Following last weekend’s draw to Burton Albion, Villa now face two sides above them in the table in quick succession: Reading at home on Saturday and Fulham away on Tuesday.
Fortunately, latest word from the club is that Jonathon Kodjia, Andre Green, and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy are all fit. One also hears that Gabby is back from his torn hamstring, but I can’t see how that will influence anything. Apart from Bjarnason and de Laet, that means Steve Bruce basically has the entire squad at his disposal.
The team sheet for today’s clash has a bit of an interesting twist, though, with Amavi in for Neil Taylor, while Bruce goes with Adomah, Bacuna, Hourihane, Lansbury in midfield. I’ve not seen anything about Taylor picking up a knock, but he’s not on the bench. Neither are Andre Green, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, or Mr. Agbonlahor. We’ll see how much of this is about rotation and being match fit when we see the squad taking the field at Craven Cottage.
Today, though, Villa host a Reading side sitting fifth, and they’re the only outfit in the top 10 with a negative goal differential. Which is rather unusual. Regardless, they’re 15 points better off than Villa, having won seven more games.
Scorelines like last week’s 7-1 thrashing at Norwich explain the Royal’s differential, and here’s hoping the same away form is on display again today. However, given that Reading remain in the promotion race, one assumes they’ll want to make some kind of statement to themselves and put a little more distance between themselves and both Wednesday and Fulham.
The sides last met in October and the Villans were 2-1 winners at the Madejski Stadium in a match featuring an equalizer and last-minute game-winner from the penalty spot. Remember Jordan Ayew? He got the winner on 90 minutes. Who else but Jonathon Kodjia opened the scoring for Villa…Jaap Stam wasn’t happy with our “anti-football.” We were quite happy with any win on the road.
With the season winding down, we’re all obviously looking for improvement as Villa play out the remaining fixtures. We’ve ‘seen’ Bruce frustrated on the touchline, and we’ve heard him talking about all the things we’re discussing: better in possession, better conversion rate, better on the ball, and so on. The trick is when do these things start being visible.
Regardless of whether everyone at Villa Park has given up on the promotion bid, and perhaps because they likely have, Villa really ought to try and carry the game to Reading.
In short, play with some freedom and treat Saturday’s match like the season opener in the 2017-18 campaign. Would be the perfect time to make some sort of statement of our own.
The Author
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.Comments 172
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Villa: Johnstone, Hutton, Chester, Baker, Amavi, Jedinak, Lansbury, Bacuna, Hourihane, Adomah, Kodija
And the subs: Sarkic, Richards, Elphick, Hogan, Bree, Gardner, Grealish.
0-1 ;-(
Not an ideal beginning…
Their tired JC 😉
Well, well, well…Game on?
At reading Gardner and Westwood pressed high up the pitch, hope we can remember how
1-1 chester from a corner
Ha…Yeah, I dunno, Mark. I’m a bit surprised Bruce didn’t freshen things up, but they’ve had a few days, and it seems like he wants to persist with what he thinks will be the core of the team. Perhaps Green et al weren’t necessarily ready to risk?
JC- maddening thing is reading are nothing special
No…In fact, I don’t really think anyone in the league besides Newcastle has a better roster. If nothing changes, we have to be front-runners from the off next season. If we’re not…
And there’s no reason we shouldn’t be expecting to win all our remaining games this season.
We still play like we are tied to our half
I dunno about needing to freshen things up against two teams that are pushing hard for the play-offs.
I can understand Bruce’s dilemma … bring in the youngsters and he could be on a hiding to nothing. But I think he wants to see how the experienced and regular players faire over these two games … and also to try to finish in the top-10.
It does seem as though Villa forget their lines after the first 15 minutes in recent matches!
JL,
It is a dilemma. Bruce will be feeling some pressure to have a decent spot in the final table, want to work the team he’ll be playing next season.
And yes, I have no idea why we start so well and then seem to lose our way.
The Beeb says: “Villa are playing an expansive style here, with their full-backs flying forward at every opportunity.”
Wow! Expansive … or expensive! 😉
JL- It doesn’t change, same hesitancy its like a Mexican standoff . I’m not talking playing 4-5 youngsters one would do
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1lPKqZMjodNGb?q=astonvilla
JL- thats rubbish honestly the wm lads are saying we need to up the tempo as Reading should be 3-1 up, very ponderous stuff, even then amavi is making mistakes at left back but who’s in front of him? Lansbury?
Well, the Beeb has just said that “was a highly entertaining 45 minutes of football.”
Sounds good to me. Looking at the stats it’s about equal, and is equal in goals.
JL- Are you listening to it? I am, its not entertaining, Lansbury and Hourihane are virtually anonymous and we are generally parked in our end. BBC must be on Crack Cocaine 😉
1-2 yes entertaining 🙁
And not a great start to the second.
21 seconds bloody useless
Bloomin’ ‘eck … Villa must have drunk too much champagne at h-t! 😉
(Do you know that actually happened once?! In an FA Cup match in 1887. Villa winning 3-0 at h-t and scrambled thru 3-2.)
Well, Villa are winning 3-2 on corners…
Reading team put together for £7.5m £5m for Tishbola and he is at Forest
JL- whoopee 😉 I once played in a game where we went in 5-0 down and won 5-6, it was quite windy 🙂
A Villa fan writes to the Express match report blog: “Decent first half from The Villa boys. Better than most of our wins over the last 6 weeks. Just lacking that little cutting edge “
It’s now reported: “Jedinak to centre-back, Baker to left-back. Change had to be made.”
Obviously Amavi showing his lack at the back.
Hogan on for Amavi in fact.
Amavi has really had a disappointing season. If he can’t defend at this level, there’s no point keeping him.
“Jedinak back into midfield. Bacuna now playing as left-back. “
Well, he’s throwing them all in now.
Jedinak back to c-b! Baker replaced by Grealish.
Oh dear…How can we be so inept?
Oops.
Bacuna obviously out of practice as a left-back!
3-1 to reading from pen, can’t score can’t defend 14 off the play offs, it was ten when he turned up
jc
if you want to play amavi as a left back play a balanced midfield in front not 4 central players
now bruce do honourable thing as he has failed miserably walk away before you inflict the fat fraud next week on us
JG yes he goes forward your buggered
James,
A (not the only) problem today was clearly the left-back slot. Amavi selected there when he’s a known weakness there. And then to put Bacuna there.
I think it shows how much difference Taylor had made to that position. But where’s the cover?
