Aston Villa give me kittens and are not at all good for my ticker, even if there’s nothing wrong with it.
I honestly don’t know what to think after that, but it’s easily concluded.
We were awful in defence, everytime we were threatened. Burnley had one goal called off and while we did too, I’d have given both, because they were not clear and obvious errors, hence VAR should not have become involved. The powers that be really need to look at this, because it’s ruining the game. The trouble is clear and obvious then becomes subjective and I just don’t see a solution.
I blame us fans. We called for it and the game resisted for probably a couple of decades. We’ve got what we deserve, in my opinion, but no doubt it adds to what the telly companies want, in entertainment.
And then, we couldn’t hit the target for toffee. Even the normally assured Luiz’s penalty ended up going in off the bar and I think that says a lot about where we’re currently at.
Things just aren’t going for us the way they have been previously this season.
That said, you do make your own luck and ours seems to have run out somewhat. Don’t get me wrong, we created lots of chances although we couldn’t finish them. Diaby needs a few lessons in how to stop leaning back and punting the ball. Not that he was alone.
But I do feel I’m doing our attack a bit of a disservice, especially as their young goalie did well.
Our defence, on the other hand looks horrendous. I think Konsa actually showed some good stuff up top today, but I still think he’s better in the middle of a defence. It appears Cash’s shoulder injury has kept him out and we had no choice in playing Konsa as we did. I’ll keep saying it and we all know it. We need another right back, simple.
And then, I thought Longlet was a total liability, who I couldn’t really care if he leaves. Perhaps I’m being a little unfair there, but while he’s shown flashes, I can’t say I’m toatally convinced.
Overall, I think the defence looks totally unbalanced, although you could probably argue that we never even saw them get a chance to form any shape, so were we put in trouble every time Burnley hit the ball long. I feel we’ve been found out there and Newcastle have even better tools to take advantage. We look way too leggy and it was noticeable that on one occasion, Diaby was far faster in getting back to defend, compared to the defenders. It’s a serious concern.
Perhaps I’m being overly harsh and you think we were well dominant.
Yet, we should remember they were down to 10 men for a third of the game.
Then we should also consider that this game never got close to being in the bag.
I think we could easily have lost this game.
Which would have meant a draw and a loss against the two bottom teams. At home.
Fortunately we didn’t.
But such are the very thin dividing lines of football.
At the end of the day, we’re up to second place and you can’t knock it.
UTV!
So the bandwagon continues to roll onwards and upwards.
It’s all good .
Until the next game 🙂
Over the top celebrations are a bit……..Arsenal? Save the proper ones for when you’ve really won something.
Equal top, seperated by GD. Who would have thought it!
I don’t know whether it was anything to worry about but Torres tried to clear long for Watkins but kicked it into the Trinity instead. He was grimacing after he had done it so let’s hope he didn’t aggravate his injury.
I do think there’s a lot of overreaction guys – sorry.
We were missing Cash, Torres, Kamara and Tielemans. Yes, the defence was really poor for Burnley’s first goal and we got caught out with a long ball against a high line for the second. Don’t back Villa to get clean sheets playing a high line – it’s risky.
Lenglet was poor – he’s not good enough – if Barca want him back then so be it. And I’m coming around to Badger’s thinking – Konsa’s very reliable but we miss him at CB
OLL is right we should have been out of sight before they scored their second goal – the main culprit (but not the only one) was Diaby. On the plus side he did a lot of good covering back.
All in all a good days work at the office.
Happy New Year.
Just to put matters into context. Over the last six games we’ve taken 13 points which includes Arsenal and Manchester City, Brentford and Man U away. And we currently sit second on goal difference.
If offered, prior to this run, how many fans would have grabbed 13 points?
OK we failed to beat Sheffield Utd and threw away a lead at Man U missing several of our best players. But we beat Man C, Arsenal and Brentford away.
We just cannot take the exceptional Man C result as a yardstick expecting that level of performance every week.
I’m a very happy Villa fan.
