How gutting was that?
I thought we were the better side for a big part of that game, but quite often there’s no getting past a poor or biased referee.
It’s very rare for me to complain about a ref, because I think the job is incredibly difficult and it’s easy to make genuine mistakes, but I thought this ref was shocking today and made a lot of bad decisions which definitely weren’t in our favour. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I could almost say I thought money had changed hands. But we all know that’s preposterous, don’t we?
Or maybe some don’t.
So after going one down to a slabhead header, I thought it was already game over. Yet we came back really well and took the game to them.
I have to say I was encouraged by the performance and it was way better than what we’ve witnessed in our last two home games, but we still look like we couldn’t finish our breakfast, let alone a chance, of which we created plenty.
Yet Man U looked very likely to score with every chance they got. Which was the difference, in my opinion.
Slabhead’s goal should never have been. It wasn’t a freekick in the first place. Then there was an offside and it shouldn’t have been a corner. Then it shouldn’t have been a goal. Simple.
Where was the beloved VAR then?
That series of events was just disgusting and while I’ve never been much of a proponent of this “protected top 6” lark, so I’m tempted to change my mind for this game.
Even that tool Roy Keane said it wasn’t a foul in the first place.
Our play in the final third was poor and while it’s like that we’re going to struggle.
But being positive, I thought the midfield won the battle today. McGinn was better and Luiz, who seemed to have been pushed up a bit was too. The encouraging part was that Ramsey looked much more on his game, albeit not quite there yet.
Taking Bailey off was a big mistake and I don’t know why that was, as he looked dangerous to me.
At the end of the day, this was a typical game against this lot. It doesn’t matter what we do, we lose to them.
At least it was better than I expected.
Sigh 🙂
My summary.
1. Cash not good enough.
2. Two games I’m a row, shit players have scored headers in our box in between two defenders. Unacceptable. Torres, Konsa and Tyrone badly missed.
2. Diaby worse than Savo. Waste of space. And I liked Savo. I’d give Morgan a run in the team ahead of him.
3. The decision on who would win this game was made before the match (wink, wink).
4. Team played well generally and looked more like their old selves.
6. Zaniolo’s offered next to nothing all season. Buendia badly missed.
5. Far far too many very good chances wasted.
6. Can’t blame Unai for the result. He was going ape shit before their goal because he knew the ream had switched off. Mental fatigue again.
Lastly. Neville is an embarrassing co-commentator. My nan’s been gone 30 years and couldn’t speak English but could do a better job.
It’s looking like 1999 again. But we’re not going to be partying at this rate. 💩
Disagree about Cash. He has 1.5 players tasks every game, closing the oppos left winger and getting upfield where he is a rare right-footer who can shoot straight. Rashford being in the first hook I think sums up Cash’s contribution.
We need 9 points out of the next 3 games to set up a monster game against Spuds at VP in a month…
I like cash too, he maybe not the best fullback in the league but he certainly isn’t the worse and he as heart, always gives his all.
On the other side my preference is Digne over Moreno, not much in it but imo Digne is the more refined of the two.
Yesterday?
Gutted by the result, encouraged by the performance.
Totally agree Badger about the ref and the Villa performance.
The ref does not even know the guidance. When McGinn escaped with the ball from the clutches [literally] of Maguire, the ref should only halt the game for a free kick if he is going to caution the offender. Moreno was knocked over for what should have been a penalty, it was in a corner of the area and he was moving away from goal but he was going to play the ball next if he had not been fouled.
The result came down to finishing. If we had taken our chances a clinically as United we would have won 3-2. It is no wonder Rogers has been bought because a different sort of player to Watkins is needed in a crowded area – Watkins is a wide open space player.
Not a lot to add other than backing up the comment about Bailey – a total mistake on Emery’s part. Once he came off, the dynamic of the game changed and almost like Man Utd decided we were beatable without him. Totally turned the momentum that we had in our favour after the equalizer. I think had he stayed on, we could have gotten the 2nd. A better game from Diaby – who I think will come good, and good to see JJ having a better game. His direct play and passing quality was more like his old self. It’s slightly worrying how much time he needs to get back up to speed after injury. Is that normal?
