Well, we all know what this is about, don’t we?
Every man and his dog knows that the most popular time to watch football is 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
So why the heck do Sky prefer to show all the games at 4pm on a Sunday?
It frustrates the heck out of me and I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that.
So it’s another very convenient, perfect last day decider at the top of the table. It’s also even more convenient that there’s a last day decider at the bottom too.
Coincidence or planned?
I know what I think, but it’s not something you can prove is it?
It’s just all too coincidental and Sky couldn’t wish for a better situation.
I have to admit it is exciting, but it’s also annoying, because you know they’re going to switch to the Liverpool game every few minutes or when there’s a goal, but at least those who actually attend the games won’t have to worry about that.
Although they might actually prefer to miss most of the game, because I can’t see anything other than a very convincing victory and title championship for Man City.
There was Micah Richards’ comment that Villa will earn £15 million if Citeh win the league and I still don’t know if it was a joke or totally true.
If it’s the latter, hopefully it goes into the transfer pot, my concerns about Gerrard, apart.
Squad news and there’s nothing changed from Thursday, which is perhaps a small miracle in itself. I worry now that at least one of our players will be crocked because of something that happened in training.
As for Citeh, John Stones and Kyle walker are training, but it’s not known if they’ll be ready for this game.
Not that it matters, as Citeh have such a superb squad, it’s hardly a problem if they have half a dozen injuries or more.
It makes me sick, but it is what it is.
Tactics then and how can you counter Citeh them and try and stop them scoring?
Quite simply, you can’t.
They’ll massively outwork us in a way that is miles more effective and just pass us to death in our own half, patiently waiting for a chance.
Which, with our defence scares me.
They’ll be full on it and we’ll have to be content with watching them pick up the Premier league trophy.
I’d actually bet on Man City to win here, but the bookies agree with me and the odds are ridiculous, hence I’m not going to bother.
I was speaking to a Chelsea fan this morning and he said he has a feeling that we’ll beat them.
When I asked why, it was the same old “well it’s Gerrard and Liverpool, isn’t it?” and I wasn’t surprised.
He too was surprised when I told him many fans weren’t convinced by him as our manager.
I find it fascinating that so many fans think if you were a great player, you automatically have to be a good manager, but there you go.
Prediction time then and I see goals. I do think we might sneak one, because Citeh may well leave gaps at the back as they go all out.
I’m going to go for a 3-1 defeat.
And I really hope Grealish, if he plays doesn’t get one.
Two reasons. One, because I think he’d genuinely be gutted and two because it would just be sod’s law, yet again. And I hate that.
UTV!
Im going for 1 – 1 with Gerrard coming on as sub in the 85th minute and smashing a 40 yard free kick in, in the 95th Minute.
But then i still believe in Santa Claus
But then it is sky and as we all know they will make it or something similar happen one day, after all they have shareholders to please.
But my gut tells me at least a 4 – 0 drubbing
Good on you TGV – bet he brings you nice Christmas presents.
Anyone else feel slightly knarked off with the fact our biggest game of the season is winning the league for Liverpool or Man City
Reckon you have it spot on Badger. Not even sure whether I’m going to bother to watch.
For me this season has been a massive disappointment and Thursday was the last straw. Strange that I felt as deflated with that draw as I did when we were relegated.
So throwing all the Premier League / Quadruple hype into the trash can where it belongs, time to start thinking seriously about the summer window where, given our under whelming season, we’re going to be at a massive disadvantage -notwithstanding NSWE’s billions.
We know that the likes of City will pick off the best players even if they don’t need them which really winds me up and we’ll be left to fight over the scraps like Gomez or perhaps another garden shed signing 🙂 ?
Blimey, I really am on a downer – off to find the wine bottle(s)
Pleased to see Sunderland promoted back to The Championship.
Famous old club with great supporters who should not be in L1
Absolutely Hitch.
The fall down is horrendous, but the rise is so good, as we know.
Finally we reach the finishing line this afternoon and like probably every Villa fan, we will be glad to see the season finish.
As for today’s game, well it’s about Man Citeh winning the title and probably very comfortably. I think a 5-0 win wouldn’t surprise me one bit, especially if they score early. Let’s face facts, there isn’t one Villa player who would make the Citeh line up or even their bench.
