So it’s a bit late. Sorry, but there probably won’t be much to debate over the next few days anyway.
I suggested that this might not be the sort of game where we’d win and sadly, I was proved right.
I’m still minded to think that we really ought to be beating this sort of team if we are really looking to challenge, but going back to my previous post where I said that I really need to lower my expectations, I’m seeing this game as a typical indicator of what I meant.
The first half was totally unforgettable and as much as it got better in the second, I didn’t think much of that either.
Was the ref poor? I think I’m going to be in a big minority in saying, no, not particularly. I do think I have some special ability in staying neutral though. Or perhaps I’m just totally misguided. I just tend to think decisions balance out in the longer term.
I don’t think Unai got much wrong and his subs were spot on too, in my opinion, but ultimately, we couldn’t out-muscle them, as I thought we might need to do.
I’m not going to pick any individual player out, but we just didn’t do enough in the middle to upset them.
That said, I thought we were the better team for most of the game.
Just not good enough on this occasion.
I find myself wondering how much not getting the points against lesser teams is going to cost us at the end of the season though.
Onwards and upwards!
We weren’t going to win, Badger. They wouldn’t have allowed it. Step aside Villa. KDB and his mates are barging through, aided and abetted by the powers that be. If there was a ‘moonie’ emoji, I’d add a few at this point, aimed at the cheats and charlatans. Childish, I know. But I’m having a strop. I’m entitled to it. Excuse me while I gather the toys I’ve launched out of my pram and pop my dummy back in…
Even allowing for peering through my exceedingly claret and blue glasses, I still maintain the ref was awful.
He wasn’t consistent – booking Watkins and Tielemans for nothing and yet allowing Tarkowski to recklessly tackle players in a manner likely to cause injury with only a single yellow. Making contact with the ball first is no justification, neither is claiming it was ‘just the follow through’. How Tarkowski isn’t sent off more often baffles me.
Players are like children they need disciplining but also need to recognise why. Failure to do so and control is lost! It’s not surprising that Coote who lost control of the Villa / Brentford game all but lost control of this one.
Fortunately the Villa players are more wary of Emery and this time kept themselves more under control after Tarkowski’s violent tackle on Moreno.
Anyway enough of my self indulgent diatribe – Dyche set out to reduce the game to a scrap and succeeded, something he has a reputation for.
Emery said a point wasn’t good enough – succinctly put.
I feel the same way BFR. No matter how great Emery and his team are, it’s not going to be enough to muscle into the Sky 6 party. Let’s face facts. We are terrible in bringing in the neutral fans to the live TV audience figures. We are all guilty of watching Citeh v Pool or Spurs v Arsenal etc. Would we be as interested in watching West Ham v Brighton? That’s the way the non Villain’s feel about watching Villa v Brighton. That’s why I can’t see Villa breaking up the Neville, Carragher Keane et Al closed shop party.
So I’m going to sulk too until the very unlikely event the EPL grow some balls and hit the big boys with the same punishments as Everton or preferably more.
I think we need to remember that Arsenal and particularly City were not bigger than the Villa in the 70’s and 80’s. In fact, it could probably have been argued that we were bigger than both (all three were very much on a par, imo).
You get bigger by being successful.
Although I totally agree it’s more difficult to crash the party now.
The ref was not good. Not the worst I’ve seen but far from the best. I did think Luiz was under par on Sunday, and he has to stop this stupid shirt pulling routine!
These results happen. The powers that run football don’t give a damn about how the fans feel, or if we see FFP or VAR as corrupt or inept.
I still think we need a new face or two in Jan just to freshen things up. I’d also play down the negative FFP statements coming from Emery. Rule number one: don’t tell everyone how much money you have to spend!!!!!
I was disappointed we didn’t win because we missed out going joint top with Liverpool! What a spoilt b***ard I’ve become! 🙂
I’ve seen some horrific posts on other outlets about @emery better sort it out of he’s off’ type comments. Utter, utter stupidity. I’m also inclined to ignore the regular pundits too. Hopefully Lineker will be out of a job sooner rather than later.
Be happy Villains! Times are great!!!!!
For the first year he was with us, I could not see the point of Austin McFee. Neither our defending nor attacking set-pieces seemed to have improved. That has changed, defensively it is not clear, because the defenders keep changing, but we seem to have cut out the mismatches of tall attackers being paired with one of our shorter guys who cannot jump. In attack though our free kicks and corner routines are very dangerous now, they weren’t before.
McFee has also noticed the weakness in our forwards and midfielders who cannot hit the ball hard which is why, in the last two set piece corners where the ball ended in the net, it was put there by our RB and LB. McGinn is too inaccurate and Watkins, Diaby and Luiz can’t hit the ball from that distance as well as Cash and Moreno.
I hold out some hope for Duran. he does have the right instinct, right at the end v Everton he checked one stride and cut to ball side of the covering defender so he could get his toe on the ball first. He did not miss by much.
I thought our midfield was a little wanting both McGinn and Luiz looked of it on the day, a point being a fair result given our performance on the day.
Luiz £100m?
Now as much as I don’t want to be a selling club that’s an awful lot of money and I believe City did not have a sell-on clause so £85M profit?
OLL, Duran definitely has it in him, imo, but you can see he has a problem that he needs to rein in.
