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!
So, who’s looking forward to MOTD later…Yawn…!
I wonder if ‘Our Jack’ is suffering from impostor syndrome tonight?
I didn’t have the stress of watching and I can see how it’s got to fans on here. Fact is, as we all know, City are light years ahead of us. To get 2 in front was no mean feat but to lose 3 goals was also no surprise. Put aside the disappointment and I would have taken 3-2 defeat before the kick off.
If I see real improvement next season I will be happy. I think we have some talented players but lack leadership, battle and that cutting edge. It will only take 3 players but they need to be three big players. It won’t make us City but it will make us a different proposition.
Enjoy your summer lads.
Why are you all getting uptight about football pundits. Most of them were pretty good about kicking a cows bladder around a football pitch but then they couldn’t do it anymore, so they became pundits. We didn’t do that, when we got older we still drove up and down motorways, we still moved stuff with forklifts, we still emptied shit pans right up till we were 65. These people to whom you show such respect did nothing but manage to get recognised as presenters for which of course you required no qualifications or even an IQ. Our glorious team gave us hope, disappointment in equal amounts but we love them as no pundit will ever understand. 22/23 i am ready and we will win feckin everything
Had enough and Watkins is poor couldn’t finish his dinner this fella just so sick of football
Supporting Villa is a love / hate relationship. Up till 75th minute today I loved them and 5 minutes later I hated them 💔
Whatever people on here say and a lot seem to be angry.
But I’m proud of what villa did today as I must admit I thought we’d be hammered.
At least people can’t say villa didn’t try.
Although angry we didn’t hang on,and maybe Gerrard made a mistake by taking Phil off for nakhamba it unbalanced the side I think.
But everyone should be proud remember villa had a hard game on Thursday,what if they had longer between the matches???
Remember lads the players have everything and I thought Watkins did well apart from scoring,but remember that Man city have better players and they had 24shots to get only 3goals they missed as well.
So have a drink and be proud of what we did today and maybe there is hope for next season.
Don’t moan get behind the team that’s all I say stand proud to be a villa fan
Badger
Thank you for another season of letting us have somewhere to vent all things Villa.
Gerry great last article. The future will be bright. 3 years ago we got promoted and then stayed up by a miracle. Last year we flattered to deceive. This year was a rollercoaster. But and the big but, all is improving. Talent is coming through from the U23. We are now signing world class players. It appears Kamara is signing for us.
Ladies and gentlemen stop moaning. We are moving forward. Next year we will be better than 14th. Champions no, but closing the gap yes! Negativity breads losers. We are on the up – positivity brings success.
Sid, that’s the whole reason for me running the site.
It’s just somewhere, where you can comment and expect to be treated with respect even if others disagree with you.
So another season done and I’m happy to say we’ve had very few problems running the site, time apart. I just don’t seem to get enough and games creep up on me sometimes.
The football may have been crap, but it’s mostly been a pleasure chaps, thank you all.
Thank you Badger for taking the time and the effort.
UTV!
I echo Sid’s comments, I love coming on this site to let off steam or attempt to provide some insights, and to read the comments: be they cool and well thought out – or heat of the moment rants. Thank you for running it.
+++++++++++
Some teams have players who have a complimentary fit and collective willpower such that they achieve results which prove them to be more than the sum of their parts. With 2 Brazilian, 2 Argentinian, 2 English, and 1 each French, Polish and Scottish Internationals – this Villa squad achieves less than the sum of their parts. It isn’t the fault of any one of them, but the only solution is a few changes.
Watkins isn’t himself and cannot be paired with a clinical finisher. I like him for his phenomenal engine but he does not contribute enough goals or assists.
Mings I am fed up with. The on-field skipper is the gaffer’s rep and needs to bawl out teammates making careless errors. But Mings himself is the worst at this! So if we keep him – someone who can bollock him should get the armband.
