So the utter waste of time that is the International friendlies is over and we’re back to the proper stuff. My disdain for these friendlies was only increased when I heard that Matty Cash got injured when he was out with Poland and is out for probably a couple of weeks. It’s not as though I rate him particularly highly of late, but his absence at least limits our options and any opposition manager knows pretty much for certain that Konsa is going to play Right back.
I didn’t watch much of our games, but what I did see was pretty uninspiring football, which is no surprise because we have an uninspiring manager.
Still, there was one good thing that came out of it, in Youri Tielemans getting both Belgium’s goals. Let’s hope he can go on a bit of a scoring run for us.
Squad news and what could be a big plus is Jacob Ramsey is very close to being fit and is going to be assessed to see if he’s ready. If he is truly fit, his energy and powerful running could prove very useful in a game where McGinn undergoes his second match suspension. The only concern I have about the lad is that he stikes me as someone who needs a few games to get into the swing of things. Still, he’s better in the team than out.
So that and Cash’s injury are about the only new developments then.
As for Wolves, Matheus Cunha could be in line for a return to the Wolves squad but Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Craig Dawson, Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-Chan are all unavailable.
Time to guess the score then and I predict another very tough game. Wolves have the fourth best form since Christmas eve, which I can’t say is something I’ve noticed and they’ve gone very much under my radar. They also have a pretty good record against us and we haven’t beaten them in six games. Add in that they have only lost one in the last eight games at Villa park and it’s not hard to say they’re actually a bogey team.
Couple that with my massive reticence to call a Villa victory lately, because of my terrible record in predicting wins and I’m perfectly happy to call this one a draw. Would I be happy with that? Not particularly, as I think it’s a game we really ought to be winning, especially seeing as we’re at home, but it’s a point I would take, similar to the West Ham game.
I was going to say that a Tottenham win today against Luton should be pretty straightforward and if it’s by two goals, they’ll jump above us into fourth place, at least for a couple of hours anyway. In fact I think I’ll watch that game as I can see plenty of goals there and knowing Spurs, it could go either way.
I don’t see many goals in our game though and the most likely result is a 1-1, in my opinion.
Just don’t lose, is my ask.
UTV!
Get in! 1-0!
Well, that got better as it went on, imo.
We definitely look like we have the beating of them, it seems.
A sloppy start and we weren’t punished thanks to Emi. We improved as the game went on but we need to be on it from 45 – 60th minute when we concede the most.
Watkins off for Duran isn’t good news.
Indeed. Sounds like another injury. Jesus 🙁
Sean Teale and Tony Daley are in the stadium. Get them on the bench!!!!
Great to see them. Would’ve been nice to see a few more!
Tight hamstring 🙁
Moreno making too many mistakes
Digne on.
Zaniolio on.
I’m obviously a bit behind 🙂
Neurodiverse?
Hmm.
🙂
You do know that’s some sort of “ist”?
😉
Dufferist? 😁
Zaniolo on for Rogers and Digne on for Moreno.
That goal belonged to Zaniolio!!!
2-0!!!!
Brilliant!!!!
Yey!
Strange goal, but I’m having that.
Zaniolo has only just come on too. He’s beginning to look like a really good impact sub.
I really like the guy. He’s a really hungry player. Very committed.
Citeh Wednesday so this result is vital.
We need to keep a clean sheet now looking good at the minute, yes im behind as well Badger and I’m on Sky channel. Come on the Villa boys.
This is f****** embarrassing. Change his y-fronts and brush his teeth while you’re there. 🙄
Just seen the manure score great result for us woop
Kesler on for Bailey.
Phew!!! Another lovely 3 points!!!!
Brilliant! Bring on the cheating oil barons!!!
😆
That’s a great win!
Thoughts probably tomorrow, unless I get chance.
Duran and Zaniolo put in a real shift and Digne looked really assured when he came on. Bum Bum I do think Emery should start Digne over Moreno on current showing.
Good win – no doubt we’ll have to listen to O’Neil whinging 🙂
The next two weeks look gruelling. I think the boys will be pooped by the time we get to Lille away on the 18th. Is there enough left in the tank? I think the fringe players will need to play a huge part. Today was a good start, with lively performances from Duran and Zaniolo. Good to see Kesler-Hayden come on, too. Anyone know what happened to Omari Kellyman?
Great win and imo we looked much better with Chesty off and Zaniolo on, he’s just more experienced than chesty, offers more defensively and going forward.
Chesty looked useful at times but probably needs a season for Emery to work his magic on him?
Diarby looks like he’s getting to grips with the physicality of the premier League now and is starting to shine.
Do the Dingles, don’t concede and back in forth.
All’s well in the world 😁
Digne is a different prospect to Moreno. Moreno is faster whereas Digne is much more physical but both are fast and regularly 9 out of 10 players for me.
Tielemans dropped a couple of clangers today but recovered well. He never gives up either.
I really want Zaniolio to stay too.
Spuds must be pissed off tonight. I think we’ll beat them to 4th…
Mate you could put a fag paper between them, Moreno better offensively, Digne the more polished player imo.
Zaniolio, there’s a hell of a player in there.
First three moans –
Please lads try and start games a bit quicker, the first 25 minutes today were not good for Villa fans with high blood pressure.
We should have scored six or seven.
Sky commentary, I had to check that I wasn’t listening to Wolves TV they were so one-sided.
On the plus side –
After 25 minutes we controlled the game and cruised to a regulation win.
Diaby is back. He is going to be so crucial to our run in.
Zaniolo made a big difference when he came on. I wonder if we’ll see him next season.
Don’t you just love Konsa.
WE WON!!!!!
COYL
O’Neil made an interesting comment – ‘we have five players out injured which is only one over the average injuries of four per team (although that does include their three main forwards)’. He was proud of their performance
To put some perspective on that; at the start of the second half Villa had six players out injured (including Watkins) and one suspended, that’s c. 65% of a quality first eleven!
Ultimately the difference is the size and depth of quality in the squad and represents the real advances made since NSWE came into the club.
Emery has every right to be proud of our performance,
UTMV