UTMV
Currently 2nd and we see lots of areas in need of improvement. Now that’s why Emery drives the Villa forward. I bet you right now he is hunched over his laptop analysing our performance and working out how to make us better.
Today’s performance was job done. Good teams have a way of winning even when not at their best. Further, look how the best teams always score in the dying minutes to gain a win or salvage a point. A trait Villa now seem to have gained.
Now to the best news. We are entering a period of only two matches in two weeks. Full rest and recuperation and this is much needed. Boro in the cup next followed by Everton away.
Boy oh boy do our players need a rest for their leg weary bodies. As mentioned above, the good news.
1: Kamara will have served his suspension. Without his defensive qualities in front of our back four we have looked very vulnerable. 5 goals conceded in 3 matches. Even better the fatigue he would have been feeling should be overcome with his enforced rest.
2. Torres and Cash have increased time to improve on their fitness. Tilesman will also be further along with his recovery.
3. Transfer opportunity. A key need is a new right back. This would lead to Cash being reserve and Konsa moving back to centre half with Torres. Even better it would mean the drop off between replacement and Cash as a rwsece is minimal. Although there was an article that Chelsea wanted him. If they bid £40-50m then I’d sell him to reinvest.
4. Improved game time for Moreno and Ramsey helping them gain sharpness after missing preseason and extended time out with injuries.
5. New investment. NSWE invested approximately £54m in new share capital into Villa recently. Is this a transfer kitty? If so, who does Emery want? What positions does he want to up grade on? Who does he want to sell?
So we are 2nd and there are so many positives about to come our way.
Sid, good points.
Thought Ramsey started to look like his old self second half.
Last post today.
The media reports all suggest Villa were lucky – I disagree. We were wasteful in front of goal but far from lucky.
As to Luiz penalty, the first bounce of the underside of the crossbar was well behind the line although all reports suggest otherwise.
It does my head in – this inaccurate (biased?) reporting.
UTMV
Hitting the bar first time put back spin on the ball which landed well over the line then came back to the bar because of the spin – far too complicated for the clowns in the media
Evening, chaps. Was at the match today. Just sent you my report, Badger.
UTV!
Hope you had a most enjoyable afternoon BFR
Hoping to go to the Liverpool game if my daughter can magic up some tickets!
Thanks Hitch! Could the Pool game be a title decider?? That would be huge.
BFR, I’ve got it mate. I’ve held it back until early morning, new years day.
It gives plenty of time to talk about the game and then gives something else to talk about after.
Cheers Badger. Happy New Year mate!
Not many of us still here but some great points regarding our situation. Regarding the cross bar the score was 3-2. Regarding the media the score was 3-2. Ramsay was a revelation in the second half and the score was 3-2. I’m having a hot Irish whiskey and when I wake up in the morning, no matter what state my head, he score was 3-2. Goodnight you all.
Missed the game due to taking the family out for a very nice meal in Norfolk so will have to settle for MOTD and their nauseating presenters later. From what I’ve heard and read, we were far from our best but ground out a result, and along with it the three points. Agree with all of Sid’s points, but still gutted over the Old Traffold result. Good to see ManUre lose at Forest today! A very topsy turvy season and quite weird to see the papers have virtually nobody linked with Villa in the January non-sales. We do our business incredibly discreetly. I wonder what’ll happen.
Anyone think Fulham or Newcastle will do us a favour???
Just watching MOTD. Why was there no penalty or even a foul when a Sheffield Utd player did this but it was an immediate yellow for Burnley, that then led to a red? No wonder these inconsistencies drive everyone mad.
At least Martin Keown and Dion were a good watch last night. I can’t abide slimy, smug Lineker though.
Looking at our starting line up, if Konsa would have swapped with Lengelet, that would have been just one position with a ‘non first teamer’. The only reason can be fatigue…Are we all going to be massive Fulham fans later????
Partly, but I’m about to watch the Spurs game which will more likely be the higher scoring of the two. I’ll also be hoping Bournemouth can do them.
I think it’s Spurs catching up on us that is the bigger threat, given that Arsenal are my guess as champions this time round.
But, yes, I’d like to see Fulham win too.
