Indigo

I dunno, this season we've had Europe to contend with on top of what feels like about 6 first team players missing per game on average through injury and it hasn't prevented what has thus far been an excellent season from occurring. The CL format is more hectic but if it were balanced out with better luck with injuries and a potentially improved squad after the summer window then it could definitely be manageable. 

There's also an element of be careful what you wish for, Villa are doing phenomenally well this season, but at the same time all of Newcastle, United, Chelsea will consider their seasons to be disappointing ones that they can improve on next time around, Spurs have the financial scope to improve etc. Through no fault of Villa's this chance to qualify for the CL again might not arise in the short term simply due to how tough this league can be.

And anyway, let's say they qualify for the Champions League, the format takes a bit of a toll on league form and we end up finishing in the Europa League spots next season as a result, I don't really think that's the end of the world on balance.

1 hour ago, sharkyvilla said:

I'd take Wan Bissaka as a right back in the Emery system.  Only one year on his contract too. 

I think he'd be a good fit also, more suited than Cash anyway, but at the same time even with a year left on his deal for the fee and almost certainly wages he'd command there's probably better options out there. Wouldn't complain about it though were it to happen.

Getting the league season over and done with ASAP feels especially important given the squad is being pushed to its limit now in terms of availability. It's a great time to play Brighton though and hopefully Spurs can do half the job by struggling in their tougher games. 

5 hours ago, VillaAlex said:

Baena with just the three assists today for Villarreal. Takes him to 12 in 29 games. That's the most in La Liga btw, second best are a few on 8.

I'd be shocked if he isn't a target this summer. Unai loved him at Villarreal. Only thing is the price and maybe more pressing positions to resolve.

 

Saw earlier that he made the most egregious of "come and get me" pleas to Barca.

Games like tonight show that we're just not "there" yet despite how phenomenal a season that is being had. A few too many games where there's a complete lack of control and we're too easily pressed and panicked. Saying that though, coming away with points from such performances add up over the course of the season, and that's something you wouldn't associate with Villa before.

Wouldn't be surprised if Villa were interested. 

Found this interesting, this guy (worth a follow, for what it's worth) isn't someone that indulges in any kind of speculation etc, so when he says something will happen/has happened it's a pretty safe bet that it's true.

I remember there was talk at the time that the club were speaking to him before but ultimately Emery was their first choice. Speaks to the appeal of the job.

If nothing else I don't mind the Betano logo, in the sense that it seems fairly simple, inoffensive and nowhere near as gaudy as BK8 and others around the world.

I think this season has shown that this team and manager are of a great standard, and with so many useful players to return that have missed out for much of the year it's not like there's a huge amount that can or needs to be done to realistically improve the squad.

I agree re: both full back positions though, for differing reasons. Right back is an obvious one for me, Konsa has been quality as always but is better at CB, and while I like Cash and don't want to be seen to be harsh on him I think he's just a good, traditional right back which this team doesn't really use. So while he's done well at times he's equally not naturally suited to the more defensive position and he's not really the kind of wing back that can beat his man and be a consistent danger going forward, but if he went to say a West Ham or Fulham where he'd play as more of a standard right back I think he'd be a big success.

Bologna are almost like the Serie A version of Villa this season, not sure how likely of a signing he'd be but from what I've seen their right back Stefan Posch could be a great fit for the system. He was originally a CB that's gone to another level after changing position and been a big player for them in the process. For the FBRef fans among us he puts up some of the best numbers in Europe for his passing and number of touches per game, plus solid defensive ones. Only 26 and fairly tall which would help also aid the situation when it comes to defending set-pieces. Have seen the odd Bologna game this season and just think he looks a great fit for that role, which would then allow Konsa to play in his preferred position a bit more often too.

On the opposite flank, both Digne and Moreno have been brilliant at different times over the last couple of seasons, but it just feels like a position that needs freshening up given their respective ages and contract situations. If Ipswich don't go up I still think we should be all over Leif Davis, he's put up ridiculous numbers this season and would be perfect in that attacking full back role. Would also add to the homegrown number - which the club are apparently quite conscious of - and as far as I know doesn't have a huge amount of time left on his contract. Obviously would hinge a lot on Ipswich not getting promoted, and there'll likely be big competition for him, but the more the season has gone on the more he looks like a great fit for this team.

