Elton

Although that was last season and we released a million players in the summer. Hopefully the new contracts given out in the summer aren’t crazy and I doubt they will be as we bought very few established players.

I have never been pleased when a Villa manager is sacked, with the exception of O’Leary but I get to the stage where it is something of a relief as we have a chance of something better, even though it’s as least as likely to be worse. I don’t like this one more game to save his job line though, as if he isn’t the man now I doubt he will be after Saturday. It seems to be near to the end. Even if we stay up I suspect the owners will have seen enough and think we could do better. I’m really not sure what to think. It’s a risk to sack him or keep him.

I’m certain he is in the starting line up as soon as his fitness allows given his injury record. I expect he may even start on Saturday and hope get through 60 minutes. Again, in a few minutes on the pitch he actually does something positive and keeps the ball too. He can’t change our horrific recent away displays all on his own but he does make us a fair bit better.

Blaming Terry doesn’t sit well with me. He could have a completely different philosophy to Smith and I suspect he probably does being a disciple of Mourinho.

As with everyone else, I’m very frustrated tonight. If it wasn’t for selecting Hourihane, I wouldn’t have had many issues with the selection tonight, as our squad lacks quality to make many changes. Although, whilst I may be a lone voice, Hause should be partnering Mings. We need more physicality not less. What I would say is that Smith does get a tune out of the players at home and we now have 6 home games to stay up. McGinn to come back will be massive as Hourihane and Drinkwater are liabilities. Grealish had the least touches for both sides in the first half tonight. I expect Hourihane’s standoffish performance contributed to that as the nearest team mate to Jack on the pitch. When Jack and McGinn were playing they were both the most fouled players in the league. We can still do this. 4 of our next 5 are at home. Possibly 5 out of next 6 when Sheffield United rearranged too. Let’s hope a full Villa Park can roar us onto 3 or 4 home wins. If the Corona virus makes us play behind closed doors, that would be a huge blow.

Totally limp performance away from home again. But what can we expect when Hourihane starts? That was a bizarre selection. Reina must now be dropped. At least there are only 4 away defeats left this season. Smith must be questioning himself now even if Purslow isn’t.

Selecting Hourihane was always asking for trouble. How many times does he need to see that he’s out of his depth?

I’ve seen people run faster in a swimming pool.

1st half positives: great cross from free kick 1st half negatives: everything else

We make Man City and Leicester look like they are Burnley good at corners when Hause doesn’t play.

If Nyland did that he wouldn’t play again this season.

Elmo has always been a better winger than a full back, as he has quality of delivery so happy that he has a chance. Hourihane selection worries me but not as much given as it’s him or Drinkwater currently in the chosen formation. He is probably only keeping the place warm for McGinn anyway whose realistic target comeback was always the Chelsea game.

There was some discussion recently about our greatest player in living memory. I think you would go along way to beat league winner, European Cup winner and they almost a decade later come back and nearly win the league again with Sid pulling the strings in midfield and back in the England team. I have never met anyone who has had a bad word to say about him. Hoping he stays as healthy as possible for as long as he can. Good luck Sid.

Yes, although difficult to know if that will help us or not. They will be playing without any pressure at all and could blow us away. Maybe best if they stay in CL and start resting players. I heard their kids are meant to be good, maybe they can play them..

This season it’s hamstring injuries. 1st one was worse with a couple of set backs after recommencing training. 2nd was apparently a different area and less serious. As frustrating as it is, he was available for a lot of the last 2 seasons but was behind Tammy and Kodjia in the pecking order all of last season, so hopefully this season’s injuries are not necessarily a predictor of future issues.

Maybe but our home crowd has been generally very supportive this season and the team have responded to it. The crowd will now get even more behind the team in my view as we all know it’s needed. The Remi Garde team/fan connection days (or lack of it) are thankfully long gone.

6 of our last 10 are at home. Generally we’ve played well at home and there isn’t a single team left to play at Villa Park that we can’t get points from. However, I’m slightly concerned that if the Corona Virus panic continues and games are played behind closed doors that this could take away our home advantage. Especially so as the likes of Bournemouth wouldn't even notice the difference.

A good set of results. Even Newcastle winning isn’t all bad as they’ll likely be safe by the time we get to play them and packing their suitcases.

I hope you’re right that and that he will progress quickly but I doubt there any other Doncaster players that look like they could be playing in the Premier League next season should we stay up. He most likely will need to stay out on loan to get game time.

He’s played 106 minutes in the league this season.. Also, he basically got an assist for Samatta’s goal against Bournemouth but didn’t count as deflected.

I’m just here to like every post that praises Davis. He has real potential. More Heskey potential than a goal machine but people seem to forget how good Heskey was in his prime and how important he was to some very good teams, including England. I’m looking forward to when Sir Gary Cahill starts to post that Davis isn’t all that, as that should mean we have another superstar on the books.

When he was 19.. It’s funny how we always play better when he’s on the pitch though. We seem to be able to play more in the opposition half. He’s no goal machine but he is a very useful player for us if he can ever stay fit.

Totally agree. We’ll probably have to sell Jack unfortunately to comply with finance rules if relegated but anyone else stays unless they are not wanted. We don’t need to do anyone any favours and need a squad capable of going straight back up this time if the worst happens (and I still think we’ll be ok..)

Not anymore. Man City/Arsenal has just been announced for next week.

As our away game at Newcastle is going to be moved, we are only going to be scheduled to play 2 league games in March.. Although, if Sheffield United lose tonight we can switch that to Saturday 21st instead, assuming Man U beat Derby tomorrow. If they draw tonight and need a replay it can’t be until 17/18 March, if we’re allowed to schedule at such short notice, otherwise it’s April. More time for McGinn to get fit I guess. I don’t think Newcastle having to play more games is a bad thing though and they seem to be playing a strong side in the cups. Edit: no more replays.. As Sheffield United won, my money is on Wednesday 18th March, which will give us 3 homes games in a row, which could be massive.