WakefieldVillan

1. Man City vs Man Utd (Would have been City pre around the Aguero goal)

2. Liverpool vs Everton 

3. Spurs vs Arsenal (Would have been Arsenal during the Wenger years)

4. Newcastle vs Sunderland

5. Celtic vs Rangers

6. Sheffield United vs Wednesday

7. Forest vs Derby (Genuinely do not mind either)

8. Inter Milan vs AC Milan (The 3-0 San Siro game will haunt me forever)

9. Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe

10. Real Madrid vs Barcelona 

47 minutes ago, ender4 said:

VILLA can stop Villa finishing in the top 5.

 YEP! For all those Man Utd predictions I've done, it really does boil down to us, it's well and truly in our hands.

1 hour ago, VillaChris said:

They'll struggle to get more than 65 points imo.

Maybe more if they beat us as that would be three straight wins so momentum with likes of Shaw and Casemiro back. Martinez potentially being out for more months is bad news though.

Could see Brighton beating them on the final day and denying them even 7th.

So if they beat us, they may get 68 points ? I had 69. So not far off.

I hope it IS a lot less, but if they beat us, then it gives them something to fight for and they are still capable of going on decent runs (results wise) annoyingly.

The results I predict give them a PPG of just over 2 and it would mean we require a 1.6 PPG to better them, which is pretty low considering where it's been throughout Emery's tenure.

We're currently evens for top 4, United are 9-1. Bookies are usually spot on  It's just a natural thing though I think to worry about your own teams results and fear the worst.

The graphic it showed on Sky of the top 3 after yesterday's match did irk me a little given we are where we are, same points as Man City, and just 3 behind Arsenal (having beaten them both this season) and having all 3 of the top 3 to play. I think it's a bit disrespectful and no way would United or Chelsea have been excluded like we were/are.

But that said, I prefer it that way, and I think that will work better for Emery and the players too, the less we are talked about the better chance we have of causing an upset.

On Skybet we are currently 66/1, Spurs are 50/1, Arsenal 11/2, Liverpool 9/4 And City 4/6. 

Of course I don't think we will win it, but I do think we can be classed as been "in the race"..  For now.

So even the most pessimistic Villa fan would agree that basically it is only Man Utd now that can possibly stop us finishing in the top 5.

I know, I  know, shouldn't do this buuuuut....

Current Standings;

Us 46 points, Them 38.

Their remaining fixtures are;

Us (H), Luton (A), Fulham (H), Man City (A), Everton (H), Sheff Utd (H), Brentford (A), Chelsea (A), Liverpool (h), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (H), Burnley (H), Palace (A), Arsenal (H) and Brighton (A).

The ones in bold I would say are pretty much dead certs. I wouldn't be shocked with draws or defeats in any of the others, but let's say (pessimistic head) wins in the following;

Us, Luton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Palace - Say defeats against City and Liverpool and draws elswhere - That's a record of P15 W9 D4 L2 PTS 31 - Giving them 69 points! I don't think that's totally unrealistic, albeit a little negative from our POV.

This would mean we would require the magic number of 70, and 24 points from 14 matches, I can see wins for us in Forest (H), Brentford (H), Bournemouth (H) and Chelsea (H) matches.

We would then require a further 12 points from Fulham, Luton, Spurs, West Ham, Wolves, City, Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool and Palace.

I think we CAN do it - But BEATING them this Sunday would make it a whole lot more likely.

1 minute ago, GlobalVillan said:

Be very hard without Torres amd no way we win all 3.

I don't see why we shouldn't take the FA Cup seriously. Win tonight and we are 2 games from Wembley!

Sadly, I expect this to be our last game in this season's competition.

 

 

Oh I agree, we should take it seriously, but I'm like you in that not feeling too confident. But you never know...

46 minutes ago, GlobalVillan said:

Some of the suggestions for who should play are off the scale. Oslen, Tim, Zaniolo, Chambers!?

