I don’t dislike United as much as I have done in the past, mainly because they’re not winning anything. Well, no more than usual anyway, but I do have an intense dislike for playing against them.
It used to be one of the fixtures of the season for me and it probably still is for many, but that was in the days when we used to be able to match them better.
Now, us consistently losing against them has just made the fixture tedious, because I know what’s most likely coming.
Hence, I find it difficult to motivate myself.
Still, we do have a couple of advantages, in that Ten Hag won’t have a clue who our new leader Unai Emery will play or how he will set up.
We also have the new manager bounce too, of course.
Injury news and the good news is that Boubacar Kamara and Ludwig Augustinsson may be available after both trained in the week.
It’s still too early for Diego Carlos, who’s a way off recovering and Emi Martinez wasn’t mentioned either way, so while I’d expect him to be fit, it’s still possible that he might not be ready after his head clash.
As for Utd, Raphael Varane (injured) and Bruno Fernandez (suspended) are both out and Jadon Sancho, Antony and Anthony Martial are all doubts.
Marcus Rashford trained on Friday and should be okay, after tweaking a muscle in their Europa cup game.
So while Ten Hag won’t know what to expect, neither will we, but I’d expect Emery to not change too much and stick with two holding mids in a 4-2-3-1. It would still be Watkins up top, more for his industry rather than his striking skills lately, as I just don’t think Ings offers enough.
It’s strange, but I’m not convinced there was much wrong in last week’s approach, yet players just look devoid of any confidence as soon as things go against them. Emery has to see this as a priority and my guess is he will rid us of “bottlers” and install more character, but that’s further down the line.
If anything, Coutinho shouldn’t start, in my opinion, but you might suspect that the manager will be itching to see such a big name player for himself.
Buendia just offers more industry and at least fights.
You can probably see a bit of a theme in the type of player I like.
I struggle with us losing, but I find it a bit easier to swallow if we’ve at least put some effort in.
It’s probably why I stuck with McGinn and even Watkins so long, to be honest, but I just can’t abide players who don’t seem interested.
Anyway, I’m waffling, so straight to what to think and sadly I think it will be business as usual and Emery will get to see exactly what our weaknesses are.
I would like to think he gets to see that we do have some very decent players and they just need organising properly.
Sadly, I’m guessing it’s more likely that he sees just how big a task he faces.
Cutting to the chase, it’s a cautious approach then and I’d actually be okay with a draw today. I think if we go too gung ho, they’ll have too much for us.
Unfortunately, I don’t see us getting a draw.
It’s a 1-2 defeat and knowing Utd, probably a late winner.
Not much change then.
Here’s hoping we’re at least on the up!
Another tough game, but aren’t they all?
Badger
Totally agree. This now is a work in progress. Emery will quickly sort the wheat from the chaff. I am looking forward to this journey.
The last time we beat United in a Prem game was 1995 – the infamous ‘you don’t win anything with kids’ comment.
That’s 23 games on the bounce of which we have lost 15. In fact we’ve only won 4 out of 54 games against them.
That’s simply not good enough and points to a club that goes into these matches expecting to lose whether subconscious or otherwise. This and our general inability to match up to the top six is something Emery has to address.
Logic would say that Villa have to win a game against them at Villa Park, so why not today?
No prediction from me because I don’t really have a clue but logic is probably wrong and we’ll probably just accept defeat as per normal. At least I can’t watch it and have to listen to the commentators fawning over United.
I’m living in hope, hope being we have found someone to get us back to the big times, looking at the team’s in the league I really dont fear anyone yet. it will take time to find a winning Patten and thinking we have , but !! it’s down to our players by getting behind our club for us fans . VTID.
This is well worth a read and reaffirms what I think, as Villa fans, we know is special about our club.
Pretty emotional as well.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/how-aston-villa-and-the-saintly-graham-taylor-saved-my-life-after-things-spiralled-out-of-control-at-old-trafford-42122659.html
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Luiz, Dendonker, Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins
Kamara on the bench but no room for Archer.
No massive surprises.
If Emery likes playing with wingers expect Ramsey to play wide left and Bailey wide right.
And no Coutinho at all. That’s interesting. Injured or simply dropped?
SUBS: Olsen, McGinn, Sanson, Ings, Chambers, Augustinsson, Young, Bednarek, Kamara.
Ronaldo is Man U captain, which is also interesting. Appeasement or good man management?
Back, back, back all the time already. Utter crap.
Ramsey wide right. How inneffective will he be today, I wonder?
Bailey, yes!!!! 1-0.
And Ramsey fed him, lol
Digne from a free!
2-0!!!
Have it Manure!!!
I don’t believe it , 2 nil keep it going Villa .
Strangely, we’ve hardly started playing at all yet.
Funny old game.
Badger back back will do me till full time now ,.
lol Bill 🙂
We actually look threatening.
Players just downing tools for Gerrard looking more and more likely to me.
Blimey, half an hour and Manure have hardly had a sniff.
Emery must be thinking “what was the problem?”
Easy, it was Gerrard mate.
Good play from Ramsey then.
Seems I’m talking to myself. Oh well 🙂
The last thing we wanted and they score late on.
2-1 and my first impression was that even though there was a big deflection, I was surprised Martinez didn’t even move.
So it would seem neither our poor luck nor United’s good luck have changed.
Now – can Emery manage to keep Villa together in the second half?
If it wasn’t for bad luck we wouldn’t have any.
That’s annoying, because we’ve been well worth the money for 2-0.
2-1 leaves it all open now and anything could happen.
You have to see manure getting another.
Can we?
In our favour they haven’t made any real chances and they ain’t the most prolific team so 🤞.
Our free kick well…
Was watching a documentary on Forest under Cloughie, John Robertson asked Cloughie what should we do if we get a free kick just outside the box?
Cloughie “Shoot!”
Robbo “What about an indirect free kick?”
Cloughie ” Pass it to the side and shoot!”
Nanny, you should watch it mate.
Ramsey gets a third after great play!
3-0, double have it manure.
Watkins is a different player today.
Yesss