Reluctant Striker

It was 1 of the more surprising relegations of recent times. And at least was followed by 1 of the most predictable immediate bounce backs. It would not surprise me if they challenge in the top half again straight away, pending any punishment. But also expecting next season's bottom 3 to be a less obvious set of clubs too.

Yes, difficult to know what to make of this, but everybody knew the current method was not fit for purpose. This does, at first glance, appear to allow more spending, if clubs are in a position to splash around more cash, from an increased benefactor? Within set limits? And difficult to understand exactly why my club voted against. I can only guess they felt confident about growing the clubs finances within the existing arrangements. Yet Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool, West Ham, etc, all voted for this.

1 point doesn't really surprise me. 3rd match with them this season & they've turned up for a contest all 3 times. 7 points between 4th & 5th. Over to Spurs for a run of Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool.. It might get close, but right now it feels better to have actual points on the board. And that 1 point mathematically confirms it is only Spurs that can catch Villa. Different slant to put on it than any media are likely doing.

Another 3 points for Villa & anything but 6 points for Spurs from Arsenal & Chelsea this week, could be the race for 4th sorted. Would be great to play Cheltenham today, but have a feeling Chelsea will actually turn up at Villa Park.

Reached the stage a while back that Bournemouth (h) is an expected 3 points. But great to get them, after going a goal down & 3 days after European extra time. Chelsea next can feel positive with just 1 point, or maybe even near to a free hit. 6 or 7 games left of what's been a good season. Slightly above my expectations. Way above many neutrals. Every game like a final now, until it's over.

It has been sad for the state of English club football that the 3 promoted teams have done so badly. The most Luton & Burnley can get to is 37 & 36 points. And they will not be getting there. I'd say Forest have tougher games than Everton, but feels like both should do enough. Could be the least dramatic area of the table this season.

Personally I think continental & global football bodies should stop expanding what is only ever going to be gimmick tournaments, for a select few fans & new target audiences.

I remember when they brought in replay penalties.. and scrapped replays until an actual winner. I'm sure no replays will pass out of thought. But for certain, a brave away draw by an underdog is likely much better rewarded with a home reply. Not penalties on the day.

I do wonder if the 'we had to play midweek in Europe' excuse will start flipping from Premier League managers? To we had to play in the Premier League on Saturday..

Emi Martinez just does not lose penalty shoot outs. I do think he should really think a bit more if he's on a yellow. Pretty sure Unai will make that point to him. Fortunate in many ways, given the 'equaliser' was from their keeper fumbling the ball.

Crazy that Villa play 2 home games (Bournemouth & Chelsea) before Spurs play another league match. The next 3 for Spurs being Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool all away. Obviously I'd be delighted with Villa taking 4 points, to give a 7 point lead, to heap the pressure on a run of 3 fixtures like those. I'm sure Spurs will improve on the Newcastle result. But Villa do have it in their hands again right now. For 4th. And still in the Conference League too. Best it's been for a long time.

It would have been nice if Man City (a) could have gone more like this. But, where Villa finish could be significant in terms of the owners ambition to grow the club. I think we are starting to see that Liverpool were patched up in some areas & Arsenal perhaps do lack a Salah or De Bruyne level game changer.

Yes, I think Man United is the toughest Premier League manager job right now. But not for any good reasons. The recruitment has lacked any vision for a while. Liverpool sound like they are going for Amorim. Perhaps the most on trend available name. Chelsea perhaps need a manager who can get the best out of the youthful squad the owners opted for. But Man United, to get to where most their fans think they should be, they are likely several good transfer windows away, before they can even start looking at the right head coach to get them to the top again.

I don't know & follow all the ins & outs. I just know it's incredibly sad it went from terrorist kidnappings to accusations of genocide intent to military confrontation with Iran. And Russia is still in Ukraine. And there's probably other things around the world not making it to BBC News. Just really sad.

Not many stand out candidates around for too many vacancies. Alonso could yet be a 1 season wonder. Tuchel has looked to me for a while like he has an external desire to be Klopp, with an inner Roy Keane. Whether it's Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea, or all 3 appointing a new manager this summer, it could be on who takes the best gamble. For many Emery had failed in England. Not sure many saw Big Ange as an obvious Premier League candidate. Bournemouth were criticised. The Wolves manager abandoned a sinking ship. Was Eddie Howe a clear & obvious choice? Given the lack of obvious big names, and the gambles that have, to an extent, paid off over recent seasons, I think it would be football snobbery to entirely rule out a Southgate, or a Roberto Martinez, or whoever seems like a currently insufficient name.

I'd laugh @ Spurs but Villa play at Arsenal tomorrow.

Seemed to be as full strength as it gets right now. Conceding the goal was disappointing. No idea if away goals are a thing or not in this.

Shocking result. I guess a 5th Champions League spot just got further away..

Not sure I can remember a season with 3 title challengers at this stage. 4th feels difficult to call. The optimist in me sees Spurs only favourites in 2 of their games & entirely capable of losing the next 4. While the form & my pessimistic side tells me not to count on 9 points from Bournemouth, Brighton & Palace. And that Spurs will somehow do better against top half sides.

Spurs last 7: Newcastle (a) Arsenal (h) Chelsea (a) Liverpool (a) Burnley (h) Sheff United (a) & to be arranged : Man City (h) Villa's last 6: Arsenal (a) Bournemouth (h) Chelsea (h) Brighton (a) Liverpool (h) Palace (a)

With Villa I don't think missing 4th would be a case of 'bottling it'. But there is some inherent issue within good Villa sides of the last 3 decades & that's simply the level of players they have. When Villa have been good it's often with a mix of players (& maybe managers) who didn't quite fit in at a certain other club or were seen as past their best (Dean Saunders, Paul McGrath, Paul Merson, perhaps Unai) and those that have the potential to push on beyond Top 6 but questions if they are there yet (Dwight Yorke, James Milner, Ashley Young in his 20's, probably a few of the current side) In my time following the club been there has always been a battle to take things on to the truly top tier level. To see out the partial success. I'm not as familiar with Spurs, but perhaps similar things there. e.g. Harshly I probably don't quite see Maddison being a central part of Liverpool, Man City or Arsenal sides right now. While of course Man United would see him as a wing back or DM. And far too old for Chelsea.

Disappointing to hand control back over to Spurs. Could be a crucial 2 points dropped. When you look at remaining fixtures. It is the defence that's dropped more so than anything. Kamara was doing a very unique role at DM, covering the defence. And for me, we look much better when Konsa is CB, but Cash is out. On the positive side, Watkins is on 18 goals now. Rogers has an assist & goal in the last 2 games. Lille q-final either side of Arsenal (a) who have their own European games.

Not really a surprise to me, sadly. Form had been off for a while. And the latest batch of missing players I think got to 7 or 8 missing starters. Too much to be down by when a title challenger is at it & we're not. Only plus to take really is Duran scoring. Feels like he'll either develop in time for us, or bring in a profit sooner or later.

Fairly sure Rodri was suspended. De Bruyne was out for a while. Not sure Doku & Grealish are that influential. Mahrez & Gundogan didn't count. For me it was more that Villa were absolutely flying at that moment, and Pep did not take it seriously enough & was messing around playing 6 defenders with none of Kovacic, Nunes or Phillips 'trusted'. And he got burned for it by a Villa side with 4 CM's & 2 season long injuries. At the same time, Villa have dropped off since very significantly. I am looking at Man City (a), Arsenal (a) & Liverpool (h) as any points being a bonus.

The running order on Match of the Day was odd. Spurs win to go 4th.. lets head over to see the response to that.. at Stamford Bridge, for the most meaningless match of the weekend.