They’re coming thick and fast, these Championship matches. And to gain three straight wins in these quickly-arising matches has done something to get an on-going sense of positivity and hope that Villa are, indeed, getting into recovery mode.
But these regular matches have cost Villa. Hogan, Green, Bjarnason, Grealish, RHM and Gabby are out of the fray for a few matches, to which number has to be added Bacuna for his inadvisable lunge at the referee’s side-kick. But Villa are fortunate in that their main defensive and midfield stalwarts are still in place: we’re mainly running short of engine-power in the front-line, though 13-goal Kodjia seems to employ a means of transitioning the boost of each of his goals to keep himself mobile.
The style is not much there – as some regularly point out – but at least some much-needed points have been generated to accumulate in Villa’s piggy bank, with no concessions in the goals against column of late. But with the shortage of fire-power, where are the wins going to come from over the next month? Well, I imagine former centre-back Brucie will put more emphasis on the tactic of using dead-ball situations to get his centre-backs up and adding weight. It would be a novel thing for a centre-back to score a hat-trick! I wonder if it has been done?
So, next up is the much-vaunted Terriers; otherwise known as Huddersfield Town. The historian and aged Villa supporter in me can go back to early 1960 when Villa met the same club at Villa Park in the old Second Division when a certain Dennis Law was plying his trade for them. Villa won 4-0 that day (a Bobby Thomson hat-trick) gaining rave reviews for their “continental” play! Well, that accolade is probably on the other foot these days, with our opponents displaying a lot of skill this season. But has their success been mainly because their opponents have let them play?
Huddersfield clearly have their Achilles’ Heel, with two heavy defeats in their last two matches, though the first of those was against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Well, the fact is that Villa at least put up stern resistance against Spurs in their FA Cup match, so maybe Villa will display more tenacity than their next opponents, Villa often looking very resilient with the Jedi back in place.
And the Terriers have just been thwacked by Newcastle as well, at home. With Villa as their next opponent within so few days, will their mental equilibrium not yet be in the right state? The question is whether Villa have sufficient fire power available to sting them, and sting them early. If Villa can do that then I feel that Villa will not come away empty-handed.
And then we have Wednesday arriving on Saturday. Their punishment of Norwich this past week-end is again a fair warning, but I still see Villa having the resilience for me to again feel that Villa will not go away empty-handed.
Yes, essentially because of Villa’s injury situation I am not at all confident that Villa will obtain more than draws in these next two matches, but if we can at least gain two points from these two tough matches they will, added to the previous three results, combine to give more confidence of the Villa finishing the season on a bright note.
Up the Villa!
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 41
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The fans seem to like our new midfield… especially Hourihane…
https://ninetyminutesonline.com/94511-2/
Thanks for the post JL.
I think we all feel that there is more possible in general, & I concur with you & others that I feel a possibility of a positive result coming on, whilst remembering that we’re nowhere near the optimum yet.
Im other words there is hope that we won’t get thrashed & might even nick a result despite the injuries.
In fact an influx of U23 players might help.
Also Hourihane spending time in the box seems to cheer a lot of people up.
Trinity
I’m actually a happy bunny, I just hop a lot.
Thanks for the write-up, Mr. Lerwill. I was slow getting out of the gate!
Having read through the all the comments from the previous post, I do chuckle. The supposed divisions in the support are actually pretty minimal. It’s simply about the assessment of where we’re at and how we express it.
Obviously, there’ve been a number of false dawns over the last few years. So folks are going to find it hard to really embrace any sense of true optimism without a series of comprehensive displays. Which we’ve obviously yet to see.
At the same time, it seems possible that we may finally be seeing enough of the rights parts in place to build a real team.
So on the one hand, it’s fair to say that this string of wins has been against teams that were either poor or on poor runs.
On the other, it’s also fair to say that winning three in a row for the first time in seven years, with clean sheets to boot, is significant. And players like Hourihane and Lansbury are showing their worth, as was Bjarnason before he was injured.
So, again, I come at it trying to be detached and realistic. I think we all see the upcoming games against much better opponents as opportunities to see something about the character of the team, if nothing else.
