I’ve been pretty quiet of late, mainly because I’m not a big fan of all the transfer speculation and much prefer to just see how things pan out.
And I have to agree with what seems to be the consensus amongst us that we’ve done some excellent business in the window. We’ve re-signed Hause, El Ghazi and particularly Mings, which is all good, even if I do think we over-paid for the latter.
I think sometimes fan campaigns like @announce Mings can work against you, but hey, I’m certainly not complaining that we’ve got him. I’m pretty sure he’ll prove pivotal to how we do this season.
Heaton strikes me as an outstanding signing and he’ll earn us some points this season.
Smith has signed a few that he knows well, so apart from them settling into the club, he’ll know what he’s going to get, hence in a certain sense, they’re not really that new.
The likes of Moraes, Luiz, Trezeguet and Wesley are unknown to us, but they’ve apparently been tracked since the Winter, which shows the planning that has gone into things.
While we’ve spent really big money, it seems we haven’t been totally taken to the cleaners in over-paying either.
We apparently put a £12 million bid in for Adam Webster the day after the play-off final, but it was knocked back. Brighton paid the full asking price of £25 million.
So all in all, we’ve been pretty canny and spent quite well.
Yes, we’ve brought a lot of players in, but quite simply, we needed too.
We had too many players that were either too old, on loan or just massively over-paid for what they produced.
The only blot for me was us not signing a striker, after a “marquee” one was rumoured to be in the offing. That’s rumours and speculation for you, I suppose.
That said, while I’m concerned that Kodjia and Davis won’t get us twenty goals between them, we do have plenty of players who will chip in with a few.
Hopefully Dean Smith has total confidence in his overall attacking play, else surely we’d have gone all out to sign someone?
I suspect we’ve probably kept some of our powder dry and will sign a top notch striker in the winter window, should it prove necessary.
Given the high prices you have to pay then, I hope our strategy doen’t bite us on the proverbial.
Onto the important stuff then and after a highly encouraging pre-season, we have a really tough test in Spurs away.
Whatever happens, this is a good one to get out of the way, as we all know Spurs are going to be up there at the end of the season.
It’s a bit of a no lose game for me, because if we get a result, it gets us off to a great start.
And if we lose, it’s basically only to be expected.
Squad news is that Tottenham’s new signings Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele are available, but Ryan Sessegnon is out with a hamstring issue.
Spurs are also without Dele Alli, Serge Aurier, Ben Davies, Juan Foyth and Son Heung-min, but Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are back in full training.
Our only player out is James Chester, so we’re pretty good.
The big question then is who gets to start for us?
Heaton, Targett, Mings, Guilbert, El Ghazi, Grealish, McGinn, Jota and Wesley are pretty much nailed on, in my opinion and that only leaves two other places.
Will it be Konza or Engels in the other CB position?
Then will it be Luiz or Nakamba in the midfield?
I don’t have a clue, but it shows we hopefully have really good competition for places, when you look at some of the players I haven’t even mentioned. The likes of Hourihane, who was often lightweight in the Championship will be better suited to the premier league, I feel, for example.
Given that I don’t know how we’re going to set up and anything can happen in a first game of the season, I’m pretty confident.
I wouldn’t normally expect much at Spurs, with where we are at this point, but I’m going to be cheeky and say we’ll nick it, as they have an off day.
Either that or we get totally caught out and get tonked.
I don’t think that’ll happen though, as teams generally will be wary of us.
Spurs 1-2 Villa
I hope we don’t get whupped.
I’ll never hear the last of it from my Spuds workmate.
I wouldn’t worry too much. I don’t know anything about Ndombele but Lo Celso, while being a decent player, was not the best mid-fielder for Real Betis last season. I honestly thought than Canales and Carvalho were the stand outs in mid-field. Even so they finshed up 10th the same spot as West Ham last season. I would think that Real Betis are totally made up at selling Lo Celso for such a high price.
Eriksen will be pissed at still being there so I suspect that Spurs may not be at their best.
Honestly think we might just nick a win. I’m going for 0-5.
Pat, I’m really trying to match your confidence.
Pool 4-1 Norwich says it all though, as much as we know Norwich can’t defend.
This is the gulf I was on about previously.
It all depends on how we start. Norwich looked edgy and nervous from the very first kick and the own goal was testimony to that. So long as we don’t give anything away early on then I think that we have a chance.
In fact I think that Spurs defence is somewhat suspect, at the end of last season they lost two and drew one at home. The haven’t strengthened the squad much, at least not defensively. Sessegnon is okay going forward but not defensively. Tierney is a much better buy in my opinion.
Eriksen is the heart of the team and I honestly think he wants out. Once again it hasn’t happened and I don’t expect him to be at his best.
So I honestly think that they could be there for the taking if we play to our best.
Anyway let’s be optimistic, we’re back in the Prem and anything can happen!
Good piece Badger. I thought I read that Wanyama, like Son, is suspended for this game? Maybe not.
Feeling very nervous and edgy and just want to get the season underway so that we can get a real feel for how well this squad is going to perform in the Prem. Nice to win all the friendlies but that really doesn’t mean anything other than it’s good for the players and fans alike.
I hate predicting but have gone for a draw – just hope we give a good account of ourselves.
