Badger had to work today and is gutted that he missed one of Villa’s best all round performances this season – so I’m making a brief substitute’s appearance although I admit to having missed the first 35 minutes myself!
Two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce removes any further talk of relegation but neither do they suddenly mean Europe is back on the agenda this season. A top half finish though should still be the objective.
Southampton came into the game on a seven game unbeaten run having only lost one of their previous 10 games in all competitions. Villa, on the other hand, had failed to win in their last four home games and hadn’t beaten Southampton at Villa Park in six games (L4D2) including losing the last three.
With Digne and Konsa missing from the starting line up (due to positive Covid tests according to The Telegraph), I doubt whether even the most die hard Villa fan would have predicted a 4-0 win.
The most pleasing aspect was that Villa put in a ninety minute performance, scoring four very good goals and then controlling and managing the game out in the second half.
Going into half time at 2-0 up, there is always a concern that a ‘different’ Villa will emerge for the second half but within 10 minutes of the restart the game was put to bed.
For once the Ings / Watkins partnership seemed to work and both of them put in good all round performances – actually passing to each other!
Ings passing to Watkins for the first goal; a great turn that left the defender kicking thin air and a strong finish into the top right hand coroner of the net. A lead within nine minutes to settle any nerves.
Coutinho will get player of the match but Ings with two assists and a very good strikers goal – showing real control and technical skill with the volley – is worthy of a mention.
Coutinho was at his magical best and could have, and probably should have, had a hat trick in the last ten minutes of the first half. Certainly the goal he scored was arguably the most difficult of his chances. His run into the box which led to the second goal by Luiz showed real vision and timing but a word here for a simply sublime side footed chip pass by Chambers over the Southampton defence.
Chambers and Young both put in good, strong performances and it was notable (apart from one really poor pass by McGinn) that the errors in midfield had been cut out. There has been a lot of criticism of Luiz but today I thought he showed better concentration and energy and I can’t recall him making many, if any, mistakes.
Martinez didn’t have a lot to do but when called upon, his save from Adams in the second half was world class.
Bailey still looks well short of full fitness actually looking quite slow I thought – jury still out.
Sanson did his job in helping to close out the game and Buendia came on for Coutinho who, leaving the pitch by the shortest route, fully deserved the standing ovation as he walked back to the dug out.
By their own high standards, Southampton were poor today, but Villa have a habit of letting teams off the hook – today we saw a more ruthless and determined performance.
We now need to see that performance repeated against Leeds on Thursday after which we have a run of five games that will give a better indication of whether we’re progressing under Gerrard.
The real test now is to show some form consistency and put together an undefeated run.
Another instance of us playing much better against teams that are above us…
Great result, and according to everything I read (didn’t see the game, and for once BBC WM didn’t have commentary, either!) Coutinho was unplayable today.
Do we still want Gerrard out, chaps? A Mr O’Leary had it right, I’m afraid. Fickle. Let’s all give our silly heads a shake, shall we?
On the same point, did anyone catch Roy Keane’s comments about Villa players being unprofessional “scumbags” when he worked for the club? Keane, like our manager, has extremely high standards that few can match, which is what made him, and our manager, two of the greatest players of their generation. And, most significantly, serial winners.
The project is on track. We had to take a slight but necessary detour with the change of manager. We will lose more games – all teams do, bar the top two. We’re not there yet. Let’s not lose our shit next time we lose a game, eh? Or we could get Smith back, if we prefer.
UTV
Absolutely right BFR.
Some of the postings on here after the Newcastle and Watford games were simply ridiculous. A couple of bad performances and calls for Dean Smith…
No doubt there’ll be some who will now go to the other extreme.
Villa are a work in progress. Remember what the owners said when they came in – The Plan was first to get back into the PL, then aim for Europe. They knew that it wouldn’t happen in just two or three seasons, and that it would take a lot of investment and patience. The same applies to the ground re-development.
As far as I can see we’re on course on all fronts, and there will be more than a few slip-up’s here andd there along the way – but fans turning despondent and calling for it all to be ripped-up and ‘start over again’ because of a couple of bad games just proves DOL wasn’t far off the mark in that infamous remark.
BFR, my young grandkids and SIL who went to the game didn’t think we played particularly well and it seems Southampton fans are saying that was by far their worst performance this season.
