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!
Badger take a bow son, Chesty what a giant tonight 😁
THOUGHTS: Ollie going for £65m age 29.
Duran £65m age 20.
Are we playing the field in giving the impression Duran is going and Ollie is available rather than the othe way around??? If OW goes, we keep a great prospect we bought for half a sixpence?
Emery’s press conference was brilliant. Proper businessman which we need in the modern game.
Ollie is going nowhere mate (well at least in this window) we are in the last 16 of the CL, with Duran sale (and allegedly disruptive influence) we now have no issues with PSR.
Just why would we?
No logic to it?
Oh, I totally agree. Just putting the question out there…Him and Young Chesty are inseparable…
Arsenal in the summer? That’s what he wants and it’ll be his last chance. Will they take him in the summer? If he goes now, it’ll be season over. Despite the many misses, what he gives the team beyond all the goals and assists, is immeasurable. Do not sell in January.
Why the hell would sell either striker so late in window and with clubs knowing we have money to spend will up any prices madness.
Unless villa have kept quiet that they’ve already agreed to buy another forward already🤔
The worry is it’s felix.
Today’s match great for neutral people but for fans a nail biter although I will say it was a great match the atmosphere must have been brilliant I bet the stands was rocking especially in first 5 minutes.
Onwards and upwards for the villa
What an achievement top 8 champions league I think we want the best for our magnificent club that’s why we get so frustrated if we had missed out I would of been heartbroken
Roy I’d be amazed if Felix was on the radar, one, his habit of failing to decive and two £170000 per week.
As for Duran, if wants away, good riddance.
According to the BBC we play Lille. Get past Lille and we’d meet the winner of Barca and Liverpool…
Barca can’t play Liverpool – top two sides are seeded and can’t play each other – also all the top 8 are seeded insofar as they play their first game away from home. That’s what I read on the CL format
And I can’t see how the round of 16 games can be predicted when ‘a draw’ takes place at the end of February.
Just want to avoid teams like Barca, Liverpool, Bayern, PSG and Madrid in the next round.
I think the guys at the BBC must have been on the pop…
Emi vs French III. Should be ‘flavoursome’…
Getting concerned about this transfer talk around Watkins and Duran – surely we wouldn’t be mad enough to sell both in January?
We might as well abandon the EPL, FA Cup and CL if we do and we would just be seen as ‘little old Villa – a selling club after all’
Duran is a done deal. 77m euros plus add ons. Atleast we don’t have to see him in the premier league or even Europe for that matter. Foolish boy! Would have been a rich man still at Villa and playing top end football under a world class manager. Money talks again! What a waste! But we did the best possible thing given the circumstances
Glad he’s not going to a rival. That would be utterly stupid. I think there’s something not quite right with him. If it was Chesty, it would be a firm NO. Duran seems very immature and that can cause problems. If you haven’t got your head screwed on by 21, there’s little hope…
Yes and no. Many of the greats has several loose ones. I listed them in a previously post.
80 is about right. Use is very wisely and challenge for the league next year…
Just watched the highlights. Chesty slipped in exactly the same way Ollie did for the penalty for his 3rd goal.
What is up with our pitch? Has it recently been relaid????
Oversprayed I think. MON and Stan nearly got doused rematch. Petrov was literally unrecognisable btw.
Stan looked really well! Superb to see! That over watering nearly cost us 2 goals.
The pitch? Not IMO.
I know that they over-water these pitches: before games and at half-time, and the only reason I’ve ever heard suggested is to ‘make the ball move faster’…
But, I’ve banged-on about this for years: what is it about modern football boots that means I see our players (& a lot of others) slipping around so often – all over the pitch?
Drives me insane!
As a lifelong fan, if Villa were to sell Watkins and Duran in this window I would feel betrayed by the club and its owners.
If Watkins goes in the summer when we can find a replacement then so be it – and if it’s to his boyhood team then who would deny him that?
Watched MOTD and I didn’t think the discussion around Duran and Watkins was disrespectful citing PSR as the problem which we all know it is.
The money for Duran is easy – the fact that he’s willing to play in a nonsense-league for £m’s per year at his age is enough to tell me that there’s really no reason to expect him to stay, so why not cash-in while we can.
