I think about this game and struggle to stop myself from laughing.
It’s really not funny, but if I don’t laugh about it, the possibilities of what could happen are just too depressing to think about.
I said before the Arsenal game that I was actually more worried about that one than the City game, although I also said that it wouldn’t surprise me if we managed to keep the score reasonable, which we did.
I’d like to think we can do the same in at least limiting the goals against City, but I just don’t see it happening.
Which leads me to the headline, where I can see Emi getting a real workout in picking the ball out of the net.
Given that our defence has more holes in it than a fishing net, I find myself wondering if Gerrard will try and tighten us up by playing a more defensive setup. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t, but I’m not sure it will make any difference as I fail to see past Man City beating us convincingly.
Straight into squad news and only Diego Carlos is injured for the Villa.
City have Aymeric Laporte out for a few weeks, but Kalvin Phillips, Nathan Ake and a certain Jack Grealish are all available, as is new signing Manuel Akanji.
Oh, that we had similar options to the Citizens, eh?
But we haven’t. Instead, we have a load of players who are either badly out of form, or more likely just totally demoralised by a manager that seems out of his depth at a club where the fans are seriously worried for the future because the super transfer window we thought we were going to get failed to materialise, leaving us with major inadequacies still to be remedied.
And I’m sorry, but while there is nothing intrinsically wrong with players such as Bednarek or Dendoncker, they ought to be just backup squad players if we’re supposed to be pushing on the way we thought we were.
The point has been made that top six Prem clubs have spent lots of money and indeed we apparently had the 13th highest gross spend of £63 million, with a net spend of £25 million. It’s a good point and we all know we’re not going to be competing with anybody, let alone the top six, at this rate.
I’ve previously said that perhaps because the hierarchy doesn’t trust Gerrard anymore.
If that isn’t the case, we need to be seriously concerned.
So we go with what we have and frankly hope for the best, which is at least a half decent performance.
Worryingly, I can see a red card today, particularly if McGinn and Ramsey both play and if we do get one, you can see things getting really nasty if you’re a Villa fan.
There’s been quite a bit of talk about Haaland being rested for this game, as he won’t be needed.
You’d normally think that’s crazy, seeing as he’s on target for three hat-tricks in a row, a feat that’s never been achieved in any major league anywhere in the world.
But Pep doesn’t do sentiment does he?
If he thinks the player needs to be rested, he will be.
Regardless, I see that as the ultimat insult to the Villa, yet it says it all about us currently as a team.
I’m going for 0-3, which given our current level probably wouldn’t be classed as a disaster, or at least is no worse than we’re all expecting.
But it’s the fans’ reaction that I’m more interested in.
It seems pretty unanimous that Gerrard needs to go if you read anywhere on the internet, but it’s the fans at the match who are the ones I take the most notice of.
If I had some hatches, I’d be battoning them down.
My sunny disposition means I’m still laughing 🙂
Oh, here’s the spending table, if anyone’s interested;
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/einnahmenausgaben/wettbewerb/GB1
I’m not looking forward to this. I think we will get hammered. 5 or 6 for me.
Badger get a grip take the punishment like us …
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Mings, Konsa, Cash, Ramsey, Kamara, McGinn, Luiz, Watkins, Bailey.
Subs: Olsen, Chambers, Augustinsson, Young, Bednarek, Coutinho, Buendia, Ings, Archer.
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Silva, Foden, De Bruyne, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Wilson-Esbrand, Lewis, Ake, Gomez, Grealish, Palmer, Alvarez, Mahrez.
Haaland starts then.
Oh dear.
I can’t bear to watch. This could be our heaviest defeat ever.
I hope Martinez has some Voltorol for the bad back he will get picking up the ball from the back of his net.
I might watch the game from behind the sofa with the horror show we are surely going to endure.
We don’t have one player capable of getting into their team or even their bench come to think of it. That’s the situation we are in and even worse when you add in the Gerrard v Guardiola effect.
I think it could well be a real hammering so 0-5.
i have bets on from 5 – 0 all the way upto 10 – 0
and haaland hat trick etc etc
Guess I will be called stupid but I’m a Villa Fan forever so I’m hopeful that we will win. I mean who else would I want to win at Villa Park.
Same old, same old.
We create nothing and it’s firefighting football all the time.
It’s just horrendous to watch and indeed, I’m really struggling to stay with it.
Post shot up 6 places
Cash goes off, but it’s okay, we have Guilbert as backup.
Oh…..
Young comes on as the replacement.
Like I’ve said, it says it all about where we are.
No backup players because Gerrard doesn’t like them.
i’m coming on again but i don’t know why i hate gerard & this team he making us in to
How is it 0-0???!!!!
Bum Bum , Cash went off.
It wasn’t a great watch but credit on the team for making City struggle for chances. It was the right move to play Luiz instead of Buendia although it could have been Bailey instead. Important to stay with it at the start of the second half. Palace were 2-0 up at half time but conceded early before the capitulation. I’m also trying to forget our 2-0 lead before our players legs went and the rest of course is history.
I don’t believe Cash is the problem Bill. It’s the way he’s always hung out to dry, that is, imo.
Anyway, the fact that we haven’t sent the full backs marauding forward means we’ve looked tighter.
Who knew, apart from everybody?
We’ve done okay, tbf.
And there’s the quality.
1-0 to Haaland.
This is better Villa!
Take it to them!