Ron, is be happy with £100 mill, but also a bit concerned. We definitely look a lesser side without him, I think. It won’t happen anyway, as Arsenal don’t have a pot to do the proverbial in.
Or at least FFP says so.
Bloody tablet.
“I’d be happy”
Moreno to Roma for 8 million euro?
Surely not?
http://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-want-e8m-let-defender-go-january-also-willing-negotiate-different-formula/
LOL!!!! They may be interested, but I’m also interested in a new Ferrari. These windows do throw up a lot of crap!!!
AM has been on fire since he came back from injury.
And Mourinho is no longer on fire having being extinguished LOL
It’s been reported we’re in negotiations for Red Star Belgrade’s young right back (18) at about £9m with him staying at Red Star to the end of the season.
Who knows!?
So Traore ‘the injured one’ plays 17 minutes for Burkino and scores the winner from the penalty spot.
They’ve seen more of him than we have and what’s the betting he returns from Afcon injured – yet again.
Which is very frustrating as I do actually like Traore who can come on and offer us something different – he also has a knack of scoring important goals.
I don’t get this one at all. We’re apparently spending money on an 18yo rb, but loaning him straight back?
Romano seems to think we’re happy as we are.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s the right idea, but surely it means there are no reinforcements coming in?
Otherwise, it hints at Duran to Chelsea. Now, that strikes me as a very good shout. Chelsea need a striker and he needs to continue his education;
https://www.givemesport.com/aston-villa-transfer-news-kosta-nedeljkovic-sign-contract-medical-due/
Oops – the piece I read said he played for Red Star Belgrade!
Really accurate these journos! At least they got his name right.
Hitchens: I enjoyed being punted round Europe as a young salesman and have a collection of Collins pocket dictionaries – even Serbo-Croat!
Crvena Zvezda Beograd translates as Red Star Belgrade
Ah, thanks OLL – must brush up on my language skills 🙂
According to Football Insider Chambers & Traore have been told they can leave in January and are attracting interest from European Clubs?
The first part maybe true but the second sounds like more lazy journalism.
I’m not convinced about the Duran rumours. In a recent interview in Columbia he said he was happy at Villa, concentrating on his development under Emery and was not allowing social media to distract him.
I do like Duran, he’s a big, powerful unit that tends to make things happen when he comes on. OK he’s a bit Buendiaish with his reactions but I don’t really mind that.
And remember, the guy is only 20 with just MLS experience behind him.
You’re too nice Hitch. He needs a Fergie style kick up the backside if u ask me.
On Duran, his explosive shooting reminds me of the late great Dalian Atkinson. He’s produced at PL level already and he’s a completely raw talent. Keep him and develop a feared PL striker would be my advice!
You’re too nice BFR. He needs a Fergie style kick up the backside if u ask me.
(See what I did there?) 🤣🤣🤣
🙂
Imo he lacks the finesse of Dalian I’d say more akin to Balotelli.
Kosta Nedeljković seems to be in the bag;
https://www.footballfancast.com/aston-villa-transfer-news-kosta-nedeljkovic-set-to-undergo-medical-fabrizio-romano/
This is good news;
https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-aston-villa-sign-triple-your-money-deal-as-12m-agreement-struck/
So not only are Arsenal after Luiz, Liverpool (who’ve been told we’ll accept a £100 million bid) and Barce are too. And Man City are going to buy him back.
You couldn’t make it up!
Oh, hang on…….
https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-man-city-plotting-to-re-sign-two-premier-league-stars/
More made-up clickbait. God how I hate the lies that so called ‘sports journalists’ spew out in the transfer window.
Just wish that I could stop myself clicking on them too…
£100m?
Could you really say no?
With the EPL’s ever more aggressive approach toward FFP transgressions, I remain unconvinced that any EPL side is in a FFP position to sign a player for £100m in January.
RSS, I would only sat ‘yes’ IF a replacement who is as good or better can be secured for 50 million, leaving 50 to balance the books. Then politely ask the manager and players to deliver the league title next season.
Otherwise, I’d say no, add to the squad with Douglas in it, then politely ask the manager and his squad to deliver the league title next season. That would be my approach.
Villa (and Emery), according to reports, keen on Middlesbrough winger Morgan Rodgers (21). Offer of £6m turned down – Villa May increase it.
I suppose it makes sense if Traore is on his way out of the club.
Don’t think we’ll see any wow signings in this transfer window nor, hopefully, any major outgoings with FFP being the dominant factor in everything.
We have recalled Kesler-Hayden from his loan at Plymouth.
From the Villa statement it looks as if he’ll be the back up to Cash so expect to see him get game time and no big right back purchase on the cards.
With the right back coming in from Red Star, could Cash be a player moving on in the summer?
This one would actually make some sense. Emery particularly away from home I’ve noticed doesn’t start cash.
I like him personally but when you consider balance in the squad and look at what the two left backs offer, I’d say cash doesn’t quite offer the threat of Moreno or service or digne, he certainly isn’t the best defender. That said, he does a job and I prefer it when he does play as konsa plays centre back which always looks more convincing to me.
The reason this would make sense is I would imagine cash can generate a decent fee.
So I’m terms of letting a “big name go” I think cash could just about slip into that category and it wouldn’t upset fans too much.