I quite often get bored by effectively listening to my own voice in the posts, but there’s one theme in particular that really bugs me; I’m always talking about how I’m scared.
We’ve won six of our last seven games. Wolves have only taken two points all season and the result here should be a foregone conclusion, right?
Except that one game we lost was to Liverpool, who were in the middle of a (ongoing) losing streak and a victory should have been pretty much assured, such was the Reds’ poor form.
Except it wasn’t. Aston Villa’s generosity struck again and that’s why I’m scared again here.
This is pretty much the same sort of situation. Wolves don’t have a single win to their name in twelve games and have only taken two points. They have a goal difference of minus twenty, having only scored seven. So they average half a goal a game and concede two and a half.
So a guaranteed win that would leave Wolves challenging for the lowest Premier league tally ever and us riding high in the table. A nailed on victory.
Hah! It doesn’t work like that for the Villa does it? We even proved it against Go ahead Eagles, for example.
We just don’t do guaranteed wins and a defeat is always possible.
Squad news and we’re in a pretty good position again. Even Garcia was fit enough to make the bench midweek and it means Tyrone Mings is the only player on our injury list.
Wolves have Rorigo Gomes, Daniel Bentley and Leon Chiwome definitely out and Matt Doherty is doubtful. Whether any of them would have started anyway, I don’t have a clue.
The good news about Wolves is that this isn’t Rob Edwards’ first game as manager in his new tenure at Wolves. If it was, I’d be joining a betting site ready to stick a wad on us to lose. With their shocking record, I’m still tempted to do so, actually.
Apparently, some of the sites where the Villa get discussed are seeing predictions that we’re going to lose this game. I’m not convinced, as we surely can’t keep us this record of losing what should be shoe-in games, can we?
I think the talking point is about whether Donyell Malen will be starting instead of Ollie Watkins and I think he definitely should.
I’m being generous in saying Ollie is miles off it. He needs taking out of the limelight, simple as and if he doesn’t like it, tough. A striker’s job is to get goals and he’s been useless at it this season, as much as I rate him.
And while Malen hasn’t exactly astounded me (I believe he should have got more against a poor Young Boys), he at least looks sharp and fully up for it. And when he isn’t falling over his own feet, he’s a fairly accurate finisher. The trouble is, every time he has started, he’s looked poor. Which is why I think Emery will stick with Watkins.
I’d expect a striker will be top of the list in the winter window, but with little money to spend, it wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t bother at all.
And then, there are question marks over other players too, with Guessand and Sancho being totally ineffective on Thursday. Sancho doesn’t feature much in Prem games anyway, but Guessand does and he’s disappointed me. He moves like an elephant when he gets anywhere near trying to cross, pass or shoot in the opposition’s box. I had high hopes for him but £30 million is beginning to look like a waste of money now. Still, I suppose in Emery’s book, it’s still early days in his Villa career.
So although I’m very tempted to go along with the “we can’t get guaranteed wins” narrative, I think we’ll be okay and I’m going for a 2-0 victory. I just think we’ll have too much for them.
I certainly hope so.
UTV!
I wonder when we’ll learn that slightly longer studs might mean the players slip less?
It’s not like we play with much pace, so slippers for maximum speed aren’t really required, are they?
Looking at the upturned boots of EPL players this season, shows they nearly all have a completely moulded sole including studs which are not replaceable. I don’t think the boots have less grip – in fact I think they are the best, but players do try to turn with the side of the sole on the grass and no studs sinking in.
In the absence of a Bibu error, we should win this one.
2 nil for me as well badger we could do big things this season the league is poor and we have a better chance of champions league qualifying than at any other time and we haven’t even hit top gear yet come onnmn the villa
Todays results / the way games have gone means nothing can be assumed.
We have a very poor record against Wolves over the last 20 games including only 4 wins in 10 at VP.
I can see Wolves getting something from this game unless we are really on it from the start. The reality is though, Villa tend to be casual in games where they are clear favourites!
I, like, Badger worry about tomorrow – it’s in our own hands!
My final thought is on team selection – GK, defence picks itself; has to be Kamara and Tielemans in front of the back four. I’d start with Ollie up front and a three of McGinn, Rogers and Malen. Then go for it from the off.
Would Emery take that sort of approach?
Not going to make a prediction – just keeping my fingers and toes crossed!
If Leeds could’ve held on we’d have had a chance to go 2nd tomorrow. Mental!!!
However, Foden had other ideas. Wolves will be dangerous tomorrow and we will have to avoid complacency at all costs. It’s all down to the attitude of the players. With the attitude of Emery’s boys at present, I’ve got us down for a win.
FOCUS!!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait for KO!!!!
Ollie dropped.
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Malen
Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Maatsen, Bogarde, Barkley, Onana, Guessand, Watkins, Sancho
Surely we will win this game?
I think it’s about time Watkins was dropped for a league game. He needs time out of the limelight and unfortunately it’s a results based industry and he isn’t contributing.
Come on Villa boys! Don’t spoil the weekend for us.
Wolves have started very physically aggressive. Super John McGinn will sort them out!!!
That’s a wake up call!!!!
First chance and they net.
I don’t care if it’s off, it shouldn’t keep happening.
Buendia hasn’t done a thing right yet. I hope he improves.
They’re parking the bus. We need to get into the penalty area more often and invite the foul.
Not great really hope we can improve here we always better second half
Yep, same old. Too slow and no cutting edge, so we can’t beat the low block.
Come on Villa, they’re crap!
As said, the second half will hopefully be better.
Agree Badger – Wolves tactics obvious – sit deep and try and nick a goal.
We’re playing far too slow with no intensity. So typical of Villa against sides they see as ‘inferior’
3 good chances for them. Have we had one, the header onto the crossbar apart?
The crowd have said it all with their utter silence.
Boring as fuck again.
We could win the league, but I doubt you’d remember many games from the way we play.
What is it with us playing against the Wolves?
In the pub with the Villa family – all unhappy – no excitement at all. Glad we didn’t fork out for tickets!
Team not up for it and fans not up for it. The referee must have Wolves to win on the Super 6 because he’s given us hardly anything.
Buendia has been poor and Malen not getting a sniff.
Thank goodness Martinez is on his game otherwise we will be losing.
This game is why Villa fans of a certain age will never be confident of winning games we should do.
We’re letting them play and just strolling as if no importance in the game what so ever. I’m writing this and the comments from the pundits are saying the same, no wanting in the game at all.
What a tackle from Pau.
This is awful.
Buendia coming off and Watkins coming on. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
Buendia won’t be happy, but he’s been crap.
Ollie to nick a winner.
Just seen a pig flying around our garden Bumbum,
Kamara!!!!!!
Yeessssssssss!!!!!!!
Kamara! 1-0.
About bloody time. It was always going to take something like that as the messing about we’ve been doing is useless.
My god, that’s a red all day. He jumps and two feet are off the ground.
Two footed tackle and that’s red, I thought.
Dirty Wolves. The new Burnley.
Sancho coming on? NOOO, don’t want him.