After a season littered with poor team selections, confusing tactics and inept performances we amazingly still find ourselves just five points adrift of Premier League safety.
Remi Garde is already talking about our fate going to the last match of the season at the Emirates. This is a chilling message given that we are still in November, however it could also be seen as an optimistic view as it assumes we’ll still then be in the mix of clubs vying for survival. If we were to continue on our present run it’s perfectly possible we could be cut adrift by Christmas. Looking ahead there are around fifteen games remaining where we ought to be competitive. Somehow we’ve got to convert most of these fixtures into wins. The first such game being at home to Watford this Saturday.
The match is much anticipated by as it promises to be our first close encounter for several weeks, an opportunity to play a side somewhat closer to our level. We may beat Watford, we may not. In truth it’s hard to see how a side that hasn’t fashioned any tangible attacks on goal in the last two games can suddenly spring a victory.
Watford, on the other hand, arrive at Villa Park having pushed Manchester United to their limits at the weekend and throughout the season so far have seldom failed to impress with their endeavour, organisation and team spirit. They have three times the number of points that we have. The best approach our players can take is to forget their predicament, ignore the damning statics that will inevitably be banded about (two points from eleven games) disregard the wretched home form and do their very best.
What we need to establish and no better place to start than on Saturday, is building understandings on the pitch, players working hard for each other, forming partnerships and understanding each others movements. As we are lacking in quality we are unlikely to score too many goals from open play so it’s essential that we are organised at set pieces and improve our dead ball delivery. In Rudy Gestede and Micah Richards we have a strong presence in the air and we shouldn’t be afraid to make the most of what they’ve got to offer. Who can strike in a free kick from the edge of the box? Charles N’Zogbia, Leandra Bacuna have shown they are capable of it, maybe Carles Gil.
Gaining advantage through set plays, keeping possession and resolute defending is likely to be the Remi Garde blue print for survival. Hopefully this is the approach that will keep us within touching distance at the close of the year. The January transfer window will then be crucial in helping us to acquire the necessary reinforcements to push on to safety.
As a footnote Watford bring with them two men with close connections to the Club. Graham Taylor OBE, Watford’s joint Honorary Life-President, what an asset his wealth of football knowledge must be to the fabric of their club and in the form Troy Deeney. How we could do with him right now, although Hou Deeney might be our better option (yes, that old one).
The Author
Matt Greenhill
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Hello Matt, agree with virtually all except Graham Taylor, i’d never want him preaching his kick and rush at VP, Ellis obviously enjoyed it but after all, he’s a Bluenose , knows bugger all about football and sold AVFC to the knob Lerner.
The remainder of this season sees us wondering just what else this club can do to humiliate its supporters, it would be nice if for once they attempted to win a game or even put in 100% effort but i doubt if they are capable or even have the goolies.
There’s a lot of similarities between our current situation and our last relegation season, two managers, a squad of overpaid nobodies stealing fortunes for no effort and an owner standing by while it happens.
Very similar in 1968 with deep rooted problems that took years to iron out and even then Ellis hindered the process.
We really have been unfortunate with our owners, Ellis and Lerner, ye gods.
Good luck Remi.
Morning
Talking about playing direct with gestede and being organised makes you wonder why we did not get big sam in!
Classic big sam result last night and though its horrible to watch pulis and sam will get you points.
Nice to see Jack learning and keeping his head down. Not sure what sort of fan he is but it takes me at least 2 days to get over a defeat, no such worrys for him!
Great way to impress the new manager too!
Steamer
Never seen villa relegated before but i can see it happening clear as day with this side. Its weak, cant control a game or offer any threat. And will crack under the slightest pressure. If we go 1 nil down you know we cant win the game.
I cant see us beating watford, they fight and work there socks off and do have some punch up top. Deeney is amped for this game. Ill say a nervy 1-1
Not looking forward to the Watford game, they’re fighting for their league status knowing the efforts they’ve gone through to come up and knowing what it means to stay in the Prem.
Our boys don’t seem to have a sense of fighting for every ball, there is no pressure, no understanding of the consequences, there’s a lot of points to play for but I’d be relieved and surprised if we beat Watford as opposed to any past guarantee of success against a smaller club.
The best fans in the world are being let down by the owner, he absolutely needs to gamble in January on the potential money we’d earn even if it’s on mercenaries that will keep us up, playing stick in this poker game in January will only bring one outcome.