Villa have had more shots than Reading, but … BBC: “Their shots have either lacked accuracy or been blocked by some determined Reading defending.”
jl
bacuna walked straight back into team?
our defensive set last few weeks has really bluffed some people
i said before hourriane and lansby can t play in same team
mutton should be put out to grass same with keeper
we should have went 442 with llayers in natural positions
JL- its been the same since game 1, we just cannot score the amount we should have and the midfield is still poor
JG,
Yeah, still searching for our best XI and the set-up for them. This is not where we should be right now.
jc
30 games in and bruce is still clueless, signs birr doesnt play him, relying on codja goals and a soon to be 34 year old jedi
Immediate Post-match Thought
I’m finally coming to agree that Bruce lacks some imagination, and perhaps a bit more than I thought.
Not to say he can’t get us promotion, but that may be as much as he can do.
I’ll sleep on the rest of my thoughts. If it had been a well-fought draw today I wouldn’t have minded, but that result doesn’t go down well in my book.
Still, we may well win 3-1 at Fulham on Monday … with 2 youngsters playing! 🙂
Can’t help feeling sorry for Amavi as it was his fault that we lost today. He gave away goals at the start of each half and I doubt he will have as bad a game of football again for as long as he plays.
Hutton our man of the match again and you have to give the guy credit bearing in mind the criticism (some of it justified) that he received through the first half of the season.
We weren’t great today and Reading were full of energy but despite that we could easily have won it. Hogan missed an absolute sitter and both Kodjia and Chester had clearcut chances to bring it back to 2-2.
Jack and Hogan looked rusty when they came on and it will be interesting to see if they get a proper run out on Monday.
Robbo- he has to find a way of getting the midfield on the front foot and the team to move up as a team, the goals situation has been the same all season for what reason I cannot say, same under both managers with different players
Mark, you’re right that we are not breaking as fast as we should and there was a real contrast with the way Reading were able to breakaway with both numbers and speed.
Having said that we did none the less look dangerous and I think actually created more chances than the opposition, several of them being clearcut.
robbo- I don’t disagree we had the chances but we have spent all season under Bruce letting Kodjia get on with it, we are to far away from him. worrying that Bruce talks but nothing changes
Reading managed the game extremely well after they scored their second goal. It wasn’t great to watch, but they slowed it down, wasted time and just broke things up so well that we struggled to get any momentum going.
Dunno what Kodjia did to upset the ref but he clearly didn’t want to give him the benefit of any doubt today.
But for Amavi’s absolute nightmare the referee would have been the worst performer out there today.
Mark, he did bring Hogan on to keep Kodjia company but unfortunately he unsurprisingly looked really rusty today.
Jack seems to have lost his arrogance and he needs to find it again, ideally before the end of this season.
Mark, you’ve mentioned a few times now the number of points off 6th place after RDM left and the number now.
If Bruce had brought no improvement and we had continued losing points at the same rate as under RDM (which I believe we would) then we would now be in the relegation zone. . . but you presumably would have been much happier because we wouldn’t have Steve Bruce.
Yes thats right Robbo I would be overjoyed because we all know RDM wouldn’t of got any wins for ever and ever, especially against those bottom teams he never got to play.
I have mentioned it because its true whereas as “I believe we would be in the relegation zone if RDM had stayed ” is just your opinion and unprovable. Bruce had a bad spell that if continued we would be in trouble on 39 points and 2nd from bottom but it didn’t.
Evening all, sorry but I do promise that this will be my last word on this blog ever.
The recent comments following our good run of victories and only two goals conceded have been only too expected. I said to others that once we didn’t win i.e. our 1-1 draw – that the knives would be back out and that words like ”Mutton” would be brought out again ….. and of course the request for Bruce to resign. I feel embarrassed for the team that after years of neglect some people cannot recognize progress however small it may be.
I obviously do not have the patience of JL, Andrew, Robbo etc and therefore withdraw totally from this blog as many others have done before me. Which brings me some sadness. And that should not surprise anyone except the usual gloom mongers and those who joyously seem to want the villa to fail.
Also it seems like some are almost getting abusive to people like JL who is just stating a balanced opinion.
I truely wish you all well and hope that at some point balanced opinions can be the norm and not the same old vitriol against the players and manager.
Iana – I have tried to make friends with you on FB, would like to have some form of contact with you. Try Peter.plc@btinternet.com
JL – I saw your message re your books etc and would be very interested to take your next book. How can I contact you?
Take care all and I hope that I never find certain of you next to me at VP or else I will take your heads off lol ……. oh and Mark, what would you do without your ‘winking’ smilies?
With respect, oldvilla
What would I do without them old Villa? the same as JL would mate or is it ok for him to use them? For someone who is all about balance and tolerance you appear to be neither to me . I will add that several Bloggers have stopped posting on here because you complained about their opinions directly and you are doing the same now, in fact the majority of bloggers that have left held similar views that certainly would not be looked at kindly.
I can honestly say that this blog has become a shadow of its former self where nobody took it to seriously and you could have a laugh and some banter, some good characters that could fall out a make up without throwing the toys out of the pram, I don’t know about a villan, I feel like a pantomime Villan. why do people try to turn it into some sterile environment?
Mark: “I can honestly say that this blog has become a shadow of its former self where nobody took it too seriously”
Whilst I agree that footie is something to be more light-hearted about than not, you (and others, including myself) have points of view that are *not* just to have a laugh but are expressions of a connection with something that we were rather proud of. Namely Aston Villa.
I suppose we are worried about how this club came to be where it is and how it can revert to it’s proper station.
So when views are expressed, they are surely not for the sake of “having a laugh” – are they?
Puzzled, of Hodge Hill. 😉
r0bb0,
I’ve looked at the highlights a couple of times and though I couldn’t see much evidence of Villa being dominant, they certainly missed 2 or 3 – but so did Reading miss one glorious chance.
From the little I saw I still think that what we have now in terms of personnel is better than what we had under RdiM. But I’ll wait to see the Monday match before I say anything more.
Mark G – ” I will add that several Bloggers have stopped posting on here because you complained about their opinions directly and you are doing the same now, in fact the majority of bloggers that have left held similar views that certainly would not be looked at kindly.”
My very final word is that emails I have received tonight say exactly the opposite of what you have said. I only hinted at opinions expressed by two posters and no more. I think that yet again you are reading what you want to into peoples posts and not what is actually said.
But that won’t be a problem any more so enjoy your life, cheer up a bit and support your team. Which is the Villa btw.
Yours in total Villa support and wishing everyone a happy few seasons with Gabby as manager and Sir Alan Hutton as assistant ……………………..
oldvilla
Mark, you’re right that neither of us can ‘know ‘what would have happened if RDM had stayed.
