To be honest, I’m not really inclined to write anything about this game.
I just thought I’d better because no doubt some of you will have been wondering why I’ve been so quiet of late.
It’s part of my new policy of “if you haven’t got anything good to say, keep your trap shut” which has come about because I realise that me constantly saying how poor we are is depressing. I even depress myself.
Unfortunately my thinking hasn’t changed, but if I stick to the policy too much, it’s going to be a long time before I write anything at all.
And now I’m struggling, because I don’t think we’ve got a hope in hell tonight.
I’ll watch it, or more likely half watch it while doing other stuff, because it’s what you do as a fan isn’t it?
I have to admit to not feeling like much of a fan at the moment, but I find it impossible to give up on things entirely. A lifetime’s support isn’t easily thrown away, after all.
It’s just that it feels like such hard work watching the players constantly give the ball away.
Anyway, squad news and for us, injury-wise, I don’t think anything has changed.
Grealish is still out and according to Smith, who I struggle to believe these days, is back to the “loading” stage, which I assume is applying weight to his leg. So basically, he’s miles off, I would have thought.
Matty Cash is back after his suspension and I’ve seen it suggested that he might be left out as a punishment.
That’s ridiculous in my opinion and I just don’t see it for one minute.
It’s also been suggested that Davis might come in in the middle with Watkins moved out to the left. I’d say that’s possible and possibly even a good move, but I’m not sure Smith will justify it on the back of the last game, even if he did score a goal.
It doesn’t really matter to me what Smith does at this late stage of the season, to be honest. Everybody said he should have changed things up weeks ago and I personally think he’s left it too late.
As for Everton, they’re in pretty good shape, with defender Michael Keane being available again.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (foot) and Jean-Philippe Gbamin (knee) are their only injuries.
I think our best bet is to hope for a draw.
I just don’t see how you can get a result when the players make it so easy for the opposition.
I’m sure I read somewhere that John Mcginn gave the ball away 22 times against the Albion.
That’s just shocking and if you’re going to do that against a team that is certain to be relegated, you’re struggling from the off.
Dean Smith came out with some comment about how he’s been disappointed lately, but he’d do better saying he’s fuming about how poor our basic passing is and dragging them in for extra practice.
He also said something about how he thought we’d done well over the last couple of months, which frankly had me laughing. How you can think we’ve done well when we’ve been next to relegation standard for months is beyond me.
The strange part is I still fully support the manager for now.
I do find things concerning though. They say your form often carries over from the end of the season to the next.
Still, it’s ok, as Smith says we’re strong performers at the back end of the season, which suggests he’s expecting a lot of improvement.
This is a bit of a tough game to start improving though, isn’t it?
Everton to win, 2-1, I’m afraid. I’m tempted to say everton will get more, but in fairness, we don’t concede too many, do we?
I’m not at all confident 🙁
Would be great to see Davies in the middle, Ollie left and Chuky right.
Looking at our remaining fixtures, there’s a real danger we could lose every one if the players don’t wake up. That could impact on recruitment in the summer and will most probably roll over into the new season. Then we’re really struggling, as you’re possibly looking at a new manager before Christmas and then there’s a danger of a total reset and back to square one, after Smith’s progress of the last three years. I don’t want that. We really need to finish the season with a flourish. I’m going to stick my neck out and go for a 1-0 win tonight. I really don’t care how we play; we just need the win.
UTV
What is there to learn about Villa from now till the end of the season? We all know that without Grealish we massively lack creativity. Defensively we are reasonable expect for the occasional clangers (Step forward Tyrone Mings). Our midfield is the weak part of our team. We won’t find anything out by playing Barkley, plus the fact we won’t be signing him it seems bizarre to even consider him, so I’m assuming it is written into his contract that he gets a stated amount of game time.
I hope we play Davis up front with Watkins LF as he played a lot of the time for Brentford with ‘Chuky’ as RF. I would play Luiz and Nakamba in midfield with McGinn further forward. Also let’s have a couple more youngsters on the bench to give them all the incentive that they are getting close to first team action.
I wouldn’t be surprised however if Watkins, El Ghazi and Traore are the front three with Luiz, Barkley and McGinn in midfield. If Smith goes with that then we learn nothing.
Anyway I think we will lose whatever the line up so I’m predicting 2-0. Roll on next season!
Heh, spot on team prediction Holte.
Badger, Smith doesn’t do himself any favours with the fans. I’m certain that a huge majority of Villains wouldn’t pick / want that starting eleven.
