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!
Yeeesssss!!!! And…Phew!!!!!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Yes, Rogers. Well done son, well deserved.
4-2
BIG smiles from Emery!!! Bloody well done Villa!!!!!
Sooooooooooo thrilled!!!!!!
Are we through????
Despite our flaws we were several classes above Celtic. Give some credit FFS
No Duran. Deffo off.
They did it! 😁 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌🤌💪🫶
I’ve only noticed this trend under Emery, but it was during the opening game of the season last year when Tyrone got injured and we capitulated – but how many times has that happened to us in the last 18 months? We lose a player, lose shape, lose discipline and then lose the game in really spectacular fashion…. I was worried that was what was going to happen tonight. So glad it didn’t! And yes, DS, we did look a class above. Really enjoyed that first 20 mins – and best we’ve looked in 4-5 games.
Duran not coming on the last few games seems for sure he’s gone. Disappointing, but I’d rather us bank the cash, strengthen and move on. I’d really like to see us go for Mbeumo instead of the rumored playmaker – but given that we’ve let Buendia go (big mistake imo), it seems like there’s some incoming there.
I think it’s about Emery and his assessment of individual players. If he isn’t confident of a player he would rather play someone out of position. That says he doesn’t trust Maatsen, Ned etc. He might be right but it calls into question the transfer policy.
I think both Maatsen and Ned will prove to be e good buys. Whether they become mainstays in the team only time will tell.
If we sell Duran I expect we will have a much stronger and more dangerous squad. I like him but I would be happier to see him gone with 2 or 3 quality replacements and PSR dealt with for another season.
Top 8!!!!
Just like Villa to put us all through the wringer first but a magnificent performance from the boys.
Have to say that Celtic are a better team than many here thought. Great resilience and a great result.
One of the great days supporting Villa.
Why the f are they talking about Celtic??????
A Villa classic but credit to the lads – disrupted when Cash had to go off; they really put a shift in second half.
The season starts here UTMV
So we have finished top 8 in first phase. Have a look at some of the teams who haven’t and then decide if your criticism of the team and Emery is justified.
Where were we when he took the reins? If you aren’t happy with the progress you need to reassess.
Spot on DS. We’ve finished above Citeh, Real, PSG, Bayern and others. Absolutely magnificent performance from our manager. We now have a space to concentrate on the PL for a while and new players coming in.
The Lion is roaring!
Well done Villa – you’ve put us through the wringer again. Never make it simple- really test out nerves.
Even better this is going to help our financial plight. I’ve just checked the payments we receive for performance in the Champions League – it does include an estimation of £3m per home game in receipts – wait for it – we have earned £52.8m!!!!!!
And to think if Illie could finish consistently we would have won 7-2😁😁😁😁
Well that was more stressful than it should have been. Waiting for the Atlanta result seemed to take an eternity but 8th it is and that’s all that matters.
If only Watkins could shoot we would have scored 8 at least. The thing about him though is the work rate and his ability to bring others into play is his biggest strength.
Losing Cash really unsettled us and led to our wobble and blowing a two goal lead.
Do we read anything into the fact Duran didn’t come on again? I think Emery is pissed off with the speculation and is either showing him he’s the boss or he doesn’t want him injured otherwise we can’t bank £70m or whatever to try and get Felix.
I hope the next couple of days see us strengthen where we need so we can push on for the rest of the season.
Stan Collymore posted on X below:-
Aston Villa next round opponents will be one of..
Borussia Dortmund
Sporting Lisbon
Atalanta Bergamo
Club Bruges
I don’t know if the above is correct but if it is then we have a decent chance of quarter finals.
Emery more or less said Duran is on his way. Worryingly he didn’t bat away the approach from Arsenal for Ollie. I would have liked him to say they can do one and F*** right off.
Atalanta and Dortmund are really good teams; particularly Atalanta.
Club Brugge would be my pick – we owe them 🙂
One last thing: Mings made a terrible error with that very odd handball. It cost us at least one point.
We were utterly robbed of Chesty’s last minute winner against Juve. Abother 2 points robbed.
We’d be 2nd if fate hadn’t intervened. Rather angry about this. Either way…VILLA WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
If’s, buts and maybe’s Bum, Bum. Such is life.
Just think we’re we’ve come from and in such a short period.
But we move on – now we have to repeat the performance against Wolves – no less a game than tonight’s in many ways.
UTV
Being widely reported that Duran is having medical in London tomorrow ahead of a £77m move to Al-Nassr.
Can’t understand why Arsenal think they can get Watkins whatever they offer – Villa would be raving mad to sell both strikers in the January window and with £77m from Duran and £10m guaranteed from tonight’s result they don’t need the cash.
Is it arrogance or stupidity?
Whatever the next few days are going to be interesting.
Apologies €77m (£64m) plus add ons.
Did you hear Warnock on the CL MOTD?
Jesus he has us as the paupers of the premier League going cap in hand to the mighty Goooners.
Prick.
Arsehole.