Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on September 21, 2023, 09:05:32 PM
-
Sunday 24th, 2pm KO.
I really hope we don't put in another horror show away from home, especially against this lot.
-
Moreno has been on the bench twice but hasn't got any minutes yet. Do we start him or stick with Digne?
-
We better but be a fuck load better than we were tonight. Needing a reaction is becoming tiresome.
-
Sorry to say but think it'll be a morale boosting simple win for Chelsea. Emery doesn't really seem to know his best team at the moment, and we've got two many players (eg Watkins, Kamara, McGinn) playing way below their best.
-
we're going to need a backbone against Chelsea - tonight it was lacking in a big way.
-
anybody who thinks anything but a dicking is coming sunday is deluded , we look a slow / half hearted / arrogant bunch of fannies at the moment , injuries havnt helped but god how are lenglet digne chambers tielemans bailey anywhere near a supposed club that wants to break into the big boys club !!
-
anybody who thinks anything but a dicking is coming sunday is deluded , we look a slow / half hearted / arrogant bunch of fannies at the moment , injuries havnt helped but god how are lenglet digne chambers tielemans bailey anywhere near a supposed club that wants to break into the big boys club !!
Nothing like a bit of hyperbole.
-
We aren’t the defensive unit we were last season but we are still capable attacking wise.
Emery hasn’t got much time to work on this game and they haven’t played midweek. I’m going 1-1 more in hope.
-
3-1 Villa.
FTF 8)
-
Fancy our away travails may continue. However a return to last season’s away from home over my dead body mentality is long overdue. 2-1 Villa on premise McGinn plays in his most effective position and because we’re away from home Bailey doesn’t start.
-
3-1 Villa.
FTF 8)
Too optimistic, doubt we'll get 3. It'll be Chelski :o - Villa 8) 8).
-
3-1 Villa.
FTF 8)
Too optimistic, doubt we'll get 3. It'll be Chelski :o - Villa 8) 8).
I'll take it!
-
Oh fuck these fuckers! But we will get battered to within a funeral of our afterlives. 4-1
-
3-0 home win. This 3rd tier euro thing plus the Mings injury will kill the season. The summer business wasn't good enough.
-
2-0.
-
Were going to lock Todd boehly in our own replica wicker man in the image of Doug Ellis, daub Warpaint a la Adam Ant and throw some shapes to pagan tunes as we dance around the burning pyre.
-
The summer business wasn't good enough.
Starting to look that way.
-
2-1 to those ******
-
Too many out and not enough in.
-
Too many out and not enough in.
The ones going out being injured rather than sold though
-
I don't like the negativity creeping in.
Chelsea are shit. They're not a team. They're under so much pressure if they don't come out firing the fans will turn and our team will smell blood and kill them off.
They haven't shown much this season at all.
-
You will see a different Villa team on Sunday of that I am certain.
-
Hope so.
-
Chelsea can't score for shit, we can. With a bit more prep I'd be confident of a win but given the result tonight and quick turn-around, a draw wouldn't be bad.
-
Chelsea can't score for shit, we can. With a bit more prep I'd be confident of a win but given the result tonight and quick turn-around, a draw wouldn't be bad.
Back to 3/4 defenders from last season, and 4/4 in midfield. Watkins upfront and Diaby/Pau the only "new" faces and we should do okay, I think.
I'd assume Poch has enough brains about him to have noticed how easily rattled we are if we don't get control of the game immediately, but whether or not he can get his players to do anything about it is less certain.
-
The summer business wasn't good enough.
Starting to look that way.
without the injuries the squad looks very different, harsh to view the business this way IMO.
diaby has been incredible, zaniolo ideally would be being bedded in behind buendia and lenglet wouldn't be here at all. torres would be being bedded in more slowly and digne wouldn't have played so many minutes.
we've still a decent enough points return, but we definitely have the feel of a team figuring itself out but i think that's not suprising given the circumstances.
-
All I know is we're not keeping a clean-sheet.* I'll go 2-2.
*again all season.
-
1-2
Chelsea are shite.
