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!
Well regardless of performance 6 points out of 9 isn’t a bad start.
Cheer up we’ll get better, we have Emery in charge.
Only 3 points because of the quality (or lack of) with the opposition.
Liverpool, City, Spuds etc. and we’d have been on the end of a proper spanking with that performance today.
A stop start game where the referee wanted to be the star of the show. Tielemans was my MOTM. Rogers had a bit of a stinker. Watkins is a shadow of the player he was last season. Duran scoring though will put pressure on for him to start.
Up next an international break which I hate but with more injuries today, it might be good timing.
Woo hoo great win and we will only get better enjoy the weekend everyone
Only saw the 2nd half (this time a 90th birthday lunch – wish people would stop organising Saturday events 🙂 ) which clearly showed our lack of our squad depth in defence in only the third game.
Also concerned that Onana limped off and Konsa was limping at the end.
Emery has some issues to sort out.
A win is a win. Good teams win they are playing well. Two well taken goals.
International break needed to help players become fitter / recover. Was Philogene injured, did not see him in the bench.
Disappointed that we had two goalkeepers as subs. I thought those days were behind us, especially as we have sent a few players out on loan. But Emery is very clear about who he believes is at the standard required.
From what I’ve heard and read, this game went as I thought it would. A win, but we’re still setting in new players and getting used to life without Luiz. Sounds like Chesty had a stinker, as did Ollie (again), but no cause for alarm. Duran is definitely due a start if only on his goals, no Ollie haters welcome! The niggles for Bailey, and Onana especially will benefit from this stupid international break. And it also gives us a bit more time to get Buendia, Mings and soon Kamara up to speed. Really pleased Carlos didn’t leave as I think we’ll need him. He’s an awesome player on his day, and he has quite a few days!
Enjoy the 3 points and look forward to the next game!!!!
We need to retain the ball not this litany of wayward passes with Rogers and Bogart being, imo, the main culprits.
At least Barkley brought some craft to the proceedings upon his introduction and was instrumental in starting the move that led to Duran’s goal!
5 out of 10 … Must Try Harder!
As I said only watched the second half but there were some interesting pointers.
I’m not going to criticise Bogarte as he’s a young kid playing his first full EPL game. If anything I would point a finger at Emery and ask why he didn’t bring Ned Kelly on earlier as the kid was (quite understandably) struggling. Had he done so I don’t think Leicester would have got that goal.
From what I saw I think Emery needs to trust Ned Kelly and play him if Cash isn’t fit. He’s quick, athletic and seems very self assured – reminds me a little of a certain John Gidman.
Barkley looked very neat and tidy when he came on – very encouraging giving us real options in the centre of the park.
The real concern is a clear lack of squad depth at right back / centre back which may well be our undoing ahead of Mings return to full fitness. This something Emery has to address.
Still 3 points are 3 points!
Hitch, we have Pau, Konsa, Carlos and Mings due back. Are you looking at last season as to how we suddenly needed 5+ centre backs in the squad? When we failed to move on Langolet last year it was a blessing in disguise.
If we’d have sold Carlos without a replacement I really would be concerned.
Maybe Emery wanted to throw Dirk Bogarde into the deep end yesterday and was under the misapprehension Leicester were too weak to pose a threat???
With Bournemouth’s comeback yesterday, you can take nothing for granted in the Prem…
Bum Bum – in an earlier post I suggested that Emery was happy with the CB’s we have and he must see Bogarde as a decent fifth option. My concern was that Emery could and probably should have put Ned on earlier. Their winger was outrunning Bogarde but he couldn’t outrun Ned.
My other concern is how long before Mings is fit to play – maybe another couple of months – and how he deals with Cash being out. Imho playing Konsa at RB weakens the defence and, from what I’ve seen of him, I’d prefer Ned playing there if Cash isn’t fit.
I take your point about the strength of the opposition but that’s a dangerous assumption to make.
Dendoncker – season long loan to Anderlecht.
No cover in midfield with Enzo gone as well.
Think we’re OK in midfield BFR with Kamara due back
Gotcha, Hitch. Things is you can’t get everything you want when u want it. If players aren’t available, why buy someone who’s not going to improve things? It’s tough, especially with FFP.
I like Ned at right back. A very mature and patient player.
I never like Liverpool winning, but ManU’s implosion is hilarious!!!! No sympathy. Spuds losing, Arse and Chelski drawing. All good for the Villa!!!!
Just assessing our 3 games in both September and October. Anyone foolishly fancy 18 points????
Do we have any other important matches on during that period? 😁
No – just a couple of CL games – nothing that vital 🙂
Child’s play!
BTW, congratulations on picking the right score, Badger!