It would be remiss to write a post without at least mentioning the unwanted headlines about Grealish’s driving ban and heavy fine.
I think we’d all hoped that he’d learnt from previous unwanted press attention that he needed to be fully aware of the consequence of his actions – but alas it seems not. As it happens, like Villa, I picked up three points last week (on my licence that is – my first in over 50 years of driving I hasten to add) so we can all be guilty of poor driving or lack of attention at times however experienced we might be but JG’s litany of offences is more than an acceptable individual lapse.
Now, as captain of our club, he has a greater responsibility to be a role model to the younger players and fans and lead by example. I imagine the club may also fine him but I also hope that Dean Smith will provide a strong guiding hand.
Anyway enough of that.
We are four games into the run of seven that started against Brighton before which Badger set up a poll to seek our views as to the number of points we would secure. I don’t have those results to hand but, from memory, the general consensus would have it between 10 and 13 with a goodly number even more optimistic.
To date we have secured just 3 points and those from a game I suspect most thought we would lose! OK the Newcastle game was postponed so, in reality, we are looking at six games with three to play.
Can we get a further 9 points from those three games which would align with Badgers own prediction and 27 points by Christmas?
First up we welcome Burnley to VP tomorrow night (another strange piece of fixture scheduling – a 6pm kick off on a Thursday night)! Notwithstanding, we do have the benefit of an extra days rest which might prove crucial.
I watched Burnley against Arsenal and first up I though Arsenal were really poor. Although they dominated the first half they were woeful in front of goal and completely lost their discipline after the break (lucky only to have one player sent off). Burnley were workmanlike and organised without really showing anything special but they deserved the win which will boost their confidence ahead of tomorrow’s game. They also have a number of players coming back from injury which will also strengthen the team.
Burnley were slow starters last season and are starting to show an improvement; I think with their EPL experience they will be OK. So this game is not a given for Villa.
Our home form has been pretty poor lately having now lost four on the trot in all competitions since demolishing Liverpool 7-2; nothing wrong with restating that fact is there?. Were we subsequently guilty of believing we could demolish any team at Villa Park? Well, if we were then Leeds disavowed us of that believe but, it seems to me, that we continued a gung ho approach in our next two games, losing both.
We can probably argue that we were unlucky not to, at least, gain a point against Brighton; a combination of failing to take our chances and being screwed (yet again?) by VAR conspiring to defeat us. For me we had enough chances to win the game so VAR notwithstanding we just didn’t do enough against a poor Brighton side that offered little. Smith defending the defeat against Southampton as ‘a freak result’ – bit like the Liverpool game then?
After the avalanche of red / yellow cards courtesy of Mike Dean, we will be without Cash and Luis for the game; two ever presents and key members of the defence. Trezeguet will also be absent with a hammy and Barkley will have a late fitness test. Davis is out with an ankle injury and Wesley is unlikely to figure anytime soon. Gilbert, Hause and Heaton are fit as is Engles.
So, for the first time Smith has to seriously shuffle the pack? If Barkely is unfit then I would expect Ramsey to keep his place (Barkley may well start on the bench) and Traore will start instead of Trez but how will Smith reshuffle the defence? I fully expect Smith to show faith in Elmo to come in at right back. He’s dependable in defence and is a good crosser of the ball.
But what about the role Luis plays in front of the defence – I don’t think we have an obvious replacement although Nakamba probably comes closest but without the vision or passing ability’s that Luis possesses. He could though opt to drop McGinn into the role and bring in Hourihane in a more attacking midfield role.
Whatever Smith does it might answer some of the questions over the depth (or lack of it) in the squad.
El G has been weak tonight.
How’s this gonna end????!
Another point yes but Christ!!!!!!! How the hell did that ball not end up in the net at least once???
Pathetic finishing. Will cost us a top half finish if we don’t sort it out. Should be beating these teams comfortably
27 attempts, more than any other time in the league, how the he’ll did we not get a goal .
Team
25 or more shots and we coudnt score 🙁 lack of composure and bad finishing but i expected it be a close game, i thought we would get a late goal truth be know we should have won and won convincingly
lets not get too upset we created loads and just one of those nights
I have to be critical – once again we dominated a game yet failed to finish with any accuracy. 28 shots!
Although El Ghazi might have been more clinical he did OK in my book as did Hause in particular.
A points a point and it breaks the sequence of home defeats.
On to the Baggies and Big Sam – it will be long balls and massed defence for sure.
We had enough clear cut chances to win 4-5 games. Finishing from El Ghazi and Traore especially was woeful. Hause and Elmo despite my concerns were solid. Massively frustrated is how I feel right now.
OK I exaggerated – 27 shots; the most by any team in the EPL without scoring for 3 years!
