Heh, I find my self laughing masochistically at the thought of this game.
Per the headline, it should be shouldn’t it? They haven’t won a game since they beat Man Utd in late November, after all.
We all know that means nothing though and there’s no better club to face than the Villa if you need a bad run bringing to an end.
So while Watford are seriously struggling and looking like very likely relegation fodder, we should of course not forget that they beat us quite easily in our first game of the season.
I read an article earlier that said that our undoing that day was caused by our fullbacks pushing up too far and getting caught on the counter. Matt Targett was at fault for two of their three goals, but at least we won’t have to worry about him during this game.
But then, Digne is even more attacking and you can bet the old tactician Roy Hodgson will have watced our previous meeting back and may well try the same tactic again.
The interesting stat for me is that although Watford are struggling, they actually average more shooting chances than the Villa. That’s possibly not a surprise to many of us, but it is a rare thing for such a struggling club to do that and probably explains why we haven’t done so well lately.
Squad news and nothing has changed.
Konsa is suspended and Traore is still out with a hamstring issue.
Along with everyone else, I see changes for this game.Stevie G praised Chambers against Newcastle, but I found myself wondering what the manager was talking about, as I thought he was poor. I’m going to assume he keeps his place, but again I’d rather see Hause there.
McGinn and Luiz are both likely candidates to be dropped, but I struggle to see that Gerrard will drop both. Luiz is not really a defensive mid, but he has been poor for weeks now and even though there’s not really any alternative to him in that position, I think he has to be rested. There’s a lot of speculation that he wants out and I wonder if that’s because he’s being asked to play out of position?
Whatever, I struggle to see who replaces him, to be honest, except erm, John McGinn. We’ll no doubt see.
Actually, while I think about it, I wonder if the scot is happy about having to play more of a covering role when we all know he seems better pushing forward?
And then the next probable change is Ollie Watkins, who has been miles off form lately. Asley Preece, of the mail thinks there’s something not right with him and speculates that he might be unhappy with the way he’s being asked to play.
Anyone seeing a possible pattern here?
Remember a few weeks back, where I said I’d seen it suggested that players weren’t happy with the changes that had been introduced when Gerrard and his coaches came in?
I digress.
Are we really going to drop Watkins for Danny Ings who to my mind has been even worse over the last few months?
I stand by what I said last week. It’s okay Ings being the better goaltaker, but you have to get involved and actually get on the ball to be able to take chances. For my money Ings doesn’t do either in our system, so bringing him in seems pointless to me. That said, maybe reintroducing him against a struggling side is a good idea.
As for Watford, they need to assess the fitness of two of their players, but Woy, the canny old goat, won’t say who they are. Very wise, I think. Why give the opposition any clue at all?
Ismaila Sarr, the bain of our last meeting might be back for his first game in three months and Peter Etebo is back in training. I’d guess they’re probably the two that need to be assessed, but who cares really, Watford fans apart?
It’s guessing time then and I’m laughing again.
This should be easy. Watford don’t do draws and we don’t either really. So that’s out.
Stevie G has asked for a reaction after the poor showing last week, so I can’t even consider a loss.
Hence it has to be a win and I’m going for a 2-0 victory.
The nagging doubt though is what if we do lose this game?
I suspect major questions will begin to be asked of the manager.
But let’s push those thoughts to the back of our minds.
A nice 2-0 it is then.
UTV!
I have to be honest and say I have serious doubts about winning this.
I just don’t want to show it in the main post.
I just don’t trust our defence in the slightest.
Not sure I trust anyone at the moment. Our record since Christmas hasn’t exactly been scintillating and 1 point from the last six against sides below us in the table?
This has all the hallmarks of a traditional Villa cock up – massive banana skins await 🙂
I daren’t even think about a prediction – oh how low confidence has fallen.
So much for 12 points from 4 matches against clubs at the bottom. Nice old Villa, always ready to offer a helping hand.
Quite confused as to what the team sheet will look like today. Will Chucky get a start?
On another note I thought this was brilliant…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10529309/Bury-fans-complete-deal-buy-Gigg-Lane-administrators-clubs-rebirth-begins.html
Badger
An excellent article and I’m in total agreement. Might Iroegbunam be given his debut for Luiz ? If non of the usual players can fill this role, then perhaps one of the new kids on the block should get a chance. Insanity is doing the same thing again and expect a different outcome.
On a different note I was desperately sorry to read about Brendan Ormsby. I did not realise that he had a stroke 9 years ago and has chronic traumatic encephalopathy – caused by heading a ball. He is no longer able to talk and is only 61. My best wishes go to him and his family. Leeds are having a fund raising night for him on the 3rd March. I wish them success and I hope it makes him comfortable for whatever time he has left.
Just read the article about Ormsby. Very sad. I think it’s time to stop heading of the ball. The ONLY esception would be for an effort on goal – nothing else should be allowed. It will take a season to adapt – like the back-pass rule in 1992, but it will be beneficial for players and the game in general.
*exception
Until Villa are capable of stringing together a good performance that lasts more than 20 minutes a game, then we will always be up against it. SG in his pre match interview commented he wanted to see us start well. I also hope he mentioned to the players to start well and maintain it for 90 minutes.
Watford are in a dire run without a win for 11 games and without a goal in last 4 league games.
So the writing is on the wall then. A guaranteed Watford 2-0 win courtesy of the best team to play when in a bad run.
We will lose. Sorry. Watford are long overdue a win and we will, no doubt, oblige them.
We will win today. We might even play well.
Cheer up lads.
Pessimism seems to be a pre-requisite for being a Villa fan.
That and expecting each year to be the year we finally return to the top only to find out it’s not!
Something about vicious circles springs to mind or perhaps it’s just alternative definition of Sid’s insanity 🙂
No sorry, I’ve no confidence on the team, the attitude wrong from some and won’t improve till some have gone, Gerrard knows this and our hope is we stay up. Not predicting as its senseless its football, and we are not managers.
The number of changes from last weeks starting line up – er – none.
That is quite a comment on the lack of options that Gerrard has – not so much depth in the squad after all!
Oops – as you were – one. Ings for Watkins so Watkins shoulders the whole blame then?
Notwithstanding, my previous comment on squad depth holds firm
One change? I think you’re right. Little strength in depth.
Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J.Ramsey; Buendia, Coutinho; Ings.
Subs: Olsen, Hause, A.Young, Chrisene, Chukwuemeka, Iroegbunam, Sanson, Bailey, Watkins.
I’m surprised there’s only one change after what Gerrard said.
But then again I’m not as it’s like I said; McGinn is practically undroppable because of what he does and who is going to be better than Luiz, although you might think Sanson could do a job.
Personally, I think the Frenchman is a goner every week he doesn’t start.
We must win this.
The grief will already begin for Gerrard else, imo.
Have to agree Badger
Here’s another wonderful stat – Sissouko has never lost to Villa in 10 games!
That looked a pen for Ings to me.
Not given.
That’s why you can’t drop McGinn. Two tacklebacks in seconds.
Crowd in good voice.
What a chance,
We are quicker in the tackles now, what’s the name of this ref, I’m,in Arabic
Jones I think!
I’m watching without sound as the commentary is 2 seconds ahead of the action -:)
We’ve learned nothing and will concede with a wide counter.
Fuck me, do our coaches not watch the opposition?
Great save by Martinez.
Watford putting us under pressure.
I really don’t want to say it, but I’ve just realised Ramsey is playing.
I’m not making it up, honestly.
Ings hits the post, but it was off anyway.
He’s looking dangerous and he should be. Watford are terrible at the back.
If we can’t take chances here, well we might as well give up.