Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 15.
There’s been such a positive feel at Villa Park since Tim Sherwood’s arrival, that at times it’s easy to forget that they’re still very much in a relegation scrap. They face Everton in desperate need of three points to help propel them away from the relegation zone.
The Villains succumbed to a last gasp defeat at the hands of Manchester City in their last game, in a result that will have been sickening for the fans as the team produced one of their best performances of the season. Central to this effort was ‘Captain Fantastic Fabian Delph’, who completed an impressive 45 passes in the opposition half. This was 19 more than any of his teammates and the fifth most in the league. Delph is 15/2 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
Delph wasn’t the only Villa midfielder showcasing his excellent array of passing; youngster Jack Grealish was also spraying balls about the park. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he completed a pass in the opposition half at an impressive rate of a pass every 2.8 minutes.
Tom Cleverley is a player who has quietly gone about his business this year, impressing whilst on loan at Villa Park. The Englishman has a fantastic engine on him, something that was on show against City, as he covered an impressive 11.5km – the second most in the Villa squad, behind only Jack Grealish.
Carlos Sanchez has impressed since arriving at Villa Park, protecting the back four to great effect and stifling opposing attackers as they foray forward. His ability to act as a rearguard shield was on show against Manchester City, as he won more tackles than any of his teammates (three), and also made the second most interceptions in the squad (three).
A recent resurgence from Roberto Martinez’s men has meant that the prospect of a top-ten finish is very realistic, particularly after a fantastic victory over Manchester United last time out.
A player who’s had a real turnaround in fortunes over recent months is attacking midfielder Ross Barkley. Since impressing on international duty against Italy, Barkley has looked like he’s returning to the form he showed last year, which secured him a place in England’s World Cup squad. Against the Red Devils, he completed 17 passes in the opposition half, which was more than any of his teammates, registering an assist in the process. Barkley is 17/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
One of the first moves Roberto Martinez made in the transfer market at the start of the year was turning Gareth Barry’s loan into a permanent deal, after he’d impressed for the Toffees in the last campaign. His composure on the ball and general consistency has been an essential component of his skillset over his career, but what isn’t always appreciated is his outstanding work rate. Against Manchester United the England international ran his socks off, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he covered 11.4km – which was more than any of his teammates.
Another young Englishman who has shown real promise over the past couple of years, is central defender John Stones – with some pundits even tipping him as a possible future England captain! The former Barnsley man has been praised for his excellent distribution skills and natural ability to carry the ball out of defence, but he also has a fantastic eye for a tackle. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he attempted four tackles against Manchester United, winning every one of them.
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 159
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Looking around some of the other blogs and i can’t believe that some folk want Lerner to stay, the happy clappers having failed in their mission to destroy Villa by keeping Lambert now want the architect of mediocrity to finish the job. One actually suggested that the fans wanted Herbert out just for a change, the mind boggles.
A hard game to predict today, i’ll go with 1-1.
JD,
Might be in the Lions club in the Witton Lane stand before the game but not stopping for the game.
Here’s hoping we maintain the momentum of the last few games. I was pleased that Chelsea won the end as I was nervous that Leicester were going to gain a lot of ground courtesy of an ex-Villa player’s goal.
We have to determine our own future and not relay on the others although I would take anything at the moment.
I am really ‘passed’ off that I have to drive up to the north of Thailand for a family occasion at 0330 tomorrow morning and probably will not get a chance to watch the match until Monday morning, on demand. I have to avoid Facebook, Twitter, UK newspapers, Thai TV and text messages until then – unless of course I cannot bear the tension.
Matt – I don’t know if it is my pc but the need to refresh after logging in has reemerged.
Best wishes to all ot you that get down the B62 tonight
Steamer,
Interesting point that, should Lerner stay or go.
The way I look at it is that before Fox the big problem was that Lerner listened to no one who really knew anything about football. Now I am not saying that Fox is the complete answer either, but my feeling is that Fox operates with some level of commonsense – e.g. eventually ousting Lambert and getting TS.
I also think that Fox has better business acumen (by far) over Faulkner.
What I am saying is that for as long as we have someone in the CEO seat that can do a reasonable job, then who is chairman doesn’t really matter that much as such a CEO would be the right guide to the chairman.
And it’s the old issue of commonsense suggesting that we stick with the devil you know rather than some other devil who could be a lot worse. I remember all that great joy when Ellis was on the way out and in the belief that Lerner was the Messiah. It doesn’t quite work out like that does it?
I appreciate you don’t see Fox as the done deal, but surely there are signs that the club is gradually getting back on track?
Anyway … to-day’s match … it could well be a Villa win (a last minute Benteke penalty?) but I think a draw is more likely. 1-1 or 2-2.
John – I think you talk a lot of sense – judging by the rumours cited on this forum recently I am a bit concerned that a sale to the highest bidder might not be in Villa’s interest.
Heaven forbid we are owned by an Indian chicken company or some entrepreneur who wants to do a ‘Glazers’ on us!
I would prefer that Lerner keeps his powder dry and lets those who have more football nous advise him; after all he has lost enough money (spent a lot) to keep Villa up, albeit inadvisably in his choice of managers, but he has stuck with us and maybe he will make sure we are left in capable hands.
As to tonight, I think we would do well to get one point butb I would be over the moon at 3.
It’s fingers crossed today boys.
I’d like to see Given start – he has better distribution and there isn’t much between him and Guzan as stoppers.
I do envy Everton in almost everything. Great club, great in their community, brilliant young players – attacking wing backs Coleman and Baines will probably give us real issues. Barkley and McCarthy are among my favourite non-Villians. It’s just typical of our luck that they start playing well post Europa League just before playing us.
I’d be happy with a draw – delighted with a win.
I’d love to see Grealish have another good game. Promise is nothing without consistency. I wonder if Sanchez breaking up play in front of out back four will be enough to get us in command of the game since Everton’ll be mostly using width and counterattack.
They have nothing to play for now so hopefully we can use aggression and energy to get over the line.
Lose this and I think we give ourselves an awful lot to do.
Clive – not sure what the issue is as I can’t reproduce it.
What operating system and browser version are you using? Also, is anyone else having the same issue?
Same thing happens to m also Matt
Dreading today. If we lose, I can’t see us staying up.
LCFC will beat Newcastle today so at least they could be dragged into it
Just pray we win, and Sunderland, Leicester and Hull all lose
Huge huge game today, we simply have to win, I don’t care about the performance it’s about results in these last 4 games. To emphasise my point, we played really well at City but got Sweet FA, we have played shite in other games and come away with a result. If scores elsewhere go with us a draw may not be the end of the world, but I see us needing 6 points to survive and I don’t want it going to the final game, that would be a wounded getting relegated the week before the FA cup final. If in the 88th min its a draw, let’s keep our heads, not like against Stoke, Swansea or City, those 3 points lost stupidly could be the difference between staying up or going down.
