It’s City, finally, and a funny time to be playing them given their recent form and the 3-3 draw with Spurs. They’re not at their best and they need a win, never mind the three points.

For Villa, it’s inevitably going to be seen as a referendum on both our aspirations and quality. Anytime you’re an outsider dancing around the top 4, well, there are going to be questions until you notch a signal victory. Is tonight the night? No idea. It’s why I don’t bet or make predictions. I’m terrible at them, even if I have pretty good gut feelings.

In Emery’s presser, the stakes were clearly addressed, along with the fact that it’s three points on offer, another match. But he clearly addressed the opportunity to show who Villa are. So, a bit of both-sidesism, but you can understand why. Unai is winless in 11 against Pep, so he’s certainly not new to the challenge.

Me: Sure it’s very significant if we win. Also significant to draw. The only real negative would be to lose badly. To win, though, would be all about building and reinforcing belief.

When it comes to losing badly, the factors most generally of concern are Villa’s high line, Torres and Konsa against Haaland, and City’s press. Doku versus Cash or Konsa could also be a bit of a nightmare. Any one of these consistently going wrong could see Villa in for a long night. So we’ll see how Emery sets things up, and the game plan ought to be obvious early on. Emery pointed out that City do score, which he’s not wrong about. But Villa score, too, and City aren’t airtight at the back. They’re also without Rodri, which probably is significant, much more so than Grealish’s absence given Doku’s arrival.

Another factor is that Villa are now playing European games like City but without the same depth. Not that having a week to refresh and prepare has done much for us in the past, but it’s a new element in the mix. Who knows, maybe at this point in the season it’s a plus having played and drilled more with a wider variety of tactical and physical challenges. Sometimes not having time to dwell can be a plus, likewise having won ‘big’ games like the Legia match last week. And City did have to exert a lot against Spurs. This is a City side that isn’t quite as imposing from the bench so far this season as it has been.

With Haaland, he’ll have his chances. Probably the most important element of Villa’s plan will be to deny him service as much as possible. Easier said than done, though.

I will admit, our collective Villa trauma certainly is working on me right now. While it is only game, and City are struggling, it sure seems set up for disappointment and a lot of subsequent slagging off from Those Who Desperately Need to Say Something About Everything, not least because I expect some urgency from City. In the course of the season, though, it is only one of 38 matches.

So, of course I’d like to see us show up mentally, switched on from the start. I’d like to see us scrap in the middle and limit City’s chances. I’d like to not see Doku running riot down the left. Would be more than happy with a draw, unless of course it turns out to be a draw that feels like a defeat. Even though it would still be a result.

Anyway. That’s where I’m at.

Over to you.

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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 124

  1. John Clark

    Don’t I feel silly. Didn’t realize Doku had come off against Spurs. Well, that’s a bit of luck.

    Course Alvarez, Foden, and Haaland are dangerous enough, and Pep’s getting snippy again.

  2. jbd656

    Can’t help thinking Emery is being bloody minded about playing Konsa at right back even with Kamara floating about filling in the defensive cracks. One of those games where shitty will get more VAR decisions than us etc….
    Of course it is only one game out of 38 but VAR and “top3” prejudice will stiff us.

  9. r0bb0

    It’s so sad that the only way to get a penalty is to dive when you’re touched or pulled back in the penalty
    MCginn was too honest so no penalty was given

  21. jbd656

    Unbelievable monster nigh on perfect performance by Villa. Just didn’t see that coming. No VAR nonsense. In another time, Ollie would have got a red card for slapping the shitty player – so no “top3” prejudice there either.

    Bailey obviously MOTM, too bad he went off injured. Wish he was a bit more durable.

  22. r0bb0

    Oh my goodness
    I’m afraid I hadn’t had the confidence to predict us winning, but even if I had, there’s no way I would have predicted us dominating City. . . But we did. . .we dominated City.

