It’s another one that has “great game to watch” written all over it, isn’t it?
After watching the cracker that was Luton 3 – 4 Arsenal, where I was gutted for Luton, I came away with the thought that the Gunners are really not that good. Very similar to City, they don’t like it up ’em and titchy Luton were very close to getting a point purely down to outworking the opposition.
I really felt sorry for the Luton lads, as they gave absolutely everything, only to see it worth nothing right at the end of the game.
I find it interesting how often this sort of thing happens so often and if you were writing the script that’s exactly how things would pan out.
But would Luton be complicit in fixing a game? I don’t see it.
Whatever, it’s what makes the Premier league head and shoulders better than any other.
Nowhere else can match the passion of the fans, the standard of the game and just the sheer drama of it all.
And this is probably game of the day. In the whole world. Because we’re such a good watch.
Hopefully we continue to gain fans.
So while I didn’t think Arsenal were very good, the result didn’t surprise me.
They’re just doing what title winning sides do, in winning and grinding results out, even when they’re not at their best.
And I very much think they’re favourites for the title now.
That said, do I think we can beat them?
Absolutely I do. Luton showed that it’s not that difficult to score against them and we’re a damn sight better at that than the Hatters are.
I’ve seen it said more than once recently from Arsenal fans, that they’d take a draw here. We obviously have them a bit worried.
And then we have the better manager/coach. Not to mention that Emery would probably love to get one over his old club, where the fans dismissed him so easily, even though his stats were very good.
So as much as I see reasons for us winning this, the old fogey in me resorts to type, where the concerns set in.
The big one is how long can we keep on physically outperforming the opposition?
I’ve always said that I can’t see an issue with players playing two games a week, but I’m slowly coming round to the idea that if you want them to play at 100%, things are going to take their toll.
Hitchens, my two 16 year old grandsons and myself gave our predictions for the recent run of games. It’s probably no coincidence that the lads sit at 1 and 2 (one predicted 6 wins and the other not far off that) and Hitchens and myself lag behind. I think it stems down to naturally being more cautious and naturally wanting to avoid disappointment , but following the Villa for donkey’s years hasn’t lead to much confidence either really.
So I’m going to go out on a bit of a limb here.
This game is so easy for me to call a 2-2 draw.
When I was 16, I was actually a punk and incredibly rebellious and contradictory.
I’ve actually found myself listening to the Buzzcocks all over again lately.
And I love it.They’re just as good as I remembered.
It reminds me massively of being a 16 year old.
And that rebellious, contradictory kid is going for a 3-2 win. One that will really open some eyes, all around the world.
Come on Villa, let’s see you enter the big time!
That’s not really contradictory at all though is it?
Well, I suppose it is for me.
UTV.
So there we have it. Watch me get it seriously wrong.
It’s the Villa way, isn’t it?
Except maybe it’s not.
I’m currently watching Callum O’Hare sticking it to Bloose. How long can Rooney last? Terrible decision for them to bring him in.
“Oh dear, how sad, never mind” comes to mind.
1 win in 9? Oops.
“Since Rooney came in, they have the lowest points in the division”
Haha 🙂
Roooooneeeeey ………..
No, not really other than he’s giving all the Villa fans the opportunity to post a myriad of jokes. But we’ve been there and it’s not fun .. is it? But maybe any empathy is tempered by the way the club treated John Eustace – you reap what you sow?
Anyway, enough about our neighbours at the sty.
I was never a punk – too old and hated the music at the time – but as I got older I found myself enjoying ( is that the right word) stuff by The Sex Pistols, The Clash et al and very much into Indie particularly groups such as Ash. My kids think I’m regressing 🙂
Back to the football then – I’m a useless pundit but I better stick to my prediction of a Villa win tomorrow – will I regret it? I reckon we’ll be up for this one and the Conference game against Mostar. The challenge may come in the form of Brentford away.
Whatever happens forever UTV.
Look more into the buzzcocks Hitch. They’re actually quite tame compared to Limp Biskit and all that stuff. Actually very catchy, simple and I’ve even seen it described as “childishly romantic” music.
I’ve just always liked an upbeat sound.
Then again, my musical taste would be called “eclectic” as an absolute minimum.
My only comment on the music is that while the 70’s was my era, I couldn’t stand punk/new wave then – and still can’t today!
Back to football: yes, we are capable of beating Arse, BUT I fear this game is simply too soon to repeat the performance from Wednesday. If there’d been a week between the games, I’d go for a win, but as it is I’m hoping we don’t lose. So 2-2 is my guess.
