Raver50032

Very off topic, but we were 3rd, 9 points clear of Arsenal under MON... After another disastrous March, we finished 6th... and then IIRC, got fingered by the very vocal Rapid Vienna before getting out of the starting blocks in the UEFA Cup. We could... and definitely should have done better. But we didn't. And we are where we are, a decent way through another Villa rebuild with Smith. Smith in for me, tvm.

It is rampantly mind-blowing how we have found Manchester United (just a team of 11 men) so difficult to overcome season after season. We are long, long overdue a win against them at Villa Park. If there's any justice, Bruno Fernandes will dislodge one of his big toe-nails in the warm up. As crooked a player as his grin.

That was a lovely game of football to watch, not mired with the trammelled controversies of VAR one iota. Before the game, BT effectively saying we had nothing to play for any more, maybe that was our pre-match team talk all sorted. Considering he was being fouled (shirt pulling is still a foul, right?) by Holgate, our Ollie showed fantastic persistence, strength and quality to get his shot away and into the net for our opener. Hat off to the young man. I was surprised with how quickly Everton were able to equalise. And in that, I mean that our defence has been heralded across a plethora of pundits this season as being consistent and strong. The surprise for me was seeing how 'easy' it seemed for Everton to get a chance from that corner and bury it seemingly unchallenged. But 1-1 it was and we didn't fold, which was nice. Some lovely skill from Traore, a 'vintage' Barclay () performance, and Cash back in the side and playing how we've come to expect him to. Chances aplenty... Watkins maybe on the cards for a hat-trick, El Ghazi hitting the bar from close range, and Barkley hitting the post. We could have had several in that first half. In the second half, I thought we rode the Everton storm at times and I did feel that we might have needed to change things to try and disrupt Everton's flow. But I think in the end, they disrupted themselves a bit. We kept on going and with a fine cross field pass from Traore, El Ghazi scored a super, well placed shot beyond Pickford to score the winner. It's not often the Villa of 2021 have been able to get me up out of my chair, but Anwar's magical moment certainly did that - very pleased for him. Very pleased for the whole team and the coaching staff. It's been a good weekend. More of the same please Villa... we've missed you.

Most played fixture in the top flight, rah-rah-rah and all that jazz...

I feel (only feel mind) that scoring so early against a weapon of mass destruction like City is fraught with risk and fear. By scoring in minute one like that, you risk kicking in the hornets nest that leaves them angry, chasing you down and relentlessly trying to sting you. It was an early goal I didn't expect and barely had time to sit down with my cup of tea. A wonderful moment for McGinn, and nicely assisted by Ollie Watkins. I said to my old man, that as delighted as I was that the goal was allowed to stand (always VAR fear isn't there?) it's such a long time to try and keep City at bay unless we cold somehow press home the unexpected advantage and create another goal for ourselves. Even then, 2 may not have been enough against this opposition. But we did the opposite, we pretty much spent the rest of the half at the Holte End defending our box. Gradually getting deeper and deeper. The initiative fading quickly. Foden was exceptional, seemingly the new media darling streets ahead of our own golden boy watching from the stands with his Uncle Gareth. We shipped a goal... defended a bit more and shipped again - I have to say it, Martinez 'came too soon, and not effective enough' (Kenneth Williams) for the second City goal and voila, the turnover was complete. I personally thought Stones was unlucky to actually have that decision turned into a red. Only my opinion... I thought the collision and the way in which Ramsey fell made it all look worse than it actually was, especially in slow motion. But then, I'm not a referee. I've seen worse go unpunished completely though. Second half could have been different had we been able to capitalise on the man advantage. Initially, it felt like we were on the cusp of thinking about doing that, but then Cash got his five minutes of booking history all tied up and off he went, and we were back to square one. There was an opportunity for us in this match as it played out for us to get a result. We scored too early... one goal a defensive flap... never capitalised on the 1 man advantage… got one of our own sent off... and ultimately beaten by the much better team. Could have been worse. A loss is a loss... but 6-1 it wasn't. Next. Targett was my Man of the Match... seemed the most consistent to me across the match.

And on the subject of not blaming or punishing the clubs because it's unfair on their fans... Those 6 clubs, were prepared to 'piss' on their own fans, and the rest of the football pyramid in this country, with a zero competition, negligible chance of access exhibition league to line their own pockets. Consideration of their fans, or those of any other clubs in any other league were secondary. So, to start crying about 'please don't punish our fans' is all a bit Saddam Hussein human shield idiocy. There... we've had Hitler, so now you can have that tosspot too. They BROKE a key Premier League rule. They knew exactly what they were doing... probably got the little 'tell tale tickle in their tummy that said it was wrong' but STILL did it anyway. Sod them. Their back tracking and crocodile tears of remorse now is laughable. It really is. And UEFA just drops it's trousers and says 'play on old horse...'

Fine, don't punish them on the basis of 'you can't blame and punish the fans.' Don't ever then, try to deduct points for financial mismanagement... Don't ever then, make a club forfeit it's place in a cup competition for fielding an ineligible player (or make them replay the tie)... Don't ever then force a club to change it's name/kit colours because it went out of business. Talk to the hand. Fact is, these 6 clubs BROKE a Premier League rule. All the other punishments handed out to 'lesser' teams and clubs in the past, adversely and materially affected the FANS by association. We support our clubs through thick and thin. What happens to our club goes with the tribal association of it. If our Club had shat all over the PL rules, we would have to suck the mop as fans. To let them off freely here because of 'won't somebody think of the fans' angst, is laughable hypocrisy. I for one, will never forget. And when I'm back in the stadium, I will have my say... I expect all of you to do the same.