The skipper should also have some tactical nous so opponents’ changes during play are things he orders his players to counter. A good example in today’s game is City do not play with a genuine #9, so Mings as the principal defence against headers had no #9 to mark in his central defender position. But Cash is easily beatable in the air so when Gundolan came on and played wide left up against Cash, Mings and Cash needed to change places.
The midfield is below-par in all aspects of attack. Collectively they do not score enough goals, far too often shoot wide, and though they scramble well enough to win the ball back, they do not then retain it well. We may not exchange our midfield players for better players, but we could make gains if the incoming players are a better fit.
I disagree about Watkins it’s his overall game, today Philippe Coutinho played the ball to him on the left and made a run to the right. A simple ball into the space behind would have undone their defence but he dallied and the moment was gone.
The chance when he went through, again, too many touches instead of getting the shot away, chance gone.
He appears an amiable lad but top striker he ain’t (imo).
I think we have to remember that pretty much all of our players have done well at times, but this season it’s strange that so many players have underperformed all at the same time.
I can take a dislike to some players (I think everybody does it) but most I’m okay with.
Even so, I’m now beginning to get much more ruthless in my thinking and Watkins is a great example.
I’ve been reading comments all season saying he has a poor first touch and just isn’t clinical.
I’ve always excused him because he has such a good workrate and you can never accuse him of not being available. But he does have a poor touch; it’s undeniable.
And he, along with Ings, just haven’t produced the goods.
Don’t get me started on Mings. How someone so mentally weak and error-prone can be a captain is beyond me.
It’s probably easier to list the players I really wouldn’t want to leave;
Martinez
Cash
McGinn
Buendia
And probably Coutinho and Digne, although it’s still early days.
The rest, I don’t think I’ll be too bothered about.
I’d agree with all of that Badger but I throw Ramsey into the keepers list.
Watkins was just so frustrating yesterday and one incident in the game that really summed up Watkins.
Ramsey’s had the ball by left touchline with a defender between him and Watkins. Ramsey won’t release the ball because Watkins is offside. Now Watkins can clearly see the defender between him and Ramsey so htf does he manage to wonder what into an offside position? It defined belief .
I knew someone would pull me on Ramsey 🙂
And you’re probably right.
He’s a good prospect, but I just don’t feel the love like some do.
Driving forward, he’s top, but I just feel the rest of his game lacks quite a bit.
Mate at 20 you have to forgive him his sins, there’s a long way to go before he’s the finished article.
Did Grealish show as much potential at such a young age? (Grealish more often that not, flattered to deceive)
Transfer activity:
I must admit to being very impressed with the speed Villa are conducting their transfer business and it only day one of the close season.
Coutinho already secured- personally I think this is a great bit of business.
Announced on the Villa website Boubacar Kamara has signed a 5 year deal. I don’t know a lot about him except he was in demand.
Unread Gerrard wants all new signings by preseason. Well done Villa.
Kamara confirmed on the OS.
I’m reading that he’s on high wages, but it’s a free signing, so will cost around £35 mill all in.
Seems a smart signing if it works out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyHNMGmAsxQ
Watching this compilation of his “best of” and I’m slightly underwhelmed )-:
That’s encouraging then 🙂 Normally they look World class only to disappoint.
As a defensive midfielder I would think it’s quite difficult to do a ‘best of’!
Having said that he (Kamara) seems to have quick feet, looks strong and pretty quick and it seems he can pass.
Only time will tell.
Lol that’s so true mate.
Remember YouTubing Aleksandar Tonev it made him look like George Best, Ronaldo & Messi rolled into one (the reality was slightly different).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4uc2c5I-2g
Aleksandar Tonev
See what you mean.
Villa should release a YouTube of McGinns worldies to up his value 🙂
I think this is still my favourite Villa blog. I don’t post on every article, but I read everything and have done for many years – even before Badger took it over. I think for the most part it’s a well balanced dialogue.
