I don’t know why I find this one intriguing, but I do.
Last season I’d probably have described it as a run of the mill win for us, but this time, I wonder if Moyes can have a new manage bounce effect on the game and couple it with how awful we are at times and I think anything might happen tonight.
Let’s start with the good news and it is that we’ve signed Donyell Malen, who looks to be predominantly a right sided player in Unai Emery’s thinking, because the manager has talked about this being a “one in, one out” policy, adding Jaden Philogene into the mix, who seems to be an almost certain goner.
Or did he mean that this will be the policy for the whole of the window and all players involved?
Whatever, things are seriously starting to warm up now and we seem to have moved on from the 100% guesswork that we usually get at the beginning of the month.
Diego Carlos is apparently being chased by Fenerbache, if Mourinho doesn’t get the sack and my feeling there is that it’s probably the right time all round to do that deal. He could do a very decent job in Turkey and we recoup some much needed PSR cash. It’s win-win. I think probably a more salient point here is that Emery has said Carlos has a small injury. The player says he is not injured at all.
Things are not 100% happy in the camp, it would seem.
Not wanting to dwell on that, squad news and it isn’t great.
On the plus side, we should have Emi Martinez back and Jhon Duran has finished his suspension, meaning he’s available. Will he start? is another question and I suspect not, which will surely add to his frustration. It’s a tough life for a young lad on 100k a week or whatever it is, isn’t it? It would appear he’s going nowhere though and we’ve stuck an £85 million pricetag on his head, which, while putting pretty much all clubs off, might prove a disastrous mistake for them if he ends up as another Haarland.
Pau is probably going to be out for 2 months and McGinn is a week away from training again, if I read things right. I’m not sure how much that concerns me, to be honest, as neither have been great and they probably need the R&R.
And then, Ross Barkley is at least two weeks away from being fit, which is bad news, because as much as I didn’t fancy him when he came, he has done a very decent job and he’s being managed well and used sparingly to good effect. He’s a miss and the sooner he’s back, the better.
As for Everton, they’re not in great shape.
Dwight McNeil, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam are all out., as is Armando Broja who was stretchered off after an innocuous challenge in Thursday’s FA Cup match against Peterborough.
The good news for them is that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back in contention, although he’s only scored two goals all season.
What to think then and I ought to be hopeful, I feel. Everton play pretty decent stuff from what I’ve seen of them and have often been unlucky, I feel. But they can’t score for toffee and that costs them some serious points.
I’d normally go for a very straightforward win here, but my money says we won’t get one.
At best, we’ll scrape one and I just hope it isn’t as dire as the first half of the West Ham game.
But I’m going for a 1-1 draw if I have to choose. I just can’t trust us to get a win, I’m afraid, although our record is actually better than I make things sound.
As per usual, UTV!
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6046507/2025/01/16/jaden-philogene-aston-villa-exit-unai-emery-ipswich-transfer/
Good analysis on the Philogene situation. I hope it doesn’t turn into another infamous Cahill style sale while also wishing him well. Apparently, Unai wanted to keep him (and Kellyman).
PSR enforcement means we have no choice. Don’t forget for every Cahill, there’s dozens more that fail.
Not sure about PSR here, as the money’s gone on Malen. I think it’s more he didn’t make it and we couldn’t give him more time.
Suspect it’s a bit of both BFR.
There’s no doubt putting £28m on the bottom line from the ‘Philogene project’ helps PSR – if Malen cost £21m and signed a three and half year contract then in this financial period only £3m goes on the debit side of the equation plus we free up Philogene’s wages (albeit one would expect Malen to be on a higher package).
Carlos, on the other hand, is probably one of the highest earners so to move him on, even for £6 – £10m has potential upsides
And not forgetting the footballing side, I expect Malen to offer significantly more now than Philogene would.
What’s football gotta do with anything? 😑😑😑
Anyone watching United? Shame we don’t go there until final day because their defence remind me of paper dolls and are making Southampton look like prime Brazil going forward. An in form Villa attack would destroy them.
Saints will go down. And a big club will pick off Tyler Dibling. Interested? Not 19 until next month. I think we should be front of the queue for talent like that. Ideal long term replacement for Leroy, in my opinion.
What a miss by Antony. Criminal. The mind boggles. 🤯
Need City and Chelsea to draw, as well as Newcastle with Bournemouth at the weekend. Then – it’s a big ask but if we can take the points tomorrow, it’ll tighten things even more. Forest should spank Saints, although they played really well last night and should fee hard-done-by.
See that somewhat self opinionated former ref. Keith Hackett has criticised the FA for not extending Jhon Duran’s ban for kicking a water bottle – then he has the brass neck to ‘tell’ Emery how to deal with his own player whilst implying that Duran is overly aggressive and has temper issues.
