Courtesy of Bradley Ricketts. Cheers Bradley!
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City. Nothing less than what was expected.
I said before the game today that if we lose this game then it is disgusting. A win is a win in the FA Cup no matter how it comes, especially with our record, and, to be honest, I think we played well last night and could’ve scored many more.
Cardiff, on the other hand, offered nothing. El Ghazi I thought actually played pretty well with what he had and made good runs, lots of respect for him of course.
With Villa, I thought (and I am sure most will agree) that Tielemans looked extremely off in the first half, however, he picked it up in the second half, which was fortunate as, apart from risking Kamara, we had little to replace him with.
Asensio shined again, alongside Rashford, who I read created the same number of chances (6) last night than his highest number of chances created for Man Utd.
Overall, a good performance and I am happy that we are in the hat for the draw, which takes place tomorrow after Man Utd vs Fulham.
Now, is the FA Cup really winnable then? All Villa fans know that our record is poor in this cup, and many lifelong Villa fans say that this trophy is the only one they haven’t seen us win, as we last won it in 1957. And then there is the younger generation of fans (like myself) who have seen us win nothing in our lifetimes.
We currently stand as second favourites to win the cup behind Man City, however, yesterday I checked and we was 3rd favourites behind Newcastle (albeit ahead of Man Utd, which shocked me), however, we have jumped up due to being the first team in the quarter finals, and things may change depending on results and the draw.
We are also one game away from Wembley, although a semi final at Wembley does not feel the same as a final, but that could turn into 2 trips to Wembley with a win. But we must take it one step at a time, I am hoping for a home draw again, despite the prospect of 7,000 Villa fans in an away end seeming exciting, it is what is best for Villa, given that we have lost 2 games all season there.
We can all hope. And I am going to stick my neck out there and say we will win it v Man Utd in the final. Everything on the line to play for. UTV!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Hold onto the two goal difference!!!
Wake up FFS!
Dream result. Not over by a long shot. Unai must go full strength for second leg. No messing about.
If they get an early goal, it will be extremely shaky. Have to play second leg as if it’s still 0-0. Win the game. Nothing less.
Aaaagghhhhhhhyeaaaasss what a win absolutely buzzing Mings was immense woooooo
Agree about Mings, with him and Konsa playing well. Mings clearance was outstanding and as good as a goal. The substitutes definitely improved us and 3-1 is a great result. I would have been happy with 1-1.
Still lots of work to do at VP but it’s in our hands.
I’ve seen us play much better and lose.
Take that result any time!
Can’t imagine Emery allowing anyone to be complacent next week.
What a result. I was convinced that it would be 1-1 or we would concede a late goal.
Tactical master Strike by Emery. He put 4 quality subs in the pitch. Ultimately Brugge crumbled under that pressure. All down to the strength of depth in The squad (when fit). March could be a great month for us!!!
It’ll be worth watching the PSG Liverpool game tomorrow. A hamstring for Salah for 8 weeks? 🤣
A brilliant result if not performance but then again who cares? 😁
Where’s Ramos when you need him? Deliberately took Salah and the keeper out in 2018 to secure the win for his team.
Only managed to see the first half as out to dinner with a guest stating with us.
Guy on next table was watching the game on his mobile so kept us up to date – top marks to his missus!
Excellent result – agree though – take nothing for granted but I can’t see Emery allowing them to slack, Europe is his territory.
Rashford, Asensio and Disasi given us a new dimension plus Garcia and Malen – looks like an outstanding January transfer window.
I think we have just squared our account with the football fates. That wasn’t a 2 goal winning performance against a surprisingly good team – but I will take it all night. Emery got the subs bang on. Bruges could not rearrange to cope with 4 changes. Bruges having overloaded on their right to frustrate Rashford, then our main attack switched wings and found holes.
Rashford is way way to wide. OLL. You often talk about power in shots or lack of. Rashford can hit them. If he is Duran’s replacement, how can he produce when hugging the touchline?
Rashford is way way to wide. OLL. You often talk about power in shots or lack of. Rashford can hit them. If he is Duran’s replacement, how can he produce when hugging the touchline?
A quick tip of the hat to Unai. We’ve won nothing yet, but at this stage of the season, 3 dodgy draws in the league aside, we’re exactly where we’d hope to be. He’s managing on 3 fronts and doing very well. Let’s hope we don’t run out of steam like last season. The light March should help for a huge effort in April, where the longer days should also help energy levels.
Keep up the good work!
That’s the thing that gets me most. If we’d have turned 3 draws into wins, then we’d be right up there in the league. Can’t have everything I guess! Just have to do the double! 🙂
It’s just the way it goes, Bum Bum. I wouldn’t be surprised if Unai calculates how many points he expects at points in the season. He’s known as a manager who doesn’t draw many games. Those draws are a result of defensive injuries and missed chances from the forwards. Score one more or concede one less and you have 3 points not 1. Unai knows it. The players have to take the responsibility for their errors, defensively and missed chances.
