Reluctant Striker

Brighton 2-0 down. Scorer of the 2nd, Jordan Veretout. He was relegated with Villa, before going on to do quite well for himself in Italy, with Fiorentina & Roma. Back home in France now.

I wouldn't have predicted it, with any confidence. But did see Newcastle finishing in any position in the group as entirely possible.

There are 3 usual type paths relegated sides follow: A) immediate bounce back (Burnley, Newcastle) B) perhaps 2 or 3 seasons, within parachute payments return (Villa) C) a long time away (Forest, last time Leeds, Blackburn, Coventry) Not much question for me that Leicester probably are the worst (or best!) set of players to go down that I can think of. And I date back to the 90's. 'Big' clubs may have gone in the past, but was usually after quality players had been gradually replaced with youth & average journeymen. Yet Leicester have kept so many who took them to European competition, quite recently, and it seems to be helping make them to be one of the genuinely best Championship sides for a while. Leeds & Southampton are still in contention. But, Leicester have kept players, with no noises, at least that I've heard, Gnonto style wanting out. And added Winks & Coady. I'll assume they are doing ok. And would not have been too bad in a number of Premier League teams & squads. Should be able to be part of an increasingly likely looking re-establishing season 2024/25. In a few years, it just might confirm Leicester as being part of the 'big clubs' group not quite considered part of the big 6. Probably just would have been more fun doing it the Newcastle way, with all the Almiron style over-performances fuelled by money dreams.

I've just looked back into the Villa one. I had forgot some of the detail. It was Villa vs Sheffield United. I have a feeling it may have been the 1st of the no fans Covid restart in 2019/20 season. The season Bournemouth went down. Very narrowly. It was total cringe as a Villa fan, seeing the keeper & ball, clearly in the side netting, behind the post. Yet no goal being given. And 'getting' a 0-0 draw. There were still 9 games left. Villa still had to win 2 & draw 2 of the last 4 games, to stay up. But the final table was Villa 17th, 35 points, GD -26 Bournemouth 18th, 34 points, GD -25 So, there was still lots of football to play, but it was pointed at again at the end. It felt total cringe again. And I think there was talk of legal action, but it seemed to fade.

Sounds like a total farce ! Not really a surprise, but still shocked at how bad it sounds ! They clearly need to tighten up the conversations. Clear & simple. Standardised expected comments, requests, statements, etc. VAR should never, ever, be vaguely agreeing with things looking ok. It needs, Offside-no goal. Or Onside-Goal is good. etc. Everything freezes on field until the magic words either way are spoken. It really is shocking that is apparently not how it works right now.

The 1st Liverpool red certainly was correct for me. I think there's a liberal amount of bias around those type tackles. If it's Liverpool or Chelsea or whatever player on the receiving end, with legs or ankles being buckled, it's dangerous play, by dirty tactics, of lesser players, trying to unfairly level the playing field. Surely not the look & feel Liverpool aim for? The Diaz offside is the 1 that just defies all logic & reason. It had been my understanding every goal is checked. That no early offside flags were part of the plan, to always check whatever the situation appears to be. A neutral, or balanced pundit style VAR team is likely possible. Slightly crazy how often that idea gets rubbished. To be fair, one of the biggest mess ups since VAR was a few seasons back when Sheffield United were not given a goal at Villa Park. With the goalkeeper & ball clearly the wrong side of the goaline. But the refs line-sensor watch had not beeped, or vibrated, or whatever. Sheffield United went down. A different result at Villa would have been a different outcome.

I do suspect the ownership being an ongoing issue, probably gives him time. That & perhaps wrongly that Chelsea are worse off. I'm not sure what is. You could easily question the signings of Onana & Mount. But if they had gone to Brighton or Newcastle or Spurs, etc, would they be looking as bad? I doubt it. It just kind of often feels like Man United is just not a happy place. Perhaps because it's not Fergie Man United? And that's just something always in the room at the club. Something no other club has to contend with, except perhaps the not-Roman Chelsea. But, yes, it seems to me he just can't have all the squad happy & onboard. However much his own doing. However much that the club's name effects everything & everyone. As a direct comparison, Villa have recently won a combined 9-2 vs Palace & Brighton.

I am a bit disappointed. I did think Villa would get at least 1 week in the top 4. And also 'The Big Ange' noise would be turned down a notch or 2. It just adds to his credentials now, if he's getting wins against 9 man Liverpool. Even Newcastle couldn't beat 10 of them.

There just may be a title race. Liverpool do seem to be going ok with a much more attacking looking midfield. While Nunes & Kovacic feels like an equally notable different vibe to City's midfield. Doku had a bright start, but also was one linked to Villa before they spent quite a lot more on Diaby. And City opted for him after Mahrez & Palmer left. He certainly didn't seem to be a particularly planned signing. It is just one result today, but could work out to be the closest it's been for a while.

Yes, not sure if it's a playing style thing or maybe a shop window feeling, given the culture being set out in recent times, but Brighton do seem to struggle most when many are backing them as perhaps the favourites. But then generally so many sides, on their day, with a good game plan, can beat up most other sides in the league. Man City heavy favourites for yet another title, but below that, I struggle to think of a more competitive era in recent times. The 'big 6' plus Newcastle might get the 7 European spots if it were decided by media & fan votes, but also then West Ham, Villa & Brighton can not simply be moved lower down by some sort of media & fan vote.

Such a great time to pull a result like that out. It could easily have felt nervy & anxious. But no. And Ollie Watkins would not be swapped by too many Villa fans for any other English striker. Or too many strikers of any other nationalities.

