Well, this should be easy, right?
Southampton are bottom of the league, after all, aren’t they?
Except we all know things are never that simple with the Villa.
The saints seem strangely inconsistent. Since Christmas they’ve beaten Palace and Everton away and Man city at home, but lost to Brighton and Forest at home and Fulham away.
So it’s hard to call how this game’s going to go.
Squad news and Emery has updated us that Ollie Watkins has trained well and will be available. Ludwig Augustinsson will also be available, as will Matt Cash, but reading between the lines, I suspect neither will feature. I don’t think the manager thinks much of Cash at all, but no doubt we’ll see. Jan Bednarek won’t be available because of his loan from Southampton and new signing Jhon Duran doesn’t have his visa yet, so is ineligible.
John McGinn isn’t quite ready yet, but should be okay for the Leicester game. I have a sneaky feeling that the Scot’s injury has been a little convenient, as it’s given the manager a chance to have a look at the side without actually having to drop him. He’s another who I suspect Emery might be willing to let go in the summer, if the right sort of offer comes in. I like McGinn, but he’s been poor for too long and it seems odd now that there was talk of him being worth £50 million not that long ago.
Danny Ings has gone and I think that’s a decent deal for the club, with talk of upto £15 million. When was the last time we got a decent fee for someone of his age? It makes a nice change and I actually think he’ll do quite well at West Ham, where I think Moyes will play more to suit him. If he doesn’t get the sack, of course.
Southampton then and they have no new issues.
Theo Walcott could be available after being out with a calf injury for six weeks and new signing Charly Alcaraz is looking for his first start.
The player to watch is James Ward-Prowse. He’s on form, having scored 4 in his last four prem games and is close to beating David Beckham’s record for direct free kicks.
While the Villa have loads of potential to let us down yet again, I feel we should have enough to beat them and I see goals. Emery has some astounding record for not drawing games and I think both teams are capable of scoring.
I’m going for a 2-1 win (he says, with fingers crossed).
UTV
WATKINS!!!
Yes, Watkins!
1-0
Bloody hell…Another VAR check…GIVEN! one up! 🙂
Another 3 point! 3rd away win on the trot!
WHOOOOO!!!!!!
That was a mostly poor game, but a great win.
You can’t argue with results and we got yet another one.
More and more, it just reinforces how poor Gerrard was.
Get in! Big result against a team high in confidence. We would typically lose these games in the past but Emery is getting us going. Now only 5 points from 5th as it stands now. We must be looking like an attractive proposition for potential incomings. Come on boys big push 2nd half of the season.
We kept going and we got the important decisions.
Some sympathy with Southampton – we’ve been there when the ‘world’ seems to be against you.
Is Emery a lucky manager – hope so – will take that all day long.
UTV
Don’t think we did get all the decisions, Ramsey had a stonewall penalty turned down.
Swings and roundabouts.
Accept that RSS – but I was looking at it from Southampton’s point of view – you know I’m just a softy at heart 🙂
On the foul on Ramsey – I did ask if someone could actually tell me what constitutes a penalty? I agree with you – stonewall.
The second goal they had disallowed was, I’ll give you harsh but how many times have things like that gone against us?
About time we got the rub of the green and long may it continue Hitch 😉
Spot on RSS
I don’t agree. Watch it again and don’t look at the push. Look at the Southampton players foot come down on Ramsey’s Achilles. That’s the foul.
Agree DS just seen it on MOTD.
Not only does he push him prior to that he also runs his studs down his achilles (dirty B******d)
Overall I thought we were the much better team. Our passing was generally precise except for the final pass. I did think that we were lucky with their disallowed goal but happy to have a VAR decision go our way.
Kamara was excellent again although Bailey wasteful which is becoming too often.
One thing is certain is that we need more forward players. Our substitutes offered no alternatives if we lost Watkins to injury.
Delighted for the win against a team who had their tails up after a couple of wins. Onward and upward!
Essential that we bring in another ‘1st team’ striker before the window closes.
Can’t argue against Emery’s ‘luck’ so far, though!
Ings not featuring for West ham today?
Injured perhaps?
Sadly Bailey only has one foot – the right one is just for standing on
We were a bit lucky – good character from ref though. He got plenty of stick from the locals for giving decision after decision in Villa’s favour, but it was the Saints players who were committing all the fouls so he was correct.
JJ is off the pace still and in the absence of Mcginn we had nobody bursting though into their box. Bailey back to miss-the-target mode, never two games in a row when he shoots straight.
You think McGinn has enough quality to feature in Unai’s long term plans?
No. McGinn is one of those players about whom you hope to say – he wouldn’t get in our 1st team squad. Because by rebuilding you have 16 better players. Villa are not there yet, so there wasn’t anyone doing what McGinn does – only better.
Fair comment but I don’t really see him being at VP come next summer.
For all his effort and endeavour (admirable qualities) I don’t feel he has enough quality to take the team to the next level.
I prefer lucky to unlucky. We have had more than enough bad luck to last a lifetime.
I thought Ramsey did okay and grew into the game. Having McGinn back adds strength in depth which we need in all areas.
Regarding Ings, I heard them say on Sky that he came on as a substitute.
If they marched his wages he was on at VP until 2025 it’s a very good deal indeed for Mr Ings (and those dodgy knees).
*Matched*
Well done Villa. That’s now 16/21 points Emery has secured. A great return.
