I don’t know if my thoughts will make sense to anyone else or not, but I’m really full of confidence for this game.
I know, it’s away to Man U and we never win there.
But I haven’t seen anything about Man U to scare me apart from the rumour that we’re interested in Harry MaGuire.
I’m probably setting myself up for a fall, because that’s the Villa way, I suppose.
A lot depends more on how we perform, than how Man U do, I reckon, because I don’t think we’ve been at the races and have looked tired in the last two games. I’m not surprised really, as I’ve previously commented that the players have run themselves into the ground over the last few months.
This is where you need reserves and we’re sorely lacking in that area.
I’d expect that now that we have the players performing more to the standard that we always knew they were capable of, those upgrades will come, but that’s for the future.
So it’s about energy levels, which is the only reason I have doubts.
With decent backup, I think I’d honestly be putting money on us to win this.
A quick glance shows a Villa win at 18-5. Hmm, good job I’m not really a betting man, as that looks quite tempting.
Squad news and nothing has changed for both clubs.
Man U have the following injuries;
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Raphael Varane (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Phil Jones (knee), Tom Heaton (ankle), Alejandro Garnacho (ankle)
Doubtful: Harry Maguire (knock), Scott McTominay (knee)
While Villa, just as a reminder, have;
Leon Bailey (hamstring), Matty Cash (calf), Boubacar Kamara (ankle), Philippe Coutinho (thigh), Jed Steer (muscle)
Doubtful: None
As I said, I seriously think we can win this, but I think the odds favour a draw, meaning we go 11 unbeaten. When was the last time we achieved that?
There are going to be goals, without a doubt.
So it’s either 1-1 or 2-2.
I’m going for 2-2, with an expectation of a 3-2 win either way.
I’m covering a few bases there and it’s not much of a prediction, as I think the result could be anything.
Watch it be a 0-0, where both teams cancel each other out.
UTV!
I honestly think we’re currently capable of beating anyone.
But our small choice of first teamers is now holding us back.
The first time Watkins became a dad, his performances dipped and just recently he became a dad again and the last two games he hasn’t been as impressive. Being a dad myself I know it makes getting a good nights sleep almost impossible so it’s going to be difficult for him to maintain match sharpness.
As for Man Ure tomorrow, I think it’s going to be a difficult one to keep our unbeaten run going. It’s true they have quite a few injuries and will have played 3 games in a week and we have had two more days rest. Trouble for us is they have a bigger squad of players to pick from and their starting XI will be a strong team.
Emery though will have left no stone unturned in his efforts to set us up tomorrow so we are best equipped to get a result.
However I think they will have enough to scrape a win so I’m predicting a 1-0 defeat and an end to the 20 game scoring record.
On a different note altogether, congratulations to the Yeltz on their promotion although they left it late.
The Yeltz are Halesowen?
I’m informed, ta.
Congratulations indeed.
I can’t say I ever let kids interfere with my sleep.
I just couldn’t afford too.
I suspect you might be right regards the game, but I don’t want to admit it.
I’d love to do these on their own (delapidated) turf.
Incoming £5 billion bid or not.
I would love it Badger if we could do the double over them. Those Fergie years really made me despise them.
United long unbeaten run against us include the whole gamut of bent referees and sharp practice. The scheduled ref is new to me so we may get a straight performance from him. United will be targeting Moreno early on the give him a reducer around hip level. Luke Shaw will collect his customary yellow, probably for fouling Buendia, as will Emi for time-wasting unless Villa are trailing. Fernandes will try everything to win a penalty.
Watch for Bertie to go round the outside of Shaw, or their left back, late in the game to the surprise of all, but he then has to succeed with a pass off the outside of his left boot.
I predict a game like Brentford: Villa trailing, equalising late, and going for a winner.
“United will be targeting Moreno early on the give him a reducer around hip level.”
That’s an interesting pov.
And one I agree with, in the sense that I’d look to take Moreno out, albeit not quite that harshly.
I do like him.
That’s the crooks of the matter when we play Man Utd we have to play against 12 men, my dread is the ref if it’s Oliver we might as well go home. Then not forgetting Fergie time , we have never been able to settle in a game at Old Trafford as it’s one of the clubs that for some reason gets the cream. Just play the game Villa you’ve won many hearts this season and deserve to shine .
So Bayern apparently eyeing up a £60m move for Watkins. We’d make less than £25m profit and would then need a replacement.