You’ve used the ‘statistic’ that we were only 10 points off the play offs when RDM left and we’re 14 off now as if to say things have got worse. I thought you were saying it tongue in cheek as a joke first but then both you and James have said it again as if you actually think it’s supports your view whereas it obviously does the exact opposite.
james said earlier that Lansbury and Hourihane can’t work together in midfield. I don’t know enough about football tactics to know if there’s anything in that but I was trying to think back to a game where they ‘have’ both performed well and I’m not sure I can. Today, Hourihane did pretty well but I didn’t see so much of Lansbury. . . I’ll be looking out for it in future games.
JL, although Villa were dominant for periods of the game I’d have said that overall Reading were the better side today.
It wasn’t that their players seemed individually better (although Mendes was a bit of a beast) but they did seem to play with more purpose than us (apart from the indefatigable Hutton) .
On balance I reckon we created more clearcut chances and seemed to have a decent shout for a penalty ourselves.
Overall, a frustrating second half Which yet again showed that we have what it takes to compete with anyone but need to be on top of our game for much longer periods if we’re going to get promotion next season.
I’ve had a very long association with the site, and I’m not sure that anything’s changed, balance-wise. There’s always been a debate about where we’re at. Can’t ever recall everyone being in agreement about anything. Except maybe that Lerner needed to go.
Am I missing something?
(I’ve come in for a bit of abuse once in a rare while, but you expect that when you put your thoughts up in an article.)
Agreed John, when things are going comparatively well there’s a predominance of positive posters and when we’re losing then the balance shifts towards the glass half empty brigade.
Over the past 5 years there’s not been much to be positive about so there probably were more negative posters than there are just now but it’d only take a couple more losses and you’d struggle to find a happy clapper on here again.
Indeed, r0bb0…as it ever it was. 🙂
Hi ya all.
It’s a chirpy Sunday morning here in Masterton.
The football was a bit disappointing, yeah feel for Amavi. We knew he has deficiencies in defence. He is skilled, so why does he pretty much make the same mistakes?
Old Villa.
Just keep posting. Depression will make things seem worse than they are. I agree that there is no place for abuse whatsoever, but very few are abusive here. Hope you keep commenting. It’s good to hear from veteran Villans.
Bet they have nice Easter eggs there.
JL
It’ll be interesting to see the next match, see if the drop in form is just a blip (unlikely), or something deeper. It’s a good thing that we’re seeing this now before next season. It can be fixed. The solution is in Dr. Xia’s hands.
I’d like to see a little more responsibility/pressure applied to Grealish, Murphy and Greene in preparation for next year. If they’re good enough, they’ll be fine. Can Grealish play up front? or is he too soft? I want to see Green score. He strikes me as the kind that once he does, will keep going. It’s better to apply the pressure now since promotion is a no longer an issue.
Clive
Hope you survived the relatives and the brush cutting.
Shame your Brumbies couldn’t hang on. The Rebs came out firing on all cylinders. My team lost, but the better team won on the night. I rate Laumape higher than SBW. SBW made some good breaks, but the errors cost his side. Laumape is in form. Jordy Barret will be an AB. His brother’s tactical kicking has really improved. I enjoyed the game, even though, the Canes won.
Robbo/JC
Well said.
old villla- put them up here then because anything else is sneaking about in the background and better left unsaid. That said we all have our crosses to bare and nobody really knows anyone personally on here it takes a bit of trust. all the best mate sincerely no smiley face shit.
Anything I say is said with the evidence I have at hand, I’m not sorry if it doesn’t fit its how I see things.I don’t agree about the balance or negative to positive posts either, so called negative posters have left ( for gawds sake I have been on both sides) anyhow folks peace and love
Mark
Yes, you used to be positive for years. Guess circumstances have taught us all to be sceptical.
Happy Easter to all.
UTV
Seems most of the fans at the game left disappointed and are looking forward to Blues’ clash later. Most seem to think that Reading were average, but, for whatever reason, individual Villa players were making too many basic errors. Those are fair views. There’s still a lot of building, reinforcing and trips to the dump in Villa’s rebuild.
There won’t be any complacency from most fans. It is a good thing most have their eyes open.
Iana. . . is that Masterton NZ?
<b.Further Thoughts…
I’m thinking that we show predominant weakness in two main areas … left-back and midfield (still).
The signing of Taylor seemed to have solved the l-b issue, but clearly there’s no adequate cover.
In midfield, James has probably sussed correctly that Hourihane and Lansbury don’t seem to achieve much together, although individually I like them.
But – and I think this is where Bruce is short – if we had the dynamicism of Green on the wing it would stretch the opposition and may well give Lansbury and Hourihane more room to strut their stuff.
I am tending to agree now that Bruce is over-cautious. That is our downfall it would seem. We didn’t even have Green on the bench yesterday.
Let’s hope that Bruce sees that is the main shortcoming and does something about it tomorrow.
robbo
Yes, it is.
JL
Spot on. Those issues you mention appear to be the problems that need immediate action.
This is a cracker from Bruce 🙂
ON PLAYING TWICE IN 48 HOURS
“I don’t know why we’re playing today and we have to be asked again to play on Monday.
It’s a big advantage to Fulham. We’ll see where we are.
It’s because of the church? I’ll go and say a prayer when I go out!”
lots of people wondering why Bacuna keeps playing and apparently Adomah played on the left?
Taylor has an injury so not likely for monday.
With Lansbury and Hourihane I think Bruce has created his own Gerrard and Lampard problem, both good players that on paper should work together but don’t because they want to dictate play and occupy the same spaces. One has to take a back seat and allow the other to play but it seems both are not playing their natural game instead.
This to me highlights the danger of having money without the foresight to see how players will blend, I think when the manager has to find players on the cheap he will find parts to the puzzle that compliment rather than splash out on the latest player to score 6 and assist 15 etc if he’s good enough. Bruce has done it before but has never had the funds he has now.
we need a player of the quality of Mooy at Huddersfield as a DM IMO and I still hope RMC gets over his troubles and comes back to play with Hogan.