FIGHT LIKE LIONS. UTV
Matt – Windows 7 and Chrome – Frem and I had the same problem before and it stopped a while ago only to reappear.
B62 – let’s hope TS warns Sanchez about crazy tackles on the edge of the box with minutes to go!
The future of our club is in the whole squad’s hands and Sherwood’s tactics now
Matt,
I have the same issue too … Windows/7 and Explorer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32460322
Given and Westwood start Carlos on the bench
Benteke is the bomb. How can we possibly think about selling him – even for 30 million. Give him a new contract and secure his services. He is outstanding.
Good win. The last Everton goal should ave been a free kick to Villa, so well done Villa.
What a fantastic performance. Delph and Benteke were sensational. Well done TS for giving this team belief. We are simply unrecognisable from the side under the leadership of Lambert.
Well, well, well, what an ass Clattenburg is. At first I was happy with his game keeping the whistle in his pocket but then he reverted to form and called a penalty to Vlaar. Deserved, but with previous non calls by Clattenburg not warranted. Then a non call for Given and a yellow to Given to boot. If you’re going to call a game one way then stick to it. If you don’t the players won’t know what’s up and will be hesitant in their play. Last week I mentioned that Villa need to be top 6 for penalties to favour them. Clattenburg proved my point.
On another note, nice game.
Missed it lads – how did Given play?
How was Grealish?
Ian – don’t focus on the ref – although i do agree with you.
The score flattered Everton – we played great today, we do have our Villa back.
Delph, Grealish, Nzogbia, Benteke, Cleverly and Bacuna were great.
Great performance.
Well done Villa
Trying not to focus on the ref but in reality his “play” affects the players and their game. Villa were tremendous but Clattenburg damn near gave Everton a point. Just for comparison, ice hockey have two refs on the ice (200 x 75 feet or thereabouts) How can one ref see the entire pitch which is big enough to feed cattle?
Both refs have equal say on calling the game.
Fair comment Ian – but Villa were tremendous and given the pressure we were under that was the performance of the season.
We look a different team under Sherwood.
I am delighted.
Look at Sunderland. Every team facing relegation are doing their bit to stay up. That must be frustrating for them get three and still be in the bottom three. Good we won or that would have been Villa.
Delighted as well…Villa did what they had to, played very well. The score was really Villa 3-2 Clattenberg. And I generally think highly of him. As Ian said, he let Everton get away with a lot, doesn’t peg them back with yellows, then a penalty decision that was just silly after all the stuff he let go, never mind the non-call against Given. He really could’ve sent us down or at least into the bottom three.
Thank god Cleverly took his chance so beautifully.
But, that said, all credit to the boys and TS. As you say, Richard, under massive pressure, and Villa once again came out to play and played well. Given Sunderland’s win, the three points were even more vital.
Delph was superb, Benteke deadly.
And I actually had sticky toffee pudding last night for dessert! A good omen, I thought. 😀
The first half was as near perfect as it could have been. we controlled most of the half and gave them no room and – the icing on the cake – scored that much-needed second goal on the break.
Predictably, the Toffees did make it more sticky in the second period, and that second goal was a nonsense. Sadly we are getting in the habit of giving away very late goals. … But we are winning enough games, and that’s the main thing. That we won this one was a bonus to me as I thought it may well be a draw.
Grealish bothers me a bit – he does some clever things at times, but then doesn’t seem to know what to do next. But hopefully that extra level will come.
Great all-round display with Delph outstanding in particular, and Westwood for me was nearly as good as anyone else in C & B.
And welcome back Shay!
Well according to Mark Halsey who is a crepe ref, Clattenburg is the best ref in the country, he may well be, but he’s total crepe, absolutely pathetic, how we can regard ourselves as a top 10 football nation while we have these clowns in unbelievable.
Great performance, very comfortable until Clatt began his shenanigans.
Another great performance when we needed it! Well deserved win, we were so far ahead in the first half but we made things harder on ourselves letting them back into the game twice (even though the last goal was a foul on Given). Nevertheless, great win… just a shame we’re not quite safe yet due to other results. We’re almost there, one more win against West Ham should do it.
Great performances by Benteke, Delph, Westwood, Cleverly and Bacuna. Great balls from Delph and Bacuna for those goals. This was a potential banana skin that could have left us deep in trouble, so its a brilliant effort and great result.
I used to think Hull were the favourites to drop like a stone and possibly fall into the bottom 3 but now its looking like Newcastle can’t buy a point. Between them and Sunderland atm.
Ian is bang on about the ref. In the context of the other decisions made no way was that a pen, JG40 got kicked about all game much harder and didnt get a free kick. I noticed that after the pen was awarded all of a sudden we were getting free kicks for minor incidents; I wonder why. The Given thing for me it’s not a foul but where is the consistency? 9.9/10 times the clowns in charge give a free kick for a foul on the gk. Also I <3 how Sunderland got two pens and a Southampton player send off; what an even playing field!
Anyway on the positives I agree with all but would like a special mention for Okore and Richardson who did the square route of nothing wrong all game. Okore looked class at times. Oh and Ashley Westwood is a pub player 😉
JL, think back to Delph a couple years ago. Grealish just needs a bit of time. I quite like his ability to protect the ball and draw the opposition into a foul. That is a skill I never really thought about until today.
Rags–I’ll take him for my pub team. 🙂
hahaha, sorry Ian I’ve already signed him up for my local mate! 😀
Boom what a result and performance(although clattenburg did his best to make it a draw). Pity Sunderland won, just goes to show we need to win EVERY game as the others aren’t giving up without a fight
Watch West Brom crash and burn tomorrow. An eight team scramble to the end of the season
Ian,
Yes, you’re right about JG needing more time.
But with everyone clamouring about how good he is, I also think back on how Brian Little hit the field running from his very first game. Like JG he was completely unfazed. OK, Brian did come into the team when they were in one of the lower divisions, but you could also say that JG came into that level when he was on loan last season.
That’s not to say I’m trying to be too critical of JG – he is (as you say) a talented player and he provides an important link in midfield. But to be the real player he has to create more. Your comparison with Delph might be valid although Delph is now 25 and his trouble before was mainly his fitness level. *And* managers who didn’t know how to play him.
John,
I disagree (I’ll pause while you kneel over with shock).
I think that’s knee jerk, today he didn’t create chances from open play but he has done in the past i.e. vs Liverpool at Wembley, he also created two chances vs Man Citeh.