With Watkins it’s more of an issue: no way should we let him go at this time if Duran’s already leaving, and even if he’s keen on going to Arsenal, the answer should be that he can go in the summer – if they still want him by then, and after we’ve replaced him.
I don’t believe any of this is about ‘the owners’ – it’s players and agents who see £ and $ signs in their eyes. What do you do about any player who has his head turned by his agent?
Aww gutted about Duran think he is going to be an amazing player can’t believe he’s gone to a crap league though but I guess money talks
Still on cloud 9 after last night top 8 who would of believed it woooo hoooo
Actually relieved if I’m honest. Duran was obviously not a player that Emery wanted to keep. It’s my bet that Ollie, playing more 90 minute games and not having to constantly look over his shoulder, will get back in the groove. If we can get the defenders we need in and a number ten who is flexible and can play striker if needed then we’ll be in a much stronger position to climb up the league.
As for the Arse bidding for Ollie, if they gave us £80 million you would have to think about it but anything less than that is a joke. As Emery said ‘Watkins is our striker’ and long may it continue.
According to something I just saw on the Telegraph site, the actual offer from Arse was only £45m.
They’re having a larff..
And just as with W Ham, the timing shows a complete lack of respect – and class.
Sky saying £40m offered but Villa value him at £60m.
£40m is an insult!
Sky also suggesting that Villa were definitely open to selling one of Watkins or Duran but not both. For me Duran has amazing potential but in the here and now Watkins is far more important to the team, the club and the fans.
As 1874 observed, he might just get his mojo back knowing he’s going to be playing full games.
And a word of support for Emery; to have developed Duran as he has in just 2 years is quite something but I can’t imagine how much sweat and tears that has cost him.
Those Goooners really do have some neck?
90m euros for a back up striker is excellent business. If Duran is going to get roughly 10 times is current salary, you can’t really blame him. It’s also pleasing that none of our Premier or Champions League rivals will benefit from him leaving us.
Still no players coming in though to replace Buendia or Duran or more importantly as CB! Come on Monchi and get things sorted!
Nedeljkovic could well be going to Saint Ettiene on loan leaving us with just Garcia as a recognised RB. I suppose that means Bogarde or Konsa could be considered to play there against Wolves.
Watching Spuds. They are fielding a team of 15 year olds. Levy is a disgrace.
Levy had the last laugh – or would have done so if his face-muscles permitted it. 3 of the teenage debutants scored.
Villa’s youngsters are a strange lot. The U-21s are poor, but the better players in that bracket get loaned out so that may explain it. Our U-18 team which plays in the FA Youth Cup are very good. If you have Villa TV you can follow their progress in this Cup. The U-21 are the remnants of the old coaching regime before Emery binned the lot but the U-18s are coached by a Spaniard.
It is personal with Duran. Emery won’t have his plans challenged, and I think the 3 match ban was the last straw. Also Duran going ends any thoughts our owners might have had about selling Ollie instead. Rogers has come good at the right time, but Tuchel was watching. No more England grandeur effing up our players please – but hopefully that ended with Southgate.
Well we’ve got until Monday at 11pm to sign the players we need. I was hoping that it wasn’t going to be a last minute rush but there you go.
Current speculation is more around attacking players – Felix and Ascencio especially. I’d be happy with either one or even both. Their experience in top level competitions would come in very handy indeed.
Not hearing much about defenders though but I’m hoping that’s because we are keeping our cards close to our chest. We need a CB and RB as a priority.
I’ll be glad when it’s all over as the amount of crap I’m reading about transfers is making my brain rot.
Moving away from transfers, there’s a very good piece on the OS explaining how the CL draw works.
Essentially the pairings are already worked out all the way to the final based on (a) where teams finished in the top 8 and (b) the outcome of the play-off round which is structured as two sides of a draw. The only purpose of the draw in February is to decide which side of the pre-arranged draw each of the top 8 sides will sit – after that there is no further need for a draw before each subsequent round.
If it worked out according to the pre-organised structure then Liverpool would play Barca in the final as they are seeded 1 and 2.
It sounds complicated but it’s all easy to follow on the OS.