Oh, and where the F is Duran???
Duran? Injured still.
Rob Jones, it’s not just us…
Forest: Premier League club ‘demand referee Rob Jones be BANNED from taking charge of their matches’ after latest howler.
Jones was on VAR duty when Forest were on the receiving end of two controversial decisions against Manchester United in September.
(A pattern forming?)
Wolves manager discusses controversial penalty awarded by Rob Jones and VAR as his side lose at Sheffield United. O’Neil ” “I’ve been in with him, and he still thinks it’s a penalty, he still says there is contact. The only contact I can see is maybe Fabio’s shinpad with Baldock’s calf, like a graze.”
Funny how he didn’t see Moreno’s penalty shout that way?
If this is true, then we’re in serious trouble. 4 ACL injuries in one season. How does that even happen?
https://twitter.com/JUSTIN_AVFC_/status/1756961975454577095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1756961975454577095%7Ctwgr%5E06efa798785a932db5e6ada6c44030fb959cd050%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdisqus.com%2Fembed%2Fcomments%2F%3Fbase%3Ddefaultf%3Dthevillablogt_i%3D2668t_u%3Dhttp3A2F2Fwww.thevillablog.co.uk2Faston-villa-blog2Favfc-opinion2Funlucky-against-manchester-united-and-the-future-is-brightt_d%3D0A09090909Unlucky20against20Manchester20United20and20the20future20is20bright090909t_t%3D0A09090909Unlucky20against20Manchester20United20and20the20future20is20bright090909s_o%3Ddefaultversion%3Dd049e502de60750b86f6642fcebee0f5
Could all these ACL injuries be due the training being to intense?
https://news.umich.edu/overuse-or-one-bad-move-new-view-on-acl-tears-prompt-questions-on-how-athletes-train/
Interesting experimental results from the Institute of Sports Medicine. It looks like the combination of matches and training causing weakening, faster than natural healing can effect a repair. Gruesome account of testing the knees of cadavers to breaking point, but that did prove that it is not one extreme twist that is the probable cause. Also to note the ACL has a bigger bond to the thigh bone (femur) than the shin bone (tibia) yet it is the femur bond that tears more often.
Haven’t been this gutted in ages losing a game a toughie at Fulham next week as well
If Konsa and Kamara are out for the rest of the season then say goodbye to European football next year unless we can fluke a win in the Conference.
Supporting Villa is one heartache after another!
Kamara is definitely out for the rest of the season with an ACL. I would imagine it will be close to Xmas before we see him again. The concern is who replaces him? We will end up playing the kids if we suffer more injuries.
I hope the speculation about Konsa is not true as we need him back ASAP. Carlos isn’t anywhere near as good and is far too slow. The hope is that Torres and Digne should be ready for a start against Fulham, although I’m beginning to question our medical department why so many times we have players play a game after returning from injury, only to be back out again for another prolonged spell. Torres and Ramsey most recently!
With the conference league not far off again, I see that as probably our best hope for European football next season. I don’t think the depth of our squad can cope with a sustained finish in the Premier league while juggling the knockout stage of the Conference league against better teams than those in the league stage. Add to that Man Ure have a bigger squad and no European fixtures!
It’s the pain of being a Villa fan as we watch our hopes and dreams fade away.
When Mings got injured, it was put to Unai after the Newcastle thrashing that this was the reason. Unai played the correct card: “these are excuses” was his reply. Put Tim in and get on with it. Kamara has been poor lately and could’ve been dropped. It is a blow and a damp shame, but it should galvanise the squad. At this stage of the season, I think training should be as light as possible as they’re all match fit and/or carrying niggles. Being out of the cup is a bonus. I’d have preferred to have been knocked out at the Bridge, personally. The aim was top 4 and the ECL. For me, that hasn’t changed. Both are still on. The next 3 are winnable then it’s a final vs Spurs at VP. The boys need to dig deep. They played well yesterday. They can do it.