I thought he was fantastic today, that moment when he made McCarthy fall over :D. It’s becoming a trait like Best and Cruyff!
Rags,
You’re right – he did play a big part in the semi.
But that bit when McCarthy fell over was part of my point … he did something very clever but nothing came out of it – in fact the ball went backwards.
No, I should stop talking really as it must sound as though I’m being hypercritical. Perhaps today was a lesser performance from him than what he’s been doing of late. But he has got a fine understanding with Delph.
Oh … Rags: You never did see Brian Little I think? He really was something else.
Well just a bit pissed, the Irish luck paid off yet again, ended up in the players lounge, I’ll talk more later back to drinking my Villa comrades, well happy
JL—Grealish’s vision will improve as he plays more. Play will slow down for him and he will be able to string two or three move like Delph did today. We’ve all talked about the speed of the prem league and the nano second less time a player has to react and put a good bit of form together. He will get there. Quicker than Delph did.
What I find amusing/frustrating was Lambert’s ability to recruit and then do nothing with it. Sherwood is using Lambert’s team much better. I hope his recruiting is as good. 🙂
John,
I’d be interested to see his stats, he may not have created chances today but I personally don’t think that’s symptomatic of his generally game.
I didn’t John, I wasn’t born until 1989!
Some Villa fan on 606 saying we can be top 6 next season being laughed at by Gobby Cabbage, we’ll see. Our squad is as good as the likes of Spurs/Saints/Pool/Everton- I see no reason why not if we hang onto Clev Vlaar and Benteke
Good news bad news
Good news—MU lost
Bad news—to WBA
Rags–they are better. Villa are still putting it together under Sherwood. The only fly in the ointment for next year is stumping up bigger wages and a cascading effect down the roster
Rags: BL got 82 goals in 302 appearances. In each of a couple of seasons he scored over 20 goals, but he was overall a playmaker rather than a scorer. The stats in those days were not as completely kept as they are today, and those that saw him will remember the tricks he played with the ball, the way he ghosted past players (like JG) and scored some of the most brilliant goals seen scored by a Villa player. Most importantly he is remembered for his performances in the 1976-77 season, and in one particular match against the then mighty Liverpool absolutely demolished them so that Villa were leading at h-t 5-1. In another match that season, Villa beat Arsenal by a similar score. His partnership with Andy Gray was one of the best partnerships seen at Villa Park. Andy said that he reckoned BL was better than Kenny Dalglish. And he was almost certainly a better all-round player than Trevor Francis as well (the first million-pound player in 1979).
In my opinion, BL would still have been as good today. Injury finished his career.
Perhaps they are in terms of depth but I feel we have a better first 11 than any of those teams but I rate the likes of Westwood, Bacuna, Grelish and Okore more than most I suppose. I agree that the wages could become an issue, for example if we give Benteke 100,000 a week how would the squad feel about that?
Wow. Wow. Wow.
We have our Villa back for sure. Still a lot of work to do to stay up. Newcastle will be worried more than anyone though
Sherwood, what a man. He’s done a great job. Still can’t defend though can we
Delph and Benteke. Thankyou for playing for us. It’s a pleasure
UTV
Ian,
You’re right about how TS has transformed Lambert’s squad!
It’s just the different attitude of the manager. TS was a winner as a player and it’s carried through into his management career.
That he deserved it.
wow, 20 goals from midfield?? Did he play for England?
Rags … that’s the biggest joke of all.
He played the last 10 minutes of one England international and in that time created England’s winner.
He never was picked after that – for all kinds of excuses (mainly to do with London clubs and Man U and Liverpool taking preference) – but also he that’s when he started getting injuries that eventually finished him.
JL—same as refs favouring those teams
John, I guess some things don’t change! I think Little maybe gets overlooked as he wasn’t a part of the euro cup winning team, is that fair?
Rags,
Maybe. I think it was just more to do with prejudice though. Between 1952 and 1976 (24 years) Villa only had one player selected for England – Gerry Hitchens – although that’s when Villa were going through the lowest period of their history. Nevertheless, Nigel Sims (the keeper), Jimmy Dugdale, Johnny Dixon and Alan Deakin all deserved England caps and never got them.
Only after Little appeared Villa were starting to challenge for something big and in 1976-77 finished in the highest league place (4th) since 1933, 44 years before.
It seems then he was a catalyst for our 80’s success, it’s a shame then he wasn’t there to collect the medals he appears to have deserved.
Just got back from taking my 15 year old Hull supporting nephew Ben to Villa Park : his first league football match .
What a great first game for him to see , and how good were AV! We were terrific again , it’s hard to believe these are the same players . They have a different energy about them and you can tell that just from the warm up.
We were faster, slicker and more skilful than Everton today , and this the team who smashed United 3-0.
Very impressed with Okore today, who hasn’t been mentioned so much, he dealt with Lukaku, he made him look slow .
It was such an exciting game , even Ben was impressed and started talking about Villa as “we” in the end .
Lovely touch by Jack Grealish at the end – came running up to the Holte and threw his shirt in. He is so loved at VP – all the young kids by us were shouting “come on Jack ” Everytime he came near us .
Even gojng home on the train is different , happy villa fans and we got chatting to two Everton fans who said the result flattered them – there’s honesty for you . It did , we were great today – and that includes the supporters 🙂
Oh and brave choice by Sherwood to put Given in . Pleased to say Shay got a terrific reception from the fans and rightly so . He was organising , shouting instructions , even on the half way line . So much so I was saying “get back in the bloody goal !”
Playing like this , we are a top six team.
Great stuff Jenny, wasn’t able to watch the game today but read the text updates and looking forward to watching the highlights! Being a Villa fan is fun again, who knew… Of course staying in the Prem is priority 1 (a shame we got cheated out of 3 points at Man City,still pisses me off) but wouldn’t it be something to beat the Gunners at Wemberley. COYVB!!!
VP so much louder than it’s been for a long time… fans and players have their mojo back
UTV!!!
Fabian Delph, Tom Cleverley and Jores Okore were the star men when the stats were analysed following the 3-2 win over Everton.
What do you think TS needs to do in e summer ?
For me, obviously, keep the Beast, then sign Cleverley
Left back and Keeper we need to buy quality in. Hutton and Bacuna should be fine as right backs. I like our centre backs.
Midfield Clev obviously, Gill will go. Sanchez maybe. He hasn’t improved over Westwood who was very tidy today. I don’t think he rates Sinclair. Gardner will be back
Up top, sell Wiemann, sign a tip quality partner for the beast
Jenny,
Well, it’s what football *should* be about, isn’t it? The fans’ sheer enjoyment, rather than succumbing to the “we must get a point” and don’t score mentality.
