When was the last time we had a Saturday 3pm kickoff?
I don’t remember, but it seems like it’s been ages and it’s nice to have one today. There’s just something that seems right about it and late Sunday night kickoffs just don’t do it, do they?
I haven’t heard much about Liverpool lately, so I had to look at the league table to see where they actually stand. Imagine my surprise then, to find that they’re only five points above us, having played one game more.
That sort of puts things in perspective really, because even though I think we’ve been playing poorly for months and results have definitely been poor, what does that say about the rest of the clubs in the Premier league?
Not a lot, it would seem and I still struggle to see that we’re ninth in the table.
So, where I was fearing a major backlash after us thrashing Liverpool at home, now I’m not so worried.
It would seem the Reds are not the same team they were, yet they’re in the middle of a European tie against Real, so they’re not doing too badly.
They have a lot of players out, in Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi.
That’s some list and it partly explains why they’ve not been as strong lately.
There’s nothing wrong with Liverpool’s attack though and they definitely have players who can hurt us.
Hopefully, our defence can stand firm and keep them out, but I suspect we might concede a couple today.
On the plus side, their defence is vulnerable and we have the capability of hurting them too.
The big news for us is of course Jack Grealish being out again and not looking like he’s likely to be back until May at the earliest.
It’s ok though, because Smith said it’s not a long term injury(!).
I seriously wonder if there had been copious amounts of alcohol involved before he came out with that statement.
If what will turn out to be three months isn’t a long term injury, I’d hate to see one that is.
Still, it’s just another example of the BS he has been speaking for months now, I suppose, so I’ll just leave it there.
I think a lot depends on how Smith sets the team up today and indeed, who he plays.
We all know it’ll be pretty much the same personnel as always, but he does have choices in how he plays them.
Our best bet is to actually go at Liverpool and put their defence under pressure from the off.
This would involve McGinn getting further forward.
If that doesn’t work, there’s always the option of putting Davis on. Not to score goals, but to bully the defence and create space for Watkins.
I see goals in this game and hopefully we’ll see a more lively performance from the lads, which will hopefully lead to us getting some too.
I’m going for 3-2.
I’d like to think we can actually edge this one, but I don’t quite have that confidence, so I think it’s going to go against us.
I actually think the performance is probably more important than the result today. We wouldn’t normally expect to get much from this game, after all.
What we don’t want is an abject poor performance and a heavy defeat.
But then, I don’t think we’re going to get one.
Up the Villa!
I know we talk about ‘playing the youngsters’ but the fact is we already have the youngest (average age) squad in the Premier League and this will reduce further as players like Taylor, Heaton and Elmo move on. We’re not where we were three or four seasons ago full of geriatrics on their way out.
We tend to forget that players like Luiz and Konsa are only 22 and 23 – still learning the game but with lots of potential.
It’s easy at the moment to look at the negatives and there is no doubt that Smith seems to have lost his nerve but then I suppose managers can lose form as well as players. Look at Liverpool for instance – are they likely to sack Klopp who has had a terrible season by his own high standards? Yes, they’ve suffered some key injuries in defence but it’s actually their failure to convert chances into goals that’s the major problem. Sound familiar?
I can’t believe that fans are talking about Smith needing to go. Of course like everyone else I’m brassed off with the football but we were spoilt after the first couple of months. Empty stadiums seems to have unbalanced the form book but clubs with bigger / better squads will always finish stronger. There’s no doubt that Smith has pissed off the fans with poor substitutions, the Barkley situation and the cloak and dagger handling of the Grealish injury.
The fact is however that he has improved us every season so far. He deserves to at least have the opportunity to recruit in the summer and see what happens first half of next season.
Ps. Badger I have tried a different email without wi-fi but no joy! I might try posting with my missus’ mobile too.
That’s exactly my thoughts H. He gets the first half of next season at least.
To be fair, there have been a very consistent few who have called for Smith out even as far back as the beginning of the season when we were doing well and they make most of the noise.
But the criticism is definitely increasing.
As for your not being able to post, I’m truly baffled.
