Reluctant Striker

I think it's harsh on the manager that took them up, from nowhere. But I do also kind of like that it gives Nuno another Premier League chance. He did incredible things with Wolves. Who were spending more than they had ever spent. And seemed a lot like nobody at Spurs wanted him. From the 1st appointment announcement.

Man United - 10 years since last title, next would be 21st Arsenal - 20 years since last title, next would be 14th Liverpool - 1 title in last 30 years or so, next would be 20th Villa - 40 years since last title, next would be 8th Spurs - 60 years since last title, next would 3rd Newcastle - near 100 years since last title, next would be 5th Spurs have magnificent PR & Newcastle have sexy Saudi Arabia.

The big positive for Villa was winning without Douglas Luiz. And Tielemans, who has played DM in Europe. We all hear what happens when Man City are without Rodri. If Villa are top at Christmas, which they very easily could be, they have to be considered title contenders. People may still expect Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal or even someone else to come through by the end. They may even expect a few clubs will all chip in at some stage to buy the best of Villa, piece by piece. But those intent on ignoring Villa will increasingly look like a football themed spec savers commercial.

Yes, you would kind of hope the 1 fan Watkins seemed to point out had been doing or saying something really bad. He did seem to sigh a bit when he realised he'd maybe started up a shoving match. Seen Unai say the general behaviour should be better. And I'd be expecting better behaviour. As a fan, it would feel like a best behaviour away game, given Dean Smith, Ollie Watkins & Ezri Konsa. I'd understand it more if it had been Villa playing at Man City or Burnley. But, who knows who had been saying what to who. Especially when you add in Ben Mee (BBC MotD choice for a Villa only Sunday pundit a few weeks back.. Near enough Robbie Savage or Micah Richards)

If Villa win at home to Sheffield United, then only a Liverpool or Arsenal win keeps Villa from being Christmas number 1.

It's rare to have a stadium of total silence at FT.

Brentford - Villa got quite spicy. Started with Ben Mee's VAR sending off. I remember him from his Burnley days, when he took out Wesley or Heaton. Then Watkins did something quite specially taunt looking after his goal. It was bizarrely Villa trying to hurry the restart at 1-2. Later, Emi Martinez trying to drag Maupay to his feet, soon after being clotheslined by someone. Then it all got a bit chest bumping among loads from each side, before Kamara got his red card. I guess it is still the Watkins-Mee-Smith derby..

Big 3 points for Villa. A few missing midfielders. Kamara will miss 1 or 2 now. But, we'll surely start favourites with any 11 at home to Sheff United & Burnley. 9 points from 12 to end the year. Plus any Old Trafford bonus.

Really odd team selection from Unai. Tielemans not available either. But we had conducted some quite extensive research to know with certainty that this particular midfield can be expected to fail. Dendoncker, average as he may be, on as 2nd DM for Konsa or Cash. And Bailey on for someone else. Ramsey or Diaby.

Reading lots about Brentford absences. But for Villa Douglas Luiz & Digne both suspended. First time since the days of pre-Unai that both McGinn & Ramsey are apparently part of a midfield 3, with one DM, Kamara. And he is much more DM that Dougie. Unless of course Unai's deploying Cash in a new DM based role. He has played wide midfield rather than wing-back before now. With Sheffield United (h) Man United (a) & Burnley (h) ahead in December, this one feels like it can set expectations whichever direction it goes.

Wouldn't it be weird if it turned out Man City are the false title contender? Yes, in seasons gone by, they have come back at Liverpool, trading ridiculous 100% winning runs. This does feel different.

Hope Tom Lockyer recovers well. But, twice now that he's had a similar incident. Surely his health & well being needs to become the priority at some stage.

Villa at home - played 8, won 8 Villa away - played 8, won 3, drawn 2, lost 3 The Villa away from seems the questionable thing to most. For Top 4 as much as anything else. But the away does already include Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea & Spurs. Who at some stage will have to try & show Man City & Arsenal how it's done at Villa Park. Brentford I think will either galvanize the idea that the Villa away form will mess it all up. Or start to disprove that idea.

It is most likely to be one of those. If someone ever got a Leeds reboot right, they could be another very realistic contender at some stage. The current FFP stuff seems designed to keep Newcastle from doing a straightforward Man City. But, who knows what loopholes & lucrative sponsorship they may find. This time last year I would have said Newcastle. But Big Ange has suddenly made Spurs seem more realistic than I've ever known them. And Emery is looking like a tactical genius & excellent man manager. Both of the qualities needed. And not many seem to have both.

Yes, West Ham & David Moyes does seem a confusing 'interim' sort of vibe & expectation. But then, my club are now getting towards where me & many think the aim should always have been. And many pundits & casual observers think is reserved for the more preferred & regular candidates of the last 15, 20 years. West Ham do have fans, I think, who feel they very much should be where Villa are, doing what Newcastle did, being like Leicester were for a few seasons. And with the Olympic Stadium & ability to spend reasonable money on transfers, I wouldn't like to argue against. But for me, given where West Ham have been during my life time, there surely should be some level of acceptance of comfortable mid table, in a division with a now long established Big 6, a resurgent Villa & Newcastle, and very possibly a returning Leicester next season.