It’s a worry though – we have to be more clinical in front of goal.
It was 27 then Davis had his cross shot which they hadnt counted…….why the hell cant Watkins play in El Ghazis position as it seems all the chances come out there…….
But…I thought Burnley would cause us more trouble though and our CB’s coped with them so a point gained for me especially with those players.
Looking at the ratings they have all of Burnley over 6 and only 3 of ours….them 3 were bloody good to make all those chances.
You make a good point about Watkins playing wide left. He played there more times for Brentford than CF. IF Davis is fit for Albion game it might pay to do that with Traore or El Ghazi on the right. Either that or switch Jack back to wide left. As long as we keep creating then goals will come. It’s a positive that players coming in did well.
We’ve got to put this down to bad luck. As Deano said, we’ve deserved to lose one match this entire season, the Leeds game. We been bloody unlucky in 3 of our last four games… It’s far from ‘They’re going down’ type of luck but we by and large played well. A few weak points but are they worth going into?
A plan B would be nice so I’ll ask Santa for that. And 3 points from the Baggies game!
All respect to Burnley for solid defending. Very well org3.
Unbelievable, only Villa can make records like that. Villaawayindiv3 spot on , Watkins should have that roll, you cannot have a player that’s creates chances but fluff them in front of goal is no good to Villa. We have players that are long term injuries, player on loan that’s injured and might play well for two games but back in the doctors after two games. Middle league Finnish this season is best we will get.,
The truth is players like El Ghazi and Trezeguet are just not good enough at this level, and will continue to cost us points. Grealish must be getting frustrated and you cant blame him.
On a bright note, thought defensively we were very good. McGinn was also excellent and Grealish is a different level as always.
Having Cash and Luiz back next game will make a big difference.
We need to buy a quality right sided attacker in Jan if we want to seriously compete in the top half of the table.
I think it will be difficult getting anyone in without offloading first. I think the whole COVID thing is making it more complicated to bring players in too. Can we offer Chelsea big money to permanently sign Barkley? Lansbury isn’t even in the 25 man squad, so possibly he will be paid off to get him off the books. Wesley isn’t fit till March and Davis is injured every 5 minutes, so another striker might be necessary in case Watkins gets injured. I like Trezeguet but his shooting ability is like El Ghazi and Traore. Maybe the problem can be solved with shooting practice in training. They all seem to lack composure in front of goal. Even Grealish lacks the clinical ability to finish.
Overall though I think we have made huge strides in the last two years. Putting the ball in the net is always the most difficult thing at premier league level. If only we had a Son, Kane or Salah!
Some of our players answered the question of why they don’t start. One or two looked like they are ready to step in.
Traoré put in a shift for once and did a lot of good work, but he isn’t what the team lacks – a lazy little **** like Kevin Phillips who does little except latch on to loose balls and score.
The commentators were on different Carol Sheets, one said we last drew 0-0 with Burnley in 1986 while the other said the last Villa GK to shut out Burnley at VP was Colin Withers in 1964.
I don’t want to speak to soon but watching Martinez make the saves he does is so just so refreshing. Top top keeper!!
Tom, I didn’t see it myself but apparently Martinez roared in frustration at the final whistle. Good to see passion like that.
I’m nowhere near as upset with last night like I have been before.
Looking forward to the Baggies!!!
Atkinson refereeing Sunday’s game. I’m reminded we won 7-2 Liverpool and Arsenal 3-0 might enlighten a few hearts that,
rather disappointing result, finishing but looking around at posts by villa fans is also disappointing, being frustrated is understandable but reading some posts particular on fb is rather funny. some ppl dont understand the game like last nights referee. he failed to book ben mee for a blatant foul on grealish who was baring down on goal if he got past mee. yet the game was held up while var studied a foul on nakamaba, that foul was a genuine attempt to win ball mee was not.
the game we should have won, but saves bad finishing and cross bars clearances of the line prevented us. we know some players are not as good as other first team players. that is not anybodies fault. smith has only a certain amount of budget and can not change the whole squad in one window or two. it will be a gradual process. it is important to stay up and progress in league finishing and the squad will improve each window.
like the two games before wolves, we played well and that is most important thing. good performances will breed confidence and good results most games. last night was frustrating but shit happens. it could be worse like being sheff utd fan. they have to come to grips with virtually same squad good last season and not this. head scratching but truth for them is they are not good enough. last season wilders tactics was the difference, once the other managers worked them out and his own players dropped their high levels performances dried up and then results dried up
Hitch, I’m having trouble posting. I keep having to enter email and name despite saving. My last post is still under moderation!
Holte – I’ve approved your post and also an earlier one from OLL that went into moderation (apologies to OLL for not spotting this earlier)
Not sure what the problem is but will try and sort it.