-
we've still a decent enough points return, but we definitely have the feel of a team figuring itself out but i think that's not suprising given the circumstances.
If you want to be glass half full about it, we at least have the feel of a team that can and have clicked, as opposed to Chelsea or ManU, who don't even look like a team that have met eachother before. We're just annoyingly inconsistent about it.
-
Chuckle brother bound to score .
Hope we can put in a performance like last season what a cracking day out that was but we seem lacking the team buzz
-
we've still a decent enough points return, but we definitely have the feel of a team figuring itself out but i think that's not suprising given the circumstances.
If you want to be glass half full about it, we at least have the feel of a team that can and have clicked, as opposed to Chelsea or ManU, who don't even look like a team that have met eachother before. We're just annoyingly inconsistent about it.
i think it's just a balanced view - we've lost our defensive leader and another key player to injury in the first week, been without 2 of our other most creative and consistent players whilst bedding in new ones. any team would be thrown a little, and the points tally speaks for itself
-
we've still a decent enough points return, but we definitely have the feel of a team figuring itself out but i think that's not suprising given the circumstances.
If you want to be glass half full about it, we at least have the feel of a team that can and have clicked, as opposed to Chelsea or ManU, who don't even look like a team that have met eachother before. We're just annoyingly inconsistent about it.
i think it's just a balanced view - we've lost our defensive leader and another key player to injury in the first week, been without 2 of our other most creative and consistent players whilst bedding in new ones. any team would be thrown a little, and the points tally speaks for itself
I know, I was agreeing with you. Just pointing out that despite the wobbles, we have at least shown at times that we can click as a team and play really well. Unlike certain other teams who are still trying to figure out how to make their squads into a team.
-
Chelsea have been really poor this season so I don’t expect them to beat us by more than 1 goal. We seem to be reverting to “need a win desperately, don’t panic as Villa is our next match”. Wonder how long it’ll be before someone pops up here to say Watkins will definitely score? I’d start Duran personally, at least he can put himself about a bit.
-
Chelsea have been rubbish but they still have a lot of talented players. If we play like we did last night we’ll lose and probably heavily. Hopefully last night will be the final time this season where we essentially play with no midfield. We need to be so much better in this.
-
Despite this two bit, Johnny come lately, dodgy money, no history, media bullshit outfit looking a bit shit, they're not that shit so it's still a tough game but we go there for a win. The biggest issue is our defence, so Pau back in alongside Konsa with Cash and Frank Marino as full backs. That should be solid enough for us to build on during the game and after last night I would start with Rockin' All Over The World and Jhon for Kamara and Watkins. The latter looks way off form, he'll get it back but at the moment a rest might be the best thing.
1-2
-
The defence is beginning to worry me, we don’t have the platform upon which Emery built last seasons success.
It’s hard to distinguish between Torres and Langallet , they both look vulnerable to pace. Cash and Digne are not great defensively.
-
Whichever team scores first wins.
-
Our best formation without Mings is a back 3 of Konsa, Carlos and Torres with Cash and Digne/Moreno as advanced full backs. This worked great at Burnley. The key obviously is the fitness of Diego Carlos - a minor hamstring injury? Will he be available this Sunday? Emery has been vague on the injury 'not a big injury' he said after Liverpool.
-
Whichever team scores first wins.
What if no one does? ;)
-
Please win.
-
The defence is beginning to worry me, we don’t have the platform upon which Emery built last seasons success.
It’s hard to distinguish between Torres and Langallet , they both look vulnerable to pace. Cash and Digne are not great defensively.
It's a total mess at the moment. Carlos looked ok - but he is no Mings, and is now injured anyway. We need to sort it quickly, otherwise the season is going to run away from us.
-
Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno
McGinn, Donk, Luiz, Ramsey
Diaby, Watkins
-
Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno
McGinn, Donk, Luiz, Ramsey
Diaby, Watkins
Yea I’d go with that.
-
Villafirst, it’s the usual Villa speak….small injury really means out for most of the season!
-
Looking for omens and last seasons Guardian preview of this game focussed on some no-mark Chelsea player in a piece that looked like it had come from a fan website. We gubbed 'em.