Next match 4th February. This will give Emery time to buy a new player or two and have them practice with the team. Further, it will give injured players another fortnight on their recovery.
Then it’s Leicester, followed by Man City and Arsenal. I can’t wait. Anything is possible with. Our elite manager.
Arsenal – now that’s gonna be a tasty affair.
Unai’s going to have them right up for that.
(-:
It’s been so long since we had a Manager that has taught us how to win. Cracking stuff.
Good to see Albrighton notch yesterday. Lot of respect for him.
Apart from when they play us next!!
Grand ain’t it?
Can’t believe some are moaning about the nature of the victories, a lack of panache, the phrase I’ve heard is “substance over style.”
I’ll take the wins for now, the style can come later.
I don’t get this, we’re playing decent football?
Problem is that ‘winning’ usually means having to play the sort of football that many people think of as ‘boring’; keeping posession, wasting time, etc.
Must admit I still feel that way myself, quite often – especially when Martinez is pratting about and getting booked…
But if it’s a choice between being admired for ‘style’ (and barely surviving each season) or actually cracking the glass ceiling in the PL and getting to play in Europe again, I’ll settle for the boring, grinding sort of football that we see from ManCs, Arse, etc.
(And as Alfie says, some of our play is actually brilliant to watch, especially when we find someone willing to power forward!)
I’m happy – we’re winning and where necessary – winning ugly which is something, as fans, we were bemoaning our inability to do under Gerrard recognising it’s something the really good sides do consistently.
We’re also generally playing more consistently and our play out from the back is improving.
I initially thought Southampton were unlucky with the second VAR review – looked a soft push – (first Adams was clearly offside) – but having watched it on MOTD it’s clear that the Southampton player stood on Ramsey’s heel preventing him from heading the ball away so the ref. was correct in disallowing the goal.
Anyway I’m a very happy Villan – keep it up Unai.
Was it just me who thinks MOTD made Southampton look the much better team and our win was a snatch and grab!
It’s never about us Holte.
No, not just you.
I didn’t see the game, was listening to commentary on WM, but watching MOTD it seemed to have been edited by a S’hampton fan.
Certainly didn’t look like the game I’d been listening to – especially 1st half where I remember seeing our posession stats at one time (on the BBC live text page) showing over 75% in our favour.
The WM commentary team also basically described Southampton as ‘dirty’, with a lot of blatant fouls going unpunished. Didn’t see much of that on MOTD either.
19 fouls to our 9 and those are just the ones the ref blew for!
Guys. We’re football fans. We’ll never be truly happy 😊.
Just had a peek at VillaTalk to gauge their views on yesterday. It’s like the third reich on there! They certainly know how to spoil the fun with all the nonsense speculation that goes on. It’s not like we’re breaching a bloody court order!!!!
Any credible and realistic players on anyone’s wish list?
Without upsetting any of our lovely current squad, any positional priorities for you lot?
I’ll kick off with a new goalie. Martinez is rubbish! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. (My favourite player by far for quite some time).
Also, a lot of fans of other clubs admiring Emery’s work so far…
Unlike most of the managers we’ve had in recent years, Emery seems to know exactly what he wants from the players, and they seem to be learning how he wants them to play.
And I’m getting the impression that he is absolutely ruthless: there’ll be a lot more changes by the time the 2022/23 season starts.
From toothless to ruthless…
I think a right sided winger is a priority for me and a striker.
Emery is fronting a big game of chess. He’s been very good at it for a very long time. He’ll know exactly what/who he wants and when he wants it.
Ings hasn’t been let go with no plan B, his goals were too important and he scored more than Ollie. It’s only right he assesses the current squad before making a move.
Fascinating times. I think he’ll pull a couple of players in we’ll all be initially underwhelmed by…until they start doing the business.
Anyone fancy a cheeky £1 bet that those arriving 🛬 will be totally unconnected with us prior to signing?
Good comment BB and let’s also take into account since Unai took up the reins we are forth in the form league, only goal difference separating us.
BB I didn’t agree with you on Martinez’s golden glove antics (wrong time, wrong place imo) but the guy is one brilliant keeper!
Yes as nutty as a fruit cake but that’s part of his charm.
This is quite an interesting read albeit short on real detail
https://www.myoldmansaid.com/is-there-something-i-should-know-about-jhon-duran/
What I find most interesting is the reference to Villa having been tracking Duran for six months so not quite a ‘rabbit from the hat’ signing and not an Emery signing either.
I’m assuming that Emery would have been aware of Villa’s interest in Duran and had the last word but it also perhaps explains his cautious words – and I don’t believe Ings was let go on the basis of the Duran signing.
I think Emery’s after three signings – if possible – in this window. A striker (Dembele), midfielder (Guendouzi) and a winger (Delafou)?
Going to be an interesting couple of weeks.
Delafou is an outstanding talent, a really gifted player. Would love to see him in the claret and blue.
I thought he’d be on top dollar but having just checked that out apparently not – £22k per week at Udinese.
Considering Ings was on £120k, that’s a lot of player for that sort of money.
Sanson to Strasbourg on a (half) season long loan but no option to buy. Paying a ‘hefty’ % of his wages – apparently on £45k per week.
No mention of a loan fee.
That’s good news Hitch, we will be saving on his Breakfast, Lunch, and tea then 😅
🙂
Bednarek recalled by Southampton.
Not surprised and expected Emery to send him back anyway.