So I’ve made the move to Liverpool for six months and it’s been a nightmare. It’s said that moving house is one of the most stressful things in your life and although I haven’t moved house, I can see why, if my experience this week is anything to go by. I’ve done nothing but make phone calls and send Emails every evening this week. I won’t go into the ins and outs, but a good example, which is probably the weirdest is that the previous tenant and my missus have both taken supposed gas readings from the water meter. To be fair, it appears it was only because the letting agent told us the meter was in a room on the ground floor. Anyway, she took the reading and texted it to me and I gave the reading to my supplier. It was only when I actually checked the meter myself that I realised. Now that I’ve found out where the meter actually is and I’ve a key to open the box, I can get a proper reading. That’s going to involve an interesting call to the supplier tomorrow.
Anyway, onto the important stuff and how important is this game?
If fifth gets you Champion’s League it’s not quite so important, as it will take a big change in fortunes for Man U to catch us, but if it’s only the top four who qualify, this game is massive.
If we win, we open up a nice eight point gap, although they have a game in hand. Lose and it puts them within two points of us, which really puts the pressure on.
Squad news and Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia and Boubacar Kamara are all still out. Ramsey is a doubt, but Pau and McGinn will be back after being rested for the Ajax game. There seems to have been some concern about Pau coming off on Thursday, but it was apparently all planned and I suspect it was more about easing him back in gently rather than him not being at all fit.
As for Spurs, Pedro Porro will probably be back, but Richarlison, Fraser Forster, Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon are all still out.
I’m not sure what to think about this game or how to even predict a result, to be honest.
Spurs play a very gung ho style of football and while it can be very successful, it can also be their undoing when they’re attacking and playing a high line. It sounds a bit familiar doesn’t it?
Whatever, it gets goals, although the numbers are very much on a par with us, which surprises me a bit, because I thought they’d have been superior in that aspect.
I see a lot of goals, at least three, but I honestly struggle to see who is going to win, as it could go either way.
I’m tempted to say I think we’ll edge it, but my predictions have been terrible recently, so I’m going to play safe and go for a draw.
2-2 it is then.
PS Well done to Bailey being voted as Player of the month by the Villa fans. Totally deserved in my opinion.
UTV!
Random information: how the Cypriot league works over here. 12 teams in the league, each team plays each other home and away – standard.
Then it gets interesting: the league is split into two mini leagues of 6 and a play-off stage. The top 6 play each other home and away to determine who wins the league, while the bottom 6 play each other home and away to decide who goes down. I have to say that second stage sounds like something the PL could benefit from and would certainly create more opportunities for the likes of Villa, Spurs and even West Ham to win the league! And for teams rock bottom to save themselves!
Remember when Konsa was booked for handling the ball after he thought he was fouled. Bruno of Newcastle does exactly the same thing today and nothing. Inconsistencies are the problem with officiating and gets us all frustrated.
Come on Fulham. 1-0 up at half time.
And the bloody rest!!! Football is mental!!!!
Million $ question. Can we capitalise on thi s tomorrow?????
Was that Stuart Grey, former Villa captain, waking off at Craven Cottage??
Fulham 3 now lads
Even better Spurs are losing 3-0. That negates some of the loss last week
What a blinder from Fulham. I’d be happy with 3-3 but 3-0. When you have just finished work and you get a pick me up like this. There is still 5 mins plus extra to go so I ain’t posting this till its over. To be fair they were not really very good against us.
I thought I had enough whiskey for Paddy’s Day, not now I ain’t.
I’ve added a few drams to yours Gerry – but Malt rather than Irish whisky which has too much vanilla for me
Fulham – the opponents who keep on giving! Starting with getting rid of Gerrard then gifting us 3 points when we meet. They now chalk off Spurs game in hand, GD advantage – and hand Postecoglou his first league blank.
I sat wondering what they did different to us and it took a while to spot it. Fulham did not get into a muscle contest with Spurs. There were no shoulder barges, wrestling for possession. Fulham moved the ball with one or two touch football, and when out of possession their focus on getting it back relied on pass-interception, and foot-in challenges to a dribble. Spurs crossing was off target, nothing today like the ball to Madisson last Sunday.
A boost for tomorrow – can we capitalise? We have a 100% EPL record in the Capital.
It was unlucky 13 for us against Spuds. Let’s see what gane 14 does for us… We need STEEL tomorrow…
OLL agree with you 💯 but I think fatigue played it’s part to but regardless…
Thank you very much Mr Marco Silva, thank you very very very much. 😁
Roll on tomorrow.
The roller coaster continues. After it being in Spuds hands, it’s now in ours. Even a point at Spam will give us a 3 point lead. A win though would make a fantastic statement.
Ten games to go and we’re in the mix for the CL and in the last 8 in the ECL. Honestly, could we have really expected this? Whatever happens it’s been a terrific season and, as far as I’m concerned, Emery walks on water. COYL
Great result for us now we have to capitalise give everything today then a nice break come oooonnn the mighty Villa
Think Emery’s going for this one –
Martinez, Konsa, Lenglet, Torres, Moreno, Bailey, Tielemans, Luiz, Rogers, Duran, Watkins.
Carlos is on the bench.
Looking at the West Ham line up and they are going for it too. Their attack is very good and I hope Tielemans plays well in the absence of McGinn because we might have a soft centre. Also I’m still not convinced with Konsa at RB.
Too right Holte. I despair of Emery’s team selections lately. He screwed it up against Spurs and has now done the same against the Hammers. The goal is scored by Antonio who is inside Konsa and heads home. Why? Because Konsa is at RB not CB. Konsa is at best a late in the game substitute for Cash at RB.
Watkins and Duran have not been on the pitch together when one of them has scored, as far as I remember. We played the first half with a 4-2-4 formation, which can only work if both the wingers stay out wide and the 2 man midfield work like Trojans. The left winger, presumably Watkins, did not stay there and one of our midfield supermen is Tielemans!
All change please for the second half.