I believe we have the right manager in charge who’s hands are tied by 4 years of cutbacks that’s produced a squad capable of nothing but full of potential that will take too long to harness. I hope I’m eating my words by May but in all the other previous dire seasons, there were genuine strugglers that we could rise above if by the skin of our teeth, Sunderland have the right man, Newcastle have the wrong man but a good enough squad to pull together some results and that leaves Bournemouth/Norwich and Watford, can we be that lucky again that as the season progresses the cream of the championship rise to the bottom of the Prem.
UTV
The blues want Kozac on loan! Wouldnt mind him playing for us!! Ideal up top on his own with 3 behind him. He is clinical
Kozac is a weird one why does he keep getting ignored by manager after manager, is there something the club is not telling us in regards his long term fitness, something does not make any sense.
As for Grealish it tells you all you need to know about the modern day footballer, too much money too young and very little brains, calls himself a Villa fan and then tweets pictures out on the piss just after getting belted by Everton, clueless absolutely clueless and I don”t make any excuses for his age if he cannot see it was wrong he is thicker than I thought.
GSAVFC
Not really too bothered by a 20 year old going clubbing in Mancland, I went pinting on Sunday afternoon but it didn’t even make the local papers. Just because he was born a Villa fan and plays for Villa doesn’t mean he can’t go out.
It’s the Daily Mail creating a story when there isn’t one when if they had real journalists concerned about Midlands football they’d be writing about how shoddily the club has been run that has led a fine institution like AVFC to be perilously close to relegation, even a bindipper colleague said he can’t imagine the Prem without Villa then looked to borrow 20 quid.
No probs with jack going out.
But when he has been splashed all over the papers in the summer, struggling for form, allready been told about his resposibilities from tim and fox, villa just lost 4-0 and new manager coming in judging people you have to say his decision to go out was stupid. Basic common sense. Must be as thick as 2 short planks.
Everyone is different but id go down the milner route if i had the ability to play footy. Kepp your nose clean theres plenty of time to party when retired.
Personally i think our Jack G needs to wake up to himself
there has been a lot of hype about him and i wonder if this is going to his head
i have seen no progress from him in the last 12mnths but he is still hitting the news for the wrong reasons
the best players in the world are not there by chance but by hard work and dedication
Even the great Ronaldinho lost it after he won everything the game has to offer as he started partying and his level dropped big time
totally agree with your post SWV
runtings
i think the hype has gone to his head and us fans fans have been guilty of it. He has prob had 3 decent games for us, and 2 of them against blues and notts county! rest of time just been a passenger. Id send him back to the reserves and play Gill all the time. See how much he wants it.
How the mighty have fallen, we are underdogs at home to newly promoted Watford, who are 11 points clear of us before Saturday’s game, our nearest rivals are 4 Pts ahead and safety 5 Pts ahead, I feel 35/6 maybe enough to stay up giving us 25 matches to get the 30/31 Pts we need. I simply cannot see a team with -14GD and an inability to score or close games out , achieving what is needed. Every aspect of AVFC is a shambles run by retards. Watford will beat us easily with Deeney the bluenose scumbag bagging at least one. The bloke is pure filth, having done time for beating up a Chinese student and robbing him with his mates in town, if he wasn’t a footballer he would be either on bail or doing porridge.
Grealish obviously has let it all go to his head, but I’m not gonna write him off yet, after all iv done more than my fare share of twattish things when smashed, the difference being in not in the public eye and getting a handsome wage fulfilling a boyhood dream.
He does need to pull his head in and get his shit in one sock, or he could end up wasting it all, he only needs to lol at the like of Lee Hendrie
shit in one sock !!!! thats a new one on me )))
Theres a friendly game going on, kozac, gardner and adama playing.
If Kozac could get fit we could have a surprise package. I have always like the look of him.
Adama Gill Ayew
Kozac
B62,
Drinking from the cup of optimism try to take small sips and don”t rush it, it has been like this for years we get rid of one idiot Faulkner and replace him with another, we leap from one frying pan into a bigger one, the calamity that is AVFC is a continuous sitcom, how many people in decision making positions have actually played the game probably one in Garde, the others are commercial buffoons charged with trying to run one of the greatest clubs in the land and failing miserably on virtually every count.