Mark
It would be good to see RMC come right. That would be best for all. Steve Bruce, if he said that, is acting like a lost tit.
john l
amavi best efforts are going forward so bruce plays him at lb with no cover on left side of midfield madness,
last few weeks we have been set up with 8 men in our half, so no room to get through our defence, bar greece winning euros many years ago youwont build a league side like this
bacuna walks straight back into side why,when we started winning bruce had bare squad now players back from injury suspenion back to january mode complete clueless
why not green starting yesterday before injury really looking good,bruce put him on as sub in games we where hanging on literally he was only attacker on field and things didnt fall for him
richards on the bench why
just seen the goals from yesteday amavi gave ball away for 1st goal close to halfway line 3 villa defenders all failed to stop it, 2nd goal amavi failed to cut out ball well out field yet hutton and chester had 1 man in box to mark and hey presto hutton running behind reading player to leave tap in,same at burton hutton was at fault, but because he runs about a bit for 40thousand a week he is worth new contract
James,
Yes, but with Taylor at l-b the defence has held pretty well these last few weeks, so it seems to me that Amavi’s lack of cover confuses the rest of ’em.
I think we’re agreed on Green. Too good to leave out i.m.o.
Bacuna is in because Bruce reckons his motor is effective. But he’s such a patchy player, and perhaps Green would have held up better.
That’s the key problem with Bruce … his selection betrays his defensive instincts – essentially including people with work-rate capability. Which is fine, but you need that bit of extra spark to score.
A pretty fair assessment of the state of Villa in the Mail, i.m.o…..
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-things-aston-villa-changed-12900537
Iana- It tickled me but I was amazed he did not know why the game was not on friday? surely you would ask?
JL- Again the loss of one player sinks the team, how will we get through next season if we lose Taylor,Jedinak and Kodjia? never known a team so fragile
jl
did you watch highlights of goals, all 3 goals even penalty plenty men back in defence not one of them taken charge,still think amavi hard done by
on to team when you play jedi, you need 2 more central midfielders to be his engine,maybe why the 433 worked for few results not performances
Mark: “how will we get through next season if we lose Taylor,Jedinak and Kodjia? never known a team so fragile”
Well, I can’t believe that the time between now and August won’t be spent on strengthening the team. Two or three more players should do it.
James,
I don’t see that as being the solution (to the ‘team’ matter). I just think that putting a dynamic player like Green would sort things out – it would give the opposing defence something to worry about and create space in the centre.
Notice that it was the Jedi that was at the byline to pull back a pass for Hogan to put over the top?
JL-I hope you are right, two or three players added to this lot or should I say this lot and the way we approach matches seems to little to me considering Amavi, Bacuna and several others will probably/should go we would be drastically short on numbers and no better off if they stayed in some instances. Bruce is still saying Gabby has a big part to play, cannot wait for next season 🙂
Heres Wagner talking about his team, emphasis is on the team, unlike our lot unfortunately.
“Speaking about the late, late winner Town head coach David Wagner said: “That sums up what we have seen from the team this season.”
“When one player makes a mistake another one steps forward. That’s what we are all about.
“It was one hell of a win. It was pure entertainment with a happy end for us. It was a fantastic performance.”
Mark,
Yes, I imagine that some players (probably those you’ve mentioned) will go and be replaced by more effective players. Don’t forget that Bruce has already acquired a young left-back who we’ve not seen yet, plus 2 or 3 youngsters (Green included) that surely will break through.
jl
bruce signed a right back and we havent seen much of him either
but do we need /shift out
need
keeper, centrehalf centre midfield and depending who we can shift
JL- my picks would be Green, Lyden, Mason and RHM ,there are others but thats a winger a striker a DM/box to box and a CB/RB/DM .
James, Amavi wasn’t hard done by yesterday, he just had an awful game and he knew it . I don’t know where in the ground you were but he was just in front of us for his first bad mistake and had his head in his hands. After another mistake one of his team mates came over to put his hand on his shoulder and encourage him . . . . . it was just a bad day at the office . . . we all have them some days.
Mark, I’m less ‘concerned’ about who we may lose and more ‘interested’ in who we will gain. . . . my glass still half full you see.
Was Green fit yesterday? If so, it seems surprising that he wasn’t even on the bench.
I wonder if Bruce had judged that without Taylor being available (and De laet still injured) We would be too exposed down the left with both Amavi and Green down that side, neither of whom are picked for their defensive skills.
there you go again robbo half reading comments and then you are right, never said anything about been at game ,said amavi was hard done by critism of goals,first goal 3 villa defenders behind him when he lost ball closer to half way line than penalty area, 2nd goal chester and hutton had 1 player between them and couldnt stop it, 3rd goal penalty 2of our defenders replaced by attackers and whenpenalty was conceded hutton not in picture and yet think you said he was man of match ,what did he do
Gabby
Interesting Gabby stats here, showing that up to 2015 he was still creating a good number of chances even though he wasn’t scoring many…
http://www.squawka.com/news/bruce-challenges-agbonlahor-to-work-his-way-back-into-the-team-after-just-11-aston-villa-appearances-this-season/934619#lbf4zyOhPjDOomt7.97
James, immediately after the game I thought that Hutton was our best performer and said so.
Seems the Birmingham Mail agree https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-player-ratings-who-12899333.amp
He’s had a few of those recently and I’ve also seen it suggested that he’s been one of our best players this season.
I’d agree with that although I’d have him third behind Kodjia and Chester.
JL,
I’d agree, the Mail article was a pretty good summary.
James, sorry for assuming you were at the game but as it would be impossible for you to judge what sort of game Amavi had if you hadn’t actually seen the game I jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Robbo- I couldn’t care less about most of our players if they cant play as a team replace them or coach them don’t care which, My glass will be fully full in about half an hour with not a hint of feeling miserable in sight. surprised you would put Hutton above Jedinak considering his impact on the team.
Mark
Fair point on Jedinak. . . . Should have had him second, Chester 3rd Hutton 4th
James, it’s not just me that thought Amavi had a bad game: http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/16/do-jordan-amavis-reading-display-suggests-aston-villa-face-tough/
He knew it himself, holding his head in his hands, shaking his head etc
To his credit though, he didn’t hide and he kept trying. Would love to see him show character and come back stronger in his next game.
I was very critical of Johnson Two months ago so I’m pleased that he’s proved me wrong over the last few games. Would hope we can keep him now.
It would be nice for those who’ve been critical of Hutton swallow their pride and admit that he deserves praise for his performances and how he’s applied himself in every game ‘despite’ the criticism from the ‘fans’
Here’s another set of player ratings that had him as our highest rated player:
http://readastonvilla.com/2017/04/15/villa-player-ratings-reading-h/?index=11
The writer of this article, to his credit, didn’t have a good word for Hutton either a month or so ago
Well if McGrath is positive . . . . that’s good enough for me
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/16/paul-mcgrath-thanks-steve-bruce-and-aston-villa-following-recent/
Strange that negativity or an opposing view on Villa should lead to a member removing themselves from posting on this blog, as I see this is the one place where there is maturity of thought, conviction of opinion and no resorting to name-calling which are the reasons why I post on this one and read the others.
