Aston Villa’s run of form came to an abrupt end last weekend, as they were trounced 6-1 by Southampton, but Tim Sherwood will be hoping to finish the season in style against already-relegated Burnley.
Jores Okore has excelled under Sherwood and the defender has made 45 tackles over the 23 games he has played this season. As well as this, Okore has made 152 clearances, 60 interceptions and 16 blocks, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Tom Cleverley has only scored three goals this season, all of which have come in the last four games. Throughout the season he’s also demonstrated his excellent array of passing, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he completed a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every three minutes and 16 seconds.
Fabian Delph has arguably been Villa’s standout player this season. The England international has played a total of 849 passes in the opposition half, which is more than any other player in the Villa squad and in the top 20 in the league. If you fancy Cleverley to hit the back of the net this weekend, head to 888sport.com who have him at 5/1 to score at any time.
This Sunday’s game will be Burnley’s last Barclays Premier League game for at least a year as they return to the Championship next season. Sean Dyche will be hoping his side put up a spirited display and go out with a win.
Tom Heaton has been a key cog in the Burnley side this season, making numerous important saves and as such has been rewarded with a call-up to the England squad. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has racked up 122 saves so far this campaign, at an average of 2.3 saves per goal conceded.
Up top, Danny Ings has had a fine season with Burnley in the Premier League and has proved his class in the division. Ings has scored on ten occasions this season from a squad best 32 attempts on target. His direct style will prove a big threat to Villa, having completed a squad best 57 dribbles. He is 9/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
George Boyd is famed for his hard work up and down the flank, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Scotland international has covered 416.6km so far this campaign, the second highest total of any player in the Premier League. He also holds a squad best 111 tackles won, 64.5% of his overall attempts.
The Author
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.Comments 138
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Can’t see it being much of a game to be honest, probably 0-0 or 0-1. The interesting thing, for me, is to see what team TS puts out. Now that we’re safe i’d give Gil a game, i’d actually like to hear why he hasn’t played more previously. I thought TS’s decision to play Russian Audrey Hepburn before him at Slumberland was both disgraceful and, to be honest, insulting and one of the few disappointments in Tim’s reign.
If Given plays tomorrow then he’ll play at the industrial estate, don’t think he rates Lowton, Richardsons out, Hutton can’t play LB, the two central defenders (??) are coming off a nightmare and the mf was non-existent last week so what team he selects is up in the air. I’d go with –
Guzan: Bacuna, Vlaar, Senderos, Lowton, Cleverley, Sanchez, Delph, Grealish, Sinclair: Benteke.
I think he’ll pick –
Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Senderos, Baker ??: Bacuna, Cleverley, Delph,Westwood, Grealish: Benteke.
Steamer I think that the fact Gil is no longer mentioned in pressers or makes the bench means he’s offski for me . TS has already said there are quite a few heading for the door.
shame he never got to see helenius up close could of been a decent asset. TS spoke of us being overloaded in some areas and thin in others, meaning he’ll look to balance the squad out rather than add marquee signings imo. Could be quite a merry-go-round this summer. I can see Sinclair getting a run but I think he wants to build momentum so pretty much the final team. we are carrying injuries and I suppose its down to how bad they are? might even change formation to throw wenger off the scent.
“Durable” was another word that passed by TS’s lips in relation to bringing defenders in. Does that mean the constantly injured (defenders) will be moved on?
Steamer’s teams sound about right.
Is right back the only position Hutton can play?
Trin,
Some folk would say that he can’t even play there.
Trinity: “Is right back the only position Hutton can play?”
Mmmmmm … That comment about a Scot reminds me that Archie Hunter (one of our greatest Scots) came to Villa as a full-back yet became famous at centre-forward.
Sorry… that’s nothing to do with Hutton! 🙂
Benteke has scored nine goals in eight games, including a strike in the FA Cup semi final against Liverpool, and would command a fee of around £25-30m.
You might know … the Liverpool Echo.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumours-christian-9316159
Don’t let anyone tell you that LFC fans know their football, read the comments.
I think Vlaar staying is a good move. There’s been a lot of combinations back there, been hard to get a settled pair in the middle. Durability is obviously the issue. Not sure what this recurring calf injury is, but might be something that can get sorted if treated properly. Otherwise, TS’s comments would seem to rule him out.
From the last thread, Mark, I think, talking about players with knocks. I have a suspicion that was part of the issue with Soton. Okore’s quick enough, but got caught out. Vlaar, too. Not like teams haven’t tried that before. Just a ridiculous three minutes. And with Vlaar playing on the left, they didn’t seem to quite the right understanding between them. They’ve played together to good effect, but just seemed out of sync there.
I know TS is talking about a full-strength squad, and I’m sure he wants a good performance and a win to get momentum and confidence back. But I’m wondering who might benefit from a week off.
I agree JC, baker or clarke are left footed and provide a better balance, but okore and Vlaar are carrying knocks. I think a win is vital to get some momentum after southampton, also if we win we keep them out of europe and us in it with a better chance of keeping benteke
Here’s one for you to disect JL,
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/23/aston-villa-peter-mcparland-fa-cup-final
read the comments –
What the article doesn’t say is that after the game the ref stated that he only gave a free kick because the keeper was injured.
Another theory is that a week or so before the final Wood bounced Gento ( 5’5″ ) and thought he could do the same to Peter Mac ( 6′ ).
To show how thick Untied fans are, Mac states that he looked like he was smiling “because he was in pain”, the Guildford idiot then says that he “admitted trying to con the ref”. I’ve never met a Manc who knows f-all about the game just glory hunting gobshites who desert their local clubs so they can boast about a club they’ve probably never even watched live.
JC,
I think i might benefit from a week off. Agree about Vlaar, it would cost a few bob to get a replacement of his quality.
steamer that’s why i think he has limited funds, if he’s keeping vlaar and taking a serious look at bennett he must be after saving funds for a select few buys
Steamer – About the McParland article
Well, firstly, he cannot be the “greatest winger in Villa’s history”. These commentators (nor I) were around to see the likes of Denny Hodgetts, Charlie Athersmith (who was the highest paid player in the country at one stage), Charlie Wallace, Albert Hall and Eric Houghton (and it was Eric, as manager, who made the previous wing-half/inside-forward named McParland into a goalscoring winger!).
Comment: “Villa were a dirty side in 1957.” – No they weren’t! They were simply a very fit determined side with not too many frills about them. But “dirty” – no way. None of those players knew how to be dirty, except by getting mud on their pants!
