I liked this result.
It was fully expected and upon reflection, my expectations were probably too high, is the truth of it.
That sort of game is always a possible banana skin, which is what I suggested in the preview, but it leads me to be in a nuts situation. I either expect us to tonk teams or get caught by the odd lucky goal by the opposition. It’s what long term supporting the Villa does to you.
So while my immediate reaction to the result was to think it wasn’t particularly good, the reality is that it was a good, dug out type of win. One where I didn’t think we played well, but where we got the result.
Which is exactly what all the top teams do; dig out the result, even if the performance isn’t great.
All that said, there were some good individual performances even if I thought we looked disjointed.
But first things first, the concern is this being disjointed. What’s happened to the free-flowing footy that ripped the league up last season? There were very few signs of it and it just makes me think we’re not playing to our strengths, of which pace and rapid passing are our fortes.
Hence the question is, is this a “needing to warm up into things” type thing or maybe instructions from Emery, so we play a slower game? I very much doubt it’s the latter and I’m hoping that we’re not experiencing second season syndrome already. Hopefully, it’s just a case of the lads getting up to speed.
So who did well?
Tielemens stood out for me. His overall work and effectiveness didn’t go unnoticed. Contrary to some opinions, I though Morgan and Ramsey did okay too. A Liverpool fan I’m working with raves about them and predicts big things. I suspect he’s right. I love lads who drive at the goal and while it wasn’t massively effective today, it will be in other games.
The brat Duran was excellent, because he got the goal, which is his job. I might actually change my opinion of him, but if he keeps scoring, it doesn’t matter either way.
Who didn’t do so well?
Ollie is missing chances he should be taking, it’s as simple as that. Yet, do I want to drop him?
No, not yet. We all know he’s a confidence/form player and he needs to be given every chance to come good again. Still, he’ll only have my patience for so long and I’ll be calling for Duran to start over him, should I think it’s the correct thing to do. Not that I think Duran is the better striker just yet. He’s just more instinctive and when we’re creating chances, a striker who puts the ball in the net is a must.
In other words, Ollie doesn’t have long to get up to speed, imo.
McGinn was invisible and it annoys me, because he’s being played where it doesn’t suit him, in my opinion. I’ve always seen him as a bigger attacking threat as against him being a defensive player, but there’s no doubt he’s versatile. I’m sure Unai appreciates him, but I wonder how much he’s playing himself into a lower profile in the team.
I still think we have weaknesses in the team and I’m not going to slate young lads who I thought did okay, but I wonder what sort of result we would have got today if we’d faced a top team?
Quite simply, I think we’d have been tonked.
You can draw your own conclusions about what I thought, but it’s safe to say, I wasn’t enthralled.
Good result, crap performance, imo.
You got the score right!
It’s a funny thing but if we’d have played a better team, we usually up our game. Weird. Again a mentality thing.
Please we have the break to rest and focus on the next 2 very important months.
I get the feeling if we’d have signed Sterling it would have been seen as ‘Coutinho mark 2’. Now Arsenal have signed him it’s seen as a masterstroke…Hmmm…
John McGinn on Duran –
“He doesn’t seem to have let anything in the summer affect him,” said the Villa captain, John McGinn. “Maybe the penny has dropped. He’ll get his opportunities, chances and his goals. Even his attitude off the pitch … the way he is around people, around the staff – it has improved a lot – and it’s great to see.”
Let’s hope it continues.
Troy Deeney’s team of the week puts Bogarde as the best right back??? Is he winding us up?
Onana is in there too. ‘MONSTER’!!!!!!!
No, from what I’ve been told Bogarde played well first half – it was just he ran out of ‘steam’ in the second half. Given he’s never played competitively above about fourth grade football he acquitted himself well – I think that’s why Deeney selected him.
May be I’m being too generous 🙂
Well they were watching a different match from me, I thought someone needed to tell him his teams mates were the one’s wearing the claret shirts and white shorts, just so many missed placed passes.
The traveling noses opinion?
Who cares?
It seems Mings could make an appearance tomorrow night for the U21’s in the Bristol Street Motor’s trophy against Fleetwood Town.
It seems we’re allowed two overage players.
And it’s on Sky Sports!
Barkley, Buendia and Bogarde all playing. Didn’t see Mings on the bench.
Can’t find it on Sky Sports.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13809821/Inside-Aston-Villa-camp-Unai-Emerys-hours-10-point-deduction-42m-sale-David-Luiz-saved-them.html
Bloody hell!!!! Seems the threat was all too real…
Interesting aspects of this article is (a) that the club knew what they had to do to avoid any PSR issues and planned for it, (b) that Emery (by implication) identified Luiz as the easiest of our higher value players to replace and had already identified who he wanted as a ‘replacement’ and (c) finally the club is being run by experienced footballing people.
