Well, this game should be pretty straightforward, shouldn’t it?
After all we beat them on their own patch less than a fortnight ago, so it just makes sense.
Except it just doesn’t work like that with the Villa, as we know all too well.
Just as I said the last time we played them, they’re fighting for their lives so will give us no quarter.
The good news is we shown we can equal anything they care to dish out.
Squad news and the main one is that Ezri Konsa is out for twelve to sixteen weeks. As the manager pointed out, it’s not the worst time to have this sort of injury, but it will still mean the stalwart defender will miss the pre-season.
There’s no way we’ll be selling him in the window.
Emi Martinez has a “small issue” but he’s expected to be okay.
Otherwise, it’s as we were, with Hause and Bailey still out.
As for Burnley, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski are possible players but Matej Vydra, Ashley Westwood and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are all set to miss out with fitness issues.
Thoughts then and while this ought to be, not easy, but a definite win, I won’t be having a bet on the game. I just always have a nagging doubt that we’ll do something stupid and throw it away.
To be fair, it was pointed out on this site that we’ve won the vast majority of games we’ve been expected to win. I checked this for myself, as it just didn’t seem like it, but it is indeed true.
So it would seem my doubt is very much misplaced and I can predict the result with a bit more confidence.
So a Villa win it is.
I’ll go 2-1
UTV!
Now I’ve got my doubts purely because I’ve predicted a win!
Hopefully there shouldn’t be too much to worry about and my only concern is do I watch it in our apartment or at this nice sun terrace bar we’ve found?
When will you learn Badger, you’ve just put the mocker’s on us. We are not yet a team you can put your shirt on😁one day we might but not yet . Not saying.
Just Read this ….
Tyrone Mings is a £35m summer target for Newcastle. Steven Gerrard is not “especially desperate” to offload Mings, but could be persuaded if he can sign Joe Gomez from Liverpool
Forget Gomez .. get Mings a taxi NOW!
Forget the taxi, I will drive him there FOC 👍
He couldn’t get a kick under Howe at Bournemouth (17 games in 4 seasons).
And there was me thinking I was the only one who thinks he’s utter gash.
RSS, that’s an excellent point.
There’s no way Howe would want him, because he knows a good defender and Mings isn’t one.
It’s just another BS clickbait thing.
Whatever, £35 miilion and I’d snap anyone’s hand off.
In fact I’d let him go at £25 mill.
So overrated it’s untrue.
T.G.V. I’ve said Gerrard will get the Liverpool job at Villa Park..
Given our inconsistency I have a sneaky feeling we’re going to get turned over
0-1.
More than likely now that as Bill suggests, I’ve put the mockers on us.
Thought you’d be backing Burnley tonight considering it helps send Leeds down 🤣🤣🤣
If Burnley win, I won’t be brokenhearted, Alfie.
Dirty Leeds and all that 🙂
If you are going tonight, wave goodbye to Captain Mings for me. I don’t expect to see him wearing the Villa armband next season, though I rate his departure chance at only 50%. The BM who aren’t abashed to tout the fanciful transfers, only baulking at the ridiculous, have been unable to link Mings with scouts from any other club. Then today they fly the Newcastle kite in desperation since the new boys with bulging pockets could buy anybody.
Good point that Howe was keen to offload him, but no Eddie is not a genius with either goalkeepers or central defenders hence Bournemouth’s relegation.
Blimey – who’s been to see the knife sharpener 🙂
Interesting line up with Coutinho and Ings absent – Buendia and Chukweumeka start. Does that suggest Chukweumekais going to sign a new contract?
Not making a prediction as I haven’t got a clue!
Hate to say it but i wouldn’t mind handing Burnley the points tonight. Would rather see Leeds or Everton go down. I think the Toffees would enjoy a season or two in the Championship. I certainly did!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nah can’t agree with that Bum Bum – it’s every man for himself!
Looking at Burnley’s line up, it seems they are coming for a point with the hope of nicking one.
Can’t see Everton going down now (famous last words) and with Burnley’s goal difference advantage over Leeds they might well think that a point will be enough.
If that is the case – dangerous strategy.
*nicking a win
Martinez, Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne, Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Watkins, Chukwuemeka.
Subs: Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, Ings, Coutinho, Olsen, Iroegbunam, Feeney
That’s about as experimental as Gerrard will get, imo.
Apart from Ramsey, that’s a team I want to see, as I expect it will prove a few things.
I’ve just seen some stats for John McGinn re six different areas, teamwise. He was first in each one.
And to think some think he’s rubbish.
It really is laughable, but that’s football.
Will Villa be up for it? That’s the biggest question. I’m predicting a 2-1 loss because I think Burnley will be while our players have their sandals on.
Agreed, Holte.
It’s an indicator that Gerrard can keep them wound up or not.
Looking forward to to watching Ramsey, Chucky, McGinn and Buendia operating together.
This could be the basis for a few years with new additions to push the team forward.
3-1 Villa
UTV
I’ve just said the same Sid. The future or a disaster, imo.
Deliberate elbow by Barnes whatever VAR says
Palace one up at Everton.
2 up!!
Is Chuky playing as a false 9?
It seems so, as he’s the most forward
Palace 2 up at everton.
Burnley have come for a point.
Yep and we have very little idea about how to get round it.
We are so, so boring to watch.
We retain the ball, piss about passing it round at the back and it’s all soooo sssssslllllooooowwwww.
Boring.
Cracking effort from McGinn and a good save too.
Is Watkins playing?
And that’s not a slight on him.
We just don’t provide the service, do we?
He’s playing on his own against three centre backs – no chance.