Badger is away sunning himself in Gran Canaria so I’m filling in this week – to be fair though we’re having some issues with the site which has prevented Badger from writing an article.
Wolves had a poor finish to last season and Nuno Santes left in the summer with Bruno Lage taking over – another Portuguese manager – with Wolves continuing in the same vein. However their results have picked up of late with three wins in four and haven’t conceded in their last two away games.
Wolves are unbeaten in their last five games at VP – their best run against any specific team – now why does that sound familiar?
Wolves squad news; winger Trincao misses out follwoing a positive Covid test otherwise they have no fresh injury problems.
As for Villa it has already been pointed out Bailey is still not fit and Traore is also likely to be side lined with a thigh injury picked up on International duty with Burkino Faso – I really do dislike these international breaks! It appears that both Sanson and Davis are fit and are in contention although I’d be surprised to see either start.
Martinez (now rated the best GK in the world by Mr. Messi) and Luiz are expected to start even though they’ve only just got back from involvement in the WC qualifiers in South America. It seems Villa contributed (with six other Premier Leagues sides) to the renting of a private jet to fly Luiz back in time for the match – very eco friendly!
There has been quite a lot of comment that Smith’s formation of using Watkins and Ings as a front two with Ings playing off Watkins rather than playing as an ‘old fashioned’ CF – which is surely his strength – is not working. Badger has questioned whether Ings was wanted by Smith or whether it was a rushed strategic buy to pacify fans after JG left. I’m not so sure – Ings can normally be relied on for goals – but the paucity of goals from this pairing more than suggests the current arrangement is not working; will Smith change things tomorrow with Watkins playing wide or running the channels – I very much doubt it .
I also worry about our relative lack of creativity and lack of width with both Bailey and Traore out. I assume that El Ghazi will start; now I like EG but it just depends which version turns up on the day! Buendia can provide some width but Smith has chosen not to start him which begs the question as to why? I accept players do need time to settle into a new team but at £38m I would have expected more from him than we’ve seen and that’s a worry considering he was brought in to provide creativity and create chances for the front two.
It seems many fans would also like to see McGinn playing in more forward role with Ramsey and Luiz sitting in and looking at his performances for Scotland it’s hard to argue with that.
I assume that Martinez will play and the rest of the defence picks itself. I didn’t see last week’s game being at the London Marathon but by all accounts the defence – Mings in particular – were poor and we lost a game where we should, at least, have picked up a point. They will need to be better organised tomorrow if we are going to get anything from this game.
Given that Wolves generally set up to contain and look for goals on the break, I can’t see this being a high scoring match though they they pose a significant attacking threat with Hwang and Jiminez linking up well since the former came into the side three games ago.
I just don’t see us winning this one and am (again) going for a draw 1-1.
It would probably be remiss not to mention the recent purchase of Newcastle backed by the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund with a value of circa £230Bn making them the wealthiest club in the World – apparently. No doubt we will have to suffer much fawning from the media and watch as they flout the FFP rules with impunity! Does that sound like bad grace on my part – yes well!
What is unacceptable is the way in which Steve Bruce is being treated. Now like him or not, he’s a decent bloke trying to do his best and to be left hanging with the media openly discussing who’s going to replace him is just not right.
A more important question is how does this affect NSWE’s plans and will it change their views over future investment in the club? It seems that we are still fourth richest in the Premier League and Citeh have shown that winning the league is not a given no matter how much money you throw at it.
As Adam remarked, it would be very interesting if Newcastle got relegated before they had time to splash the cash – we can but hope!
I hope I’m just being my normal pessimistic self where Villa are concerned!
I’m always the optimist, so 2-1 to us.
On your other points, I don’t worry too much because I think our overall trajectory is on the ascendancy. We’re going in the right direction and I think Buendia will suddenly cause an earthquake at VP. Can’t wait for Bailey to get proper fit too. All very exciting times. Our front line is looking good too. If Smith doesn’t know where the next goals are coming from then the opposition doesn’t either.
God Bless the mighty Aston Villa.
Good points there Hitch.
I watched the Wolves – Newcastle game and agree that Hwang and Jiminez look a good pairing. They seemed to gel very nicely, which makes our front pairing a bit more concerning.
