So the utter waste of time that is the International friendlies is over and we’re back to the proper stuff. My disdain for these friendlies was only increased when I heard that Matty Cash got injured when he was out with Poland and is out for probably a couple of weeks. It’s not as though I rate him particularly highly of late, but his absence at least limits our options and any opposition manager knows pretty much for certain that Konsa is going to play Right back.
I didn’t watch much of our games, but what I did see was pretty uninspiring football, which is no surprise because we have an uninspiring manager.
Still, there was one good thing that came out of it, in Youri Tielemans getting both Belgium’s goals. Let’s hope he can go on a bit of a scoring run for us.
Squad news and what could be a big plus is Jacob Ramsey is very close to being fit and is going to be assessed to see if he’s ready. If he is truly fit, his energy and powerful running could prove very useful in a game where McGinn undergoes his second match suspension. The only concern I have about the lad is that he stikes me as someone who needs a few games to get into the swing of things. Still, he’s better in the team than out.
So that and Cash’s injury are about the only new developments then.
As for Wolves, Matheus Cunha could be in line for a return to the Wolves squad but Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Craig Dawson, Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-Chan are all unavailable.
Time to guess the score then and I predict another very tough game. Wolves have the fourth best form since Christmas eve, which I can’t say is something I’ve noticed and they’ve gone very much under my radar. They also have a pretty good record against us and we haven’t beaten them in six games. Add in that they have only lost one in the last eight games at Villa park and it’s not hard to say they’re actually a bogey team.
Couple that with my massive reticence to call a Villa victory lately, because of my terrible record in predicting wins and I’m perfectly happy to call this one a draw. Would I be happy with that? Not particularly, as I think it’s a game we really ought to be winning, especially seeing as we’re at home, but it’s a point I would take, similar to the West Ham game.
I was going to say that a Tottenham win today against Luton should be pretty straightforward and if it’s by two goals, they’ll jump above us into fourth place, at least for a couple of hours anyway. In fact I think I’ll watch that game as I can see plenty of goals there and knowing Spurs, it could go either way.
I don’t see many goals in our game though and the most likely result is a 1-1, in my opinion.
Just don’t lose, is my ask.
UTV!
It’s very much a case of fingers crossed for this one.
If we want 4th we need to win today. With Citeh, Pool and Arsenal still to play, then this is one of the must wins. United are 9 points behind with a game in hand so they can still catch us. A 12 point gap before they play would deflate them. A Spurs win before we kick off might affect our players too.
There’s going to be a lot of ups and downs before the season ends that’s for sure.
Newcastle back from 1-3 to 4-3. That will destroy West Ham and a great score for us
Let’s hope West Ham bounce back on Tuesday.
Tot gone 1 down after 2 minutes
We have not beaten Wolves at home in the Prem since 2003.
We have to put that right today particularly as they are missing Neto who’s an outstanding player. Vu ha coming back will be a bonus for them but I woukd see it doubtful him playing a full 90 minutes – ranger similar to Ramsey.
So if we have real designs on 4th place then today’s game is one we should be putting to bed – but can we given our recent poor home record with three defeats in the last four?
We have to be due a good win at home, and the odds are shortening on Wolves getting something from us. We have the embarrassing Spuds game to make up for.
Spurs/Luton drawing with 20 minutes to go…Hang on Luton!!! Spuds have got some nasty games coming up too…
Ramsey still not fit even for the bench
Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Moreno, Luiz, Tielemans, Rogers, Bailey, Diaby, Watkins
Bench looks a little thin!
Spurs up to 4th and level on games.
Disappointing that Ramsey not even on the bench. I wonder if he’s had another set back?
Wolves have been our bogey team recently. It’s time to remedy that problem with a win.
Emery did say that he wasn’t sure whether Ramsey would be available today.
It’s annoying that his injury problems stem from the England U21 games – trust we’ve been appropriately compensated as he’s been out pretty much the whole season – yet another important player crocked for a long period and probably won’t see the best of him this season.
Wolves missing all of the front three that played against us at Molineaux plus Dawson is also out.
They still have good players but we have to take advantage of the fact that this is a less dangerous side – if we can’t then maybe we don’t deserve 4th.
I think they will try and frustrate us with a low block and look for long balls over the top where Alt-Noori can be dangerous.
Luton can eff off after that late goal.
Come on lads!!!!
Lengolet. Zaniolio. Duran. Digne on bench. That’s not too bad!!!!
God these next few weeks are proper squeaky bum time…
ManU seeking Wolves Manager as a number 2. What a bunch of entitled arrogant wankers.
Tbf todays result is pretty typical of Luton’s season
*or even Ait – Nouri 🙂
Well today will tell us IF we are good enough, football a funny old game as the famous Jimmy Greaves use to say and Spurs do have some big games
to come . I’ve watched all the games today WHam Spurs now us , fingers crossed and whiskey at hand we get something out of this .
Man Ure trying to disrupt Wolves because they can see a number of teams including Wolves capable of finishing ahead of them.
Looking at the starting XI for both teams, it seems they have worse injuries than us. Like Hitch said, we need to take advantage of that.
Let’s hope Carlos can last 90 minutes without going off injured. Without Cash we will need Konsa at RB for a few games.
Pretty poor start
We’d better wake up or we’re going to be demolished.
Chesty seems to be settling. He’s making some good runs…
Why does Emery persist with Moreno ahead of Digne?
His stats are far better. He’s oddly earned most points per game this season for Villa.
Plus he just lined up Diaby’s strike!!! I like both players equally. Both brilliant.
Imho we look stronger with Digne in the side. Moreno is frustrating – he’s been in a really good position several times but his crosses have been wasteful to say the least.
That’s what £50m buys you – sheer class
Diabyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!