How enjoyable was that?
I have to admit that I’m a little confused. Is it actually legal that we win at West Ham on the first day of the season?
Straight from the off, my MOTM was Onana. He is an absolute beast and most importantly looks like a player who is enjoying his game. I don’t know what it is, but Emery no doubt has it.
Next I have to say how well Duran did in replacing Ollie, who was frankly invisible. That’s no slur on Ollie, because I like what he does, but it seemed Duran had been given a totally free role and his touch map confirms that. He was just all over the place and running his guts out. Emery seems to have sprinkled his magic there too. Which is the frustrating thing about the lad. Knuckle down, listen to a very good manager and you WILL go far. And stop with the brattish behavior. It’s as simple as that.
Whatever, he’s either playing for the club or playing for a move. I honestly hope it’s the former.
And then there’s tactics.
I feel Spam got the first half totally wrong in allowing us to dominate to such an extent where I thought we were the home side, given the way we were constantly attacking them and they were so defensive.
A lucky penalty after Cash was judged to have fouled, even though he’d touched the ball beforehand gave them the equaliser, when we really should have been 3-1 up at half time, such was our dominance.
The second half changed things and Spam played a much more attacking style and it worked, as they had us on the back foot for long periods. We had a bright spell around 65-70 minutes, but we lost the momentum again; so much so that I thought the game was ebbing away from us.
But here’s the best part for me. Unai’s subs were spot on and we got fresh legs at just the right time.
The end result was that overall, we just had too much for West Ham.
To keep things in perspective, Spam didn’t look anywhere near the level I expect from them, but then I think we’re nowhere near peak either.
Another big tick up for Bailey, who I thought looked a massive threat. Playing against him must be a nightmare and he was unlucky when his best chance hit the post.
I wish I could say the same about Matty Cash. I just always get the feeling that while he works hard, he’s always seen by the opposition as our weak spot now. It used to be that other teams used to target our left, but that’s no longer the case.
Philogene added something on the right, I feel. But the whole right hand side doesn’t sit right with me. We need to improve on Cash at RB and he should be a very good No 2, in my opinion.
I think bringing Philogene on is an indicator that Unai is approaching this season with a view to totally utilising the squad. I’ve criticised his tactics occasionally, but he’s a damn sight better than me at running clubs and it all bodes well.
I’m my usual incredibly low level expectation self, garnered from years of depressing experience, but today has given me massive encouragement.
We won. Away. At West Ham.
It’s almost unprecented!
Apart from Steve Warnock (again), Phil McNulty and Rachel Brown-Finnis none of the (so called) pundits pick Villa in their top four.
Now it may be the excellent red wine I’m currently imbibing but I have a sneaky suspicion we might just prove them all wrong!
I still think there is a big tendency to underestimate the ambition of our owners (and their ability to negotiate around the stupid financial rules – more in a moment) and the excellence of our coach who is without doubt one of the best in Europe if not the World.
On PSR / capital squad costs I was recently talking to a successful businessman experienced in running and acquiring businesses in a very competitive market. Unprompted he said – forget P&L and cash flow, the most important financial information when making an acquisition is the balance sheet – something the EPL and EUFA appear to ignore!
Villa have an incredibly strong balance sheet
I have continually advocated this as a primary measure of financial health.
OK I’ll jump off my hobby horse – again 🙂
Darren Lewis from The Daily Mail tips us to fight for the title.
I totally agree Hitch. In the real world, it’s all about the balance sheet.
And we have Zero debt.
Which is why so many think these rules are utter rubbish.
If the company is financially sound and not putting a football club at risk, there should be no reason for anybody to poke their nose in.
But this is the problem in football; it’s not about having the club’s interests at heart. It’s more about vested interests, imo.
We’ve seen clubs go to the wall recently. If they’re so concerned, why is there no levy that can be used to save clubs going out of existence? It would cost the Prem clubs pennies in the scheme of things, after all.
Answer = they don’t give a flying, imo.
Moreno to Forest on loan with an option to buy.
Brilliant when he first arrived but never the same after the bad hamstring injury and then hampered by more injuries throughout last season. Wish him well.
I can’t explain how frustrated I am watching Chelsea spend , spend and spend! I can’t understand the logic, the game plan, FFFP and I don’t understand why as a player you would want to go there now!
It’s the Kings Road innit, mate! Yeah! Apples and Pears!!!! Wonga!!! Cor blimey! Strike a light, Guv!!!
They’re gonna be in ‘Barney’ very soon…
Beyond ridiculous. The conspiracy theorist in me suggests that Abramovic is paying Bohely to destroy them and send them into the abyss.
Great news that Emi has signed a new five year deal.
Love this –
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/21/-I-fell-in-love-with-the-club—-Martinezs-delight-at-new-deal/
“My kids were born here”
That is so important and a massive plus in our favour.
If we appear to be moving forward, he’ll happily stay.
Slip back and I’d have no doubt that he’d be looking to move on.
C’est la vie.
I do genuinely believe he’s happy though.
Fantastic news!
The Mirror is saying that Chelsea have offered Villa the chance to sign Sterling. Not sure if I want him really.
Thoughts?
No. Thank you. Although…how old is he? Loan?
Actually…No. Chelsea know they’ve nicked Felix when we wanted him. Ergo, they assume we’ll want their deadwood for the same position. Tell them to ‘get stretched.’
Or just plain ‘f*** off.’
He’s 29 so a bit of mileage left. He’s been so off-form lately that he doesn’t look like a good prospect to me. However, playing for Chelsea these days would depress anyone so who knows?
If Emery takes him on and feels that he can return him to his best form than I might be for it.