I’ve the height of respect for JL and Mark who I see as the chief protagonists/contributors on this blog (without any disrespect to any other member) and all the better they have opposing views sometimes lost in interpretation but that is what makes a blog.
I think we’d all agree that at backroom and ownership level we are a far cry from the Lerner years and hopefully we’ll bear the fruits of those changes at youth level and its development in the future.
For the first team, we have players that are not burdened by the previous years debacles but I do believe that they are far from the finished article, they don’t allow me any degree of comfort that we are moving in the right direction and it may be one step forward, two steps back for some time but in the context of promotion at all costs (understandably so) the team has been rushed together and are not very coherent in how they play. Let’s hope that changes.
Which brings me to the manager, given the oft repeated don’t talk about about how the manager has performed until he started winning games in Feb then for that period we did well in terms of points on the board but I don’t believe the quality of football has improved in that timeframe irrespective of our current blip, not looking for Barcelona type football but better control of the ball, imposing our way of playing on the opposition, giving them the questions to answer and allowing us the comfort of seeing a brighter future, if we have recently slipped off the rails because psychologically the players know we can’t get to 6th spot then it’s the manager that needed to instil that desire.
As it is, the players if they read what Bruce has said, they must be getting similarly mixed messages on the training pitch, do we blood the youth, do we pretend that finishing 9th or 10th is that different to finishing 11th or 12th, do we go all out and experiment with formation and personnel treating competitive games as pre-season friendlies.
It’s up to Bruce to make the remaining games relevant for this season or next season so bar the Small Heath game, which fans will make relevant for the players given very few have that connection with Villa, Bruce has to work out what to do for the remaining games and send a clear message to the players.
If this blog is to survive then tear strips off my opinion or agree where you want to, I’d love OldVilla to remain, just as I’d love Frem, B62, Runtings, ST75 even Matt to contribute again regularly, it’s only by posting, debating, slagging, agreeing, disagreeing that the blog remains alive. The blog needs opinion and as I said before any suggestion that opinion should be banned for not being in agreement with the concensus then there should be some degree of moderation on here that reminds people that all opinion is allowed and encouraged. It would be a shame if this blog was allowed to peeter away.
Darren
That’s right, we don’t want it to peeter out. Disagreement and disappointment are just as much a part of life as agreement and satisfaction. I got a reminder of that last Monday when a friend that was living at my place died in a hospice. It sucked, but that’s reality. People at his service remembered the happy times in his life. Those happy times were reality too. Two sides of the coin we call life.
Football and Villa, for us, is a part of life, but it certainly isn’t the most important thing, so there’s no need to take it too seriously when others differ in perspective. No need to be easily offended.
As for Fulham, I see a draw. Hope that midfield gets forward.
Iana: “Football and Villa, for us, is a part of life, but it certainly isn’t the most important thing, so there’s no need to take it too seriously when others differ in perspective.”
That’s the best statement yet made i.m.o. We certainly need to take on board that football – in the midst of all else that’s happening in the world – is a really a distraction and has its own self-contained niche.
Having said that, the history of the club (for me particularly in the early years) is based on a real human story, not just about kicking a ball.
robo
read what i wrote ,amavi got blamed for 2 goals when both times we had ample chance to clear the ball, never once mentioned how he played in match
as for hutton so he runs about a bit,2nd goal v reading was typical hutton wrong side of man,3rd goal when hutton was 1 of 2 defenders left on pitch he wasn t in picture when pen was conceded in right hand side of defence counted 7 villa players in shot, last week at burton goal came from where a right back should be, as did burton shot which hit post
you never answered what he done v reading any goals, assists crosses last gasp tackles,nan didnt think so
James
Correct about hutton imo. Fair enough he has worked hard and put in a shift but thats basic! Still a liabilty, insane picked in font of bree. We have nowt to play for let bree get game time. Same with playing some youth for rest of season. Green, jack, rushden off the bench should be minimum rest of season.
jl,
john not only us bloggers suffering,great story on micky drennan who was part of our youth set up few years ago,he went back home to ireland signed for shamrock rovers things didnt go great football wise or health wise so micky packed it in, now back home playing for his sunday morning team,they have got through to junior cup final which will be played at aviva with entry to equivalent
of fa cup for final 2
Old villa
Dont stop posting mate, we are all villans here and i respect everyone on here, all post great points.
Apart from mark about rdm 🙂
andrew
only game i would hold youth back is sunday, other wise play 2/3 every match today would go
sarkic
bree chester baker amavi
adoamh houirane lansby green
hogan kodja
save jedi for weekend
only way for player to get bad game out of system is play quick
Not sure its correct to say mark and james etc are different to myself and robbo, jl.
The truth of where we are at is prob in between are views.
1. Not easy at all coming in mid season, on top of that new players in jan. See peps struggles at man city this season!
2. The football should be def more inspiring than it is.
3. Bruce will be results first, entertainment second manager.
4. I have been as leniant as i can with bruce and villa this season. Next season there are no excuses. We should be in the top 6 all season and challenging top two. My judgement on bruce will be made christmas time.
Could you believe it the first game on the tele for months and my old mom has called a family dinner and she hasn’t got sky! torn between taking my ipad and watch it on sky go or recording it 🙂
On the positive side I get to see some of my family that don’t support anyone (doesn’t happen often) and my mom makes great Yorkshire pudding 🙂
DOR- well said mate and does that mean I have to much time on my hands 🙂
I like a good debate and I’ll give my tuppenth worth on a subject if I have an opinion on it, but it will be my opinion and attempting to change it by telling me I should does not persuade me one bit, Nor will ignoring my points that make up my argument, they may not sit with you but they are as based in fact as I can make them, but it is my opinion and not set in concrete.
I am not particularly angry when I type nor overjoyed, Bruce has got some results the positive bit yet the mentality appears to be the same, brittle. Might be that the players are leaning on 2-3 others in the squad for there confidence and shape and when they are not there shit happens.
What I find really strange is that because of my viewpoint posters assume that I am miserable or incapable of being happy or seeing anything positive. I have thousands of viewpoints on things and life in general some deemed alternative,positive or Negative depending very much on the viewpoint of the person listening. If it invokes an emotion in you then ask yourself why you maybe feel angry/sad etc toward me/my thoughts.