Now, it's all about the left back position at Chelsea, a topic on everyone's lips I'm sure.
Let's hope history repeats itself.
-
I hope Bailey is nowhere near the starting line-up.
Kamara for Donk in Brontebully's line-up for me.
-
Chuckle brother bound to score .
Hope we can put in a performance like last season what a cracking day out that was but we seem lacking the team buzz
He's injured isn't he?
-
Chuckle brother bound to score .
Hope we can put in a performance like last season what a cracking day out that was but we seem lacking the team buzz
He's injured isn't he?
oh not sure .
Please please no Bailey , he's a waste of a shirt in away games
-
So 8 games in, 5 wins, 3 defeats, 21 for, 13 against - obvious what the issues are ie defence and defensive midfield. Too much chopping and changing personnel wise, missing Mings in particular.
Cast iron 1 1 draw it is then. Watkins for us, over priced numpty for them.
-
Bbc predictions thing has a Villa fan on this week. Some MMA guy from Birmingham. Anyway, he backs Villa and Sutton says he's backed Chelsea to pull themselves together too many times now so he's going for a draw, which means Chelsea will probably win. How much do these guys get paid?
-
over priced numpty for them.
Can you be more specific?
-
Last season, Unai Emery managed to turn Villa into an Unai Emery team, and we could go to Chelsea with no fear.
This season, Villa have turned an Unai Emery team back into Villa. Villa away at a team who can't buy a win and have a bunch of misfiring players needing a goal? We know how this plays out.
-
Richard, I just knew someone would say Watkins for us. Please, don’t put a bet on that!!
-
They were hugely meh against Bournemouth, who I though bullied them a bit. Kamara lacking at the moment for me, maybe Dougie or Donk at 6.
-
Last season, Unai Emery managed to turn Villa into an Unai Emery team, and we could go to Chelsea with no fear.
This season, Villa have turned an Unai Emery team back into Villa. Villa away at a team who can't buy a win and have a bunch of misfiring players needing a goal? We know how this plays out.
100% this. I don't even know how anyone thinks anything else. It is a cast iron certainty that Chelsea will use their comprehensive victory against us as a springboard for their season. Or maybe it'll be an oasis in their continued poor form. But they will beat us.
-
::)
Whichever team scores first wins.
What if no one does? ;)
Unai don’t do nil nil. ::)
-
So 8 games in, 5 wins, 3 defeats, 21 for, 13 against - obvious what the issues are ie defence and defensive midfield. Too much chopping and changing personnel wise, missing Mings in particular.
Cast iron 1 1 draw it is then. Watkins for us, over priced numpty for them.
bit misleading that given 8 of those were vs the Scottish pub team
We've faced 2 top 6 sides and they've swept the floor with us , big issues in defence and midfield.
The Palace win was a good result but i heard we didn't play well for large chunks of the game
-
I'm glad we're playing Chelsea this weekend, as it gives us the chance to put the disappointing results we've had so far into some context. They aren't the same threat as they used to be, and nether are they going to be so ordinary as they have been for the past year. A result there would be a good way to get back on track and feel the optimism that is a bit on the wane of late. Having JJ and Moreno back in the starting 11 would be a great boost.
-
Assuming Ramsey and Moreno are both back in the running for starting now, what's the lineup?
Personally I think we should stick with the back 4 of Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne. Controversial, I know, but it feels like midfield is where we keep losing games. Putting Ramsey back in there and trying to get some consistency with how we play is the main priority, I think. The knock on effect of that should be an improved defence and more goals, hopefully.
That said, I wouldn't be mad if I saw Moreno on the starting lineup this weekend. Bit given he hasn't played yet, I'd think a runout at the end of this, and as much of Everton as possible, would be a more gradual way of working him back in.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Pau
Digne
Luiz
McGinn
Ramsey
Diaby
?
Watkins
Not sure whether to stick with Kamara in mid, or go for Zaniolo (or Bailey 👀) and play a sort of 4-3-2-1 kind of thing?
-
Think Chelsea will score in the first 5 mins and that will be that . Jackson with the goal .
