I said in the preview that I thought Everton would struggle this season and I think on that display, I look to be totally correct. Not that it’s any surprise, as they’ve looked increasingly poorer over the last few seasons.
But they offered absolutely nothing today. What must surely be annoying Sean Dyche is that they looked so toothless and massively lacked physicality in exactly the same way as we did against Newcastle last week. Except it was worse.
I seriously think Dyche has bitten off more than he can chew this time.
Does that mean Villa weren’t very good?
Well, no, I wouldn’t quite say that, although we didn’t need to be good if I’m being honest.
What concerned me slightly is that I thought Villa actually stepped down a couple of gears and eased off the throttle, which surely won’t be to Emery’s liking, as we all know he plays to win at a flat out pace. That said, it’s difficult to blame players thinking they have a game wrapped up, even as early as it looked. I don’t think it made much of a spectacle for us fans though and most of the game looked like a training exercise.
There were a few things to talk about, one being our penalty, after Pickford was deemed to have fouled Watkins. I like to think I’m pretty neutral when it comes to penalty calls and offsides, and I honestly think there were grounds for Everton to complain that although Pickford definitely did clatter Watkins, it was after Watkins had made his attempt and hence had lost possession of the ball. Of course, it doesn’t give the goalie any right to clatter a player, but we all know these sorts of clashes happen and I don’t believe there was any intent.
I’m certainly not going to complain about any penalty given in our favour, but I think if the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t have been very happy.
Luiz took the penalty and I was intrigued as to why it wasn’t Watkins? Then it seems that Watkins missed a couple in the pre-season, so it seems Luiz has now been tagged as our penalty taker. I’m really not sure what that says about Watkins, but surely any striker wouldn’t be very happy about that. I think it’s yet another indicator of how the striker couldn’t hit a cow’s proverbial with a banjo lately. I honestly hope he hits top form again, but the reality is he seems to miss more and more chances as time moves on.
Then there’s the injury to Coutinho, where he really didn’t look in good shape. Surely we’re not going to get another long term injury, are we? I certainly hope not and you have to expect that might have scuppered any transfer he and maybe the club were hoping for. Not good.
Man of the match was officially John McGinn, but I’d already given it to him at half time. Exactly the opposite to last week, he worked tirelessly and dominated the midfield.
And then there’s Jhon Duran, who was only on for about two minutes before he was gifted a chance from a terrible Ashley Young throw in. It’s definitely a funny old game, but it was nice to see the lad get his first goal for us.
All in all, a nice easy day’s work which leads us nicely into what should be another easy game at Hibs, who won’t even have the weather in their favour.
Here we go with the pretty much non stop games.
I can’t wait.
Easy! Easy! Easy!
Well…. it’s not very often we can say that is it?
Might as well make the most of today, I say 🙂
A really poor Everton side who look like relegation contenders already. At least it resets our goal difference.
Another serious injury by the way Coutinho went off unable to put his foot on the floor.
Probably the perfect training game for Wednesday too. Pity the Battle of Britain isn’t on TV! I bet it would be if it was one of the big boys.
An interesting game, we never looked like we’d shifted out of 3rd gear, but Everton were so poor that we never had to.
Listening to the Sky commentary, they mentioned that both Luiz and McGinn have been practicing penalty-taking all week; and that Watkins’ record from the spot over the last few seasons has been pretty weak.
Overall it doesnt tell us much new about Villa, but confirms that Everton will spend the season simply trying to stay out of the drop zone (again).
Watkins is a problem for me. Never rated him, even during last seasons run of goals.
Just the tonic needed – a visit from Everton. Injuries to Iwobi and Calvert-Lewin did not help them. Calvert Lewin is a menace to himself and any opponents he shares a pitch with. He leads with his elbows all the time and was so late in his challenge that Martinez had both hands on the ball, and Calvert-Lewin injured himself.