Keep trying mate, as I’m sure all of us would miss your opinion if you stopped.
Was afraid he’d done his ACL in.
Hope that doesn’t mean we’ll see more of Barkley, he’s too fat and a be good player for the opposition.
I’ve worked out we could have been 6-7points better off had grealish played last 7 matches so could have been up there with the top 5 that’s due to his percentage of chances per game.
But Smith must learn to change the system without grealish, even when he comes back teams now know if stopped him were hopeless
Don’t think we need to sack Smith yet remember he’s still learning too about the premiership give him time look at Man United with Ferguson patients as long as still improvement every season 😊
I’ve just read that Trez might be out for the season with a torn ACL.
Wtf?
Has anyone heard about some addiction that Jack is supposed to be suffering from and he should be sold before his value drops when story comes out???
I heard this from some Welsh fans on Facebook and that’s why he’s out at the moment on suspension??
It’s been a rumour posted on here – surprised the press haven’t picked it up if true.
We had good fortune in the first half of the season – no injuries.
Since then we’ve had Covid which disrupted our momentum and a growing number of injuries which have demonstrated that the squad just doesn’t have sufficient depth of quality and experience to mount a serious challenge on the top half of the table.
I’m with you Badger; the summer transfer window and the first half of next season will define whether we are still progressing – or not!
I just watched goals from our 6-0 drubbing of Derby with O’Neill as manager. What i realised is that the players back then would nearly all have walked into our current team. The likes of Mellberg, Carew, Petrov, Barry, Laursen and Agbonlahor when he was good. This to me highlights how many more quality signings are needed to push into the top 6. With Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Grealish, McGinn (played in his correct position) and Watkins we have a core of top players so we are making definite strides forward.
Keep the faith, trust in Smith and UTV!
I think Mings when on his game and targett so need three quality to add Abraham,Ali,and the Newcastle winger.
Means we have Luis, Sanson,traore, Kessler or Gilbert, Ramsey,steer, nakamba, Davis on the bench with Barry,bidace,and chuky also in the squad to come in when we’re on top in games.
Probably too attacking team but a mixture of those in a squad would make a good team.
Anyone think differently???
Roy, you are probably right if Mings can cut out his silly mistakes and Targett to be fair has been very good this season. I would like Tammy back but not Dele Ali who is another Barkley IMO. I’m guessing you mean Saint-Maximin as the winger. Whenever i have seen him he either looks outstanding or awful. Very similar to Traore at Wolves who we let go! We definitely need at least one top winger though.
Don’t agree with wingers. Neither City or Liverpool play with them, and they are the two best teams in the country in the last 3 years, by a mile.
I said it before. If you’re going 4,3,3 (NOT 4,5,1) – may as well have 3 proper strikers up there who can link and, most importantly, SCORE GOALS! Sack the wingers off, in my opinion. This summer is Smith’s chance to make the change to his playing style. Trez is out long term. El Ghazi is not first 11. Bert is the only proper winger, but he’s shown he’s also effective centrally.
DON’T BUY ANY MORE WINGERS! BUY FORWARDS! A proper striker can go wide and get crosses in – don’t need a winger for that! We’ve fixed the defence. We now need GOALS! STRIKERS SCORE GOALS! NOT WINGERS! Simples.
Louis Barry MUST have a full pre-season with the first team and start next season up front with Ollie. That’s one winger less needed. Add a guaranteed 20 + goal striker (Aguero?). Then a top-class creative midfielder as back-up to Jack, and ‘Robert is your mother’s brother’.
UTV
Aston Villa under 18 beat Burton 9-0 . Today.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/april/Watch-FA-Youth-Cup-live-on-VillaTV-/
Some nice goals, particularly nice free kick from Barry to round of his hat-trick. Come on Deano, surely time to try some of these in the 1st 11. Nothing to lose at all but potentially an awful lot to gain.
According to press gossip – I know, I know – Villa have told Chelsea they’re not interested in signing Barkley. Too right – that’s one bit of gossip I really hope is accurate.