-
Think Chelsea will score in the first 5 mins and that will be that . Jackson with the goal .
You are a beacon of light in several posts on several threads today
-
Think Chelsea will score in the first 5 mins and that will be that . Jackson with the goal .
You are a beacon of light in several thousand posts on several hundred threads today
Agreed.
-
Panglossian posting aside, we do have an early goals problem this season and I for one will be imitating the action of the Unai should it happen again on Sunday.
-
Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.
-
Think Chelsea will score in the first 5 mins and that will be that . Jackson with the goal .
You are a beacon of light in several thousand posts on several hundred threads today
Agreed.
VillaTim is just the new Flintstone on here that's all.
-
Panglossian posting aside, we do have an early goals problem this season and I for one will be imitating the action of the Unai should it happen again on Sunday.
Pan who?
-
Panglossian posting aside, we do have an early goals problem this season and I for one will be imitating the action of the Unai should it happen again on Sunday.
Pan who?
Pangloss, super-optimistic character in Voltaire's 'Le Claqueur Heureux'.
-
Pans People?
-
One of those scaly anteater things, innit?
-
I thought pangloss was an Avon product.
-
One of those scaly anteater things, innit?
Don't be daft. It describes the craze that swept the Andes in the 70s. All the traditional musicians started wearing sequins, make-up and stacked heels.
-
Panglossian posting aside, we do have an early goals problem this season and I for one will be imitating the action of the Unai should it happen again on Sunday.
Pan who?
Pangloss, super-optimistic character in Voltaire's 'Le Claqueur Heureux'.
It's the way you don't read Camus or Bret Easton Ellis...
-
No. Pangloss is a rudimentary method of preparing 'street food' soon to be featured in the Lower Grounds all-you-can-eat buffet.
-
Olsen
Merino
Pow wow
Ezri
Cesh
Lulz
JJ
Ginsters
Diaby
Z
Big J
-
Pangloss is basically an old man trying to be younger and buying a lot of overpriced gear that the yoof wear and getting a 'fun' haircut in to the bargain.
-
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Moreno
Kamara Luiz
McGinn Zaniolo
Diaby. Watkins
-
Olsen
what's the thinking here
-
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Moreno
Ramsey
Dougie
Tielemans
McGinn
Diaby
Watkins
-
1-1 I’m thinking. we need a convincing performance against a “big 4” side and here’s a great chance against an underperforming under pressure Chelsea.
-
1-1 I’m thinking. we need a convincing performance against a “big 4” side and here’s a great chance against an underperforming under pressure Chelsea.
A steady performance, I think, where it feels like we're in control from beginning to end, is what's necessary. We've hammered lesser sides, and made a comeback against a stubborn mid table side. Chelsea aren't what they were, but a calm and controlled win would be nice now.
-
There is a reason we looked solid defensively against Everton Burnley Hibbs and Crystal Palace
It’s because it was Everton Burnley, Hibs and Palace they came to offer nothing in attack, and Palace still managed to score when they weren’t even looking to
It’s pretty simple to look solid when there is no pressure
Against everyone else where the opposition were on the front foot we folded
Chelsea haven’t been that good this season yet, but have good attacking options and will definitely look to go forward
I can’t see us not conceding our defence is that weak, so let’s hope for a tiptop performance from the midfield and forwards to try and get a result
-
We are capable of winning this but the absolute shockers we have had in picking up 3 away defeats means we will get thrashed. So I will take a draw now.
-
I will take, in no particular order of preference,
0-1
0-2
1-2
0-3
1-3
2-3
0-4
1-4
2-4
3-4
0-5
1-5
...
-
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Moreno
Kamara Luiz
McGinn Zaniolo
Diaby. Watkins
Our left side would be exposed with both Moreno and Zaniolo in advanced positions, plus it would castrate Dougie from playing his best role as box to box. Ramsey, if fit, would give more defensive support to Moreno. More than anything we can't continue going gung-ho with such a poor defence and disjointed midfield. I'd go with a more conservative
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Moreno
McGinn Kamara Luiz
Diaby Ramsey
Watkins
Tempted to replace Watkins with Big Jhon but Watkins may never recover if we did so we need to keep him there for now. Probability says he'll score sooner rather than later.
