Or should it be;
As I’m sure more than a few fans will be making a weekend of it.
Anyway….
In any normal week I’d still be digesting our last game, but all I had to think about was England’s 3-0 win over Scotland.
And the truth is I really can’t get passionate about the national side anymore, even though the game had a bit of an edge, with it being the old enemy.
You know when you have the game on TV, but find yourself doing something else and half listening? Well that’s exactly what I did, only turning to watch when the commentator raised the pitch in his voice. What I did see was a load of rubbish and Scotland were the better team.
This not being interested was something I’ve discussed with a few other footy fans since and they totally agreed with me. So I’m not alone.
Imagine how annoyed I get then when national games stop the domestic program.
So thoughts have already turned to our next game and it should prove to be a real tester because we face a very decent Brighton side who are in good form. So good that in the last five games they’re second in the form table on thirteen points, behind Newcastle. We’re not doing too badly though, as we stand third with eleven, which is play-off form.
So it should prove to be an interesting game where we’ll have yet another sell out following from our fantastic away fans.
Talking of fans, did anyone see the article where Villa are the most followed Championship club on Instagram?
We know our fanbase is fantastic, but you also have to consider Newcastle are in the league too, so it wouldn’t have been a surprise if we were second in this particular table.
But what really surprised me was the difference in the figures.
Fulham are third with 62.3k followers. Norwich are second with 66.2k followers.
And we top the table with a superb 160k followers.
So where are Newcastle?
Ninth with 38.4k followers; behind even the Blues.
There’s an anomaly there somewhere and it can only be that the Geordies just don’t do Instagram.
Neither do the Blues fans it would seem, but I won’t go down that road (ahem).
Perhaps it’s a case of the club doing something particularly right on this occasion and I thought it was interesting anyway.
And while we’re talking about Brighton, I’d forgotten that Chris Hughton was managing the team.
I’ve always rated him as a decent manager and thought he was treated terribly at Newcastle. I’d normally wish him good luck but of course that’s out of the window for this one.
The good news is because it’s being played on a stupid Friday (what a nightmare it’ll be travelling down there), it’ll be on Sky and no matter what work I’m up to, I’ll definitely be able to watch this one.
I’ll do a more specific preview prior to the game, but we already know Jedinak won’t be playing, so it’s going to be tough on our midfield.
Hence there’s no prediction from me yet.
All that apart, there’s not a fat lot happening except for the usual speculation rubbish, where you’d think we’re going to be buying two new squads.
I’m sure you all know I take all that stuff with a huge dose of salt.
If I was going, I’d definitely be making a weekend of it.
Rubbish weather now, but I quite like Brighton and it doesn’t rain in the pub, does it?
Get it down ya lads 🙂
You don’t need to be in Brighton to get it down yer 1-4 VILLA UTV
Haha, nothing better than a bit of optimism 🙂
You never know it’s a funny old game.
i am looking forwards to this game. shame this international break came when it did. but no excuses, we should get a real indication of where we really are. they battered them sparrows 5,0 and everyone were saying they are a sure thing before they got battered. with newcastle storming into a healthy lead. 2nd to 6th is still our target. we will finish strongly so this brighton game is massive.
Sorry to say Giddy, its not got me laughing yet.maybe late on Friday I might.
On the instagram facts – we are one of only three teams outside the Prem that make it into the top 20 followed clubs in U.K. and, from memory, I think we were about twelfth – says it all.
I’m feeling strangely confident about Friday – probably the rum!
Don’t think I’ll find it on TV here but you never know.
Hitch, it’s a sky game on a friday.
I reckon if you look enough, you’ll find it mate.
More optimism. I like it.
Although we have to be aware of the downside if we lose.
They are a very decent side and we’re missing a major player in the middle, with Westwood being no doubt the only option.
If we lose this one, it won’t be Bruce’s fault is the point.
I’m worried about us turning on the manager too soon.
But it’s a minor worry.
Hi Badger – I don’t think there is any danger of a ‘downside’ if we lose – disappointment – yes but that’s understandable.
Agree I could probably find the game somewhere but we are hosting a ‘fish and fizz Friday lunch’ so will have to rely on whatever channels are supported on our TV – so it would have to be one of the ESPN channels. We will see.