I won’t expect our football to be scintillating, and it doesn’t have to be. I’m very much a results-oriented person. But, we’ll all want to be seeing Villa being truly competitive and competent in whatever style it is we play.
It really just comes down to Villa doing a little bit of convincing. And we all want to be convinced.
JC: “The supposed divisions in the support are actually pretty minimal. It’s simply about the assessment of where we’re at and how we express it.”
Perhaps, but when the ball is always played on the wing, it never gets centred! 😉
Unless you’re playing us, JL. 😉
JC,
As you well know, debate – if it’s going to become truly interesting – has to be open to all sides of the argument. And the participants are not really participating if they’re stuck in a rut – i.e. seeing one perspective only.
Now I’m not decrying the intellect of anyone here nor the lack of at least some validity, but when fears are at least partly (emphasis on ‘partly’) replaced by events giving reasons for hope, then it would be good to read an ack of the fact (even with reservations) rather than push the same argument of fear or, even, prejudice.
I’m one that feels that we’re too much fear-driven in our lives anyway, and the only way to enjoy being a Villa supporter is to live in hope whatever the situation we don’t like. By all means let’s raise arguments but let’s examine also all the facts or possibilities, not just focus on a segment.
But, hey, dare I espouse hope?! 🙂
Good article JL,
but with regard to Huddersfield, I don’t think you are taking into account the fact that David Wagner has been banned from the pitch, and as he admits himself, it has not been the same, with him having to sit out the last two games in the stands.
I am sure that we shall see a different game on Tuesday with him back in the technical area. This does not mean that I see Villa not being able to cope, as I do feel that after seeing the last two home games, and the reports and result of Saturday’s game, that the team reallis beginning to gel,and the defence and mid field are getting close to where they should be.
The biggest problem now seems to be keeping enough players fit to field a full strength side with a solid bench for back-up.
I was very dubious a week ago, but I can only congratulate Bruce and the team on producing the results most of us fans asked for, and now all I am looking for is a great team effort in the next two games and hopefully at least 3/4 points, but if we only get draws, at least we are not going backwards.
JL,
We do have to live in hope, agreed.
For me, after years after assiduously looking for green shoots and trying to point them out whenever they pop up, I’ve given a lot more credence to the pessimistic/skeptical points of view than I used to. I never thought we’d go down, and those, like Steamer, who were certain we would eventually were proved right. I never thought Lerner would become so disengaged (running counter to his own financial self-interest) as to actively harm the club. He did. So on and so on.
So, sometimes it may appear that some supporters are “stuck in a rut”. Conversely, they may just have a constancy of viewpoint and haven’t really seen anything substantial to make them change their minds just yet.
I like to think Dr. Tony’s objectives, interest and backing will prove to be a turning point. And I like to think that having some football people in the set-up who understand the game, and England, will carry us over the line. I like to think Steve Bruce will get it right.
But, those who say they’ve not seen anything decisive enough to sway their opinion this season do have a fair amount of precedent to fall back on.
That’s what makes Villa interesting and confounding in the present. When I sit and think about it, I really do understand optimism, pessimism and skepticism all swirling around the same time and see merit in a number of viewpoints.
But yes, if you’re hopeful, and there’s no reason not to be, then carry on! And if one remains skeptical, that’s okay, too. We’ll soon see, once again, whether that elusive corner has been turned.
PP,
Good point about Wagner – thank you for highlighting that.
It will be interesting tomorrow – the sceptic will of course say that Villa will spurn whatever chances they get and will ultimately lose the game … but – hey – Bruce has just been saying that we need to get our shots on target more. Maybe it’s just a re-alignment of the sights that’s needed! 😉
JC,
I don’t think that we have turned a corner exactly, but are simply working towards getting a rhythm going – that oft-spoken gelling factor.
If we have another defeat or two then it doesn’t make any real difference to the outcome of this season, and such defeats should be taken as much as any other game – so long that we can see the overall effect of the team becoming a team and not the 11 players that Mark (quite rightly) was on about a few games ago.