The game then was of a different stamp altogether. It was meant to be played hard and fair – and it was. Not like today. Although another Irisman, our very own c-b Clark often reminds me of the tackles back then in the way I’ve seen him tackle this season. Wonderful – reminds me of Jimmy Dugdale to a ‘T’.
As far as the collision incident is concerned – both Wood and Mac were at fault. Both could have got out of the collision (particularly Wood) but they didn’t. And as one of the comments said, next year Gregg was bowled into the net for one of Bolton’s goals but no-one cried foul. It was within the laws of the game then so long as it was a genuine shoulder charge.
Today we watch players writhe on the ground after being tapped. In the 50s, a player would just rub the appendage that had been knocked and carry on. He would fall only if he was really hurt.
Oh, btw, goal-scoring winger Eric Houghton scored 30 (thirty!) goals in season 1930-31 and wasn’t even the Villa’s top scorer that season! McParland never came close to that level of scoring, though many of Houghton’s goals came from blockbuster penalties and free kicks – one from 40 yards!
JL,
TV fans mate, believe everything the ‘pundits’ tell them. Peter Mac, 81, doesn’t look anywhere near that age.
Article in the Mercury about Arthur Sabin, better than Sims according to his sister, “he got them to Wemberlee.” Whats your opinion ?
I think the Merc is in need of a sports reporter, Mike Lockley, funny as he is, knows nothing about sport, a few weeks ago he did a report on a midland team that reached the final of the National Sunday Cup, apparently the first local team to do so forgetting twice winners, Newtown Unity, Mike Tindall played for them a few times and Lodge Cottrell. Today he’s rambling on about the greatest heavyweight boxing champions and misses out Jack Dempsey from his list, think he was WC for eight years. When newspapers cut back its always the sports dept that suffers first.
nice to hear people give a thought for others , Think I can feel a sob story coming on for the final 😉
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/young-aston-villa-fan-broken-9318818?
not sensing a massive rush for the cheque book are you?
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-team-winners-next-9317181
Steamer – Mile Lockley was Editor of the Cannock Chase Post until they closed it down around the time I emigrated in 2008. I reckon he was given the sports job to save on redundancy pay; as you say he knows noting about football but I can vouch for the fact he knows his ale!
John – talking of hard tackling defenders, I always cringed when Eamon Deacy went in for one – not because the tackled player was going to end up in the stand but because we might have gone down to 10 men!
Those were the days when you could play hard and there was none of this high foot or breathing on the goalkeeper. I played in goal and I used to relish a shoulder charge battle withe opposing centre-forward, made even more enjoyable when side-footing him and watching him with his studs stuck in the net!
I thin the team needs a good win and momentum going forward, so no major changes today; maybe a few minutes at the end for the academy stars of the future.
Morning all
Some interesting reading over the last few days on here .
How wonderful would it be for Peter McParland to see us lift the trophy . No he doesn’t look 81 – he does his stint in the Lions Club for the old players and very charming he us too .
Bit if a nothing game fur me today – but looking cheers to seeing the steamers in the pub for a pint or two of cider – and see whether it’s the toons or Hull to fall down the trap door .
Enjoyed the funk thing you put in Steamer – even had my daughter singing along to Good Times – but when I started dancing along it was “oh please don’t !” What do teenagers know eh.
Hope you are having a funky good time at the funk festival Runtingz – envious !
Steamer,
Arthur Sabin was apparently a great loss – to his family of course, but also to Villa – from all accounts.
He only played twice for Villa and both times the season after Villa got to Wembley (56-57) from the top of my head, and I unfortunately didn’t see him play.
Clive,
You’ll remember Stan “The Wham” Lynn, of course!
I loved him. Not really a top-flight player in many respects but he did keep quiet a lot of wingers – and put away a few goals.
JL,
Played against Stan Lynn also worked with him at Rover.
Clive,
Very funny bloke too, Remember Eamonn Deacy being sent off at Watford, they wound him up and he bit. Don’t know how he did it but when he signed for Villa he was around 23, we though he was 18, that’s from his brother. Always put in everything he had and not many got the better of him, great lad.
Steamer,
An old school-mate of mine – John Biddle by name – became a top-flight linesman. He also was Stan Lynn’s boss at Lucas when Lynn was working there, so Stan must have done the rounds of Brum’s manufacturing companies!
One of John’s matches that he officiated at as linesman was the benefit match for the Bradford disaster (1985?), when Georgie Best played for Villa! John was a decent player too – captain of the Lucas side I think.
what a strange side, Jed steer in goal and one full back?
http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/aston-villa/team-news/team-news-three-changes-for-villa-on-final-day_224632.html?
Zoggy is the other … Huh?!
That is a strange side indeed i know we don’t need a result perhaps TS has given this one up to go all out next week we will see Robinson at some stage thats fof certain.
AVFC ITWT
Andre green is quick but what does jed steers inclusion say??
1 down already pants
We have become one dimensional, cross from right rinse repeat. If we dont involve grealish he might as well come off
Too many athletes in the Prem now and not enough footballers.
Bacuna= Athlete
Albrighton= Footballer
Walcott back to his devastating best and we’ve gone off the boil all of a sudden… FA Cup optimism !?!?!?!?
UTV
Liverpool are an absolute mess… someone should lose their job; whoever has been in charge or player recruitment must go, shocking!
Hull look almost certain to go down again. Shows you how important talent evaluation is and Bruce is not good enough at it. Lambert a better eye for a player.
UTV
Westwood mom so far says plenty
back to normal
cup final could be disaster
we are one man team benteke
lerner has to sell now get out you knob
gabby westwood hutton are not villa players sorry mark westwood is crap
vlar no new contract 3 years with annual xmas holidays find some other mugs to pay your sickpay
yes sherwood got a lift out of players and only for it we would be bottom not 4 bottom
James,
Forgive me, but it is your comments that are “back to normal”! 😉
Today Villa’s was partly a makeshift side (with Baker only just returning from injury) and Burnley played to make it difficult.
Villa just needed a bit more confidence – they would have won if they’d found it – plus we saw 2 or 3 very good keeper saves.
No, it was not what we hoped for today, but let’s just look forward to the final.
Well the honey moon period is over. Strange selection and formation.
Treat the fa cup as a survival celebration. We have no chance in hell beating arsenal.
Massive summer coming up. New owners and new squad needed else it will be same old next season.
Thank god we are up though.
Yeah, that was a bit underwhelming…Burnley just had more intensity, nothing to lose, wanting to go out well, get that early goal and just did what they do, chase and chase and chase and stay compact.
We did have a couple good chances, but looked labored and lackluster. Can see it being a game they didn’t want to play, but out of sync much of the day, and not a great precursor for next week.
Course, I’m sure players were wanting to save something, avoid injury and all that.