Still raining here!
Really looking forward to Friday! For once instead of it being a 6 hour round trip for me to see the villa, it’s only a 45min drive down the road what will be my first away game this season. Only downside is I’ll be sitting in the Brighton end with my mate trying not to shout out when we get a last minute equaliser! 1-1 my prediction which is not a bad result. Tuff place to go and play at the Amex!
Brighton are a good side and have a good manager, this will be a tough game for us I will be very happy with a draw . If we win happy days , if we loose we need to bounce back the following week with a win. Brighton are one of the favs to get automatic promotion.
Agree that a draw would be a great result and even a close loss wouldn’t be so bad.
I’m sure that measuring up against a good side will tell a lot about where we are and what we need to go forward.
I’m going for a 1-1 draw
Have a little faith lads, we may not have the players needed but we found the will to win, most of our losses was stamina last year, we now have the fitness and i think a win is coming Friday 2-1 Villa.
Agreed Bill. Seems some can’t wait to jump on Bruce and are getting excited at the thought of our first defeat since his appointment as manager coming on Friday at Brighton. Unfortunately they will be waiting a while longer for that to happen.
The will to win and togetherness coupled with the passion and desire that our squad is now beginning to show will see us returning back up the A34 with 3 points. Much to the disappointment of some on here.
1-2 Villa.
The majority of us are behind Bruce and I for one will not be jumping on his back if we loose a couple of games . Brighton are a good side and it will be very tough game .
Totally agree Dave67, going to the Amex will be 1 of the tuffest places to go this season, along with a couple more. I’d bite your hand of now if I was offered a draw!
Thats the faith we need Podge, a will to win.
Testing 😀
I think we’ll get three points here! With our awesome travelling fanbase and the wind behind us, we just might do this.
What’s the news on injuries? I know the Jedi will be rested…or just come on for the second half but what about t’others?
Raining? It’s a lovely day today guys! Especially after an unexpected cheque for PPI repayment for £1,600 has just dropped through the letterbox!!!! Back of the net!!!!! 🙂
Nice touch, that cheque mate!
Seems to be plenty of confidence, which makes a nice change.
Latest news is;
Australian international Mile Jedinak has already been ruled out as Bruce feels he won’t have enough time to rest after scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Thailand in Bangkok.
That opens up a space in the centre of midfield and Leandro Bacuna is likely to fill in if he can shake off a injury that has ruled him out of the last two games.
Jordan Amavi will also be assessed after missing France U21s win over England U21s in midweek with a knock.
Elsewhere, Micah Richards remains a doubt and Ritchie De Laet is out for the long-term.
Tommy Elphick and Aaron Tshibola are pushing for recalls to the starting XI while Gabby Agbonlahor’s fitness is picking up after a positive week of training.
Jordan Ayew returns from suspension so he is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brighton-vs-aston-villa-team-12182672
Gollini to be MOM and Villa to win by 1 goal.
Nice thought OLL, who will score?
Apparently SB is nicking Brighton’s Assistant Manager!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/11/17/aston-villa-manager-steve-bruce-targets-brighton-assistant-colin/
Colin Calderwood might be on his way to VP as Stevie’s number two.
Not boring following the Villa these days, is it?
Any chance that Calderwood going might unsettle Brighton tonight?
Certainly adds a bit of spice to the game.
Now going for a 1-2 Villa win.
this game against brighton is massive. we are playing catch ups. cant afford to lose any more ground to teams like these lot. i would be more confident but without the lack of real preparation for the silly friday night kick off. one of our best player has only just got back from flying halfway around the world and back. talk about unfair disadvantages.
if we can keep up this form, automatic promotion is still on. top 6 will be the main goal or the fall back plan. can’t surrender the top 2 until its mathematically impossible.
brighton 1 villa 1
i saw brightons game against nowich, i thought they are very neat passing team strong in defense. the score was 5 nil this was mainly down to norwich and their poor defending. whatever happens tonight we will have a clearer picture of where we stand going forwards.this will be a massive test
Anyone with butterflies? I know I have and started on my whisky, I’m sticking my neck out and going for 2-1 Villa, key men missing but those that come in know they have to perform. utv