I was contemplating what to say and even if I should say anything at all, because the result today pretty much said it all for me.
But then it dawned on me that we were actually very unlucky in that we didn’t win this by four clear goals after Ollie did what he usually does, in missing some and scoring some.
Not that we can complain about him. He’s second top scorer to probably the best striker at the best team in the league after all, as much as I’ve seen some Villa fans ripping him to pieces at times.
The first half was a bit scary, because Arsenal were very dominant and creating chances, but the simple fact is they didn’t finish, while we were pretty much backs to the wall. We actually had the best chance, with Ollie hitting the inside of the post.
A funny old game indeed and the sort I was secretly hoping for, but didn’t dare to dream of.
Onto the second half then and we actually improved and started to take it to them.
As I type, I’m listening to Merse, who I’m sure is saying that Arteta didn’t have anybody to bring on. I must have heard that wrong, surely?
Whatever, you could see our belief building and the goal came via Leon Bailey at the far post.
And then blow me, if we didn’t get a second within two minutes with Ollie scoring with a lovely chip over the goalie.
So that’s a stunning result that has more than one benefit;
1 Unai and Martinez both say FU to Arsenal.
2 Arsenal get stuffed for the first time this calendar year.
3 It looks like Arsenal have blown the title.
4 We are still playing for the Champion’s league, when all looked lost on Friday.
It’s as I said.
Expect the worst and anything else is a bonus.
Because of that thinking, I’m currently ecstatic.
And then I have the thoughts of Liverpool fans at work tomorrow.
Should I laugh? Probably not, they can get the right hump if you wind them up 🙂
What a great weekend!
According to BBC both teams playing 4-2-3-1
Villa – Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Luiz, Diaby, McGinn, Zaniolo, Watkins.
Carlos, Lenglet, Bailey and Rogers on the bench.
Great goal by Lille.
I wasn’t confident about tonight and I’m even less so now.
I don’t think England will have any clubs in Europe after tonight.
Long way to go Hitch
U may be right Hitch but there’s a long way to go…
Playing wrong players to my mind Diarby lightweight midfield will suffer mark my words
Keep it up Bill. You were thankfully very, very wrong last Sunday!!!
Sorry chaps we’re not in this game and could be two down already.
Unless something drastically changes then we’re done.
Lille were better than us in the first game and again tonight.
And now we have another injury.
Going to sound harsh but Rogers I. For Zaniola is positive. Zaniola is looking like he’ll get sent off.
Nick off. Chesty on.
COME ON CHESTY!!!!!!!
Are we on the rack? Can’t watch tonight…
Yep – we’re nowhere BFR
Shit.
Good that’s one that should have started .
Will we ever win a defensive header?
Bum bum he’s not dynamic quick yes but he’s the none starter not Bailey
We’re getting completely bullied off the ball by these guys. We need to man up.
Anyone know where ref comes from because he seems to like being centre of attention
Pray emery changes something and why no Carlos
And now Martinez gets a yellow card for time wasting but he’s allowed to keep the ball at his feet as long as he wants – he’s been carded on reputation and the crowd. I can see this ‘Homer’ ref sending a Villa player off.
Having said that we’re not even at the races,
We are technically better than Lille. We just need to impose ourselves.
Lille are picking up cards too…Yellow for Emery too! Lol!!!!!
I think we’ll do this…
Ref has completely lost control
Of his bowels by the sounds of it…
Sounds like the atmosphere has got to them. Need to block it out and play. They’re intimidated. So is the ref. Which is exactly what their fans are aiming for.
OK, half time. It’s essentially 0-0 and a 45 minute match to get to the semis. Need to block the noise out and do what we do.
The ref is a big fanny. Emi didn’t have to move the bloody ball! It’s up to the opposition to come and get the ball!!! If he was dragging his heels on a goal kick fair enough, but…
We need to unleash the Kraken! I mean Bailey… Diaby has had no service at all. Weird… I can’t tell if Pau is having a good or bad game.
Martinez is entitled to keep the ball at his feet for as long as he wants. Time wasting can only be for delaying a restart such as a goal kick or keeping the ball in his hands too long. If he’d picked the ball up after keeping it at his feet that would also be time wasting.
The ref is completely useless – again.
Hitch, precisely.
Our success under Emery revolves around us controlling the game. Unfortunately so far like Texas Villain said, we are being bullied and they are winning the majority of the duels on pitch. Diaby has offered very little and I was glad to see Zaniolo go off after getting a yellow.
We need a masterclass half time team talk or we are going out of the competition.