Nevertheless, there is work to be done over the summer.
Just have to hope that they were holding back for the final. Maybe not wanting to get injured ( except baker who’s suicidal ) played a part. poor service into tekkers and grealish and Gabby doesn’t really suit that formation. Delph and Cleverly not at their best today either and I think at one point Sinclair came on.
One worrying thing is we have stopped being adventurous and now just lump hopeful crosses in, hope TS can gee them up for the cup
No Gil again, not even to wave goodbye poor chap
Well that was awful, everything about Villa was flat, the team the atmosphere, it was a real fuck it we have nothing to play for game. We end up 4th bottom( embarrassing) on 38 Pts yet again. We need a massive overhaul before next season or it will be more of the same. I fear another tonking at Wembley, unless there is an act of God
Wonder if TS’s “some players will be gone as they are not winners” comments have stung a bit to much? also the whole team seamed less intent on involving Grealish and making runs? they look a million miles away from the team that beat Everton.
Mark,
This lineup seems to work best with CNZ and Grealish up in the middle behind Benteke. Gabby just doesn’t fit, as you say.
They tried to play through, but Burnley had so many players back. Wasn’t happening fast enough. Arsenal could crucify us, but the game will be more open. And to be honest, the players just didn’t look like their heads were in it.
My biggest concern from the last two games is how shaky we’ve looked at the back at the start, conceding early.
Might be the psychological relief of finally getting safe, losing concentration and intensity.
JC, Funny you should say that ( about the defence) as we have looked bereft of ideas when a team presses us high up the field. Both Southampton and Burnley were tenacious and as we race out of the blocks the midfield don’t seem to get to grips with the opposition very well if they are not playing open footy, hopefully Arse will do that, but if I remember right they didn’t in the 2 games this season.
I wonder if we have been found out as it happened after the early form this season?
I am really surprised by the negativity following this match. Disappointment I can understand but to try to look for something ‘wrong’ today surely isn’t relevant? As far as next season is concerned surely that’s the next hurdle to be looked at – for the next week it’s only about the Cup Final.
Burnley came with an air that they didn’t want be blown over, and we took awhile to get our bearings … Zoggy at l-b, Baker back at c-b … and a new keeper. And he did well I thought.
Next week will be entirely a different match against very different players who will not play as Burnley did today. Today there was some care by Villa that no-one got injured too much, and that probably explains the absence of that extra bite to win the game.
But yes, it could go badly awry v. the Gunners if Villa are not careful and if TS doesn’t get his team selection right.
Mmm. Two crap displays in a week by us. Not setting up for arsenal well are we.
Strange selections today. Steer and Zoggy left back. Didn’t work. Only positive is another dire prem season is over. Now to win a trophy
Hope a massive sqaud overhaul in the summer is on it’s way. We have no good keepers, left backs or centre backs
I don’t think Cleverley will stay either
JL
It’s negativity born out of disappointment, that once again we have been outplayed/muscled by a poor team. I would have hoped/expected a reaction after the humiliation at St Mary’s.
Today the side lacked balance, composure, intensity and the will to win. I only hope they have kept it all back in the locker for next weekend. I am gutted we finished below Newcastle , Sunderland, Leicester all of which were in as much or more trouble than us in recent weeks. We need a massive performance in the final, then I’d say we need a turnover of around 8 out 8 in over the summer, or we will be in another relegation scrap.
JL
I think that its just the manner in which we have played, boom or bust. don’t mind losing if we gave our best but I can’t watch the last two games and say we did. After some great performances we have gone backwards, that’s not negative its just observation, you can see TS is not happy with it but lets hope the lure of Glory can get them going.
Its a good job it has happened because TS has to make some big decisions this summer, there’s a positive 😉
who’s the fella we want from swindon? they are getting hammered by Daniel Johnsons PNE
TS comments
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32865353
Well it seems Guzan is a garuntted starter at Wembley, Diven injured and being assessed day by day, Steer cup tied and seigrist has a broken leg.
Latest odds have Arsenal 4/7 fav, draw 16/7 and Villa 6/1 in 90 mins.
I hope we don’t get hammered.
We desperately need investment, 17th is our lowest finish in a long time, and yet again we never made it to 40pts, we scraped over the line bt the skin of our teeth, this cannot continue or we will eventually drop.
Overall marks out of 10 for the league campaign I will give 3.5/10
Given has hurt his groin apparently
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/5/24/8653009/aston-villa-injuries-brad-guzan-shay-given-arsenal-fa-cup-final-wembley
john l
forgive me if my comments are back to normal watching 5 years of complete shite does it for me
no fight ,effort skill mom is westwood ,westwood is not good enough for championship
5 years about 100 m spent and only benteke to show for it
no left back what has happened sissko is he like gil
sendross has not been seen since lord lucan
kozak same
yes sherwood lifted players but anyone of us could have done that after lambert we need wholesale change of players
keep clark okore delph sinclair grealish benteke cleverly and after that sell and rebuild
pray hard all week arsenal don t thump us because after last 2 performances i m worried
B62: “Today the side lacked balance, composure, intensity and the will to win.”
64% possession, 16 shots with 5 on target – 3 of which brought off very good saves. Burnley had few chances by comparison.
My feeling in the middle of the second half was that Villa would at least draw, but Burnley simply packed their defence and we *were* profligate on a few occasions, on that I will agree.
The players wanted to get to Wembley in one piece. I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they will do – even if they lose.
James: “forgive me if my comments are back to normal watching 5 years of complete s**te does it for me”
How do you think we got on in the 60s then? 😉 We were disappointed then – often – also over 5 years+.
But what I saw today was nothing like what was on offer under Lambert. I think we should compare like with like, not otherwise, if you don’t mind me saying.
Will Gaby retire soon? Another embarrassing display by him
Benteke will go. He owe’s us nothing. He’s at the age to move on now
TS has a huge summer. He needs a lot of money to re build us
B62: “17th is our lowest finish in a long time”
Last season we finished *on the same number of points* yet we were placed 15th This year it’s 17th.
C’mon fellers, cheer up … anyone would think we were drifting in the Anderman Sea!
john l
wasn t born to early 70s
gabby has had 4/5 very good chances to score last 2 and bit matches and missed all not even one yet played full match again concrete ron wants to stay nobody wants him well no villa fan i know wants him either
I’d like to add that one thing that is disturbing is that the opposition have sussed what our tactics are – and in the case of Southampton and Burnley they both played tactics to stop the supply – e.g. didn’t give time to Bacuna to send in one of his well-placed centres onto CB’s head.
Mind you I don’t think the Gunners will be so bothered – I reckon they’ll just try to beat us by their own attacking play.