I’m not denigrating the result, because it was a great one. You can’t slate a 4-0 win at all.
But I’m still reserving judgement and won’t be changing my mind based on the last two games.
And it’s not fickle to dislike or not rate a manager. It happens with all fans at all clubs.
I do of course hope Gerrard gets it right and a nice win against dirty Leeds will go some way to beginning to change my mind.
Hitch, thanks.
Having read around I’d say your summing up is about right.
It’s nice to see that Ings and Watkins actually seemed to work. Apparently Southampton played a high line and allowed Watkins plenty of freedom?
So much for Hasenhutl’s brilliant tactics then?
From reading, Luiz played well too; that’s also good.
Badger, you disappoint me, and I despair, I really do.
“didn’t think we played particularly well” – every pundit on TV and written news reports said or is saying how brilliantly Villa played. The boys in the ‘Final Score’ studio were practically wanking themselves.
“won’t be changing my mind based on the last two games” – yet you seem to have made it on the two before?
Why do you “dislike” or not “rate” Gerrard as a manager? Can you explain, please, because everything he’s shown so far, as a manager, suggests he’s an excellent one, especially for his relative lack of experience.
“will go some way to beginning to change my mind” – the definition of ‘fickle’ is “changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.”
Anyway, I’m glad you’re well and sorry to have a pop – I appreciate the site you run so well. But I really am baffled and dismayed by fans’ unstable, almost ‘bi-polar’ reactions to results. Gerrard is, clearly, an excellent manager and an upgrade on Smith. And today was, clearly, an excellent performance; had we been more “ruthless”, we could’ve dished out another 9-0, which we know Saints have in their locker. But I guess even a 9-0 would’ve drawn negative or indifferent comments. Ah well, f*** it. I just hope our owners don’t listen to fans and crack on.
UTV
p.s. we shouldn’t be selling Ings or Watkins in the summer. Ings is a one in two games striker (rare) and his finish today was world class, as are most of his finishes. Make them work, like they did today. If we can upgrade, by all means, but we’ll have to go world class again (like Coutinho) to get an upgrade on these two very very good PL strikers.
See, BFR, I’m only passing on what I heard. And that’s from fans who are far more optimistic than me.
They’re not alone either, as having read around, I’ve seen quite a few saying the same; attacking performance great, but the rest meh.
I don’t know if you’ve seen the sky scores, but it’s predominantly 6’s.
Otherwise, I know. It doesn’t make sense after you’ve won 4-0.
Personally, I’d take crap performances and 4-0 wins all day at the moment.
As for fickle, I’ve never said I really like or rate Gerrard, so I think my stance has been pretty constant.
In fact my first comment about him, apart from when he came and I said he was a gamble was when I said I think he has to go.
My opinion isn’t important and can be seen to be a total load of tripe if he goes on to do really well for us. And I really hope he does. I’m happy to be shot down too when he gets us into Europe.
We can debate the meaning of fickle, but that’s not important either, as I only want us to do well. It’s always been like that and will always be 🙂
Why don’t I like him?
I don’t know, but suspect a lot of it is down to his total lack of experience. I’m not a fan of this sort of young manager this early in his career being at top clubs and would ask if you can think of one who’s done really well in the Prem.
Lampard? Many think he did poorly, even though he was gifted a squad most could only dream of.
Gerrard showed signs of seeing problems and bringing on the right subs. But then did just the opposite for some games and was no better than Smith, to my mind. Inexperience? I don’t know, but no doubt we’ll see.
Badger, I’d like to comment on your explanation on why you don’t like Gerrard with regards to his perceived lack of experience. Firstly, Gerrard is not Lampard. Lampard is looking like he might go into the David Platt, Stuart Pearce, Tony Adams category of manager – top player, doesn’t cut it as a manager, for whatever reason; going to Everton was the definition of career suicide. Gerrard, in my opinion, doesn’t seem to fit into that category; he seems much more suited to management, and far more astute in his decision making.