Poor Gerrard will feel powerless to prevent it happening so his beloved Liverpool can snatch it off them. Personally I do hope we can spoil Citeh’s day but I won’t hold my breath.
It’s really annoying watching Sky going on about Gerrard’s Aston Villa trying to help Liverpool but to be fair to Gerrard, it’s not coming from him.
With reference to BFR’s post about Villa Park being quiet, I do think that’s down to the style of football on display. I was really fortunate that I went to see Villa beat Southampton 4-0 which was probably our best performance of the season. Up until the first goal the fans were quiet but after that we went on the front foot and it got the fans off their seats and singing. So it’s up to the team to lift the crowd by being on the front foot. Maybe it’s a McGinn shot from distance or Ramsey surging forward or a strong tackle. One thing that annoys us all is continual sideways and backwards passing and a lack of urgency.
Back to today’s game and it will be interesting to see how Gerrard lines up. A 10-0-0 offers his best hope but seriously I think we could see Nakamba and Luiz taking up defensive midfield roles in front of a back four that picks itself due to injuries. I also expect Coutinho to return with Ollie stranded up front chasing shadows and with the fewest touches this afternoon.
This summer is critical if we are to improve. We need top drawer signings who are premier league savvy and also players who have won things to balance out our promising youngsters.
History suggests we shouldn’t get too excited about the next season.
I can see a cricket score )-:
Indeed, Holte.
Villa park can be an incredible place when the atmosphere is right, but you have to give the fans something to sing about.
It seems like we’ve had 10 years of mostly utter rubbish football.
Two defensive mids sound about right, but I also think your best form of defence is attack against these and I’d prefer to see us go for it.
Noone would be annoyed about getting a shoeing, either way.
I read an article this morning about La Liga complaining to Fifa about PSG paying Mbappe a 153 million euro signing on fee (!), saying it’s ruining the game, even though they offered exactly the same!
The game is f*cked, it really is.
I would like us to have a go but I can’t see it. A meek surrender on the cards I think. Maybe next year.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Olsen; Cash, Mings, Chambers, Digne; McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Coutinho, Watkins, Buendia
Subs: Sinisalo, Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, Ings, Chukwuemeka, Chrisene, Iroegbunam
Grealish doesn’t start for Citeh.
No Martinez – oh dear!
At least Gerrard has decided not to park the bus and gone with an attacking line up – heaven help us!
Quite a lot to nil – and paraphrasing the words of the immortal Bill Shankly ‘we’ll be lucky to get none’.
I have decided to watch – must be the masochist in me! 🙂
Fortunately for me my wife has arranged a visit to friends who don’t have Sky. I’ll record it and delete without watching it if it goes as badly as I expect.
Excellent strategy DS
Yes, Martinez has apparently done his knee, which was an issue before the Burnley game.
He seemed to confirm it when he was chatting to Grealish before the match started, with a glance down towards it.
And he’s due to play in some final in Italy, so probably just wants to rest it.
Haha, Wolves 1 up already!
Even got our old ‘friend’ Michael Oliver as ref!
Olsen looks very nervous and unsure of himself
Wouldn’t you too, Hitch with the way we play?
How often has even Martinez looked under pressure due to our stupid backpasses and general messing about at the back?
Olsen shouting “Go up!” after some dickhead put him in trouble with a backpass.
Just after Chambers did his best to get an OG too.
Our defence is bloody clueless.
As is anyone telling them to do it.
Burnley losing 1-0
What a load of crap. Yet again.
I’m sick of these commentators too.
I’m bored now and going back out in the sun.
Home tomorrow 🙁
Thought we were playing OK but now making too many mistakes which has been our downfall all season
Bloody hell – Cash
I’m still listening on the balcony and we’ve just scored. Cash header!
Very good goal – brilliant ball in by Digne and good header from Cash
I’ve given both every chance, but Olsen and Watkins are utter gash today.
Disagree about Olsen Badger – he’s done OK.
I also think you’re being overly hard on Watkins.
Think you’re just niggly because you have to come home tomorrow 🙂
Watkins just isn’t clinical Hitch.
I prefer him to Ings, but we need better.
I agree with that Badger but I think he’s chased and harried well.
We’ve played pretty well first half.set up well, everyone all out and playing like a team.
Olsen has improved through the half and Digne has been outstanding both attacking and defending my man of the first half.
Why can we only do this in fits and starts?