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.
Yes, Bailey!
1-1
Please please draw , good show from us , Gerrard for manager.. 😂
Now they show that Phil’s goal should have counted
Fair play to Gerard. Interesting post match interview. Reading between the lines he has been ultra stubborn in how he wants to play but maybe the penny has finally dropped. He lives to fight another day .
You have to hope .
A much improved performance by us. I feared the worst when Haaland scored but we showed grit and I think we deserved a point. City never got into their usual stride and when McGinn went off we definitely played better. Gerrard lives to fight another day!
Well well well , I’ve had my next door neighbour drinking in my house watching the game and he left before I knew we had gone above them him being a West Spam fan, shit was that was a goal we got and rule out . Well done Villa ..
Good spirit in the team tbf. Pleased with the draw
I have been clear in my criticism of SG. Today it appears the Penny has dropped with him. The changes he made to the midfield worked. We have to be hard to break down and by sacrificing Coutinho and Buendia, we were better.
Massively impressed by Ashley Young – 37 and was my MOM.
Next stop for SG drop McGinn, who is way off form. I would play Dondoncker to replace him. His defensive stats are far super to McGinn. Let’s win ugly and build confidence, that in turn breads a team, allowing the flair players to add the icing on the cake.
Martinez should become captain. The way he went down and took time out of the game, after we equalised stopped us conceding straight off. Plus the way he worked the crowd was superb.
If SG shows humility and pragmatism, he may turn the corner.
Was at Villa Park as usual, great win, the atmosphere was refreshing, reminded me of the 2-0 win v Everton, where the atmosphere was rocking. I think a key part today was how the fans got involved, we made Villa Park a strong place to go. Also, we looked like we had a plan.
We started off okay, then got put under more pressure, but when we soaked it up, and survived without conceding, we learned the game and how Man City play throughout, and we played around them, and when we needed to clear, we cleared it, we began to make smart decisions. In disbelief as I say this, but we looked organised.
Credit to Ashley Young, my MOTM and in my opinion one of the best performances off the bench I have seen in a very long time, from any player. He was a huge part of it today. The offside was controversial, but it is what it is, argument being that if he didn’t blow, Ederson would’ve tried harder, as he looked as if he wasn’t trying, but, bottom line, that whistle wouldn’t have been blown had it been Man City attacking.
Overall, good result, and I think this could be a good platform, 4 easy(ish) fixtures and then an out of form Chelsea side, who look in dissaray when they are fought against, like Saints the other night. At the end of the day, the fickle fan I am, if that happens, Gerrard’s job is safe for me, but to be honest, he’s saved his job tonight, I’d hope.
Hopefully this is good things to come now, we looked like we had a ball winning mentality, UTV!
Great result today and we should have won, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, City never really got into first gear and they looked off it today, much like Liverpool they aren’t at their best this season just yet.
Thought we looked much better than of late but took us 46 mins to grow into the game, towards the end I really thought we might nick it.
Doesn’t change my mind about Gerrard one bit.
One game doesn’t make me change my mind about Gerrard either. If he has realised FINALLY that we need more presence and physicality in midfield, then maybe he can change fans opinion of him.
I also have to acknowledge Youngs performance as an early substitution. If he plays that well then you have to question should he start against Leicester even if Cash is fit? I suppose it comes down to whether his legs are up to it.
I feel like you Holte but ,and a big but after listening pre post and seeing and after he spoke to us 1 more chance by me, I agree in what you’ve just said it’s took a long time for him to wake up to the facts.I want what everyone wants and that’s a team going places, Gerrard New to the game like Ferguson was for utd, I’m hopeful that given a little longer we might have a good manager, we have to think he got it right yesterday and we was robbed we actually won that game but that’s others making mistakes.Holte don’t get me wrong I’m passionate when it’s the Villa and I’ve been angered like you but as I’ve said 1 more chance only for me.
Good game eventually and we beat them whatever the ref did.
What a brilliant match from young now that’s what you want from a captain
He lifted the crowd and the players with his they shall not pass attitude.
And how many noticed Martinez use gamesmanship after we scored by being injured to take the sting out of the game he deserves an Oscar.
But this is what the top teams do all the time look at Mendy yesterday he got goal disallowed by saying his shoulder had been broken by the way he rolled around.
And I think that’s what Gerrard wants from his player’s,I don’t like it but if it gets us to where we want to be so be it.
Maybe there’s some hope after all but next 3 matches will tell,
Just noticed!! Knew not new. (silly boy billy. )
I might (only might) have to review my OLL type vow not to watch the Villa until Gerrard has left the building.
Whilst I agree the next four games are vital – we have a run of ten games up to the World Cup break in which we only play one ‘top six’ side (Chelsea) plus Man U that will ultimately define our season and probably Gerrard’s future.
Everyone posting here agreed Gerrard’s career in management prior to Villa was of no value in the EPL. So at the beginning he lacked experience – and you know the truism about experience “It is something you get only after you really needed it”.
The experience he has gained this season is that a complement of 3 stylish players in midfield will not work if confronted by a mixture of grit and style. That is a pity – the stylish players would be more enjoyable to watch. Our recent purchases are reinforcements in both senses. Even the names: Dendoncker and Bednarek – suggest ballet skills do not run in the family.
Lastly, as Sid suggests above, the captain cannot be the first player hooked, which is what is happening to McGinn. Next awkward decision for SG is to move it on.
Looks like Gerrard has to succeed! Potter likely to go to Chelsea. There goes one of own. Although, Chelsea over last 20 years sack a manager every 550 days. He should be ready to take over Villa at the start of 24/25 season.🤪
Pochettino AND Tuchel now available. These are the calibre of manager required to take Aston Villa to the next level. Mr Edens? Mr Sawirs?
I was worried about Chelsea going for Poch. Please let NEWS be lining him up for us!
I thought the same thing, Bum Bum. If that happens, I’d settle for Tuchel, although I truly believe that Poch is an absolutely perfect fit for Aston Villa.
I liked to say how sad to hear the news about the queen’s death today
I know it’s nothing to do with Aston villa but it would be nice of the club to make a gesture or statement of her great service to the country especially as Prince William is a fan of villa.
Condolences to him and his family on behalf of the villa fans
Totally seconded Roy. God Save The Queen and indeed our new King.
A life in service gracefully received.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/08/aston-villa-mourn-the-passing-of-her-majesty-the-queen/
Statement from Villa following the death of The Queen which I hope speaks for us all.
She has been the one constant in our lives for so long dedicating her life to serve her country and it’s people for which I, for one, am eternally grateful.
Long Live The King.
Queen Elizabeth II should go down as our greatest ever monarch. 70 years on the throne is astonishing and should be recognised. It’s right to postpone all sport today and the weekend so we can reflect and remember what she has done for this nation, the commonwealth and the rest of the world. When times were difficult, she was always a pillar of strength. King Charles III has a hard act to follow.
Whilst I don’t believe in a monarchy and I don’t particularly have any time for the royal family, the Queen was a true exception because she devoted her entire life to the job and worked right up to her last days.
She really was a remarkable lady.
RIP
Well said everyone what a woman she was the most photographed person in history and one of the most famous with a total understanding of society not just here but all over the world we will miss her so much