The fact he’s been off is good, as there’s plenty of scope and room for improvement. I thought he was still quite young, hence my interest being piqued initially. Plenty of knowhow and a good schooling from a certain bald Spaniard might be useful…
Where would he play and who would he improve upon, is the question?
Yes, on form, he’s a good player, but I don’t see how we’d use him.
Hence it won’t happen and the number of players I’d want who have played in Southgate’s England squad probably extends to 2; Bellingham and Walker.
The fact he’s been off is good, as there’s plenty of scope and room for improvement. I thought he was still quite young, hence my interest being piqued initially. Plenty of knowhow and a good schooling from a certain bald Spaniard might be useful…
He’s reportedly on £300k a week so you can forget it – not that I’d want him at a quarter of the figure – no thanks!
Chelsea need to unload his wages – has nothing to do with his footballing ‘ability’.
The only place he’s going to earn that sort of money is Saudi!
Nah. No thanks. Let him go to Saudi, although i would say he’s been treated very badly by Chelsea, but what do the club care? Why would any player with any ambition, intelligence or self respect move to Chelsea?
So pleased with Emi’s contract extension!!!!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
We’re now being linked with both Omorodion and Mateta. While it’s probably just the usual BS it’s given me some thoughts. If we are indeed in for either of them then it means that Duran is probably on his way out. While he’s a talented player, it may well be that having peace in the dressing room may be more important to Emery in such an important season.
I’ve seen Omorodion a number of times but I’m still not sure that he can be an elite striker whereas Mateta is PL ready and, at 27, IMO would be a great buy.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
I wonder if it could be a matter of moving Ollie on at the end of this season. It makes financial sense, as it would be a huge pay day for us , he turns 30 next year and whilst our stocks are high it makes sense to capitalise on it. That’s my thoughts anyway. I think Ollie has had to really work hard at his game as he naturally isn’t the best striker but through work and concentration he has more than made up for it.
I must admit the dark side of my nature was happy to see a piece of news come out of Chelsea. 20 year old Carney Chukwuemeka is in their bomb squad. Remember as soon as Purslow said we had the best U-7 player in the country he demanded playing time and an exorbitant salary. Needless to say it, we would not pay it. But Chelsea gave him a £115,000 deal per week and a long contract. Apparently there are no takes to buy him. The grass is not always greener!
I also hope Chukwuemeka is the start of a trend of players financially bleeding their club dry. The longer they go without winning or qualifying for the Champions League, the sooner their revenues will drop. They came from nothing and with a bit of luck they will go back to being nothing.
End of spleen venting!
Totally agree.
I hope his career is finished and if so, he’s brought it on himself.
That said, he’s probably not that bothered. Nearly 6 mill a year times 4 years or whatever is a fortune, even when he’s probably been milked by his crappy advisor.
Harsh, Badger. I hate to see talent go to waste.
Who is to say that the cause of Duran’s so called issues, hasn’t left the club and what we saw against West Ham was a relieved and revitalised player. It will also be interesting to see Ollie tries a bit harder to be more consistant.
I see Jermaine Jenus been sacked by BBC for what reason no idea . I’ve never liked the guy was a dead duck at Villa . I’m in the same frame of mind about having Sterling , we don’t need Chelsea throw out I see they have 10 more to go . Interesting video on utube about how we grown since 2015 to now .
Basically it seems Jenas was guilty of ‘unacceptable’ behaviour in the work place.
In my day everybody would have been sacked 🙂
There are reports that Villa are looking at the Sterling deal – my question is why? He’s on (allegedly) £325k per week which would give us insurmountable problems with the Squad cost ratio cap employed by EUFA. So like Wan Bissaka’s move Sterling will want Chelsea to stump up a large financial settlement as part of the deal to cover his ‘loss of wages’.
But the real issue is where would he fit on the team? His preferred role is coming in from the left but we already have Morgan and Ramsey to fulfil that role.
No matter how Villa might be able to structure the deal it’s still a no from me based on cost and a concern that he will disrupt the dressing room.
BUT if Emery sanctions it then he must believe he can use Sterling effectively, integrate him into the squad and get him back to his best.
I don’t see any logic in signing Sterling. I hope he stays at Chel$ea as well as Chuky or any player they want to offload. That would leave them with a huge financial mess brought on by their own stupidity and greed. All clubs should tell them not interested in their cast offs.
With Archer gone, do we need a striker to replace him or is it a case of Emery wanting Duran to go to bring in someone else? It’s a shame that Duran has been a numpty because he has massive potential. I don’t he would get the game time he wants if Watkins stays fit all season.
It’s only another week before transfer deadline day and more importantly, who we will be playing in the Champions League. Exciting times ahead.
Just think of the problems that’ll bring in the club ? other players knowing his wage against them, I wouldn’t be happy and not give my best .
I think it gives off a bad sign that we’re happy to take on the Sky 6’s leftovers.
Occasionally it works but dor every Luiz, there’s a Djemba Djemba or Joe Cole. Or Coutinho. Or Jenas. Or Pires. Etc…etc…
We need to find our own gems.
Would you take a Duran/Sterling straight seap?…providing his wage expectations are lowered of Chelsea make upbthe difference?
The only benefit I can see him bringing is his CL experience.
Having thought about it, I don’t want him at any price.
Straight swap. Grrr…
Badger, any chance of an edit facility? Bloody typos!!!!
Are you serious Bum Bum? Only if they gave us an additional 20 million!
It was just a question. I don’t want Sterling either.
Playing against 12 today. Michael Oliver is the Ref. Villa have avoided MO for about half a season.
Anyone remember when last reffed a Villa win?
Nope – Villa same line up as against West Ham