Badger up till now the game I’m interested in have 3 goals
Arsenal are losing
Oh my God!!! Fulham do us a massive favour!!!
Christmas period always seems to throw up funny results – this year being no different.
On the whole, I think we’ve done OK – still in the game.
UTMV
Blimey, that’s a big blow to Arsenal.
We are indeed still in the game and now we’ll find out what our owners really believe.
Some serious spending really could see us still in the game come the end of the season.
Serious reinforcements are a must for that and messing about with foreign loans won’t achieve much, imo, fresh legs apart.
It’s no coincidence that a few of our incomers have taken a while to settle. Add in our horrible weather and it would probably be worse for anyone from warmer countries.
Quality is a must, imo.
Still I’m trying to keep my thoughts realistic. The aim is 5th (if that proves to be enough) or preferably 4th.
Last day of the year and we’re in second with 42 points. Also notable that we finished second in points picked up in 2023, 4 points ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal so it’s no flash in the pan.
It looks like the Africa Cup of Nations might do us a favour too as we only lose Traore whereas both Man Ure and West Ham lose 4 players and Arsenal and Spurs lose 2 each. The two for Spurs are Sarr and Bissouma, so basically their midfield. Liverpool lose just the one but that one is Salah.
Here’s to a Happy New Year to all Villa fans. I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be a good one.
Ooh, good points 1874. I like it.
I was just looking at Arsenal’s form. In the last five, they’ve won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3.
I think the Pool game apart they’d probably expected and possibly did expect to win 4 of those games.
Encouragingly, only Newcastle have a worse record in the whole top 10.
Haha, I’m loving it!
https://www.premierleague.com/tables
Don’t Spurs lose Son to the Asia Cup?
Just checked Spurs lose three including Son and the two you listed 1874. That’s a pretty big hole to fill.
On the other hand Citeh don’t lose any players!
Dunno if it’s been commented on elsewhere but when Watkins set up Diabys goal he just turned away while others ran to congratulate him (Diaby). Maybe I’m over analysing but it didn’t look good to me.
I noticed Ollie’s body language as well, DS. He played well though so I don’t think there’s a problem with his commitment to the club; I can only guess that the matter that occurred at Brentford has upset him, but that’s probably completely wrong, too. Who knows? But his body language definitely wasn’t OK.
Maybe it was relief to see it in the back of the net? Those 2 have a super record working together.
Ollie’s assists have been effing fantastic!!!!
I’ve a sneaky feeling Newcastle will get something from Monday’s game. Pool are due to drop a few points because we all do.
Happy New Year Villians! What a cracking year 2023 has been. Here’s to 2024!!!!!!
Don’t drink too much! 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🥳🥳🎅🎅🎅🎄🎄🎆🎆🎇🎇⚽️⚽️⚽️🩲🩲🩲🩲🩲
Hmm, I’d prefer you stick to your usual Username, but yes, Happy new year indeed 🙂
I wonder if he thought he might be offside and was reluctant to celebrate too soon. VAR will eventually kill of the players emotion altogether!
BTW, The Telegraph gave us a cracking write up after yesterday’s game…As did the BBC…
Having read your comments, I had to put MOTD on iPlayer to have a look.
I really think he was just expecting it to be called offside.
He had no issues in joining in for the fist goal celebration, so if you chaps think there is an issue, it seems to be with Diaby.
I don’t see that myself.
You’re right Badger. Players can’t even celebrate a goal any more.
Cheeky bids for Olise, Solanke and a RB (suggestions welcome)
Happy new year to all Villans! Let’s hope next year’s results are as good as this year and then we can be certain of top 4!
UTMV!
I know it sounds silly, but I’d identify the best right back in Europe and bid whatever he’s worth. Simples.
I noticed that all goal celebrations were muted. Thought it might have been instructions from management to cool things after the problems against Brentford
Very possible at the least, I’d say Gerry.
We’re the Villa and we don’t do that sort of thing, I like to think.
I can see Emery telling the lads to pack it in too.
I’m probably one of a rapidly dying breed though.