WakefieldVillan

Brighton result a real kick in the teeth, but by no means are they out of it now. I think they will do well to get more than 3 points from their next five games. We could be level with them in a fortnight or so. So still 2 from 5. As for Maupay; Is he a word removed = YES. Do we miss not having a horrible b*stard in our side at times = YES. Would he have improved our squad = YES. Is he the new Brazilian Ronaldo = NO. I know @villalad21 gets some stick on these forums (usually correctly too ) but Benrahma and Maupay in our squad and I think we would be on the beach now.

Same team for me (especially if Engels and Guilbert aren't available for selection). No one had shockers last night, let's keep a settled look to the side and try to build on the Sheff Utd game and let's try get a little more cohesion to our play. I think we mixed it up quite well with the longer balls up to Keinan, more of the same and let's get the midfielders high up the field supporting play and feeding off him. Whilst Davis is occupying their centre halves and we're attacking it obviously lessens our chances of conceding, 'best form of defence..' and all that. Hopefully we can catch them cold and if we cut out the mistakes, who knows... UTV

A point tonight not the end of the world but it would have been such a boost psychologically had we gained the victory and subsequently lifted ourselves out of the relegation places. Absolutely massive weekend coming up, as they all are, but can't help but think this one may set the tone. Saturday sees all the four teams immediately above us playing throughout the day and I wouldn't be too surprised to see all four winning which would leave us 4 points from safety going into the match with Chelsea on Sunday. That would put huge added pressure on the players and I really hope the away sides on Saturday do us a favour. Watford vs Leicester Brighton vs Arsenal West Ham vs Wolves Bournemouth vs Palace Are the matches throughout the day, each one important to us. I am hoping that the game tonight gives us an extra bit of sharpness to our play and gives us an advantage on Chelsea who might be a little lethargic first time out. Fingers crossed for 4 away wins Saturday followed by us doing the business

Not sure what some people were expecting, we'd lost our last 5 games prior this break and were on our knees (and not for BLM) devoid of all confidence and looked destined for the drop. First game back, in strange circumstances we have come away with a point, a little fortuitously, however on balance of play / chances probably could have nicked this one. The clean sheet will be a confidence boost as will the low amount of chances that the blades created. They are a well drilled established side that all know their jobs man for man, we competed well for the whole though we do have a soft underbelly that makes it difficult to watch at times and you get the impression one mistake is coming and it will cost us. We know our players aren't worldbeaters but they seem (in the words of Messrs OLeary) a honest decent bunch of lads. Can't fault any of them for effort today even if the quality was a bit lacking. I saw more positives than negatives today.

Probably a fair result, they obviously had their "goal", we had the better chances in the game. All the talk will be about lucky Villa post-match, but we've deserved a bit of luck after some of the decisions that have gone against us this season. Thought Hourihane was our MOTM and Davis, Luiz and Targett also had decent games. We got worse with the substitutions but they were subs we had to make really. The conundrum seems to be Davis or Samatta, well for me Keinan starts the next game, he's far from a natural finisher and I know goals wins games but you can see his hold up play and bringing our midfielders into the game are vital. He was unlucky with the second half shot, should have buried the header. It will come. I've seen enough to think we can stay up. UTV

Just thinking the exact same thing!

Came across quite well I thought. Apologised again for his lock-down misdeamenour, talked very highly of the gaffer and said they have a great relationship (football/non-football), says players like McGinn and Tyrone also think highly of Dean. Sounds like he's a popular head coach. Talking of popular, he reiterated what we've all been saying about the effect John McGinn's return might have on us and what a great bloke he is around the dressing room. His return should be massive. Sounds like Jack's dying to get back playing and that the team is looking good in training and that the break probably came at a right time for us. I know he isnt going to say anything different but it did sound genuine. I was hoping they were going to mention reports of a transfer to Man Utd but the final question was in relation to his hair He was also on the football show on Sky Sports, but missed start of it, think it's repeated at 5pm.

