Well, it wasn’t pleasant viewing, but I’m trying to keep my neutral head on and it says they were value for their win.
We looked the better team by far, but some shocking defending meant they scored from an admittedly decent corner.
And once that happened, they sat back and allowed us to prove that we are clueless when the opposition do that.
We had a few chances, with Buendia’s strike sticking in the memory most and Watkins also had chances, but I didn’t really think we looked likely to score.
When we do get the ball, we’re still too slow mostly and Traore was most the guilty of this, followed by Ramsey, who I thought was downright poor today.
Not that I’m majorly criticising anyone, because as I’ve said previously, as a squad, we look burnt out.
We do have inherent problems though and one is Traore. I’m sorry, but while I appreciate he has massive skill, the rest of his game is majorly lacking and how he got to start against a physical dirty team like Wolves is beyond me.
In fairness, I could also say the same about Bailey, who replaced him.
Yes, I like the thought of these maybe creating something out of nothing and they’re usually the passes or goals that stick in the memory for many a year.
But if that doesn’t happen, what else do they offer to our team?
I suggest nothing whatsoever and that’s not good enough for Emery, who will be seeing them as a last resort if two or three previous options haven’t worked.
As I said in the comments today, I expect at least one and probably both gone shortly.
It would depend on who might take them given the no doubt massive wages they’re both on.
Lange or Gerrard, whoever, what were you thinking? is what I’d ask.
Emery won’t be happy about this game, but I reckon the team are just proving what he already thinks.
Several need to leave, yet we need reinforcing as the priority, which means that some players that he doesn’t rate may need to stay, for now.
You can’t do it all in one window.
MOTM was possibly McGinn and I thought Buendia was up there too, but it wasn’t saying a lot.
I just got the feeling that while we looked more dangerous, we were never going to score.
Put it this way.
Man City would have got 4 or 5 today, easily.
I’m not saying we should have done the same, but we ought to have got one.
And the question Emery will be asking himself is why didn’t we?
But then, I suspect he already knows the answer.
And I’d expect it to be addressed in the summer.
UTV!
Spurs next and my confidence is diminishing quickly.
We just look jaded 🙁
You said it for me Badger we had most of the game and lost, I two players and one taken off was MOTM as for Ramsey he hides in a game did it today, not dynamic enough for me for a young one to be footballer . Never mind next year we will be footballers.
Wolves 20 fouls to our 8. I refer to my previous post.
This is a consistent stat where, in game after game, we are fouled twice as many times as we foul – why? And does it represent a problem in our play or is it that teams recognise that we can be bullied physically knowing that referees will not take any real action in terms of yellow / red cards for repeatedly foul play?
We’ve never done well under Attwell and today continued that trend. Interestingly I watched the game with a Liverpool fan who thought we played well but the referee was ‘not favouring’ the Villa despite the foul count!
I’ve just seen Tyrone’s miss. An absolute sitter. Get your head on that, lad, and don’t worry if your teeth get obliterated. Then again…
Disappointing if we don’t make Europa but pointless (literally and metaphorically) if we aren’t good enough so unless we re-discover our Newcastle form for the remaining games then it is over for this year. I expect a few new faces come August as I think Unai Emery will have earned the respect of our owners by now and should be allowed to pick his squad.
And how pleasant not to have been looking at the permutations for us to avoid relegation.
UTV
We hear that Emery’s coaching staff work with players 1to1 on aspects of their technique which need improvement. I think we can see that with improvements in Watkins, Young and Konsa. Also with Mcginn on his first touch and ball-shielding.
I am sure that coaching also includes finishing – shooting and heading accurately. But there is a difference in finishing set-up chances in training, where snatching at a chance gets you several minutes more practice at composure, and finishing in a match. Several Villa players, principally in midfield are the ones that – in a match – receive the cut backs and square passes needing a one touch volley to score. The efforts continue to be woeful. Stage-fright may be incurable in the present squad so two at least of them must make way for players who can keep their nerve and finish chances.
Shocking performance is stevie g back in charge because that’s how we played under him tiredness doesn’t come into it they had a week off not impressed by that at all Wolves are shit
Sorry Little but I disagree.
Wolves were bottom when the EPL paused for the WC – since then they’ve played well winning (before Villa game) six out of eight home games (6W2D) keeping a clean sheet in all those wins.
We didn’t play badly but we did fail to take our chances. Buendia was unlucky with his shot, the GK had no right to save that; Watkins headed straight at the GK and Mings blasted over from a clever Luiz free kick – pity it didn’t fall to one of our mid fielders.
We created far more chances, had more shots on goal and more on target.
Badger had it right – Wolves did a physical job on us which is becoming a trend.
Hopefully Kamara can come in against Spurs freeing McGinn to play further forward.
Great to see Carlos get some minutes and he looked really assured.
Imho, no way was that a Stevie g type performance.
UTV
Leicester being pummeled by Fulham. Deano might be looking at two consecutive relegations – I hope not. I’d suggest he needs to be more selective about the jobs he takes. Taking on sinking ships is very noble but career-wise, it’s suicide. He needs to stop doing that.
We have a lot more to be optimistic about than we ever did under SG. Players like McGinn, Konsa and Mings suddenly look full of confidence.
It’s fair to say we underperformed against Man Ure but we were decent against Wolves without having the finishing touch.
