Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: kippaxvilla2 on April 12, 2024, 09:06:56 AM
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This could be a proper decoration job. Let's park the bus and hope for the best. I will go 3-1 to them.
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By the way I just checked and it is showing Cash as not back until 21st.
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Well thats a positive start!
2-3 us, Emery masterclass (Watkins 2, Rogers)
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If our defence plays like it has been, this is going to be a right thumping. I have absolutely zero confidence I'm afraid. We'll probably score, but 5-1 to them.
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Arsenal hardly concede a corner never mind a goal at the moment, 3-0.
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It could be ugly.
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This has become our biggest game of the season so far. I'm going for us to complete the double. 0-1.
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This has become our biggest game of the season so far. I'm going for us to complete the double. 0-1.
I'd be surprised if Emery hasn't mentally written this one off like he did Man City.
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Be nice to get something. There's so much to dislike about Arsenal it's hard to say one thing. Ski mask wankers banging drums in tunnels? The most toe curlingly cringe songs since Hull mauled you? Arteta redefining cunty behaviour? Gravity being in short supply for their players? But the thing I like most of all, is the pure tears they cry when things don't go their way.
Tough ask, I'd bring Tim into the middle for a bit more bulk and have Tielemans further up. No early goals please and let's see what happens now we're into the Yip end of the season.
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My only hope is they are distracted by the Bayern second leg.
2 0 to them though.
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Since the Brentford Nylons game I've had a funny feeling about this one.
The kids were waving their tickets around yesterday and I told them how I thought it would go, raising a few eyebrows.
Conventional wisdom says a defeat, possibly by a few goals but every now and again we come up with a result at Woolwich.
0-1
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Yeah it's difficult to imagine tim not starting this one. Rogers is giving me hope, the defence - especially Carlos is giving me kittens.
Emi to reach true villa immortality and keep a clean sheet
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I'm predicting a 'Legion'. Surprise me, Villa.
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I have a gut feel that we have one more play to make in the "title race" but sadly I don't think it will be this one, more likely 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' at home. However you never know, but an early goal and I can see us collapsing. My son-in-law to be is taking me in the home end, so I'll be watching through my fingers I think!!
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A "surprise" 1-1 draw, with Konsa to score.
I'll get my coat...
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If we play like we have been playing we’ll get beaten and probably heavily. We have to start being more resilient or we’re going to fall away. Now Arsenal away we could play well and still lose, so I’m more interested in the performance level. We have to stop switching off.
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If we play like we have been playing we’ll get beaten and probably heavily. We have to start being more resilient or we’re going to fall away. Now Arsenal away we could play well and still lose, so I’m more interested in the performance level. We have to stop switching off.
I’m more interested in the results. Only a handful of matches left, just get the points we need.
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Yeah potentially 10 games left. It's just results now. Performances can definitely help with that, but who gives a chuff. Find a way to win.
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Yes obviously I want us to get a good result, my point, probably badly worded, was that even if we were playing at our best there’s every chance we’d lose away there. Therefore it’s an outcome that’s highly likely whatever we do. The performance is key for me, because if we don’t start playing better, or with more resilience, we’re going to drop plenty more points.
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We need to get something from this one, hard as it will no doubt be. I want see us competing like we are an actual CL contender and not like we're pretending to be. Luiz will be a miss, but not as much as McGinn was at Man City. I would be massively disappointed to see another Man City style team sheet.
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Saka to dive and get a penalty.
Martinez to save it.
1-0 Villa. Torres
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1-1
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Saka to dive and get a penalty.
Martinez to save it.
1-0 Villa. Torres
And then Martinez to stay on the pitch at full time taking photos of Austin Macphee.
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Am I crazy in thinking we will scrape this 0-1?
Don't know why, but I just get that feeling.
Hope its not just gas...
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I’m hopeful for a play well and lose scenario. Though a repeat of the Chris Price 1-0 game would be good.
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I'm going to say we will win 2-1.
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Optimistically a draw. Less than optimistically and more likely, a hammering. Unai’s old club and all but he’s not the one playing. Emi will need to stand on his head for us to get anything out of the game.
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I think they'll pass us to death, and give our defence a torrid time. I'd like to be more positive, but with Luiz out, I guess we're looking at a central midfield of McGinn and Tielemans, and Rice is going to have them on toast unfortunately.
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Yep and they’ve been playing really well in the league. Hopefully they’ll be distracted by their game in Munich (which they better bloody win) but it’s a massive ask, especially without Doug.
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Playing really well is an understatement!