See Leicester’s appeal against the EPL’s attempt to apply a points deduction has been successful.
Given the EPL we’re trying to apply the deduction relevant to Leicester’s time in the Championship seems fair to me.
Just shows the extent to which the EPL will go to protect the status quo.
Corrupt and unacceptable.
There’s a link on the main Sports page to Bristol Road Motors. Click on that and you’ll see it
Apologies 1874 – but can’t find link. Must be my old age limited tech understanding 🙂
Need to be more specific – step by step guide for old age idiots 🙂
I’m watching on Now TV but if you’re on Sky look for Sky+
Tried that but have Doncaster Rovers game?
I’m not on Sky but on Now Tv you get a list of games once you click on the link. Sorry Hitch.
Anyway now 2-2 so you’re not missing much.
No probs 1874 – it’s all a bit of a mystery to me 🙂 Anyway, many thanks for the heads up
I could probably find it if I use my IPTV (?) app but the wifey (who is a Villa fan and used to go with me to VP when we were young and adventurous ) is enjoying the T20 game (Surrey / Durham) and she prefers cricket. As I am also a massive cricket fan it’s no problem – ‘happy wife / happy life’ – and as I’ve just secured tickets for us for the IndiaTest at Edgbaston next year I’m on a roll 🙂
UTMV
Watkins pulls out of England squad for ‘ongoing issues’ which reinforces the concerns that he is both short of match fitness and is struggling with an injury.
Hopefully this IB will give him time to recover from any injury issue but will not help with match fitness.
Maybe Duran to start against Everton with Watkins to come on later in the game to help build his match fitness?
I’d give Duran a run now. He’s earned it and Ollie needs a rest. No brainer…
Villa beat Fleetwood 3-2.
Interesting game with Barkley, Bogarde and Buendia all getting 75 minutes, Ramsey came on for the last 25. Actually thought they played better after most of the overaged players went off.
Great first goal by Buendia, right foot volley from a corner. It reminded me why we bought him in the first place.
We seem to have some decent players coming through but Kerr Smith looked really good. Only 19, six feet two he looks quite a player.
Bit more of an update on Buendia please, Sir, if you don’t mind!!!!!!
Emi looked okay and scored two goals. Just had the feeling that he and the other overaged players were told not to push it too much. I guess that Emery wants minutes and not injuries however Emi looked good, nice passing through the lines and two good goals. If we can get him back to his best then that creative midfielder might just be him.
BTW I believe that Emery was watching from the stands so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Cheers. I can’t wait to see him back fully fit and in the first team. It sounded like a good work out for him tonight!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13809821/Inside-Aston-Villa-camp-Unai-Emerys-hours-10-point-deduction-42m-sale-David-Luiz-saved-them.html
I accidentally posted this further up the page…Worth a read!
Bum Bum, Director of Football Operations, Vidagany has launched a ferocious attack on the EPL over its PSR rules.
He tells them that the rules are designed to protect the elite clubs. Villa have no debt and are a balanced club with committed owners yet they are forced to make sales in a manner not suited to the running of the club because of the threat of point deductions which resulted in the club getting a less than optimum price for Luiz.
He asks – how can a club riddled with debt be allowed to spend far more than Villa and calls the rules perverse!
It seems that La Ligua do not have points deductions as a ‘punishment’ for PSR breaches which allows the club to operate in a sensible business manner and invest with a view to trying to win the league – Valencia.
Add to that the criticism, by the independent panel opining on Leicester’s appeal, of the way in which the rules are drafted reinforces what the vast majority of fans already know – the PSR rules are not fit for purpose.
They might be introducing new rules next season but will they address the level of club debt as part of that consideration and remove the points deduction which is completely out of balance with the issues.
I very much doubt it as clubs like the Sky 6 will fight tooth and nail to protect their privileged status.
Here’s an interesting stat – Watkins failed to score in his first five games last season so it seems he’s a ‘slow starter’ anyway without his lack of preseason and slight injury concern this season.
Focussing on a combination of him not scoring in games at the end of last season and first three games of this is neither helpful nor relevant.
UTV
I recall a certain Dwight Yorke was also a slow starter…
Kamara has been omitted from the first CL squad.
I’d guess that means he’s still a long way off.
As a rule I am very positive towards all NSWE have done for Villa since they saved us from going bust. However, today I question something they must have signed off on from Chris Heck.