It's as if people want us to get knocked out.

We have to play our strongest 11 and even then, with Torres out, this is going to be a very hard game and I'd bite your hand off for a draw.

If it was a league game I'd probably agree, but not sure we really need an extra game into what will be a busy period once European competition starts again. 

I think both sides will look to win it tonight, which should make it a decent game.

As others have said, no Torres, is the one that worries me most.

I think we might lose 2-1, but come back with two back to back victories in the league. 

Be nice for wins in all 3 of course

Sounds like McNeil on the bench for them. Doucoure starts too.

Tough game but 1-2 Villa Watkins winner 

Yes I agree on the comments above about Ramsey, not firing on all cylinders but I thought there was little signs today he's getting up to speed.

Thought the backing were our better players, alongside Kamara.

Wasn't a great game, lacked fluidity, but never felt we were going to lose that, and it should have been wrapped up way before it was. That being down to their keeper, the post and the referee giving us nothing.

I expected us to field a much weakened team but pleased we went with what we did and nice to be into the 4th round. Hopefully a favourable draw and a good cup run on the cards

1 hour ago, Zatman said:

The old Grealish would. Not this negative version terrified to beat players and disappoint Pep

This is for me the correct answer.

The Grealish that played for us would undoubtedly be brilliant in our team now and would be the stand-out player. 

Not this current Grealish that recycles the ball well and lays it sideways a lot.

I know he does more than this but he's a shadow of the player that he was with us and he's not been any different with England either.

13 hours ago, JPAngel said:

A quick update on the average PPG thread following the Sheff Utd, Man Utd and Burnley games. Just to help manage my own expectations and let data do the talking.

Our average PPG still sees us finishing with a projected total of 79.8 points which would generally see us finish 3rd. As has been mentioned previously, teams have generally needed 70-71 points to finish 4th over the last 10+ years so I feel that earning 28-29 points from the next 18 games should be our minimum objective.

If we can win ten of the below, we should secure CL football comfortably.

EVE (A)
NEW (H) win
SHU (A) WIN
MNU (H) (please FFS)
FUL (A)
NOT (H) WIN
LUT (A) WIN
TOT (H)
WHU (A) win
WOL (H) WIN
MNC (A)
BRE (H) WIN
ARS (A)
BOU (H) WIN
CHE (H) WIN
BRI (A)
LIV (H)
CRY (A) win

It's going to be a fun ride!

There's my 10! Ones in bold I'm more confident of.

               Marschall / Olsen

Cash   Chambers   Lenglet    Moreno 

         Kamara   Tim  Dendoncker

Zaniolo                                       Ramsey  

                           Duran 

0-2 Ramsey, Duran.

                       Martinez.

     Cash.    Konsa.   Pau. (If fit)   Digne.

   Bailey.    McGinn.   Luiz.     Ramsey.

                 Diaby.     Watkins.

Need to see a massive reaction from the United game. 

Ramsey/Diaby in particular need to start hitting some form.

Luiz can't be any worse than the other night.

I'd take nervy 2-1. UTV.

Just now, PieFacE said:

Right call to rule out the Liverpool goal imo. Wish they were more consistent with that

Disagree. He was pushed into an offside position. 

Glad though

1 minute ago, KevinRichardsonsMoustache said:

Think Diaby and McGinn have been the best players on the pitch 

McGinn yes, Diaby no

This ref is a word removed 

1 minute ago, The_Steve said:

He pulled his shirt and shoved him - made no effort to play the ball. It’s absolutely a foul. 

Correct

1 minute ago, Spoony said:

Absolutely none of them were penalties. 

First one should have been 

Just now, Honest bunch of lads said:

Even thought Moreno did well against Brentford I think that Digne should start tonight.

I agree, with Pau and Kamara out, I think Digne gives us a more solid base to start, but I can see Moreno getting 30 minutes or so, hopefully that's just to freshen things up and not cos we're chasing a goal. 