If someone had asked before the season, the best outcome for Villa, I would have gone with anywhere in the top 6 & perhaps a trophy. Add in a few more players. Hold on to the top performers. Now? They should just try to remain doing what they are doing. What they have done 2nd half of last season & 1st half of this one. Where they are clear 2nd in calendar year table. But they also have given themselves a huge opportunity. That the players & fans should take positively. Not feeling the pressure that applies to the usual challengers. Any top 4 finish, perhaps still with a trophy, celebrated. Doing what some said could not be done. And, just by default, if none of the usual contenders step up the pace, making the title 90-95 points, then Villa, continuing to do what they are doing, will not be far off. Right now, without a few more additions, yes, Villa are the 1 where you can see a case that this could be their peak right now, while others could still potentially take it to another level.

It's great to see the power of money perhaps declining just a little. A few years back, purely spending more literally equalled way more success. But there really does feel much more focus on getting it really, really right on recruitment now. Spending £100m+ on 1 who did quite well for Brighton & 1 who had an ok World Cup is crazy. And etc, etc. Especially if you are old enough to remember Asamoah Gyan. Never mind Danny Drinkwater.

There is definitely a problem for Man United that the players just aren't good enough. To be where Liverpool & Arsenal are. Although there are aspects (the midfields) of both of them I find unconvincing. For a few seasons I've genuinely felt I would not want to swap Douglas Luiz & McGinn for any United midfielders. Or too many others I've seen around. Can now also add in the goalkeeper position. And probably centre forward. Diaby, Bailey, Ramsey & Buendia vs Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho & whoever else? Tielemans vs Mount? A few YouTubers around (Mark Goldbridge) now suggesting Villa are where they are, on work rate. I guess everyone pulls for their own, but to not see era's changing around you, while wearing a Big 6 baseball cap, is what Roy Keane is often on about. Who, still biased & pulling for Man United, often makes more sense than some suggesting any from Maguire, Evans, Lindelof, Martinez & Varane are walking into Villa's side. And not seeing what is staring them in the face. They need the hunger to be changing an era, that is not theirs. Along with a better recruitment policy.

Yes. Depends on what teams below & maybe above do. But draws at Wolves & Bournemouth. The loss at Forest. The really successful sides find ways for it to have been 2 wins & 1 draw. How the title points bar keeps getting close to 100 in so many recent seasons. It is still that kind of thing could make a difference to where Villa finish this season. But maybe not a bad run for the rest of December. Avoid defeat to Zrinjski to advance to UECL last 16. Brentford (a), Sheff United (h), Man United (a) & Burnley (h)

On Man United, the first & biggest thing that needs to happen is accept they are basically Liverpool of 10, 15 years ago. Roy Keane keeps hinting at it. Loose the comfy armchair of 'the big 6' mindset. The little inner circle thing. Because it's rapidly becoming a false focus group.

Perhaps understandably felt more open & with tired legs on both sides. Arsenals defence had plenty of the ball, in the 2nd half, but they just couldn't quite break through. Odegaard with the worst miss. I thought a couple of good decisions from the ref. The penalty shout seemed 2 players swinging a leg for a loose ball. And for the disallowed goal Havertz was playing volleyball on my TV..

Arsenal perhaps looking more dangerous the longer it went on. Personally, I would like to see Cash & Moreno, for fresh legs & perhaps better suited to pacy wingers. Also, for Villa to do something creative & more realistic with corners. We don't have the players to just try lumping balls into everyone in the 6 yard box.

Not sure, but seems at the very least Villa can be a side capable of beating anyone. They go to Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Still with a feeling they struggle in (big) away games. But have won at Spurs & Chelsea since that perception kicked in. And so 2nd half of the season, of the current top half, only Man City, Arsenal, Brighton & West Ham will be away games for Villa. Something quite under the radar it feels, right now.

Fair play to Pep, his post match comments actually very complimentary & not full of sour grapes. Rodri was a big absence. Phillips really needs to get himself out of there, regardless of the money. For Villa, it is now 14 consecutive home wins. Which BBC Sport is now saying equals club record of 1903 & 1931. But fairly sure 13 had supposedly equalled 2 other joint records, so at this point I think they are just guessing. Not sure if Diaby is one of those who had 'minor pain' or if Bailey is edging ahead right now.

Delighted. Honestly, perhaps slightly blemished that we didn't give them the drubbing nearly everyone else has taken at VP. Arsenal at the weekend.. no reason why not more of the same. Much like Unai, I don't quite accept we're in the title race. But, we finish where we finish. Good luck to any clubs supposedly wanting to entice any Villa individuals away from this joy ride anytime soon.