Of our last two games, Pool and Palace, I’d normally be most worried about the former, probably because it’s rare for us to beat them.
But Palace are in excellent form and have taken 16 points from their last 18, only bettered by Citeh, who we rely on tomorrow.
A glance at the form table is a bit of a surprise really, because while it’s pretty universally accepted by us that we’ve been miles off our best, with our small squad and tiredness having taken their toll, we’ve won two, drawn two and lost two in our last six games.
The surprise then is that Liverpool have done exactly the same.
We’ve actually done better than them if you only take the last five games into account and while I don’t set to much store by previous games, it is at least a bit of an indicator that Liverpool aren’t exactly flying either. Not that they need to be. Third place is guaranteed, so can we hope they will have their holiday attire on?
I doubt it, as we don’t get that sort of luck.
Squad news then and with Villa, a lot is up in the air as the fitness of several players with small injuries, including Nicolo Zaniolo, Youri Tielemans and Alex Moreno is being monitored.
It’s all demonstrative of how fatigue has caught up with the lads.
As for Liverpool, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are out,but they are hoping Diogo Jota is ready for a return.
A Reds fan who I’m working with in Liverpool has had a bet that Nunez and Watkins will get two shots each and Luiz will be booked. I told him it could be a decent bet, particularly the Luiz part, but that I wasn’t sure about Ollie, as he can sometimes be taken out of the game if the midfield isn’t offering any supply.
I think this game is easily summed up by the fact that if we were in top form, this is a game I’d have been pretty confident of winning.
Unfortunately, we look jaded and slow, hence I don’t think we’ll be able to live with Liverpool’s overall pace and press.
Would a draw do tonight? Maybe, but Spurs need to win both their gams really because a win and a draw would also require them turning round our 8 goal difference in the difference.
The trouble is, I don’t see a draw, as much as I’d probably take it and it’s another game where I just don’t see us winning either.
It’s a 2-1 or maybe even 3-1 defeat, I’m afraid, with us holding our breath tommorow night.
UTV! and come on lads, one last push!
I’m not really looking forward to tonight’s or tomorrow night’s game.
Given my view that the Prem is now more about entertainment, I just have this nagging feeling that the powers that be will want this to go down to the wire and the Citeh result might not be what we want.
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Diaby; Watkins
Substitutes: Olsen, Chambers, Lenglet, Zaniolo, Duran, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam, Munroe, Kellyman
Pleased Tielemans is back!!!
Conspiracy theory Badger! Whatever happens, make sure Villa don’t qualify for Champions League.
As for team news, we welcome back Tielemans but lose Cash to injury. How on earth do we manage to lose a player every game? Liverpool will be licking their lips with Konsa at RB and Carlos at CB.
Carlos had a corker against Arsenal. Konsa will be fine too…I hope!!
The fact we only have Duran and Zaniolo on the bench is a worry…
COME ON VILLAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
Two actually Holte as we’ve lost Moreno again
Why Diarby over Duran ? last few games he’s been lightweight and none productive. Glad to see our defence been tightened. Will we win ? I’d love it if we get something out of it , got me ready for the off .
Pool love playing at VP and I can’t see us spoiling their dominance over us tonight. 0-3 to Pool is what I’m predicting.
Losing Chesty is a blow. 10 minutes to go!!!
So much for the Adidas shirt spoiler
Now we’re completely fu**ed.
What was that about ensuring Spuds get into the Champions League
Jesus Christ!
0-1
That should have been an easy take.
We ain’t destined lads, I’m telling you
Agreed Badger – I’ve felt that for some time
We look completely gone already
Complete joke. So easy for them to get a cross in or cut in and shoot. I’m changing my prediction to 0-6.
We have completely been found out!
4 out of 5 times on the ball McGinn has lost the ball. He needs to play it simple.
Tired legs again?
We need to find our rhythm and bloody quickly! Nice move just…
Yeeeesssssss!!!!
Yes, Tielemens!!!
1-1
Score prediction revision V3 1-6!
Come on lads! We need to caplitalise on this pressure!!!!!
Our defence is horrendous, but I thought it was off.
Whether or not this goal is given or not – what the xxxx free kick was that by Luiz -aimless and left his team in trouble.
Mental tiredness