We have 29 league goals now. We stand to triple the goal tally since PL left at this rate.
And we actually play footie now … !
Agree all . It’s heart warming to hear the players getting standing ovations when they get subbed off – instead of the boos they did not so long ago .
Frem , if only we could keep Benteke . I can’t see the others going , not even Vlaar . They look like they are really enjoying playing as a team and for the club , again unlike a few months ago . I don’t think we need too change much . We have some good young players in Jack, Okore , Baker , Clark then the experience of Delph , Cleverley , the amazing Benteke , even Zog is looking useful. Sanchez is a ? but I think he may improve next season .
Why wouldn’t he stay? Benteke that is. A team on the upswing, some very good players, he’s getting service, he’s happy, the fans love him. And for what? A part time player on these called big teams? Those top 4 collect players like Jay Leno collects cars. He’s an international, will play for cups, and play in Europe with Villa. Pay him what he is worth
So called big teams
A great day all round, and really enjoyed being part of the Holte End……I am sure that I will be renewing my ST in a couple of days…
Another great team selection by TS, and Cleverley probably had his best game for Villa, and ran Deloh close for MOM. JG was impressive once again, and his interplay with Delph is becoming outstanding.
Can’t wait now for next week and the Hammers….this season is going right down to the wire..
This team is now good enough, it just needs a few additions, and at the same time to keep our stars, and that includes Tim….
So, back at the historic old hotel after a day wandering around southern Wyoming, ghost towns and abandoned forts. Jenny and I came up for a little weekend getaway…
The innkeepers are both English, the proprietress, Sue, also being a cordon bleu chef. I was up in the room this morning streaming the game (god bless Jenny, she knows how dire the relegation battle is). She went down to breakfast at 8:30. I said I’d be right down…thought I’d grab a pastry and some yogurt.
I get a text. Jenny writes: “Sue says bring your laptop down…no one else in the dining room, and you can’t come between a man and his football.”
So a gourmet breakfast in Elk Mountain, eggs benedict with salmon and from-scratch hollandaise, coffee, bacon and the Villa taking all three points.
God bless wonderful women. And the Villa.
Brian Little
Returning to the theme I was talking with Rags about…
I’ve this morning remembered that it’s an astonishing 40 years ago last month (April) when Brian scored two goals of the 4 in a demolition of Sheffield Wednesday (on their patch) and gain promotion back to the old Division One after 8 years.
His second goal would be described as nothing short of superbly brilliant. Receiving a hoisted pass more than 30 years from goal, he controlled the ball in an instant, flicked the ball over the defender’s head and ran round him to volley home a daisycutter from 30 yards out.
I wuz there and that goal stands out for me as one of the most brilliant I have ever seen in the manner of its execution. Sublime.
JC,
BIG envy.
Rags,
Brian Little was a wizard, only Paul McGrath comes before him in the minds of most Villans. In the Liverpool 5-1 he was unplayable, and the night at Wednesday was like a home game.
Kevin Keegan ended his Engerland career, he could see Little taking his position and threatened to retire from international duty if he wasn’t selected for the Scotland game, Brian had come on in a desperate game against Wales on the Wednesday and destroyed them.
Jen,
He’ll be a Villan soon, to see your first Villa game when the Holte is rocking is some experience.
We’ve definitely got our Villa back, cheers Tim.
How bad was Clattenburg ? nobody should be that crepe and get away with it, its ok quoting the laws but if you don’t interpret them correctly it becomes pointless.
Jl,
You must have blown a gasket reading the article on Villa in Friday’s BM, apparently Villa were founded by the lampost four and have played at VP since 1876.
And the best part is that Brian played for Engerland before that much lauded tit Francis, he must have been right Moby Dick, i know the mealies were.
Strange about the Little’s, Brian was a slight figure 100% constructed with skill and talent, his brother Alan was described by Billy Bremner as ‘The hardest footballer i’ve ever seen,’ a brick outhouse, hard as nails, just short of the standard required by us at the time.
Morning folks
Brian little my favorite villa player ever .
The everton fans i watched the game were picking their team apart until i pointed out they were playing the best midfield and forward in the league
Thought grealish was given the rough treatment by everton and the ref was a bellend
I think we can honestly say the home hoodoo is over we are now equally impressive home or away.
As for how much is tekkers worth? He made lukaku look like a 5 mil player if hes only worth 30
Have a feeling that this chap is slightly irate –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efRnjMjp2XM
If the players showed his passion …………..
Talking about Villa in the semi –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Z2Wq4NRw0
And Nigel Pearson ‘such a miserable bastard.’
Steamer: “You must have blown a gasket reading the article on Villa in Friday’s BM”
I didn’t see it! Just as well otherwise I would have blown my big ends, let alone a gasket! 😉
There are some people who (intentionally or not) just help to destroy the reality of Villa’s history and in the process make it less interesting. The reality is always better than the fiction i.m.o.
Lost my voice today. Too much singing in the holte end!
You would not believe this is the same villa we have been watching past 4 years. Just an incredible turn around.
Delph. Quick feet, skills, brave, rapid turn of pace, best i have seen him play yesterday. Could be world class.
First time seeing grealish in the flesh.
Thought he struggled to get in the game at times and gave the ball away cheaply a bit too.
BUT that is being ott harsh. For a 19 year old who has only just started playing a month ago in a struggling team, and against qpr, spurs, city, pool everton….he was superb.
He makes the game stand still and plays to his own pace. Never panicks, rushes. Has, balance, vision. Not sure i have seen this type of player before in a villa shirt. Maybe merson?
Could be a world beater.
Get a bit stronger, take on a man more and improve pace
steamz i feel that newcastle fans pain as we were at there stage with lambert , but the gordies were pretty nasty to what they must now realise is a very good manager who went to palace after they turned on him
Mark: Thought grealish was given the rough treatment by everton and the ref was a bellend
The Toffees were using well-proven professional fouls all through the match under the pretence that “it wasn’t me guv!”
That treatment of Given for their second is a case in point. And I always thought Everton were a footballing team!
However, Guzan may have stood up to that treatment somewhat better – he’s a big man. Better with his kicking too – but I accept that Given deserves his chance.
Andrew: Not sure i have seen this type of player before [re: JG] in a villa shirt. Maybe merson?
We’ve just been speaking about Brian Little at length, Andrew! 😉
I doubt that there has been a more artistic player at Villa in the past 70 years than Brian Little. A wonderful and player and totally under-rated by the rest of the UK.
