Villa vs Spurs: Who’d Have Thought?

So, the penultimate game of a very long season is upon us and there’s still everything to play for. Which is kind of an odd feeling given the near miss in the Champions League and the FA Cup stinker. But, hey, we have been entertained and we now know there are more European nights. It’s just the nature of them that’s in question.

Ange and Spurs? Hard to know what to make of them. I do know I love seeing them down at the bottom of the survivors list and can’t believe they’re in a European final. That United are just above them and playing in that same final is surreal. That these two are where they are at this point, well, that wasn’t what you’d have thought at the start of the season. Neither of them deserves any kind of silverware. But here they are.

All the pundits figure it’s as easy as it could be with Spurs given their upcoming big night. They may be right. Though if you were looking at it from their side, you’d be hoping they’ll put in a strong performance and gain some momentum. But you’d also be thinking they want to save something for the final and not risk any more injuries. Which is to say that what we’ll see is very much an unknown.

What we do know is that Emery will desperately be wanting a win. A couple slip-ups around us have left the door open, and no matter what he says to the press, he’s not going to take it well if Villa come away with anything but three points. A win on a Friday night will keep the pressure firmly on the others vying for 5th. More than that, it would be a reflection of Villa’s makeup.

Beyond the obvious, the rumor mill is in overdrive, which makes these two games and the ones around us more than a little interesting. Basically, what will Villa have to spend and what lure will we have to offer?

Some kind of turnover is going to happen, but the scope is unknown. We’ve all read the various permutations: Ramsey is unhappy, Ollie’s unhappy. I’m sure Malen is unhappy. Everyone wants Rogers and now Youri is gaining admirers, while Emi’s off to Saudi.

Suffice to say, where Villa finish will have a big say in all of these players’ futures. And because of that, it’s useless speculating.

I will say, though, one thing puzzles me, and that’s Emery not playing Rogers off Watkins with Malen wide right. Obviously that’s down to Emery not trusting Donyell enough at the moment. And I assume that’s down to the system and how well he’s adapting. As I mentioned at the time, City’s winner came when Malen stayed central, allowed the pass wide left to bypass him, and didn’t drop to double on the winger (Doku, if I recall correctly). If he’d gotten over to give help, it’s less likely the cross would’ve gotten through and we’d be a point better off. Is that the kind of thing keeping him out? Because otherwise, he’s stronger on the ball than Bailey, seems just as fast, and reads the box well. And Rogers seems to thrive more centrally.

Anyway. No real pearls, as usual, all obvious stuff and I just really hope we can nick that final spot. Might not seem like such a big deal, but that’s the kind of thing that just might get us over the top.

So c’mon, lads—send Spurs limping into their final.

Over to you.