Good to be looking at the football side of things again. Enjoyed the team discussions from @OxfordVillan and @nick76 I personally think neither Reina or Nyland are good enough for us and I would feel much more confident with either Heaton or even Steer going into the final stages of the season. If I had to plump out of the "fit" ones, I would probably hedge for Nyland, we've signed Pepe a few seasons too late IMO. I would definitely be tempted to play 3-5-2 against the blades, since Snodgrass fired that last minute winner we have played them 3 times, losing twice, and somehow managing a comeback out of nowhere for a point in the VP game last season. But for long spells in all three games we have been totally outplayed and I think a lot to do with that is not being able to cope with their style of play / formation. I really hope Dean has learned from previous games and we can be a lot more effective. With this in mind I would probably go for Nyland - Engels, Konsa, Mings - Guilbert, McGinn, Nakamba, Grealish, Targett - Davis and Samatta. Not sure if this would be my team moving forward mind - Looking at it on paper though makes it evident that we need some serious strengthening in the summer window (if we get one )

Although you are right, I can see why fans are putting huge emphasis on this game, I personally think from a mental aspect it could define our season. We looked totally devoid of any confidence before the break, a win first time out would give us some of our belief back. I think it's massive.

I'm pretty surprised this looks like resuming again and I am not totally convinced it will conclude with a full completion of (38) fixtures. As others have alluded to, it will probably only last long enough to award Liverpool the title and a PPG system for relegation! Other than Man City and Liverpool (for obvious reasons), I would say Sheffield United are probably the next team I wouldn't want to face going on our recent results/performances against them. It's going to be a very tough start and I already fear for us (mentally) as we know with Wilder's team they will be right up and at it from the off and I think this fixture was definitely one where the "12th man" would've spurred us on. Let's hope the break came at a right time for us and the return of McGinn (no pressure John) can spark us into some end of season form!

It's basically 11 v's Spink and the latter wins (Withe a little help )

Struggled to get any sleep last night when this news broke, having lost my mum to Dementia in 2018, it still feels very raw and all the sad feelings came back knowing what Dean and his family will be going through right now. The Covid element just adds to the pain in terms of saying goodbye, social distancing, funeral arrangements ETC - I just hope Dean and his family can find solace in that he is no longer in pain and living with Dementia is no proper way to live. RIP Ron Thoughts and prayers go out to Dean and other family members On a side note, I hope that the players can forge a real steely determination from this news and make sure that we get the wins that we need (for the gaffer) to secure top-flight football next season!

Anyone feeling sorry for Liverpool fans then take a few minutes to read their fans forum 'RAWK' and I am sure that within minutes your thoughts will change. I don't know why I read it, the more I do, the more they wind me up. They are all so 'one-eyed' it is untrue. They must have the most hypocritical fanbase bar none. Although unrelated, for a set of fans that are still chasing 'justice for the 96' for the Hillsborough tragedy they really do take a different view (conveniently) about the deaths around the world right now and I can guarantee if they were second and 25 points behind City they would be calling for the league to be voided IMMEDIATELY. Absolutely detest the *****. Rant over.

@OutByEaster? fantastic post, sums Liverpool fans up perfectly

I watched it, nice to have a break from Covid-19 and take in a football match albeit an old match, but an entertaining one at that. Enjoyed it, especially watching the likes of Milner, Young and Petrov again, who were all great players in their own way. Shame we were robbed in the final

As a side note, there are 2 points separating the bottom of the championship from 19th to 22nd with the latter being the third team relegated. Charlton are in 22nd but still have to play Hull and Wigan who are the teams directly above them and Hull have to play Wigan so there is still so much that can change yet that surely you can't consider relegating Charlton at this stage. Top of league 1 is ridiculously tight too, 3 points separate positions 2 to 8 with uneven games played amongst the teams involved, no way can that be ended as it is. No one as said that there is a fair way to do this, there isn't unfortunately, but the fairest is either play it out or void it. I would even put a caveat in that if it is voided, Liverpool get awarded the title with an asterisk just to shut them **** up, because let's face it if they weren't so far ahead I think the season would have been officially voided by now.