Yesterday was great, brilliant atmosphere good performance on the pitch despite Clattenburg being overly generous to the toffees, we were much the better side. The only fly in the ointment was Sunderland winning, meaning we are still right in the drop mix, and need to follow up with another win next week. This is going to the wire, and if we had lost yesterday I would have feared for us, there will be some more twists and turns, but the transformation under Sherwood has been amazing. Players like Cleverley looking the business, players playing on the front foot at pace, Delph again was imperious, there is a lot to look forward to as long as we can survive
B62,
Well I thought that Villa would get 7 points minimum from the last 4 games, but as Villa have just defeated Everton then I reckon another 6 points is now on the cards – maybe 7 (a draw at Southampton) – over the last 3 games.
More than enough and a finish in 15th place minimum.
If i had a gun i would of taken clattenburg out yesterday. Awful.
Thought shay didnt take his chance yesterday. Should of got the pen and even though coleman did foul him could of done a lot bet dealing with it.
B62,
The other thing that impressed me yesterday was that in the first half Villa gave Everton no quarter at all – despite Everton’s provocation. In fact Everton didn’t even get any shot on goal or wide of goal in the first 45.
If we mantain this form then i cant see anything but 9 points coming our way. Feels a little surreal to watch us dominate the best teams in the league in the way we have.
To put grealish’s performances in perspective hes 19 and has been playing as a winger. Ts says hes a playmaker number 10 type and he is still learning. Takes time to adjust to playing more centrally. For me he has ignited this team
Agree Mark, nine more points.
Andrew,
I think the big clubs will be looking at JG even now, i’m not talking about the EPL, it’s Barca and Real i’m worried about. JG has said that he wants to play for Real. Although there are still doubters on other Villa blogs, i think he could become the first world class player this country has produced since Le Tiss ( 1 cap ).
Loved that system full of mf’s yesterday.
Given has always been ropey on corners, Everton took a chance by fouling him and the idiot ref bought it.
Olbyon had 20% possession at TToB yesterday, the lowest EVER in the EPL.
I want Newcastle to go down now. There fans hate us, and there actions after they beat us a few weeks back would make it even better if they drop. Sunderland and Hull have more chance of dropping though
Can’t believe how Sherwood has got us playing. It’s not pointless boring possession like Lamberk got us playing, its actually possession for purpose
Are we playing better football without Gabby in the team ? We miss his pace but we will miss Zoggy’s ability on the ball
John
Saw the little comments. Unfortunatly too young to have seen him play in my villa life.
Steamer
Hopefully jack mirrors le tiss and stays at his boyhood club all his career.
Long way off a madrid move yet though!
If anyone saw jack play in the flesh you would not doubt his ability and potential. Just hope it gets fufilled.
Just seen sako for wolves. Hope we get him. Beast. Get rid of weimann.
Though we are still 2 points off we have more teams below us who have to better our results. Fairly confident of staying up and i am a glass half empty guy.
Frem
Saw great comments from ts last night. Somein like when we pass i want a pass with purpose. Refreshing to hear
Think grealish will give his all for villa for a good while yet.
Cant wait to see if gg can reach his potential too what a midfield we would have Potentially .
Roy must be watching delphs performances and wondering if its the same player he gets for england
We are more free flowing without gabby but he would of scared the crap out of everton yesterday. No way would they have played a high line with gabby on the pitch. Its a tough call but i think a subs role might suit him
Think GG may have a knock, Missed last weeks game and taken off yesterday, hope it not his knees.
Too many moves break down with Gabby, he’s just not good enough, for the team, as sub or as squad, ( IMO ).
Mark,
Did you get your tea last night and was it over your head ?
Watched it with half her family mate and a pub full of scousers red and blue. Had a great time feeling superior 🙂
Good Morning Lifers
I am so impressed with our fluency without The Flabmeister,and Andi.CB`s movement off the ball,the space he creates for himself and others is 1st class.Mark remember his impersonation of a statue under Lambert,where he was glued to a 5yard square in the oponents half?Well the fella wearing the 20 shirt must be his twin,a different player entirely.Not scapegoating but Wiemann`s.running is very willing and pointless,running for the sake of it,CB`s runs have a threat and purpose.I wouldn`t begrudge him moving on,hopefully abroad,but I could not forgive him if he became a Bindipper.
Grealish when he was in the reserves,I assumed-wrongly-he would be a head down lose the ball a lot dribbler.He is becoming a very good all round player,who rarely loses the ball,his corner was excellent his short passing and space creation in tight areas is top notch.
Gotta heap praise on TS,no signings,but an attacking positive,spirited team has emerged,outstanding job Tim ,keep it up.
I did like the set up with gabby, 41212 but the 433 aint exactly doing bad! Either way 2 good systems and pleased the 442 is out the window. Ts learns.
Id let gabby be a sub maybe, handful coming off the bench with 20 left. Not a starter though.
Still odd gill out over joe cole…..must be a laaandon thing
Gardner is back at villa by now id think as championship is done for forest.
I certainly do remember lamberts statue ploy fit only for attrackting pidgeons and defeats
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/02/gary-gardner-cant-hide-his-excitement-at-returning-to-aston-vill/
Gardner could be good in this system we play
anyone else think TS doesn’t rate Sinclair
Frem,
I know I don’t rate Sinclair, can only hope TS doesn’t too!
Good link Mark and good to see GG’s attitude.
The Forest fans must be very upset that GG is returning to the Sherwood Foresters instead of staying with them! :-O
One question: Does it mean it’s possible he could be in the squad for the rest of the season?
been watching that sako too = a very good attacker indeed – pace ,loads of skill and goals for fun – he would walk into our starting 11 imo
if we get him i dont see much hope for sinclar although i like his ability pesonally
Frem,
I know he’s not a particular fan of Bacuna, he was being interviewed yesterday and the reporter pointed out Bacuna’s pass for the goal, TS just shrugged and said ‘Yes, and Cleverley too’ and continued talking about TC. Bacuna’s been a good asset to the squad this season considering he couldn’t get a look in under Lamebert.
Runtingz,
I suppose with Sakho on a free, TS could save 3m quid by not signing Sinclair. I don’t know much about either.
loved BL sheer class but do not think jack is is like him as they play different positions jack does remind me of Sid at his best though in the way he always make his own time on the ball class players do this always look like they are walking with the ball as they create themselves that much space but Jack has that something extra as he showed again yesterday where he sent that everton twat on his arse just by dropping his shoulder what other english player can do that we saw berkley yesterday he is not in the same class yet man city want him for 60 mill so what is jack worth so much more natural ability and only just learning think we could score 6 next week as we could have had 6 yesterday only negtive for me is Richardson just aint good enough
Steamer, JL ……. Brian Little was close to God for me. Great player, so much skill. I met him when he was manager at bodymoor once as I sponsored some of the players ….. Had my pic taken with him and asked him if he still walked on water lol. He said he never did – I said that’s where you’re wrong Brian, for so many villa lads of a certain generation you did and always will. What a that twattish thing to say eh? But he came across as a very humble man, maybe too nice to be a great manager…..
