First off, let me say that just because this blog is called 'The Optimist' it doesn't automatically follow that I will fly in the face of criticising things that need to be criticised. Believe me, if I want to moan I will moan. But if I don't then I won't. I called it 'The Optimist' because in my years on VillaTalk I have come around to the realisation that on average I do tend to see the positive side of things more than most. So it seemed an apt name.
Anyway, on to Villa.
As a first p
The metaphor I would use to describe Villa at the moment is that of a car that is stuttering to start. But once it does it will be fine. I don't mind that our start has been poor. Most would not have expected an easy transition from a McLeish side. Granted we probably didn't expect the worst start in a generation, but that's what we have. We still need to look at it objectively and not start self-harming over statistics though.
We are going through a phase where it appears that we can't
After Tuesday night's impressive and perhaps slightly unexpected League Cup romp in Norwich, Villa rather annoyingly dropped another place in the league owing to one of the teams below us beating one of the teams below us. That's twice this weekend that has happened *grrr*. I think most can agree that we are playing better than results or league position would suggest. Indeed our trouncing of one of the form sides in the league in their own back yard would point at that fact. Yes they were ful
I hate the term 'must-win'. Apart from being over-used, it is more often than not mis-used too. Saturday's early kick off (12:45BST) against Norwich City in isolation is probably not must-win for our prospects of staying in the league, any more than say a match against any likely-struggler like Norwich would be. After all, it is only game number 9 of a 38 game season and we're not currently in the bottom 3. So technically it's not must-win. Now in saying all of that, having not won in 4 mat
Aren't they the only "bidder" anyway?
Same with the Qatar World Cup. There'll be some fuss, but basically everyone will watch it because no-one really cares at all.
Don't know if this link works properly - only place I can find it "on it's own". Bologna played away at Roma in a huge game for top 4 in Serie A - the opening goal?
https://streamin.me/v/5f1a8772/o
Sort of but you can guarantee they will get those 6pts from the Burnley and Sheff Utd games and make up the goal difference too so we really do need to get more points on the board before we run out of games to do so.
Same, but if we don't it's not the end of the world. Spurs have no plan B so will play their high intensity attacking football against Arsenal, I can see Arsenal carving them open.
I suspect not. Selling clubs tend to release a price that says “look at all this money we got” and buying clubs tend towards “look at how little we paid”. One will include the add ons and one won’t. If the clauses are never triggered, no payment is made and the audited accounts eventually reveal the picture.
No, but football is ridiculous.
We could easily finish 8th or something next season and not get to a quarter final in any competition - it's just how football is when you're not the absolute elite. If that happened, pitch forks shouldn't be out for Emery either.
Watched the game and sent this to my Dad (we always discuss the games watching etc): "Alexander-Arnold did NOT WANT to defend that 🤣"
He's such a weird player because he's technically brilliant, has a phenomenal passing range, great crossing ability and has a good shot on him... but defensively he's just so weak. He's pretty much one of Liverpool's best players but doesn't really work in the position he plays - it's so odd.