And I’ve just had the Coventry-Blues game in the background on TV this evening: really can’t see why Blues appointed Rooney, it’s almost like whoever has owned that club over the years has simply insisted on doing stupid things. Just when their fans get used to some progress, the owners manage to screw-up (again)…
They really have had some shocking owners over the years, haven’t they?
I do actually feel a bit sorry for their long-suffering fans.
And not owning your ground is the lowest of the low, imo.
I hope the appropriate song on Saturday evening is from Birmingham’s own ELO. “Last train to London” for the deflated Gooners. And while on the subject of deflation: apart from Rooney across town, they have also brought in Tom Brady. No surprise things have gone a bit flat.
I’ll take another 1-0 Villa win, deflected in off Declan Rice.
No no no
Old Jef is a massive nose.
Villa park an ELO free zone please 😁
Heh, loving the music comments 🙂
Keep them coming chaps.
All this winning lark soon proves to be too boring to chat about (hahah! not really!).
Hey I’m living the dream again, watching Mac City ladies v Villa on sky now, we are 1 up come on ladies stuff them Mancs
Buzzcocks
Sex Pistols
ATV
X-Ray Spex
The Clash
Ramones
Chelsea
The Adverts
Subway Sect
The Cramps
The Fall
The Slits
Undertones
Stiff Little Fingers
Eater
The Lurkers
Sham 69
Magazine
Joy Division
And then there’s the cross over into post punk…
To tense to comment on tonight’s game…
Not forgetting the grandaddy of punk Iggy Pop. Saw him at a totally packed Barbarella’s in 1979. Bar ran out of beer before the band even started. Absolutely fantastic show anyway. For some reason Iggy singing ‘I’ve got my cock in my pocket and I’m feeling alright’ has stuck in my head. I wonder why.
Ah, Eater.
I remember listening to this for the first time and thinking “WTF?”
https://www.discogs.com/release/565201-Various-Live-At-The-Roxy-London-WC2-Jan-Apr-77
1874, if it was anything like my trousers with holes in them I could understand. 😄
Dirty git, Bill!!!
Haha, what’s this thread come down to? 🙂
The nerves are building up now.
I didn’t realise, but Arsenal do have a few players out.
I think we’ve got off pretty lightly with injuries, in the scheme of things.
In the thick of the season now and we’re doing okay, touch wood.
Emery’s latest comments seem to be hinting that some of the players might have niggly injuries, but they’re not letting on, probably because they’re enjoying it so much and don’t want to lose their place.
I’d like to think they’re responsible enough to tell the gaffer if they have a serious issue.
Bournemouth tonking Utd 3-0 🙂
Makes last week’s score pretty respectable?
Absolutely. B’mouth are on a run just now, so our result at their place was not to be sniffed-at.
+ I always love seeing ManUre tonked at home…
A guilty pleasure of mine to 🤣
Very good article as usual Badger.
All I hope is that we can play with the same level of intensity and skill as Wednesday night. If we do, we will win.
The key question is can the players expend the same amount of energy as against Man City. This is the big question.
Come on you Villa.
Play as we did Wednesday Sid and I’d take us to beat any team in the world.
Now that is what I call a Rolls Royce moment
No surprises.
Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Pau, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Tielemans, Bailey, Watkins.
Subs: Marschall, Cash, Moreno, Lenglet, Diaby, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Ramsey.
Is Olsen injured? Not been on the bench last two games.
Or maybe Unai is saving him for Mostar 🙂
I’ve played this game through my mind all day and I still don’t know what I’m thinking! On the one hand our form at home is title material but then we’ve had 1 less day of rest than Arsenal, they have the best away form in the league thus far and a solidified starting 11 that City weren’t able to field against us. So we’re in for an even tougher game tonight. Yes we can beat Arsenal but its all about keeping Saka and Odegaard quiet all game as soon as they get to play with freedom we’re in trouble. Fingers crossed we’re on it from the off and that football wins the game not VAR or the ref or some stupid mistake by us. Come on boys.
A win today would be amazing. Arsenal are going to be a tougher proposition than Man City I think because they are on a brilliant run. They are more likely to beat our high line with their wingers.
I’m slightly nervous and think our home run is under threat. A draw is probably most likely.
Agree with you . I’ll settle for just going unbeaten…
McGinn!
Superb play.
You just can’t defend that sort of play.
1-0
Totally different game, this.
We look mentally off it, imo.
Giving the ball away from what should be simple passes..
Agree Badger. Some poor decision making / lack of concentration.
I think that tiredness we’ve talked about is kicking in.
I’d expect fresh legs sooner rather than later.
Ramsey springs to mind, straight off.
All Arsenal’s opportunities are coming from turn overs in midfield.
Agree – I think we started to look tired as the half wore on.