The one thing that is clear is we lack options when injuries occur. When Kamara was fit playing alongside Luiz with McGinn pushed forward we looked really good but Kamara getting injured has affected us. Dendoncker did well and I was surprised to see Traore come in and McGinn sitting deeper. It’s time for another clear out in the summer although some will be harder to offload.
Players I would DEFINITELY keep are:-
Martinez, Cash, Moreno, Konsa, Mings, Carlos, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn and Watkins.
Players I’m not sure about are:-
Chambers, Young (age reason only) Dendoncker, Ramsey, Duran and Buendia
Basically every other player except those on loan, Archer, A Ramsey and Iroegbunam should be shown the door with Bailey, Coutinho, Digne, Olsen and Traore DEFINITELY need to go. Wages will make it difficult for any club willing to sign any one of them though.
Everton 3-0 up at half time v Brighton. Didn’t see that coming
Good spot Gerry.
Is Europe now back on?
Brighton now have:
Arsenal away
Newcastle away
Southampton home
Man City home
Villa away
I reckon if we beat Spurs then it comes down to our last match of the season!
Sid – Spurs at home absolutely key game.
Win it’s all possible – lose at there’s a risk that our season will frizzle out.
No pressure then!
And in passing I might just add that we have a seriously awful record against Spurs at VP 🙂
Over to you Mr. Emery.
5-1 to Everton. As Sid suggests we have another go at Europe. So much better for fans when we are not suspended in no hope mid table.
5-1 to Everton.
I can honestly say I will never really understand the game that is football.
Which is why I love it!
It seems the end of the season always brings completely incomprehensible results.
Almost anything’s possible – even a Villa win against Spurs at VP 🙂
I’d like to put something ‘out there’: Cameron Archer has the potential to be a world class striker. The rest is up to Mr Unai Emery.
He certainly seems to be a natural finisher.
I very much doubt it will be up to any Villa manager though, when Duran is chosen over him.
I honestly think he’ll be another Chukky, who wants out because he has no chance of starting for us.
I hope I’m wrong, as he could save us a fortune.
I think he’ll be fully reassessed by Emery. The kid looks a talent while Chucky can’t get a game at Chelsea and is likely to be shipped out of their overblown squad this summer.
It’s a tricky one.
Archer and Duran – two young and inexperienced (no matter how talented) strikers the only back up to Watkins.
With Villa intent on mounting an ‘assault’ on the top six next season will a proven striker will be on their summer buy list?
Is four strikers too many and would the Archer be allowed to leave the club given how valuable good strikers are?
The solution might be to send one out on loan to an EPL club; I could see Middlesbrough wanting Archer if they get promoted.
I hear a £20m fee for Archer has already been discussed with Boro. Sounds a great deal from their end as he’s been great for them. I wouldn’t trust Gerrard’s opinion in the slightest, but do others at Villa have doubts about Archer?
He’s a better finisher than Ollie by far. Completely instinctive, natural movements in and around the box, two-footed and can head it with power. Not to mention pace and power to spare. He’s even got a celebratory trademark; I’d be selling claret and blue bows and arrows and Robin Hood outfits…
20 million is peanuts and Boro will be pissing themselves if they get him for that. I sincerely hope not. He’s so good yet still raw. Imagine how good he could be if properly coached. Keep him, coach him, watch him fire the Villa to the CL, then, if you really want, sell him for 80+ million. That’s what I’d do, anyway. Do not sell Cameron Archer. It’ll be an even worse decision than selling Gary Cahill.
I wouldn’t either. £20M is chickenfeed nowadays. Wasn’t Cahill a bit part player back in the day? After all only Bolton were interested…
Yeh, but that’s the point, Bum Bum re’ Cahill. He was a bit-part player as a youngster but was overlooked by MON, who proceeded to purchase expensive and inferior alternatives, namely Zat Night and Curtis Davies. Archer needs a run in the team like Ramsey has been afforded. If he goes for ‘chicken-feed’, it’ll be egg on Villa’s face like it was with Cahill. Excuse the pun.
I believe he has all the tools to be Harry Kane’s long-term replacement for England. He looks that good to me whenever I see him; he’s been doing it for a couple of years now, including the England U21s. Do NOT sell this guy!
He needs to work his way up the ‘pecking order’. Pun intended! 🙂
🙂
I don’t want him to fly the coop just yet!
Or get a good roasting!
I’ll get me coat…
:’D
Moving on – drumstick roll – ahem 🙂
Spuds tomorrow – here’s a sobering stat – Spuds have now won 8 consecutive games at VP with an aggregate score of 23 – 3!
Villa have managed just 1 win in the last 15 games (W1D4L10).
Can Emery work his magic tomorrow or have we gone slightly ‘off the boil’?
🙂
Just a word on the Archer / Middlesbrough move rumours.
It seems Carrick is keen on signing Archer IF Middlesbrough achieve promotion and has proposed a £20m fee.
Villa and Emery, it seems, are in no hurry to sell and it’s reported that Emery will take a long look at him preseason in order to decide his future. I trust Emery’s judgement more than MON’s!
Well , never say never, but I would be surprised if Villa were prepared to sell him in the summer – what probably can’t be ruled out is a six month loan to an EPL side or top European side ( a bit like Chelsea and Abraham) to continue his development and (if one’s being cynical) to further increase his value.
UTV