I miss all the posters that had a strong opinion like Steamer and ST75, B62, Jenny, Runtings and many more who gave this blog life and a feeling of family, I have agreed and disagreed with them all so the stats say over my time on here I have been quite balanced compared to some.
I have seen moments when a few unmentionables have hurled abuse at a member that was swiftly dealt with by the rest and told to do one, I find it strange that having stood up many times for others opinions on here that things have now gone the way they have but hey thats life 🙂
James
Yeah man at least 3 youth should be in team now.
How ever much the players, manager say we have lots to play for season not over etc the fact is the players are on the beach allready and talkng about holls. Just the way it is when nothing to play for.
Playing some kids might just balance it out with them wanting to impress.
Make no mistake, fulham will beat us today, they will play like they mean it, run harder, faster.
Mark
Keep posting man and saying things as you see it mate.
Enjoy your roast!
Andrew: “Make no mistake, fulham will beat us today, they will play like they mean it, run harder, faster.”
When I think of Fulham, I think of season 1965-66 when early in the season we won 6-3 at their place … and later lost 2-5 at VP! A few weeks later I happened to be in London and went to see Fulham play Leicester, who won 6-2!! A certain Derek Dougan played for Leicester that day (and won everything in the air), while BobbyRobson and Allan Clarke were playing for Fulham.
If Bruce experiments aka gives some youths a run out then the score/result is immaterial it’s how they perform that counts.
If Bruce goes with a best available 11 then a draw will be a good result to get the hangover of the too recent Reading game out of the system.
Hoping Bruce goes with youth so I can see that he is using these games as competitive pre-season games
Andrew- I intend to mate don’t worry or maybe you should 😉
On your point one, Bruce got 35 games thats nearly a prem season and quite frankly a lot of games to go nowhere, and a huge jan window. He took over a squad that just maybe had begun to Gel having been together complete for about 5 matches and had not gone on a huge losing streak either, minor tweaks to the midfield rather than parking the bus may have served us better. months later we are still not putting the chances away enough and committing silly errors again.
Mark
Yes. I was hoping we would see some better footy, and a definite style and formation to take into next season but not sure what our best formation is yet?!
Are we wasting these games which are free hits?
Fulham are a very good footballing side Tom Cairney is the type of player I’d like to see at Villa in the summer. If we play like Saturday they will drub us and I cannot see that Bruce will change tack as he does not like losing and is quite risk adverse in his approach, I hope he does experiment or at very least let them off the leash
andrew- well baring in mind where we were in Jan/feb with Wyness saying his jobs safe and its a two year project then he’s hands are free to do whatever he chooses, I think the winning streak although Admirable masked our many problems. Incredible when you look at our players that we struggle to pass and retain the ball, either they are not comfortable on the ball or they are to focused on staying in their positions to provide options?
There are two things that could be going on at Villa
one is that we are seeing a manager playing as we do because he see’s them as incapable of playing a more expansive game or two its Bruces style.
In my mind he brought in attacking midfielders to add goals but that left the defence wide open as the team provided no cover for them as happened under RDM quite often due to lack of numbers in midfield or the wide players being less defensively inclined and the fullbacks told to push on. We have brought in players but not addressed that aspect of the team is my guess and I am not sure 2-3 players will cut it in the summer.
Mark
Seen villa a fair bit…no doubt the players are being told to stand off and defend. Not engaging the opposition. Bruce has opted to tighten it up and grind the results.
Hourihan and lansbury alot more effective going forward than showing, being allowed.
Look how much hourihans assists and goals have dried up since villa move.
Andrew- I agree it cannot be that Villa just continually buy poor players that miraculously looked good elsewhere
sheff utd look a good side
DOR,
Well said. We don’t tend to do much moderation, as it’s generally not been required. There’s enough diversity of viewpoint that the best approach is generally for people just to ignore posts, or the posters with whom they quibble.
If more moderation is needed, it can be provided. But one would like to think folks can just use common sense and act as if they were in a public space talking to each other as fellow supporters.
I’ll also get a preview of sorts up before the game so there’s a fresh thread to comment on. Easter commitments messed up my scheduling. Apologies.
Yeah blades and bolton coming up looks like. Billy sharp scores a few.
JL- have you seen the book launch on AVFC?
https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2010/09/28/tayls-and-tony-give-new-history-book-the-thumbs-up
Andrew- Samir Carruthers has just came on 🙂
Yeah see that.
Villa 352 bree gg and jack in
Mark,
The book you refer to is an update of the one they produced in 2010. It’s basically an excellent book of stats.
“Bruce got 35 games thats nearly a prem season and quite frankly a lot of games to go nowhere”
In fairness 31 games to date! 😉
Sorry, you still harp on about the past when so much needed sorting out. And he’s done a lot of that – except you don’t think much of what he’s done! Well, you can’t satisfy everyone, but can we please start making fresh points instead of old ones that are getting a bit hackneyed … please?
No, this is not me trying to stop anyone from voicing opinions, but I think we need to freshen it up a bit rather than state the same thing in varying forms over and over. Again … please! 😉
Whilst I applaud the introduction of “youth”,I am disappointed by the omission of Green and the inclusion of GG,who,in football terms no longer falls into that category.GG has had chance after chance and has not impressed (me) at all.I don’t question his attitude,which is first class,merely his ability at this level.
Grealish,has lots of ability,but he needs to learn how to play a game for 94 minutes,running with the ball and little else,does not a good player make.He needs to learn when to run with the ball and when to release it.For some this is instinctive,others require coaching.I expect a loss today.Good luck to you all.
P.S.
The above opinion is based on the truth,the whole truth and nothing but my truth so help me McGrath.
Back home with an internet connection, & just almost caught up with the comments.
OldVilla keep posting mate & ignore anyone who’s post winds you up, let it go, give it time & start again, & JC & DOR have it right.
Thanks for the information about sky MK as I was also in a sky & TV free zone.
Yes Amavi was mistake ridden on saturday, everyone at the back seemed a little off colour & why Bacuna was playing I don’t know as he always makes more mistakes than most.
Maybe Bruce is giving him a last chance before he is replaced in the summer.
GG is a much more solid alternative for a reserve.
Yes, lets hope Jack wakes up today with 2 forwards to serve.
Nice to see Bree.
Oh well K off
Only plus I can think of after seeing the match on tv, is that Hepburn-Murphy came on & Jack scored a lovely goal [but seemed very rusty], other than that it needs a few more departures in the summer, including Bacuna as the midfield needs sorting out.
