Opening games in recent times:2016 Bruce: Villa 1 Wolves 12016 Di Matteo: Wednesday 1 Villa 02015 Garde: Villa 0 Man City 02015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 1 (although he seems to have had some involvement in the previous week's two-one FA Cup win at home to Leicester)2012 Lambert: West Ham 1 Villa 02011 McLeish: Fulham 0 Villa 02010 Houllier: Villa 3 Blackburn 1 (League Cup, first League game was a 2-1 win at Wolves) 2006 O'Neill: Arsenal 1 Villa 12003 O'Leary: Portsmouth 2 Villa 12002 Taylor (second spell): Villa 1 Chelsea 11998 Gregory: Villa 2 Liverpool 11994 Little: Villa 1 Wednesday 11991 Atkinson: Wednesday 2 Villa 31990 Venglos: Villa 1 Southampton 11987 Taylor (first spell): Ipswich 1 Villa 1
It is a game of Hope
New manager. Feeling of optimism. Full house. We’re gonna lose aren’t we?
There 283 left for the Upper Trinity and 42 elsewhere in the Witton Lane.I'm hopeful that the swell of optimism, big crowd and new manager bounce carries us to a good result.I thought Swansea were unlucky not to have 4 or 5 put on them at the Blues when I saw them. They got absolutely battered. But they've got some good results, even if you don't know who half of them are.Only Tuesday and wish it was Saturday.
In all my time watching the Villa, when there tends to be a buzz of excitement for whatever reason, a bit of hope, a full house and expectation, we tend to fall flat on our arse. Here's hoping Saturday is different. Please!
Opening games in recent times:2016 Bruce: Villa 1 Wolves 12016 Di Matteo: Wednesday 1 Villa 02015 Garde: Villa 0 Man City 02015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 2 (although he seems to have had some involvement in the previous week's two-one FA Cup win at home to Leicester)2012 Lambert: West Ham 1 Villa 02011 McLeish: Fulham 0 Villa 02010 Houllier: Villa 3 Blackburn 1 (League Cup, first League game was a 2-1 win at Wolves) 2006 O'Neill: Arsenal 1 Villa 12003 O'Leary: Portsmouth 2 Villa 12002 Taylor (second spell): Villa 1 Chelsea 11998 Gregory: Villa 2 Liverpool 11994 Little: Villa 1 Wednesday 11991 Atkinson: Wednesday 2 Villa 31990 Venglos: Villa 1 Southampton 11987 Taylor (first spell): Ipswich 1 Villa 1
Quote from: Richard on October 15, 2018, 03:08:06 PMPretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :NylandElmoTuanzabeChesterTaylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !BBMcGinnBolasieGrealishHourihaneAbrahamsSubs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El GhaziId expect Bree to retain his spot at right back. Showed a bit of promise v Millwall going forward. I honestly hope Neil Taylor never plays for the club again after his effort v Millwall. Hutton for me on the left. Going to be a very interesting team selection but it's still the same group of players unfortunately.I don't see the likes of Jedinak, Whelan, Hutton, Elmo, Kodjia and Taylor lasting too long in the new regime.
Pretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :NylandElmoTuanzabeChesterTaylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !BBMcGinnBolasieGrealishHourihaneAbrahamsSubs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El Ghazi