I don’t even know if I’ll get to watch this one, as I’m half expecting a text asking me to work tomorrow. At the minute I’m hopeful that I do get to watch it though.
So it’s Brentford away, which hasn’t proved a very good hunting ground for us.
But it doesn’t worry me.
I said recently that there isn’t a single fixture left that worries me.
Yes, we are going to lose more games this season; percentages say so, but any team we face now must realise it’s going to be in for a fight.
Whereas under Gerrard, we looked clueless and quite frankly uninterested (which is criminal, but fully indicative of how bad he was, imo), we now look up for the battle. I don’t need to repeat how McGinn and others look re-invigorated. We’ve all seen it.
So the headline sums up what I’m thinking, perfectly.
Squad news and not much has changed. The usuals, in Boubacar Kamara, Matty Cash, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey are all still out.
Hence we’ll probably play an unchanged side, unless “t’ grand master” has seen something that I haven’t, tactically.
Which is always and easily possible.
Brentford also have no new concerns. Kristoffer Ajer isn’t ready to return, while Pontus Jansson and Keane Lewis-Potter are out for the rest of the season.
Brentford’s stats are interesting.
They’ve beaten us at home in the last four times we’ve played them and the last time we won was 1953. I’d guess we haven’t met them much since then though.
They haven’t won in five and have lost the last three. This would normally have me saying that we’re bound to lose then, as we’ve been the club to face when you’re on your arse, for years.
Not anymore though!
They’ve only lost two games at home this season, which makes the Gtech a bit of a fortress.
But while I would have been asking for a draw in the last few years, I now expect more.
Chris Sutton, has us down for a 2-1 win. It’s the only guess I’ve seen.
And I have to agree with him.
We’ve scored in all 18 games under Emery, which is unequalled elsewhere in the league and I expect that to continue.
I do however, have in the back of mind that we’ve been quite reliant on Ollie Watkins, who has been astounding in scoring 11 in 12 games and contributed to more goals than any player in the league in 2023 (I think. I’m sure I read that last part somewhere).
Am I wrong to ask “what if Ollie doesn’t score?”
I suppose you have to go with what’s happening and not be concerned with “what ifs?”
If we win this, it will be the first time we’ve won six on the trot since February 1990.
I’m not normally keen on stats, but they currently look so good, I can’t resist mentioning them.
And wow, does it make a great change.
2-1 it is then and a continuation of a real buzz.
And if we don’t get a result, you can’t win ’em all, can you?
UTV!
According to ‘Teamtalk’ (BBC Gossip), Ollie Watkins has signed a new long term contract at Villa although I can’t see anything on the OS.
Certainly hope that’s accurate as we don’t need circling vultures in the summer!
Work with a (plastic) Liverpool fan who reckons bin dippers central are going to buy Ramsey (ok whatever) that ain’t gonna happen.
And contractor Arsenal
( proper) who reckons Ollie’s on his way down sowf.
That ain’t gonna happen either.
The owners are trying to build something ( blank piece of paper story) so why would they sell two of their best assets?
They wouldn’t.
Wishful thinking me thinks.
Just been listening to Emery’s post match conference – just love his straightforward, no nonsense approach.
‘Second half for first 30 minutes we were very, very bad’
He’s right in saying that Hitch, I was just like him Hitch frustrated in fact thought oh well we can’t go down , We are so close to seeing our team in Europe and being proud at what they have done, we don’t now want to throw it away at this stage do we. No good saying let’s wait and buy players, we are almost there and should even if some won’t be at Villa not go for it , I’m for get stuck in and win that chance now .
Agreed Bill. I like that Emery is trying to manage fan expectation but I’d be surprised if doesn’t see a European place as a real possibility.
But looking at Liverpool and Brighton’s games in hand and GD it probably means we’d have to overtake Spurs – not impossible but a tough call.
Next two or three games will probably decide it.
Newcastle 4 up after 19 mins.
Jeez, Spurs are horrendous.
Make that 5 after 20 mins.
Football is a funny old game, unless you’re a Spurs fan of course.
Not a good day for Spurs so far. Our ladies are 2-1 up.
Man v Brighton, this ref is so Utd biased.
Nice brown paper envelope coming his way.
Not great sportsmanship by me. But glad to see Spurs being stuffed today. It has significantly reduced their goal difference advantage over us significantly reduced.
Secondly Brighton are now in extra time. Hopefully the exertion will imp y in their ability to play Forest on Wednesday. Let’s hope Forest turn them over.
I know it sounds bad but I really don’t care about other teams results – well I do as long as they benefit Villa! So, in my book, not bad sportsmanship to want our rivals to lose and us to win.
So Spurs losing 6-1 is brilliant and long may it continue! We’ve suffered enough over the years to have earned some pay back!
We need to overtake Spurs to have any chance of European football – their next two games ManU at home then Liverpool away – hope they lose them both (well, in self interest, maybe a draw with
Liverpool!)
Will Brighton suffer from Cup defeat and crowded run in – hope so!
We need to beat Fulham Tuesday and try to get something from the Man U match at the weekend – then, hopefully, Europe is on.