Jl I think people are fearing having our pants pulled down on tele again. the general mood on the pitch seems to have shifted to me, its not massive but they are definitely not playing with abandon. Pray Wenger sends his lot out to out play us off the park.
I was looking forward to the final, the last 2 games have me a little more worried than I’d like to be 🙂
JL I’m more worried that Bacuna has become our sole source of supply to Benteke in the last 3 games and has become overused.
Burnley did what they’ve been doing. They wouldn’t be down if they could score. Very disciplined, tenacious. If not for that silly little bit of lackadaisical defending, they really only had the one chance Steer came out to smother.
For us, it depends on pulling players around with Delph, Grealish, CNZ all working together. There were chances today, just weren’t taken. I don’t think we played “badly”, just without as much intensity and concentration.
When we do get it back, we needed to get at them quicker. We let them regain their shape too easily.
I also wonder if some of the timidity creeping back in is from self-imposed pressure, ie, surprising themselves playing so well, and not sure if they’re up to producing it. Still some confidence issues.
When the team gets overhauled, I think confidence is one of the things TS will be looking for in players. Delph has it, and Grealish.
Mark-
I think, yes, with Bacuna out there, he was missing the interplay with CNZ. We weren’t getting the overloads out there, and Grealish wasn’t getting deep in.
Sherwood has alluded to playing a certain way as a matter of necessity. I’m thinking he knows there needs to be a Plan B.
JC, yes I think you have it right there (both posts). TS knows darned well there’s a lot to do after next week…
Er… there’s a bit to do before next Saturday as well!
JC/JL it does make me worried what he plans for left back, obviously not Hutton
Yeah, JL…I’m hoping that if they were holding back, they’re ready to give it their all.
The formula has been early intensity, seize the initiative and score. If they’re not getting control of the game early, they’re struggling to play their way in, change it round.
It’s easy to be harsh, though. You’ll see Chelsea and whoever else also struggle to score in games like these. Of course they usually don’t concede a stupid early goal, and if they do, they consolidate. They can spend the afternoon looking for the one bit of brilliance. And that’s with a lot more creativity and strength in the side than we have.
Like everyone, will be very curious to see the side next week. Don’t want to see Gabby, want the two 10s back
Defo not Hutton. I guess he figured he’d give Gabby a run-out, wanted CNZ to play as well, thought he couldn’t do any worse at LB, and maybe he and Grealish would cause trouble down the flank.
But right now, as much as it pains me to say it, I think Richardson has been the best option.
John
I was there and the possession stat hides how poor we were, it lacked pace and thought, as mark pointed out it was a million miles away from the Everton game. We were very one dimensional in our attacking play. Stats can be manipulated either way, 16 shots with 5 on target can be interpreted as we missed the target with 2/3 of our shots.
It’s all or nothing against the gooners, and in a one off we may just be able to pull it off
JC Richardson hasn’t trained all week though. Your comparison with Chelsea just highlights how we cannot carry anyone, its been a massive surprise that we have played well as a team in the last 10 games to me, one of the highlights, the last 2 much more disjointed.
Ings looks just like the striker Benteke needs alongside him if we keep him. Good all round striker. He must hate having gabby as a strike partner
Looking at the final table it shows how far behind teams we are, Stoke, Everton, West Ham , Swansea etc all teams tha finished significantly higher than us in terms of position and points, we even finished 6 points behind a shite WBA team, and behind Leicester and Newcastle and Sunderland. Once the final is over the club needs to sit down and decide how we move forward, because this squad needs dismantling and a serious overhaul and not with cheap crap or overpaid has beens
The sooner we know if the club is going to be sold the better. This team NEEDS investment not the Champ and reserve teamers that we have been linked with up to now. Despite what the table says we’ve again been the worst team in the division,look at our results against the relegated teams, dismal. IMO without at least five new good quality players in the squad we’re favourites for relegation next season. How can Gil not get into this team and yet Aghbonlahor once again does sod all for an entire season, pretty obvious Tim, don’t destroy your miracle.
Without being sold ( to the right investor) this is our lot. We have been circling gurgler for years now, only breaking the 40 pt barrier once in the last 5 years. The squad is poor and needs a massive overhaul, TS has done ok since he has arrived, but even during this short period we have seen the best and worst of his management style. He said not to judge him on this season but next, as he was only interested in securing safety, which he has done. If he wins the cup( very unlikely) he will have pulled off a miracle. But we all know despite millions being brought into the club from the new TV deal/sponsors /tickets/merchandise etc TS will be shopping in the bargain bin( if the transfer target rumours are true )whilst it seems ever more likely Tekkers will be off.
I have already renewed for next season as TS has given me a bit more hope, but with Lerner remaining and being tighter than a nuns chuff, that hope could quickly evaporate.
I know the final is next week, but with the players he has got back, would have thought that TS would use Bennett, Gardner, Sendeross and Gil and maybe evem Weimann, and give them the chance to have a go today, whilst resting our main players to ensure they are fit for Saturday…..but very poor selection…and poor tactics..Burnley’s defence is capable with dealing with crosses all day, something our defence can not do.
Just hope that TS is not going to turn into a 5 minute wonder, as he seemed unable to cope again today.
Fell asleep at half time. It looked like it was going to be one of those games, and it was. Goal aside, Villa were the better team in the first half. Burnley’s keeper did a great job stopping Benteke and keeping Westwood out.
There’s many good comments today. They were a bit one dimentional. As Mark says, Bacuna seemed to be overused. JL’s comments on the match and state of the team are right. And, yes, as Steamer says, we need about five quality players brought in.
At least Villa came through the match injury free.
Villans might as well just enjoy the trip to Wembley (JL’s advice), the rest is up to the team. More than a few will be expecting Arsenal to handout a proper caning to Villa, which might be the case. They’ve got a lot more quality, but it’s only a game of football and anything can happen on the day.
Anybody who thinks this current team will do well in the PL next season is deluded. There’s not enough quality and it lacks durability. That said, they have a crack at the FA Cup. I hope, the players understand what they’re playing for and live up to the occasion and put their very best foot forward:).
Just watching Arsenal on MOTD, they are playing with pace and purpose, great to watch and scored some belters!!!! I fear a hiding next week
trin with all due respect Ts has said we would be fine with the same team next season? was this bravado and a little psychology? its a pretty bold statement IMO but it has been said.
Mark
He’s also said he needs to bring in more durable and better players to improve the squad. And he said in his latest interview that we were “getting carried away a couple of weeks ago…the writing’s on the wall” and we ended up where we did because we deserved to.
