So, there I am, on holiday and for some reason I suddenly can’t access the administration part of the site, meaning I couldn’t write or even approve moderated comments.
And then, I get home and suddenly the site’s working again for me. Very strange.
Anyway, first off, I’m shocked to see Austin Macphee has left to coach for Scotland. That’s bad news for two reasons, in that I was going to write about what a marvellous job he’d done in the short time he’d been with us.
Some old hack, whose name escapes me said set piece coaches, attacking coaches and defensive coaches etc are a daft idea. Well, he’s obviously talking out of his proverbial, because the difference it made for us was obvious.
Cash’s throw-ins were testament to that, as was the fact that instead of just banging the ball into the box, we were aiming at the front post, looking for a flick-on.
Now that’s pretty obvious stuff, that you would have thought we’d already been doing, but it would appear not.
I wonder if that fact was something to do with John Terry and O’Kelly leaving?
And then it’s obviously bad news because losing 3 coaches in about the same amount of weeks really doesn’t look very good at all.
I miss him already, but hopefully the players will have learned from him and take his teachings forward.
Next up, it’s Barrow tonight and they’re an unknown entity to me, as you’d expect. I read up about them on Wiki yesterday and they’ve had a torrid time of it over the last twenty years or more and only recently got promoted.
They’ve had a lot of money trouble too and I was pleased to see they’d sold out their ticket allocation within five hours of them going on general sale. Unfortunately, the ground only holds 5,000 odd, so it’s not going to be the money-spinner for them that I was hoping it was. That’s a shame, as their fans can turn out at certain times.
They’ve taken over 7,000 fans to away grounds on more than one occasion quite recently, which is very good for a club in such a remote place.
You’d have to expect the likes of Chukuemeka, Philogene-Bidace and other young lads will get a game and that makes it difficult to predict.
No doubt we’ll have a few senior players in the side and as such you’d expect us to have enough to get the win.
It wouldn’t be good for us, but if they could get us back to Villa park, that would be a money spinner for them, so they’ve got every incentive.
I don’t see it happening, but you never know with the Villa. We do have a nasty knack of losing games we’d expect to win.
And then, Newcastle.
I know many thought Newcastle were abysmal, but I thought they weren’t that bad.
On reflection, I definitely think they’re going to struggle over the season. Their fans detest Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley. It’s a shame what’s going on there, as contrary to the media that seem to think there’s some serious emnity there, I think they’re a decent club.
I’ll wish them luck, but not too much, of course.
My source for watching games has packed up for the second time in a week or so. Shame, as it’s been incredibly reliable. I think it’ll come back on, but not in time for tonight’s game.
IPTV really is a sweet thing.
I’m contemplating paying Nowtv, which just grieves me.
Mìnd boddling this, 3 gone in the space of 3 weeks!! Someone’s got the owners ear’s if you ask me over something that’s gone on. Stabs in the back and I bet its to do with Grealish sale. Anyway tonight I hope they will show us the young guns along with a few old heads to keep a steady ship. Villa to win if not heads will roll Mark my words as no ones safe at Villa the mood the top brass are in . I’m going to sit around my grandson house and watch as my daughter gets carried away screaming when Villa are having a shot on goal ,it drive the dog mad, and me ..
Badger, MacPhee hasn’t left the Villa role I don’t think. He has just swapped Northern Ireland for Scotland which won’t affect his club duties.
Are there replays in the league cup? I thought it was decided on the first game by penalties if level.
As for tonight’s game, I hope Smith takes it seriously because we need a good cup run. Yes to playing a couple of youngsters but strong enough not to turn it into a likely banana skin!
Holte that’s my understanding as well. When MacPhee came to Villa he retained his NI role which he has now swapped for Scotland but is still the set piece coach at Villa.
I see some benefit as he will work with McGinn in both camps
Ah, of course Holte, it’s not a full time thing is it, I don’t suppose?
That’s a relief.
And yes, I think you might be right about the replay thing too.
I’m not having a good time with this article am I?
Can you get jetlag flying from the Canaries? lol
I suspect Smith would like to see a cup run, but only so he can blood kids.
Although to be fair, a little part of him would probably like to see a cup win too.
10 changes, only El Ghazi retains his place and just (JJ) Ramsey from Saturday on the bench. Hourihane captain which is interesting as it suggests he has a role to play this season.
Lots of kids – looking forward to seeing them play.
This will be about Hourihane’s level from now on, I’d guess.
To be fair, he ought to be ace against lower level teams.
Should we read something into the fact that Wesley isn’t in the match day squad?
Probably.
You’d think he was one who needed minutes.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s injured.
That’s a good point Holte – had missed that. A loan deal I process?
I also missed that Nakamba, Targett, Hause and Tuanzebe are starting. I’m doing as well as you Badger 🙂
Or he’s on his bike.
Ball in from EG to Archer, who scores a sitter.
1-0
That’s a good goal from Archer. Nice ball across the box from El Ghazi.
A ridiculous penalty from El Ghazi 2-0
I missed it 🙂
Just saw the replay.
Cheeky.
He’s got some pen record though, hasn’t he?
And 6 goals in 10 games???!!!
If only he could be more consistent in his play.
Barrow coming more into it.
Villa a bit disjointed.
Nakamba – the good and the bad!
Classic lovely cross and a header comes to nothing for Barrow.
Good play, that.
And getting very physical.
Yep, putting the “man” back into mans game lol
Good third goal from counter attack. El Ghazi again.
This guy scores goals and we need to keep him.
Is this the Carabou or the Capital one cup? I don’t think even Sky know.
Yes, well worked goal and the gulf in class is showing.
It’s a good finish by El Ghazi – well controlled.
Barrow probably unlucky not to be awarded a penalty and (if they’d scored) at 1-2 might have been interesting.
Overall though Villa (even without many first team starters) are too good.
Hope Dean puts more of the kids on second half – would love to see Chukwuemeka’s brother come on.
4-0 Excellent finish by Archer for his second
Quality finish from Archer there.
Blimey, he looks like he knows where the net is. I’ve heard good things, but never seen him.