I'm actually a little bit disappointed now...

Well, I made it to page 5... couldn't read any more. Honestly, a lot of you are far too toxic and antsy. It wouldn't surprise me if some of you were responsible for the online abuse that players get on social media.

It's possible... but becoming quite remote now to be fair. We've got Liverpool away, Man United at home, Chelsea at home, Everton (TWICE still), Palace away, and Man City at home. It's a big ask for us I think to do much with all of those fixtures to come. Some of those historically are dead rubbers for us. But, we always have the ability to 'shit-house' a result from somewhere, like on Sunday. Whilst I think he is inconsistent and not really good enough for where we are looking to 'go' as a Club, Trezeguet was a great provider of positive outcomes on Sunday. Fair play to him. And pleased for Ollie too.

It's up to Jack really. But as a fanbase, we have to accept that our Club won't ever achieve anything other than 'also ran' status (better than canon fodder) if we never get to keep our best players for a sustained period. Jack has been a star for us for a sustained period now, but only recently have we started to build that squad 'for the Premier League' stage of the plan.

Let them hate... Watkins is there on merit... attitude, ability and sportsmanship. Bamford on the other hand, is a proven cheating crybaby on multiple occasions. Not what England need.

I'm super proud Ollie and pleased for him in equal measure. Comes over really well, speaks well, not a 'billy big balls' at all. And he's handsome too. Just the kind of player we want at our club - a potential role model. And to cap it all, my estate agent is mates with him. Keep on going young man... Can't wait to cheer you on from the Holte one day.

Hmmmm... been bang out of actual form (a couple of shithouse wins notwithstanding) for getting on for 2 months now, even before Jack got injured. I kind of think that we are done for this season. Nothing to play for... other than pride I guess. Really struggled with a lack of quality across the front three last night, and we failed, abjectly FAILED to capitalise on Spurs' iffy start and our possession monopoly. Once Spurs began to show their better quality (yes) across the pitch, it was just a matter of time before we conceded. Yep, I love the club, most of the players and the manager. But I can't help thinking that we're now on the beach. And in a 'climax' to the season that will probably set the tone for the summer. Some comings and goings. Our current lack of depth, especially to come on and actually positively change a game is very telling. The season is now actually tail-spinning into a bit a of a disappointment after what we have experienced before Christmas. From a season where I expected nothing really and hoped to survive and build, we have been royally cock-teased up to Christmas. Since then, it's like I've lost my Aston Villa again. Covid? Attitude? Nuance? Ability? Application? I don't know what it is, but we are definitely no longer on an upwards trajectory. Cannot see where our next goal... next good performance, our next win or even next clean sheet will come from. I'm just thankful (I guess) that I have the memories of pre-Christmas Villa to cherish for this season. For now, we're done.

Could Rotherham actually be 'false reporting' to give their players the best chance to recover before assaulting their fixture pile-up? Could be a smart move... or not.

Of course Manschesthair are interested. Best keeper in the league just now. Question is, can they afford him? And why would he leave a club on the up?

Our next game, Will all be about Son and Kane... And it would be a shame, To capitulate yet again... They also have Bale, Who, fingers crossed I hope will fail.

We've been playing 'poorly' for a good couple of months now. We're either still not fully over the Covid problems at all; we are actually a one man team after all (kind of disproven with poor performances before he was injured, and the win at Mighty Leeds) or, (conspiracy theory alert) the club have deliberately set out not to overachieve. "Rein it in lads... You've shown your potential now, but we're not quite ready to go full balls in for a European assault just yet..." I don't know... Something isn't right about all of this just now. The team will need a big blue pill each so that they are 'UP' for Spurs next weekend. At this time, I just cannot see where our next good performance, or even a win will come from. Konsa - actually a majestic 10/10 last night for me. Clear MotM by a country mile. Up the Villa, Smith in, etc - we're just in some sort of malaise at the moment.

A decent first half where we could rightly feel a little unfortunate/aggrieved (choose your agenda to suit) not to be leading at half time. Felt like a different team came out in the second half and the tail off smacked of tiredness. In the end, on the balance of glaring chances, we might feel fortunate/aggrieved (choose your agenda to suit) to actually get a draw. Could have been 3-3 in my opinion, but I am me, and only I am I. I gave Watkins MOTM, really like the guy and his work rate. His results will come. Honourable mention for Martinez, delivering a performance most weeks now. Not sure what the issue is with us just now. We've been stumbling through games since before Jack got injured. We now have a chance to put Newcastle in serious trouble. That would be fun and mischievous, wouldn't it?? Fool of the day - Jack, and that coat. WTF are you doing man???

Yes, a miss is as bad as a mile, but in a striker's sense a) he's in the right place when the chance is there (some aren't) and b) hitting the woodwork is better than doing a Geoff Thomas (England... shot went out for a throw). But yeah, you can twist statistics all you like, the BBC website are pulling all sorts of guff stats out of their arse ahead of the Wolves game including about how VIlla Park is the only stadium in the Premier League this season where the team who scores first ALWAYS goes on to win. What a load of nonsense, even if true. The statistics of millenials. Love you Ollie... keep on going son.

It's a winnable game... but on our current form, it's anybody's game and could easily be a dud that ends up last on Match of the Day.

Who knew that 'shit' had 'fog?' Genuine highlight of a forgettable thread of general vitriol. Let's move on.

San-son d'amour... Rat-a-tat-a-tat. Sanson, Sanson, d'amour... Etc.