I think what he’s said in previous weeks is neither bravado or a “little psychology.” He’s just saying he’ll get on with the job with whatever he’s given and he’s being respectful to the current squad. Yesterday, he said the last two weeks have been a “wakeup call.” At least, he’s not deluded.
That doesn’t mean Villa can’t win next week, but they’ll need to pull one out of the bag, which is possible on the day.
B62: “I was there and the possession stat hides how poor we were, it lacked pace …”
Yeah … I saw the match as well. No, I wasn’t actually at VP, but I did see what happened! 🙂
I agree Villa did lack some things, but don’t think that the stats lied too much … Villa should simply have put a couple of their chances away … if they’d have scored one then who knows what might have happened? But they let Burnley get an early lead and they packed their defence in such a way that “pace” wouldn’t have made too much difference …. except we did have a couple of breakaway situations that we should have done better from – but that seems to be something we rarely take advantage of these days.
It could be that TS has created such an atmosphere that we get overly disappointed if we haven’t scored 3 or 4 goals!!!
The summer and next season should be our focus i.m.o. So far, TS has had to play with Lambert’s team.
Shamefully for a football club like ours, thank god that season is over, we’ve been saying that for too long now. However, I expect it would have been far more enjoyable, rollercoaster(ish) with TS in charge for the season.
I don’t think anyone of us wouldn’t say we don’t have a great core of players but we definitely need some additions at fullback, keeper, we may need a Benteke replacement, so if he is going go early so we’ve time to get someone in, a good few players need to cut their ties with Villa this summer to – Gabby/Wiemann are high on the list.
And now to the FA Cup, WE ARE IN THE FA CUP FINAL, out of all the teams it’s us, it will be a very different performance from the league because the league is too much for our squad. This is a one off game, we’re our lads can play out of their skins for 90 minutes and pull off a result. I have to say pull off a result because we aren’t at Arsenal’s standard but who knows what will happen, look at the Liverpool game.
KEEP THE FAITH, we can do this.
Say hello to Tony Workman if you see him at Wembley, this is a 94 year old Villa fan who’s from Birmingham but has lived in Dublin for most of his life, the Irish Lions got him a ticket for the final, we was at the ’57 final, he’s in a wheelchair and his family have made huge efforts to get him over.
UTV
That’s another reason to win the Cup, 94 years of watching Villa, Knighthood, Sainthood,Lottery wins, he deserves the lot, give him my regards, and fair does to all the Dublin Lions.
To say that Tims selection was negligent is an understatement, apparently he doesn’t like defensive MF’s, well when your B4 can’t defend you need one, even Real Madrid play with one. What happened to not playing folk out of position ? Cissoko’s fit so why play Zog at LB ?. Possibly TS is getting carried away by a couple of good wins and that’s not decrying his achievements. If young and hungry is back then we’re doomed, it doesn’t work, we need established quality, your Milners etc not some ex Spurs reserves from five years ago, this is Aston Villa, Lerner hasn’t quite destroyed the club completely, lets show a modicum of ambition, most of our fans deserve it.
Well i think we saw that result coming when we saw the team selection.
PP how many of those players coming back off loan are cup tied.
LB is going to be such a crucial position to fill next week has Walcott is looking like he has hit form.
I don’t think Wenger will be stupid enough to fall for the two number 10s formation so TS must know he will need to come up with something different.
With our CBs tied up with Giroud the rest of the team will have to stop Sanchez Ozil Ramsey Cazorla Walcott it seems like a mountain to climb.
Our hope is that CB can bully their defence because he is our only legitimate goal scorer.
We can only hope for a display that tells the world AVFC is a football club that can again be counted amongst the finest England has to offer.
AVFC ITWT
I’d be very annoyed about our last two displays if it wasn’t for Wembley. That’s all people care about now
We need to win it, it’s about bloody time. get our pride back. Keep Benteke and sign Danny Ings. Just the type of partner Benteke needs, not Gabby
Looking at the bench yesterday it seems pretty obvious TS was expecting a reaction and a win. Why else have robinson and green on the bench? Also when your playing nzogbia at left back surely Gil could of slotted in up front in his position.
SWV,
That was my point , that these lads were back and could have played on Sunday, and not risked players who are eligible for the Final. It would also have given them the chance to shine and have pride in the shirt.
TS now on about RL needing to spend money and shipping out loads of players who are at the twilight of their career. Is he a bit of a knee-jerker. He has done what we all wanted and kept us in the Premiership….Just..!!
I really hope that he can become a great manger, and create a great team, but some of his selections are becoming mystifying, and set-up, but the boys are still at least looking as if they want to win, although not always using the right tactics.
Interesting to see that Darren and JC (two fans furthest away) are the coolest heads around here … 😉
But Darren’s right … despite everything that’s been awful this season, we *have* had something to smile about since February *AND* a Cup Final approaches!
So, since we only get to a Cup Final every 5 to 10 years these days, let’s please just enjoy it.
And I say that Gabby will play and score one of the goals. (Just to give you something to argue with!)
I think wembley has given us a welcome distraction and hope, it’s given us an unlikely shot at glory, but it shouldn’t cover up just how piss poor we have been this year( the last 5 years or more TBF). The players minds have been at Wembley for the last couple of weeks and we have lacked focus. IMHO we need a minimum of keeper, LB, centre half, 1or 2 midfielders and a striker(2 if Tekkers goes). And these need to be quality, not from Swindon, Brentford or some eastern block goat herders in their 4th tier, hoping they will turn out to be gems. We need some proven quality which costs .
Stoke ended up finishing 9th for the second season in a row on 54pts, Mark Hughes is doing well yet again( bar his blip at QPR), I wonder if things would have been different if he had come instead of mcturd
John- Gabby and score don’t go together. hes had three sitters in 3 games, and missed all 3.
B62- I think some of our buys will be from lower leagues. Luongo bloke looks crap from what iv’e of seen of Swindon
I’d add a right back to your list, and even if benteke stays, we need two strikers. Gabby, Wiemann and Kosak i’d sell. We need a Ings and another target man so the load isn’t always on the Beast
B62 maybe but hughes would still of had the same situation to deal with IE cost cutting.
I think we should take the lerner era out of the history books totally 🙂
PP a lot of the loanees were not in the first team squad so are ineligible, Robinson is bennett and Gardner not. Just looked at the first team squad and we have Gil and Kosak in it who look like having no chance of playing, what a waste.
Beginning to wonder if Gil has knocked up one of TS’s daughters 😉
I think playing nzogbia at left back as has been said was just as much for fitness as anything, otherwise why not play Kinsella? TS has said they will get a chance, seems strange as that was an ideal time with no left backs that he wasn’t on the bench either.
