Sgl

Indeed.

And that ball to Watkins ? Absolutely magical from McGinn.

If they didn’t have Nick Pope, I think they would be afraid to come out for the second half

Totally agree. New league, new gaff, new teammates, new system, new language. Easing him in, letting him get to know the guys in training and building up his minutes on the pitch will be vital to how he settles in. Let’s give him a chance and not jump on his back as soon as he misplaces his first pass or mistimes his first tackle. I’m really excited. Signing players with this type of pedigree for squad depth? I wouldn’t have believed it this time last year, I barely believe it now - it’s a great time to be a villa fan. Bon Chance, Monsieur Sanson.

You are a sentimental fool. But so am I, I’d love to see him play for villa again, I definitely think he could offer us a different type of option - but I’d be worried it would tarnish his ‘villa legacy’ for me, he’s one of the former players who I unequivocally love based on his time here and I’d hate for anything to ruin that (told you I was a sentimental fool).

ok now im getting it. but I'm still confused about one thing, once we 'break open our transfer chest' and 'smash our transfer record' , how do we know when we finally have an official ITSOTP? I mean, its not like we can trust villareport? sorry back on topic, does isolation etc mean that even if we sign someone immediately they will probably not be available for our busy catch up sprint of games?

Absolutely Spot on. Shame I cant like a post more than once.

Well, the transfer window is open . . .. I wonder do they have agents or do we just go straight to PGMOL with a bag of cash?

Daily Mail indicating we are not alone on our interest. I hope we move quickly and don’t mullet over for too long.

I’ve gone for 4-6. my rationale is that we don’t really know the effect of the COVID outbreak on the players (physically or even mentally). Despite the Man Utd result, we were flying and this has really interrupted the feel good factor, hopefully it hasn’t affected them to much. It might also take a game or two to get back up to full match fitness as I’m sure they have probably lost some condition ‘ sharpness training in their gardens. A real shame our first game back isn’t a slightly easier assignment as a bad result at city could compound things. ‘All that being said, we’ve been playing brilliant football so I really hope they make a fool out of me and my conservative prediction. edit for spelling

With current government restrictions, the best you can do is to stand 2M away from the duck and stare provocatively. if the training ground hasn’t reopened yet, and given the timing of the reported cases, I’m not sure how we could fulfill this with anything resembling the first team.

“Behave like grown ups” ? What about Mourinho or Levy makes you think that either is remotely capable of doing that? Hopefully they get knocked out of one / both soon, but I’m sure we will have some mourinho inspired media push about how this will totally detail their season etc etc which we will have to listen to for the next month with barely a mention of how this will affect the villa squad / backroom Team and their families.

My ratings:

This is the U23 team we put out when we don’t want to risk our first choice U23 players in a cup game . . .

Get rid of the transfer thread - these lads are the future.

This. Regardless of the 2nd half - what a showing

Spot on. Theses are young lads learning their trade - they are going to make mistakes, they are gonna go in without control, and, after Liverpool put a few past us, they are going to go flying in to tackles with plenty of frustration. If Klopp comes out afterwards giving out about villa tonight then he’s an idiot, injuries to Liverpool tonight are totally on him.

Traore was poor for me and didn’t really protect or help out cash all night. Really missed Barkley I thought. I thought McGinn, Jack and EMI were fantastic and Doug did really well (the penalty was infuriating for me - if Grealish goes down like that, the commentary would have labelled him a disgrace for kicking his own leg. Naive from Doug but bought by Pogba). Unlike other years, they were hanging on at the end and I think their celebrations showed it overall though ? I’m pissed we leave with nothing.

It’s been asked before, but it has to be asked again, what on earth were Arsenal thinking? ? ? he has been a revelation. I don’t break out in cold sweats when we pass the ball to him, he is a serious shot stopper and just looks in control all the time. I’m sure he will make mistakes (everyone does) but what a foundation for our defence - he must fill them with so much confidence.

McGinn superb but great performance from the team considering the crunch of fixtures and playing with ten men for over a half of football 48 hours ago. Anyone know who this 100 million pound striker wearing the AEG mask is ? He has been unbelievable, I’ve given him stick in the past and if anyone is looking for me, I’ll be in the corner eating my own words with a side serving of humble pie.

To be fair, Arsenal would score more goals with Emi up front than they are managing with their ‘world class’ strike force