I was surprised to read some many stories in the press today about Villa being hours away from a 10 point deduction due to PSR and that Luiz’s sale squared it off. But the question in the back of my mind was why has this old news been rehashed.Then that old quote from Harold McMillan came to mind ‘Events my dear boy events’. Later in the day Villa announced their pricing for home Champions League (CL) matches. This is the ‘events my dear boy’. I suggest that the rehash of PSR was a deliberate story given to the press to act as a smoke screen to justify CL march prices. I think there has been a deliberate attempt to use PSR to justify these prices.
So why should we the fans pay for Purslow and Gerrard’s ineptness. Under their leadership the likes of Digne, Carlos, Dendonkar and Coutihno were given mega contracts. The club has indicated / tried to sell all 4 but cannot due to wages they are on. This has helped put us at the limits of PSR. Therefore, the club fxxx’s up and expects the fans to pay?
Or could it be supply and demand? I am currently at about 30,000 for a season ticket (as of last year). If demand outstrips supply, as we clearly have in this case, prices will rise. Is this a factor? It is not helped by the capacity of Villa Park. Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool had capacities around 60,000 mark. We are at 42,600. Therefore, because we have decided not to expand the ground (appreciator would have taken a couple of years), our ticket price needs to be higher due to the smaller capacity.
However, Henry Winter has given a great quote. https://x.com/henrywinter/status/1831341465777127606
He absolutely slams Villa’ s Champions League ticket pricing as one of-being totally as being totally tone deaf!
How much are they charging???
£85 – £97 for the three levels of pricing.
Actually not much more for the top tickets for Grade A EPL games which are £95 but a big increase over the lower end at £55.
ST’s get discounted prices.
As a comparator in cricket – top price tickets for WI this year are £80; for India next year are £95 and will be a lot higher for The Ashes (these are seats at Edgbaston).
Tom, I can’t argue with the facts of Gerrard / Purslow’s poor business dealings, neither can I argue that the CL tickets prices are ‘reasonably’ priced when compared with other EPL clubs and EUFA’s cap on away ticket prices.
However like all stories, ‘facts’ are selected to support the headline so without knowing the full extent of pricing for both season tickets and match tickets across all games it’s impossible to determine whether Villa are generally overpricing. As an example past comparisons have shown our general pricing including season tickets to be very reasonable when compared with other clubs.
And the problem with PSR is far more than Gerrard’s / Purslow’s over enthusiasm with the contracts of four players. NSWE have also invested a substantial amount of money into the club which has included investing in a new management team and players resulting in us achieving 4th place.
They have done it entirely at their own risk without placing the club in debt but sadly, the EPL clearly don’t understand the real risk to clubs which is weak balance sheets with high debt!
Now they’re asking supporters to contribute to increasing revenue in order to continue pushing the club forward.
Like most things in life it’s a matter of choice and if supporters choose against it then the club may have to review its position.
I totally agree Tim.
The same thoughts crossed my mind and it’s a typically US type tactic.
Yes, demand is always going to come into it, but this is just so cynical because it’s the most loyal fans who suffer after their loyalty.
At the end of the day, fans will draw a line and simply refuse to pay it. I reached mine years ago.
The trouble is, while their will be 42000 who will pay it, the club frankly won’t give a toss and Heck will be seen to be doing a great job.
It’s the American way, simple as, imo.
Sorry lad’s but am I missing something here?
If memory serves me correctly (and I am getting older) a number on this forum were absolutely cock-a-hoop at prospect of x amount of long term season ticket holders being sacrificed at the alter of corporate greed and being evicted from their long held and much cherished seats?
I can go with my boy was the cry!
Well dig deep and enjoy.
Nah. It’s your memory! 🙂
Bottom line seems to be prices are rocketing for premium level sports all over the world. Like the rip off that’s been highlighted by the cost of Oasis tickets.
Eventually people will lose interest and who will the teams play for then? My boys don’t give a fig about a single sport no matter how hard I’ve tried to involve them.
I will only add that a podcaster made a good point about Newcastle. More or less the same financial position as we are in and yet they could cap the ticket price for CL games at £65.
Toms point is valid here though – they have a 60,000 seater stadium!
Hecks philosophy is bleed them dry. He doesn’t care about the fans, particularly season ticket holders or more so those on the waiting list. It’s the modern world where greed overrides morality. They would rather have a stadium full of corporate seating.
Remember the European Super League we objected to? Well we are currently in the back door version of it. It’s one that will evolve over the years to eventually become the European Super League. After all it’s current term “Champions League” is incorrect as most of the teams participating aren’t champions.
Personally i am okay with watching us on TV for a fraction of the cost. I gave up my season ticket in the 90’s when my kids came along due to cost. I will try to get to a few league games every now and then but i have no interest in becoming a season ticket holder ever again.