Villa did the double over Brighton last season. But, plenty of weaknesses on show from Villa, in the toughest fixtures so far this season. Including reliance on Chelsea's inability to score. Quite simply, any win against Brighton will likely need to be the best performance of the season so far. But they certainly have it within them do it. And maybe they do just somehow have Brighton's number. Elsewhere, Everton have a chance to get toward mid table. And Spurs vs Liverpool certainly seems like the neutrals pick of the weekend.

Got to kind of like that Mansfield vs Port Vale and Exeter vs Middlesbrough winners are in a Quarter Final.

Probably what some at Villa will try to tell themselves. The Moussa Diaby fan song will have to change if/when they get knocked out of the Conference League.

Villa 0 - 2 Everton DCL fit. Scorer of 2nd goal. Looking like they are finding some reaction within themselves, from somewhere.

A couple of bits of gossip-news: The noticeably extra sweaty 1st choice / home shirts - the club have complained to Castore & are wanting them to resolve the problem of them trapping all the sweat. The men do not like them. The women's team start their season soon.. Not a great look for Castore, the men & I can easily imagine the women using the 2nd white & 3rd blue tops in the cause of decency, if they are less damp & clingy. The new badge - voted for last season. From a limited choice. Is to be replaced next season with a 150th memorial edition. Rumours that it could be a lone white lion, with no crest around it, similar to on Unai Emery's suit jacket vs Chelsea & noticed by some as a random thing on some of the interview background advertising boards.

I had seen a few stats during the last week, the most common one about it being well over a year since the last time Chelsea beat a team in the top half, at the time of the win. Someone was claiming the only win last season against any of the current top 10 was vs Gerrards Villa. And a calendar year table had Villa 4th, on GD to 3rd & 2 points to 2nd. While Chelsea were 16th.

Chelsea 0-1 Villa The ref generally had a poor game by the sound of things. For me, it really was a clash of a home side with their sort of pebble-dash mega money approach. Which right now just somehow doesn't seem to involve any players cut from the same cloth as Drogba, Costa, Lampard, Robben, etc, etc. And Villa who are now spending the standard going rate £20m to £40m sort of regions, with a tangible squad building plan, yet still a long way from the finished article. It still feels significant to win vs Chelsea. But, I really do think confident sides, playing well, could have ended up with a very different result. Even despite a red card. So, great for the 3 points & to be 6th. But, I think Brighton at Villa Park will actually need a better performance.

Yes, the local Midlands radio commentator initially thought it seemed a harsh yellow. Will be interesting to see the verdicts on that later.

0-0 at HT. Chelsea did get the ball in the net, but was clearly offside. They did also have spells with plenty of the ball. Mudryk got a cross or 2 in, yet nobody there on the end of it. While Villa did have 1 spell of 4 or 5 corners, 1 after the other. Zaniolo & Digne both forcing a save from Sanchez. Game very much there for the taking, by either side.

Villa line up: Martinez, Cash, Digne, Konsa, Pau, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Diaby, Watkins, Zaniolo. J Ramsey is back on the bench & it feels like Villa have missed both him & Mings. Mings was the one who talked, who would have been making sure midfielders were doing the right defensive, off the ball tracking & keeping shape. J Ramsey was starting to look very good at the hybrid role of being both an attacking player, yet also dropping back, with McGinn to team up with Kamara & Douglas Luiz, to block opposition playing through us. To often dominate midfields. Pau already seems excellent at passing, but not sure I'm seeing strong leadership. While Zaniolo, Bailey, etc, just are not used to being J Ramsey. Digne has been the only fit LB & is basically LWB. Arguably not best suited to a back 4. Against Newcastle, Liverpool & in Europe vs Legia Warsaw, we have been found badly wanting. And for me, it's the organisation & player types not being available for the right opponent. It's not just 'high line'. It's playing a method trying to actually win, but with the further forward players contributing as though a defensive counter attack style is in use, to not lose. At this stage, given all the circumstance I still have hope Emery will get things resolved. Chelsea are low on confidence. Especially in front of goal. But, if Villa let them boss midfield, they will cause problems. It really is another game that could go either way. No result would surprise me.

On form, Everton's win quite a shock. But, just another reminder, no results are guaranteed in this league. If anyone can bring Chelsea's long, long winless run vs top half teams to an end, it could just be Villa..

Good to see the ref being strong enough to send off Rodri. You raise your hands it's a red. Will miss a match vs Arsenal now.

Legia 3-2 winners. It was perhaps a brave option for Emery, to go with Chambers, Konsa, Langlet & Digne. Chambers & Lenglet have not seen much if any minutes. But, they will be needed. And it would begin to look like the plan for 1st choice team in the Premier League. With many of the 2nd choices & subs in Europe & cups. Hopefully more cohesion will develop the longer the campaign goes on. Still time to improve. The absolutely unheard of Zrinjski 4-3 winners at home to AZ. The group already on its head for now many would have predicted. Just to remind, Legia Warsaw were 1st pot 3 team drawn. And for reasons I still do not understand, were placed into the Villa group E. Nobody else in the draw was placed out of sequence. Elsewhere, Aberdeen only just edged out 2-1 at Frankfurt.

I will say I am looking forward to Chelsea (a) more than I have since the 90's. When Villa were up for cups & talked of as being in title contention when they were topping the table in December's. Just maybe, perhaps, Burnley get something. But it is Man United. No result would surprise me. Arsenal vs Spurs is fascinating.