Can someone please tell the media that cash plus Lambert is not tempting for Villa, why a player who couldn’t make it in a crap liverpool team and was behind the equally crap Balotelli would be a temptation I’ll never know.
For that player to be bait, a temptation or anything resembling a good deal for Villa, we’d need 50m for Benteke and 10m from Liverpool just to take Lambert off them. Can’t be doing with any Lambert near my club.
I must admit that i’ve seen nothing positive come out of the last two games, team selection, tactics, substitutions, nothing, its been a complete shambles. If TS is happy to go with the same squad next year then he can pack his bags because this squad is only going one place and that’s the Championship. The bloke has performed wonders after taking over a demoralized club but i wonder if he understands what we need at VP. Mediocrity has reigned for too long, we need a clean sweep, Lerner out and Fox to visit planet Earth and cut out the London BS, its ok for Arsenal but not for down to Earth Brummies who live in the real World.
Darren,
Sherwoods first signing will be the benchmark, if its crepe like Lambert then you know what we’re in for. The way TS is talking its going to be ex London club reserve players coming in cheaply, if they were any good they’d have made it in London, so basically whoever’s in charge at the club has to show ambition because the fans have had enough after all these years of abject failure under Ellis and Lerner.
B6B,
How much more is your ST ? a pal of mine takes his grandson down and is paying 300 more than last season.
Mark,
Impossible to understand why he ignores a player with talent like Gil and plays a total gobshite like Aggy who contributes f-all, just a leech, taking his 50,000 per week for as little effort as possible. Someone on another site suggested we sell him for….5m, nearly popped me clogs laughing, have Walsall actually got 5m ?
what l want to know is who ate all my Pringles in the pub yesterday and l was £20 down again ,
well the telegraph says we are in for these swindon players, so cheap and cheerful it is
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/11628315/Aston-Villa-launch-3.5m-raid-for-Swindon-pair.html
Steamer
My ST is the same price as last season as all prices are frozen, in fact due to my Villa cash it’s actually £27 cheaper.
I agree though these last two matches it’s been poor from TS, I know he will make mistakes and I can’t really criticise as he has kept us up and got us to the FA cup final. But as a club this decline can’t be allowed to continue or we will be playing in the championship
Hey Steamer
Have to say it can’t be any worse than Lamberk and if he gets players who want to perform him and give 100% to this club then I’ll continue to back TS, I honestly don’t think a TS season would be allowed to deteoriate the way Lamberk allowed and player quality will help.
As above we have a core of players to build around, so retention of Benteke/Cleverly are musts, just means that the focus is on a keeper,full backs and a striker, sounds easy. Micah Richards has already been mentioned on the Villa radar. Midfield is fine Westwood, Sanchez, Sinclair, Delph, Cleverly, Grealish, N’Zogbia allow for variation in style.
Why are we looking at third rate cheap options from the third tier of football, when we will bring in around £100m possibly more in revenue, and we are apparently in the black???? That Swindon side over achieved and were taken apart by PNE and a certain Daniel Johnson.
All of the talk about Benteke going to Liverpool for £30 million is nonsense
Liverpool want £50-60 million for Stirling. Who has scored more goals this year?
If Liverpool want Benteke – they can hand over £60 million for Benteke.
I’d look at Heaton(GK) Micah Richards luis Enrique/Aaron cress well (full backs)
Keep Cleverley or get someone like Holtby I’d love Milner ( not gonna happen) Charlie Austin , Patrick Bamford etc maybe supplemented by 1 or 2 from the championship and our youth, selling off a lot of our dire squad.
Who knows what will happen, it does seem to point to more penny pinching whilst having our pants pulled down by the so called big boys ie Rckie the beetroot man Lambert as a tempter for Benteke!!!
Seems like we are now getting back to normal here, which is great now that we are guaranteed our place for next season.
Happy Clappers versus the doom mongers will now play out for several weeks after the Cup Final, and then the reality of who we have bought/ sold…not bought…not sold…and TS’s new team will emerge….and we…. dare I say it…..Go again……or will we still be basking in Cup glory…………
Have a nice week folks…start my Cup w/e in Brum on Friday……Then Wemberleeeeee!!! Here we come…!!!…..
Benteke to Chelsea…AND NO-ONE ELSE…..FOR sensible money…..
i am neither happy clapper or doom monger what i am IS FED UP WATCHING MY SIDE VILLA PRODUCING CRAP PERFORMANCE WEEKLY BURST WITH AN ODD FLASH OF GOLD FROM BENTEKE our squad is poor under 40 points 4 seasons in a row how we didnt go down i ll never know we need major investment not buying at pound market on pic and mix hope for gold like benteke , but ending up with bowery bennet tonev helnius cole sendross
squad my view
keepers
given past it one year left so keep as back up
guzan not nearly good enough time to go
steer first sight yesterday looked ok but not good enough to be number one
full backs
hutton not good enough when mcleish signed him what was crazy idea new contract when he hadnot played for 2 years time to move on
lowton showed early promise but never kicked on time to move on
bacuna like him as a player but not full back keep him
sissko done ok got injured in sherwoods first match hasnot been seen since why keep him
luna joke player like most of lamberts release now
bennet never got going time to go now less said better
centre half
clark never seen the turnaround in him make him captain but got to cut out silly bookings
baker to injury prone give him one more go
vlar to injury prone ,to old move on
okore needs to get fitter but keep him
sendross joke signing played in 8 out44 matches invisble man waste of squad number
midfield
delph back to bad days yesterday but needs to stay
sanchez like him needs to get up to speed tho can fit in as ch
westwood don t rate him at all no goals assists can t play in pl midfield move on
cleverly grew on me under sherwood can t believe same player under lambert
gardner sorry doesn t make grade to many injuries should move on
will finnish with another post later
continued
midfield
gil don t know what happened looked good few matches but then so did many others
cole 12 app out 38 278mins out 3420 complete jokesigning maybe 10years sooner been ok, move on now
richardson like most of lamberts signings rubbish west brom fulham sunderland we should not besigning players that have fought relegation year in year out
sylla move on
tonev move on
sinclair keep him noproblem with him
grealish hopeful he will be star
zog where is player that was at wigan has he even managed 5 goals at villa no resale on him so let contract run down
strikers
benteke single handed kept villa up in 2 out 3 seasons magic
kozak invisible man something not right 17 months with broken leg
wiemen run out steam sell on
gabby supposedly villa fan more like conman taking wage for what he does couldnt believe his luck when fox gave new contract
sherwoods has big job ahead there is some deadwood to ship out and moreless total rebiuld needed
keeper 2 full backs 1/2 midfielders attacker to go straight into team
Apparently we’ve bid 3.5 mill for two Swindon players. FFS
Either Randy is staying or the new owners are just as tight.