No thanks, Fritz!
At the recent Fan Consultation Meeting Purslow said – ‘we’re going bold on the field in the summer’ – implying serious spend on the transfer fund.
So, if we’re looking to build a squad why would we sell one of our prime assets?
Answers o the back of a postage stamp please! 🙂
Same starting 11 again. Among the subs Tommy O’Rielly with just 3 games for the Under 23s. How short we are of squad players
Unchanged again.
Martinez, A. Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, Dendoncker, Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins.
Villa subs: Olsen, Carlos, B. Traore, Chambers, Duran, Digne, Revan, O’Reilly, K. Young.
A lot of criticism as come Bailey’s way this but the one player I believe is a passenger is Buendia.
Truly woeful, ball don’t stick, don’t anticipate any knock downs are flicks from Watkins.
I’d have him off now and bye bye in the summer.
This season
Good job I’ve two sticks they shut one down just at ko vpn problem I think . Not going to win this one from what I’m seeing so far , still you never know .
Other than killing someone just what does Casemiro have to do to warrant a booking?
Buendia and Ramsey have been woeful first half so ball just keeps coming back at us. Usual Old Trafford officiating with hardly anything going our way. The one time we were offside the flag went up straight away even though it looked marginal while they seem happy to let Man Ure carry on until the move breaks down before flagging.
We need to improve dramatically if we are to get anything from this game.
I’ve been waiting for Buendia to ignite since we signed him but it’s simply never happened. Yea he Huff’s, puff’s in patches but that’s about it.
The only explanation I can think of is perhaps the gezzer just ain’t good enough for this level?
The only surprise so far is that the ref hasn’t managed to arrange a penalty for United.
However, the reality is we don’t look like getting anything from this game.
Please get Buendia off.
I’m hoarse from shouting at the television.
Buendia absolute liability today but him staying on just highlights how short of options Emery has.
When you think of our squad size and injuries our results have been outstanding.
Playing with 10 men Hitch
United winning all the second ball and getting all the decisions.
Your spot on Hitch, bringing on the Chamber’s of this world ain’t going to change the course of game.
Your spot on RSS , Buendia hasn’t turned up . We are getting beat with quick sharp turns on the move. Man Utd are not that good but we don’t have the players that understand the game to outwit the opposition. Let’s get this season over because I’ve no confidence in some of ours .
Bill I think there’s some disharmony in the camp. Him and Ollie have been at it hammer and tongs during the last few weeks.
Not going to work for us today. Konsa getting in the way of a goal from the corner – not his fault.
Lot to ask to score in 21 consecutive games.
Results not really going our way this weekend
A game too far Hitch.
Running of steam, ideas and quality.
He’s performed miracles getting from where we were to where we are and with the small squad at his deposal.
Disappointing made worse by it being United and Fernandes – who I absolutely detest.
But have to remember this team is a work in progress and since Emery came in, and given our injuries, have performed brilliantly.
Wolves away is going to be tough but we have to try and get something from that game and finish as high as possible.
I still think Europe is an outside bet.
We had a few moments in their box but reality is we don’t have a big enough squad to match the depth in quality we need. Buendia has been really poor for a long time now but who replaces him? Duran is too raw and that’s the problem. Hopefully Cash, Coutinho and Kamara will be back for next week to give us more options.
I think we are looking at maybe 8th or 9th based on our remaining games which would be impressive considering where we were when Emery took over. Maybe Europe next season would be too much too soon.
Holte imo better a raw Duran than playing with 10 men
It also shows what a turnaround it’s been when we are disappointed to lose at Old Trafford because we all thought we could get something from there.
Yes, and United were hanging on by the end. Konsa unlucky to block Mings goal bound header.
Buendia is an advert for those few little guys – like Modric and Messi – who can adapt to the game. Knowing that they will not win a physical challenge they manage to avoid them. Buendia just gets knocked off the ball.
Another weakness is Mcginn’s shooting. It makes you where he was aiming when he drilled a shot into the corner of the net in a previous game. His strike isn’t a mishit, the ball goes where he intents it to go but he does not aim between the posts.
The Spuds are at it again 🤣🤣🤣
Really cheered me up RSS. Not going to finish ahead of Liverpool but 7th might be on if we can finish ahead of Spurs – that has to be our target.
Didn’t realise that Brighton have to play the top four in their remaining games!
Get something at Wolves then two massive home games – Spuds and Brighton.
Bring it on.