Oh, I’m sure of it Holte.
Are your posts ok now?
Seems so, as I’m not approving them?
Isn’t doing the same thing and expecting a different result an indication of madness?
I can’t help but laugh.
Same shit football coming up.
Everton
Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Digne, Allan, Gomes, Sigurdsson, Rodriguez, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Olsen, Keane, Mina, Nkounkou, Delph, Davies, Iwobi, Bernard, King
Aston Villa
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings (c), Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Watkins, Traore, Targett, Barkley, El Ghazi.
Subs: Heaton, Taylor, Wesley, Nakamba, El Mohamady, Hause, Davis, Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace.
Chuky not even on the bench??? Just when I was trying to be positive. I give up. 🙁
Smith really is making a rod for his own back by keeping faith in consistently under-performing players.
I mentioned a few months ago that Axel would be a perfect upgrade for Engels. Reports are now emerging that we could make a move in the summer. Mings, Konsa, Axel, and Hause – now that’s not a bad set of CBs!
We know Taylor will be departing and possibly Elmo. The consensus is that we need to replace those as back-up to Cash and Targett. Personally, I’m of the view that whenever a player is replaced, you should buy someone better than not only that player, but the person in possession of the shirt. In other words, I think we should buy a left back at least, if not better than Targett, and the same for the right back spot. How about breaking the bank for Max Aarons? If we do that, then our back line, including Emi, is sorted for the next 5 years and as good as anything in the league. Get the other 2 thirds of the team right, and I still feel, despite recent form, that we could be challenging within 5 years, hopefully 3.
Our midfield isn’t bad; it lacks depth. The odd stinker aside, McGinn and Luiz are superb players and are still off their peak. If Jack is fit, then that’s a very decent midfield 3; but again, we need another 3 that are at least, if not better than them, if we want to move forward. Buendia’s just won best player in the Championship. Will he want something more than Villa or is he a possibility? McNeil at Burnley also looks interesting. But these would be midfielders for me, not part of the front 3.
Finally, if Tammy is to be our 20+ goals of the season man, we’re looking in great shape going forward. Sprinkle the best of our youngsters on that, and we could look a tasty proposition come August!
There you go Badger, the positive spin you needed. 😉
Same predictable line up.
Nakamba should start because Evertons attacking midfield will be all over us. Mcginn and Luiz are not defensive midfielders.
I can’t see Smith lasting longer than the first 10 games of next season.
Certainly there will have to be an upturn in form, Guest.
I like your style BFR.
You’re right, that’s pretty much exactly what we need.
I know I slate players, particularly the midfield of late, but there’s no denying they have been awful.
I totally agree though, they’re not suddenly bad players; they’re just in awful form.
It’s strange though, that they’re all suffering bad form at the same time.
In which case, yep, we definitely need more competition for places.
Fortunately, I think we’ll get it come the window.
It’s a big part of why I still support Smith.
Looking pretty sharp and even Traore is grafting.
That’s encouraging.
Yes, Watkins, great work 1-0!
Bloody hell, 1-1.
Targett looks in real trouble.
He’s ok.
We look bloody good here!
Barkley clatters the post after Traore shows some really cheeky skill.
We’re playing the best I’ve seen for months.
What a sight for sore eyes. What’s brought this on?
What a great first half.
We should be at least 3-1 up.
First half MOTM?
Traore, for his effort alone.
Why hasn’t he worked that hard all season?
Looks like you and me Badger123 are the only ones watching but its thrilling and we are the best team by as mile. This is what Villa are this year. Things can only get better.
I thought I was talking to myself. 🙂
I can’t get over how hard we’re working all of a sudden.
Just watched a re-run of their goal.
I’m not blaming Barkley for that. He’s not a defender!
He shouldn’t be marking CalvertLewin then.
Which is surely down to instructions?
Wasn’t expecting that, we could have had 4 or 5, even traore is playing well.
Must keep this up
Nah I’m watching too. We look much better going forward. Partly because we are getting players forward but also Barkley is helping for once after a shaky start and being at fault for their goal.
I’m just trying to enjoy it tbh. It’s just nice to see us play well for a change. El Ghazi is awful though.
Maybe Barclay was a confidence thing. Not playing him and bringing him on as a second choice was his issue. The last two games have produced much better from him. We can win this. Hey Badger we may have woken the real fans up.
10 mins from our first sub. Who will it be? Not that Smith is predictable.
El Ghazi is the only one I don’t think much of today.
Probably Naka on for Luiz then, lol.