Villa – Norwich; Does this game matter?

Well, yes it matters massively to Norwich, as they can still be overtaken should they lose to us and the Blades win at Stoke.
A point would be good enough for the Canarys, but I definitely can’t see them playing for a draw, so they’ll be looking to win which might play into our hands.
Depending which team plays of course, although Dean Smith has already emphasised that we’re not allowed to change things up too much.
So no second string team then although you’d expect a couple of players to be rested.
First is John McGinn and we already know he won’t be playing, as we can’t risk him getting another booking.
I’d also expect Jack Grealish to be subbed quite early if he actually starts. While I wouldn’t expect Norwich to target him specifically, it makes sense to just be careful, as losing him for the play-offs would be a major disadvantage.

Jonathan Kodjia, Kortney Hause and Lovre Kalinic are all fit.
As is Tammy Abraham. I’d expect him to start and be swapped out for Kodjia.
Does Hause walk straight back in? Tough call, that one, as Tuanzebe has done very little wrong.
It’s a shame we can’t have five subs for this game.

So how do I see this game going?
Frankly, I don’t have a clue.
Dean Smith will want the players to win, so we maintain momentum going into the play-offs, but ultimately the players will be thinking that it doesn’t really matter and I can’t see them going all out, as they won’t want to risk injury.

To be honest, apart from the fact that keeping momentum would be nice, this game doesn’t really matter, does it? Certainly, if we weren’t in the play-offs, there’d be very little interest at all apart from the carnival atmosphere you always get for the last game of the season.

I think I’m going to go for a hopeful draw, but wouldn’t be surprised if we lose, as they’ll want it more.
That’s not to say that I don’t think we could beat them if we went all out.
It’s just that we don’t need to.

Did anyone else catch the fact that we haven’t won a final game of the season for the last seven years? That surprised me, although we have been poor for a fair while now.
It would be nice to end that run.

84 Comments

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  1. Pat 57
    Pat 57 May 5, 2019 at 2:00 pm . Reply

    Derby 2-1

    Good

  2. Pat 57
    Pat 57 May 5, 2019 at 2:03 pm . Reply

    Derby 3-1

    Even better

  3. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:05 pm . Reply

    Aston Villa had 10 shots at goal Norwich 15,

  4. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:08 pm . Reply

    I’m 3 minutes behind in stream. 41 thousand and 46 biggest crowd this season.

  5. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:10 pm . Reply

    Agree Badger, and I like the way we have played this game.

  6. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:12 pm . Reply

    Davis is playing well, another change Thor is on .

  7. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:16 pm . Reply

    Hause heads over the bar, yes this team played well.

  8. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:17 pm . Reply

    Only hope he dont do something silly Badger, goal Norwich

  9. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson May 5, 2019 at 2:18 pm . Reply

    1-2 Norwich

  10. Pat 57
    Pat 57 May 5, 2019 at 2:21 pm . Reply

    Leeds losing 3-2 to 10 men relegated Ipswich

  11. Pat 57
    Pat 57 May 5, 2019 at 2:22 pm . Reply

    Robson Kanu sent off for the Baggies!

  12. Pat 57
    Pat 57 May 5, 2019 at 2:31 pm . Reply

    So the 3rd, 4th and 5th placed teams all lost. Not surprising as there’s nothing at stake.

    However, you’d have thought that the Baggies would have wanted to perform well Derby is case they meet in the play-offs. Baggies were woeful plus their super-sub Robson-Kanu won’t be available after a straight red for violent conduct.

    As for Leeds, they can’t buy a win and a loss against the bottom club and against ten men won’t do their confidence any good.

    As for us a draw would have been good but we played okay so I’m not sure that really it matters much.

    However, squeaky bum time is not far away.

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