive but is not a ‘football’ man. As the HT Show asks ‘when do we we see Purslow other than when he has a shiny new story / project to sell?’u
In conclusion I repeat Sid’s recommendation to watch the HT Leeds preview show.
About time. We need a new post Badger. Last time u posted, Boris was PM and The Queen was still alive!
Can’t see us getting anything tomorrow. The Saints win was a fluke and dire performance. The team are directionless.
I know it’s a sore point, but I’d rather give up the 3 points and see Gerrard go. In any other industry, could Gerrard inspire you to go out and fight for him with that dour attitude?
P.s. Feel free to borrow my headline when the Leicester game is rescheduled 🤣.
🙂
Ah – love it – not played yet and gone up a place 🙂