And yes steamer, that game at Sheffield weds was immense with so many villa there and taking that big end of theirs ….. Not many did that!
Still no cup final ticket in sight, may have to settle for watching it on tele.
but first have to make sure we are safe, it’s certainly going to be close …… But think we have the momentum to make it and the players will fight now as opposed to a couple of months ago ……
very big few games coming up ….. Keep believing, COYVB
4 absolutely massive games coming up. West Ham, a Saints and Burnley to define which league we are playing in of which we need a minimum 4 points, and then the FA Cup final against Arsenal, where if we get the rub of the green we could win our first trophy this century . It’s a tough ask but we have to aim to win every game from here on in. Here’s to Arsenal turning Hull over tonight.
OldVilla
And the beauty was in those days we also had other academy talent like Sid and (later) Gary Shaw to enthuse upon.
Great talent in those days, and some others weren’t bad either! John Gidman, for example, and I remember clearly John Deehan’s initial impact, scoring a lot of important goals.
Steamer: I know he’s [TS] not a particular fan of Bacuna…
I wonder whether that’s true? I suspect that he believes that Bacuna still has something to produce and he wouldn’t be wrong in that i.m.o.
Bacuna has done some very good things (the most assists I understand) but his all-round game could do with polishing. He *could* be a very good player indeed.
Good morning Lifers
Well the morning after the weekend before, i’ll give my weekend experience and then i’ll talk footie.
Weekend was class, up at 4am to get a 6.25 flight to BHX can’t beat an early start, breakfast blah blah blah, drank under the Holte pre-game, went to the Holte pub after the game and there were a few long standing Villa fans belting out the favourites and a Norwegian Villan in the mix, few more pints and I got a call to go to the players lounge, met Jack and Fabian and Stylian and Aaron ‘loser’ Lennon. Jack was held back to produce a sample so he was still drinking (soft drinks), I offered to stand in but my pee would have been pure cider. Fabian is buzzing about Villa but hates the way we let teams back in (like us all).
Back to the game, stand out performances for the wrong reasons Richardson’s hair and Clattenburg, Clattenburg missed so many fouls against us it was ridiculous including the important one on Given. We are down to one mistake per game, Vlaar took the ticket this time.
Midfield was amazing, the link play between Delph, Cleverley, Grealish was a joy to watch, Jack makes it look effortless, when he sent McCarthy on his arse, the smile from Jack was brilliant, he’s enjoying it and now we are too.
What a ball from Bacuna for Cleverley’s goal, Benteke hanging in the air for his first goal, we’re nothing but safe given our performance against a form team, i can’t see us losing any of the last three games.
Just to clearly state my annual pilgrimage paid off with 3 points bagged (i’m available for hire to attend any of the remaining games) especially with Slumberland and Leicester winning, Newcastle are rotten. The voice is gone again, but i’ll wait til after the final before going to the doctor.
It begs the question where would be under a full season with TS, dread to think that we holding our own around the teams chasing Europa spots.
UTV
”It begs the question where would be under a full season with TS, dread to think that we holding our own around the teams chasing Europa spots.”
Just in case the above reads wrong, what i’m trying to say is what a missed opportunity for Villa with this squad under Lamberk to have had to endure a relegation fight when the performance levels warrant us being on the right side of 10th spot
DO,
4am ! i bet you were knackered when you got back home, sounds a great day. Every season we get a load of Swedish Villans come over for the odd game, they go in the Aston Soc and usually end up in Scruffy Murphy’s by the law courts, really good bunch.
I think that without any doubt we would have been relegated under Lamebert, bottom by a substantial margin. It defies logic that he wouldn’t play Grealish, although someone on another blog suggests bringing Gabby back, when fit, and dropping JG, people have short memories, lack of talent i can forgive, not lack of effort though.
Glad you had a goof day out Darren!
Bacuna quoted today saying ‘it will be hard’ to keep Benteke 🙁
good*** Jesus… btw Darren I wrote a massive long post in response to you and somehow deleted it like a prat, apologies.
OldVilla,
Brian Little would be absolutely perfect for DoF.
Pass of the season from Bacuna.
Steamer i’m in work today, it’s an easy day cos of the bank holiday here and the UK so i’m just hanging in there until home time but could do with another early night, not getting any younger 🙂
No worries Rags, i’ve done the same a few times on this site, cos it had automatically logged me out, as you know i’m not one for single lines so by the time i’d written some really long, interesting and clever points once i hit ‘post comment’ it was lost forever.
I’m still buzzing about the weekend, TV didn’t do Villa any justice in terms of the performance, as for Lukaku’s comment saying Everton gave us the game, complete rubbish, we broke them in the first and they didn’t do enough in the second without the help of Clattenburg.
Think it will be hard to keep Benteke, you can’t play down his performance, goals since Feb. The hope is like Delph, conversations are being had with agents and new owners that shows where the club is going and for Benteke to buy into that, but if someone comes knocking with 100/200k a week, these numbers turn heads.
Agree Steamer, pass of the season from Bacuna, great run from Cleverley, another player we need to get in permanently and keep the midfield partnership, future of England right there along with Henderson/Delph
I think someone ought to take a close look at Clattenburgs performance.
Has anyone got a clip of Grealish putting McCarthy on his arris ? Strange that MON looks like selecting McCarthy over JG when its clear to anyone that JG is probably 20 levels above him. ( If he chooses Ireland ).
I think Benteke will probably go. How old is he now? 24? Football is a short career. I just hope he doesn’t go to Liverpool. May as well stay with us.
I also hope that Cleverley’s better performances don’t go to his head and that he thinks he can do better than us in the summer. It would be a huge blow to lose the Beast, Clev and Vlaar all this summer, Delph to. Sherwood has a lot of work to do
Pray new owners are coming with money and ambition, because if Randy stays, they will all feck off
https://vine.co/v/e72263rZ2BF
this was on my facebook page, not sure if it translates to AVL
Sakho wnats 50 grand a week. He can feck right off
Final ticket sorted…….now for the travel…etc..!!!
What a great day Saturday was……It just gets better and better….who could have dreamed how big the changes would be under Tim……
It is really going to be an eye-opener when he gets all his players back, and can see what they are capable of under a great motivator,…..