GSAVFC
you would of thought with jacks old man and family being villans he would be grounded and more switched on! Have a word!
Darren,
Watch these folk after your 20 quids, i was surrounded by them at the meet up, it cost me a fortune.
SWV,
That would be typical Villa, Kozak scoring the goals for the vermin to take our PL position.
Saw Deeney the other week doing screeches in his Baby Bentley so everyone noticed him. His bro was at Villa as a kid, not a bad LB at Worcester now.
Ilori keft sided defender maybe our new left back if fit
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-tiago-ilori-look-10490127
fucking hell Mark is it raining over there , get in the bar or disco ,,,,, jeez , l wouldnt even have my phone with me if l was on hols now …..
steamer have you found your wallet yet , , owing you £20s . its probably in your cardie pocket
St75 have to come up for air occasionally besides can’t get to happy would be to much of a shock when I’m back.
Wiuld suit you and steamer the cast from cocoon are at our hotel
Oh wow, Monsieur King that avatar is pure magic!
Some positive stuff going on that the Doomsday Squad won’t like. SuperGarde playing and watching Kizak, Gardes, Adams, Okore, Zzzoggy and Sendeross.
Healthy competition a good thing!
UTV
Adama! Who sure is electrifying in his day!
Won 5-2 ron adama took the piss
Ronnie . you aint saw him in the flesh , not a pretty sight ,
Have a feeling that Adama will play Saturday. we really need Senderos back too.
If we lose against Watford i have a feeling that the atmosphere will be like the Bolton game at VP when Ginger was boss.
He wouldn’t recognise any of us ron spent most the time hiding from the round
Gardes been there 2 mins he will sort it.
Hahaha lads lads lads… That’s what we’re lacking at VP at the moment players with the cunning and guile to wear disguises and dodge a round by hiding in the gents room! We need a couple of players to stand up and counted potentially not in starting X11 at the moment!
En Garde We Trust!
We had better beat Watford and score a couple of nice goals in the process! Wouldn’t complain if we had Kojak up front with Adama and zzzzoggy on the wings.
Ps here’s a good read from Joey I’m a thug Barton from all people http://www.joeybarton.com/have-the-germans-created-a-footballing-blueprint-for-the-next-generation/
UTV
Jack banished to the u21 s. Good call remi.
Club bosses still want round after it apears remi dismissed the idea?!
Telegraph reporting that senior management still want to employ Steve Round, despite RG’s clear dismissal of this idea. We seem to have civil war with the Executive going against the express wishes of the manager they employed only a few days ago.
At a time when unity of purpose is the prime requirement we have a club at war with itself. If Round is appointed I can see Remi walking out. What is going on in Fox’s head?
FV,
Whats going on in Fox”s head absolutely nothing that is attached to football, Lerner and Fox have probably sought advice from Ferguson and he has told them to appoint Round as No2, I agree he should walk if they appoint against his wishes these people are clueless when it comes to footballing matters that’s why we are so deep up Shitten Strasse.
GSAVFC
Thanks for the leader, Matt.
God knows who’s going to play these days.
Funny how things go. Many seem to agree that young Jack Grealish is a bit of a “luxury” these days and needs to pull his head in. I remember JL saying such months ago.
May as well play Kozak. Don’t see anybody else scoring goals.
Monsieur Fox better get it sorted pronto. Garde will need his utmost support.
Its all part of a cunning plan of Fox’s, Garde walks out, Fox appoints himself as manager ( after all he signs the players ), promotes himself to player/manager/captain and saves us from relegation.
We’re very fortunate to have such a humble, yet multi talented figure at VP, combined with Lerners football acumen i don’t see us failing unless those pesky supporters upset things.
It may be a good thing if Garde walks while he still has his hair, that would show the football world exactly what kind of morons are in charge of AVFC.
Well done Remi for putting Grealish in his place.
Naarwich, Stork and Slumberland after Aggy, can’t believe that one.
steamer
would work for us if slumberland have him , or norwich but l have a soft-spot for norwich and would’nt want them to go down in case the wife lamps me one on my soft-spot ,
Biggsy
you would’nt believe l gave them lot of spivs a bottle of brandy each and a steamers poster , and still they took me for one with the £20s . l wish l’d met up with Gabby instead , at least l’d have got a bargain bucket of KFC off him later
Steamer,
As cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University?