-
1-1. We will score first. They will equalise in the second half and throw everything at us, but we will hold on...
-
We're not very good away from home and I don't think we've cracked it yet. We will once the defence settles, there's plenty of quality there, but not yet. 3-1 loss.
I'd start Dendoncker next to Luiz for extra protection, given the choice.
-
We really need to get our defensive cohesion back and that includes the link between midfield and defence.
-
Hourihane would've offered more resistance than Kamara the other evening. We need to get him* back firing, asap.
*Booby, not Conor.
-
Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.
They have taken 30 points from their last 34 matches.
-
Think I would go with:-
GK Martinez
CB Torres
CB Konsa
RB Cash
LB Digne
DM Kamara
CM Douglas
AM Ramsey
WG Bailey
WG Zaniolo
CF Watkins
Moreno may need some time to sharpen up and like Watkins to harass their defence, over Durán.
-
1:3 we won’t play well but they’ll be worse
-
Think I would go with:-
GK Martinez
CB Torres
CB Konsa
RB Cash
LB Digne
DM Kamara
CM Douglas
AM Ramsey
WG Bailey
WG Zaniolo
CF Watkins
Moreno may need some time to sharpen up and like Watkins to harass their defence, over Durán.
No Diaby?
-
That’d be a weird call.
I think it’s a big game for us tomorrow, beyond Burnley (and Hibs) we’ve looked a bit of a disorganised rabble away from home this season. Our level has to be much higher.
-
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Moreno
McGinn Luiz Ramsey
Diaby Zaniolo
Watkins
We'll win, 0-1.
-
Whoops, forgot Diaby!
-
I think Unai has to make changes for this, and I mean changes to the more regular 11 rather than removing the more obvious keystone cops defensive elements from Thursday.
I don’t think Bailey was as bad as everyone made out in Poland, but would still pull him out and would have Zaniolo as a potential impact sub too. Would start with Ramsey and hope that Moreno is fit to start too and try and get 60 mins out of both if possible.
I’d go with
Martinez
Cash. Konsa. Torres. Moreno
Mcgin. Dougie. Kamara. Ramsey
Diaby
Watkins
Think this gives makes us hopefully more solid and have both some defensive options off the bench in Digne and Donk but some attacking threat too in Zaniolo, Dhuran and Bailey.
Head tells me it will be a draw, both teams need a result, heart tells me 1-2 us (Watkins, Diaby)
-
We are a bit rubbish at the back away from home.
This is one of the games along with Liverpool away and a couple of others that I can't stand to watch.
The dreadful home fans, wanky flags with cringeworthy messages across them, the sky wankfest.
No.
And well probably lose.
-
Id be tempted to bring Donk in for Kamara , kamara needs a kick up the backside and would help defensively and some height . Not sure Moreno will start as was expecting him to play a bit on thursday and Digne worries me defensively . No to Bailey , maybe Ramsay to get 60 mins with Watkins and bring the Z and Duran on , but Watkins is definitely under pressure .
-
Yeah they need a win, we're just so unreliable at the minute, an early goal for Sterling will, I suspect, do for us.
Not wanting to seem excessively Gnashy (larf!), but sometimes you're just pessimistic about a game!
-
Yeah they need a win, we're just so unreliable at the minute, an early goal for Sterling will, I suspect, do for us.
Not wanting to seem excessively Gnashy (larf!), but sometimes you're just pessimistic about a game!
Yeah I’m pretty pessimistic about this one. We really haven’t hit our straps yet. Hopefully today is the day we get it done.
-
defend well, we'll win...
-
Don’t fancy us - they need a win - we’re not solid enough at the back and have some players that seem off it for one reason or another.
On the positive side, only 6 games in and will have done Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle away.
-
IF we do lose today, the doom and gloom merchants will be out in full force...
-
IF we do lose today, the doom and gloom merchants will be out in full force...
Depends if we lose how we lose
If it’s another defensive clown show then yeah I’ll be moaning like mad
If it’s a solid performance and Chelsea Shade it by the odd goal, then not so much
-
defend well, we'll win...