Still a lot to do this season……so glad that young fans like FRem are now seeing what a real aston Villa side can be like…VTID….UTV….
Hey steamer – great shout ………… Brian Little for DoF ………. that would be another move in giving the Villa back to the fans ……. and having some football knowledge of both Villa and the wider world …..
Brian Little walks on water tra-la-la-la-la …. la-la-la-laaaaaaa :o)
JL – our youth academy was immense in thise days, even players like Jimmy Brown played their part in moving Villa on to the next stage of our revival ….. remember going to VP to watch villa youth play the baggies youth and Asa Hartford was in their youth team (I think) ……… memory a bit blurry these days …. :o(
Got to love a bank holiday with a win.
Heard people say how bad clattenburg was, but did not realise just how bad he was. It all came down to inconsistency again. How was the kick on vlaar imediately before his own kick not a foul but his was? How many fouls did Baines get away with admittedly sometimes clattenburg did waggle his finger a lot more quickly at him after the fouls which must’ve struck the fear of god into him. All that was missing was a hand on his hip as he wagged his finger at players all over the pitch.
Terrible advantage decisions repeatedly. So two matches with bad refs in a row – one costing us three points.
Still looking forward to another strong display and some good football on saturday – be sure though big sam will send out a team to waste time from the off and kick lumps out of us.
Bacuna – what a pass! Delph – everywhere – a legend of a man already!
Where’d you hear that frem about Sakho?
JL
when was the last time we beat both Scouse teams within a month??????
Bamford plus £30 million for Benteke…..and maybe Remy….If we can’t keep him…
PP,
No idea! 🙂
You want me to go through every season?? … and it may be quite some time ago… 🙂
DO,
Ta for that mate, a slight case of twisted blood.
Bib,
Jon Moss dropped a goolie too on Saturday, not looking good for the final with him in charge, the only thing is that their all crepe.
Sako recons he’s been approached by Villa and Olbyon, no contest then.
Apparently we’ve bid 12m for Robertson of Hull who does look a decent LB.
PP,
Yes mate, glad that Frem has heard the Holte on full throttle, inspiring doesn’t cover it, when the commentators mention it you know its loud. Also Jen’s nephew Ben, he’ll have been impressed with everything AV.
Sakho would be a a great buy. Also , if we coukd get him , Bolassi has stood out for me all season and would be a great replacement if we can’t hold on to Benteke . Alan Paredew said he’s the best he’s ever worked with and you can see his athleticism and football brain is immense .
Still can’t believe how changed VP was Saturday . The players look like they’re really enjoying playing at home and that they’re loving they’re football . If only Benteke could be convinced that this could be the start of something great for AV – because they looked comfortable and they looked like winners. There’s no way he will go to Liverpool , it will be Chelsea or Man City IMO .
Yes Steamer , now VP is coming to life again, I will get seats in the Holte . We were just to the left of it near the front of the pitch . He loved it and we met some really friendly villa fans
Don’t know what Lukaku is talking about – they were very second best .
And yes , seeing JG in the flesh , he is very special and he, Cleverly and Delph ran rings round Everton . No so long ago we were bemoaning our light weight MF and not so long ago , the pundits were excusing PL with “he’s had little money to spend “. Well what TS has done with the so called cheap team is incredible
D.O.R what a game to pick !! So pleased that you could enjoy VP at it’s best and transformed .
John – re Guzan and Given . I’m not sure Shay Given is smaller than Guzan without looking up the measurements . I can’t see him getting bullied any more than Guzan either . I don’t think there’s much to choose between them but maybe TS wants to give Shay some playing time before the final which is why he replaced Guzan – as well as Guzan’s lesser run of form of late .
As for the remaining games – no worries – TS has said we need to win them all (ie don’t take your foot off the gas lads) and playing line we are – we will do that easily . Fantastic being a villa fan right now !!
End of the road for Van Persie…..maybe we an swap him for Weimann…….
From Bham Mail – Matt Kendrick
“And Sherwood has told the American goalkeeper to follow Given’s example of how to conduct himself during his time out of the team.
“I spoke to Brad and I explained my decision,” said Sherwood.
“I gave him the respect of that and he realises that what he needs to do now is to conduct himself as professionally has Shay Given has when he was out of the side.
“That’s the nature of football. The manager makes decisions and he isn’t going to be able to keep everyone happy all of the time.
“I’m the manager, I have to make those decisions. I decided that.
“It’s certainly harder for a goalie because he can’t play in any other position.”
Sherwood was delighted with Given, whose appearance of Saturday ended Guzan’s run of 108 consecutive top flight starts.
It completes a remarkable turnaround for the 39-year-old, who even lost his understudy role to Jed Steer under previous Paul Lambert before being restored as the deputy stopper at the start of this season.
I bet Given never thought in his wildest dreams he’d be back in goal for us .
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-tim-sherwoods-message-9179125
Full article here
Jenny
(Cough!) 🙂 … There’s quite a gap between the two keepers physically!
Guzan is 6′ 4″ and Given just 6! and Guzan is definitely much broader!
No, I wasn’t bemoaning Given’s selection at all .. I just don’t think, though, that Guzan would have allowed himself to be pushed aside – I’m sure McCarthy wouldn’t have been able to move him!!
.. sorry, “wouldn’t” not “would” [… have allowed…]
hello folks, here’s an article which highlights clattenburgs terrible performance its worth a look and the amount of errors is staggering.
http://www.astonvilla-mad.co.uk/feat/ed15/did_mark_clattenburg_try_to_cheat_villa_861096/index.shtml?
yes mark and that post supports the point that shay was excejjent he let in 2 one a pen and the other a clear foul — his kcking was brll and no errors from the countlss passbaks to him
runtingz if you watch this video at the end you can clearly see the Everton player trapping given’s arm and holding him down a ridiculous decision as was the pen imo.
http://hoofoot.com/?match=Aston_Villa_3_-_2_Everton_2015_05_02
I like the talk that TS will be backed if he can justify the spend. Not worried if Lerner stays as long as the crap decisions stop.
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7518754
Thanks for the video Mark – i was sure that’s what happened, i did not see him brushed aside. Also think the pen was daft Mark as there was no difference in what vlaar did to that sweaty pub team player and what the sweaty had just done to vlaar seconds before.
Steam also noticed that from Moss and it worried me. Its highly likely the ref will have a big impact on the final it just depends which team it goes for. Its sad that most teams fans have a ref that they particularly despise for consistently bad performances against their team these days. We should not even know the refs names.
