This really is how it feels to me.
I don’t remember the last time I faced a new season with such expectation or trepidation (yes, both go hand in hand for me).
There have been times where I’ve had optimism, but that’s not quite the same as it feels this season.
I keep harping back to a certain fact and I still can’t quite get my head around it;
If we look at results in this current calendar year only, we would have qualified for the Champion’s league.
That is some statement that I still have to keep mulling over. And then I consider that we hardly changed any players.
I know. We’ve said this before. It’s a sign of how a top manager changes things. But Emery has been adding to the squad. Maybe not as fast as most of us would like, but no doubt we’re all enjoying what we are getting in Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans, all at very reasonable prices.
I don’t know who’s proposing these deals, but apparently Emery has the overall say. If this is the quality/price ratio we’re going to see, who cares? but it’s another sign that things are working well.
Have we finished our signings? I honestly don’t know what to think there, because Emery strikes me as the sort of man who wants players in quickly , so he can spend time explaining exactly what he wants. Yet, now Jacob Ramsey and apparently Buendia are both long term injured, you would have to suspect another midfielder is on the cards. And then there’s a striker too, as much as I’ve proposed that we might not exactly need one, with goals being expected from all over the pitch.
But these are the same old sort of questions that we always ask ourselves.
Let’s go back to that expectation.
Tomorrow, we face a tough game in Newcastle away.
I suspect their owners are itching to sack Eddie Howe and sign some “massive statement” type manager. But they can’t, can they? because he’s done extremely well for them. Certainly better than I expected, as much as I rate him.
He’s bought well and seems to have done the same again, in signing Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, Harvey Barnes from Leicester and Tino Livramento from Southampton. Hardly marquee signings that I’m sure the club could afford if they wanted, but very solid players.
But it doesn’t concern me in the slightest.
I could go into the ins and outs of how I think the game will go, but it would be pointless.
I’ve always said that first day games don’t count, because anything can and most likely will happen. Freak scores always happen on opening day.
Except I don’t think tomorrow will be a freak score.
I’m going for a straightforward 2-1 win.
Why?
Because I genuinely believe.
And if we don’t get it, it’s no big deal. It’s first day, remember.
Roll on the Burnley game.
This ashes thing is all well and good. But in the words of Sinead, “Nothing compares”;
Yes, Come on!!!
Badger, I suspect many of us share the same sentiments.
I hope you meant Buendia (not Coutinho) as a long term injury. It would be an unmitigated disaster to lose both.
I think that was a Freudian slip Hitch. Thanks.
I heard Ramsey and Moreno should be available after the international break next month.
Personally I think Tielemans will be our best signing if pre season form is anything to go by.
I’m not going to predict a score tomorrow because frankly I haven’t a clue. Both teams are capable of winning.
I will predict the starting XI as:-
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Torres, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Diaby, Watkins.
The only uncertainty I have is whether Konsa plays RB allowing Digne at LB or whether Cash and Digne both start at the expense of Torres.
I can’t wait for tomorrow now but will not get despondent if we lose.
UTMV!
Holte, is your thinking that McGinn will play higher up the field in Buendia’s 10 role with Tielemans dropping into McGinns more defensive role in front of Luiz / Kamara?
Hitch, I think either of them could take up that number 10 role. Maybe Emery will allow them to rotate during games. If anything, I would say Tielemans is a better finisher than McGinn. Also Emery does play a ‘box’ style midfield with a defensive duo of Kamara and Luiz behind. That puts the onus on either Cash or Digne to offer the width.
Here we go lads. Lets get this show on the road with 3 points and set down marker. Think if we can get a good few points on the board early on, there is no limit on what this team could achieve under Emery. UTV .
I like your positive vibes Badger. Up until the last few days my feelings were one of unbelievable enthusiasm for the new season. The acquisitions of Torres, Tilesman and Diaby set my pulse racing. This has been marginally tempered by Buendia being injured for the season. When Ramsey and Moreno injuries added in it feels like the defender, midfielder and winger added have been negated by the injuries to these positions. However the 3 new players make us a better team.
I guess my worry for the season is depth of squad for the anticipated number of games we should have. Then again I totally trust Emery, so I should have no worries. Perhaps he will buy another one or two players. Conversely, what a chance for a few home grown players – Archer, Philogene, Iroegbunam and Kellyman.
It is expected that Moreno and Ramsey will be back after the September international break (which I hate). With these two back I would expect Villa to become more dynamic and reach higher levels. I really expect Ramsey to move up a couple gears this year and become a top Premier player.
I guess my tempered view is about us being in the top five positions to qualify for the expanded Champions League for next year. I’ve gone from being nailed on to it going to the wire, due to the Buendia injury.
All things into consideration, like you Badger, this is the season! I have not felt this way since I was a teenager, when Ron Saunders was our glorious leader.
UTV
Registered squad of 26 include (as Villa grown players needed for Europa Conference League) Ramsey, Archer, Philogene and Iroegbunam which, I think, answers your question Sid.
We don’t need to ‘register’ Kellyman because of his age.
I think you’re all have to have faith in our defence lads, we’re not easily beaten and one man doesn’t end our hopes. We have a manager that understands the pitfalls and I have every faith in that man, in Villa I trust, off to the clubhouse to watch our girls and back for our game in our static in Padstow .
Badger it’s funny when you say we only have 3 new faces. The entire squad look like new faces under Emery!!!
I’m intrigued to see Emery’s plan in attack. I can’t for one minute think he’ll rely on Ollie for every single game. I can’t help but wonder what he has up his sleeve!!!
8 months possibly for Emi. What awful news.
In other awful news, I see Citeh and Arse are both continuing from where they left off last season…
Anyone seen the new format of Soccer Saturday on Sky? Absolutely abysmal. Cheap and nasty. Looks like a 3rd rate quiz show.
I think the EPL will broadcast its own games in a few years and that will be the end of Sky.
Bailey starts 🤬😡
Holte, wait until he nets a brace!!!!!…
I hope you’re right Bum Bum. He is due a good game surely.
Bailey the weakest link for the first goal.
Get off your knees you bloody hypocrites!!!
Great start. A bit disorganised by the looks of it.
Yes yes yes Diaby – you beauty
Yeesssssssssss!!!!!!!
Must be offside! WTF?!
That was never on in a million years.
I’m convinced VAR is bent.
Totally, Badger.
Watkins should have netted that. Poor.
Agreed. That should have easily been in.
I fully understand how fans get frustrated by him missing those sorts of chances.
That looks bad for Mings.
…with all dodgy cash sloshing around the EPL, it’s so obviously bent and has been from day one.
Oh shit, if Mince ain’t getting up, something’s wrong
This does not look good for Mings – I’ve got a bad feeling about this one
Me room Sid.
Looks like he’s done his knee. 😔
Gutted. All going wrong.
Indeed. One of the worst starts to a season already, injury-wise.