What a fine example of hubris from old Fanny Smurfit on Talk shite, how the mighty Bin Dippers will have too much for Villa over two legs.
Well, we ain’t there yet and I’m sure both PSG and our case Brugge might have something to say about that.
Go PSG go.
Something about pride before a fall comes to mind RSS
Absolutely Hitch, never been over enamoured with the geezer.
Dunno if yr watching the PSG game but they are tearing Liverpool a new one!!!!
Indeed mate, really riding their luck.
So much for an easy predictable ride for the scousers.
Emery v PSG?????
I hope not. We wouldn’t cope with their relentless intensity. They’d destroy us.
Just watching Frank Lampard’s goals on Sky Sport’s 100 Club. So so many goals from outside the box. Looks so simple. Just shoot. We don’t do it nearly enough.
Big Ron’s teams used to. Saunders, Parker, Staunton etc…
You can’t always play through teams. McCoist mentioned it after the own goal on Tuesday, which came from a cross. You have to mix it up. Shooting from range is one way of doing that. Another reason for Rashford to come inside…
Great hall from Kamara; quick cross from Rogers splitting the defender and the GK which the defender had to deal with having Watkins right behind him.
If the defender had not intercepted then Watkins would have a tap in (maybe 🙂 )
We should definitely attack the box more often – something Rashford does really well.
Can Emery get them firing for Saturday – our CL follow league performances have been dire!
He does have options – perhaps start Malen over Watson – he brings speed and enthusiasm to the front line.
Dr Watson? And Sherlock Holmes as a wing back?
Much as I used to like seeing those sorts of goals (at least, when they weren’t being scored against us – Lampard did us a few times…) I get the feeling that football has changed a bit in the last 15 ~ 20 years.
I can’t put my finger on what exactly is different today, but despite there being players who have the ability to shoot from far-out (e.g. Tielemans?) hardly any team seems to do it.
Maybe it’s just been coached out of them – the insistence on keeping close possession, playing neat little passes into the box ?
Agree with you that I’d like to see more of the old-style stuff!
Absolutely. I can’t for the life of me understand why you’d coach that out of any footballer. Especially one with a good shot on him. I’d coach them to do it! Tragic, in my opinion.
I miss those long-range shots. The most enjoyable moment of the season by far was Duran’s winner against Everton.
I’d hazard a guess that we’re losing about a dozen goals a season by not doing that. Which is probably the difference between 10th position and challenging for the title. Hmm.
Missing a trick. Literally.
Ardent – I would love to know the reason also. 5 years ago I asked the sports science dept at my alma mater, Loughborough, about shooting from distance and chipping the keeper which were both in decline. Was it was caused by coaching or equipment? I was disappointed they did not have a strong opinion. The football slipper is certainly a factor, it is nowhere near as stiff as the old boot and has less toe protection. Flatter surfaces do not help, the odd bobble enabled shooters to hit a ball 2 inches off the ground – putting the laces through it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxVOCDGmnS0
Look at the way this ball is struck and travels, is that down to the technic the ball or a both?
Both.
Ah, chipping the keeper. Doesn’t happen any more. There have been some wonderful ones over the years. Merson and Ian Wright come to mind straight away:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxHAN8CIKQQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpFH3Ut6aQE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJb4bnulwaw
These 3 are etched in my memory. Enjoy!
All this talk of long-range goals and chips is making me very nostalgic. Footy’s not what it used to be. 🙁
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhZxntYcB0k
OLL – I notice your refernce to the ‘football slipper’ – bang-on!
I look at players when they’ve lost their ‘boots’ during a game, and I’m sure that my sister had ballet slippers (50+ years ago) that looked less-delicate.
Interesting news regarding our finances. Chris Heck has stated he expects our sales revenue to be around £370m up from £260m last year. This is a 42% rise and is an incredible rise on last year.
The increase has 3 main strands:
* Champions League: £75m
* Sponsorship: £47m
* Gate income up to £2.2m per match from £1.2m 3 years ago.
Further he swim there would be positive cash flow this season. The combination of Emery and Heck should be applauded.
I guess the problem will be next year. It looks like we will not make Champions League next year. This will put a significant dent in the sales revenue to squad cost ratio if we qualify for the Europa League / Conference. At this point do we sell players to meet the criteria or take a chance on the fine? Personally after seeing the impact of having to see Disney and Luiz for PSR reasons last year I’d take the fine.
Sorry autocorrect- Diaby not Disney
😀
It’s exactly what I’ve been saying Sid.
CL qually is more impoortant than anything if we want to play with the big boys.