On yesterday and building on the comments on Mr Jones. Talking to a mate today, he noticed Cash got booked early which forced him to calm down. While they were allowed to play freely because no one was on a yellow and they knew they wouldn’t be given one. This is the difference. That was the difference. F****** bent, cheating, corrupt wankers. The club should be putting pressure on the FA about this prick.
UTFV
*damn shame
Truly gutted to hear Kamara has done his ACL. I wish him the best with his recovery. This is without doubt the worst season we have had for injuries in decades. Looks like these injuries will stop us from reaching for the stars this season.
There are similarities to when Villa were building their team around Shaw and Cowans. Shaw has his knee done by Forest on Boxing Day. Cowans had is leg snapped in half in a friendly in Spain and we lost impetus. I recall Cowans was out for a season and his first season back he would not tackle. I wonder how much psychological damage these ACL injuries will do to Buendia, Kamara and Mings (I desperately hope Konsa has not got one as well).
I guess Emery will have to toy with either putting Iroegbunam in for Kamara or swap Luiz in and Tilesman / Rogers play, although I think the latter weakens the team.
Even worse, it means that some of our valuable transfer kitty will be taken up in loan players. This year it looks like Zaniolo and Lenglet have cost about £10m in loan fees, plus wages to cover for Mings and Buendia, whose wages we still pay.
Does Emery take the gamble next season and trust the likes of Kellyman, Feeney etc to become squad players and step in when required?
It’s about time we introduced more of the academy players. You can see players like Mainoo, Hojlund and Garnacho at Man Ure, then at Liverpool they have Bradley and Elliott to name just two top clubs pushing the youngsters into the starting XI.
Iroegbunham, Duran, Feeney, Rogers and Kellyman are in the 18 to 21 year old range. We can’t expect them to develop with 10 minutes here and there off the bench.
We are in a poor run and a number of the senior players aren’t performing. Maybe they feel too comfortable knowing they are likely to play regardless of form.
Mate I don’t disagree with your sentiment but I have to point out Hojund wasn’t a product of their academy set up and set them back a toe curling £72m.
Let’s concentrate – for at least a few minutes – on good news as Villa report Bailey has signed a new contract with the club to 2028.
Every cloud! Let’s hope that some of our academy players have the talent and work ethic to grasp the opportunity presented by these terrible injuries.
It does make me think that we have a number of players privately carrying knocks which is affecting their performances, Kamara especially the last few games… That at least would make sense.
I’m also hoping no news is good news re: Konsa’s injury.
They were quick to give an update on Kamara’s but nothing further on Konsa.
No news is good news as they say…
Birmingham Live saying end of March for Konsa and six weeks after surgery for Kamara.
Can’t see the latter being true, more likely six months after surgery!
If they’re all back (Mings, Buendia, Kamara and Konsa) for the new season in August, I’ll be happy.
Now reporting Carlos is injured again too. He needs to be offloaded while he still has value.
You are kidding! So we have ZERO first choice central defenders available?
Christ on a bike!!!!!
Someone up there DEFINITELY isn’t a Villa fan!!!
All we can do is wait for the FFP rules to change…
It’s going from bad to worse. That means Torres and Lenglet as our only two CB’s. Both left footed which means we will be struggling down Cash’s side. Add to that they haven’t played together. I read Carlos has done his hamstring in training. Does that mean our training schedules are too intense?
The way things are going I think we are going to struggle to finish top 6 let alone top 4.
Maybe Chris Heck can reverse his dumb decision regarding the North Stand if Champions League isn’t realised.
OK we are f*****. I admit it. 6 months hard graft down the shitter as we enter the home straight. If Unai pulls off EITHER top 4 OR the ECL, he is a genius and a statue should be erected in his honour, as well as any new stand named after him. Odds are now stacked waaaaay against. I just hope they don’t crumble so we don’t suffer an embarrassing last 3 months of the season. Beyond unlucky. 💀💩💩💩
Chambers will have to play a part. This is his chance to prove he’s a good player and earn his salary.
Funny 🫣😂
Yep, when you are flush out of CBs and haven’t got a pot to P in – there’s always Chambers.