Oh and both are box to box CM like Delph Clev and GG so I guess GG and Clev will be going elsewhere
The cheap and cheerful policy contributed to our downfall in the 60’s, various capable managers like Taylor and Cummings had their hands tied by the board and had to dredge the lower leagues for talent, some decent,remember Mitchinson & Edwards from Mansfield, Poutney & Broadbent from Shrewsbury, the BG’s from Preston also cheap imports of the Scottish variety, Cammy Fraser and Willie Hamilton but it all contributed to an atmosphere of failure at VP which contributed to our decline until Tommy Doc arrived. Doc was a similar bubbly character similar to TS, he too provided a miracle and saved Villa… until the same old, same old reappeared the following season, Doc was booted and Villa were relegated. Whatever folk say,there are similarities to this season, crepe owner and a club about to be sold. I’ve stated that IMO Sherwood should be given decent funding, he’s earned it but lets, for once, show some ambition, a large chunk of the 100m should be made available for the bloke.
Hells bells, repeating myself too many times, too many times.
Not looking good is it ?
Hope TF he doesn’t sign Adebayor.
randy lerner must praying that mike ashley stays in charge of newcastle ,because only for them maybe the media would realise we are next worst run club since he took over
came in a blaze off hope and trophys,now we just pray to stay up,last 4/5 have been horrible very few shinning lights BENTEKE GREALISH SHERWOOD far too many false dawns IRELAND HOUILER BENT MAKOUN THEN DISASTER MCLEISH he left with clatter of mon players, then came lambert things looked bright but then came xmas 0.8 o.4 0.3 that was bad but worse to follow ,bottom tier team semi final cup we had never lost over 2 legs to before yet we all know what happened
lerner stuck with his plan or faulkner or lambert nobody really knows, we where the laughing stock of football,another year of misery passed,then out came news he wanted to sell ,but who would buy a business run into ground, no money in came cole richardson sendross back comes bent 3/4 relegated last season,keane came in shook lazy players up out keane went, new contracts for gabby 6 goals a year as main striker,hutton didn t get a look in for 2 years and then lambert it couldnt get worse forvilla fans ,yet lambert proceeded to break every record at villa park most defeats in a season at home least goals couple runs of think over 6 or 7 games without goal it was shameful .LERNER STILL SAT BACK AND DONE NOTHING,penny dropped we where in bottom 3 sinking faster than titanic,lerner sell now get back to USA KEEP YOUR SCARFS WE WANT OUR CLUB BACK
Hear Hear.
James G, so your plan is to replace the entire squad then? this should be an interesting summer if your right 🙂
One thing that’s crossed my mind is TS’s ability to motivate and coach is there to be seen but his eye for a player hasn’t been tested in the transfer market yet to my Knowledge. Lets hope it is on par with what we have seen so far.
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/5/25/8654593/Tim-Sherwood-Ben-Gladwin-Swindon-Town-Massimo-Luongo-Aston-Villa
mark k
yes we need total rebuild and not like lamberts way 8/10 players a season
we need to buy quality not quantity
our players in the main are poor you don t fight relegation 4 years in a row with good players
some players would do for a year or two
next season
keeper
hutton/bacuna sissko new left back definite
clark okore new centr half definite
delph sanchez cleverly need one more
benteke grealish sinclair need one more attacker
thats 5 for starters
There’s some good players out of contract so no need to pay huge transfer fees.
Steamer: “Doc was a similar bubbly character similar to TS, he too provided a miracle and saved Villa… until the same old, same old reappeared the following season,”
Can’t go with your analogy there mate, sorry! 🙂
TS has certainly still to prove what he can do in the long term, but I don’t see signs of him doing what Doc did … Flippin ‘eck, Doc even changed the Villa colours and the strip design! When Vic Crowe cam in he straight away put back the blue sleeves.
Doc also tried to change things too quickly and put the players through a pre-season of hell apparently! When the season started they were already either knackered or brainwashed into being automatons, I’m not sure which!
Why the heck are we trying to pre-judge the situation? We don’t have a clue (yet) about what is going to happen during the summer – the ownership, who is going to be bought or sold and who isn’t … let’s just enjoy life for awhile! 🙂
Yes John agree about too much too soon on the playing side, he admitted that his biggest mistake was releasing the great Peter Broadbent, more similarities with TS and his views on young players but he did gender great enthusiasm among our support, i think 7,500 vs PNE and then 35,000 for his first home game.
Too many changes, i think he even had the dugouts put in front of the Witton Lane stand. I remember the pre-season friendly vs the Italian u23 team and we wore Yellow & Blue and were booed out because the crowd thought we were the Italians.
Its a lot of fun guessing whats going to happen, i still reckon its going to be big and thats frustrating when you look at the names we’re linked with, unless its a false trail, but then again ………
JL I wouldn’t worry about it, if we don’t explore the possibilities there would be very little to talk about IMO. If we all sat back and watched it unfold this wouldn’t be much of a blog now would it? We are all guessing, whether its deemed negative or positive makes no difference when talking about a subject without the full facts available.
I think the last few seasons have left us as jittery as the players 😉
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-blog-now-right-9327730?
I’ve got to say if we can’t keep Benteke what hope do we have of selling the club to the likes of Cleverly?
Mark: “If we all sat back and watched it unfold this wouldn’t be much of a blog now would it?”
Aye, lad, but me old Dad used to say to me when I were a nipper: “Don’t start chewing until you’ve got the meat in your mouth”!
Mark,
The issue about what will or won’t happen on the Benteke front is probably the most interesting issue, but I think it depends firstly on how Villa do in the Cup Final. A terrible result could bring terrible ramifications, but assuming Villa put up a good show (even if they lose, perhaps) can raise the morale in the club quite a bit and influence certain things along more +ve lines. That being the case, even if Benteke still goes, the feeling may be that players like Cleverley will be attracted to staying – especially as Delph has already set an example.
We’ll get a better feel next week I imagine.
Lads, Lads, Lads, let’s get through this week first, we are in the FA CUP FINAL, remind yourselves when we were last in it, remind yourselves when we last won it. we’ve an equal chance in a one off game to raise the cup as much as Arsenal.
We’ve a whole summer to dissect the team, find out if we have new owners or not, see if Benteke goes or stays, who we buy and sell (get rid of). We’ll have a very different side come the start of next season and TS has earned the right to be given the chance to progress the quality of the squad.