I do agree that what has happened these past 7 years has perhaps warped some fans’ view on what is the reality … but we have a different set in charge now – and more +ve too – and we should start to think in those terms if possible. Lerner has gone! I could literally feel the underlying negativitiy in the club 7 or 8 years ago when I was there, and now I don’t sense that. People like Andrew and r0bb0 confirm that it would seem.
No, for me this whole process of getting the ship back onto the road is not an overnight affair after these past 7 years. But so long as we can see tangible grass roots growing then we shoudl take heart in my view. One of the +ves is that Lansbury and Hourihane appear to be settling in well, and with the Jedi strutting his stuff in front of defence, things done’ look bad. After all, it can be said with some certainty that if you have a good midfield then the rest is just a matter of time in getting it sorted.
Thanks for the write-up, John.
It is good to see Hourihane and Lansbury getting some fluency in midfield. Yes, we do need to keep a balanced perspective, don’t we? If we don’t, we grieve. Life’s too short for that.
I’d be satisfiied with a draw, but Villa, I believe can win against Huddersfield provided they get it right. That was a tough match against NUFC. I think their heads might be down a bit. Villa’s tail is up a bit, and that confidence might make a real difference.
JC
“So, sometimes it may appear that some supporters are “stuck in a rut”. Conversely, they may just have a constancy of viewpoint and haven’t really seen anything substantial to make them change their minds just yet.”
Exactly, mate. You hit the nail on the head. That’s all it is. To a degree, I’m like that. Some more than others. It was difficult not to become cynical 2010-2016.
I enjoy the regularity of matches in this division. The PL can be boring, especially around international breaks.
Iana,
I have to say, I’m with you on the frequency of matches. No time to dwell or lick your wounds, right back into it. It’s a tough league. And you really do earn the right to have a go in the top flight.
And I also agree wholeheartedly that life is too short to get mired in the crap. Many more consequential things to worry about, and Villa will get it right, sooner or later.
JL,
“No, for me this whole process of getting the ship back onto the road is not an overnight affair after these past 7 years. But so long as we can see tangible grass roots growing then we should take heart in my view. One of the +ves is that Lansbury and Hourihane appear to be settling in well, and with the Jedi strutting his stuff in front of defence, things done’ look bad. After all, it can be said with some certainty that if you have a good midfield then the rest is just a matter of time in getting it sorted.”
I do think you’re right, and I do think we may have finally bought well. I could only watch the highlights on AVTV ( I don’t know who’s putting those together, but I heard much more on the radio ‘highlight-wise’ than I saw in those 11 minutes), but the sight of Hourihane in the box, particularly in an early move in the game, and people running into space and finding each other, was definitely a positive.
An ode to savour…
From Huddersfield, from Huddersfield
There was a cow that would not yield
The reason why she would not yield
Is because she did not like her udders feeled!
JL
You’re turning into Pam Ayres.
I know we were struggling and in bottom 3 under rdm but a lot of chatter about how aloof/umaproachable he was around the club and with other staff etc. Not disciplined with the players either.
No way in fitting with what round and keith want. Bruce is a more affable character, the buzz at vp and bodmoore heath is certainly back. So off the pitch ok!
The only target now is to see a fluent 11 playing well and set us up for next season.
And finish above the blues.
Will Bruce switch to 352 for next season though? Would that make and settling in for rest of this season redunadant?
With green/adomah/grealish/bjanson we are better off 433 imo.
Don’t change it.
I take it amavi will play on the left of the 3 tues night?
Hogan back against wigan maybe.
Will see then how bruce sets up.
Andrew,
Yes, the injury situation may create the chance for Amavi to find himself as a midfielder … which is what I and (I think) Darren have said before. He looks better upfield.
Iana: “You’re turning into Pam Ayres.”
😀
No credit to me, I assure you! Apparently it’s quite an old ditty – supplied to me by an old Villa fan.
Jedi has taken the plaudits over the last 3 games but 1 jan signing who was deemed not that great was Taylor.
Don’t underestimate his effect slotting in at left back. Has been very very steady.
When amavi was playing the left side was a massive weakness for us.
Lansbury too…he has gone about his business under the radar…lovely passing.
Against Rotherham hourihan was up in the final 3rd a lot more.
Should of scored.