  23. r0bb0

    Couldn’t be happier for Leon Bailey even in his interview at the end, he acknowledged that things hadn’t started well for him. We know that he came in for a lot of stick from a number of fans and whilst it was often too harsh, there was a core of truth to it.
    You could always see flashes of a good player in there, but it’s of huge credit to him that he’s turned things round so dramatically
    Good on him

  25. John Clark

    r0bb0,

    We out-Citied City on the night. The pressing, desire, composure, all of it. Just an amazing performance.

    And I’ve slagged off Leon as much as anyone…so pleased to see his mind and feet working together. That was surely his best performance in a Villa shirt.

  27. John Clark

    Games like this…you never know, but given where we’re sitting, they can be a turning point for a club with someone like Emery in charge.

    There might’ve been a deflection, but the win was deserved, and now they’ve seen how they can play. It all came together.

  28. Ian

    3 down 3 to go.

    With 115 problems almost coinciding with Southgate stepping down….Guardiola the next England manager? The English team would be at their peak and its a trophy few collect.

  29. Villalore

    Dreamland! Never crossed my mind that we would dominate City, what a performance. The press, the attempts, the confidence playing out from the back. We should have had more goals though performance wise this was better than the 7-2 against Liverpool. Shows how average can become top class talent under a good manager.

    Stay in the moment and savour the victories, what a wonderful feeling!

  30. Plug

    A night to remember. A night that will live long in the memory. Ignore the score line, it was a battering. A battering of the world’s best. A masterclass from Unai.

    From before the start through to after the final whistle, Villa Park was rocking. You could smell the cordite in the atmosphere. On 74 minutes, the ground detonated and the fans went wild, ape shit. At the final whistle, it exploded again, delirium. Words can’t describe it. Uncontained euphoria.

  31. Plug

    Watching Haaland scrapping for the ball on the edge of his own area was a sight for sore eyes. He looked a shire horse compared to the thoroughbred Ollie.

    It would be unfair to pick a man of the match. The whole team delivered. Konsa and Pau were exceptional. Hell, they all were. It was Bailey’s best game in a Villa shirt.

  32. Plug

    Such a privilege witnessing Citeh being put to the sword. Even beating the press at the back was much slicker and a lot less scary. Amazing what doing it a little quicker achieves. I really rate Foden and Bernardo Silva but they were ineffective in our game plan. Take a back seat for once Pep.

  33. Plug

    After that experience, it’s time to stay humble and prepare for the next match. I won’t be getting carried away.

    Spoiler alert. The Laandan media will now take note. Expect the dirty tricks campaign to enter full swing mode and the destabilizing stories to appear. It’s what happens when a threat is detected.

  35. James Gill

    Have to say Gérard 3 big signings are looking quality
    Carlos gave haaland the longest 90 mins of his career
    Digne never stopped
    Kamara o my word a freebie,needs a new contract already

  37. r0bb0

    I see a lot of discussion about the way Villa dominated the midfield and were winning the 50:50 challenges and how City looked weak in this area last night.

    Isn’t that the sort of role in which Kalvin Phillips used to thrive? wasn’t he the guy who would win, gather, retain and recycle the ball for Leeds?

    Why did City buy him? He doesn’t strike me as an ‘awkward squad’ type player, so why is Pep unable to find a way of using him?

  38. r0bb0

    JC, you weren’t alone in criticising Bailey, and one of the things I like about him is his honesty, and willingness to admit that he wasn’t performing in the way he felt he should.

    I’m sure we’ve all had points I’m our lives when things haven’t gone as well as we’d hoped, or when we’ve felt that we could have done better, but few of us will feel the pressure of having our inadequacies pointed out on social media 24/7 and sometimes in unpleasantly personal ways. It must be so tough for the families, having to hear their loved ones criticised too.

    It makes it all the better when an apparently, comparatively humble individual like Leon Bailey manages to turn it round and display the skills that we’d all hoped he was hiding.

