Hmm.
“Sid Cowans love child” suggested my having very little faith in our defence after the Forest game was a bit premature, given that we hadn’t conceded many previously.
How right he was!
In my defence, it was just that I was thinking that we’d find defending against the “better” teams a bit more of a problem, as much as I think we’re excellent in attack.
I didn’t see the game, but managed to listen to the last 15 minutes or so on WM.
And the consensus was that this game was practically easy.
The brief reading I’ve done on here and elsewhere seems to back this up. Which is crazy in a really good way!
Boro had only conceded 10 goals before this, yet we’ve put 3 past them and the commentary was saying that the home team had given up.
It would seem we’ve battered the opposition, away from home, just as we did at Derby.
My god, this excites me.
If we can beat Boro and Derby so easily on their own turf, as well as put 5 past Forest, I have to wonder who there is in this league that we need to be scared of?
Is it new manager syndrome?
I very much doubt it and every game seems to demonstrate more and more how Steve Bruce had totally misread our squad.
Was it because he’d seen the state we were in when he arrived and didn’t trust the players?
Who knows? But he’s looking more like a total mug as every game passes.
I don’t want to get carried away, but things are looking really good at the moment.
I remember saying a few weeks back that we were facing a very tough period of games against local sides and that I was concerned that we’d get very little out of them.
Well, we’ve played a few of them and done very well.
It’s Albion up next, followed by Stoke I think.
If we can get say, 4 points from those 2 games, well even doubtful me would have to concede that we’d have a very good chance of getting promoted. If we were to get 6, we’d be beginning to look invincible, just as Wolves were last season.
Not that I want to run before I walk.
We’ve been kicked in the teeth too many times, haven’t we?
But it just seems to me that even if we do have major doubts at the back, we have the fire power to see our way out of trouble. So much so, that many teams won’t be able to live with us.
“We’ve blown them away” is a comment I saw for tonight’s game and that takes some doing against a Pulis side.
And even if we end up not getting the points we want in the next month, as long as it doesn’t prove disastrous (and I can’t see it), we’re still well in touch with the top group.
I heard a good comment on WM, where it was pointed out that if you need 2 points a game to get promoted, there’s only Norwich that have (just) managed it, up till now.
Our recent history says we’re well on course.
Add a couple of replacements in January, that we all know we need, plus look at the depth of our squad, especially attack-wise and we’re sitting very pretty indeed.
The question that was asked on WM was “Have Villa got a manager who can take them to the Prem?”
I suspect we might well have.
El ghazi shoots again.
Wide.
Hegazi cynical tackle on McGinn.
Booked.
Does anyone think El Ghazi is very similar to Mahrez? I was actually thinking the other day that this guy is capable of some long range shooting / goals (like Mahrez), and hey presto! 🙂
Looking class today, Ron
El Ghazi showboating and beats ttwo to put a great cross in.
Looking well in form.
Anyone else think El Ghazi is Mahrez mk 2?
Abraham misses a sitter from a couple of yards out.
Baggies a bit desperate flinging a free kick in from the halfway line. Comes to nothing thankfully
Jeez.
Bolasie, Abraham, Rodriguez and Johnstone go down after a clash and El Ghazi doesn’t look right either.
Kodjia on for Bolasie.
What a sub that is!
Most Championship clubs would give everything for that option.
No reason, just fresh legs.
No wonder, Bolasie’s run his legs off.
yes, he’s done well Pat.
Through ball to Gayle gives a half chance,
Nyland has it covered.
More flash stuff from El Ghazi wo gives the ball to Grealish fora shot straight at the goalie.
Many players suffering injury problems tonight.
Whelan on for Grealish.
Whelan coming on for Jack. They’ve given him a right good kicking this game.
My god, the engine on McGinn.
One end to the other.
5 mins ET.
Nice run from McGinn. he looks like a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder.
Oh sh*t another 5 minutes. Fingernails already bitten down
2-2
Villa players complaining about a handball.
Shit 2-2
Player heads on to his hand and it goes in, for me.
Deliberate?
I don’t think so, but does that matter?
Yes hand ball
2-2 Goalkeeping error for me. We need Heaton!
Definite handball.