For the last couple of months or more, I’ve become more and more confident and predicted quite a few wins. We all know where that got us.
It just goes to confirm that as soon as you genuinely start to believe, the Villa will do what they’ve done for decades and kick you in the proverbials.
Last week’s win came on the back of me reverting to type and predicting a loss by more than one goal and I find myself sticking to the same vein and going back to being downbeat and not at all confident as it just seems to be a more successful tactic in getting the results we want.
Squad news and the good part, I suppose, is that we haven’t added anyone else to our injury list. We all know the script, I’m sure, so I’m not going to bother to write it all again.
As for Forest, they are without Chris Wood and injured Africa Cup of Nations finalists Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare.
Defender Gonzalo Montiel is training, but probably won’t be ready and Taiwo Awoniyi, who played an hour last week, should start.
I know this should be a straightforward win really, but Villa don’t seem to like playing struggling teams that fight hard and I think this looks very drawish. Hence I’m going for 2-2, mainly because I see a very open game, where I’d like us to get the first goal. If Forest get it, I think I’ll probably be very concerned.
The bad news is I don’t think I’m going to get to see the game, as I’m going to be working.
A quick mention of other stuff and I’m not liking what I’m reading about Heck and his disregard of what the fans think. He needs to go, pronto, but I wonder if he actually has the okay from the owners to ride roughshod over the “customer’s” wants?
Then, we’ve drawn Ajax in the Conference league and I’m fine with that.
They aren’t what they used to be and are actually a place below Alkmaar, who we beat fairly easily in the earlier stage, in the Eredivisie. In keeping with my new totally non confident approach, I’d expect us to narrowly scrape it over two legs.
UTV!
Their goal was far too easy…
They switched off. I know they were 3 up in the first half but I want them to be even more ruthless. Emi needs to be demanding clean sheets.
Argh. Clean sheet! 🤦💩
Whoops! another slack piece of corner defending. The regular back 4 players all confident that the scorer has run offside only to find a Villa forward idling and playing him on.
Still pedal to the metal for the 2nd half and maybe Digne on for Moreno, that was what Digne queried when Unai told him. Moreno does not seem to be comfortable against this opponent.
Random thought: if we’d taken the 3 points at Goodison and held on at Old Trafford for 3, we’d be 3 points off the top and challenging for the title.
Come on Fulham! Hold on for the draw!
As for Villa we must not concede the next goal if there is one or it will be squeaky bum time. Pure sloppiness cost us switching off with seconds to go.
Oh shit! Chambers is on for Torres! 😩
Chambers on for Torres – now that’s a big worry.
I’m getting very nervous about this game!
Pau off hope he’s ok
Told you – we’re going to f**k this up.
Forest now favourites
All Forest now!
Our defence has fallen apart! What has happened to Pau? God no!!!!
All FOUR central defeders out crocked!!!?????
Think I blame Tielemans he’s absent in midfield .
Torres did not l0ok injured and the psychological impact of the switch is crushing. WTF is going on?
Chambers nearly left in the window. If he had who the hell would have taken Pau’s place? This is madness!!!
It’s gonna be a long 40 minutes.
Wtf how has this happened we were cruising
Bailey!!!!!!!!!!
Needed that – great work by Ollie.
Defence looks decidedly uncertain but can you blame them? Yet another new back four!
…and a new midfield…
I really hope Torres is ok – we look so much more composed and under control with him at the back.
Manure getting beat and played off the park by Fulham great day at thee moment for the Villa