But can you let it go for one week, my season long nervousness lifted the moment Spurs beat Hull, now I’m in enjoyment mode and I won’t even be at the final.
Happy Clapper for one week only, don’t miss out on the fun.
Matt Turvey can you write a blog about this Saturday to focus the AVL minds and let’s get behind the team, then if we are beaten we can descend into blame, despair and anger.
UTV
And suicide.
The Mail have picked up on a story I told you about, take time to have a read
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-94-year-old-fanatic-returns-9324184
Not sure if it’s an equal chance Darren! To me it’s a 9 out of 10 game. Play Gunners 10 times they will win 9 out of the 10 lets pray this is the 1!
17th against 3rd…not done the Math but i expect Ozil cost more than our squad. I think Arsenal are 8-0 up on us in the 2 games played this season too!
Ill look forward to seeing our colours at Wembeley and have a drink or two knowing we are still in the Prem, anything else is a bonus on Sat.
The bigger issue is to get new owners in and new players. And hope TS come good. The last 2 weeks has raised questions.
When Ts came in he said i wont ask them to do anything they cant cope with, square pegs in square holes. 2 months later we have zoggy playing at left back.
We have been playing hopefull balls to tekkers and still have the age old problem of not being able to break teams down at VP. Even with Grealish playing.
We must overhall the squad. you dont finish 15th 15th 16th and 17th with good players.
TS has performed a mircacle keeping us up and i wont judge him till next summer but unless Randy goes, we get investment in the team it will be another relegation battle.
Or Andrew it’s 11 v 11 with the same ball on the same pitch and anything can happen, listen I don’t doubt the league table Arsenal aren’t consistently near the top without reason but we could say the exact same thing about Liverpool in terms of their squad cost and league position in the semi-final.
it’s a one-off game with both teams going for it, league position isn’t taken into account, it’s the performance on the day that counts.
Right now my glass is half full of champagne, toasting our success in reaching the FA Cup Final, I’ll be buying a bottle of champagne if we win. Join me in celebrating that Saturday is the bonus regardless of result and if things go our way, we could be FA Cup holders, back in Europe, contesting a Charity Shield and attracting better players
Andrew: “17th against 3rd…not done the Math but i expect Ozil cost more than our squad. I think Arsenal are 8-0 up on us in the 2 games played this season too!”
Ahem. Back in May, 1957, Villa beat the league champions to win the Cup. Villa finished the league in 10th place that season – OK not 17th, but I suspect we would have been morelikely to have finished in 10th or above if TS had been i.c. from the start of season.
United (in 57) had Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton and Denis Violett in their side, to name just 3 of their great players. OK, Villa snuffed out their keeper in the days when no sub was allowed, but players like Edwards were not allowed to play from the start by Villa. I still think that Villa would have won that day, regardless.
We had Supermac to score then – today we have Benteke.
Andrew: “Unless Randy goes, we get investment in the team it will be another relegation battle.”
Don’t agree with that at all. TS has already said that certain spots in the team need better cover and I’m sure he’ll do that.
But, as said above, I reckon we would have finished in at least 10th place this season if he’d been in charge from the start.
With Vlaar, Okore, Clark, Delph, Cleverley, Grealish and Benteke we already have 7 very decent players. I’d also say that Baker and Bacuna are not far behind and I don’t think Westwood and Gabby are to be sneezed at either. Well, that’s my view!
yeah anything can happen on the day…Wigan beat man city a few years ago to win it. I just can’t see it happening though but will pray hard and will enjoy the day.
I have a feeling Steer will start if Given out.
The cup final is a one off, I’ve never been to the FACup final with Villa so I’m going to make the most of it. I have to say though so far I am disappointed at the transfer targets we are being linked with, 2 Swindon players, the Brentford keeper, and now a rookie from reading!!!! All combined they would cost £7mish. These are not the calibre of player we need, these smack of cheap Lambert type signings. The policy of buying lower league players doesn’t work unless they are something special, and slot into an already established decent team. The sides that finished just above us ie Newcastle, Sunderland, Leicester and WBA will improve and spend some money on proven players. We have fallen so low we are now fighting it out with the newly promoted sides year in year out to stay up. We have become the new Coventry City staying up at the last gasp.
The current transfer targets seem to indicate we are aiming for 17th yet again, and with no sale in sight Randy is stealing from us
Id like to see another CB John, Baker and Vlaar are never fit! 2 new full backs and a midfield enforcer requiered along with a striker.
We need more width at vp to break teams down and am interested to see what formation ts settles on. Fed up with relying on Full backs to assist and create.
B62
Im ok with the Swindon lads as long as it’s part of a big overhaul of the squad ( i do fear for Gardner though) but there is no doubt we need quality.
Id like us to spend decent money on one player in each postion. Go and sign a quality, class GK, CB Midfielder and striker and build the rest of the squad with 25 or unders
I think its fair to say that GG has shown more than any of the reported targets, so why bother with them ? Personally i’m totally against this Young and English policy that people are saying TS has. The majority of English players are total crepe, look at the Engurland team. Untied, Arsenal, Chelsea are mainly foreign. If we keep a solid spine of players with English characteristics ( ie work ethic ) and buy a few decent foreigners who supply the talent then we should be ok. As i said yesterday, freedom of contract allows a club to sign good players with little expense apart from wages, if this is the route that TS is going then your welcome to it.
DO,
Credit to the Irish Lions, hope the old fella has a great time and enjoys FD lift the cup.
If i had a ticket and knew that Steer was playing i’d cancel my coach seat.
Perhaps TS sees some of those players mentioned as squad (cover) players, Steamer?
You know we have a couple of months to see what transpires signings-wise, and by then Benteke (according to him) will have made up his mind whether he goes or stays.
Andrew/Steamer,
Steer is cup tied after playing for Yeovil in a earlier round so will not be involved.
I think Given will be fit and play because Arsenal do not play the long ball type of game where a keeper needs to come and deal with it.
TS will keep his team as secret as possible to try to catch them out possibly with something new formation wise, I fear for any of our full backs at the moment with players like Bellerin, Monreal, Ozil and Walcott coming at them.
If we narrow the game by playing through the middle it could leave us completely exposed out wide, we need to come up with a game plan and hope Arsenal have another bad day at Wembley.
AVFC ITWT
I wouldnt mind a 532 set up, maybe give us more protection from there 3 behind Giroud. maybe thats why nzog was lb sat?
Given
Okore Vlaar Baker
Bacuna Cleves Wesy Delph Nzog
Grealish
Tekkers
Darren,
I’ll write something toward the end of the week to focus on the FA Cup.
PS New article is up.
PPS Sorry I’ve not been about – in the midst of preparing to move house…