I don’t know what’s up with me. This should be one of the easiest games of this season, given that Leicester have only just come back up and we’re Champion’s league qualifiers, but I have a sneaky feeling it’s not going to be that straightforward.
I’m just not feeling the buzz that we’re straight on it and firing on all cylinders. Again, I don’t know what it is and maybe I’m expecting too much in that we should now be able to sweep all before us asunder. I know it isn’t going to be that easy, but while I’d expect us to do okay this season, I think we might well be prone to dropping points in exactly this sort of game, where we’d normally be expected to win.
Squad news and there’s two stories to consider. Carlos is still miles away; no surprise there and Cash is out for seemingly weeks. I’ve given my view of Cash lots of times and I while I like him as a Villa player, I see him as a weak link in our team now. That’s how much we’ve progressed and I don’t think he’s suddenly a bad player. He’s just not good enough and for me, should now be considered as a very good backup player. In fairness, I suspect he’s probably better than that and I’d guess there’s a few clubs that would happily take him, but we have the strength now to hold onto him, I’d hope.
We do have a young up and coming player in Kosta Nedeljkovic, but while he looks a prospect, I’m not sure he’s ready and we need better. Moving Konsa over is another option, but I for one, don’t like it and even Unai decided against it last week. Quite simply, it weakens the team and why it wasn’t a priority is beyond me.
As for Leicester, while I think they have a fully fit squad, they strike me as a team of yesterday’s players.
Conor Coady, Jordan Ayew and James Vardy, for example? I’m not being derogatory to any of them, as they’re all decent.
But it just feels that we’re on the up and they’re not. Hence logic says we should have too much for them.
Any side that has a 37 yo striker up front has to be there for the taking,
I’m going 2-1 to us and I’m hoping that proves to be generous on my part.
Hmm.
UTV!
A bit brief, but there’s not much to say.
If we’re aspiring to be challenging again, this should really be inconsequential to us in our approach, surely?
Famous last words, I suspect.
Of course if we are serious these are games we should be winning.
Early season though is always fraught with difficulties.
Notwithstanding, I think your summation is right on the money.
Nedeljković is guaranteed a start with Carlos out injured. Emery can’t afford to play Konsa there without any player to replace him. Bogarde has impressed in pre season but it’s poor planning to have a threadbare back four with the exception of the LB position. I just don’t understand the logic in what’s going on. I hope that we have a rare last minute announcement otherwise I can see huge problems.
A Midlands derby is never easy to predict. Spurs were in total control when they played them but the Vardy goal flipped the game on its head. We should beat them, on paper anyway but football is a funny old game. One thing that is certain is we can’t afford one single injury or sending off now.
I think a slim win and a so-so performance down for me.
We’re not up to speed, especially in the Ollie dept, Ned should be fine against Vardy and his old legs.
As for a right wing back up, maybe there’s just no-one out there that fits the bill. Dunno what else to say really. Still smarting over the 2 missed chances against Arse.
I don’t get it. Chelsea and United are STILL spending!!!!!! Basically the league have turned round and said , you two do whatever you have to and get back in the big time. We will hold Villa and Newcastle back. Villa and Newcastle have struggled to do anything and yet the players a flying in from all over the place into United and Chelsea
F*** ’em. They will no doubt claim their revenues allow them to spend what they do, despite the debts and (admitted) financial irregularities. Utter bull****.
Have to agree BFR.
Corruption is a word that springs to mind
So thats it. I was a little disappointed until I gave it some thought. One mistake that I think Emery is too smart to make is to panic buy. We don’t need another bomb squad.
Defence is our weak point but if Mings is nearly there and Carlos is staying then our CB situation isn’t too bad.
Right back was my concern but I’m wondering if Emery has Philogene in mind as a back up. If so then perhaps we’ll be okay.
Badger and friends
I just don’t buy into pessimism I have read on this thread about playing Leicester.
I expect a win against Leicester. We were very good against West Ham and should have beaten Arsenal is Watkins had been clinical. Therefore, I see us beating Leicester today.
1874 has summed up the defence situation well. I am sure Emery and team have done the best they can with PSR restrictions. For example, it is clear that selling Luiz had to be done. Both players in the exchange deal have been sent out on loan. Either Villa expect them to have a long term future or sending them out on loan to increase their value and sell on next year. Either way they have not directly added to our capacity for this year, which is negative and has to be the result of the PSR needs.
There was a lot of speculation that Villa wanted to add to the squad and Emey seemed to support this view. I would suggest that whatever they wanted to achieve fell down. It means come January transfer window there is some money to buy the right player. Last January Rogers and Nedeljković were bought for low values, I expect more of the same type of purchases.
Emery is a miracle worker and I expect him to continue working his magic in developing all individuals and modifying how the team plays.
Away to Young Boys and then home to Bayern for game two. Still seems a bit surreal, doesn’t it?
Full fixtures here –
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/31/champions-league-fixtures-confirmed/
Got it wrong with Nedeljković starting as he is on the bench. So with Bogarde playing, I assume Konsa will be at RB. Watkins apparently hasn’t scored in his last seven games for Villa so time to break that streak.
So we’ve got zero back up at CB.
All Ollie had to do was poke it with the outside of his left foot and it’s in. Poor decision making.
Yeaaaaasss woo hoo
Get in onana woo hooooo
Quality set piece. Ramsay’s first touch was sublime. Well done Mr MacPhee.
Great goal straight from the training ground. Another hamstring injury for Bailey and already we are seeing the problems of PSR/FFP bullshit.
Onana and Tielemans on yellow cards need to be careful now.
Decent first half, great free-kick, and some good individual performances, as for Watkins, have to bury that in my opinion but that counts for nothing when the happy clappers are in full force.
He has to start now doesn’t he?
Unbelievable 5 mins of football. Super scruffy and then the sweetest build up and a proper centre forward finish
Duran again! Who did he replace?
We’re awful, Chesty deary me so poor and If we win ( and that’s a big IF) it’ll because Leicester are shite not because we were good.
F*”king terrible performance.
And Humphrey at right back is an absolute liability.
Morgan has been awful
Not sure why I called him by his first name like he’s my mate
It’s Chesty to the likes of us.
BBC said we were shite in the 2nd half…
Terrible DS, dwelling on the ball far too long, touch, passing all off.
Can’t believe he hasn’t been hooked off.