Villa could of wo 4-0 easily.
good win against poor side destined for the drop, very different proposition tomorrow but in our favour is the players positivity garnered from three wins on the bounce.
We will be unsettled tomorrow due to the injuries and a very different challenge by a team who fully deserve their play-off position based on the football they play. Still would have been an ideal game for Sky to show so once again left with facebook streaming but it’s my birthday tomorrow so looking for the perfect present.
Looks like AVL has fewer regular supporters posting than SB has substitutes left. Everyone, come back .
andrew
were we not penned back for most last 20mins again, reports i seen rotheram had good chances,as for taylor maybe if amavi had a midfield in front of him it would helped
Andrew,
Must agree with you that Taylor has now settled in well, after a shaky start, and I am quietly impressed with him.
Seeing the highlights, Biarnason was looking good and in the thick of things before he got injured, and Hourihane, as has been mentioned before is settling well and creating an impression.
Lansbury has also knuckled down and playing his part, without getting himself booked. Impressed with Kodjia too, as he has played his part well in defence with dead ball situations, putting in a couple of important headers on Saturday.
Villa have also managed to avoid their normal bookings more recently, except for Bacuna of course.
Biggest worry now is sorting out injuries and keeping a balanced team.
Under 23’s play at wolves tonight 7pm
re: The Udders, it’s all been said so far except for which under23’s Bruce’s thinking of for the bench or on the left, but I doubt that he will start any against the Udders.
I note Hale & Abdo are back, & sellers id playing tonight as well.
sellars is a talent….would like him called up.
James
we were ok against Rotherham, in control most of it. they are poor though!
Taylor coped well sat with 3 different players in front of him!
next 3 games before int break, huddy, sheff wed and wigan.
Realisticly id target 4 points from that lot, be delighted with 6 points.
loose against huddy, draw against wed and beat wigan.
could do wed at vp though.
DOR
Happy Bithday, mate. Hope Villa can put some icing on the cake with a win.
Paul
Yes, discipline will play a big part if Villa are to play well. Bookings are the last thing we need.
One of Vinnie Tinno’s odes from the “Claret & Blue blog site;
The terriers are up next
Off to Yorkshire we will go
When we beat the ankle snappers
That will be four matches in a row
Huddersfield are flying high
Dreaming of promotion
Then a nice break to Abu Dhabi
With a shit load of sun tan lotion
The Villa will spoil the party
We have players with balls and clout
We’ll make sure them ferret breeders
Will end up with fucking nowt
We will bag all the points
Huddersfield they wow win
Their wow be no Ickle fishy on no dishy
Cus their boat wow be coming in
Villa will fight like ferocious lions
They will truly give them hell
We wow just take the three points
We’ll tek their racing pigeons as well
Looks like sellers could be on the bench tomorrow, & abdo isn’t playing tonight either.
Was well chuffed with 3 more points the weekend. It sounded like we were much more competitive if not the well oiled machine as yet. Happy birthday tomorrow DOR, it’s also our kids, March 7th 1963, and he’s usually pretty lucky with Villa popping in with a win when a game falls on his birthday, so lets hope you both get that birthday present eh!!
Huddy 0 – Villa 2 again
Yes happy birthday tomorrow dor, have a good day.
Samba playing for u23, looks fit as a fiddle to be fair to him. Bloody huge man.
Off to play some dominos…
DOR,
Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow….yopped off with a Villa win…!!!
Well it seems that love was in the air on June7th . . . . 9 months later and it’s my son’s birthday tomorrow too.
HaPPy BiRThDaY everyone!!
Yep – every day is a birthday! 😀
U23 won 2-1. Lyden back from njury off the bench to score.
Yes Lydon’s pass also created the foul for the penalty & also got the younger lads together, another leader.
Will be good to see him back on the bench for the 1st team.
Not knowing anything about them, I did a bit of basic research on Huddersfield Town AFC. They’re a proud bunch.
Got this from Wiki: In 1926, Huddersfield became the first English club to win three successive league titles, a feat which only three other clubs have matched, and none has bettered. They also won the FA Cup in 1922.
Will be a tough game, Iana. Preview up.