As for players we’d keep… I’d sell Luiz even if we don’t plan to use him in DCM. I just don’t see that he has what it takes to take us to the next level. Maybe he needs a season in his natural position, but if he’s not a DCM, he’s got to be a forward thinking midfielder, and I think he’s far too clumsy in the pass and more often than not, passes sideways or backwards. I’d take whatever we can get for him knowing Bouba is coming in.
This may be controversial, but I’d also sell McGinn. I LOVE his engine, his spirit and all those things he’s known for, but again, I don’t think he does enough. Midfield, you’re either defending, chipping in with assists, or scoring and for me doesn’t do enough of any of those. I know he can go on those incredible driving runs, and “occasionally” scores some worldies, but it’s never enough. I think we need to improve on him – and now is the time to sell him after the media believe he’s had a good season. His best position is where he plays for Scotland and we have too many players in that position already.
I totally get the frustration about Mings – but I think he’s a good defender to keep around. He totally does mess up from time to time, but what I think you get from him inbetween makes up for that risk. We definitely need 2 new CB with Konza out. I was very impressed with Chambers and think he deserves a run in the 1st team.
If you’d asked me 2-3 months ago if I’d keep Ings, I’d have said no way – sell him; but I think he showed enough in the last few months to show that once he beds in, there’s still a striker there. He’s not sharp right now, but once he is, I think we’d regret selling him. The issue with football is we buy players that don’t necessarily fit the team style of play (JG at City comes to mind) and I think we’ve not played to Ing’s strengths as a team. It’s clearly not working with Watkins, who I rate, but I think one will have to leave.
Gerrard clearly doesn’t fancy wingers – either that or doesn’t rate who we have, and so Bailey or Traore (or both) will leave. I wanted Bailey to work out so badly – but other than that game against Everton, think he looks bang average. I’d sell him and reinvest. I think Traore was unlucky this season – I’d keep him around.
And I’ve just gotta say – LOVED the streaming options from the US this year. I’ve watched the majority of games on Peacock (which is only $5 a month). I get to see way more games than I did living back home. I’ve not been home since before Covid and coming back this week (flying into Manc) and was bummed it was just too late for the last game. UTV
Sky Sports reporting that Villa are in talks with Tarkowski who is a free agent.
I suspect there will be a number of EPL clubs who want him so not going to hold my breathe.
However he is the sort of experienced top class centre half we should be going for and, as a free agent, it will enable us to offer him top money.
I hope Kamara does prove to be a great signing. Our history of signings from the French league haven’t lived up to the hype. Amavi, Veretout, Sanson to name a few plus Remi Garde as manager! I hope Gerrard sees him as one for the future. The premier league is superior to the French Lihue 1 IMO and the number 6 role is probably the most demanding position within the team.
We desperately need more leaders and preferably those who know how to win things. Coutinho was a good start but we need more and players who are vocal too.
Here’s my verdict on current crop:-
Martinez – Stay
Cash – Stay
Digne – Stay
Konsa – Stay
Mings – Go
Luiz – Stay
McGinn – Stay
Ramsey – Stay
Coutinho – Stay
Watkins – Stay
Ings – Go
Olsen – Stay
Sinisalo – Loan
Bailey – Go or loan
Traore – Go
Trezeguet – Go
El Ghazi – Go
Targett – Go
Archer – Stay
Davis – Go
Wesley – Go
Guilbert – Go
Young – Go
Chambers – Stay
Buendia- Stay
Chukwuemeka – Stay
Iroegbunam – Stay
Sanson – Go
Nakamba – Stay
Hause – Stay
Kamara – Signed
By my reckoning we should get a minimum of £60m based on sales from above with room for seven more signings based on a 25 man squad assuming the likes of Philogene-Bidace, Bogarde, Chrisene, Revan, Brad Young, Aaron Ramsey, Barry, Kesler Hayden, Feeney, O’Reilly plus any other promising youngsters being assessed in pre season for either 1st team squad, loans or U23’s.