Duran is, at times, overly enthusiastic but he’s never shown indications of overly aggressive play or temper issues, and to some extent one can empathise with his frustration at being sent off in a very harsh decision by another rather self important referee that ignored the advice of both his assistants.
Duran does need to learn to accept that sometimes decisions are unfair and go against the player and to take out his frustrations away from the all seeing eye of the camera!
That Dr Keith Hackett clinical psychologist?
No?
Well he can f**k right off then.
I expect the dark arts from Arsenal. Tielemans and Kamara to be felled early on by ‘reducers’, Chris Kavanagh no help here. The fact that it is a night match should give the Gooners the edge. I would be very happy with one point.
Looks like Andre’s Garcia, a 21 year old RB from Levante in La Liga 2, is on his way in. I know nothing about him as I watch very little of La Liga 2.
Disappointed if this means that Mingueza won’t be coming but in Monchi I trust. I remember when we signed another lower division player and wondered WTF we were doing. He turned into Morgan Rogers
Who turned into ‘Chesty’!
Bumped into Dennis Law at Euston. Same place I met George Best.
RIP Denis Law, a great player and scorer of goals. I saw him in a game at VP in the 60s (I had to look it up and I think it was 28th April 1965) and, of course all eyes were on Georgie Best. We won that game 2-1 even though Charlton scored. However, over the years Denis Law always caught my eye as he’d often appear out of nowhere and silkily slot one in.
Had the privilege of meeting him once 30 odd years ago – he was charming particularly to my wife 🙂
Without doubt an outstanding footballer.
I was at that game 1874 – standing in the front of the old Trinity Road Stand
Wow!
Apologies, I was actually at the game in 1966 when we also won 2-1, David Herd scoring United’s goal. Still standing at the front of the Trinity Road stand!
It was 1874’s reference to Charlton scoring because, in my rather befuddled head I thought – no it was Herd that scored!
So, like 1874, I had to look it up!
The other game I remember vividly was the second leg of the League Cup semi-final (December 1970) when we were in the old Division 3. We had drawn 1-1 at United, I had seats in the front row of the old Witton Lane stand towards the Holte End – taking my, soon to be, wife to the game (I knew how to treat a lady 🙂 ). We won 2-1 both goals at the Holte end from Pat McMahon and the, never to be forgotten, Andy Lochead.
Ah, those were the days – young, in love and broke 🙂
Andy Lochead in the air, in the air, in the air…
I loved watching Andy play, a great character, hard as nails and a great header of the ball.
Totally agree 1874. I think we bought him from Oldham Athletic but my mind might be playing tricks on me.
Shit Hitch I was just working your age out then 1874 😀 . I remember Denis Law running half the pitch at Villa Park and literally kicking a Villa player who was on the ground , I cannot remember who but I thought you dirty git . 84 hey RIP Denis .
Bill I remember that too. My dad and my older cousins went absolutely barmy. One of my cousins called him ‘Dirty Denis’ for years afterwards.
Great days though.
First game at VP was v Blackpool in 1960.
OK – fess up – which one of you posting on here is Prince William? 🙂
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2002144/Prince-William-Aston-Villa-fan-forums
If Emery ever leaves Villa, would anyone on here be happy with Iraola the Bournemouth manager? He’s doing amazing there and the football is exciting to watch. I think they could finish top 4 if they stayed injury free.
Holte, that was a game of football I watched. End to end football none of this passing back football as it should be played . I would say yes I’d welcome him if it came to be .
No I’m not Prince William . I think it’s Badger 😇
Ah no, sadly not Bill – I’ve actually had the pleasure of sharing a few bevvies with Mr Badger – unless there’s two of them of course.
🙂
I sometimes think we should all meet up in a pub with nametage on! We’d probably hate each other! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
A bit far for Texas and Korean Villains to come for a night out!!!!!
Is one looking forward to ones game later?
Yes, one is.
Only a matter of time before the 3 feathers and legend appear above the TR main entrance. “Aston Villa PLC. Purveyors of Football Entertainment to H.R.H The Prince of Wales.”
Aston Villa starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers; Watkins
Subs: Olsen, Gauci, Bogarde, Nedeljkovic, Digne, Buendia, Bailey, Malen, Duran
Maatsen to exploit their left hand side with his speed?
It’s a weakened Arsenal side, particularly in defence. Can we exploit that? I would take a draw if offered it now but a win would be a great boost for our chances of European football next season.
BumBum I’d turn up on the meeting maybe one day it could happen?
I think it’d be a laugh!!! Maybe in the spring when Badger isn’t super busy at work or on holiday!!!!
I’d be up for this.
Boll***s
They scored with Onana injured – typical
Well that’s made it an almost impossible task and Onana the glass man is injured again ☹️
Maatson looking a liability
Maatsen scared of a second yellow. Digne on half time.