It’s been a bit of an odd weekend, where a few things have all came together, resulting in me not being able to write a post or even reply to comments.
It’s my own fault. I decided to buy components for a computer to use in Spain, but thought “why use all these new goodies in a place that I won’t be frequenting as often as I’m at home?” Hence I made the decision to swap things into my home computer.
And as per, that’s where it all caused a load of issues. I’ve done this lots of times and I always manage to solve the problems, but they take loads of time and become all-consuming.
Hence I totally forgot about the game and missed the first half an hour!
Then combine the fact that the ultimate 4 letter word that is “work” has got in the way and it’s all been a bit hectic. It’s keeps the grey matter going though.
From what I did see, we played some scintillating footy at times, when attacking, but our defending left me still convinced that a certain someone (who I’m going to try not to name anymore, because even I’m beginning to feel that I’m naming him as a scapegoat) needs to be replaced.
That said, I thought Bourne were very good and totally achieved what they set out to do, which was stifle us, while still creating chances. It should be borne in mind that I’m sure I heard that the Cherrys have the 3rd highest shots in the league this season.
While a draw, on the face of it is a disappointing result, it reminded me more of a thought that had been crossing my mind, in that we seem to have turned into a big game side. Which is fine, if we can keep beating the top clubs, but I fear that won’t be the case.
It boils down to “how can you beat Bayern, yet not beat Bournemouth? Or Ipswich?
Of course, we always have the Premier league, where any result is possible, but I do wonder if we lack an edge when playing the “smaller” clubs. And of course, we can’t expect to win them all, no matter how much we would like to see it.
As some have said, it doesn’t feel like we’ve really got going yet, but as I type, Arse and Pool are drawing 2-2 and we’re 4th in the table. That’s nuts to me, but perhaps it says more about my fear of losing or more accurately, not winning.
We have pretty much the same record as Arsenal, who sit in third, so it’s all about perception, I suppose. If we really do get into our stride, you have to wonder how far we can go. I really ought to try and get away from always seeing the negative possibilties, I know. We’re in a good place.
But it’s difficult for me. At the end of the day, before the season started, this was a game we’d have expected to win at home (although I’m sure they have a good record against us?), so it’s two points dropped, simple as.
UTV!
Arse-Pool ends 2 each.
Good result for us, I feel.
Fixtures for teams around us next week = potential dropped points all round. We need to capitalise. We have to capitalise. IF we can beat Spurs. It’s a big if…
Also, I repeat my comment from a few weeks back. Chelsea are back and aren’t going away. December 1st…
See, it’s weird isn’t it?
Spurs were apparently terrible today and I’d take us to beat Chelsea, after watching them yesterday. They’re no great shakes, imo.
But I think that says much about the Prem these days. The top teams don’t seem to be much better than those just below them, compared to quite recently, where a few teams seemed to be miles better.
I can’t work this league out at all, but I suppose that’s way better than the usual 2/3 horse race in most other leagues 🙂
And yes, we should capitalise, which is the point I’m making. We need to win the games where we expect the result.
If we can produce a performance like Bolonga every other week in the prem. we really should be comfortably in that top 4. Problem is I haven’t seen a premier league performance like that yet. All in all, we are worlds away from what we were 2 years ago , we are exciting, I love watching us and I don’t get so down if we drop the odd point anymore because our manager will always find something to take from lost points. VTIFD!
I love that positivity Tom. It seems typical of most Villa fans I talk to, too.
Even the scousers I see are liking us at the moment.
That’s what comes from good footy, eh?
My lad is a Liverpool fan. He’s 13 and it’s come from his (bloody) grandfather on his mother’s side. I let it go almost knowing one day he would come to the villa when he grows up. He’s now convinced Duran is the best striker in the world and you can’t keep him quiet when Villa play as he finds us more entertaining than Liverpool. I do believe this is the beginning of the transition for him. Something much more beautiful watching is happening naturally and not forcing it. For this, I thank non other than Unai Emery and the owners at Aston Villa.
Lest we forget – Bournemouth reduced Arsenal to impotence in a 2-0 win that left Arteta whinging like a Scouser. They are disregarded as a seaside town with a 12000 capacity stadium which belongs in league 1. However they are a much better side this season. Villa were comfortably superior in creating chances but Travers played a blinder to keep the deficit to 1 goal.
Then the snafu: not Cash this time it was Barkley whose ridiculous challenge from behind earned the Cherries that free kick.
