Sorry for the terrible title, but it’s as good as anything else I can think of.
I’ve seen it said a few times over the last couple of months that we’re on the edge of hammering someone, but you could have fooled me and I don’t know what game they’re watching. In fact we look more like the team that could get hammered, with our defence, in my opinion.
Not today though and I’ll be watching this one with some interest. Firstly, because we only knocked the Irons out of the cup a couple of weeks ago. The big questions are was the reason they lost last time because Potter hadn’t had any time to work with them and has he managed to improve what wasn’t a great side?
And then there’s Donyell Malen, who, when you consider we got £20 million plus £3 million in add ons for Philogene, was a bargain at an initial fee of £21 million, rising to £27.7 million. That’s for a Dutch international and it seems to be a really excellent purchase and a great bit of business by Monchi and the Villa. Or is he just somewhat over-hyped and we’ve just got him at fair value? I suspect not.
Let’s hope playing on the right (which I’ve no doubt is where he will play) proves more fruitful for him than it has for a fair few players over the last few years. The position seems to destroy players for some reason and it’s a bit of a coincidence that I believe our biggest weakness is who will no doubt be playing behind him; IE the right back.
Regardless, Donyell has talked about how he wants to get goals and assists, but has recently talked about how training has involved defending. And this is the part I’m interested in. How well does he track back and help out? It took Bailey ages to learn to work back, after all and I hope it’s not the case here, because as much as we want that attacking part of the game, defence is equally important in my eyes.
I believe the Dutchman has decent pace too and that’s something we sorely need.
Squad news and nothing has changed. McGinn is training with the squad, but it doesn’t sound like he’s ready yet. Onana is still training on his own and is obviously miles away, as is Pau. Ross Barkley still isn’t ready either
As for West Ham, they have central defender Konstantinos Mavropanos out having been red carded last week for two yellows. Fellow central defender Jean-Clair Todibo is also a big doubt. Jared Bowen isn’t ready and it’s the same with Crysencio Summerville. Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug are definitely out.
Am I the only one who’s never heard of most of those players? Whatever, it sounds good for us defensively and attack-wise.
After hearing of West Ham’s woes, I’m encouraged. They beat Fulham in their previous game but lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at home in their last game. It doesn’t seem Potter’s had enough time to change much and given our home advantage, I have to go for a Villa win. I’m going to stick my neck out and say I think Malen will get a goal too. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking, but I do see goals. If we can’t take advantage of a West Ham side without their two best defenders and a weakened attack, well…….
So what do I think the score will be, then?
I’m tempted to say 3-1. But I think a repeat of that previous 2-1 win is more likely.
I’ll take either.
UTV!
Bailey against Celtic doesn’t fill me with much hope.
I actually think the 5-1 on a Celtic win is a great bet.
I think they’ll just want it more than us and that’s enough to win, imo.
Celtic to win 2-1 and I so hope I’m wrong.
Badger. A tenner Bailey has a corker tonight? 😁
Keep an eye on the other score lads!
Oi! Rickets!!! Are u at the game???
The Ricketts lads are there and said the atmosphere is awesome.
They’re in the Witton Lane, right next to the Celtic fans!
Ooh, brave.
But it looks good humoured, judging by the video he’s just sent me.
He’s playing a corker for Celtic.
Win for Villa then with your track record Badger👍. I think we will win but we need to be on our A game.
What a game to have given our recent and not so recent history. Let’s try and enjoy it.
Bailey against my under 8s wouldn’t fill me with much confidence.
Bailey against my nan wouldn’t fill me with much confidence.
Bailey against…
Come on you Villa boys!!!!!
Confirmed, Kamara CB and Bogarde midfield.
Yeah, we can have an effing great night between us without the antics!!!
Yeessssss!!!!
Yes, Chesty after a great bit of fast tippy tappy.
1-0 with Tielemens doing a lovely 1-2
WTF!!!! 2-0!!!!
Haha 2-0!!!!!
Now blow them away.
Next goal is the crucial one. We get it it’s game over . They get it game changes.
We have already started to drop back and given them possession. Should go for the throat
Am I dreaming
And we’re on the back foot.
Our defence will not be able to withstand 75 minutes of pressure and we need another, imo.
Bloody hell, we look a different side tonight.
Is Bailey actually playing?
Not saying a word 😇
Please tell me Cash is okay!!!!!
I’m struggling to conceive that we have 3 senior players on the bench. Maybe Ange has a point. This is mental!!!
McGinnyGinGin on though!!!!
Unai ripping into Rogers for something.
“2 goals? So what? Get your finger out” Haha!
McGinn on for Cash 🙁
Not sure on the sub. I would have put Ned on to do the donkey work running up the right wing.
Have to agree.
Watkins? WTF? I could have netted that.
Should’ve been first time hit…
He should have scored but defender who cleared it wasn’t in his sight and he at least tried a subtle finish instead of hitting it straight at the keeper.
We only lose this by our own mistakes and oops we have conceded
And that’s where they’ll now attack us, in our RB position.
2-1 and now I’m worried.
Funny to think how many hundreds of thousands of fans will despair at our score…And then Celtic score…
Agent McGinn???
Bollocks.
Erm…
They are shit, but there you go 2-2.
It was so obvious.
How the fuck have we let them back into this?
Absolute joke.