There are so many things i could recount against Guzan, maybe Sherwood has also seen some of his interviews for US tv where he is far from subtle about how great he is and how lucky villa are to have him. If he was so good when we had “let him go” why hadn’t any one else signed him?
arse 2 up
that came out wrong 🙂
guzan should been dropped weeks ago his confidence completely gone playing for lambert does it for you,i think if you go back to given bad spell it was when he broke upwith wife and went got himself new partner
but for next season our squad needs core 8/10 first choice players, 8/10 to come in
to stay next year
clark okore delph grealish cleverly benteke 6 to start
bacuna sanchez westwood sinclair first 18
hutton zog gabby sissko given richardson sendross because contracts no one else would pay for them
thats17 plus maybe baker kozak
need new keeper left back centre half centre mid striker 3 first picks
ship out
guzan lowton luna bennet tonev sylla wiemen helnius maybe get 10/15 for that lot
release stevens vlar bent
bit of wheeling and dealing for sherwood
JG didn’t Given have a spell with a dodgy shoulder too?
This summer will be interesting we could lose half a decent team, Vlaar, cleverly, benteke, sinclair, clarke. it would give TS a lot to do to reinvent us before next season.
hopefully a cup win and camaraderie might make some stay.
arse 3-0 ht
put this up before but makes stark reading with the number of first teamers on one year left
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-how-long-tim-8912771
Hey Mark
I suppose it boils down to money. All of the players can see the huge improvement. How do you think they would feel if they won the FA Cup and stayed in the prem division? Is that enough to pass on stupid wages. TS seems to like Bent. Wouldn’t he stay if given an opportunity? (Not my idea of a signing). It would be to his benefit as I don’t see anyone wanting him.
I imagine Villa will lose some but not Benteke. He has 2 to go and more likely will go after 2016. Vlaar gets hurt too often although I like him I wouldn’t be upset if he left.
How has Helenius done this year? Keep Cleverley and Sinclair. Gil needs a run in. Let’s see what he does in the preseason. Keep Given I think he would be a Good back up not necessarily to Guzan. I think he will be a good coach at Villa. Lots have improved in the last couple months. Can they keep it up?
One some
Some great comments on the page. Wish I coulda seen Brian Little in his prime sounds like my sort of player. Love the creative type of ‘in the hole’ forwards and that’s what he sounds like to me. My personal fav of all time was Yorke, he was the best in my memory.
Been watching our cup final opponents and we have a huge job on our hands. They are definitely playing the best football in the country atm. Wenger seems to have found a good balance. Good news is that we are playing the second best, I honestly believe that. We are still big underdogs but that doesn’t mean we can’t win it.
Think our current ‘two 10s’ formation matches up well with their current 4231. Cazorla and Coquelin have more than enough on their hands dealing with Grealish and Nzog. Cazorla not really a typical DM, he’s playing as deep playmaker but clever enough to read the game and make interceptions. Where they will come unstuck is with runners from our midfield in Delph and Cleverly. Ozil not the type to track too many runs from deep.
What they could do is play a 433 with Ramsey as CM and it nullify that threat but on the other hand it takes away from their attacking play as Ozil would have to be moved RW instead of his current ‘no 10’ position which is no doubt his most effective.
Really interesting how this will play out. Tbh I hope they lose a bit of form and rhythm before the end of the season!
Ian it almost seems like it was left this way in case of relegation and the indecision around the sale and could work against us just as easily as for, a dangerous position to be in. TS is talking about us not being in the same position next season with the same team and no buys but in reality he can’t guarantee that we will have the same team.
Ree I always thought of little as a tricky winger but he was way more than that, the English George Best IMO.
As for Benteke he is a wanted man, with delph not far behind, I can see there being a lot of wrangling to be done to keep those players although delph seems pretty loyal. If we stay up some will stay I guess but a cup loss could lose us quite a few too.
At least hull lost, night folks
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-tim-sherwood-v-9180973?
Ree – Yes, I’m sure you would have enjoyed Brian Little’s play! I don’t know a Villan who didn’t. And, yes, Yorkie was another skillful one but not the same as Brian – each had their own talent but Brian would come out on top I’m sure, in a popularity contest.
About the Cup Final – I think it’ll be a fascinating contest. I think we’ll see at least one goal from both sides and I’d go for Villa – 2-1. Or even 2-2 and go to pens.
About Given – Not sure why an argument about whether Given was “brushed aside” or had an arm interlocked or whatever… *Both* occurred from what I saw, but what I was saying is that Guzan (being a more strapping feller) would not have allowed much of that. Now *that* by no means justifies Guzan’s selection – it certainly doesn’t and I certainly did not infer that.
jl I think people were more concerned that the ref allowed it than the wrestling match.
Mark,
Of course, but I followed on from Jenny’s comment and then there seemed to be a hiatus whether it was this or that.
Typical Little goal –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdS8n-nqcE4
Brian Little
The only thing that narked me was when he was going to sign for the mealies for 600,000 quid but had an injury so they signed a full back instead ( Tarantini ).
Another Villa great –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI7ZPRzg1hU
Morning people. Brian Little was a wonderful player and John’s comparison with Dwight Yorke is interesting. I wonder what the consensus would be if Yorkie had lead us to the brink of domestic and European glory before his career was ended by injury and if Brian Little had actually gone ahead and signed for the dirty Blues. Little was a great player though – comfortable on the ball and played with a swagger (like Jack Grealish) but he scored goals as well (unlike JG).
Rather than fixate about past glories I’m more concerned about our next Villa legend. Anyone who was at the game on Saturday, just how good was Fabian Delph for the first hour? Wurzel was singing his praises after the game, but with everything else going on at Villa and the attention being heaped on Benteke and others, I’m not sure that Delph is getting the praise he deserves. It was a genuine pleasure to watch him play on Saturday.
Steamer! Now you’ve got me fixating about past Villa greats. Gary Shaw was a fantastic player. Same swagger, same quatity on the ball, always looked unhurried.
and quality!
Great stuff, i’m too young to remember Little but did have a friend who played in one of his teams – allegedly he was very good with the female staff at the club too, Meaning his tenure was not so great for the back office workings and clubs litigation record. Allegedly this was the end of his managerial stint.
Yorke is still the best player i have seen.
It must be that time of year when Andrew P makes a good point – it is more interesting to look forward to who could be our new club legends and with wurzel we should at the very least be treated to some young players being given the chance.
Was it Jenny who noticed Grealish come over to the Holt and throw his shirt to the crowd? – saw that too and thought, how classy! Shows what we have been missing – the players should be down every home match and not have to be sent back to the half way line to clap at us.
Thank you Bibulus. It was a good point. I just made it in the wrong place.