You’ll have to forgive me.
It’s silly shutdown season at work and the last week has involved 7 twelve hour shifts, plus an hour’s travel each way.
It’s real physical stuff too, so I’m bloody knackered and really not able to keep up to date with what’s been going on, in what’s been a torrid week for the club.
The good news is that I only have another week of this to endure (hmm), but I’m seriously beginning to think that I’m getting too old for this stuff.
So while I just sneaked home in time to watch and comment on the Hull game, that’s about as much as I’ve been able to contribute this week.
I’ve actually been tracking your comments as best I can, to keep myself updated, so thanks for that lads.
Not that I’m totally au fait with who we’ve brought in.
The big news is that we managed to keep Grealish. And while he’s a bit disappointed, he’s happy to “get to work”.
Yay!
We signed McGinn, who I suspect was a replacement in case Grealish went.
How some think they’ll both play in the same side intrigues me, given they’re apparently the same sort of player.
But apparently McGinn can stick the boot in and has a much better work rate, so who knows?
I don’t ever recall seeing him play.
Tuanzebe is a decent signing, I think.
Am I seeing correctly, in that Steer has gone on loan?
If so, where does that leave us goaly-wise?
Nyland, I assume starts.
I have serious doubts about our goal-keeping department, but hey, what do I know?
The truth is, I’m too tired to contemplate how we’re going to approach Wigan.
All I know is they’re going to be well up for it, after a good start.
And we will need to get in their faces from the off, with decent pace and sharp passing.
The same as is always required, I suppose.
I have to predict a 2-0 win here, simple.
I had so many questions to ask, but didn’t have the time to ask them.
So the poll asks where you think we’ll finish this season.
[polldaddy poll=10077599]
Blimey, I’m still thinking about/reviewing the post and the vast majority have already voted for automatic promotion.
I’ll reserve comment, except to say that i think this is going to be the toughest Championship league ever.
Just like to point out Badger, your a long time Dead, there’s only one winner when chasing money believe me.worked from 15 to 65 and had a policy don’t live on overtime. Back to our beloved club, great to see us moving forwards, and cannot wait for the club to stamp its mark on winning games.we’re looking healthy just hope the players jell in the midfield roll.I’m going with you on a 2-0 Villa.
It isn’t about the money, Bill.
It’s just the way the job is. But thanks for the thought.
No doubt I’ll take another fortnight’s holiday soon to make up for it 🙂
It’s great to see Villa fans are confident.
But I think I’d best leave my comments there.
As I said, this is the toughest league ever, imo.
I’m going for a 2-1 win and have predicted playoffs although a couple of top loan signings could change my mind to automatic. I think we are all unsure if we have a striker who can get the 20 plus goals needed to challenge top two. Kodja needs a goal for confidence, but more importantly needs to contribute more in team play. I hope Hogan can get fit and stay fit alongside Davis and Murphy challenging a starting place. If we can’t offload McCormack before end of the month then do we consider him for first team squad? He is a goalscorer on £40000 per week so would new owners query this if goals dry up?
Good points, Holte.
Striker is a big problem, but you’d expect other players will contribute against lesser sides.
I’m sure Kodjia will come good, but it’s about time.
It’s true that we can’t afford to carry him for too long, but this is where others need to step up, imo.
Hourihane is my shout for a good few goals, if we can get him in the game.
McCormack will not get another game for the Villa as long as I’ve got a hole in my proverbial.
I don’t know why people still ask this, as it’s plain to me that Bruce and RM absolutely detest each other with a passion.
I certainly don’t expect McCormack to ever wear a Villa shirt again, but that makes it even more important to try and offset his wages at least in next few weeks. We have another leach in Richards who loves his pay packets more than his love of the game.
Voted for play offs as well but maybe that’s me not wanting to over expect. Agree with you Badger, the standard in the Championship is improving and there’s a whole host of clubs with high expectations. For me Brentford might be the team to beat – and we haven’t managed that in four games!
I would imagine a striker is the priority on Bruce’s loan wish list and maybe a left footed left back. It’s ironic that having spent c. £35m on strikers we are still short in that department!
Today’s game – Wigan is another team that we have a poorish record against particularly at home and they should not be underestimated. Blew L1 away last season so their confidence is high (think Sheffield United last season). I’ll go for a narrow win 2-1 but a draw wouldn’t surprise me.
Will Steve Bruce drop Taylor and move Hutton to left back or try Tuanzebe?
Who will make way for McGinn?
Will Green start?
These are great sub plots.
Personally, I would play Hutton at left back. Tuanzebe at right back.
McGinn instead of Hourihane and Green for Adomah.
Sid – is De Laet clear to start now because I would like to see him at RB if Hutts plays LB. He’s reall quick and a decent crosser of the ball as well as being a good tackler.
Whilst Elphick was OK at Hull, I dudn’t like Chester moving over to accommodate him; he didn’t Look his normal assured self. I’d platyTuanzebe instead of Elphick so Chester can play in his normal position.
Green for Adomah for me but I reckon McGinn might start on the bench
Comfortable victory for me today..3-0 or 4-1..Kodjia will get a couple of goals.