He needs to learn there are bull fights in Argentina also. A man who was guest of honour at a bullfight left before the final bull. Later the director handed him a pair of testicles – awarded by the crowd – to take home and make soup. Wondering why they were smaller than expected – he was told ‘The bull does not always lose.’
Worrying was the ease with which Everton got round the back on both wings, Villa cannot expect other opponents to do as little with that position, as the toothless Everton.
Bloody hell, OLL, I spat my celebratory beer out! 🙂
You’re right about them getting round the back though. They demonstrated it in the first couple of mins against Cash.
It’s a real weakness, that as you know I specifically mentioned last week.
Against lesser teams, it’s not so much of a problem, but Emery admitted to tactical errors last week and I don’t think we will be so open against “better” sides.
Elsewhere Caciedo concedes a pen and Chelsea go 3-1 down. Hahahah 🙂
Good result and overall like many others on other blogs saying the same, the performance started a little nervy and rusty in places. I think Ollie is a good striker but he’ll not been a 20 goal striker for me. His warm spells are too far between and not consistent.
I have been a big criticiquer of Bailey; mostly out of disappointment. I think he has the potential to be phenomenal and seemed more interested in doing his own thing than being part of the team. I saw a different side to him today that I hope is here to stay. He tracked back, he played the pass, and was in all the right places today.
Really thought PC has looked in good shape all preseason so hope his injury isn’t bad.
That feels better
Digne to Nice; Philogene to Hull?
Digne wasn’t too nice to his old club today, Hitchens. An essential part of our attack is his crossing ability. Similar to the spotlight on Ward-Prowse corners, the quality comes from the loop. The ball goes high and drops so only the target player and perhaps a close marker can get it. Unlike a flat cross which a defender can get a head to and deflect. So no thanks to his transfer – until we have a fit left back with similar ability.
Philogene would be another bonkers loan, an injury to Bailey and we haven’t got a right winger if the lad has gone.
Agreed OLL – but I do think Emery wants a different style of player to Digne at left back and, it seems, he’s also the highest earner at the club!
However, Villa wouldn’t sell him without having a replacement – would they?
Agree with most of your analysis, Badger. Apart from the easing off of the throttle not being to Emery’s liking. My view us that this is Unai not only orchestrating game management, but season management. He knows that playing twice a week is a big ask at this level. So when there’s an opportunity to drop down the gears approximately half way through a match, I’m certain he will do that all season, even if it means the fans are shortchanged at the match. We have to look at the bigger picture. So if we can put awful teams like Everton away within the hour, I’m certain we will be seeing more multiple substitutions and dropping down of gears during matches. Personally, I was delighted to see that, as it allayed my concerns a little about how the team will cope with Europe on Thursdays. We could have smashed Everton 7 or 8 without doubt; they were that poor. But I’ve no doubt Unai not only had Hibs on Wednesday in mind, but also a little trip to Anfield…
UTV
p.s. how long before Diaby loses patience with Watkins missing clear cut chances he’s laying on for him? Having said that, I think Ollie with bag a brace in Scotland…
Would anyone be interested in Mbuemo of Brentford? Looks a better finisher than Ollie and strong as an ox. The fact is Brentford are a selling club. How much would they accept? The player would come to VP, no doubt.
Everton were abysmal but you can only beat the team in front of you. McGinn was immense and I think he’ll be far more effective playing further forward alongside Diaby as he was today. Watkins is clearly off his game but I’m wondering if a little competition might give him the kick up the arse he surely needs. Duran certainly provided that today and not forgetting that Zaniolo and Diaby could probably do a decent job in a central striking position as well if required.
I honestly think that the Newcastle game was just a blip and it will be onward and upward from here on.
Onwards and upwards! Everton were the perfect team to play after last week. There were signs of ring rustiness but with more more matches coming think and fast this should soon be removed.
Diaby looks the real deal and he seems to be inspiring Bailey. McGinn was just immense.
I was pleased that we have won without Mings, previously only won one out of fourteen with him being absent.
