Despite Nath’s super optimistic forecast, the stark fact is that we’ve only won one of our last 43 Premier League games against United. That came 11 years ago at Old Trafford courtesy of a goal from Agbonlahor.
But more of that later.
The positives
We completed an unbeaten December with the draw at Chelsea which also saw us move up to 5th place in the table; who would have predicted that having performed a Houdini act in Project Restart to retain our place in the EPL?
Villa still top the table in average shots per game, and the defence registered four clean sheets in December, making eight in total – again the best in the League. Dean Smith claims he has found the balance for the team and tactics and its very hard to argue against it.
Villa’s squad players have stepped up to the mark to cover for injuries and suspensions and have perhaps surprised us all. Ever since El Ghazi knocked in the late penalty against Wolves, it has lit a fire under them all. This can only bode well as when (rather than if) we suffer more injuries and suspensions players will come into the team wanting to succeed and be part of the team out on the pitch. In fact, apart from the cup game against Stoke, the level of performance from the bench has been first class.
Whilst January is a difficult transfer window, if we could pick up a couple of players to further improve the squad that would give Smith more options and opportunities to rest players when necessary.
We start 2021 in the best position we have seen for years with real competition for places – absolutely vital for any top team – an excellent management team and two owners who seem to know what they are doing and have the financial clout to deliver.
It’s good to be a Villa fan again
I feel that tonight’s game against United is the real test of how far we’ve come.
Villa have shown that they can win games playing fast flowing football which is a joy to watch but they can also scrap it out when necessary. Smith has been tactically very good this season (apart from the Leeds game that is, when maybe the Liverpool result went to our heads?) – how much of this is down to Craig Shakespeare’s influence is hard to tell.
Make no mistake, United are a good team with any number of players that can hurt Villa and we’ll need to be right on our game if we’re going to take anything away from Old Trafford. Their stats show that they like possession and to play through teams and 31 goals from 26.22 xG demonstrates their efficiency going forward – although they don’t score many goals at home – reinforcing their standing as one of the most dangerous counter attacking sides in the division. Whilst, defensively they are likely to concede a goal, they are not as weak at the back as some would like to make out.
Much like JG, Bruno Fernandes is the player that makes them tick. He has ten goals and seven assists this season and is at the heart of transitioning the play between defence and attack.
For United, Cavani is suspended and Lindelof may be absent again with a back injury. United played their last game 24 hours after Villa, so we do have the benefit of extra recuperation time. It remains to be seen whether Solskjaer rotates his squad.
Villa have Mings available after his suspension and Barkley should be available after his hamstring – should it be another no show then some questions might be asked given his injury history. If Barkley is fit then I assume he would also come into the team but who makes way – El Gahzi or Traore – or does Smith start Barkley on the bench and keep faith with those who’ve started the last few games?
Will Mings comes straight back into the team? To drop Hause would be very harsh on the big defender who has shown an all round improvement in his game, but how badly would the team miss Mings organisational skills? Is it madness to question Ming’s inclusion in the team or does it demonstrate the current strength in the squad right now?
United are on a nine game unbeaten run whilst Villa have gone five unbeaten. Smith has to get it tactically spot on tonight and the players have to be on their game from the off if we to get anything from the game.
United are undoubtedly Villa’s nemesis and tonight might be as much about psychology as ability. The law of averages would suggest we are due a bit of luck and a win but probability would have it otherwise.
2020 has been a terrible year for so many people but we can look forward to 2021 with renewed hope, the end of lockdowns and the return of fans to Villa Park.
Happy New Year
I’d like to think we can win this one but the stats suggest otherwise so I’m going for a my normal fence sitting approach and predict a low scoring draw.
Happy New Year to you Hitch and of cause to all . Nice post and yes problems for Smith today, personally I’d stay with the team of late. Not going to forecast as it might put the mocker on our team. Utv.
I see Tommy Docherty died, RIP Doc great service to the name of football.