Bournemouth home win
soton draw
ipswich away
wednesday home
macclesfield home
won 200 last week ,thought i would share my luck this if it lasts. i agree with bill from a few posts back, not about church, but forget about the piss taking players. richards and his gang, we cant do anything about them.we should all concentrate on the players who want to play and get villa back into the big leagues.
it was a good window, we got a goalie and mcginn i thought the goalie was needed as steer and bunn were a liability. steer could develop into a fine keeper, but was a risk this coming season, as he cant kick and this would off caused us problems. mcginn looks a fine signing and can play anywhere it seems. like the utd loaned player. he can fill a number of positions. but he will want cb and he should be playing there for me,
todays game wigan will be a tough match up so early. was drinking last night with a few pieeaters, they tell me wigan are looking good this time, they expect to replace millwall from last season surprise championship team. on the match they reckon they will snatch the win, if villa dont sort out their defence. i agree we are going to struggle and its at the back. we need to be patient new goalie and new defence will take its troll. villa need to settle on a system and defence is a weak link, so i think its best way to avoid getting our defence ripped apart is to attack wigan and dont allow them to attack us loads.
i see a draw but hope for win
Automatic. Like for the people.
3-1 today.
Think we’re all nervous today ,this game going to tell us more on how we fair, I’m lead to believe another player in the next few days haven’t a clue who, its a player from a foreign club.anyone know? or heard.. Just over a hour to kick-off looking for a stream.good luck our lads.
I was totally wrong in thinking that we would be unchanged barring the goalie. I feel a bit sorry for Elphick after he scored against Hull. Bjarnasson brings the leg work that Whelan lacks giving Grealish and McGinn a chance to express themselves. With Green in for Adomah we have a lot more movement going forward. Let’s hope Kodja gets more service and gets his head up for his teammates. Options on the bench if things not going well.
Mc Ginn plays!
Nyland
Tuanzebe
Chester
Jedinak
Hutton
El Mohamady
McGinn
Bjarnason
Green
Grealish
Kodjia
Not a bad side. I have actually seen McGinn play a few times on TV and, while I may be wrong, I’m guessing that he will play a little further back than Grealish allowing Jack to be far more attacking. Perhaps a bit like Busquets or Kroos whereas Jack will be slightly more forward like Iniesta or Modric.
Hope it works!
Nice to see all the optimism on here but I do t share it. Unless Kodjia steps up we will struggle.
I thought it was going to be a tough game. Said Wigan deserved their equaliser on Sky. Jedinak error from what I hear. Probably should have kept Elphick for continuity.
Could say we deserved that howler from Jedinak after leaving out a natural CB in Elphick. Daft decision by Bruce. Jedinak should never play CB for us.
might have ended up jedi mistake, but it was a combined effort to award wigan equalizer, they passed back from wigans box leading up to jedis short back pass. the lesson should be going forward we were good.
kodjia misses a simple chance and wigan score minutes ltr we are carrying a dead weight playing him
scrappy equalizer from a corner
2 2
Anything less than a win at home to Wigan will be disappointing. We need to make Villa Park a fortress like last season rather than a great day out for the opposition.
just because they are a small club we should beat them lol yeah right. wigan are a settle decent side, they are finishing stronger and missing two golden chances to win the game,
Yes we should be beating them
winner 3 2 villa
Looks like we’ve nicked it
Yes we have nicked it! We rode our luck but at least it shows that the team never gave up even though they were behind.
Six from six so far.
Nath you was right mate, Wigan are no mugs, hard game a nd well deserved a draw, silly back pass nearly sank us, I see Craig Gardener Sent off what a start for him. Good result.
correct bill ppl under estimate on here. wigan might be a shit hole and small fry but they have a settle team and that will be a team just put together more times than not. villa were damn lucky today and if we played this game say 10 games in we might have won far easier. today we carried the striker who will costs us points this season if we continue to play him
victory but that was not easy and was never going to be. villa lacked a goal finisher and defence was nervous at times. this can be worked on and we looked very dangerous and have a decent dise in the makings but its going to take a few games to get up to speed. goalie looks like he will need a good handful of games but we played two and won two and we will improve loads especially when we have a striker to finish of the chances we create. mcginn looks a real player good deliverer and hard working moving constantly to find space and create space
McGinn with his first assist. Pat Nevin was very complementary about him on 5 Live today so hopefully we’ve got a real bargain there.
Agree that we need a striker, just wondering if Bruce has gotten Abraham loan deal agreed as he hasn’t bought anyone. We can only hope.
mcginn first game and he will only improve further, he wouldnt have known much about our players, strengths and weakness. so to come in and play like he did was a testament to his own game. we looked strong with the ball except when we went backwards, mcginn and grealish we have two top players in our midfield. we just need to sort the striker out and defence
Our team tactics lacked a lot tbh – our defence were all out of position and Jedinak isn’t a CB, he just isn’t. If we’d moved him forward and played a 3-1-4-2, I think we’d have run the midfield and done better. Kodja needs someone up front who can steady his nerves or replace him entirely. But even with someone up front, he wouldn’t use them – he’s the most selfish player I’ve ever watched play. McGinn was awesome – can’t wait to see him fully integrated and up to speed. He and Grealish absolutely can play in the same team, and on first viewing, would appear to complement each other very well.
I think its time to drop kodja he’s not in mind set to the game, we’ve carried him long enough, if you don’t know the efl is on Gest Chanel tonight for the season.
Bill are the efl highlights only on Sky?
It’s on Gest Chanel Holte66, I’m not sure if sky do it as well. Chanel 5 let it go onto Gest.on free view.
Don’t think I can get that channel. I watched it on Channel 5 last season.
Got it Bill. Quest HD at 9pm.
Good lad.