Last position I think definitely needs to be addressed is DM, be that cover for Kamara or someone that can also play with him when he's back. As well as the team has done in his absence he's the only player of his profile in the squad so we could do with that being given a bit of balance. Unless Iroegbunam manages to cement himself as this, but not sure that looks too likely at this moment unfortunately.

Can also see the club really pushing for Hermoso on a free, feels like the kind of signing current Villa would make and he'd be a pretty useful and versatile Lenglet replacement given he could also play at left back.

There's obviously other phenomenal players in this league but as of right now there isn't another player more deserving of POTY than this guy. He was absolutely unplayable today (against a quality defender too) as he has been for most of the season, no purple patches or anything of the sort, just consistently excellent for the entirety of the season with the numbers to back it up. What a player.

Just now, wishywashy said:

MOTM imo, ran the show and getting better by the game. How did Boro fans not rate this guy? We've robbed them blind.

I think he's a prime example of how important coaching of this level is for a player. Boro fans, Bournemouth fans and folk that more broadly watch the Championship didn't seem to rate him, but it's plain to see that he has a lot of the raw materials there which Emery et al obviously trusted themselves to be able to get something out of, and performances like this are the result.

That's with only having joined just a few months ago too. There's a serious player in there.

Quite like this Bournemouth side, they've got a good up-and-coming manager and have made some interesting signings that have looked good albeit inconsistent as is the norm with young players/ones still settling into the league.

Despite this Villa are the better side and you'd have to be confident of beating them at home on a regular day, but there's really no telling how things will go given the shift put in on Thursday coupled with the number of absentees. Each win however they come at this stage of the season is huge. 

Side note but I stumbled on this Bournemouth fan channel below when we played them last season and found it quite good. Watched their preview for this game and they give a good insight into them whilst being quite complimentary of Villa as well. 

Absolutely blessed to get through there, Lille over the two legs were much the better side.

The ref played his part by being totally and utterly unable to control that game, and just contributed to how ridiculous a scene it became. A special kind of useless for both teams. In a weird way though it probably helped because it felt like the only way we were getting through was via a backs-to-the-wally shithousery job that is the world in which Martinez thrives, and that he did.

We're on our last legs though, people in the match thread were talking about bottling etc but they just looked totally wrecked to me. Not ideal for them to struggle through another 30 minutes but hopefully they can ride the wave of positivity that winning brings through the back end of the season.

This has been an unbelievably poor performance. Constantly thinking there's time for them to wake up and come into the game and it's only getting worse.

All this grief for the ref is...interesting. If anything we've gotten away with one as McGinn had a similar shirt pull tp White's only he wasn't booked when the ball eventually went out of play.

Arsenal are a brilliant side. Villa have done well to stay in it and just need some luck to go our way with it, Watkins was desperately unfortunate with that chance. 

Carlos has been absolutely imperious so far. 

A game like this makes the Spurs 4-0 even more frustrating in hindsight. They're clearly a very good side, but are still there to be got at and certainly didn't deserve the level of respect and/or fear we played them with at home.

I think we'll be fine for 5th because it'll take some unbelievable turnaround from United to catch us, which I don't think they're capable of.

Cannot see 4th happening at all though. Villa willingly let the City game go during the week, and playing as we have the Arsenal game will probably follow a similar script, whereas I can see Spurs really putting it up to these sides in their games and even nicking the odd point which could prove important. Stumbling over the line into 5th and coming out of it in the Champions League would be an incredible season all the same.

That's an old school Villa shambles.

Is the season still over?

Martinez out through illness so not the end of the world.

Teams are resting players all over the place for this round, particularly the sides in Europe. City and Arsenal are in the title race and have benched the likes of Haaland, KDB, Rice etc, so I don't think it's that much of a shock Emery has done similar. It's also worth noting that we could feasibly still be in the game with, say, an hour gone, in which case bringing on Bailey and Tielemans could be real game-changers.