    It must be good for the team too, because it’s yet another place where opposition players have to focus during games and that must help relieve pressure from other players.

  39. r0bb0

    So if Emery is able to help Bailey turn things round and show his true potential, is there anyone else we’ve been doubtful of who might also step up?
    I reckon that Olsen has come in for more criticism than he’s deserved, but he’s not going to be replacing Martinez in a hurry so probably won’t have a chance to prove his true worth.
    What about Zaniolo? Like Bailey, he’s shown flashes of skill, but maybe the background betting noise has distracted him. Dendonker is another one who may be called upon, along with Lenglet . To be honest though, most Villa players now seem to be playing to a high standard, which is the true testament to Emery’s managerial skills.

  40. Plug

    Don’t think I saw Olsen on the bench last night. Marschall was the back up keeper. No idea whether he was injured or not.

    Unai seems to have made up his mind about Chambers unless he’s injured. Zaniolo will need to do much better. He had a useful start with us but has disappointed of late. Dendoncks and Lenglet are used as squad players and I’m sure they and Zaniolo will be used next week in Mostar.

    Getting Moreno and JJ back up to speed will help no end.

  41. r0bb0

    Now here’s a bit of a left field comment . . . but can someone ask Premier league footballers to stop putting their arms out when they come onto the pitch and imploring their God, whoever he or she may be, to help them have a good game?
    Maybe you should leave your God to try and decide how many Israeli or Palestinian babies are going to die today rather than distracting him or her to try and help you score a goal , hmm?

  42. John Clark

    r0bb0,

    Yeah, Phillips is definitely meant to stop what Villa were doing. I know he’s had a hard time with injuries, but it’s odd how he may have thrived more in Leeds’ wild abandon than City’s controlled play. Rodri, I’m sure his absence was a big factor, likewise Doku and/or Grealish.

    That said, Alvarez, Haaland and Foden, Silva, well…

    So credit to Pep for simply admitting Villa were better without whinging about players. Buendia, Mings, Ramsey may not be as good as the players City are missing, but they’re every bit as important to us, and the others have had to carry a big load as a result.

    And if City’s squad is a little thin atm, it’s not for lack of billions in spending over the years.

  43. John Clark

    And to point to City not having their best XI on the pitch in no way diminishes how Villa played. By being switched on from the start, contesting every 50-50, finding ways to play out of trouble individually and collectively, passing crisply and accurately, setting the back line to Haaland’s movement…They simply were the better team and played City off the park.

    Whoever Pep’s had available, his teams have virtually never gotten played off the park like that. And that was down to Villa: desire, execution, mentality, game plan.

  44. John Clark

    And I’ve no idea whether Zaniolo has a long-term future with us. But I agree that Emery can/will get the best of him if there’s enough time.

    Post-match, Bailey said Emery was telling him to be patient, etc. And I think that, along with the patience Emery has shown, is what’s allowed him to settle his mind and get in the flow.

    My criticisms of Leon basically have been that he makes poor decisions, plays rashly into cul-de-sacs, tries to do too much, and often has poor control.

    So I think having a defined role (better decisions), lower expectations (not trying to do too much), and enough time on the pitch along with Emery trying to get him to slow down (rash play, poor control) is what’s coming together for him.

    And like we always say, we never see them on the training ground, really. So the manager might always be seeing something brilliant that just doesn’t happen under fire.

    Me, I thought he just didn’t really have a choice, numbers wise, but to play Bailey. But now it seems maybe more likely he’s been seeing enough promise to stick by him.

  45. John Clark

    Also, Emery’s been showing a lot of situational adaptability match to match. That ‘second striker’ spot: sometimes Diaby, sometimes McGinn, sometimes Tielemans, etc. Bailey there or wide right, depending.

    Part of it’s rotation, but it’s also match-ups and where he wants the different qualities. We saw exactly how Diaby can thrive in the Legia match: finding him in space running at goal.