Should have added – we should try and get Lingard. I rate him and wanted us to sign him when he went on loan to West Spam. Why Manure never played him was a mystery to me – but then what do I know?
Now his price will have gone up as Barkley’s has collapsed.
I’d like to think we could sign him Hitch, but let’s face it West Ham would be first contenders, as for Barkley best news so far, we have to first sort out about Grealish and his problems, what ever fans think he is the link to start the new season with is Grealish , Lingard was the catalyst for our club and we would have been a better team with him . hard games to come now I see us as struggling to get more points.
Looking for hope against Citeh next Wednesday and hopefully we are playing them at the right time. They play FA Cup semi final against Chelsea on Saturday followed by the league cup the following weekend against Spurs. Two tough games so they might rest players for our game considering they have pretty much won the league anyway.
Bill and Hitchens
The players I would go for to help us go to the next level are (only picking players currently in U.K., as I just don’t have the knowledge of foreign leagues):
Pedro Neto – Wolves- I’d break the bank to sign him. He offers skill and pace. With him on the right teams would be unable to effectively mark him and Grealish.
Sandre Berge – Sheff Utd – add steel to our midfield, currently too porous.
Tammy Abraham – Chelsea – either play down the middle with Watkins on the left (or visa versus) allows Grealish to play behind striker.
These 3 are all experienced in the Premiership and have stood out.
Rico Henry – Brentford – back up for Targett
Promote to 1st team:
Louie Barry – ability to cover any of front 3 positions and allows him to develop at highest level.
Kane Kesler – cover for Cash
Jaden Philogene – Bidace – replace Trezeguet.
Players to release / sell:
Hourihane- sell
El Ghazi – sell – JPD / Barry replace him
Taylor and El Mohamadoy
Nakamba – I like him but if Berge arrives no need for 3 defensive midfield players.
We will have to wait and see what develops.
Fair points Sid; hard to argue with but …….
Would Henry be that interested in joining as no 2 to Targett – and absolutely no chance if Brentford get promoted.
Sandre Berge – highly rated but he’s been out injured for an extensive period – always a risk as Sheff Utd would want top money for him.
The one U23 you’ve missed is Chukwuemeka (sic) who it seems is very highly rated by Villa fans – plays in midfield and is getting rave reviews.
Guys, correct me if I’m wrong, but are we not playing Everton at home this season? We haven’t played them yet, but they’re not on the final fixtures. Am I missing something??
Don’t think it’s been scheduled yet. Maybe the club is hoping to take advantage of rules being relaxed and fans being allowed in the stadium.
We got Sanson. Newcastle got Willock.
Ollie was our only striker. We got nobody. West Ham got Lingard.
Maybe our recruitment hasn’t improved as much as we think. These are the details that make the difference between top 10 or top 6, top 6 or top 4. We’ve been in all the games in our poor run since Covid. The odd goal hear and there would have made a massive difference to our points haul. Just a thought.
And you know what BFR, your right , our recruiting isn’t the best , but its also down to players demands, Birmingham not London or Manchester bright lights, money talks now and that’s our only pulling power left. If we can display our talent players and win games we might one day move on and get the world class players in Villa park. Time will tell .
Looks like the break away European Super League is happening.
Can’t wait to see the back of these clubs out of the Premier League.
UEFA sure aren’t happy! Lol!!!
I said it was coming BumBum.sorry day for Villa and all the smaller clubs .
It may be a breath of fresh air. The 11 or so Harlem Globetrotters teams can do what they want, but their players shouldn’t be able to represent their national teams.
Apparently PSG and Citeh haven’t signed up.
My very thoughts Bum Bum , leave the league lose the honour of being Englishman that plays for their country.
French and German clubs are having nothing to do with this, apparently.
Sounds about right with the Germans, as they have a much more equitable game, with lower prices etc.
The part I’m not sure about is if there’s going to be relegation or not.
If there is, where are they going to go? They’ll be banned everywhere else and rightly so.
So if there’s no relegation/promotion wheres the appeal?
It might be good for the first few years, but it will become boring.