Trouble is, that's pretty much what I was saying!
-
Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.
They have taken 30 points from their last 34 matches.
Boehly doing his best to put meat on the bones of the old adage about how do you become a millionaire football club owner; start off as a billionaire.
That said, as a Villa fan whose time served includes 2006-onwards, I probably shouldn't be too quick to mock that particular failing.
-
Talking to a Chelsea fan at work today he's bet on villa to win 3-1. He seriously fears relegation.
They have taken 30 points from their last 34 matches.
Boehly doing his best to put meat on the bones of the old adage about how do you become a millionaire football club owner; start off as a billionaire.
That said, as a Villa fan whose time served includes 2006-onwards, I probably shouldn't be too quick to mock that particular failing.
If you look at the table for the calendar year, and take out the 6 relegation/promotion sides who haven't been in the league all year, then Chelsea are in a relegation scrap.
-
We need to play this like we did Spurs away last season.
Handbrake on first half. If we get a serious chance hopefully it falls to Diaby and he takes it. If not 0-0 is pretty good given how we've defended on the road so far.
Then hopefully with superior bench options we can kick on and have a good go at winning.
I think it will be a draw. Despite our indifferent start it's a disappearing result if we lose today. Surely aswell UE will be constantly going on about being focused at the start given we've been asleep so far at start of away games bar Burnley and been punished as a result.
-
I'm going to be annoyed if we concede at all. They couldn't score in the last two against either Bournemouth or Forest, two sides for whom those results represent their only clean sheets in all competitions this season.
-
I'm going to be annoyed if we concede at all. They couldn't score in the last two against either Bournemouth or Forest, two sides for whom those results represent their only clean sheets in all competitions this season.
They created a fair bit v Liverpool on the opening day. Also were well on top v West Ham first half but then missed a penalty and mentally collapsed after that. Jackson also missed a sitter from six yards late on v Forest.
It's same as ever. Keep it 0-0 and their crowd will start to boo subs and missed chances. Concede early and it's going to be a problem given we'll have to push up and someone like Sterling has started the season well.
Jackson v Pau is obviously the key battle. Will be charitable and say they're both still settling in. At least Pau knows him very well from training with him every day for last two years so he shouldn't be getting as rolled as easily last few matches.
-
Normal stats dictate that if they didn’t score in their last two games they are likely to score today unless they are a total rubbish relegation contender team. Chelsea are not that so don’t be surprised if they score. We need to play tight and not concede early. We have lost every game where that happened.
-
Chelsea are long overdue a goal, and with our defending it will happen today.
1-1
-
Even Everton managed a good day yesterday, so anything is possible.
It's been said already but we need to score first. Can't give them any chances to get excited and into their stride. They barely resemble a team when they're at their worst, so we need to keep them at that level.
-
Never been more sure of a win on all my life.
Its 3-1 Villa today.
-
Never been more sure of a win on all my life.
Its 3-1 Villa today.
Oh dear.
-
Going for us to win. If we don’t I predict a meltdown on here
-
Chelsea have 30 points from the last 34 league games since wiping the floor with us.
-
Never been more sure of a win on all my life.
Its 3-1 Villa today.
Well thats screwed that then!
The three really poor performances this season at Newcastle, Liverpool and Warsaw, have started with an early goal for the opposition. Stop this and score first and they will have to come at us and leave more space for the likes of Dougie and Diaby to exploit….so first 10 mins is vital here.
-
defend well, we'll win...
And therein lies the problem.
-
Don't concede a goal in the first 10 mins of each half, please. If we can manage that, we should get a result.
-
Don't concede a goal in the first 10 mins of each half, please. If we can manage that, we should get a result.
Given how injury time works now though, that still leaves 90 minutes in which to let one in!
-
Chelsea have 30 points from the last 34 league games since wiping the floor with us.
They were lucky at VP last autumn. We missed some sitters.
-
Never been more sure of a win on all my life.
Its 3-1 Villa today.
Mystic Meg or Mystic Mug? We'll know at 4.05pm.