    Anyway, we’re seeing a top-class manager and student of the game taking his chance. There’s no way in hell after the Buendia-Mings injuries I thought we’d ever be anywhere near third. And that’s without Zaniolo (and Diaby to a certain extent) playing their best football.

    Oh, and talk about learning, adapting and improving…Never thought Emery would go with Carlos and Torres to shut down Haaland. (I’m guessing that with Doku and Grealish out, he had less to worry about down the left, so Konsa could cope.) And they both played very well. Certainly Carlos’s best performance, and Torres was immense.

    If Emery can get in a true shut-down RB, that will be an extremely solid and intelligent defense. Not the most physical, but very smart.

  46. r0bb0

    JC, loads of interesting comments there.
    Picking up on the Bailey one, even during Wednesday’s exceptional performance, he still ran into some cul de sacs, but whereas on another day he might have lost the ball, this time, it just seemed to stick to his feet and he was able to keep the play going. On another day it won’t come off quite so well but I’m sure that I’ve read that Emery encourages players to take risks so I guess this is the sort of thing he will tolerate, or actively encourage from Leon too?
    I guess that’s part of the reason that the clean sheet came as such a surprising, extra bonus from the City game.

  47. r0bb0

    JC, when you say that Pep’s teams have ‘rarely’ been played off the park like that, you understate it. They have ‘never’, in 535 games been played off the park like that and there are a whole raft of statistics that Pep has never been so far on the wrong end of before.
    We shouldn’t ignore however thst they were indeed weakened, but a team that can bring on players like a Nunes and Kovacic, and still leave £42m Kalvin Phillips on the bench shouldn’t be pitied too much.
    It was an outstanding performance, but I think we all recognise that the team will need to match that quality of performance again if we’re to get anything out of the Arsenal game.

  48. Plug

    The Citeh fans are saying that was their worst performance under Pep by some distance. No acknowledgement that a team can only play as well as it’s allowed to by the opposition. We battered them.

    Whilst we are not going to get such a performance every game, the team have shown what it is capable of. If they manage the consistency craved by Unai then we could become lethal.

    Would never dream of second guessing him, but I’d not be surprised to see a changed formation for tomorrow evening to take care of Saka and Martinelli down the flanks. Hope the Citeh result puts some strength in our legs. After all, there is an Arse to be spanked.

  49. r0bb0

    Plug, I thought I’d follow you and take a look at some City forums and yes, there’s a lot of criticism for their team but I thought a fair bit of praise for how we played too.
    I saw a couple of postings suggesting that Pep would be off to manage England soon and I’ve seen this suggested in other places too, but does he have what it takes to be a National Coach?
    We’ve seen how new signings seem to take time to fit into the way he wants them to play so could he manage a team where he has limited time with the players?

  67. r0bb0

    When a player jerks his leg or hand up and down like Saka did, the one thing you know is that they’re not really hurt.
    Why do referees fall for it?

  77. John Clark

    Two 1-0s in three days against the two best clubs in the league.

    Don’t care how it looked today, they didn’t do near enough, and Villa just refused to lose.

  85. jbd656

    Gratifying result against a self entitled media lovie London club. SJM (Bravearse is too long to write) my MOTM for savaging the divers and shirt pulling whingers. Mind you, the ref comes close for spotting the handball.

  89. John Clark

    jbd,

    Yep…McGinn just has so much heart. And it would’ve been cruel to drop two points to such an ugly cluster like that.

    Sort of hard to believe the ref actually spotted the handball and called it.

  92. r0bb0

    Well,what I think he said was:
    Arsenal were the better team
    Arsenal should have won
    Arsenal should have had a goal, which shouldn’t have been disallowed
    Arsenal should have had a penalty
    . . . . .and that was about it.

  97. Plug

    We’ve got McGinn…….Super John McGinn……..

