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!
Yep, Chucky indeed.
You need to show a lot more than that kid. Sign or clear off, for me.
Everton – Palace 2-2!
Can anyone tell me why Gerrard put Traore on?
To put him in the shop window?
Must be a Charity Shop then 🙂
The basket outside mate (-:
Was just about to add that charity shop comment myself!! Lol!!!
Toffees winning now…!
So VAR spend ages checking a non hand ball by Digne and dismiss Barnes deliberate elbow on Mings.
Which was more obvious?
It was never a handball for me because of the high boot that needed an arm to go up.
Meanwhile, why do so many of our players continue to fall over/slip?
It’s just ridiculous and I struggle to believe someone at the clubhasn’t looked at this.
Everton 3-2 up. Wow.
Ings on for Watkins. Fresh legs and he nearly scores first touch.
with Coutinho having come on too, you would think we’re a scary side to play against.
Ing’s wide with his first touch!
(nothing new there then)
In fairness, Traore has looked really lively here. Nice header too then that Pope does well to save.
Jesus, Martinez and Mings heroics then!
Traores put himself about a bit to be fair.
Amazing block by Mings, unbelievable.
Lowton off after he’s only just come on.
Not malicious, but the follow-through looked bad.
I don’t think it’s a red, tbh.
How poor are we though?
A better second half though Hitch.
Although that’s not saying much.
I can’t be arsed to do a write up on this, so feel free if you want.
Like you Badger have no enthusiasm for writing anything – what do I say?
Burnley came for a point and probably had the better chances to win? Liverpool fans look on knowing the League Championship is gone?
QED!
Not convinced by that performance.
We are no better than average and will finish 14th which is hardly encouraging.
Certainly will not bother watching on Sunday and am not optimistic for next season.
Unbelievable block by Mings.
November D-Day for Gerrard. Needs to shape up or ship off.
Pretty poor despite having 71% possession. Yes we had a couple of chances saved well by pope but not nearly enough clear cut chances we should be making. Some good individuals but doesn’t seem to work as a team unit. Hopefully Gerrard can make some good signings and get rid of some of the deadwood and see if we progress next season. On the evidence today we will get tanked by City, I don’t really care though to be honest the sooner this season finishes the better imo!
Disappointing, we are no way a team to go forwards . I think uncertain players not knowing if they have a job next year shows, Olli was poor again so was our substitution in Triore.
I had a conversation with a Rangers/Chelsea fan last night and he asked me about Gerrard.
When I said that there are a lot of Villa fans who have major doubts about him, he was really shocked and thought he was doing really well for us.
I suspect this is by far how the majority of neutrals think, because they’ve been fed BS by the media.
I don’t know what to say.
I think we are blinkered with our claret and blue tinted glasses in thinking we should be a top six club when a lot of fans see us as mid table at best.
I’m not so sure about that Holte.
I see us as a mid-table club that is aspiring to top 6.
And with the money we’ve spent, we ought to be getting nearer.
Yet we’re not.
I think I’m repeating myself, by my fear is we spend another load of money and still don’t improve.
Then our very generous owners turn the money tap off.
And we’ve got nowhere since we came back up.
If that happens, I know where I’ll be pointing the finger.
SG”s a media darling regardless of the reality.
Must say I loved your earlier comment Badger, sorely tempted to change my user name to “McGinn’s sublime balls”
😁
Mings long legs prove useful for once! Pity MacPhee hasn’t managed to get him to win a few more headers from set pieces.
Having Coutinho and Buendia on at the same time looks a better prospect to me than the Ings and Watkins partnership.
14th place almost certain now which is a massive disappointment. I don’t expect us to improve much next season either. I won’t be shocked if Gerrard is gone by Christmas.
“Gerrard is gone by Christmas”
I’ll second that.