I’ve stopped making predictions BUT 😁 one prediction I guarantee is – Tuesday, taking into account St Emery”s post match comments, will be a much much improved performance.
Onwards and upwards.
Thinking ahead and what the transfer window could be like and always good for a debate. Could this happen?
Keep:
Martinez
Young A
Moreno
Mings
Konsa
Carlos
Luiz
McGinn
Buendia
Ramsey J
Kamara
Watkins
Duran
Sell:
Olsen
Cash
Chambers
Coutinho
Dendoncker
Digne
Traore
Bailey
Sanson
Nakamba
Moraes
Davis
Hause
Philogene-Bidace
Promote to 1st Team Squad
Archer
Iroegbunam
Ramsey A
Kesler-Hayden
What do you think?
Sid, that’s some list and won’t happen, unless we’re doing a Chelsea.
It’s a bloody good shout though and I wouldn’t disagree with most of it.
Oh, Cash would stay for me btw.
I think Dinge will be on is bike simply because of the money he’s on (a big thanks to SG) not because he’s a bad player.
Sid, we already have a thin squad so I really can’t see us selling (or loaning out) that many players or expecting those four young players to be regular starters although we may see them stay at VP next season (rather than a further loan).
I agree that they will try and move on from Sanson downwards on your list who are not part of the first team squad in any event but after that it will depend on how Emery wants to shape / strengthen / increase the size of the first team squad.
Personally I would keep Cash and Digne; Young was given a roasting Saturday and was at fault for the goal whilst Digne played well when he came on for Moreno Saturday who, by his recent standards, had a poor game.
Going to be an interesting summer
Yep, sod Spurs.
I pissed myself watching Spurs being the absolute crap I know they are.
I’m personally discounting them, as they honestly look like they’ve given up.
Shocking and as bad as the Chelsea players imo.
You had to laugh when at 5-0 after 20 minutes their manager made a substitution to improve their resolve at the back 🤦♂️
Indeed.
It actually struck me of absolute desperation in that he had to do something.
I’d really be troubled if I was a Spud.
The wheels have truly come off at both the Spuds & Chelsea (formally Chelkski)
Oh well never mind 🤣
Dear Father Christmas,
This week I would like:
An Aston Villa (big) win.
A West Ham win.
A Manchester Utd win (albeit with lots of short term injuries).
Thank you very much and I have been a very, very good boy this year.
Bum Bum
My work colleague has said his season ticket price for next season has gone up approximately 50%. When there’s a cost of living crisis this is nothing short of disgraceful. They know that those current season ticket holders who are struggling the most financially will be forced to give up their seats, knowing that there are 20,000 on the waiting list. So in the future the working class are continually driven out of attending games. Up to now I have been impressed with our owners and what they have accomplished but they are punishing the diehard fans who can’t afford going anymore.
Is that at Fulham’s new stand? If it is I heard the prices have rocketed even for day tickets. Possibly the most expensive in London.
It’s a funny thing to notice, but have u seen how many footy podcasts are all middle class kids? Those microphones are expensive!!
I hear Villa have put up season tickets by 15% but delayed the announcement from mid February until after the Newcastle game – I wonder why?
Or am I just being cynical 🙂
Don’t know whether you guys have clocked this but following this weeks FA Cup semi-finals, European places will now go to the top 7 in the Prem.
OK so 7th is Europa Conference but I’d take it after our Gerradstrous start to the season.
Hope Emi is fit otherwise I fear for tonight’s result.
UTV
Hitch, I really not sure I want Thursday evening football on the continent. History has consistently shown, time and again, that it seriously damages a team’s domestic campaign. I’d love the Villa to finish 5th and believe that is achievable, but I also wouldn’t mind declining to enter either Europa League, a-la United ditching the FA Cup in 2000. I think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I know that will never happen and most will disagree and might even hammer me for this view. But consider, as things stand, we are only second to Citeh on points in 2023. In other words, with no distractions, Emery is capable of challenging for the top 4 and even the title, based on that evidence. If we play on Thursday nights in Europe, that simply will not happen. It will be one step forward and two back, unless of course, Unai wins the Europa, which we know he can but there’s no guarantee! I’d prefer a guaranteed top 4 finish in a year’s time – then we’ll be really motoring!
Villa will actually earn more money from West Ham staying in the Premier League, due to the reported £3m add-on in the Danny Ings deal, than they will receive from the 15% gate receipt increase. So, is the sour taste it leaves with fans really worth it?
It seemed a bit rich considering they haven’t finished a season in the top-tier top-half since 2011, and have spent most of this season 11th or lower.
15 minutes in and this ref is a disgrace.
How did we not get a penalty for the challenge on Watkins?
If the ref had given it I guarantee VAR would not have overturned it.
No idea Hitch looked a stonewall to me.
MINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally dominated first half but only 1-0. I can’t help but feel second half that Fulham will improve. Could have had a penalty although Watkins didn’t complain too much. Hopefully a quick second goal for us will be coming up.
We know from Saturday that at 1-0 the game is not won.
We haven’t started second half
We need a second. I’m holding my breath here!!!
I don’t think there’s any love lost between Watkins and Buendía