It’s been that long since I wrote anything that I actually had to think about how to do it.
Looking at the World cup purely from a footballing point of view, I thought it was an outstanding event. Yes, the politics thing was a shame, but I just did as per usual and tried my best to keep them apart.
I even managed to call the winners.
Anyway, so while it was excellent, I’m glad it’s all over and we’re now back to the real thing. There’s just nothing that compares with the domestic game, for me.
And it doesn’t get much better than Liverpool at home on a boxing day.
I’ve seen quite a few Villa fans saying that they think we’re going to get tonked for some reason but I actually think today will be much more like a first game of the season, almost friendly-like and I fully expect to see some odd scores today.
Which means I reckon we can actually beat Liverpool.
Squad news first and as we already know Emi Martinez won’t play because he’s still in Argentina, lapping up the glory of winning the World cup. I don’t begrudge him, especially as he’s the first Villa player to win it.
The bad news is that while Jed Steer is still out, Robin Olsen will cover.
That’s quite worrying, as he was horrendous last time out, but I’m going to look on the positive side and think that he can’t possibly be as bad today. Can he?
Let’s not forget that he is Sweden’s goalkeeper, so he must have something about him.
Jacob Ramsey is out with a hamstring problem, but otherwise, I think we’re ok.
It’s just a bit disappointing to me that after such a long break, we haven’t got a clean bill of health, but our training has often been discussed and we’re no closer to finding out why we seem to get so many injuries, so I’m not going to dwell on it.
As for Pool, all of their WC players apart from Ibrahima Konate will be available.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both been ill, but should also be available while James Milner (hamstring) and Roberto Firmino (calf) will both be out.
So maybe it’s not just us, after all.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Unai Emery sets us up today, as it’s the usual pros and cons with us, isn’t it? Our attack is quite strong, but our defence is not the best, to say the least.
Liverpool attack well when they’re on song, so we’ll have to be careful.
I suspect Emery tends to playing safe though, so I’m sure with his emphasis on detail, he should have us well briefed, with the players knowing exactly what they have to do.
As I’ve said, I think it’ll be like a first day game, so anything could happen, which makes predictions really difficult, but I suspect we might see a draw.
Given that Pool have a propensity to score quite a lot more than us, I’d actually take a point.
And that’s what I’m predicting.
A safe 1-1 draw.
Hopefully we’ll at least see some goals today.
Don’t forget this is on Amazon Prime in UHD.
Oops, a belated Happy Xmas to all 🙂
Oh dear Olson in goals, not good.
Just hope they don’t play around at the back cause that most certainly ain’t his forte and it’s more or less a given he’ll make a gaffe.
It doesn’t feel good, reading this!
We need to start well and get on the front foot. If we allow Liverpool to get into their stride, they will punish us. Emery likes his teams to play from the back and with Olsen and our two CB’s, I can’t help but think it’s a recipe for disaster. I heard it was the reason for Villareal’s goal.
Prediction wise I think it depends on whether Pool get up to speed against us. Unfortunately I can’t see anything other than a win for them. 0-2!
For the environmentally conscious among us, did you know it takes 4 times as much energy to watch in High Definition??!!
I wonder how players pick up so many injuries when not playing too. At least it’s not like Manuel Nuer at Bayern. Injured while skiing!!!!!
Sorry mate but if your so conscious about watching a footy game in hd on your TV that then must beg the question is football (given it’s carbon footprint) really necessary?
Squads flying 60 miles is a sore point…We’re all doomed!!!!!!!!
Anyway, we’re not going to lose today. A draw or a win!!!!! Can’t wait!!!!!
Nah. Can’t be 4 times. It’s only pushing 3 buttons on the remote instead of 1.
Bum Bum I wish I had your belief not confident in our team at all .,
I don’t think anyone will know what to expect so we can include Liverpool in that!
An hour to go!
Barcodes up to 2nd. Amazing what a few billion from a corrupt nation can do!
Olsen, Young, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Buendia, Watkins, Bailey
Kaden Young is on the bench.
Kamara. Cool.
I’ve just noticed ALL games are televised this weekend in the Prem…
And if you do not have Amazon prime but have a fire stick they are on HK Now1
It’s what I have OLL,
Mings and Olsen! I did mention that they are a risk! Young let Robertson have the freedom of the park! Why no Cash?
Oh man, that’s far too easy!
0-1 🙁
How can you see across the line and get offside?
Game over!
Hardly game over but Watkins cannot complain about service.
We are certainly well in this game. No white flags from us!!!
Cash a bit tired still??? An attacking line up.
That keeper is a bag of shite as bad as our constantly bag of shite striker why does nothing ever change
We have had some piss poor strikers in our crap recent history and ollie Watkins is right up there absolute poor as piss
No excuse for at least two of those chances but he is winning some great ball from pretty hopeful punts.
Normal service has been resumed.
We’re terrible and are basically letting them run through us!
0-2 and that surely is game over.
I’ve lost interest now too 🙁
Yep, stopped watching.
0-2 and, frankly, we’re cr*p
With Watkins up- front and Olsen in goal it looks like Liverpool might avenge the 7-2. Nice try by Mings to take Olsen out at the start, but he did more damage to himself.
But I suspect we might struggle to score the two OLL 🙂
There’s a total lack of urgency and boots need to kick arses.
Bugger. Not impressed by our defensive set up at all. Utter chaos.
Its beginning to look like Christmas loosing 2-0 so far .I told you we are not good enough never will be with them so called players. Let’s not call for the managers head it’s them poor footballers we have .they are crap.