1 hour ago, ferguson1 said:

What bigger incentive can the players have than the thought of being top of the league for 24 hours at least, but hopefully on Christmas Day as well? Massive, massive game and possibly achieving over 40 points before the end of the year is ridiculous.  So I think we have a real opportunity here to lay a marker to the rest and create a nice cushion of points going into the United game and new year.

Injuries and a silly suspension are going to leave us light and set plays (against) could be significant, that’s why I’d go with Konsa, Carlos and Lenglet. We need to defend well. 

 

                             Martinez

    Konsa      Carlos       Lenglet       Digne

                   McGinn       Luiz              

        Bailey                             Ramsey 
                                       
                   Diaby        Watkins            

Subs:  Marschall, Olsen, Cash, Moreno, Chambers, Dendoncker, Zaniolo, O’Reilly, Duran 

If we can score early, I’m going with a controlled 3-0 win.  UTV

Good team that, well it must be cos it's same as mine  

God, I feel nervous ! Come on you Villa boys ! 

                       Martinez

Konsa.    Carlos.   Lenglet.      Digne.

Bailey.     McGinn.    Luiz.       Ramsey.

                  Diaby.

                             Watkins.

Is the way I'd go IF Pau and Youri are out. Still enough quality to get the job done, as long as the attitude and application is 100%.

Lenglet and Carlos have had a bit of experience playing together in Europe so that will help.

Diaby needs to get back on track, hopefully this is the match he does it.

Zaniolo and Duran options off the bench.

I picked the same team as Emery last time out (wooh), but on reflection, it wasn't the side that won us the game, so maybe we both got it wrong

I think I'd go (fitness issues aside);

                        Martinez

Konsa.     Carlos.        Pau.        Digne.

Bailey.       McGinn.    Luiz.       Ramsey.

             Tielemans.

                                Watkins.  

I think it's pretty safe to say these will sit in, hope to be hard to break down & leave little space in behind, so (if fit) I'd put Tielemans in there for his guile as opposed to Diaby's pace (& current lack of form). 

Toss of a coin at left back really, either way I think both will get minutes. 

Hate these games where we are absolutely nailed on favourites, because the pessimist in me is expected to be let down, but this is a different Villa. Emery's Villa. At home. The 12th man. Under the lights. 

3-1 Ramsey, Watkins, Zaniolo. 

Top of the league  

If Bailey and Tielemans are both out,  I'd go;          

                         Martinez

            Konsa.   Carlos.    Pau.     

Cash.                                            Moreno.

                Kamara.    McGinn.

Diaby.              Watkins.            Ramsey. 

Pretty flexible this, but more likely Cash RM ahead of Konsa as a 442.

A fair bit of running power up top.

Confident McGinn can step in centrally and drive us on.

I got 1-1 right last night so I'll stick with a 1-3 Villa win.

I'm all for making changes in this one, and I still think we can get the point required (minimum)                     

                            Olsen

Cash    Chambers    Lenglet     Digne/Moreno (45 each)

Diaby    Dendoncker    Luiz      Ramsey

                Zaniolo       

                                    Duran

Think Chambers is the biggest concern there, but hopefully he would perform better than he did at RB last time out. Can't be any worse, can he...

Olsen improved last time out, so why not!

Minutes for Moreno in view to Sunday.

To be able to rest Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, McGinn, Kamara, Tielemans, Bailey, Watkins for Brentford would be massive IMO.

1-1 tonight.

1-3 win on Sunday.

Then top of league on 22nd 

SkyBet have the following odds

Us  - 100/30

Draw - 3/1 

Them - 8/11 

So they are still favourites, but nothing like the usual margins. Current form, Rhodri out and our home form, the main factors you'd suspect.

They still have the quality to hit us for 4 or 5 on their day but I hope we do ourselves justice and cut out the unforced errors. Everyone needs to be at least 7/10.

I suspect plenty of goals and I think we will need at least 3 to win it.