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!
Another ad for the Gold Lion energy drink. Gold Lion gives you wins! Even the Baggies could be revived by this secret potion distilled in the Villa dressing room. Our manager bottles it at half time – we believe.
The team that takes the pitch should know – show up today or it is a one-way ticket to the Blues.
I’m not inspired by the line up with Barkley starting. What incentive to the young lads is it that someone who has been dire since returning from injury and reported that we will not be pursuing a transfer for him, gets picked ahead of them.
Pleased for Wesley that he makes the bench. Let’s not get carried away with this though because he wasn’t prolific before the injury. I will be surprised if he is with us after next season.
Defeat on the cards me thinks.
Disappointed with the selection. El Ghazi, Barkley and Elmo. Experience over adventure. Not expecting great things tonight.
Martinez, Mings, Konsa, Elmohamady, Targett, Barkley, Traoré, El Ghazi, Luiz, McGinn, Watkins.
Subs: Taylor, Hause, Davis, Engels, Ramsey, Wesley, Heaton, Nakamba, Philogene-Bidace.
I find it difficult to believe that Barkley is in the side.
I haven’t made my mind up about Smith at all, but he doesn’t make himself easy to like when he makes decisions like that does he?
Fair play to him for sticking to his guns, I suppose.
If Ross doesn’t play great today, Smith is going to get it in spades from the fans and it’ll serve him right.
As you might gather, Wesley being back does absolutely nothing for me.
Fingers crossed, but I’m not particularly hopeful.
Bloody hell, I didn’t realise the KO was so early.
Stupid KO times! 🙁
This is pathetic, Smith to me has shown that times up . Half time now and Albion should be ahead by hitting the crossbar and Martinez saves. Looking at our next few fixtures I don’t see any points coming to us. I give in .
We don’t create many clear cut chances. Partly decision making but mostly that we don’t commit enough players forward early enough.
It’s just cautious football and it will generally get what it deserves. Baggies are there for the taking but we don’t seem to have what it takes.
Smith has caught the same disease as most of our managers for the last 10 or so years. Talk a positive attacking game and then lose their nerve. It’s a really hard watch.
We’re f’ing useless
No matter the final result today, Dean Smith has to go.
Poor selection, poor to no tactical ability, same repetitious post match comments which generally appear to refer to a different game.
Dean Smith has done exceptionally well to achieve what he has but we can not move forward under his tenure
Why would the owners invest further in this type of football?
The whole of the team is now rife of not winning in the game. Sorry but why play a player that’s going back and was told he is no longer wanted. Would you have the heart to play? I bloody wouldn’t. That’s why I think Smith has lost the plot. Not only him but the coaching staff as well. Bottom team also our rivals and no player giving his all. We are a joke of a team and should if we hadn’t got the points be going down. Smith out from me.
Please explain why no subs?
Smith has to go
Oh Goodie Ramsey on , what a joke.
Oh Goodie, Ramsey on ,what a joke.
Ramsey for Luiz – really?
Absolute cr*p.
I’m joining the call for Smith to go.
Goal Davis
2-2. still shit for me. .
I’m waiting for the “I can’t believe people are calling for Smith to be sacked “ crew.
I can’t believe people are calling for Smith to be sacked. 😉
Pleased for Davis. He came on with 10 minutes remaining to make a difference and got his first premier league goal. I dare say he will be back on the bench next game. I can’t call for Smith to be sacked despite our poor form since January. Who comes in to replace him? Mourinho? There are no top class managers who Villa could attract to take us to the next level. I’m pretty certain that if we were told two years ago we had established mid table in the premier league with six games to go, we would all have been happy with that. This summer because of our league position we will be able to attract better players than last summer. I agree that the quality of our play has gone downhill but I think Smith deserves the start of next season to prove he is the man to take us further up the league.
It would be more cost effective to burn Villa Park down than appoint Mourinho, and I was one of his biggest fans when he first arrived on these shores. He’d get us media exposure but that’s about it. A “busted flush” says Nihal Arthanayake on 5 Live, a Spurs fan. I’d have to agree.
Very pleased for Davis but we’re patching over the cracks.
He’s lost his way for me, im not one to see a disaster then act, I would think that anyone that puts a player on and told him he’s not wanted and think he’ll play his heart out must be deluded. I thank him for getting us up but he’s lost his way. Smith isn’t the chosen one in my eyes.
Bill, I wonder if Barkey’s contract states he has to play a certain amount? That would explain Smith still putting him in, as he wouldn’t have a choice. I’m equally annoyed at the £11 million we paid for the privilege of having him on-loan. That’s dreadful business but shows the club were expecting an awful lot more from him.
£11m – as a loan fee and they are (if you believe the media) wanting another £40m for a permanent transfer! JG’s value just went up another £30m.
Abramovich must be feeling the pinch 🙂
Good to see Wesley back on the pitch. Whatever your views about him as a player, no one wants to see someone lose their livelihood. I wish him good fortune and if it’s in a Villa shirt that’s fine by me.
I like Davis and hope his goal will give him the confidence to push on.
Smith has a chance to change things around (whether or not he plays the kids). I would love to see Davis and Watkins playing together from the start of a game. Why not play Watkins wide left, it’s his natural position, and Davis as a big centre forward?