Ok, I don’t want to get ideas above mine or any Villa fans expectations, but if I was one of my Grandsons, I’d be very excited right now, because the possibilities are endless and we so remind me of the title winning team that we all revere.
The grandsons were at that game and strangely enough, that’s the first time they’ve seen the Villa win away. Go figure.
Cut to the quick and Fulham were unbeaten at home this season. Yes, it’s early days, but it matters, imo.
The simple fact is I thought we battered them.
Yes, they saw the same old tactic of trying to beat us with pace down our right side, where we all know that Cash, (while a good, hardworking servant who has performed well) is the biggest weak link in the team. I continue to call for an improvement in this position, as even though he can do good things, so he can do bad ones.
But it mattered not too much as our midfield had too much for them.
This struck me as a very impressive win, because I still believe Fulham are a good side, who will easily finish in the top half. It was made even more impressive when you consider the players we had on the bench.
As the currently fit squad stands, we look very strong, with decent quality as back up.
McGinn on the bench, for example?
Of course, we’re not at Man City or Chelsea type levels, because let’s face it, they’ve been able to blatantly bypass the rules over the years. And as we’ve seen, a couple of injuries makes us look lacking, meaning we don’t quite compete on level terms.
Whatever. What did I like?
The constant search for goals. It’s the name of the game, after all and I thought we totally took it to Fulham without fear. The midfield won us this, with Tielemans pulling the strings yet again, while strongly backed up by Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey. I’m loving those two rampaging lads and there are no doubt many envious eyes on them.
Ollie scored again and what is there to say about that? He keeps doing his job, while I still often keep telling myself “how the heck did you not score there?”. Is it fair to sort of criticise him for not being clinical enough, with this season’s goalscoring record? I’m not sure it is, but I’d guess that if it was Haarland in his place he’d have double the goals.
His header today was quality, let’s have no qualms about that. It’s hard for me to question him too, because I think he’s quality, but the question needs to be asked, I feel.
What didn’t I like?
Cash, while a decent defender occasionally, isn’t good enough. What it is specifically, I can’t say.
He can defend well, but often gets caught out of position. He lacks pace too. I don’t know. I’m struggling to pin it down, but the fact is he’s just not good enough. Other managers know it, plain and simple.
Yes Pau messed up for their goal, but that apart, I thought he did well. And then when you win 3-1 away , how can anyone really complain?
The truth is you can’t. But it’s obligatory for us old farts to moan, isn’t it?
Consider we’ve only lost to Arsenal, who by all accounts from neutrals I’ve spoken to, were lucky and I think we currently sit in a very good place.
The name “Aston Villa” is becoming feared, I feel. Long may it continue.
UTV!
Is mcginn gonna claim it. Feckin right he is
Thank God for that. I thought for a moment they were about to rob another perfectly good goal.
McGinn’s goal. Great to have the skipper back!
That is a f****** brilliant goal!
Was just thinking how good we are down the left again and then …. Don’t you just love it all
Duran again!
Have to say I feel for big Jhon there.
Gianluca Pagliuca in the crowd. Villa fan! Even has a Villa tattoo!
Madness that Iling Jr can play against his own team. Stupid.
Great to see kamara back
Can’t understand that at all
Are you not glad that when you came to Birmingham you walked straight past small heath and found aston
Much as Digne had played really well this year does anyone already think the Maatsen added something extra tonight
Gerry – he looked really good and I can see him gradually taking over from Digne although tbf Digne has played brilliantly since he came back into the side.
A great performance and another clean sheet. If we can avoid injuries and add a top drawer RB, I think we can challenge in all competitions.
Emery needs to curb Duran’s temper and to learn its a squad game.
Back to the Premier League on Saturday and hopefully a better performance than the one against Manure after Bayern.
Did we win? 😁
Of course, 2-0 [Mcginn; Duran] and some really impressive football played by Villa, the passing was at a higher standard than I have seen before.
Did you see any Ghosts on your tour of Prague?
Thanks!
Nah! Just the spectre of Gerrard slinking away…
🙂
Hey lads if it’s not Cash it’s Bailey, we have a coach that makes decisions, he’s in a position to know what’s what . Bailey going through a rough patch As for Cash Im in his corner , I have to say last night I seen the best football from the team that Emery picked play at Villa park for a long long time, if the teams happy and play for each other let it be. We had the strongest bench in years and even the comments from commentators praised the team , lads we have our wish we are back .
.
Some of our attacking play last night was as good as anything I’ve ever seen from a Villa side, under any manager and with many of the legendary players (& like many others here, my memories of Villa go back to the late 1960’s).
But I’d like to give a mention to one player who seems to get better with every game, but only ever gets noticed when he makes a (rare) error: Pau Torres. He can seem almost invisible at times, but has been absolutely brilliant in the lsat 3-4 matches that I’ve seen. And I suppose a mention is also due for Diego Carlos, who’s suddenly looking top-draw.
Torres is a sumptuous centre back and in European football possibly the best there is. In the EPL he can be out muscled as is the nature of English football but woukd you want to replace him?
Carlos is beginning to show why we paid so much money for him – again particularly in Europe – where Emery seems keen to pair him with Torres and play Konsa at RB..
In the EPL we may see Cash coming back in at RB and Konsa pairing Torres.
We may not have the stars attracting Barca and Resl Madrid but with everyone fit we have a team to be feared – and football after ALL – is a team game.
Emery is a genius.
UTMV
I’m so pleased Carlos never went to Fulham in the summer. I was dead against it. Our defenders are extremely committed and bloody talented although another right back to work with Cash would be good. If one of our centre backs and Cash got injured we’d be stuck.
I think that with Mings coming back, we have enough central defenders, but I really don’t like Konsa being played at RB.
With Cash as the only recognised senior RB, we really do need cover in that area without having to use Konsa.
Well said, Bill!
The highest praise I can give is that it was a regulation win. Regulation for an elite European team that is.
Patience and belief that the goals would come coupled with some terrific football and intelligent game management was reminiscent of teams like Barca, Real and Man City in their pomp.
With the prem in mind it was also an energy saving performance.
Ally McHoist said that we’re capable of beating anyone and I can only agree.
COYL
No suprises, a few people on the bench that might think they deserve to start.
E. Martínez
L. Digne
Pau Torres
E. Konsa
M. Cash
J. Ramsey
Y. Tielemans
A. Onana
J. McGinn (c), Captain
M. Rogers
O. Watkins
Substitutes
L. Bailey
R. Barkley
E. Buendía
J. Durán
B. Kamara
I. Maatsen
T. Mings
R. Olsen
Diego Carlos
If we played the bench instead, I’d still back us to win!
We don’t have a bench anymore. Just 22 forat team players who rotate.
We just need a goal now. Duran in the 64th minute???
Too many cards, this game. A right proper rough and tumble though.
Some of our passing has been utterly incredible. Just need to find that gap…
I tell my 7 year old team every Saturday: don’t give them time; don’t give them space. Looks like Areola gave his team the same message. Need to move the ball quicker if we’re going to breach their defence…
Is this twat of a ref on commission for how many yellow cards he gives out???? 9 cards in a basically spotless game!!!