So there I was, having a look via my usual source to see what football was on today. It turns out there isn’t any, but looking at the page, https://www.livesoccertv.com/competitions/england/premier-league/ ,I noticed something interesting. Villa are one of only four teams to have won four or more of their last games, the others being Wolves and Liverpool. Newcastle head the way, with five wins out of the last five.
The point is Newcastle and ourselves are both in good form, while everyone else around us is dropping points all over the place. I think we’ve seen that for ourselves anyway and many have mentioned how results are going our way for a change, but it’s nice to see it in that table and I recommend having a look at the link. Plus it’s a good site to bookmark too, imo.
I’ve said previously that what we do/did in the Champions League this sesaon, while of course massive, is not as big a deal as us continuing to qualify for the competition (winning it apart, of course) and it’s for this reason I actually almost feel this is a bigger game than the PSG one the other night. I know, that might sound daft to some, but the future is not about qualifying this season and then dropping out next season. It’s about constantly qualifying and getting the revenue, recognition and then better sponsorship, followed by better players coming in. We all know how it works and have watched jealously while the sky 4 or 6 have kept creaming it in.
But things are changing and other clubs are beginning to seriously challenge now, with Newcastle, Villa and even Forest and Bournemouth being in the mix. It’s nice to see and proves that old adage where nothing lasts forever. What I’m getting at, is that an opportunity is presenting itself and we have to take advantage of it before some other club does.
And it’s this that makes this game a possible season breaker in my eyes. Lose this and I’d think CL qualification will most likely be beyond us. Yes, we’d still be very much in the running for the Europa or Conference leagues, but frankly, they’re not the same.
Of course, the Man City game on Tuesday will also be just as important for us, but well, let’s just worry about one game at a time, eh?
Squad news and it’s all good. Everybody is available, which is for the first time in a long while.
As for Newcastle, Lewis Hall is out for the season, Jamaal Lascelles is struggling to be back this season and it’s too soon for Sven Botman.
I’m concerned about this one, I must admit. Newcastle are in the middle of a goalscoring spree, having scored 1,2,3,4 and 5 goals in their previous games and while I’m not expecting them to get anything like 6 goals in this game, I definitely expect them to get more than one. I think we’ve conceded 11 goals against them in our last 3 games and I’m still not convinced we’ve anywhere near tightened our defence up, so I don’t think that bodes well.
But then, we can score goals too and I also see us getting a couple. This is too close for me to call either way really and I think with Newcastle’s pace and the physical approach they have will see the result revolving around our defence.
I’m going for a 2-2 draw and I really hope that’s not the result. 3 points is a must today.
Onana 4-1!
Oh my days!
The GD!
Totally disagree with that constitution …. Like feck I do. Brilliant call Uni
Goal. Great 3-1 4-1 now great.
Same as I said again… And again
Four!!!!!!
Why don’t Unai go on the pitch after the games ?
I forgot to hit the “post comment” button 🙂
4-1, unbelieveable (Jeff).
Commentators curse. Newcastle have won by 1 then 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 will it be six. NO IT FeCKIN wont
Ripping them apart – similar to the second half against PSG!
Big sub swap out.
Because we can.
How nice is that?
Fuuukkkin yeeeaaahhhss cheating fucking referee shove that up your var arse that’s shut the barcodes wankfest commentary up joe Linton is shite wouldn’t get on our bench ohhhh I luv the VILLA
I like your style!!
We now have a strong and big enough squad to follow up CL games. In the first half of the season we were down to the bare bones.
How good was that?
Would you believe I have nothing to say. I just love everything except Trump
Comms going on about how three times in a week was a step too far for the Barcodes!
Err – we also played three times in a week including the CL – maybe the difference is that we have a better squad? When could we last say that?
May get slightly pissed tonight!
UTMV
I will take satisfaction in calling at half time our subs would make the difference. Stupid xxxxibg commentator is Saigon g barcodes had played 3 in a week – xxxx off!
Badger for once I disagree with you. The more Maarten plays the better he is becoming (appreciate he was at fault for their goal).
We have a great squad.
Now we go and beat Man City on Tuesday. Why not? We are good enough.
Agree Sid – I think we’re starting to see Mattsen quality.
He was at fault for the first but the rest of his game was top quality. PSG’s full backs scored three of their five games – upgrading our fullbacks is key.
I do like Cash but maybe Garcia will prove to be the upgrade we need.
If we can keep everyone fit to the end of the season – ‘would you bet against us’?
Hope Sir Ron is watching,
One very happy and emotional Villan
Superb 2nd half performance and our bench is superior to theirs. It will be amazing if we can get a win at the Emptyad Stadium. There must be a nervousness in the minds of the opposition knowing we are on form and our players are all back to fitness.
UTMV
What the he’ll we all worried about?
We are now good enough to beat anyone , add consistency and we will be challenging for the title next season
Boy are the Sky commentators a bunch of….Talk about trying to lay the negativity on Ollie…
We are looking seriously good now best team since 96 i think
3rd Gen mentioned a title push next year. My thoughts exactly. One or two top drawer additions in the summer and there’s no reason why not. First thing’s first…
Magnificent from all concerned! Bravo Unai and the boys!