After Sunday’s capitulation which left us all feeling flat, we saw a team described by some as bottlers with a weak mentality or whatever else we lack to be successful. We won’t be a team playing in Europe any time soon. So forget the 5 year project because it’s not going to happen. Let’s hope for 10th or better next season with a steady push for a top 8 in the next few years.
Hopefully Man Ure will continue to stagnate and West Ham struggle when Rice and a few others are picked off. Brighton and Wolves I think have reached their peak. The current top 5 are miles ahead of us and it will take something drastic for us to ever overhaul any of them, especially the top 2 or 3.
Let’s hope for more wins than losses next season because losing half of the games played simply isn’t good enough.
Sorry for the long post.
UTV!
Isn’t Veretour valued at £60m+ now? Amavia also looked the business. And Guere at PSG??? We blew off some great players during the dark daya of Lerner and McLeish. Horrible time.
Holte. Don’t ever apologise for long posts. They read very well.
“The 29-year-old has been offered £90,000-a-week by Everton”
That’s crazy money for a 29 year old strictly average centre half even given the free transfer.
Now £120k per week according to more media muppetry 🙂
Mings & Watkins dropped from the England squad. A fair reward for their efforts?
Neither have pulled any trees – would you have picked them in Southgate’s shoes?
Ming the not so merciless – always prone to a gaff.
Watkin’s covers a lot of ground but clinical finisher he ain’t.
Neither are good enough for England based on current form. Watkins reminds me of Agbonlahor in the way he is more likely to score when he hasn’t got time to think about it. Neither player look / looked like scoring when one on one with the keeper. However Watkins has a better scoring ratio of 1 in 3 compared to Gabby’s 1 in 4. We need a more prolific goalscorer to compliment our current strike force. Whether Ings needs to go to make way time will tell. I certainly want Watkins to stay because he naturally puts in a shift and has his best years to come. Ings meanwhile is in decline and his best days are behind him. Give Archer a pre season and game time to see if he can make the grade. He definitely knows how to put the ball in the net.
As for Mings, he’s either a squad player or needs to go. He hasn’t had anyone breathing down his neck when he’s had a bad game and I certainly don’t think he should have the captain’s armband.
A couple of bits of gossip that may well have legs – but with all the health warnings!
Roma are supposedly interested in Luiz. I could see this happening; he only has a year left on his contract and has been reported as not being willing to sign a new one – unless a certain young lady in a Villa shirt persuades him otherwise!
We are reputed to have offered Tarkowski £120k per week to sign. Again I could see this as being true given a four year contract would cost around £25m with no transfer fee which is cheap for a centre back – and we know Gerrard is in the market for at least one CB.
If Tarkowski were to sign that would be three upgrades to our existing squad for a combined transfer fee of £17m!
We could then go out and splash really big on another midfielder and striker.
What is so great about Tarkowski? He is far too ready to resort to the dirty stuff whenever a forward goes past him. Now he has a relegation on his record so I hope he goes to Everton. We have to set the sights higher than a player with proven incompetence in the EPL.
You have a point OLL.
If you compare his record with Mings then they are very similar (when looked at on a ratio basis as Tarkowski has played 70 odd games more in the EPL).
Tarkowski does foul slightly more than Mings but his disciplinary record is slightly better; his successful tackles per game and ratio of duals won to lost is significantly better as are his aerial stats.
What I did find interesting is that, despite the view of many Villa fans, Mings has only made 4 errors leading to goals conceded, the same as Tarkowski (according to EPL stats / Mings 122 games, Tarkowski 194).
If, as I suspect, Mings is going nowhere then we need a reliable experienced centre half to play alongside him and, for the money Tarkowski may prove good value. Of course there are better players around but can we get them and at what cost.
But then it’s all about opinions isn’t it!
And it’s probably all media click bait rubbish anyway.