Sadly won’t be able to watch the game as travelling back from London – perhaps I should have tried to get tickets but don’t think the missus would have been very pleased 🙂
the day has finally arrived 🙂 three seasons without seeing the top clubs grace villa park as ended. watching norwich pool, last night clearly showed us the premiership has moved on since then. villa has also moved on, pool were never even in top gear yet they were too hot for norwich, who where the best team in championship last season by a comfortable way.
i expect villa to start the season patchy as the team and squad gels.how ever we start we will improve once the players are used to each other and the tactics. i hope we collect a fair few points from the opening 10 as this is a very important period. its sets you up for the season. we don’t want to be feeling the pressure of the fight this early. the longer feel good factor ;asts the better the season so hope we beat spuds today.
it will be a tough day at spuds. like norwich had last night. but we won our place to face such teams and shouldnt be afraid. i detest spuds always have,so hope we can bring them down from their own accolades. they think they are such much bigger than they really are
spuds 2 – a bigger club villa 2. theirs always a chance you catch the fancied teams cold playing this early. well that theory didn’t play out last night. who knows today maybe different
i remembered the spuds game,i think it was the season we got relegated in 86 year after mexico. i was so excited to face spuds at villa park and we got thrashed 3 nil. that set the tone for the season. i might have got a few facts wrong i slept since. but i remembered all the hope for that season lost in that first game 🙁 probably why i detest them. that won’t happen again 🙂 dont know why i mentioned it. there i go with my negative waves already.
It’s an interesting first game. I would rather this fixture than Liverpool away, as they go at you from the start and don’t drop off until the game is won. Norwich were beaten after 20 mins. I think Spurs will give us a chance to get into the game and gain confidence, as long as we stay solid for the opening phase. Anyway, we’ll get an early look at the standard we need to be at. I would have been a lot more fearful going into this game with last seasons squad.
Small point of order Badger…Wesley and Moraes are the same player!
Hah, of course they are!
I obviously confused him with one of the other names I can’t remember 🙂
Tottenham v Aston Villa
First Goalscorer
John McGinn
Correct Score
1-2
Combined odds:
197.02/1
Stake:
£1.00
Potential Returns:
£198.02
COYL
It is going to be wet and windy here in London this evening according to the forecast. Nobody knows how New WHL will play in the wind, but Villa play more on the deck now so that may help. Nice two-page spread in the Times today: Henry Winter’s interview with Christian Purslow. CP wants us to be fearless. You know we just might be, and if we are we could upset them – again!
Really looking forward to the game now it is match day. I’m not nervous because this is a game where the pundits have put spurs down to win comfortably. So anything different is a surprise which means all the pressure is on them. I would take a draw now if offered it but whatever happens it’s a long season and our home form will be vital.
On another note, West Ham’s home shirt is shockingly bad.
Actually it’s not just West Ham’s shirt that is shocking. Personally I hope they go down because I can’t stand them, despite Snoddy playing for them.
Home and ready, been recruiting Villa fans showing them a descent site to follow, this bloody weather a bit different from 90 to 21, sorry but watching West Ham this VCR going to cause trouble football being dissected and the fun going from the game. Bring back the high ankle boots and metals toe cap with studs nails sticking out, that will put the fun in the game. Load of fairies in today’s world.
Personally I can’t understand the moans today about VAR. Sterling was offside, whether it’s a millimetre or a metre it’s still offside. The second one was also correct, Fabianski came off his line. I’ve see goalies do some ridiculous things to give them an advantage at penalties and get away with it. VAR in this instance will make sure that the advantage is with the attacker where it should be.
Bill I can remember the ‘good old days’ when backs like Stan Lynn had carte blanche when it came to kicking wingers up in the air and I remember Pele getting a non-stop kicking during the 1970 World Cup. That wasn’t football. IMHO it was more like assault and battery. Football’s much better these days.
Not sure about the line up. Expected Guilbert and Targett at full back. I suppose Marvelous and Luiz are both not ready yet. I would prefer a better defensive shield but looks good offensively
Interesting that Dean has opted to start with the core of the team that won promotion – probably very sensible.
The one surprise for me is that Jota isn’t starting and Trezeguet is preferred.
Is Soares actually Luiz otherwise I have no idea who one of our bench is!
*Soares de Paulo?
Aston Villa
1Tom Heaton
22Björn Engels
3Neil Taylor
27Ahmed El Mohamady
40Tyrone Mings
7John McGinn
21Anwar El Ghazi
10Jack Grealish
17Trézéguet
14Conor Hourihane
9Wesley
Guilbert not even on the bench?
Taylor???
Elmo???
I’m surprised by that, but am guessing Smith didn’t want to change everything up.
I don’t know why, myself, as I’d prefer to get them all in straight away for a game like this.
Oh well. hopefully Dean knows what he’s doing.
Just about to post on Guilbert – wonder if he’s picked up a knock. Also Lansbury preferred ahead of Marvelous.
Elmo playing with Trezeguet – Dean likes these types of pairings.
Agree with you – Smith giving the team that won promotion first dibs – good man management or risky?
Going to be an interesting few weeks.
why no marvelous in the squad? after all the drama getting him ?
Watching from Singapore live .. this is a real test out of the blocks
For the first game it’s probably wise to play a defence and mid-field that know each other’s game well.
We have a solid bench too.
Good news is that Eriksen isn’t playing. Spurs are never as good without him.
Here we go – hold on tight!
I can clearly hear ‘Holte Enders in the sky’ on the TV. Good on you lads!
McGinn yes!!!
SUUUPPPER JOHN!!!!
After being under the cosh too!
We just lulled them into a false sense of security
They only know long ball wing backs, if we just hold them up when they attack its ours.
Yes 1-0 McGin
The longer we go without conceding, the better our confidence will be.
Good ball in then from Trez.
shame we couldn’t get up for it.
We are not tracking their full backs at all. It’s going to cost us unless Trezeguet and El Ghazi do their defensive roles