We don’t seem to have gelled yet whenever it doesn’t go to plan A [but today the pride was there] which is an indictment of Bruce & the coaches , & makes me wander if they give the players freedom to play, or whether the coaching is so rigid it is inhibiting, as the full backs were often out of position & the left midfield defensively was very poor.
So far Bruce has nowhere near backed up his words, & this is not the first time this has come up.
Yes there is an improvement from the past, but we’re nowhere near promotion ability as yet, let alone the Premier League.
Lets hope RHM scores a hat trick on Saturday, but I’m probably dreaming.
How come nobody’s used the blog for two days,
Total apathy set in?
sorry not reading it the right way up……doh!
How does that song go: “Oh, what a referee…”
Sends our player off when (if anything) it was the other guy, but if you send Codger off you’ve got to send the other guy as well!
Also – a good Gardner tackle and he gets whistled for it (and a yellow I think) … and then they score a second.
Yes, I agree with B6 that GG has not lived up to his hype, but as IanG says, he’s a better backup than Bacuna. Bacuna has had his chance. So many of the 2015 summer signings (and earlier) could have made names for themselves in this second tier but they’ve really disappointed.
And as for Jack … What do you say. Two world class goals this season … but what else has he done? At the age he is now, I doubt that he’s going to make it as a big player. Hope I’m wrong.
read this on another blog
why did fulham not park the bus when they scored ?
and fulham where 4 pts clear when bruce took over now are 15 clear, but not even that they look like a football side , top in all stats shots passing etc yet we have promotion specialist
john l
only seen small bit of game , but really going 2 up front and jack away from home, when our last home match 1 up front and adoamh played this chopping and changing systems madness
just seen sending off plonker ref another list of decisions against us
Zola gone!
All, many thanks for your messages both on this blog and via email, it is appreciated and I will reply to all emails asap – I’ve had a busy Easter over here in Switzerland!
BUT – if you don’t like my style of writing or the way I talk to certain posters then please tell me to disappear from this blog. Its just that I don’t have the patience that some of you have.
So, let’s begin – today was a disaster ………. referee a complete joke, never a sending off, hopefully it will be rescinded before we meet the relegation candidates aka the neanderthal scum.
James G – as you have constantly berated Lord Alan Hutton in any game the Villa have lost or drawn, I hope you will be doing the same to Bree as he went missing for the first goal today. Just seems fair somehow and would show that you are balanced in your comments.
After I had been shouting at Grealish he scores a great goal – there is talent in that player but how do you get it out in every match? Four managers have tried and failed.
We showed fight and resilience after going behind and then losing Codger – and that Gardner free kick and booking was yet another complete joke which then led to their goal. Surely there are better quality refs on Sunday morning football?
And to reiterate – I don’t knock so caled ‘negative’ poster per se – what I find difficult to handle is the same old, same old comments re Hutton, RDM, which don’t seem to have any substance or real relevance to life at AVFC these days. My view.
Plus – I don’t think Bruce is the total answer and a god to appear at VP performing miracles. I think with a level playing field ie the summer and the start of next season, he can do the job of getting us promoted. If not, as Andrew says by Christmas, then he must go. If he achieves getting us promoted, then I don’t see him as a long term manager. But we’ll see. One step at a time as none of us have the ability to see into the future do we?
So as the Scallies say – calm down, calm down …………….. let the incumbents at VP do what they have to for now and then we can take a view come the early part of next season.
Kuddles and kisses, oldvilla
JL- “Sorry, you still harp on about the past when so much needed sorting out. And he’s done a lot of that – except you don’t think much of what he’s done! Well, you can’t satisfy everyone, but can we please start making fresh points instead of old ones that are getting a bit hackneyed … please?”
Well as I am to be the only poster who’s to be limited to what he can say I’ll ask this, no talking about the past and similar circumstance to show its all going to be ok, No talking about positivity and guessing what the future will bring, seems fair to me.
10 men, 8 men 12 men whatever. It was poor. Cant keep the ball for more than 3 passess.
Zola gone, will be a differnt blues on sunday now. Doh
Oh and if all you positive people out there are so fed up come up with something worth talking about maybe? 😉
Mark;
aah…but in the old days….oops…sorry
Some terrible errors today, second to everything.
Andrew- surely not? I haven’t even watched it yet but got the Gist of it on my phone, don’t worry though it will be all right next season with 2-3 more players.
oldvilla
more come backs than rolling stones the who and any others out there
yes bree got caught for 1st goal ,but to throw him in change the formation go and blame spud for it, and guess what take a look at 3rd goal laughing boy running behind as usual, if you had looked at goals we conceded v burton and reading it was like rolling back the clock with huttonsame crap
and i couldn t care less what you think ,its not your site
Archie- yellow card mate cynical play sir 🙂
just watching the game and Fulhams stats are impressive
shots per game 15.5
open play goals 59
average possession 62.6%
passes per game 574
Passing accuracy 83.4%
everyone of those is better than any other team, just might end up the dark horses
Mark: “Well as I am to be the only poster who’s to be limited to what he can say I’ll ask this, no talking about the past and similar circumstance to show its all going to be ok, No talking about positivity and guessing what the future will bring, seems fair to me.”
I’ve already said I’m not trying to “limit” actual arguments, so why infer I am?
It’s just that sometimes I feel there should be a buzzer that’s sounded and the word “repetition” uttered, as in a famous radio game! 😉
Mark – the stats. Against 10 men I believe?
Mark
3 or 4 players better than whatbwe got will be enough.
The thing to make everything ok will be if bruces comments on being better and progressive on the ball come true.
OldVilla,
Well said!
James G – “oldvilla
more come backs than rolling stones the who and any others out there
yes bree got caught for 1st goal ,but to throw him in change the formation go and blame spud for it, and guess what take a look at 3rd goal laughing boy running behind as usual, if you had looked at goals we conceded v burton and reading it was like rolling back the clock with huttonsame cr*p
and i couldn t care less what you think ,its not your site”
Gobsmacked at your comments. This is why I wanted to leave the site but you have a go at me about that as well. To those of you who questioned why I was leaving – this is the answer. So I will NOT return in case Jame s G takes umbrage again. I am gone completely and utterly from this site.
The end. What a complete twat you are James.
oldvilla
Mark: ” don’t worry though it will be all right next season with 2-3 more players.”
Couldn’t have put it better myself! 😉
Oh, sorry, you’re making fun are you not?
But the thing is a turnaround of 2 or 3 players might just make the difference as to whether we get promoted or not. As to the long term issue then that’s another ball-game and we have to see what develops there … my feeling is that matter is in hand … and not just in Bruce’s court.
