What a difference a year makes; from staring down the barrel of relegation to sitting ninth in the League with an exciting team and real hope for the return of the good times. Add to the mix COVID – 19, Project Restart and the drama at West Ham on the last day of the season and its been quite a year.
It’s been 10 years since we last won the game immediately before Christmas in the EPL (we did win away 0-1 at QPR in 2006) and our opponents then, as now, were Albion; Villa winning 2-1 at Villa Park. Villa finished 9th that year (48 points), Albion ending the year in 11th place. O’Niell had resigned in August and Gerard Houllier came in to replace him although he only remained in charge for nine months, suffering a second heart attack which forced him to retire from management. Sadly, football lost a truly knowledgeable and good man with his passing this year.
Even before the dismissal of Livermore, Albion looked a poor side and were well beaten; I would even suggest that the 0-3 score line flattered them. Had Watkins goal not been (unfairly – in my opinion) disallowed by VAR then I think the defeat would have been much heavier. Whilst generally a critic of VAR it was correct in asking Atkinson to review the tackle by Livermore on Grealish. It was serious foul play; a deliberate and dangerous lunge at the player over the top of the ball.
Although Hause’ subsequent tackle was clumsy, it was not dangerous, nor was it delivered with any deliberate or malicious intent; a yellow being the correct decision. Big Sam has a massive job on his hands!
Once again we demonstrated that when we score the first goal and the opposition have to come at us, we are an extremely dangerous attacking side that will score goals. We do have (unusually for an EPL side?) a number of players who are very comfortable running with the ball and are encouraged to do so which causes problems for defenders. Not only that, as Tony Gayle observed, ‘Villa are a very watchable side’ – although the media in general appear to prefer Leeds!
I was pleased for El Ghazi, disappointed for Watkins and encouraged by Traore’s display – even if his right foot is just for standing on. OK, not very charitable of me, but to become a really influential player he needs to work on improving his ability to use both feet (other than for running that is!). Having said that his goal was pure class.
Games now coming thick and fast – Crystal Palace up next then Chelsea and Manure away by the turn of the year.
Palace travel to VP on the back of a 0-7 home drubbing by Liverpool. Most unusual for a Roy Hodgson side to collapse in this way and so I’m not sure what to think or expect, particularly given our own poor home form and the indications that there is no such thing as home advantage in this strange fanless season. Palace don’t have a great record at Villa Park, nor are they prolific in front of goal, but they do have an excellent Boxing Day record having only been beaten in two of their last ten Boxing Day games and winning their last three away from home.
Will they sit deep and try and catch us on the counter attack – something that has worked well for teams visiting VP of late. They do have Saha and our old ‘friend’ Benteke is back after being suspended against Liverpool, Cahill is out with a hamstring and they have a number of other notable injuries.
Barkley is expected to be fit, as is Konsa, and whilst Hause did an excellent job in the last two games I feel that Konsa’s mobility and all round ability will be better suited to this game. If Barkley can pick up where he left off before injury and re-establish his link up play with Grealish then he will undoubtedly strengthen us and create problems for Palace.
Who drops out for Barkley – El Ghazi or Traore? Glad I’m not Dean Smith on that one although it’s a nice problem to have. On balance, I think it will be Traore but then what do I know?
That’s enough rambling – have a great Christmas and let’s hope Boxing Day brings another day of cheer.
UTV
Why are my comments blocked Badger? 2 weeks now.
What a great game for villa fan’s in a way glad minnigs sent off he been too casual of late thinks he can do no wrong hause solid and Konsa. And look at Watkins running everywhere shame he not scored the 4when it hit the post.
I think we’re seeing the start of something good here at last utv happy new year all villa fan’s what a difference to last year 🎉
What a team display! So impressed with the work ethic of our team. I felt sorry for Traore, as he has really started to flourish. Totally agree with Hitchens view of Ollie Watkins.
Even better the match was on national TV. There will be a few people sitting up and taking note of the team Dean Smith is putting together.
I do wonder with only 48 hours before our next match, how our players will be for Chelsea, as they put in an extra shift to cover for Mings.
Sid, a quiet beer, an early night and hopefully fine.
Can’t wait. Chelsea have a big game today too. Let’s hope Arse knock a few shins out of place!!!!
villa were brilliant today, especially second half when they were a man light. we kept pressing and working hard and were still the better side. watkins was brilliant targett martinez grealish hause luiz traore or bollocks they were all 8 /9 out of ten.
mings was unlucky and saha got him sent off. first yellow was nothing saha was annoyed like he always is when he is not getting his cheap freekicks. mings did not even touch him . second yellow was saha again trying to referee the game. he pushed mings off balance and then knew he had mings beating but was looking to go down at first touch knowing he would receive the red after a second yellow. ppl say grealish goes down looking to get freekicks or get players in trouble. i suggest you watch saha for that gamesmanship.
my only gripe was no second yellow was given to about three palace players for continuous fouling after receiving yellows. ward was the main culprit Milivojevic another.
6th in the league brilliant performance good goal difference we are really playing nice footy. manure fans are shitting themselves trust me. i cant wait two games away sorry three away to them. we got chelsea and pool also. these are the games we fans love. we are also playing without fear that is impressing me the most
I agree about Zaha – although I think Mings was naive. He looks completely out of sorts at the moment.
Also, based on Ming’s cards there were, at least, two Palace players who were lucky not to get a second yellow – Ward in particular.
