Hey, look at that. One post in two months and now I’m on my second in a couple of days. It’s an indicator that the intermediate tosh is over and we go again, with proper footy.
Before I even consider the game, I have to comment on Archer going to Southampton on a 4 year deal for around £15 million. That’s a great signing for them and it seems cheap. So cheap that I can’t say that I’m happy about it.
But I’m keeping my pragmatic head on for this one and I quite simply think that if we were to consider a current pecking order of strikers, it’s Ollie no 1; the brat no 2 and then Archer no 3. And if you agree with that, Cameron is hardly ever going to get a look in. Even if the brat leaves, he will be replaced with a striker that Unai thinks will be at least equal or hopefully better. And that still leaves Archer in third place.
So the reality is that we’re probably doing him a favour in letting him go and probably be the no 2 option at a decent club with a history of bringing kids through.
I view the lad as one of our own and am very sad to see him go. But if we want to think higher level, the fact is we have to be ruthless. Archer has contributed greatly to the club, in the profit we’ve made on him.
And sadly, that’s all that counts nowadays.
Onto the really important stuff then and that’s the game tomorrow.
It’s quite simple for me. I haven’t got a clue because I don’t know who’s going to start for either team and first day games are as meaningless as friendlies.
I’m sure nobody needs reminding that we lost our first game last season at the Barcodes 5-1, I think, with only SAF thinking we’d played well (I still can’t get my head around that. He must truly be some sort of genius). Whatever, I think most if us thought we looked more relegation material after that game, which is the point.
I’ve previously mentioned a scouser who takes an interest in the Villa. He asked me who we’re playing. I told him and his immediate response was “score draw”.
And I found it hard to disagree with.
I’m going for a pretty subdued game, with many players finding their feet and some just trying to get fit again.
It’s a 1-1 draw.
I agreed to view a property at 6pm tomorrow.
I totally forgot about the KO time for this, as much as I’ve been licking my lips waiting for it.
It goes without saying, I’ve sacked that off.
Looking forward to a win and expecting a draw, never done well against the hammers. My greatest wish is a late Duran winner with him celebrating wildly with his arms crossed to snub the west ham fans after they under valued him. End of embarrassing saga and vindication for our blind faith and loyalty.
I’m going for a Villa win. It’s down to the managers really, Emery is an elite manager who has won things while Lopetegui isn’t. He has been eventually sacked from every job he’s had and, when I heard that he was going to West Ham, I was happy as I don’t like London clubs too much.
They have a good-ish squad but I honestly don’t think that Lopetegui has the character to become an elite manager so, for me, it’s West Ham 1-3 Villa.
COYL
Welcome back to the new season Badger – an exciting one for all Villa fans.
Based on recent results away against West Ham a 1-1 draw must be the bookies bet and I’d take it given our recent first game results.
Just on Duran, here’s Emery’s take on the situation – Duran would be wise to stay with him.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-jhon-duran-told-unai-29748739
If he’s prepared to stay and play for the shirt, I think he has a lot to offer.
So all he told Emery is that he wants to leave.
I’ve seen nothing to change my opinion of him there Hitch.
Read between the lines and he is indeed an immature brat that Unai is going to have to treat like a baby.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/08/16/aston-villa-transfers-monchi-emery-building-squad-obsession/
Great interview with Monchi. Behind a paywall but he says JJ is going nowhere. Unai really wants to keep him. He also says we needed more physical players and younger players but also maturity, hence Ross.
I’m with 1874. 3-1 Villa.
I have a feeling it will take a while for us to get going this season. I think we will be disappointed today.
I’m worried about Duran. He’s a bit volatile and easy to wind up. We need an alternative sharpish.
Anyway, sun is shining and I’m sitting looking out at the sea so maybe I’ll start to feel more positive
We haven’t won at West Ham in 9 games and we’re extremely fortunate to get a point last season when VAR intervened – twice!
In fact we’ve only beaten them once in something like 16 games (home and away) and that was last season!
(Yet another) bogey team which is why I can’t see us winning.
The odds have to change sooner than later as they naturally increase, hence my optimism!!!
Nice to see Uncle Albert score for Walsall, as they tonk Swindon away.
No real surprise in the line-up;
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Carlos, Maatsen, Nedeljkovic, Barkley, Buendia, Philogene, Ramsey, Duran.
I think it’s the strongest starting XI we have at the moment. Maatsen and Ramsey will push to start in time.
I’ve predicted a 2-0 defeat on my Super 6. That’s mostly based on the fact we generally lose our first game and worse still at a ground we never win at.
And weld are minutes off the start of the new season. The way I now look at all things Villa is that we have Emery. He is a genius. We may loose the odd one here and there. But with him leading us we will always do well.
Todays team is the core if last season with Onana replacing Luiz. But look at the bench and what will be coming on. With 5 subs this is a squad game and we now have depth in squad. I am happy.
Even better with a couple more signings and injured players returning we will be phenomenal.
On Archer, quite simply he cannot instantly add value at the level Emery requires. At £15m do we have another buy back clause if Southampton are relegated. It would not surprise me.
UTV
Ps
I’m holed up in an Irish bar in Rome to watch this.
Rome eh?
Very nice.
I’m off to Rome next week!
You’re right Sid, that bench looks pretty decent to me and offers good options.
It’ll be needed.
Onana scores from a corner. Easy header. 1-0!
A very decent start and we look like the home side, given that West Ham are sitting back so much.
I don’t understand Spam’s tactics?????
Terrible penalty decision.
Cash got the ball before they tangled.
1-1, when we ought to be 3-1 up 🙁
Pretty happy with that, as we’ve made Spam look poor.
The worry is though, that just like they got lucky for their goal, they might get a lucky winner too.
What’s the point of VAR if they can see Cash kicked the ball but still don’t overrule the on field decision. Having said that it had to be a rash Cash moment again. I don’t want to go hard on him as he has a good attitude but he is a shit defender who desperately needs replacing.
We should be 3-0 up but now the momentum has shifted thanks to another shit refereeing decision.
Correction: bent refereeing decision.
We look good. However, im giving VAR 5 chances this year. Once it gets to 5 I’m not watching it anymore and I will move to UFC. I cannot understand why we have VAR when NOW they say VAR will not go against the ref. So, why have VAR? What a fantastic job to have. Sit up stairs mate, watch some footage and agree with the ref. Watch some golf if you like!!!!! Every single point and goal count in this devision. I bet each point on average cost millions when you go player to point ratio. 1 down 4 to go for me. I can’t even get angry with it I’m that done with it already. Whatever!!!
Come on lads! Robbed by that bloody penalty. Please explain what the point if VAR is agian?
Onana is a beast! A great buy!
10 minutes. If the score is the same, several new faces should come on. Simpky as a change as we’ve been in control…Wet Spam still a bit dirty…How is Paqueta playing? I thought he was banned?
Too much of this studs on the top or side of the foot going on for my liking…
Spam are now playing a much more attacking style, with their defenders sat on nearly the centre line.
Emery calls it totally correct and hauls McGinn and Ollie off, for Ramsey and Duran.
Both the former have been pretty much invisible, imo.