I am becoming ever more convinced we are still looking to make one more big signing, namely a striker, probably Felix. Currently, the only strikers are Watkins, Archer and Durán. Zaniolo is more a midfielder. My reason is the apparent approach of selling off our promising home grown talent, on buy back schemes. It seems Aron Ramsey will go for £14m, Archer is being quoted at around £20m and Philogene, unknown price. These are pure profit sales that help with FFP and give the base for a big purchase. Remember before the summer we were informed via press speculation we would spend big, potentially up to £150m. Currently we have spent approximately £90m. With Digne and Coutinho likely to be sold it points to a big addition. I can’t believe we will go into this season with the current strike force. Especially as Watkins is currently blowing cold and needs competition to drive him forward, like Diaby has done to Bailey.
I’m surprised by the rumour around Digne. Not only was he (again) one of our most creative players yesterday, but with Moreno still injured we simply don’t have another LB at this time.
Even if Acuna does arrive in the next few days (& B’ham Live this morning are reporting that there’s still no agreement with Sevilla regarding the fee) it will presumably take him some time to get used to playing in the PL – and with Torres still settling in, and Mings out for the season, we’re going to be very shaky down the left hand side for a good few weeks if Digne is allowed to depart.
I think he’ll go if we get a good offer from Nice although the suggested loan and option to purchase with Villa paying a portion of his wages sounds ‘thin’. Surely we would want a straight sale?
For whatever reason I don’t think he fits into Emery’s plans?
Might be right at the end of the window though.
Hibs have made Des Bremner “Special Guest ” for Wednesday’s match, nice touch (:
I see that Calvert-Lewin has fractured his cheekbone. You might call it bad luck but slamming into Emi the way he did was just reckless and was only going to end one way. It must have felt like running full on straight into a brick wall.
“BBC Scotland have secured the rights to show live coverage of the European ties involving Edinburgh’s big two clubs this week – Hibernian versus Aston Villa and Hearts ”
Download STV player (:
I read somewhere that Hibs v Villa is on BBC iPlayer
You would appear to be right 🙂
If you have any problems on iPlayer accessing the stream you can change your location –
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/programme-availability/national-regional-programmes
You’re spot on 1874, BBC Iplayer – channels- Scotland.
Happy days 😍
Just watching Alaves v Sevilla and I’m surprised that they just taken off Acuna for the second half. He was playing well and didn’t appear to be carrying an injury so just wondering if Monchi and Sevilla have finally come to an agreement?
Certainly hope so as I think that he would be a real asset going forward being both an experienced defender used to playing big games and a pacy wing back too when required.
I’m not happy with the story going around that villas owner nas has been involved in talks about selling bidace to Hull.
Surely this should be done with monchi as sporting director
I don’t like owners getting involved with team matters even if they pay the cheques
Be interested to here what others on here think about it.
Plus I think the club had pencilled in the signing of Abraham but for the cruel injury
Roy, I’m not convinced by that story.
Why would one of our owners be talking to Hull?
If it’s another one of those “bring some dough in quick, to balance the books” deals, but with another buyback clause, I can live with it.
It’s not ideal, but given how much money our owners have pumped into the club, it seems harsh to criticise when they try to claw a bit back.
But yes, I agree, owners should generally not be involved with players comings and goings in any way.
Davis is possibly going to Hull – fee of £2m agreed but not personal terms!
I don’t think the owners are making the transfer decisions. Yes, they are setting the financial strategy within which Emery / Monchi have to work but I believe Emery is making the key decisions on who goes and who comes.
They may become involved in finalising deals though.
It seems Villa’s injury jinx has struck again as it’s being reported that Acuna suffered a hamstring injury in the Alvarez game at the weekend which probably kills any potential deal.
Sighs ……
Confirmation of the game on the BBC and team news –
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66573659
Remember that it’s an early kick off at 5:45
5.45? What a stupid time.
I’ll be lucky if I’m home by then 🙁
I’m glad you said though, cheers.
Apparently it has to be that early so as not to clash with the Champions League play offs at 8 pm.