Anyway, my most pertinent point is on your comment about ‘experience’, or lack of. Experience means absolutely nothing, in any walk of life. Nothing. Mr Mourinho, not so long ago, was on course to become the greatest ever manager; he is vastly ‘experienced’ in that he’s managed many top clubs in many top leagues for many years. BUT. The evidence suggests that his experience counts for nothing. Why? Because he didn’t, hasn’t or just won’t learn from his experiences. In other words, he keeps making the same mistakes, over and over and over again. So now he’s more like a baddie in a Bond movie, only it’s a spoof, so low has his credibility gone. On the other hand, a younger, more ‘inexperienced’ manager, may have a sharp mind and be willing and able to learn from their experience, every day, every match, every season. Keep learning and evolving. Gerrard strikes me as that type. If he did have that heart to heart with his players after the Watford game, that is brilliant on a managerial level, and shows a maturity far beyond his experience; Jose would’ve lost the dressing room.
Closer to home, arguably our two best managers of the PL era were inexperienced; Little and his successor, Gregory. More experienced were Taylor and McLeish, and Lambert to a lesser extent. Granted, Sherwood was inexperieced. But that’s the point – it’s not the experience or lack of; it’s whether or not the man in the hot seat is capable of doing the job. I believe Gerrard is, and I think he’s proving it already. He’s been in charge for 15 league games. 15. He’s won half of them (7), drawn a couple, and lost 6, half of which were against the nailed on top 3. So he’s lost 3 games that we’d like to think he shouldn’t have. Brentford was an anomaly of the festive season (you always get one), and I truly believe Newcastle and Watford were just the worst time to play them.
Anyway, I’m rambling now. Experience is only worth something when an individual can reflect upon, evaluate, and LEARN from their experiences. It’s not about ‘miles on the clock.’
UTV
Just add a couple of points in support of your excellent piece BFR.
Gerrard started by learning about management initially through the academy / U18’s at Liverpool under the watchful eye of Klopp before moving to Rangers where he continued learning about management whilst developing a team capable of going undefeated in a whole season and enjoying success in Europe. It’s irrelevant that it’s Scottish football.
He’s surrounded himself with experience and talent – McAllister and Michael Beale (who moved with him from Liverpool) being principal examples.
Great managers employ great people; they recognise where they need additional skill sets and bring in talented people to supply them.
Those are reasons why Gerrard will always be a better manager than Lampard.
Heh, I don’t like McAllister either, fwiw.
But it’s not important.
As I said, I sincerely hope you’re right and I’m wrong in reserving judgement.
Thing is Badger – what does ‘playing well’ actually mean when the team has just demolished Southampton 4-0 – a team above us and having only lost once in 10 games?
In my book that’s playing well and from what I saw (and seen) it was probably the best 90 minute all round performance of the season – something we’ve been demanding for some time.
Yes, Southampton, at times, looked like us on a bad day but you still have to go out and win it. They did improve markedly after we went 4-0 up but we controlled and managed out the game only allowing them one shot on target.
Actually, Hitch, that was the biggest positive I’ve taken from the game.
Quite a few have commented on how we actually made it a performance of two halves.
It’s about time too. How can you go the majority of a season only performing for one half?
Agreed. The bottom line is a 4-0 win has to be good.
Even with a poor performance lol.
It wasn’t a poor performance. It was an excellent one. I have to emphasise and reinforce that.
In your opinion.
Which is fair enough.
I’m just making the point that not all agree.
As I said, I didn’t even see the game.
It shows the potential we have thought we were brilliant for the most part UTV
Great win, not great performance they were just awful. Have to back this up at Leeds now or pointless if you wanna push for top 10 which I’d say is the aim for Gerrard, the owners and the backroom staff as Europe seems further away every game now.
Only problem is taking our chances, could’ve been 7-1 without Martinez save and providing we took all of our chances. Glad we kept James Ward Prowse quiet and I do rate that Romeu they have, plays like a dirty get and it makes him the player he is, should look into him.
Luiz needed the confidence booster and so did Chambers, still think Mings and Chambers could be a good call for next game, god knows where Konsa and Digne have disappeared off to, heard it’s covid.
Need the win at Elland Road now, huge game, not top 10 but only because Palace beat Wolves, which I’m not complaining about haha. We drew 3-3 to Leeds but also drew 2-2 to United, shows our consistency is really bad so we need to back this up well and get 3 on the bounce now, I’d like another clean sheet, capable against the bottom of the form table but I didn’t even think the game was wrapped with 4 goals because we’re Villa haha…
Let’s get this win on Thursday midweek now then I will really start to believe in Gerrard and the lads, Young was top class as was Coutinho. Ramsey quiet tbh, UTV!