Holte, I hear you. But it’s not Heck’s philosophy, it’s his job. Nobody is forcing anyone to pay for anything. Nobody forced me to fork out £70 for a kid’s top and a further £60 for a toddler’s kid. The marketing (which isn’t free) captured my imagination and I consciously decided to buy them as it will make me smile and (I hope) the kids will enjoy them. I could have kept the £135 in my trousers. What I will say (and I’ve said it before), is that Heck needs to find ‘the sweet spot’ and not alienate or upset the hardcore fanbase with his process, as they are the lifeblood and they are the ones we see and hear home and away on TV. Just look after them and the rest of us, well, let’s be honest, we’re (generally) fairweather, armchair supporters. Genuine, lifelong supporters, but we won’t be at Wycombe screaming our lungs out in the cold in a couple of weeks. Look after those guys, first and foremost. If he remembers to do that, we should be OK.
I find it more ‘immoral’ when you’re about to board a plane and they randomly tell you to stuff your luggage into a small cage. If it doesn’t fit snuggly, they hold out a card machine and f*** you for £40 + there and then. That’s immoral. And there you don’t have a choice. Should be illegal.
This is a really interesting discussion and I can see both sides of the argument completely. I think the negative press on Villa about the issue is OTT, though, and I think it may have gotten people’s backs up. Winter’s point about CL qualification being “a celebration for Villa fans” is slushy at best, and utter nonsense when taken at face value. They qualified. We celebrated. Now the club are selling seats for THE elite competition in European football. It goes without saying that demand far, far outstrips supply, and if the prices are in line with other English club’s CL matches, then it’s essentially a fallacy to say they’re overpriced. What did we expect, a free jolly for all Villa fans in the name of celebration? And I don’t think it has anything to do with Gerrard’s and Purslow’s dealings; I think that’s a very odd conclusion to draw.
I would pay £85 to see a CL game at Villa Park, not least because of the rarity and just to be there to sample the atmosphere. After those four fixtures, can anyone say with any certainty when that will happen again? Will it even happen again in our lifetime? Who knows? No guarantee. The same argument applies for Oasis and other issues of similar nature.
The question to those who are unhappy, would you definitely go if the tickets were £60? Would you go? And for those who can genuinely afford 60, does an extra 30 make much difference to them? Just don’t buy a program and a burger and you’ve clawed back a bit.
Often we like to moan, especially when the media whips up a storm. I just hope we don’t get hammered by the likes of Juve and Bayern, because all of this will seem quite pointless (and silly) if we do…
The atmosphere will be shite, the air thick with the of the smell of channel, prawn sandwiches, red wine and Pimm’s.
Hipsters with skinny jeans, beards and baker boy hats all shouting ” It’s Epic!” And signing Sweet Caroline as they won’t know the words to My Old Man.
Gentrification.
🙂
Like a Man U or Arsenal game, you mean?
Supply and demand and it’ll be pushed to the limit because that’s what Heck is employed to do.
I’ve never liked the idea of it, but I’ve learned to accept it because there’s little option.
People aren’t going to refuse and many, my grandsons included, will pay what it takes for the reasons BFR gives.
It could be once in a lifetime for them.
Those prices, on top of the big ST hikes stick in my craw though.
You both make valid points and I suppose I must, although through gritted teeth, accept this is the future and with reluctance admit this is probably a necessary evil.
Yes the club needs to comply with the P&S rules and so exploit this opportunity to maximise matchday revenue from ticket sales, food, merchandise, hospitality etc.
We all wanted on-field success, we got it.
Now, I guess, we are have to pay for it?
On the subject of price hiking – my daughter is running the London Marathon next year for The Primrose Hospice and has to raise £2,500 for the ticket – which is understood and becomes a family effort.
We looked at booking a Premier Inn in Southwark. The weekend before the marathon – £150 per night – the weekend of the marathon – £325 per night.
Villa still have a lot to learn 🙂
Oh and no we’re not prepared to be totally ripped off!
“Dynamic pricing”…
It’s the future Hitch.
Hitch, I have no idea of your Marathon details but there are deals at Travelodge Cricklewood on the 26th Apr for £134. Just 6 miles from Southwark. There might be a reason why its almost half other Travelodge rooms for that night. Forgive me if I am being intrusive.
Gerry, that Travelodge isn’t very close to the tube. It’s a bus ride up the Cricklewood Road from Kilburn tube, Jubilee line, hence the discount.
It’s quite acceptable and the area is fine! Just watch out for the ghost of Dennis Neilsen!!!!!