Wolves vs. Aston Villa: The Run-in Starts

If anyone were to ask what the most significant fixture of this season was, pretty sure a number of us would point to Villa’s collapse in the reverse fixture in October. So, in some ways, sitting a place and 10 points behind Wolves, who blew a 2-0 lead themselves against Leeds to lose 3-2 in their last outing, this match might be some kind of a measuring stick. Might mean nothing.

But with seven left to play and five clubs level or within three points of Villa, the goal of a top-half finish ought to lend some importance to the outcome.

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by John Clark April 2, 2022
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Gerrard’s Villa Honeymoon Comes to a Familiar End

Lots of frustration and anger after Sunday’s stinker, and fingers are pointing everywhere, which will happen. Most are singling out the players, and some have gone a bit further, logically, saying the performance at St. Jame’s Park would’ve gotten Smith sacked.

I was more hopeful of a glorious charge, didn’t want to be back here so quickly. Perhaps a shake-up will help in the short term. Whatever, if it gets us results, I’m all for it. If Gerrard is indeed ruthless, there will be lots of changes come summer. But one hopes that solves the problems, rather than this being a failure of system and evidence of obstinacy.

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by John Clark February 15, 2022
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Liverpool vs Aston Villa: A Full 90, Maybe?

While loads of plaudits are being thrown Gerrard’s way in his short time in charge, the one nut he hasn’t yet cracked is getting Villa to start on the front foot. Free-scoring Liverpool will probably not make Villa want to go full tilt from the whistle, though. Caution will be in a lot of minds. Can Villa be brave, but smart, from the start?

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by John Clark December 11, 2021
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