Perhaps that’s where the saying originates. We are saved then how lucky we are to have such a genius at our club.
GSAVFC
That being said…JEEEEZ what a load of cr*p, the man is a disaster, inept just doesn’t do him justice, he’s as cack as a cack shoveler studying cack at cack university in cacksville.
Ta to Rod Seel.
fox by name…but shithouse by nature
Dunno what fox is thinking, if true. Can’t believe he’d override Remi on something like that.
Just had a thought… the Steamers are back on AVL and in fine fettle so perhaps all has not gone awry with the Universe after all.
(Albeit Frem is MIA (besides the occasional guest appearance…
must have found a job and/or girlfriend!?!?!)
Could the stars possibly align in such a way as for our season to be saved?
To be continued…
UTV
Or it’s a sign the apocalypse is finally upon us 😉
Ronnie
Frem got himself a great job , and l can imagine he’s pulling his hair out at the moment l can vouch for him as could a few others on here , at his age it was Villa or nothing and we felt let down quite a few times with hierarchy down there ,although the time we went down in the 8os l must admit the following season we had a great time at the away games ,it was just like the 3rd Div , going and taking over grounds ect it was like we had our second wind , also l remember at Old trafford and we knew we were down and we got everyone singing “always look on the bright side of life” all the way through the game , the phoney mancs couldnt believe it , but what pissed me off the following year the phoney mancs singing it at one of their games and the twat linaker saying well they have a new song , so l wrote to him and explained l didnt understand how he missed the villa singing it first , especially with the ears he had , never got a reply ,
but l feel for Frem as he must go into work and take stick off the noses and 6 fingered lot as would B62 as he works in the heart of 6 finger city , and they have stuck to going down week in week out and renewing their season tickets as does my brother ,but l wont as l cant sit and watch this lot take the piss picking up their wages for fuck all , As for Remi , well l dont know , l wasnt convinced with TS as l put on here , i got a feeling he’s being set up as a scapegoat by the arses in charge down there , its like me telling Steamer to go rewire a house , he does’nt even realise we changed from gas lighting !!
l have dropped a right bollock as last night l got invited to london to a great soul n funk night by Runtins on the 19th , and its my birthday that weekend but l got talked into going to newcastle with the lads “or my Birthday” and l just know its going to kick off there as it did last year , so l could need a food parcel christmas possibly sent to winson green , oh hum off to change a fuseboard for a mate , steamer if your not doing anything bring a flask of tea round , you’ll see my car , its at Ferndale Mews , the places you were looking at , although the place opposite should have been the place for you (coleshill asylum )
I’m not one to go overboard about Grealish’s misdemeanors but i have to say that the attitude of Carlos Sanchez since he’s been at the club puts him to shame. Overlooked for no apparent reason he’s always come in done his job and never once complained, on the contrary he’s always been complimentary about AVFC as shown on the OS and shown absolute professionalism, well done.
here here steamer. good lad is sanchez. Grealish has to put in perfromnces on the park, does not matter if he supports villa, blues or utd, if he is doing the businness on the pitch we wont care. look at gabby, villain, brummie born and bred and we hate him!
Great interview with dion on talkshite, he say the players should be ashamed and apologising to the fans. In his day, him, merson, boeteng, southgate would of been fessing up in the press. Trouble is this lot dont care
Merson has made a good point for once. whats grealish doing allowed to stay over after the game and not travel back on the coach. after a beating like that he should of been made to come back on the coach.
Good point about Sanchez . Works hard and , has a smile on his face and doesn’t strut around the pitch with his socks down and point the finger at others (unlike some).
Well done Remi for putting the arrogant, over hyped Grealish in his place – with the reserves . It wasn’t just a piss up on the Saturday , it was another one on Sunday . We’ve moved on since the 80s , when it was part of the culture and the game was played at a slower pace .
JG should realise that more emphasis is being put on a player’s attitude and that includes his commitment and self discipline . He’s paid 40k a week not just to play on a Saturday but to put 100 per cent into training and preparation . You can’t drink and party and do that the next day .
Remi told him to be careful who he hangs round with . Three days later his so called mates sell photos to the press . Sounds like he needs to get new mates too . Wake up Jack .
I agree Andrew and it wasnt just the Saturday it was the Sunday too . Apparently MON made them all come back in the coach .