Well, the holiday was great and the truth is I really wasn’t looking forward to coming back to this cold weather.
I hate this time of the year, with it being dark, damp and cold etc, but I always try to look for the positives and have always said that if you didn’t have the bad, you wouldn’t have the good would you?
Plus, at least it means we’re daily getting closer to the summer of next year.
I’m generally a pretty optimistic person.
Unfortunately, for some reason, it’s been decades since I felt so positive when it comes to football and particularly the Villa. I think it stems from donkey’s years of constantly being disappointed and it’s now a case of expect little and everything you get is a bonus.
Which probably sums up how I feel about this game. I really, strongly expect us to lose tomorrow.
Dean Smith has come out and said our games against Spurs and Wolves were pretty close really and I can see his point, although I felt we were very much second best to Spurs and throwing the Wolves game away was criminal.
He also quite rightly said that we were poor in the first half against Arsenal. That’s a massive understatement and it was probably one of the worst performances we’ve seen under the Great Barr man’s tenure.
Things did improve somewhat in the second half, but it was mostly because Smith changed the setup to something that the players were more comfortable with.
His total denial that the system led to the defeat is frankly laughable.
Smith also made the point that there is nothing wrong with the system; it worked well in previous games.
And he’s totally correct. It did.
But five at the back won’t work in every game and us fans could see it within minutes. Not half an hour or an hour, but minutes.
So why couldn’t Smith or the coaches? They must have done. I’ve always professed to be nothing like an expert in tactics, but even I could see it. So it tells me that Smith, as someone who does football for a living, flatly refused to change it so he could accomodate Tuanzebe. And it was only when he knew we would probably go on to lose by a worse score that he changed it at half time.
And this intransigence is what I can’t stand the most about Dean Smith. It may well be that he is looking at the bigger picture and we’re not seeing that. But we don’t care, do we? All we want as fans is win after win, week in, week out. It’s all that matters. No one remembers who came second, let alone ninth, tenth or eleventh or whatever.
So that’s my rant about Dean Smith. I’m trying to move on.
West Ham then and oh dear, what to say?
They beat us 3-1 at home last season and I expect at least the same tomorrow. They’re going well, having won 5, drawn 2 and lost 2. They’ll be strong and pushing for Europe again, because Moyes has them organised and well setup (playing a system they know, but hey ho).
Which makes me wonder how we’re going to set up against them.
Surely we can’t go five at the back again can we? Certainly not with Tuanzebe anyway. I don’t think he’s too bad a defender, but he has looked awful this season and has to be dropped. Along with many others I’d be strongly thinking about dropping Mings too and going with Hause alongside Konsa.
But I suspect it’ll be five at the back again to try and counter West Ham’s very good set pieces, which is something we’ve proven poor at defending up to now.
Then again, I think Mings is a liablity when it comes to set piece defending and it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if he is rested.
And of course, four or five at the back decides if we go with one or two up front.
Ings has played against West ham nine times and never scored. What does that mean?
Drop him because of that, or play him because he’s due a goal against them? Depends on your POV, I suppose. I don’t know either way.
Squad news then and we still have issues. Apart from the usual, Martinez is back after going to see his Father, who needed heart surgery in Argentina. Fair play son, some things are more important than football. I’m glad he’s back, as I feel he’s going to be seriously needed in this one.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace and conveniently, Morgan Sanson are both ill. Conveniently? Well, it seems a bit of a co-incidence after the player supposedly threw a strop at the Arsenal game.
I had a bit of a read up about Sanson and he went through a similar year to the last twelve months in 2016, I think it was. He got a serious injury, came back in November and then got another serious injury in January.
What actually led to me reading up on him was that it’s lurking in my head that I read somewhere that the Frenchman was said to have had a poor attitude. I’m normally very good at remembering that sort of thing, but couldn’t find any evidence to back it up, so I have to discard it as me being wrong (I definitely read it about someone though).
Whatever, what I did read was that it was said that the player found the physicality of Ligue 1 a real struggle and it took him a long time to come to terms with it. I find that concerning, as if he found the French league tough, what does that say about him getting to grips with the toughest league in the world?
