Well, of course I am with the result. How can you not be?
But I’m looking a bit deeper than that and I’m not in the slightest bit convinced by that game.
Hands up. My source went haywire just before the game, which meant I missed the first 20 minutes and the first two goals. I managed to sort it, only for it to go down again just before HT, which meant I missed the one just after the restart too. Colour me bloody livid, but that’s how it goes sometimes, isn’t it?
Anyway, I did manage to see most of it and I can’t say I thought much of it today.
I know what many of you are thinking.
“What the hell do you want Badger?”
And I know. Just call me Scrooge.
But I’m sorry, I’m here to say it how I see it.
And what I saw was a team where the words “they never laid a glove on us” has ever been more apt.
Sheffield were worse than woeful and I’m struggling to think of a worse capitulation in a game.
From what I saw, Villa were ticking over in second gear and just playing around Sheffield with ease. Apparently Wilder had assembled his eleven for the first time and wow, did it show.
In the second half, we dropped down into a tickover in first gear, which actually allowed Sheffield to make it look like they were making a game of it. That’s something else that annoyed me, along with some shocking defending in the 77th minute, where we were lucky to not concede.
They had another chance later, which I would have given, but it was called off via VAR. Even the line didn’t look parallel to the line marked out on the pitch, in my opinion, but in fairness, I’d have to see it again. The game couldn’t possibly be doing anything in our favour, could it?
I still don’t know who scored all the goals, but I think Ollie got one (good). I saw Bailey’s goal for our third and it was a lovely take and I saw Tielemans’ strike after he was unlucky just a minute earlier. I’m sure both players will have been encouraged by them.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a great win, which keeps us in the game.
But I can’t get away from thinking “what happened to that battling, tenacious side we faced at VP?” and I suspect the answer is that they know they’re finished.
It’s Man Utd on Sunday. A team who are 11 points below us, but with a very similar run of form of late and a team we really struggle to beat historically.
Do them, then I might believe we’re back.
But I’m afraid today has done very little to make me believe.
I’m sorry, but I’m not the sort to sugar coat anything.
I will always say what I see and it really wasn’t anything special.
In fact, I think we should have probably got another 3 or 4.
And if we wanted it, we would have. Easily.
It’s the difference between achievers and pretenders.
I’ve just seen the Luton penalty and I’m dumbfounded.
The offence (pulling back) starts outside the area, so that’s what should be given. A free kick outside the area, imo.
Yet the commentator’s hoppo keeps going on about how he was still being pulled back once he entered the area, so it’s a penalty?
And that’s what ensues.
I honestly think I’m going mad sometimes.
Have the rules changed, so we now wait to see where the offence finished instead of first happened?
Badger – I think you need to take a step back here.
Your pre-match post suggested concerns over whether we could win this – your post match post was critical because we did win but not convincingly enough – even though it was 5-0.
What exactly do you want?
The reality was we were just too good for a side that had recently drawn with West Ham, beaten Brentford and only lost by two goals to Liverpool and ManC.
I couldn’t watch the last 20 minutes as I had to go out but what I saw was a team slightly embarrassed by its dominance. It’s easy to say – go in for the kill – but at 5-0 I think the players felt it was enough and I can empathise with that.
The big plus is a restoration of confidence – let’s now see what the next two games bring.
UTV
I watched it all and we got some of our bite back. We were at 5-0 and coasting. The greedy part of me was saying ‘More, More!’, but in reality we’d improved our GD significantly and are 5 goals ahead of Spuds, and substituted a rook of players to save energy as we don’t have the biggest squad.
I actually felt dorry for Utd as Bramell Lane ended virtually empty.
Maybe you missed the best bits, but that was a good performance albeit against a side that’s accepted they’re going down.
Shame Chesty didn’t get that goal instead of skying it, Nerves??? And Tim Unpronounceable got minutes under his belt and did little wrong. Tiellmans also impressed ne today as did Bailey. Moreno’s goal was viciously taken!
Looking forward to watching MOTD shirtly but gotta feed the cats and dog, and grab a coffee first!