Onward and upward.
mings was unlucky for me. if you compare to ward his first yellow was a stonewaller and the foul he got away with near the end was worst than his first yellow. both fouls mings committed were borderline fouls made alot worse by a devious player looking to gain a man advantage.
anyways mings sending off did not work well for saha or palace. i would just hope footy fans watched that game and saw grealish playing honest and saha was the cheat
What can we say!! Every player did his job going down to ten men, hats off to Olli bad luck not scoring but worth motm Target first class, Bourse first class, midfield brilliant, Captain Jack ? Has to be the best we have brought through in our lifetime certainly in mine. Lads get your passports ready its time to think of playing them foreigners that don’t like us Brits. Nath, 1-0 and 10 men we was class.
If Arsenal win today, we go 5th!!
What’s the odds on Arsenal, Newcastle and the Blades all winning today…???
arsenal doing us a favor no not selling us martinez but beating chelsea 2 nil we are 5th now.
Just saw Nath!!!!
Fab result today. Great team spirit and could have hit 5 or 6. We are turning into a decent side. A few additions in the summer (we will struggle I guess to do something in Jan – a striker would be nice) and we could have a pretty strong squad. Onwards and upwards. Happy Xmas Villa fans🎄
DS – will put up a post tomorrow with thoughts on today’s game, Chelsea at ‘The Bridge’ and the January transfer window for you all to take pot shots at 🙂
That 2nd half was the best half of the season for me. Fantastic energy barely put a foot wrong and looked like scoring on nearly every attack. If Watkins can find his scoring boots against Chelsea we could do a job on them. I’d take a draw to be honest and there will be no shame in losing but this team could really do something this season. No reason to fear any team we come up against and I think we hold the ball well enough to create chances in every single game. Long may this form continue. UTV.
Shame the fans can’t be there to see this team play. But on the other hand villa haven’t looked back since the fan’s not allowed in end of last season and this season.
If they carry on like this without fans I don’t care if fan’s are not back. I wonder if they’re playing with more freedom because of no fan’s, it’s interesting thought.
And Watkins really does play the line brilliant he’s on the right, centre or,left hard to mark really utv
Its all about getting that 1st goal…incidentally so far we always win when we score 1st……because teams cannot sit back so much. Palace were doing quiet nicely in 1st half passing it about and must have thought this is it ….even more space. But it just played into our hands – just like the L’pool match we carved them apart.
For Mings 1st card he did catch Zaha from behind when he dived in and he went mental…but it was accidental – in the good old days it would have been a tongue lashing to both off the ref but we dont have refs like that nowadays……his 2nd card – after the ref missed the nudge from Zaha Mings had to get another card as pulling back is always a card…..could have been a straight Red if nearer goal and last man.
Hoping Ollie can get some goals in the next 2 matches – and get us more points….so far we have not looked bad in any match…some say what about Leeds but we should have been in the lead in that and once they scored we were mugged on the break again and again…..Leeds do it in every match….
I understand that a number of comments are being referred to moderation, particularly from Holte and OLL. I’ve now approved the more recent comments.
Please accept my apologies for not having approved these earlier – I’m rather new at this! I’ll keep an eye on this going forward.
I’ve also let Badger know of the ongoing problem
Just to add, I did have a similar problem a little time ago and it seemed to relate to my IP address. Anyway, have now reported the problem to Badger and approved all remaining outstanding comments.
Thanks…mine didnt show at 1st…
VillaAway – I have an ongoing issue with a delay between posting a comment and it appearing on the site.
No idea why.
I’ll mention that to Badger as well.
Hello guys.
Hitch has told me of the ongoing problem and I’ve looked into it again.
From what I’ve seen, the site sets a comment cookie and if you refuse it, you will have to keep on entering your details every time.
Hopefully, that might sort the “having to keep entering your details” issue, but it also occurs to me that blocking cookies might also lead to comments being moderated.
So can I ask that anyone who wants to comment, but is having problems hit the “manage consent” button on the bottom right of the page and tap the “Accept all” tab please?
I’ve also changed a setting where there may be a popup asking to allow a comment cookie. Please accept it too.
If that doesn’t sort the issues, you can go back to blocking cookies again after.
I’m thinking Holte and OLL in particular, but it also applies to anyone else.
Also, if you’re blocking Javascript, please allow that too.
If it works, please let me know.
Cheers
PS superb win yesterday and the best performance I can remember in ages!
We looked a genuinely quality team!
UTV!
test 2
I’ve just changed another setting too.
Fingers crossed.
it works for me but i havent had any problems anyways lol
Test
just watched the burnley leeds game and its not just us that get screwed over by the referee and officials. without going into too many details, leeds scored a penalty that was not a pen. goalie cleared the ball and then took out bumford. but if that is a pen then pool Dijk who was cleaned out by everton goalie should have received a 6 months prison sentence
burnley was pulled up for every 50/50 challenges, they even scored a goal disallowed, but leeds goalie hit mee before burnley scored seconds. so why did the ref blow the whistle, wait for the play to frizzle out ?? thats is what is supposed to happen, so it should have been a pen to burnley or goal.
leeds were lucky they had a generous ref with white blood. i would be livid if i were burnley manager
Leeds should also be docked points for having a cr*p pitch.
Watched the second half Nath and totally agree with your comments.
New post up
Brilliant performance by Villa with 10 men.
Mings can count himself lucky. For his own safety as a player who frequently heads the ball and may suffer head to head blows – quit chewing gum during the game. Secondly he needs to grow up. Saha is an expert wind-up merchant, and will get the ref on his side. The only correct tactic is not to retaliate to his provocation. Mings was suckered in.
Konsa and Hause were good against a feeble Palace. They have the chance now to play well as a pair against Chelsea – who have a more pottent attack. If they succeed Mings may be on the bench for a while, and I think he needs it.
I’m posting on my laptop because no joy with iPhone. if this is awaiting moderation I think I will give up. I’ve tried the manage consent and accept all tab which i couldn’t find on my phone.