Reluctant Striker

It is a strange competition. But Ajax are the biggest name we could have met. They are still 5th in the Dutch league. And Villa battered AZ Alkmaar earlier in the season, who are 4th. A repeat performance of AZ would be brilliant. Batter them away first. Get to take it a little easy, on the Thursday night, before Spurs (h) at 1pm on the Sunday after.

That story about wanting a Wembley of the north & improving the south of Manchester would be perfectly ok if it was a politicians campaign. And it is true London as the capital often feels like it's usually ahead of.. Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Bury, Torquay, etc. There is quite a queue. But as a Monaco dwelling, minority share holder of a commercial behemoth, who is apparently seeking tax payer funding for a New Old Trafford, it's surely bordering on delusional. No tax payer owes Manchester United anything..

A much needed Villa win today. The centre back injuries are still a concern. The Fulham goal seemed to me like Lenglet was just wired up all wrong to be on the right side. Not as worried by the midfield. I have been thinking we were approaching a point where McGinn or Tielemans from deeper could be a good thing to try. Like riding a bike without stabilisers. Next 3: Forest (h), Luton (a) & Spurs (h) On all the others, Burnley have been awful all season. Both Wolves & Bournemouth exceeding most people's expectations. And I wouldn't go as far as to say Chelsea are back.. 90's Chelsea perhaps, but right now it's almost like they remind me of old top half - mid table Villa sides, who could take points off the best & get battered by anybody else. Hopefully Arsenal got straight down the tunnel at Turf Moor. Just doesn't seem a place to linger as one of the enemy of the week.

There were fan groups contacting the FA too, specifically about the 150th anniversary badge plans. And many split opinions on this Chris Heck changing most decisions set in place before he had arrived. The Badge changing. The North Stand redevelopment delayed. And more. Centre back injuries now building. Mings out since 1st match. Pau Torres on bench the last 2 games, after injury problems. Konsa out for a few weeks. And now Diego Carlos injured. So, heading into Fulham (a) it's on loan Lenglet, the frozen out Chambers & gradually returning Pau Torres. Getting dangerously near an emergency - crisis. Then add that Kamara is out with his 2nd long term injury in the last 2 years, and it's either young Tim Iroegbunam next to Douglas Luiz, or dropping McGinn or Tielemans deep.

Sadly feels to me Villa are in free fall. A run of 'good' matches ahead. But after the almost too good to be true home run, now 3 consecutive home defeats vs top 10 challengers, it is all suggesting to Villa fading away.

Villa vs Man United looking important to both. If Villa repeat the last 2 showings, United could easily be down to just 5 points behind, heading into the final 14 league matches. With Spurs in 4th. If Villa get the win, it's back to 11 clear of Man United & edging back into 4th. For me, this Villa side has missed Pau Torres. He has dictated matches like some sides 6. He could play for any side anywhere. He'll be the next 1 rumoured for a transfer. They will miss Konsa too. Carlos & Lenglet ok, but do seem a level below & have been thrown together out of necessity. While Kamara has been poor recently. Yet, McGinn & Tielemans are needed elsewhere, or not really their best position either. Probably both. Sort of embarrassing for either loser. And perhaps a crucial win to either.

Starting to get a bit worrying now. 1-3 to Newcastle in the league. 1-3 to continue a horrific FA Cup record since the 2015 semi final win. Man United up next in the league. Probably just the intertoto cup to try to win now.

No idea what to expect from the Villa vs Chelsea replay. Villa should be slight favourites. But Chelsea, for all the drama, are arguably a volcano waiting to erupt. Villa continue to have injury issues. In addition to long term Mings & Buendia, now Pau Torres has been missing & Konsa picked up a knock vs Sheffield United. Digne still out. So the back 4 will have to be Cash, Carlos, Lenglet & Moreno.

For me, the outright opposition view to the Tories, is usually the Lib Dems. Not just now, but for many years. And when you consider Labour were more recently formed, and to represent the working class, the poorest in society, the under-represented, it does start to make some sense. Social/council housing? Unskilled jobs? It is where many of the least 'Tory' type people end up. But they are also far removed from semi detached home, office working, Lib Dem's. Usually. And today, I imagine many would genuinely find it tough to choose between Rwanda planes or do nothing, because there is nothing to do. It is worth keeping in mind, UKIP, BNP, and various other far right parties, never really became more than protest movements. The furthest Farage & company are getting right now is that this boats thing has become a lead topic. It would not have been without them. But I sense it's unlikely to be a vote winner, even to the working class 'right wing' voter.

Its probably the pundits that need to tone it down a bit. Having watched a few months of Sky Sports, I feel Sky should get rid of, or dramatically reduce the way Neville & Carragher are used. Spend whatever it takes to get Ally McCoist on board as the main co-commentator & analyst for the title race type matches. He's easily the best at co-commentating. His enthusiasm & impartiality always noticeable. Most Sky Sports analysis bits I have watched over the last few months has often sounded like overly partisan fan banter. Maybe it's what they're aiming for. But I'm not sure it's especially healthy. Or wise.

Seems to me like a blank minded Neville needing to say something... anything.. before Micah Richards sings about cars. Every club, manager, player & fan celebrates most goals & every win. Although Klopp wanted more Anfield noise not too long ago. Arsenal have just got convincing revenge on the club that knocked them out the FA Cup & are now only 2 points, not 8, ahead of them.