Onwards and upwards. Now let’s replicate this and do ManU. Boy, I am still angry about that game at Old Trafford…
In a way the Man Utd game is a bit of a 6 pointer in the race for Champions League. It was mentioned in yesterday’s commentary that it’s a 70 odd percent chance that 5th place will make it. So we need to ensure the gap between ourselves and 6th place remains as big as it is now. If Man United beat West Ham today and we lose against United, the gap will be 5 points. I’m not too worried about Brighton and Newcastle. I also think West Ham will stumble along the way.
Chelsea on Wednesday is a game now that I’m thinking it will be great to win it but I would prefer to beat Utd on Sunday. The greedy part of me wants to win both without any injuries.
Who would have thought just over a year ago when Gerrard was killing us that we would be in this position now!
Badger, I think you are missing the signals, if you expected Villa to run up 8. Our players were not angry at some bad tackles from the opposition, which might have served to motivate them, and they know if they rub in in more they might get a spiteful kick. Instead they see the gaffer making changes to give squad players some time, so they are not going to risk injury when Unai has already closed the door on the result.
Badger, I understand what you mean I’m the same parts of the game It showed remnants of games we lost before. I want us to show the league that we are not taking our foot off the gas, as for the shirt the offence took place before the box that was a foul outside for me, I know we have Chelsea midweek and understand his mind on that but goal average is important us being close to the other top 3 so get them goals and don’t treat it as a training game.
‘Four goals in 16 minutes and Villa became the first to score four in the first half hour of the Premier League away game since Chelsea at Bolton in October 2011’.
Nice stat!!!
Hmm. It’s hard to get across exactly what I mean.
The amount of goals is not what I’m looking at. It’s more about the way we set up and individual performances grouped together.
I stand by the fact that from what I saw Sheffield were scandalously bad, imo,
There is no way on earth Man U will give us anywhere near the time or space that the blades did, for a start.
I think it’s easy to gloss over things when you have such a strong win and don’t get me wrong, it was great, but they were unlucky not to score and that defending at one stage would have guaranteed a goal for a better side.
I think what I mean is I’m not reading anything into the win and will not use it to judge whether we’re back in the race or not.
I reiterate that I’m chuffed with the points and a win by five away is always good.
Fair enough Badger but I think you caulked make a similar argument after every game.
We absolutely battered the best side in the World but then had to grind out a result against Arsenal and what followed was our worst run under Emery including shipping a two goal lead – something we believed had been consigned to the dustbin of Villa’s recent history.
The reality is we’re only as good as each game we play. What we do have is a group of talented individuals who play as a team and on any given day can take any team apart but can also put their backs to the wall and fight (metaphorically that is 🙂 )
I’ll take that all day long.
* could make a similar argument
Badger, you can only beat what’s in front of you. We put them away after 30 minutes. If a boxer knocks another boxer out after 3 rounds, would you expect him to flog himself for another 9 rounds? Yes, we all wanted a 10-0 victory and if they went at Sheffield for 100 minutes, they would’ve got it. Dougie came off at half time. That made a difference to the rhythm, as it always does when he’s not in the team. If Unai had kept Dougie on and demanded 5 more goals, and then we lose on Wednesday, you would possibly complain that energy was needlessly expended at Brammall Lane, despite the game being over. I was not happy on Tuesday night because I saw 11 players sleepwalking through the first half. That was clearly rectified last night. We pummeled them for half an hour and it could easily have been 5 or 6 at the break. Unai’s reactions to the goals were what pleased me most. A lot of frustration coming out there, which means he wasn’t happy and worked to put it right because he cares. There’s nothing to complain about in reality, but I do understand the annoyance when we coast. Last night they could afford to do that and with Chelsea and United coming to town next week, can you really question that?
UTV
The league record since Brentford away is DLWDLW. Very inconsistent. To prove they’re through it and have reset, we need to string an unbeaten run together. The games coming up look OK, but there are no easy games. The key is intensity and intent in the first half to put teams away. They’re capable of that and if they do it and coast in every second half from now till May, I have no problem with that at all. That energy can be used for an assault on the Cup and Europe.
UTV
You make a good point BFR. Up until yesterday, we have had too many slow starts. We need to get the first goal so we can control the game. We have only dropped 3 points after taking the lead so this proves the importance of a good start.
How dare Arsenal and Liverpool not draw at the Emirates? A point a piece would have seen the Villa potentially back in the mix. Anyway, revenge mission against United next week…
Just wondering if Wolves have done a favour today? After losing at home by a couple of goals, Chelsea’s confidence won’t be sky high for the mid-week match.
