Lets not try and disguise things and be polite. Southampton are absolutely awful and you can see exactly why they’re going down. A big part of me half expected the Saints to have a bit of a bounce after being relegated, sacking the manager and having no pressure. Which, when you add them all up, makes for a perfect “Villa mess it up again” scenario.
Fortunately and it’s proving difficult for me to get my head around, we’re better than that nowadays. The “it’s just the Villa way” doesn’t quite seem to apply anymore.
We’re up to fifth, which will almost certainly provide a Champions League place, although there’s a couple of teams who have games in hand. How much could we do with Man U beating Newcastle tomorrow?
As for the game itself, I struggled to get into it and found it easier to do some more research about a Solar panel install for the bungalow in Spain. I did keep a good eye on it though and found it pretty tedious for the most part, to be honest. We had tons of possession, but did very little with it. Morgan Rogers apart, practically every player was noticeable by their absence in my opinion. If I had to highlight another player, I’d say it was Tielemens, who rarely fails to impress me.
But after a poor penalty miss from Asensio, Villa got the breakthrough goal after a great ball from Youri, leading to a great first time effort from Watkins. Southampton threw in the towel even more (if that’s possible) and our total domination finally shone through.
Malen got the second with another well worked goal, with a pass from Rogers (I think) and we finally went on to get a third after Asensio fluffed his lines again on a second penalty, but McGinn managed to get to the rebound first. Asensio won’t be talking pens for a while, I hope as they were both frankly poor, I thought and I was wondering why Watkins wasn’t taking them. Or is that just an admission that Ollie doesn’t do straightforward shots and trickier chances are better for him?
So while it was a bit of a letdown for the most part, the result was great in the end and it keeps us on course for a possible CL qualification. That +3 will massively help with our goal difference too, which might prove very important at the end of the season.
We have a massive game against Newcastle at home up next in the Prem and that could prove somewhat decisive, followed by Man City away, just 3 days later. Let’s hope it doesn’t prove to be a disappointing week and a half.
From what I’ve just seen, the sports channels think we’re at a very important stage. Our next 4 games will be televised on either Sky or TNT.
The happy days continue.
UTV!
Agree about Rashford. His game is based purely on speed but his first touch is shocking. We need better for next season. Over to Monchi.
Yep. Loses the ball more than he holds it. Inferior to Ollie in that sense.
Although Rashford and Martinez are getting criticised for their goal. Cash allows their player a free run after switching off. Also does Torres communicate with Martinez like Mings would. And it’s 2-0 and it could be embarrassing.
2. The end of our trip. Been brilliant. This is a shame though.
Rashford off and bring Watkins on.
Saw that coming too.
I’m sorry, but this was a poor set up from the off, imo.
Apart from McGinn, we’ve shown a total lack of pace and energy.
Definitely a step too far, because PSG look way better than us.
We go again next season, with hopefully an improved side.
And we’ve sure learnt a lot!
The difference is that they have been ruthless in front of goal. Sadly we have been poor.
Not impressed with Rashford – I agree he’s not worth £40m plus his wages.
I’m sorry to say that I’ve turned the TV off – I don’t see any enjoyment in watching my team being completely outplayed and ‘murdered’ At home.
Going to end up being a very embarrassing evening.
What I’m really concerned about is the physiological effect on the players with Newcastle and the semi-final of the FA Cup on the horizon – our whole season could collapse in a period of days!
Get in! 2-1!
I hope that shuts some of you up. We are playing far better than the first half of the first leg. Their finishing is amazing and that’s the difference.
Gerry, it’s more than their finishing, imo.
The pace of their game is way faster than ours. They’re more agressive in midfield and are in your face all the time. We just can’t match that and it’s a big weakness, one that might see things unravel against Newcastle too.
I hope you’re right, but my money is on them increasing their lead.
Two words…
Fucking gutted.
A great game of football. Sure their better but they’re in a game and we are making chances. Rashford is poor tonight so maybe Ollie and Marco. Not over yet
We’ll never seen the first half Wi-Fi came back 40 seconds to half time . Did I miss much , did I bloody hell .
Does Emery make changes at half time? Maatsen for Digne. Ramsey for McGinn who is on a yellow card. Watkins for Rashford and dare I say it, Bailey for Rogers
Trying to remember a 3 goal second half turnaround. Only one comes to mind and that was against Sheffield United who pummelled us at 3-0 until the last 10 minutes we somehow scored 3!
McGinn, Stonker!
2-2!
3-5!!!
Can we???
Oh MY GOd!
No matter what happens we have to enjoy this
Bloody football. Just one behind now…
Totally different game now, where anything is possible.
I’m just asking myself why we weren’t matching them in the first half and now we are????
Great stops from cash and Martinez
They panicked. All their swagger went, the keeper made 2 great saves.
I hope Hitchens turned it back on.
Yeah I did OLL – about 1min after I turned it off.
Konsa should have buried that.
Who would have thought that PSG would be hanging on