Well, well, well, it would seem I’m on as much of a roll as the lads are and I think that’s 4 consecutive correct calls I’ve made. Don’t worry, It’s not going to my head as I know full well I’m normally bloody useless 🙂
It’s been a hectic day.
I went to get in my car for work this morning and noticed the rear number plate on the floor. It had been stuck on with some rubbish tape and literally just fallen off. It could have been worse and fell off while I was driving, but it wasn’t a good start to the day, as it meant I had to borrow the missus’ car and fix it when I got home.
And after that I was being hit with queries asking why the firestick app wasn’t working.
It’s all resolved now, as I managed to get the answer, but it meant I missed a fair chunk of the game. It was sod’s law that it went down on the same day a game was on, but these things happen.
What I did see was encouraging though.
While Leicester aren’t the best of sides, I thought we looked very decent tonight.
I’m a bit too long in the tooth to get carried away, but it’s great to hear people messaging me and telling me how good we are and what a super manager Unai the Great is.
We’re seventh in the league now and that’s really difficult for even a miserable old get like me to moan about.
Leicester seemed to only have one tactic, which was to hit it over or outpace Ashley Young.
It was proving sucessful too in the first half, with the old timer quite frankly struggling to the point where Barnes skinned him quite easily to go on and score a very nice goal.
Fortunately, Ollie Watkins, who was my MOTM because he seemed to be everywhere, had already scored to extend his awsome run, so it wasn’t overly bad.
The first half seemed a pretty even contest then and the draw seemed about right.
The second half was pretty similar and it was nip and tuck, even though we got most of the possession and it wasn’t until late on that Leicester gave it away at the back, which is pretty ironic seeing as I keep saying how I hate it when we do it, resulting in Bailey Traore getting the ball and unleashing a beuatifully hit effort to seal the points.
It’s only fair that I add here that I thought we looked pretty competent when we did knock it around at the back. We don’t look anywhere near as panicked as we did weeks back.
It was squeaky bum time shortly after though, when at first glance, it looked like Watkins had fouled a Leicester player or handled in the box. It was all a bit frantic and looked like the Foxes might get the penalty.
Indeed, the ref gave it, but VAR rightly ruled it out, as it was Watkins who had been fouled.
So all in all, a great result then. To cap all that off, one of the grandsons advised my daughter on a £2 bet, where Watkins scored first, with the result being 2-1, which netted her £53. I’ve congratulated her and told her to stop learning the lads bad habits!
About the only bad thing I can say today is that I thought Bailey was really, really poor.
I honestly don’t think it’ll be difficult to improve on him and I stand by my guess that he will be gone in the summer. It’s not because I don’t like him; I do. But he has been terrible for too long.
The only thing stopping him going will be his no doubt astronomical wages.
As for Bailey, who replaced the Jamaican, he redeemed himself a little bit with that strike.
Forest next and I’ll save my prediction for when it gets closer.
Suffice to say things are looking rosy at the moment and even I’m beginning to enjoy the ride.
UTV!
It’s beginning to feel like our last championship season.
You do know it was Traore who scored Badger.
Oops. I think I wrote Bailey because I always confuse the two because they’re such similar players.
Yes, I did know and have corrected it.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Ha ha…..1st my stream went haywire just as their bloke sent off and I didnt know as I never have the sound on…..no wonder when it can back on they seemed to be camped on the edge of their area. |It reminded me of the Forest game when we could have played all night without getting a winner.
…and 2nd I too thought it was someone else who scored…can get passed the hair he used to have.
Guys, there were massive internet problems across the UK yesterday. That could have something to do with it…
Saying that Bum Bum 3 times changing channels, best was the Chinese channel Opuss 3 . Villa getting popular or what, I just couldn’t settle down with the match to be honest thought our defense was slow in creative play, felt sorry for Younge he had an hard task with Barns yet he’s been one of the best in the past. Well onwards and upwards better days are coming.
I liked the way Ash was given help in the 2nd half yesterday. At half time they recognised the threat and doubled up on Barnes. Good tactics.
Excellent result, again. I really can see Europe now, even if it is Conference League, it is something to make up for the past 3 years of false hope of what we thought we were getting for years – improvement!
Any Europe will do.