Now 60% through the season and still in fourth, two points clear of fifth and eight clear of sixth. Not too bad. It’s been a bit of an up and down season (and not just for us) so I expect a few slip ups but now more confident than ever that the European competition we’ll be in next year will be the Champions League.
Who’d have thought it that when we beat Derby in the play offs just under four years ago? Great stuff.
Chelsea spanked by Wolves at Shitty Bridge today. Pool made 2 terrible mistakes to lose at Highbury2 earlier too…Shame Wet spam were so duff…
Manure are bang in form and the goals are flowing for them. Massive test next week. Big big game…
Looks like ManUre’s Martinez is out for our game. Chuffed about this as they guy is an absolute animal. Total thug.
Sorry Badger, just can’t agree with your analysis.
Take Dougie’s pass to Watkins. That pass would have split any defence in the Premier apart. Then the finish by Watkins was excellent- Haarland would have been proud of that.
Bailey’s finish was superb. If he gets into his left foot and cutting in he scores against anyone.
Tilesman goal was sublime. Did you see Jamie Rednapp going bonkers about teams no longer defending the edge of the box?
The opposition fans were leaving on 29 minutes. We were ruthless. Thereafter, it was save energy, don’t get injured and spread the work load.
It was a confidence building result. Players will be refreshed and ready for Chelsea and Man Utd.
UTV
Sad news of the passing of fellow Villan Ian Lavender.
RIP Ian.
https://www..co.uk/obituaries/2024/02/05/ian-lavender-actor-private-pike-eastenders-died-obituary/
Sad indeed. I spent a few hours with him in our youth – he would have been about 17 – when he was still at Bourneville Tech and playing cricket for Barnt Green. I remember him telling me his ambition was to become an actor.
RIP Ian, now a Holte Ender in the Sky – you tell ‘em Pike!
FFP question:
Leon Bailey signed for £32m on 4 year deal. Amortisation means £8m per year.
Thus:
Year.
21/22: £8m
22/23: £8m. Total: £16
23/24: £8m. Total: £24m
24/25: £8m. Total £32m
The maximum amortisation is 5 years. Because Bailey is about to sign a new contract that extends beyond the initial 4 years, can 24/25 instead of being £8m be split over 24/25 & 25/26. In essence by maxing out the 5 years, can Villa for amortisation claim £4m repayment each year, thus saving £4m under FFP?
Jeez, things are getting tight. Next they’ll be swapping Yorkshire Tea for Typhoo at Bodymoor Heath…
Massive expansion going on at BH. New pitches, extended facilities etc…
The tea bags are safe for now!
Good question Sid – I’m guessing but I think amortisation only relates to the initial contract period. So if a player signs a four year contract and after 2 years signs a new deal for 5 years, my guess is that the original transfer cost can still be amortised over the period of the original contract – but not extended – notwithstanding that a new contract is in place.
But I’m happy to be proven wrong.
Hope that makes sense.
A question. IF the club had to cash in on Dougie or Ramsey, who would you choose? IF. PLEASE, IF…
If we HAD to sell one to avoid FFP, it would have to be Ramsey as long as we got £50m. That’s pure profit whereas Luiz although we would get more isn’t. Also Luiz is more valuable to us in the way we play.
I’d agree but it’s 80 minimum for me. The reason is simply because where the team right now has been achieved without Ramsey. And it couldn’t have been achieved without Douglas. I really thought this was going to be JJ’s year and he’d make the Euros. He can still influence our season but time is of the essence…
Anyway, I’d love to see them both in top form for the Villa next season!
3 points separate the top 3. Those regretful ‘what ifs’ are starting to emerge already. If Moreno’s goal at Goodison hadn’t been stolen and if we’d held on to a 2 goal lead at Old Trafford, we’d be top of the league. Top. In February. Can they go on another run and give the big-time Charlies something to think about? ‘3 thoroughbreds’ the commentator on Sunday called them. B****x.
Not now it looks likely Konsa is out
Losing Konsa for an extended period will be a big blow. Hopefully Torres will be back soon which would help but we’re getting down to bare bones.
That would be two extensive injuries following collisions with a post – Digne being the other.
On balance, I think we’ve been extremely unlucky with injuries
Never fear! Callum Chambers is here! 🤦