Alfie, are you actually, seriously saying Villa were “awful” today? Because if you are, there is no hope, not for us, not for Villa, not for humanity.
I must point out that the word “awful” about Villa was not mentioned once. I said that it was not the greatest performance from us, however Southampton were awful. Maybe not the greatest worded sentence on my part.
Ah, thanks Alfie – glad you meant Saints and not Villa! – it wasn’t clear from your sentence. Time for bed, methinks!
Nah, it was my fault think I worded that a bit wrong no matter how much I try! Same for me haha!
Im wonder how many of us noticed how we played that game. No side to side by going backwards, more a direct ball forwards most times i thought. Great game and i hope more of that.Ramsey wasn’t at his best but Courtinho made up in creating moves for Watkins and Inns who both had good games. Proud Villa Fan and tomorrow I must speak to my next door mate who is a Hammer fan with my Villa shirt on .Utv
I think Gerrard gave Luiz a rollocking about that passing backwards and sidewards rubbish, didn’t he Bill?
Maybe that’s why it was no coincidence that Luiz was supposed to have have a good game today.
Give that Hammer some stick 🙂
I thought they could easily have had something against Pool, from the bit I saw, but don’t tell him!
Well everyone you can all thank me for yesterday’s thrashing of Southampton. I went to the game for the first time since we got back to the premier league with my son. Last time we went was when we beat Bristol City and Blackburn in the championship, so we must be bringing them luck!
Seriously though I missed out on tickets for Watford (phew) and was surprised I got two seats together for Saints game.
The match itself was kind of strange in that up until Ollies goal, we couldn’t string a pass together and everyone’s first touch was misplaced. However the goal settled the nerves and by the end of the game it could and probably should have been 8.
The last half hour or so was a bit messy with substitutions and free kicks etc but we saw the game out without any worries.
Of course Southampton were poor but this was one of our best performances in a long time and hopefully we can maintain it against Leeds who are in turmoil.
Holte I thank you for bringing us luck, I’ve no hope of getting tickets for me and my grandkids as I’m not in the know out here, my Village are all Man Leeds Chelsea West Ham you name it no one with seat tickets for Villa. 3 years ago had corporate seats 4 and gave seats away regular. Still i i have ways of seeing every game on the box. keep it up.
I only got tickets because a work colleague is a season ticket holder so I got them before they go on general sale. A better way still is to become a member which gives first access to available tickets although it wouldn’t be worth it if only going a couple of times in a year.
Hang on Holte. I can’t let you take all the glory there.
It might well be down to me missing the fist Villa game in ages, too! 🙂
I was tempted to say if we can keep winning games if I don’t watch, I’ll stop watching.
Sod that though.
I thought the Villa goals were brilliant. I don’t doubt the Saints fans verdict – their worst display of the season – but they were on-form coming into the match so Villa made them look awful.
My only doubt about Coutinho is whether he can play like that away from VP. I won’t count the Leeds game because up to now they have played a style of football alien to the rest of the EPL, so I will be in person at West Ham to see if we can get a result there and how Coutinho plays. We have been undone in East London recently due to marking failures. Not marking their good headers at corners and giving Bowen too much space when the ball is on the ground. Bowen must be doubtful after his peculiar injury.
OLL – can you please explain why you think that Coutinho might have a problem reproducing his best for away from home?
Seems to me we’re seeing why he’s still the world’s 3rd most expensive player ever, but what have you noticed about him ?
(That’s not a dig, BTW, I do value your analysis!)
It is not just the ‘home support’ that I think he is inspired by. Gerrard has almost said he is a sensitive soul. There is also the style away teams adopt, and I know Gerrard is keen to change this. Because the home team feels compelled to attack and drive forward, the away team tends to sit back and counter attack. That would not play to Coutinho’s strengths. I think West Ham will be a great test of whether we can take the game to them.
I’m sorry but I can’t be looking negatively at that performance. It’s the most I’ve been excited by a Villa display since we demolished Liverpool. That doesn’t mean I think we will be pushing for a European spot. Two games ago this blog was full of people thinking we were maybe going to get relegated. Can’t we just enjoy the positives?
As for Southampton I don’t care how shit they were. It was good to see Watkins and Ings clicking in a way that they hadn’t before. Their body language was much better too. Previously it has seemed that they didn’t want to pass to each other.
Leeds will be a tougher game for all the obvious reasons, but at least we should be confident going into it.