I seriously suspect we now know why he hasn’t featured and I have to wonder if those who discovered him for the Villa knew about his history?
The only other news is that Smith commented that Leon Bailey was blowing during his run out in the Arsenal game.
I’d expect him to get on the pitch, but not start.
What to think then?
I think it’s more about trying to restore what seems like fragile confidence than anything. If we compete well and keep the result tight, I’ll possibly be happy enough with that.
A win is obviously the desirable outcome but I don’t see it. If we go something like two down by half time, things might get a bit tasty amongst the support, but hopefully it won’t come to that.
A 3-1 loss, I’m afraid.
Blimey, that’s a bit of a long post. I think I could have rattled on for ages 🙂
I can’t say I’m looking forward to this much.
I think we are in for a battering tomorrow unfortunately. I hope Smith has realised by now that 3 CB’s doesn’t work. Mings and Konsa in a back 4 worked reasonably well last season despite the odd Mings casual lapses. I would prefer Konsa and Hause but that’s not likely.
Midfield will need physicality to match West Ham but we don’t have the players for it. I’m really frustrated that Sanson is the new Davis and will be out more than being available. The last game he played he looked hungry and did well but without him I would choose Luiz, Nakamba and play McGinn further forward.
I would then start Bailey, Watkins and Buendia as a front 3.
I suspect like Badger says that Smith will go 5 defenders with Watkins and Ings shoehorned into a front 2. If he does go go 5-3-2 and we lose then he can only blame himself and get prepared for his P45.
Roger Taylor – drummer with Duran Duran and big Villa fan is Lawro’s guest this week. Surprised that Lawro has opted for a draw but no surprise that Taylor calls it 2-1 Villa although I got the impression it wasn’t backed with much confidence.
It seems to me that Smith has to switch back to a back four, if nothing else to try and regain confidence lost in the collapse against Wolves.
Will he though – I’m inclined to go with Badger on this one – Smith seems to be obstinate at times and will not easily accept that five at the back isn’t working at present – maybe if Hause comes in for Tuanzebe?
So I’m hoping for a win, thinking we might scrape a draw but inclined to vote for a loss 1-2 and pressure mounting.
And welcome back Badger.
Cheers chaps. I’d like to say I’m happy to be back, but I’d be lying.
Having read around some, it would appear very few Villa fans have any confidence in us winning this game.
Dean Smith does have a knack of pulling a result out of the bag when we could really do with it though, so you never know.
A couple of slight asides, but the daughter has booked me onto one of the club tours, where you’re accompanied by one of the EC winning squad, as an early Chrimbo present. I’m quite looking forward to that and wondering who the player will be.
Also, my step-daughter saw Peter Crouch in a restaurant in Portugal. She supports Liverpool when they play us, just to wind me up, I think.
She never had the guts to speak to him, but I would have, if he showed that he was open to a bit of a chat.
I’ll bet he’s a great laugh.
test 1
Hi all it seems my tablet needs replacing due to age like me , telling me this site is unsafe in googles thinking. Badger spot on in saying how you think on tomorrows game, I have no faith in Smith , sorry 6 from bottom and he’s saying we are on track to finish 10th, the mans in cloud cuckoo land. Yes good cruise that for my Diamond all went well and ready to go again sometime, the neighbour cocky he’s going to the game i told him the Hammers will win as we leave the good guys on the bench to fool the opposition.
Unsafe site – must be because we are Villa supporters 🙂
Pleased you enjoyed your cruise Bill. My mate’s a Wets Spam fan – lovely guy – we just don’t talk about football LOL.
15th and on a downwards trajectory. I have zero confidence in the team at the present.
If we lose tomorrow Smith is going to be under increasing pressure – no doubt whatsoever.
Bill, if you’re looking for a new tablet, Argos do some great Lenovo 10″ ones for about £100. I bought 25 for a client and they really impressed. Don’t waste hundreds on an iPad.
On today’s score, I’m going with Roger. 2 -1 Villa.
