Daweii

I don't understand the moaning. I understand that energy drinks aren't the healthiest thing in the world, but just don't buy one, or don't buy one for your kids. Where I struggle to understand the moaning is it's likely coming from people that don't moan about other unhealthy things. "Can't wait for the Villa game, gonna get me a pint and balti pie"... Oh so alcohol (a literal toxin) and a pie that is probably 40% sodium and 30% fat. I'm not judging people for drinking and eating a super unhealthy pie as I also enjoy a good drink, but I'm also not judging things for being unhealthy. The whole situation feels like a whole load of people being very hypocritical. Now sure if someone moaning is a perfect example of health then fair play, but most of the people moaning are probably in no position to moan.

Smith got it wrong in the first half, but the changes made in the second half helped us get back in it. The biggest change was taking Targett off. Young is a very fast player, he might not be as good as Targett at left back, but pace vs pace makes complete sense. Targett didn't get done by Sarr repeatedly because he's shit, he got done because he's slower. Had we played as we did in the second half for the full 90 I think we'd have won. It wouldn't have been a showy performance by any stretch, but Ramsey, Bailey and Traore changed the game. They gave us avenues to attack and they gave us creativity. Buendia didn't have the greatest match of his career. I do wonder if he's struggling for fitness, but AMC is also not his best position. He definitely had more impact when he was moved to the right which makes sense of course. Not the greatest start to the season, but it is only the first game hopefully another week of training as a unit will make us more cohesive ahead of Newcastle.

If I was to take any positives from this it would be; Bailey is promising. Traore has been lively. Ramsey completely changed the game. I definitely think had Bailey and Traore started it might have been different. Then again Targett started and he was a big part of our issues in the first half. It has been a rough day today, but I don't think every match is going to be like this. I think it was an off-day for Villa that was punished massively by a Watford side with everything to prove.

Bailey just murdered Ramsey with that shot

The comeback is on!!

I can't blame him for much of this. First goal the defence shit the bed. Second goal was deflected. This last one was a wonder strike in off the post. I don't see what more he could have done? There are negatives to focus on Cash, Targett, Nakamba, AEG, McGinn and many more, but I don't think Martinez has been "sub-par" I think he's let in goals that any goalkeeper would let in without a decent defence in front of him.

Time to earn your money Smith. This needs to change, do you have what it takes.

We need to be way **** better than this. Not impressed.

Targett is being made to look like a Sunday League left back right now...

Come on Villa!!

That team is still very strong and is only set to get stronger once Bailey gets up to speed.

This isn't aimed at anyone in particular, nor is it really a criticism, but I have never known a group of grown ass men on a forum get so worried and scared over the tiniest shit. Yes it's a shame that RO'K has gone and I wish him all the best in the future, but stop trying invent reasons to worry.

Bailey wearing 31 is probably just a case of him grabbing whatever fit him so they could get all the media bollocks done. His actual number will be sorted in the coming days I imagine.

I'd love to know how Tom Collomosse knows what Smith is intending. Our planned formation doesn't seem like something Smith would talk about publicly before the season has begun.

We lack creativity which makes sense I mean 2 of the 3 players signed to replace Grealish aren't playing. I think we would have a different formation with Bailey and Buendia available. I also don't think we'd be struggling for shots on goal with Bailey and Buendia available. What we're seeing is a team that have had a fractured pre-season, while also not playing with some of their best players in a formation they're not used to.

Are we sure it's a 4-4-2? ---------------- Watkins ------------------ Bidace ------- Ings -------- El Ghazi ------ McGinn ------- Nakamba ----- Targett -- Mings -- Konsa -- Cash It could still be 4-2-3-1 or even a 4-3-3 with Bidace and El Ghazi playing as inside forwards. Now sure it could still be a 4-4-2, but why are we assuming that? When we know that 4-4-2 has effectively been forced out of the modern game because it's ineffective.

De Doorn by Amenra I love this record. It scratches that doom metal itch perfectly.

Can't fault the club as it sounds like Grealish had them over a barrel. He was only going to stay and sign a new deal if a release cause was added. Villa obviously relented because he's the star player and here we are today. I know some may say "why wasn't the clause higher?", but if the clause was set too high then he wouldn't have signed the deal. I'm glad Purslow outlined the whole situation and threw Grealish under the bus.

Given the loving embrace between Messi and Martinez the other week I think Lange could get this done.

It was all doom and gloom for a bit, but Bailey and Ings definitely helped remind the fans who owns this club. Those guys won't let Grealish leaving be a one step backwards situation. The moment Ings came in who is a 1 in 2 striker, it dulled this whole situation massively. Instead of being sad I think the fanbase are now excited for the future which may be the intended result. I don't think Bailey and Ings happening today of all days was a coincidence. We lost a well loved player today (formerly well loved for some) and gained two incredibly good players with more potentially on the way. Losing Grealish should have felt like game over, but instead it feels like Villa are just getting started.

I am sad to see Grealish go, but we have signed Buendia and Bailey. I know it's frustrating to lose Grealish, but our biggest weakness as a team was being a one player team. The one benefit that could come from Grealish being sold is this great club figuring out how to be an actual team. We go to shit every season when Grealish gets injured, if we spend pre-season solving that issue then we're better off. Watkins, Traore, Buendia and Bailey is insane. If we get those players to gel and work well together then we will not miss Grealish.

He's definitely here to be an inside forward. Traore and Bailey flanking Watkins with Buendia in the middle. Young and Cash as wing backs. I think our set up is becoming clearer now that Grealish is off.

Welcome Leon. I'm sorry that Grealish stole your thunder. You likely have some big boots to fill, but I am sure you'll do well at this great club.

It would have to be a toss up between MJF, Darby Allin and 'Hangman' Adam Page. I know the latter had pretty decent exposure in NJPW/Bullet Club, but he has come into his own in AEW that he feels like a breakout. That said I just remembered Britt Baker, Thunder Rosa, Jungle Boy, Sammy Guevara... Hell, even Eddie Kingston. That guy has been in the business for like 20 years, but AEW have given him the platform to become a massive star. The way AEW builds talent is my favourite part about AEW. There is a reason why the promotion is growing and it is all down to building new stars and not burying them. Christian came in and put over Jungle Boy in the battle royale, that's how it should be.

I loved every minute of Gage vs Cardona, everything about it was great. I also love that in his promo after the show he did confirm that it wasn't a one and done. It blows my mind that Cardona has gone from Zack Ryder who oozed big dork energy to an absolute bad ass that might just do deathmatch wrestling for the rest of his career. Full promo in spoilers.