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!
Leeeeoooooonnnnn!!!!!
2-0. Now don’t blow the bloody lead this time!!!!
Duran Duran Duran!!!! For number 3…
Say what you like about Duran but he puts himself about and has the guy got a shot on him – wow!
Diaby finding form just when we need it!!!!!! 4-0!!!
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Going to miss McGinn over the next three EPL games
Line up for Sunday?
Martinez
Cash Konsa Pau Moreno/ Digne
Bailey Luiz Tielmans Diaby
Watkins Duran
Well that was fairly comfortable! Watkins and Carlos (who doesn’t seem able to complete 90 minutes) going off the big worry.
Positive points were Diaby, Bailey and Duran looked lively until Bailey went off. Also a clean sheet after the disappointing amount of goals we have conceded recently.
Quarter finals next and a result that helps getting the 5th Champions League spot.
Bailey just said it’s a nasty gash to Ollie’s knee. Get the super glue out!!!!!!
I see the Scottish Cafu is on TNT!!!!
According to Bailey, Watkins injury is a bad cut on the knee.
That’s probably going to keep him out of Sundays game but, hopefully, only miss one game.
What a great European night at VP! I honestly believe that, out of the seven other clubs left, we should fear no-one.
Great to see Duran and Diaby on the score sheet and hopefully Ollie will be back for the West Ham game. I posted earlier about it being a roller coaster ride, so rock bottom against Spuds but higher than high against Ajax. A win against Spam on Sunday and we will definitely be flying.
Great, isn’t it?
Thankfully and hopefully, Unai says Ollie’s knee is just a cut so should be okay for Sunday. Id probably start Duran too as he’s a big chap and we could do with a bit more muscle in the side…
Just in case anyone has the slightest interest, the draw for the quarter final, followed by the semi final and even the final will be at 2pm on TNT 1. So far, in the other competitions, all UK teams have been drawn apart. Thats good news for a 5th spot in the CL.
Sorry but times shown on the TNT site are Euro times and the draw will be at 1300 UK time. Thank God for the good old BBC.
Teams in the draw.
Aston Villa (England)
Club Bruges (Belgium)
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Fiorentina (Italy)
Lille (France)
Olympiakos (Greece)
PAOK (Greece)
Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic)
Club Bruges (Belgium) v PAOK (Greece)
Olympiakos (Greece) v Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Aston Villa (England) v Lille (France)
Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) v Fiorentina (Italy)
Semi Final
Villa or Lille v Olympiakos or Fenerbahce
Gerry, does that mean we’re at home in the first leg or is it like the round of 16 with seeds playing away first leg?
11th April 1st leg and 18th Apr 2nd leg
And that concludes the voting for the Eurovision Song contest 2024
🙂
Lille are in 4th place in Ligue Un but some 14 points behind PSG. As the French league is quite weak compared to the PL, La Liga, Bundesliga and even Serie A, I don’t think we should be too worried.
The only team I’d be slightly concerned about is Fiorentina and they are in the other side of the draw so a possible final maybe?
Anyway, if we play like we did yesterday we will beat anyone. Overall as good a draw as we could have expected.
Either Greek team in the final in Greece would be a test. With a partisan crowd and their mentality, would be a very tasty encounter and certainly not a forgone conclusion!
At home in the 1st leg and also in the semi final.
Oh, and very well done to all concerned for Thursday! I must admit I had serious doubts. 👏👏👏
Either Greek team in the final in Greece would be a test. With a partisan crowd and their mentality, would be a very tasty encounter and certainly not a forgone conclusion!