JL- Well mate as you were talking directly to me and asking me not to talk about a particular subject you are actually trying to limit what I can say, to say otherwise is just not true, saying please does not make it any different, am I now to think more about who I’m going to upset/bore than write what I am thinking? should change the blog name to 1984 🙂
HJames: “i couldn t care less what you think ,its not your site”
For crying out loud, James!!!!!!!! It’s not your site either!
What makes you write that? You are one of those that claims freedom of speech!
JL thats fulhams stats over this season mate
Mark: “asking me not to talk about a particular subject”
I didn’t ask that at all. I was talking about “repetition” as I’ve already said.
Once you’ve made a point then that should be it … unless clarification is asked for, surely?
Mark: “JL thats fulhams stats over this season mate”
Ah! Thanks for the clarification! 🙂
JL- 2-3 player will make no difference if they play in the manner we do generally as I said earlier you are just guessing it will be ok, our play does not suggest things are better even if results do/did
I think Kodjias red will get turned over poor decision, one among many this season
JL- It is part of this season and shows we started as an attacking team and now struggle to do that to any consistent degree, we even used to have high possession and pressure teams in the first half of games yet fail to do that at all so from my point of view its relevant when talking about progression.
OV+JG 4EVA:)
Old Villa
Hang in there.
You made good comments about the Fulham match. Bad luck JK was sent off the way he was.
Spring must be beautiful there.
Mark: “It is part of this season and shows we started as an attacking team and now struggle to do that to any consistent degree, we even used to have high possession and pressure teams in the first half of games yet fail to do that at all so from my point of view its relevant when talking about progression.”
But the counter argument – in the main – is that Bruce has achieved 14 wins in his 32 matches – first out of players he totally inherited, but found wanting and bought and sold to re-structure the squad. Whether RdiM would have achieved those wins to escape trouble is pure conjecture,.
Let’s not forget that the Doc made a comment that he found a lack of character in RdiM (now found in Bruce) so that may account more than anything for RdiM’s dismissal.
So Bruce has sacrificed the forward play for making sure of getting some points, and more recently with players he has more faith in. Yes – I know – we’ve not seen them be even close to being world-beaters yet, but at least they look more like players that I used to see at VP. 😉
However, everything just now is *still* in a state of flux. As Andrew beautifully states, until Bruce has had a pre-season and made some more (2 or 3 perhaps – I don’t know) squad adjustments and then had a couple of months to see how it all goes in a new season, we can’t draw any conclusions. We may individually have suspicions, but we’re probably all going to be wrong in some way or other.
So until Andrew’s ‘next Christmas’ comes about (or perhaps a bit before) we’re not going to know the reality of where Villa stand. We can have ideas, but we do not have hard facts to pre-judge, I suggest, nor even to talk about “progression”.
Anyway, I think the topic is mostly not worth labouring any more. If you want to keep posting about pre-Bruce days then from now I’ll just refrain from comment.
john l
fed up with oldvilla continually moaning about me,he post on tvb where a lot worse is wrote about mutton and co,i don t name posters but every post he did, at same time he is leaving blaming me ,well don t read what i write
Just to defend myself which is pathetic that I have to do this – James G, I have never posted on the Villa blog (if that’s what you are referring to?). Why would I want to post about you on another blog! The only blog I really thought was decent was this one.
Oldvilla
James,
As I said earlier, perhaps we’re taking the topic of Villa and footie a bit too seriously. I certainly don’t think OV was ever malicious to anyone and I ask that you shouldn’t think he was.
john l
i dont be malicious to anyone on here but players and mangement on 30/40 thousand a week are fair game
JL- Thats your prerogative If you feel you don’t want to comment thats fine they are only my thoughts and not put up here for a gold star, approval or to entertain anyone in particular bar myself.
poor today, good goal by Jack but if that 11 players is a hint at whats to come with minimum additions look out. They are either not good enough or under poor instruction.As Ian G said earlier Bruce is saying the right things but little changes thats a worry because these are not a bunch of inexperienced school boys but International footballers.
Just watched the sky highlights of the game.
Replayed the sending off several times. Nothing there that justified a sending off or even a yellow card. . . Maybe if there’d been some other camera angles we’d have seen something but I think it’s more likely that the ref just cocked it up
Kodjia will need to show some strength of character when he next plays (should be next game unless they have some evidence other than Sky cameras) as he must be feeling a bit victimised after the last two games. He needs to rise above that and just score the last few extra goals to confirm it as a special season for him.
Old Villa I don’t think you’ve said anything that was not relative to the game, or said anything that was inaccurate in any other area, & certainly not out of order, so take no notice our kid.
Hang in there, I’m beginning to think the UK is going down the tube [but not the villa quite yet] & that Switzerland might be a better alternative [except for the football].
lana I’d prefer NZ, but the football is a long way from there, & the rugby & the scenery will only help up to a point.
r0bb0
If that was a kick the football is not a contact sport, but then refereeing is a non contact occupation so what would most of them know.
The linesman must have had supervision the distance he was from the play, & he only saw it from behind so assumed instead of saw as he only saw the direction of codger’s foot.
From the replay it seemed to be a poke rather than a kick, where the other guy deliberately followed through & kicked codger.
JL – on any other day it would have been yellow or no card, but it seemed the linesman wanted to get involved more than codger.
Maybe villa should appeal, but I have no confidence in the suits at the FA, who seem to have caught the same stupid bug as FIFA
Just to make it clear to everyone, I haven’t got the mange!
Nor anything that’s critical, unless you count an asinine attack
MK
if you change too much we’d all be worried mate, & we’d have no one to moan at.
There certainly needs to be an improvement on saturday, I mean Zola could have waited until next week to resign.
But hey ho we have it to do anyway, & RHM looks like he knows how to play with other people, & he certainly runs after the man with the ball with intent.
I hope he starts on saturday.
Cheers, Old Villa….Good to see you.
As for the banter, let’s keep it at that. We’re not all going to agree. That’s life.
As I’ve said more than once, after six years writing on here, I’ve taken a bit of abuse. It’s what happens when you write articles. Fair pops and you learn to live with it. Give your honest opinion. If you keep butting heads with someone, just ignore them. This has always been a site by the fans, for the fans…we’re all on the same side.
As I’ve said more than once, far more often than not, Steamer would be the first to post after I’d written something obviously brilliant: “Great article, JC. I completely disagree with everything you said.”
I’d begun to think I’d failed if I didn’t read that first thing.
And, belatedly, a fresh sheet of paper up.