RichW

Nobody had Arsenal in their title predictions at the start of the season I don't think. His done a very good job this season and deserves it (if they do win the league).

When I saw at half time of the Palace/Leicester that Palace had 20+ shots I was feeling confident for this game and that was before the Chelsea result. With Rodgers being sacked, there isn't really much time for anything to change in regards to coaching/getting them ready for this game but I do feel the players are going to want show that Rodgers was the problem so i'm wary of being on the receiving end of an Aaron Danks style Brentford result. Won't be easy, wouldn't be surprised if this is similar to the Forest/Newcastle game we saw before the international break and we have to fight hard for the result as they are more desperate for the points then Villa are. I still expect the club to finish 10th/11th this season and anything above that is a bonus but if we do manage to beat Leicester and Forest (probably another fixture where we will be facing a club without a manager if they lose to Leeds) then I will start thinking about challenging for the European places.

Think this week of games will give us a good idea of how our season is going to end. I’ve been thinking for the last month or so we will finish 11th and anything above that is a bonus. Chelsea are not great at home atm, losing to Southampton, narrow win over Leeds and drawing with Everton I think this is going to be our best chance to get a win at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully Kamara is back, Mcginn can go wide and Buendia up top with Watkins would be my predicted side. I’m gonna go for 1-1 here. Villa to take the lead and then Chelsea get back into it second half after we miss a few good chances to make it 2-0. With Leicester and Forest up next (both will probably be more difficult games then this mid-table clash if I’m honest) fingers crossed we can keep our unbeaten run going.

Tricky one to call tbh. I think a repeat of the Palace game could happen here. Bournemouth have had a good couple of games but one thing teams in a relegation battle struggle with is consistency. Sounds like Kamara is still injured for this so I’d imagine it be the same midfield as last game. Got a feeling Billing is going to be a problem for us tomorrow I don’t know why. 1-0 Villa win but a tough game.

Won’t get a look in for England under Southgate I don’t think. Southgate seems to favour calling up some of the younger players now if he can’t call up his favourites. Maguire should be no where near the squad but Southgate seems to love him.

Arsenal failed to score against Everton and Man City didn’t score against Spurs.

Only way Watkins was getting in was if Toney wasn’t going to be called up. Had no chance of getting ahead of Kane, Rashford and Toney.

Will take the point and move on. Played some good stuff at times but I think a draw was a fair result. Glad to see Watkins score again, should have had a second. Leon Bailey really starting to frustrate me now. It’s a very very soft pen but it was silly of Bailey to put his hands on him like that as it just gives the ref a decision to make and it would not be overturned by VAR so we’ve gifted them an easy chance to get back into the game. Was worried about Mcginn in midfield but he played well tbh. Would have lost this game under previous managers, so happy to take the point and hopefully get a win against Bournemouth to set us up nicely for a busy April.

Just looking at the league table I think it’s only Arteta, Pep, Klopp, Moyes, Rodgers and Frank that have been in the job 3 years or more and I’d imagine Moyes and Rodgers won’t be lasting beyond the season.

I just think how Moyes approaches games has caught up with them. How long has he been there now, 3 years I think? Once you hit 3 years as a manager in the Premier League I feel like unless your an elite manager (Klopp, Pep) the players don’t just respond to the messages as well and need a new voice? Feel like it’s the same with Rodgers at Leicester. Haven’t got the stats to hand but interesting to see how many managers that have been in charge for longer then 3 years, can’t be many.

Not got a good feeling about this game. On form Villa should be winning this game but I got a feeling this is gonna be a repeat of the game a couple of years ago where we pretty much battered them and still lost with a missed pen and tight VAR offside call. Probably thinking this because Kamara is out injured and I don’t rate Chambers (most likely) to come in and do a good enough job so midfield will be a weakness compared to there’s. These are like what we are to Everton, just can’t beat them.

Looking at the table I think the top 7 is going to be (in no particular order) Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Spurs, Newcastle and one of Brighton/Brentford/Fulham. Would happily take a top 10 finish but Kamara missing for up to 5 games possibly is a big blow. Will end up 11th.

Didn’t expect a win before the game but it’s about time Villa won this kinda game. Started well and then all of a sudden Everton were all over us. Wasn’t pretty viewing at times, was expecting one of the many McNeil crosses to land in an awkward place at some point. Watkins is loving life as the main man like 2 seasons ago, different player under Emery and with the fixtures got coming up got a chance to extend his run. Was a bit concerned seeing Buendia on the bench as wasn’t sure where the creativity was going to come from in the final third but at least we had the option off the bench. Made an instant impact with the assist for the penalty and took his goal well.

Next 5 games are all winnable games I think. Gerrard after his initial new manager bounce went something like 1 win in 12? Losses away to Brentford (who were awful at the time), Newcastle and Watford were really frustrating from what I remember. Confident Emery will get a decent points total from the next 5.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the club have started talks over a new contract. Will have 2 years left in the summer which is the time either sell or offer new terms. Playing really good under Emery, looks like confidence is high the way he took his goals against Arsenal and Man City. Just wish we had somebody more consistent starting next to him.

On paper this is a game we should win but we all know nothing is easy with Villa. This is the kinda game that has been Villa's Achilles heel since promotion, away to a physical side which just bullies us off the park. Sheff Utd away x2, Palace away x2 and Burnley away when we threw away the lead twice (against Dyche). Under Lampard this was going to be under a win but I see Everton being dangerous from set pieces here. Can see a draw here at best.

What we was all probably thinking last season and we didn’t lay a glove on them really. Think they was missing Ramsdale and another player if I remember correctly

Might have already been posted but saw this article from Tom Collomosse. I wouldn't be too disappointed if the club sold him in the summer as long as its a good fee. His reputation is high at the moment off the back of a world cup and his on a long term contract so the club are in a good position to command a big big fee for him.

Quite happy with him just coming off the bench and impacting the game that way at the moment. Can understand people calling for Bailey to be dropped on current form but will only take Duran a bad couple of games and people will be on his back. I'd imagine towards the end of the season we will see him starting some games but i've liked what i've seen so far.

His future be interesting in the summer. If Villa do sign a striker that would mean Watkins, Duran and a new striker and I don't see him getting any game time next season. I wouldn't be surprised if Archer is sold in the summer with a buy back clause. Good form for Middlesbrough will mean the club should get a decent fee for him.

A 12.30 kick off trip to Villa Park against their former manager is probably not what Arsenal want after last night but then I remember thinking the same thing last season when they played Liverpool mid week and then won at Villa park so I am not convinced that matters much tbh. Key will be not giving them an early goal as they will come out and start quick. When your in a slump like Arsenal are, Villa tend to be the ideal opponent to get back to winning ways. Need to wait for team news, if Mings plays then maybe stand a chance of getting something out of this game but if his out injured then I don’t see anything but a comfortable Arsenal win.

Oh I agree. Just when you read about hoping to challenge for the European places on here and we get one injury to Mings the standard of our defence becomes relegation battle standard.

Be interesting to see how our form fares over the next few weeks. 5 wins out of 7 was obviously not going to be sustainable, wouldn't be surprised if we go 4 games without a win before we play Palace. This group have shown they are capable of going on poor runs of form under both previous managers but i'm optimistic Emery will give us a decent second half of the season which will see us finish where we are.

I know Mings divides opinion but when he doesn't play the standard of our CB pairings is pretty poor without him.

After Grealish left I’ve stopped caring about players stopping or not. If he wants to go he wants to - aslong as we get a decent fee for him.