Just seen the goals from the Manc derby. Rihad onside for the 4th??? WTF???? So when it’s level to the naked eye, we draw lines and it’s off when it’s suits us. But when it’s clearly off to the naked eye, it’s on when it suits. Absolute f****** joke.
I like the refs they live up north. Michael Oliver again I wonder what team he supported. Bet it was A Man club.
We all know VAR is a dramatic and absolute failure – surprising how many fans also think it’s bent as well.
It’s also had a dramatically negative effect on the standard or refereeing. Can’t really blame a ref when he knows VAR is going to re-referee the game when it suits them.
The overriding mandate is supposed to be ‘clear & obvious error’. How difficult is it to apply that. First thing get rid of the stupid offside lines – if it’s clear and obvious then you don’t need slide rule lines picking out someone’s little toe nail to decide.
VAR is destroying fan’s enjoyment of football as a spectacle.
RIP Gordon Lee.
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2022/03/08/former-pitmen-and-villa-hero-gordon-lee-dies-at-age-87/
Shocker that, I remember him at Villa first class defender as I recall. RIP Gordon .
For the younger supporters who have grown up with excellent stadium PA systems. Back in the day – PA was a Tannoy monopoly and these all weather metal speakers were limited in range. Echoing tracks were preferred and some football songs date from the narrowed choice, but are still with us today.
See if you recognise the first track of this Shadows performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTx3BPJ3Ncc
Great Final Tour – my all time favourite instrumental group. One of the stand outs from that Final Tour is Little B and a brilliant five minute drum solo by Tony Meehan – happy days of my youth.
And the track – Riders in the Sky.
Oops – do I qualify as a ‘younger supporter’? 🙂
I love the Shads 🙂
Message for Mr Lange and Mr Purslow. There’s a young lad from Ghana, goes by the name of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku . Has just won the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) player of the tournament. When he shoots from range with his left foot, the ball becomes a guided missile – makes Tony Yeboah look powder-puff. He’s on Liverpool’s books so we’ve missed the boat to sign, but how about a loan move in the summer? I’m sure Stevie can twist an arm or two in those parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z4aqXbnhzk
Apparently not at Liverpool. Hmmm. False internet stories.
Slightly off topic, but maybe not.
Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich one of seven oligarchs sanctioned by UK government
So, if his assets are frozen how does that affect Chelsea?
I ask the question merely out of curiosity 🙂
My question (also out of curiosity) would be how was he allowed to use his assets to fund the club under financial fair-play rules? Or is does those rules only apply when convenient, like VAR?
I understood that most of the “£1.5 billion” that he lent to Chelski was done in his early days there – before FFP came in. He’s owned them for nearly 20 years.
And of course, FFP does only apply when convenient; as Citeh have proven, and npo-doubt Newcastle will demonstrate again…
According to the Guardian, the government has issued special ‘licences’ that allow the club to continue operating/trading, but prevent him from benefitting in any way.
So he can’t actually collect any money if he does sell his stake in the club, and the club can continue to function on a day-to day basis; they are unlikely to be able to raise any cash at the moment, so presumably will have to be self-funding for a while.
Ardent, I assume that’s why Abramovich has stated any funds from the sale will be donated to charity. Having said that I suspect he’s unable to dispose of any assets wherever the money ends up.
According to the BBC, Chelsea cannot sell tickets or any merchandise but existing season ticket holders will be permitted to attend matches. They can’t buy or sell players and Abramovich cannot sell the club.
That put’s them in the mire big time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60690362
Hitch, I’ve re-read the Guardian piece:
“Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, said a special licence had been issued to allow games to be played, staff to be paid and existing ticket holder to attend matches but that Abramovich would be deprived of benefiting from his ownership of the club.”
– which doesn’t actually conflict with what you’ve found on the BBC; it does rather suggest that as you say, only existing ticket holders can go to games. Presumably that also means that for any away games, the hosting club will be restricted in what tickets it can sell to Chelsea fans, and what money it can pass to the visitors.
All of that does indeed put them in the brown and smelly stuff….
This may get messy. I remember Lineker suggesting it would have been better if he condemned Putin for the WAR/INVASION and in a way he did.
https://www.reuters.com/world/chelsea-owner-abramovich-helping-ukraine-negotiate-peace-spokeswoman-2022-02-28/