To me, there felt like dwelling for keepers to own the situations. Alisson does go long quite a lot. And I think he does have a few assists from it over his career. Not really sure how or why he didn't. Maybe thought he could injure himself or van Dijk? Or give something away on Martinelli? But on the 2nd mix up & the 3rd going right through him, Alisson has cost them a point that would have flattered them today.

Both mistakes are a sign of playing-out-from-the-back going wrong. The old 90's if-in-doubt-put-it-out could have prevented both goals. But players just aren't trained & programmed to think like that these days.

Another goal for Cunha. Feels like he really has stepped up for Wolves this season. Now finding themselves in the battle for 10th, with Chelsea. Didn't Lopetegui walk out, because this was not possible?

He does seem the biggest risk of Villa's January signings. The keeper, RB & LB all for less money. All perhaps with high & realistic hopes of being 2nd choice in their spots, fairly soon. Morgan Rogers, rising to £18m, does for me raise questions again on Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey & Jaden Philogene-Bidace leaving.

Have to feel for Sheffield United. Some fans leaving at 20 mins & 0-3. But hopefully a confidence builder for Chelsea in the Villa Park FA Cup replay & Man United at home soon after. Peach of a through ball by Douglas Luiz for Villa's 2nd goal.

Slow January for everyone it seems, but Villa picking up pace, in a restrained way I was expecting, particularly after Unai's hints. Red Star Belgrade's 18 year old RB Nedeljkovic has signed up, but stays with RSB until actually joining up with Villa in the summer. Arsenal teenage LB, Lino Sousa supposed to joining. 2 of my boxes ticked there. 23 year old Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci close to signing. Many do feel an upgrade on number 2 Robin Olsen is another ideal box ticker. And, the biggest, perhaps straight to first team action, seems Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough. Born in the West Midlands & was very keen for the move. Sounds like he could play where Jacob Ramsey (with ongoing injury problems) would play. Buendia is nearing his return. They have used McGinn & Tielemans over on the left. For some reason I don't quite understand we haven't seen Bailey or Diaby as old fashioned left footed left wingers. So Rogers arrival & Buendia's return should start freeing McGinn & Tielemans as deeper midfield covers-competition.

For me, whoever takes over could give Liverpool an extremely impressive looking midfield, with just 1 DM signing. I do think Mac Allister is doing a good job for the team, but could easily be a De Bruyne style player. We've seen Szboz's taste for the spectacular long range efforts. Gravenberch seems a good rotation option. And maybe a few of the others. Put a beast of a 6 behind 2 of those & I don't think too many have better. Tactically, as Salah is one of those who can't really be like-for-like replaced, having a creative & goal scoring midfield would perhaps be the ideal way to go. And when you already have Nunez, Diaz, Jota & Gakpo, perhaps any Salah cash is best going on the DM. And maybe an Endo-Elliot sort of level forward, to just join the queue for game time. It's that, or out of contract Mbappe..

Disappointing, but not really surprising. It has felt like Villa have been in 3rd gear with a possible flat tyre since the Man City - Arsenal week back in December. They need things sorted for the Chelsea FA Cup replay. And it really would be a pity to just drift backwards in the league, showing 85% of the pundits to be totally accurate / giving them what they want.

As Gerrard the manager is an area of special knowledge to me.. he could perhaps suit the club that is expected to win. Though It was a variety of cups, it was maybe what he was used to as a player. Perhaps mostly in an era that was largely about fielding top players & telling them to do what they do. He did do well with Rangers. I do suspect he would do well at Liverpool. But Villa, near the lower end, maybe was not the right place at the right time. Whatever his intentions were, he lost half the fans over Mings-McGinn. And we started playing defensive, with two 8's & one 6 on the pitch, and another two 6's frozen out. And maintaining a full front 3, often made up of two 9's & one 10. With sub standard wingers frozen out. The players, caretaker & Unai all proceeded with better ideas & have unified with the fans. At Liverpool, they have a good enough side & squad that looking at 2 DM's with an 8 or two getting forward, and only 2 front line attackers, maybe would not be needed or go down too well at Liverpool. I do think it is unfortunate for him, that he would probably have suited Rangers -- Liverpool as a career path.

2-2 ! You will struggle to find a better left wing cross - 6 yard box tap in. Not in the inverted Premier League.

It is a bit weird with former star players. Dalglish became Liverpool player-manager, which was reasonably fashionable in the 1980's. Lampard got the Chelsea job, twice, via not getting Derby promoted & struggling at Everton. Terry has not been considered after being only assistant at Villa. Ole was Man United manager, but not a Neville or Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes & likely not Rooney. And it seems unlikely Kompany will be taking over from Pep. The former players may well all be keen to manage clubs they played for, but perhaps need that bit of luck, to be in the right place at the right time. If Gerrard had just won Rangers a 1st title in years, he would be right up there as a big favourite.

Plenty of replays this round. But, if Villa can get past Chelsea in a Villa Park replay, that's about as good a draw as you can get in the Last 16. Home & avoid certain clubs.

It is a really bitter derby. The Sunday 11:45am kick off spot for it is a joke.

It was more blatant hand ball than one disallowed on Friday.