If I was to say “I don’t know what to think about this one”, you’d probably think “crikey Badger, you’ve said that a few times this season”. And you’d be right, because I have.
The trouble is, my immediate thoughts are to say I think we’ll win this game.
But for pretty much all of the season, Villa have failed to do what the average fan has expected. It’s worked both ways, mind and just as we put up an excellent fighting display against Liverpool when I think many expected a sound beating, so we’ve failed to win games that we would have assumed to be a shoe-in, such as Ipswich at home. That one particularly sticks in my mind and it’s that sort of result that really rankles me.
Squad news is that Konsa and Bailey both face late fitness tests. I’d say that Bailey won’t get a chance now we have the newcomers, but Unai seems to love him, hence I’d guess that if the player is fit, he will start. Konsa, of course would be a welcome return, albeit I don’t think he’s been at his best this season. Pau, Kamara and Onana are all a couple of weeks away at best and Disasi is ineligible against his parent club.
As for Chelsea, Noni Madueke is out for a few weeks with a Hamsting issue and Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana (the only one I’ve heard of) are all long term injuries. Not that it matters much, as they have stupid amounts of players to call on. Which is something else that rankles, because I’ve literally just read that we face a big fine by Uefa for a financial breach.
Anyway, as I said, I fancy us to win this one, but I just get a sneaky feeling that we won’t and a draw seems most likely. I don’t see it being a high scoring game either and it’s most likely to be a tight affair.
Hence a 1-1 seems most likely to me and in a game where it would good to pull some points back against another Europe contender, I would be disappointed with just one at home.
Then again, watch Villa do the unthinkable again and either win easily or get soundly beaten.
It’s what we do.
UTV!
I have a feeling this is going to be a dour game.
Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn (c), Tielemans, Asensio, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins
Substitutes: Olsen, Zych, Digne, García, Bogarde, Bailey, Malen, Rashford, Jimoh-Aloba
I’ve given up predicting our lot, as you say Badger games that should be a given, we falter but then we turn over Bayern?
Our form can go from the sublime to the ridiculous within a week.
So fingers crossed we turn them over but I won’t be putting a flutter on it.
Spuds are tonking Ipswich 4-1 at Portman road. Sums up the Villa when we couldn’t even beat them at home.
Chelsea have had a week off and I think that will give them the edge. Hopefully we will start with the same tempo we had against Spurs and get a couple of goals. Unfortunately we are almost guaranteed to concede so we will need at least two goals to win.
I think we will lose 1-2 as our league campaign takes second place to the cups.
Familiar theme. A goal from their first shot. Maatsen really poor again.
We need to wake up because they are all over us.
Yep same old early goal conceded
Why Ho why has he changed our defence? Cost us a goal already, Maatsen you plonker slow to move , I see Oliver ignoring offside favours Chelsea we are dreadful again .
Looking at Unais reaction to Ollie’s miss I wouldn’t be surprised if Watkins is on his way in the summer.
That man Michael Oliver should never walk on Aston Villa pitch again, he definitely hates the Villa , he should be investigated on his affiliation of Villa over the years . I hate the swine .
I’ve seen enough of maatsen. He doesn’t defend!
Agreed. He is a poor signing, who from memory has had one decent showing.
Digne all day over him, but I’m guessing he just needed resting.
And Moreno!!!!
I’m sick of us playing it backwards just as we have them under the cosh.
It drives me crazy, as we just lose all our momentum and their defence gets time to re-shape.
I just can’t get into watching this game. For some reason Villa-Chelsea has never inspired me as a fixture.
Broken record dept.
How is it that everyone on here can see a goal per game given away with a cross from our left that Maatsen has not been in position to stop and Unai can’t? Surely the club Statto points out it only happens when Maatsen is LB not Digne, and for what it is worth – Maatsen should not play EPL matches because every opponent has sussed it.
Not that he was the only plonker: Wasteful Watkins; and Mcginn failing to shoot from the D when unmarked but slashing the ball over from further out. Maatsen and Ramsey not really a penetrating LW combo. Send on the changes.
Ramsey also failed to track back
The reality is we’re really struggling in the league. Any talk of CL qualification is wildly optimistic at best or just f****** insane. We haven’t won since Everton away, which we made very hard work of, and we just cannot keep a clean sheet. Going nowhere. A top half finish is looking doubtful.
I think Ramsey isn’t at it today, not good timing for him as Rashford will be breathing down his neck. Roger’s almost non existent, Chelsea know to smother Tielmens quick! Watkins doing watkins and we sold bloody Duran!!!! Maatsen an absolute joke! McGinnis only one bothered for me today!
Duran is a huge miss. As are Luiz and Diaby – still.
Damn f****** right! Miles onside. Too obvious to fiddle.
And well done Matt Cash for the ball in.
Var took so long, I forgot to comment.
Get in! 1-1
Oliver has clearly instructed his linesman not to give Villa anything as well.
What is it with our crossing?
It’s bloody awful.
Come onnn the Villa
Malen on for Watkins. Good move.
Bailey on for Rogers, who’s feeling that awful “tackle”. Hmm.
Bogarde blatantly pulled back in the penalty area but not a penalty!
F****** disgraceful, Hitch. I don’t know why we bother. I’d love to hear the explanation for why it’s not a penalty. It would sound like Kamala Harris after 3 litres of whisky. 😡