    I’m up in the clouds with the fairies. Just got home and opened the bar. I’m going to have a hangover tomorrow.

    After Weds night exertions, the team was running on vapour. Think the fans were too. We rode our luck but the Villa boys showed all the fighting qualities and just refused to buckle.

  98. Plug

    Not in my wildest dreams did I contemplate 6 points from Citeh and the Arse. My work colleagues in Laandan are going to cop full dixie on Monday morning and for the remainder of the week.

    Tonight was a performance of resilience. Records falling all over the place. The goal was a thing of beauty, slick movement and fine finish. Might have scored one or two more but we had some good fortune too.

    Did not like the Arse players rolling over at every contact trying to influence the ref into dishing out cards. They are a better team than that.

  99. Plug

    We’ve just had the toughest of examinations these last 3 days but managed to put some daylight between us and 5th place. This is now a Champions League contest as far as I’m concerned.

    Once more, Unai has delivered a masterclass performance to collect maximum points. Heady days, looking at the table I’m getting vertigo.

  100. Plug

    The yellow card count has caught up with Dougie and Digne. They get a rest for the Brentford game so can play in Mostar on Thurs. SJM was empty at the end. He left everything on the pitch. He wasn’t the only one. Like the reference to Bravearse.

    I didn’t think our playing out from the back was a slick as Weds night. We got caught quite a few times and dirty underwear is back.

    But…..clean sheets are like buses…..we wait ages for one then two turn up together. And against Citeh and the Arse FFS.

  101. Plug

    So I’m delighted. One very happy bunny. Having a great weekend. Need to enjoy this for a few days before my attention turn to Zrinjski. A clean sheet there would do just fine.

  102. r0bb0

    I loved the comment from John McGinn when he explained that he’d previously been in a similar position to the one from which he scored, but last time he missed. The miss was analysed and they agreed what he should do if ever he was in the same position again.
    THAT shows the level of professionalism and attention to detail that now pervades the club.
    Just brilliant.

  105. Desmond Magrath

    Well what one hell of a week,Villa have had.
    Yes last night was really testing and came out with flying colours.
    Sadly Arteta cannot be gracious in defeat. Yes we all like winning,but sometimes all the luck can run against you. How many times have Villa looked the better team,but lost.
    Onto Thursday at Zrinski.
    Yes no Digne or Luis at Brentford next Sunday, but with Mareno and Ramsey back,I feel we can compete just as well.

    Enjoying a glass or 2 of beer and then wine with lunch to celebrate a truly epic week for all the Villa team.

  106. VillaMD

    Brilliant results. For me, Carlos by far the best player. By far his best performance.

    Big shift from SJM. Players looked tired which was expected.

    Please, please, please no injury for Bailey. What an exciting, brilliant player. Amazing quality. First name on the team sheet for me

  107. Plug

    The dust settles on match day 16 and we find ourselves 5 points clear of 5th place. Extremely healthy, obtained by hard work from all concerned.

    I’ve had chance to see the game again. The drivel about whether Jesus should have been awarded a penalty is BS. Two players dancing on one leg. Their airborne feet touch and Jesus leaps horizontal and does a triple salco to try and con the ref. Blatant cheating.

    The complaints about VAR over the disallowed “goal” is hollow coming from Arteta. The on field ref disallowed the goal not VAR. VAR replays show that Havertz had 3 attempts to use his hands/arms to shovel the ball over the line and failed. So stop squawking.

    There’s a warm glow in our household right now and I can’t wait for tomorrow morning.

  109. James Gill

    The suspensions should make it easier on Thursday night to rest lads available for Sunday
    My team
    Olsen
    Cash digne lenget anyone of 3
    Luis donks tielmens
    Ramsay Duran diaby

  110. John Clark

    Yeah, I’ve got no time or sympathy for title contenders reduced to whinging about an ugly bundled-over ‘goal’ with hands, or Jesus taking the opportunity to dive instead of just bringing his leg down.