Tommy lived to 92, that is a rarity for football managers. Always remembered at Stamford Bridge for assembling their legendary team with Osgood Bonetti and Chopper, and for changing the colours to all blue.
Perhaps a myth: Tommy was Deadly Doug’s first manager and responded to an Ellis statement of “I’m right behind you Tommy.” with “I would rather have you right in front of me Mr Ellis, where I can see what you’re up to.”
He should get the minute’s applause at Old Trafford tonight, but because he was fired for an affair with their physio’s wife he may not.
He was a red bloodied man then, they obviously didnt know he was asking her on how to treat a strain muscle and got caught. Have to admit I never heard that but don’t doubt it. Nice guy though OLL.
Nemesis? That’s an understatement! I hope we tear them a new one.
3-2 Villa. If we and Wet Spam both win today, we go third with a game in hand!!
almost kick off now and butterflies are here lol,,,, hitch i am confident not super just confident that we can back up anything we say on the field, we are gonna be a match for them. yes anything can happen but if both teams play their best i think we will win. man utd are box standard and only the addition of bruno fernandas has added a player with vision who can pick out their front three.
i would stick mcgin on him or luiz cause without him they are really box standard. if it happens and we lose to this lot, i am in for loads of abuse but i can take it. plus we wont lose to them and if we do i will forgive villa. they have been brilliant this season and i wouldn’t slate them for a bad performance or two, how many games we played now and only poor one i can remember was the leeds one
utd fans that i spoke with today they all give us no chance they are talking 2 3 4 nil typical utd fan clueless out of touch with the game. i just hope we turn up and show our game. they will shock these fans cause we are not bad at all at our best
sticking too 2 4 prediction watkins first goal
Mings comes in for Hause, Barkley still missing
i have been on a spying mission. utd fans think they are playing a diamond tonight. they made a few changes. very strong team probably their best. the fans on that site are less confident than my mates. they say villa will be tough game and best to play our best team.
villa making one change mings returns for hause. which is tough on hause but mings was hard done by that cheating saha. mings is a good talker good commander at the back so right to bring him straight back in
Not making excuse for Barkley times up on him, seen it that many times players using Villa. They know their abilities and get help from the club they come from to get back in health. Send him back I say and be done with it. I see Spam just scored we need to get a result tonight, watch out for the last 15 minutes when they up the tempo.
Hammers win. Up to us now!!!
Sod it. Tenner to Sky it is… 🤢
you wont regret it 🙂 this game will be a entertaining one. has a cup final smell about it
so what do we reckon man utd have strengthened the spine of their team playing a diamond or if its not a diamond they have not got any wingers but a central mid and striker playing wide. they packed midfield to nullify grealish.
i personally think we are just as strong down the sides, traore and el ghazi will be in loads of space with just a full back to beat. grealish always drifts wide too plus mcginn
I haven’t had these sort of nerves or this sort of competitive interest in one of our matches for a long long time.
this was a comment by a utd fan another said he has a bad feeling tonight claret and blue will win
Didn’t this lot bang 7 against Liverpool? :nervous:
Villa , in 14 games have scored 28 and let in 14.
Good ratio and a great defensive record.
We have let in 23 in 15 games.
I don’t know if you are being ironic there Nath! 😁
them posts where stolen from utd posters lol not me honestly
i have one last thoughts myself. i am only concerned with utd corners and freekicks from open play i think we will be safe
Pogba and Fernandez or Jack and McGinn?
I’d take the latter every day of the week.
Good game.
Bloody hell. We look good!!!!!
Is it just me or do the commentators sounds more excited when ManUre are on the attack?
biased
Shit.
I don’t blame Minng on that one, bad luck I’d say, Now Troare and El Garzi are not in the game and we have to use them, wow they saying Minng missed the ball? If he did prat comes to mind.
I thought El Ghazi and Jack were li King up well…