They’ll probably still get the fans, but it’ll be like Celtic vs Rangers, meaningless, the obvious apart.
And even then, what sort of fans are going to be able to afford to go to the games if each one involves foreign travel? Not your regulars, that’s a cert.
Part of me hopes they do it, as it will make it much more like the days of old, where much smaller clubs really can progress to the top of the domestic game, without silly money stopping them.
And it all goes tits up, the league fails and we refuse to take them back.
It won’t happen, but that would be so,so sweet.
The players involved would need to be really careful too. Where would they get their last paydays in such a small pool?
I assume it will be modelled along the American franchise system which is all about making money. No promotion or relegation – nowhere to go in either direction. For instance only the USA can have a World Series that only involves two USA teams!
It will be like the Packer Cricket Circus – all about money but probably short lived as none of the regulatory bodies will support it and players in it will be banned internationally (club and country) – but Packer created a ‘shit storm’ in cricket that changed it forever. Albeit the drivers – around poor pay and issues over South African players and apartheid – were completely different.
The difference with Packer was it had player support even though they knew they would be banned. Will the ‘Super League’ be supported by sufficient numbers of top players purely for monetary gain? Other than the last pay day brigade, I have my doubts.
This is being driven by wealthy owners who see it as a cash cow – they deserve to fail.
How will they make the money? They have given fans the finger and a big “f*** you”. All it would take would be for the same fans to grow a brain, boycott the matches of this ‘bastard’ league and the rest of us not to pay for the subscriptions to whatever broadcaster will be peddling this shower of shit.
Believe it or not, we, the fans, still, and always will, hold the power. Even now, with stadiums empty – it’s unsustainable, even for the big clubs. How about we, the fans, give them the same finger they’re giving us, don’t buy tickets for the new Bullshit League and don’t pay to watch. Can we do it, or will we slavishly succumb like a junkie who needs his next fix, no matter what?
F*** them all. Turn the tables. It can be done. If nobody buys Greggs sausage rolls (for example), they’ll stop baking them. It’s exactly the same principle. Don’t buy! They’ll soon f*** off. If the fans are just consumers to them, well, the consumer can say I don’t want your shit product. Stop buying and they’ll stop selling. End of rant.
That won’t happen.
People said the same about Sky, but lap it up because they can’t help themselves and it’s cheaper than being ripped off at the ground.
Then we only have ourselves to blame, Badger. You can’t bleat that you don’t like it, then go and buy it! I love football but I don’t pay for Sky, BT or any other shit. In fact, I don’t have a TV in my home, believe it or not. So no BBC licence fee, either. At least I can say I put my money where my mouth is, or don’t put it,in this case.
Rather then buy this shit, better to take our sons, daughters, mates etc down to the park with a decent ball and a couple of goals and enjoy the game. Added bonus of losing a few pounds off our ever fattening arses!
Serious talk of splicing the game into 4 quarters for extra advertising revenue.
Would it matter?
The game has already been massacred with VAR taking ages to work out millimetres.
They might as well go the whole hog and bring in similar amounts of substitutes as that American crap too.
Just goes to show who’s really running the game, to my mind.
You might have noticed I’ve become very disillusioned with the game over the last however long.
This is just another nail in the coffin.
Again, Badger, stop buying and make it clear that the reason is VAR. The ‘produce’ in now ‘inferior’, ‘damaged’, ‘faulty’ – whatever you want to call it. If we’d been buying the same bread for years, then the bakers ‘improve’ it with an extra ingredient that actually makes it unpalatable, we’d stop buying and tell the baker it’s shit. They’d soon go back to the original bread. I don’t see how it’s different with football. If they see us as consumers, fine, but we then need to act like consumers and not accept a product that we’re not happy with. I don’t think there are any fans who would want VAR, so why is it still being used?
How is it that every protest, movement and cause can be organised and mobilised easily, but football fans can’t do anything about this? Hit the wankers where it hurts. It’s not that difficult!
It’s even worse in the States. I went to an American football game which stopped every few minutes – I asked my host why – to allow for advertising breaks was his response.