Just had a look Bum Bum, interesting £110 -10-1″ in town Wednesday will think on that .. thanks well a lot of fans think we will not get anything from this game and one site saying Mings on the bench. Another lose and its then time to really get worried, no excuses Smith your jobs on the line and so it should .
Completely off topic – and sport – but we absolutely stuffed the Aussies today in the cricket T20 World Cup – absolutely loving it.
Come on England – the real deal.
It’s not a proper game though, is it? 🙂
Man U stuffed Spurs with 5 at the back. Spurs are dire though and offered nothing. I was hoping for a 1-1 and that now puts Nuno under serious pressure.
You have to wonder how long it will be before Levy’s looking for a new manager?
And it just goes to show, many teams in the Prem are rubbish lately.
I really feel the standard has fallen overall over the last few years.
‘Not a proper game’
That’s an interesting statement.
Actually I get it – if you’re an aficionado of the game then the ‘proper’ and only game is Test match cricket.
But it is a proper game within it’s own definition and it’s undoubtedly exciting and attracts a broader audience which is (financially) good for cricket which is the defining driver in today’s world.
I would rather watch England in the T20 World Cup than the meaningless drivel that the England football team serves up – and stuffing the Aussies is priceless, I was lucky enough to be at Edgbaston in 2019 when we stuffed the Aussies in the semi final of the One Day World Cup eventually going on to be World Champions.
Anyway – this is a football blog so enough of my love of cricket – except a final word. Warwickshire won the County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy this year – as AV Fans (we have big AV Fans playing for Warwicks) and Brummies we should be proud of their achievements,
UTV
What does that say about Villa?
That relates to your comment about falling standards in the Prem – as we currently sit 15th!
Haha, I was only joking Hitch.
I actually took the missus to a T20 game at Edgy a few years back and she loved it.
I was referring to a debate I heard on telly when the format first came out.
I can’t say I’ve seen much cricket at all for a fair while now, but am aware about Warks.
Well done to them and I always like it when the bears do well.
Woakes massive Villa fan as is Ian Bell.
Son of very good friends of ours got his first pro contract with The Bears this season – Jacob Bethell, born in Barbados and has already played for England U19’s – only just turned 18. Keep an eye out for him.
Who do you think David Cameron will be supporting today? Lol!!!!
If he’s your typical duplicitous politician, whoever suits him the most!
Rumours of a sickness bug are going round.
Certainly some of the kids have not featured for the kids against Southampton.
I definitely believe this might be correct, as my missus has got it as of yesterday and is still in bed now.
Well, well.
Smith reverts to four at the back and drops Mings! Hause partnering Konsa.
Also goes to a front three with Watkins Partnered by Bailey and Buendia wide right which is where the Norwich fans says he should play. Midfield of McGinn, Nakamba and Ramsey.
Fair play to Smith; he had the balls to drop Mings and change the formation.
Mings Ings and Tuanzebe dropped 4-3-3 by the lok of it. Nakamura in for Luiz…
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Hause, Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Jacob Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.
Subs: Steer, Mings, Tuanzebe, Young, El Ghazi, Aaron Ramsey, Archer, Chukwuemeka, Davis.
So Mings dropped, as is Tuanzebe.
Ings and Luiz out totally.
Maybe Smith’s hand forced, to a degree, by illness if what you said earlier Badger proves correct.
Might be an opportunity for a couple of kids later on in the game
I don’t know what to think here.
Watkins seems way out of form, Buendia has been poor up to now and Bailey isn’t properly match fit.
I’m almost tempted to think this might be Smith trying to prove a point to us fans, but the bug thing rings true.
Another rumour that Ings has tweaked a hammy or something 🙁
Totally surprised by the line up. Credit to Smith for dropping Mings and reverting back to 4 defenders. I hear that Luiz and Ings are injured……surprise surprise😔
OS saying ‘as Smith battles illness and injury in the squad’ without specifically saying which player is affected by which circumstance.
Smith’s just said a few soft tissue injuries and a couple of Covid related illnesses.
I give up, honestly.
More injuries?
WTF’s going on?
0-1
Oh no!
Now Ramsey has turned his ankle and is off 🙁
Young on.