I’ve found myself thinking about how much I’ve missed the game and my thoughts on the season restarting.
And to be honest, I’m pretty sanguine, as I’m not too hopeful of our chances of avoiding relegation.
There was an article somewhere recently, that talked about how the Bundesliga had gone since it restarted and it wasn’t encouraging, because it appears that home advantage is pretty none-existent without any support. It was the fact that we will be playing home games that gave me some encouragement, but oh well.
There was one good thing about the article though and it mentioned that there had been much less agression, pressing and actual tackling. Basically, the games are more like pre-season training games.
This may be a real plus point for us, as I’ve always felt we perform better in these sort of games.
Then add in that “Original London Lion” thinks we’re a warm weather side (something I tend to agree with) and maybe things aren’t quite as bad as I think.
“Nath” seems massively positive too and perhaps I’m just being a bit too negative.
Except I was at the corresponding fixture last season.
I remember it really well, as I’d just come back from Sri Lanka and it was freezing at Villa park, so much so that I decided to leave with about ten minutes to go. We were 3-0 down and had been thoroughly outplayed, so I didn’t think me leaving would make any difference.
And we then went on to score 3 goals to equalise.
I couldn’t believe it on hearing the score when I got home and unfortunately I couldn’t believe the gulf in class between the sides either.
Still, we’re a different side now and I do actually agree that the break will hopefully see us looking a side with a better frame of mind. Losing four on the trot can never be a good thing.
Then of course we have Super John McGinn back too.
While I don’t think we can expect too much from him for the first couple of games, because he’s going to be very rusty, I’m sure he will come good .
There’s not much point in trying to make a prediction, as it would only be a pure guess.
But we have to hope for the win which would see us back up to 16th, with a big pyschological lift.
Fingers crossed eh?
There was a lot of hype around 2 or 3 youngsters included in the first team training squad – Louie Barrie being one. Slightly disappointed not to see him on the bench
What’s with this water break?
It’s not that hot and things are far too changed up as it is.
Whatever, decent enough start.
And yes, wtfs with that hair, Grealish?
El Ghazi gets caught (not a pen, imo) not given.
10 secs lateLuiz does less and gets booked!
Why do they try to play the ball out of defence and lose it. 3 times in our half ball to the wing and it’s lost. Grealish being clatterd again. Come on Villa.
Should be 1-0 to Sheffield United. Goal line technology screwed up in our favour!
Wow, Utd get the ball well over the line and it’s not given!
That looked a goal all day to me.
Wow looks like we got away with one for once. Looks like Nayland took the ball over the line.
Come on you Villa
That ball is behind the post, how can it not count?
Technology – you can’t beat it!
The back of the post is level with the rear of the goal line. Oliver is wearing the watch and one must assume he checked it was functioning. If it was – then end of story, the goal line technology is now the final arbiter, not your eyes.
On a serious note though we mustn’t let that affect us – strangely it can have a negative rather than positive effect.
Is VAR not able to overrule? Why didn’t they stop play and check referees ‘watch’ is working? Not that I’m bothered they didn’t on this occasion.
Haha, Nyland rolled the ball round the post, inside the net.
That’s a shocking decision.
That apart, I’ve been surprised with our energy levels and we look reasonably sharp.
If you had to ask me which one player doesn’t look up to his normal speed and I’d actually say Grealish. You can see there’s nothing wrong with his speed of thought, but he looks a fraction slow.
Prediction for the game now?
I’ll go the odd goal, either way, but 0-0 wouldn’t surprise me.
Would I take a draw?
Well, it’d be better than losing.
They’ve literally just said that VAR could have overruled it.
What a shambles, but good for us.
A Draw? Not for me, it’s a must win today or you can say bye bye Villa.
Samatta too lightweight – you can see why Davis started up front – would like to have seen Samatta playing off him
Samatta not getting into game. Davis did well except for barging Nyland.
Well bit of a damp squid in terms of excitement in the game. We didn’t really go for it like it was a cup knockout competition like Smith said we would. Too many passes back instead of better movement from the players off the ball to play it forward that and the fact pass back to safety is our first thought because of the position we are in. Davis was good unlucky not to score, Grealish had one good but of play and set up el ghazi for the pass back but we couldn’t finish as usual, but not much else for us to be positive about. Sheffield Utd made it fairly easy for us at times. Need to be far far better on Sunday to just get a point.
Bit of a non event not helped by problems with my satellite signal. As Badger said a points better than nothing but does it really help our cause? Just don’t think we have the quality to stay up.
We just don’t have players that can beat a player and move forwards with the ball, to beat a player we pass and lose the ball, one player only can take a man on and that’s Grealish. I’m still disappointed at that game and we should have lost it. That was a goal ,why they never used VAR God Knows.
Hate to say it, but I think we’re back in the championship now, barring a miracle.
I also noted Sky changed their mind about putting the game on Sky Pick which is free. Scumbags.
Was it ever likely to have been free?
The first game in 3 months?
I very much doubt it to be honest.