    If they want to complain, they should be looking at their squad playing a tired Villa and failing to register an actual goal.

  111. John Clark

    And all that will count in the end is 1-0, three points, and 15 in a row.

    Like we’ve been told, enjoy the moment. A far cry from anything we’ve seen in many a Villan’s memory.

  112. jbd656

    Bah! Whippersnappers! You’ve seen nothing!

    Come back when you have seen Villa go from 4th in the old proper third division to winners of the old proper European (league winners only) Cup in ten years flat?

  117. Plug

    656, I’m one of those whippersnappers. And I was there when we were in the old Div 3. Went up to Mansfield to see us draw 1-1. Field Mill was the ground if my memory ain’t shot, but it might be. Even at that level we made the League Cup final losing to Spurs at Wembley. I was there. Spent 2 seasons in that crap division.

  118. Plug

    Pre Div 3… I was there when the team hadn’t quite departed the old Div 1 but was struggling and relegation was only a matter of time. I was there at Burnley when we got stuffed 4-0. In those days away games were attended in cognito to avoid a fight with the locals. But in Burnley’s case I reasoned full regalia would be fine at Turf Moor as they had the same colours and as long as I kept my mouth shut. Big mistake. The neanderthals up there could still pick you. They positioned themselves after the game between the ground and station and started swinging and bricking. Happily, things are more civilised these days.

  119. jbd656

    The delight of all those Lancashire mill town teams on one side of the Pennines and all those stingy little Yorkshire grounds on the other side. My standout memory from that period was at Halifax when I bit into a hot pork pie. The jelly was liquid, red hot and stuck to your mouth and chin like napalm.

    I was a student in Salford at the time and it was more easy to get to some of those grounds than VP. Didn’t know that 15 years later I would be living up there between Ellesmere Port and Rochdale. Still got to most of the home games at VP. Could drive to the ticket office by midday to get a ticket then drive off to the Hare and Hounds or one of the Slade Road pubs for a pint and several cobs. They have all gone now. So has my ST due to recently developed KOS syndrome.

    Will I see one more title? Not bothered about the FA Cup. Didn’t even know what football or Aston Villa was in 1957.

    Lies back and scratches head – who wrote all that waffle on my monitor? Bastards! Where’s my slippers or my cocoa for that matter.

    Dog looking at me funny

  120. Plug

    After match day 16 last season, the Wai Ayes were in 2nd place with 33 points. That’s 2 points less than we’ve got. I’d say we are in Champions League place contention.

  121. Plug

    Mr Arteta sir. After Compliments, thank you so much for selling Emi Martinez to us. That big mistake has resulted in Emi becoming the world’s No. 1 keeper. We are extremely grateful for your kind offering. No doubt you are delighted with your replacements Messrs. Raya and Ramsdale so it’s a win, win all round.

    Mr Kroenke sir. After Compliments, thank you so much for dismissing Unai Emery from his managerial post. That big mistake has resulted in Unai becoming one of the world’s best coaches. We are extremely grateful for your kind actions. No doubt you are delighted with his replacement so it’s a win, win all round.

  123. John Clark

    Plug,

    Have a former colleague who ‘chose’ Arsenal. He was bemoaning the ‘five chances we normally convert.’ (In fairness he didn’t whinge about the penalty shout or disallowed goal.)

    He’s overlooking the fact that Martinez’s positioning was phenomenal…even when he came out and had the ball lofted over, it was better to do that, force the issue and believe in his defenders than to stay put and allow an easier finish. To my mind, the only time Villa were really at Arsenal’s mercy in front of goal was Odegaard’s second chance, time and space, and he put it wide.

    Emi only had the one truly difficult save to make, if I recall correctly. The rest, Arsenal have to be better than that.

    So yeah, thank you Mikel, and thank you Stan. Emi and Emery seem quite happy where arrogance isn’t the coin of the realm.

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