So we meet again very soon after we spanked Manchester Utd on Sunday.
Sorry, that sentence just fills me with delight and I was just repeating it to myself.
It’s just such a rarity and I’m making the most of it.
I think the headline simply explains what I’m thinking about this game.
For quite a few years now, Man U have basically taken the proverbial out of this competition.
In fact they’re the club that I blame for totally debasing what was a very nice pot to have in the trophy cupboard, with their playing totally inferior sides.
I’m a strong believer in playing every game to win, so it makes me happy that now Utd have no chance of winning the league and probably litlle chance of winning the FA cup, because there are a few superior sides, they probably have to approach this competition with a view that it provides a reasonably fast route to domestic siverware.
Of course, they’re still in the Europa cup, but will that alone be enough for such a big club?
I suspect not, as I’m sure there are many who would expect them to be challenging for the league and the European cup.
So, I expect Utd to go pretty strong in trying to beat us.
Unai Emery too, loves a cup and will also be going flat out, I’d expect.
Come to think of it, seeing as we have the World cup coming up shortly, no club really needs to rest players now does it?
Squad news and Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek are cup-tied. Coutinho is out with a thigh injury and Diego Carlos is still a long termer.
Anthony Martial should get minutes, if maybe not the start and Jadon Sancho and Antony are both doubtful.
So I see a strong side then and with it, shock, horror, I actually think we might win this.
I was listening to radio WM on my drive home from work and I’m not sure who it was, but he said he can’t trust a side that that can win 4-1, lose 4-0 and then win 3-1. It’s a matter of consistency really and the same chap said he’d like to see if we we’re still performing a while after play resumes, when any new manager bouce has totally worn off.
It’s a point I totally agree with.
I expect to see a couple of younger plays feature, but this will no doubt depend on how we’re doing.
I haven’t heard if Archer is fit or not, but I’d particularly like to see him feature, as while I don’t think he’s the only answer to anything, he looks like one who really could benefit from more than just a couple of minutes here and there. Of course, I’m not alone in thinking that.
So here we go then, a prediction.
I’m going 2-1, but a win on penalties would feel very satisfactory and probably have me gloating even more.
UTV!
Will this game finish today or only when all Villa players receive a yellow card – or is it simply that the ref supports Brighton?
Told you all we’d smash them 😂
Only 4 points of a champions league place.
Finally an away win. It felt like an eternity for the last 15 minutes. Were there any Villa players not booked?
I hear Unai’s gonna fine the ones who never received one 🤣
Happy to eat humble pie 🙂
Going into the WC break in a good position with a positive approach.
Is it me or does everyone on sky seem to have it in for us since we parted company with their golden boy??
It definitely isn’t you.
” 8 minutes extra time – where did that come from?”……………10 subs and every challenge ended with a stoppage + our timewasting….LOL
I said they are all biased, even Sky commentators are anti Villa, still what did I say it’s not over till that fat lady sings, and she was there shouting come on when we was taking a throw in , 18 points that one game to be in with a chance of champions league what a thought champion league. Where my passport.
You never know Bill, you could be blowing the dust off it ready for next season 🤞
Don’t care a toss what those so called pundits on Sky think. They’re incapable of being objective – I’m not even sure they know what ‘objective’ means.
We’re sitting in a much healthier position (two tough games immediately after the WC break) – Emery has pretty much a full squad to work with through a six week pre-season and the much vaunted Sky six (or whatever) are going to be losing quite a few players over that period. Opportunity beckons.
Brilliant day here in the sunshine – Villa win and England win the T20 World Cup – couldn’t be better. The rum’s getting a bashing tonight.
UTMV
The mood changes on page 8!
Seven bookings – and the others get a stick of Brighton Rock.
Ib beg to differ about the Digne penalty. For once it was an intelligent decision by the ref and VAR. If a player is committed to kicking the ball within 2 feet of it – and his foot is moving towards it as Digne’s was. Then an opponent sticks a leg between Digne’s foot and the ball, without playing the ball, the opponent has fouled Digne.
Except if you’re a Sly (sorry Sky) expert of course!
I’d take that particular pundits comments with a gob of spit.
( Still sore we sacked his fellow dipper and bestie).