I don’t know how many of you know this but UEFA, in their infinite wisdom are toying with the introducing of points system, whereas points are awarded for every season a team has qualified for European competitions.
So potentially a team could finish second in the Prem but say for example Chelsea finish 7th, they would then qualify over the team in second because of their previous history and points awarded.
Great ain’t it?
Ron, yes, I vaguely remember that being talked about.
It stinks!
“Suffice to say things are looking rosy at the moment and even I’m beginning to enjoy the ride.”
There are bound to be some bumps along the way – Brighton and the Barcodes, in particular are having an equally good run and will stand between us and the higher reaches of the division, so let’s not get too negative if we see a bad result.
The biggest difference I can see under Emery is that Villa seem to have lost the ‘inferiority complex’ that they have been carrying since relegation. For most of the last 2-3 seasons (even when we had a few good results on the spin) it always seemed as if our players were going out onto the park expecting to lose; with all of the criticism and mocking that followed any defeat, or even failure to win with enough ‘style’.
In the last few weeks they look as if they now go out knowing that they’re capable of standing toe-to-toe with anyone in the PL – and expecting to win.
It makes everything look a bit more rosy…
“The biggest difference I can see under Emery is that Villa seem to have lost the ‘inferiority complex’ that they have been carrying since relegation.”
This.
I was texting to young Alfie (one of the grandsons) earlier and he mentioned how the Villa fans were singing “You’ve seen the Villa, now f**k off home”.
He sees it as arrogance that is running through the club and fans.
I think it’s more much improved confidence.
You’re totally correct; there were games we’d lost before we kicked off.
That isn’t happening now, which means literally anything is possible.
I’m not getting carried away, but it’s encouraging.
Having seen Newcastle tonk Spam tonight, I’m itching to see us play them, as it will be a very good test.
Hahaha cheers for the mention.
I’d also like to say I have no problem with it at all, I agree and think it’s confidence.
But with how well we’re now doing, it has really shown in the fanbase, which I am 100% all for.
Oh, I saw a Leicester fan at work today, just briefly.
His mate told me he was Leicester, as he saw my Villa backpack.
He just mentioned he was at the game and never had any complaints about the result.
I said it seemed a good atmosphere and he replied that it was.
I don’t like to wind the oppo fans up too much. 🙂
I’d agree to a point but there are exceptions
(-:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11942137/Mike-Deans-future-VAR-official-DOUBT-taken-Premier-League-duties.html?ico=topics_pagination_mobile
Very funny.
Until I read that last night, I hadn’t actually realised that Jasper wasn’t still refffing in the Premier League this season.
Anyone else looking forward to tomorrow’s match????
I am but I still can’t get the ‘old Villa’ out of my head! So always fear the worst!
Just shows how bad we’ve been over so many years!
Kamara, Cash and Coutinho out tomorrow and for the next couple of weeks according to Emery.
For me Traore should be given an opportunity by starting.
I wonder if Emery can get more out of Traore than other managers have? We have a worrying lack of strength in depth. Bailey’s speed on the other hand could tear poor Forest apart.
We could absolutely better them today. We need to build our goal difference up a bit, especially with it being so close to Chelseas.
…batter them…
As a former Sunday League manager who had to devise a shape and tactics to suit who had turned up that morning – I appreciate Emery’s approach to players weaknesses. Take Konsa for example: he cannot pass a ball accurately more than 20 yards and gets nervous when it appears he has to. A different manager might point out that everybody else in the squad can do this. Emery makes sure that a midfield player drops short, and Young and Mings are within range, so Konsa has at least 2 options that he can hit.
That sort of attention to detail raises confidence throughout the team not just in the player being helped.
Not Villa but a point of interest on my part, Watching Man Utd and Everton , I knew when I seen who was referring, Oliver !! Everton wouldn’t win and sure enough a Blatant pen denied when Maquire held and pulled the Everton player back how bent the game is now. Bet he’s doing our game ..
I’m at VP today and hopefully the place will be rocking. Bailey retains his place so Traore on the bench.
Have u bumped into Canadian Pete yet????
A little uninspiring so far
Totally agree, poor show so far and a chance to shine. Sorry but it’s boring.
I’ve not yet got to grips with Moreno in fact he crap
And getting worse!
We need to move the ball much quicker