So much wrong with this but a few points; 1. Why would Watford play Aston Villa 3 times in a season? 2. Why would Championship teams ever play Premier League teams in a play-off? 3. If you're going to sort out relegation then surely you would have to sort out european places? 4. This would have to happen in all 4 divisions, so more games being played? 5. Who would get home advantage? 6. Would the games be behind closed doors? 7. What happens to Sheff Utd with their game in hand? See @av1 post above - it's literally the fairest way bar none and I would say that whether we were first (ok, very unlikely), sixth, 11th or 20th. I know that's easy to say given our current position but these are crazy times (very sad) and football as much as we all love just isn't as important in the big picture!

It baffles me that anyone would think anything different than this

Perfectly put, the only option for me bar one other; And that's that the season concludes when it is safe to do so (late this year / early next (?) and the 2020/2021 season gets scrapped (which will obviously bring other issues with contracts / financial issues etc). Depending on when football can re-start being the deciding factor for me.

I'm in a pickle. Got my stag doo at the end of July in Benidorm. My fianceě has hers in Ibiza end of August and our wedding is middle of September in the UK. I personally think none of it will happen and we should already be discussing with the venue to postpone until June 2021 (earliest). The stag do (build up) is all part of it for me but I'd say its 99.9% not happening, anyone think there's any possible chance whatsoever? By the way, this is totally a minuscule worry to what is going on in the world right now and I pray for everyone to stay safe and well in these extremely worrying times

This for me. Some teams are going to p1ssed off no matter what decision is reached, at least hopefully (with Euros put back to 2021) we may be able to have a non-disruptive 20/21 season. First (and last) time I will agree with Karen Brady. I would feel like this regardless of Villa's position.

14.50 - Thyme Hill 15.30 - Delta Work 16.10 - Caid Du Burlais 16.50 - Greaneteen (Just put this lucky 15 on!) Not won a race since Shiskin won on opening race

I'm completely torn. It goes without saying recent performances have been dire and we have suffered other poor ones throughout the course of the season. Our defensive stats are poor that's evident for all to see, our football hasn't improved through the course of the season, we make way too many individual mistakes, the coaching staff have also made mistakes (I think they would be first to admit that), Smith has yet to find our best formation and best starting eleven and we have lacked desire and passion in lots of matches which stems from the men in charge. Clearly there are lots of issues to rectify - the questions are, can the current regime turn it around? Will they be kept on to try turn it around? Or would (insert name) have a better chance in doing so? I really don't know, but I can see arguments for both alternatives. What I would say is that despite the above I feel that Smith has been extremely unlucky with the injuries to Heaton, McGinn and Wesley (who has been derided, but most fans would admit, has been missed) 3 key players from arguably our 'best' eleven. These injuries have really hit us hard and added to this the ridiculous VAR decisions which have gone against us which may, just may, have seen us currently sat outside the relegation places with a bit more luck. I was definitely one of the supporters that thought a 17th place finish would be great this season and to push on next season - I am keeping everything crossed that we can still achieve this but I realise it's a tall order given our recent displays and the fixtures to come. I won't even go into the discussion of how many players we had to recruit just to get a full squad because another poster has already beautifully put all that a short while ago, but this in itself made it an even more difficult task to gel all these new players together. I am trying to put to the back of my mind that he his "one of our own" and the story of his dad's illness (which I lost my mum to) and the fact that he's a really like-able guy and purely look at it from a footballing aspect - and yes I am totally torn. I really want Premier League football next season, mainly to try retain the services of Jack for another season and the likes of McGinn and Mings and changing manager might give us a better chance of achieving this but then I don't want us to go back to square one every couple of years hiring & firing managers and having no footballing vision moving forward. If there is a call to make I am glad I don't have to make it and if he was sacked I would still think he would go down as a successful Villa manager and would appreciate what he has done for the club. UTV

Nyland Guilbert Engels Mings Targett Nakamba McGinn El Ghazi Grealish Samatta Davis Reina, Elmo, Taylor, Konsa, Luiz, Hourihane, Trezeguet

I am not usually an advocate for re-signing old players but if we were to get relegated (which looks ominous) then I think our first signing should be Marc.