It would have been an interesting conversation to overhear between Emery and McPhee. Emery having a go at the set piece coach for a poor piece of defending and McPhee responding that every one of Emery’s substitutions, after Duran, took off a better header of the ball than the oncoming player. The remaining good aerial defenders were outnumbered leaving Cash to try to stop the scorer – no chance.
I suggested it was Emery’s choice and timing of subs cost us the game, OLL. Bringing on Kamara when we were only 1-0 up, against a team that was proving really hard to break down was a super negative move for me, and I feel that alone changed the tempo. Still, I’m not complaining or blaming – just stating an observation and overall feel this is a golden time to be a Villa fan and enjoying every moment of it. We may or may not win anything in the next few years under Emery, but just knowing we’re in with a shout is something in supporting Villa for over 40 years isn’t something to be taken for granted.
And so the madness begins! Who replaces Ten Hag. Paul Scholes said on Talk Shite that if Man Ure really wanted Emery, that he would walk to Old Trafford.
I don’t know why that bothers me so much because 99% of me knows Emery won’t leave Villa for the shit show. Unfortunately the media will always look at us as little old Villa who are having a purple patch in our history.
Just shows how arrogant and disrespectful Scholes and most Manure acolytes are and how apt is the Talk Shite tag!
Emery demands complete control – if Scholes had any sense he’d realise no manager will be given that at Manure given the present ownership structure.
Holte you’re right, the media don’t take us seriously – they still can’t get past their ‘favourites’ – that suits us.
Yes the Mekon has gone! Back to whatever planet he came from. Manure are looking for a phrenologist to join the interview panel to ensure nobody with a head like the Mekon makes the new shortlist.
Scholes can shut up: Manure could not afford Emery. Southgate is in their price-bracket though.
Emi once again best goalkeeper in the world at tonight’s awards we are so blessed
Did he wave the trophy like a willy???🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was talking to a rate Manc Man U fan today and I have my opinion that they are in a spiral, where any new manager would want to clear many of that team out.
He totally agreed with me and suggested any decent new manager was going to want at least a 2-300 million spending lot and way more autonomy.
He also said that they got Ten Bag in to do clear out and now they’ve sacked, hence he felt a bit sad.
I then asked him if he thought any decent manager would want the job and he basically said no.
There is absolutely no chance Emery would want that job, imo and the Man U dominance is long gone and won’t return for years.
Rate = rare. Bloody tablet and auto spell rubbish.
Thanks for clearing that up Badger. I’d interpreted as ‘irate’ Manc Man U fan 🙂
Scholes is a twat. Great footballer but thick as mince.
Couldn’t have put it better.
I won’t be surprised if Villa go through the motions tonight against Palace. It is a rare opportunity to risk all the returnees from the start, plus Billy-Jean. I guess Duran will be offered the starting role as front man. How hard will we try, and will Palace give their benchwarmers a run out?
We should be able to win tonight. And we should be aiming to win this competition. A win and we’re in the 1/4 final. I hope it’s taken seriously.
Gauci
Ned
Maatsen or Luca
Take your pick from 5 good CBs
Barkley
Bouba
Buendia
Jaden
Take your pick from a range of quality mids
Jhonny
We should be able to beat these at VP with the players available…
UTV!
Any idea where they might show us the game lads ? Struggling today finding it .
I’m struggling as well Bill.
Any suggestions out there?
Sky sports plus Bill
What does that list as???
Sky Sports + Bum Bum
Thanks Hitch got it on now .
No Barkley. Surprised by that. The bench is weak, so add that to the lack of match fitness for a number of the onfield 11 I think that shows us where Emery is on the competition. I always find fielding a weakened team frustrating but totally get why Emery has made this choice.
Who is going to step up?
UTV
Like Pep – the 1% cup.
Palace need it more than we do as suggested by the line ups.
Villa’s line up is decent but no (real) big guns on the bench. Duran reckons he’s the real deal so show it – you’ve got the whole game!
Pep’s won it 5 times in the last decade.
Basically our second eleven. However, great to see Tyrone and Kamara back and players like Ned and Buendia getting some minutes. If we’re going to succeed we’ll need all of the squad to be on their best form so spreading the minutes around is a good idea. The great thing is this team is still capable of winning. It will be an interesting watch.
Its on Bein HD 7. In French. I can tell you guys how but not sure if its allowed. Please advise.
Crack on Gerry. If it’s too revealing, I’ll just delete it later.
Maybe these posts can be deleted in an hour.
Sky+ 1.
Sky Sport+.
+1 in this case.
Palace take the lead and I’m pissing myself at the defending. Again.
I get that Mings is going to be rusty, but Jesus, get close to a player might help. 🙁
Problem is it’s continuously buffering – maybe the internet here!