Certainly the manager was saying that the whole side are starting to understand what’s wanted of them, which makes them a threat.
As for Newcastle, I feel a bit sorry for them, as they don’t look as poor as their position seems.
I reckon they’ve let him manage today because it’ll be his 1000th as a manager.
Don’t feel too sorry for him; he’ll be getting an £8 million payoff apparently.
It’s almost unbelievable that someone so mediocre can earn such huge sums.
Just as you think it depends which AEG turns up, so it does with the Villa.
I reckon we can definitely do them, but like you, quite fancy the draw.
I’ll go 1-1
I get the pay off bit Badger but, from my own experience, it doesn’t matter how much one gets in compensation being treated badly (and in Bruce’s case publicly) can be extremely damaging to ones mental well being.
I, for one, wish him luck.
Nice to see 5 3pm kick offs for a change. Obviously not enough ‘Big Games’ on this weekend for Sky to demand changes…
Test.
Bill, I had to approve this – maybe because it came up as William rather than Bill Pearson. Anyway your second test worked.
Test 1
Villa go 3 at the back; Martinez, Luis and Buendia start.
Martinez; Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings; Cash, McGinn,Luiz, Buendia, Targett; Ings and Watkins. EG on the bench as are Sanson, Ramsey and Archer.
Jimenez starts on the bench for Wolves with Traore playing as on e of a two with Hwang – looks Avery decent Wolves side.
I’m interested to see how Buendia does.
He’s yet to get going.
It’s good that Martinez and Luiz are playing too. We need the best side we can put out.
I really don’t like the current formation. Clearly the service into Watkins and Ings isn’t sufficient and whilst Cash offers a good wingback option, it’s clear that Targett is not the balance on the left side which makes things work. Buendia hasn’t provided the creative number 10 role either partly because of injury. Unfortunately with Bailey and Traore both not fit, then we probably will have to persevere with the 5-3-2! I can’t see Smith going back to 4-3-3 unless either he benches one of the strikers or puts Watkins out wide.
I don’t expect us to win today and I wouldn’t be surprised if Wolves sneak a 1-0. As annoying as it is that JG left us for the instant money and glory, it’s a fact that we have lost a player who is irreplaceable as a like for like and others will have to step up quickly.
You’re right Holte.
The front two are having to work far to hard trying to create their own chances and look for the ball.
I really thought it would work, but it obviously isn’t. And it’s not like we’ve seen any signs of them linking at all.
Smith will stick with it for a good while, imo, but he’ll have to see that it’s wrong eventually.
Ollie needs to go wide left now, even if it’s only to see how it goes.
Villa 1-0 Ings
Super John Mcginn
Yep, 2-0 McGinn who provided the assist for the first
Squeaky bum time – Wolves pull one back on 80 minutes and Cash off through injury
2‐2. You are kidding!!!!!!!
2-2 any bets on Wolves now winning?
2 goals conceded from corners
How anyone rates “Slasher” Mings is beyond me.
he’s utterly useless, imo.
Glad I’m on holiday Monday in the Med, sod football.
I’ve been advocating that over the past few weeks, Smith is a lucky man and now it begins. Your right in saying European next year is not on the cards it’s going to get worse when you make unbelievable substitution and take chances with out of form players. Minngs is too casual, his attitude is all wrong in defence. Two up front not working its showing our play and teams have us taped of how we play. God help us because Smith is showing no knowledge of the game in tactics. .
A convincing win thrown away.
McGinn great, Cash pretty good, Mings dogshit, Ings and Buendia invisible for most of the game
2‐3.
I’ll get me coat.
Unbelievable. We got what we deserved.
Gotta say Mings is terrible at times. Consistency is what you need from your defence.
so that’s absolute crap isn’t it 2-3 – ruined my Saturday. I was right to be pessimistic. Absolute bollocks..
Useless. Fucking useless.
We’re nowhere near qualifying for Europe, imo.
How do you go from 2 up to lose 3-2?
The defence has been crap for weeks and serious questions need to be asked.
I’m fucking fuming. Again.
The money the club has spent and we still look crap.