Arsenal are top of the league.
Scored the most goals.
Conceded the least.
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Playing really well is an understatement!
Arsenal are top of the league.
Scored the most goals.
Conceded the least.
Yeah but apart from that, though…
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I think they'll pass us to death, and give our defence a torrid time. I'd like to be more positive, but with Luiz out, I guess we're looking at a central midfield of McGinn and Tielemans, and Rice is going to have them on toast unfortunately.
They did similar at our place.
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Not expecting a hiding as they will play inside themselves . 2-0 .
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We need Alan Evans to reduce Odergaard to a hobbling wreck.
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a very tough game for the Villa and if we can ge anything from the game apart from a hiding I will be happy :)
UTV
The Doc
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We need Alan Evans to reduce Odergaard to a hobbling wreck.
That would be nice.
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2-0.
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2-0.
0-2.
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With so many players out and our defence and midfield as open as the southern US border I would be overjoyed if we get anything out of this game. Indeed, avoiding a trashing could be considered a moral victory.
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I’m usually positive we can get a result but I’m afraid I fear they’ll get a 3-0 win. As much as I hate to say it they are pretty good
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We can absolutely win this game.
3-2 Villa.
FTF.
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Pundits Predictions both Sutton And Savage say 3-1
Mark Lawerenson 2-0. Defeats.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
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Arsenal hardly concede a corner never mind a goal at the moment, 3-0.
Except a very poor Bayern team opened them up like a flower.
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Im in cyprus and we usually always win im here so fongers crossed
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
Yep
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Absolutely no chance
0-3
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
If we had seen out the Brentford game and got the 3 points, I might be less concerned but if we want to overtake Spurs again I feel like we can't drop too many more points.
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5-2 Arsenal. We’ve shipped a lot of goals recently and I expect them to take full advantage. Watkins to hit 20 league goals though as a positive.
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It's going to be tough, but without Luiz, it's even tougher. It'll be a cobbled together midfield.
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I think getting anything from this game it would be a big surprise and very welcome. I just think we’re far too shaky to beat a team like Arsenal away. You can almost guarantee we’ll concede at least 2, which makes it so tough. That said if we buck then trend we’ve seen since the turn of the year and put in a solid display I’ll be pretty happy.
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Yes we are conceding too easily and frequently.
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This will be our final defeat of the season. 3-1
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Beeb
Centre-back Clement Lenglet and full-back Matty Cash trained on Friday and a late decision will be made about whether they will be involved in Sunday's match.
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Unlike Arse and Spurs were we sat back, we just need to attack and hope. We haven't got the players to keep them out, and seem very susceptible to the ball from one wing to the attacker running on the other at the moment, which Arse do a lot.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
If we had seen out the Brentford game and got the 3 points, I might be less concerned but if we want to overtake Spurs again I feel like we can't drop too many more points.
I'm not sure our result against Arsenal will determine whether we finish above Spurs, I think we'll need them to struggle in their 5 tough games to do so. The best thing we can do is progress against Lille to give us the best chance of helping ensure that 5th means CL football. Even a draw against Arsenal combined with exiting Europe will leave us feeling pretty deflated this time next week. Having said that, Newcastle beating Spurs tomorrow would get the week off to a positive start.
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I can see us going two up then losing 3.2.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
Yep and I think we'll see a team similar to the one against Man City as a result. Think Thursday night and Bournemouth next Sunday will be prioritised.
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I can see us going two up then losing 3.2.
I’d be surprised. Outside of the Bayern game their defensive record is very strong.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
I would prefer a win over Arse although it is somewhat unlikely.
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Heart says nil nil, head says 4-0 sadly. Carlos to gift wrap at least one goal.
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This is only going one way.
Our task is to control the goals against.
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Feels like we need to get something out of this game but I'm not overly confident.
I'm much more concerned about getting a positive result next Thursday evening.
If we had seen out the Brentford game and got the 3 points, I might be less concerned but if we want to overtake Spurs again I feel like we can't drop too many more points.
I'm not sure our result against Arsenal will determine whether we finish above Spurs, I think we'll need them to struggle in their 5 tough games to do so. The best thing we can do is progress against Lille to give us the best chance of helping ensure that 5th means CL football. Even a draw against Arsenal combined with exiting Europe will leave us feeling pretty deflated this time next week. Having said that, Newcastle beating Spurs tomorrow would get the week off to a positive start.
It won't determine if we finish above them, but we've already handed them the advantage, and getting nothing from Arsenal (meaning 1 point from a possible 9 recently) just kills our challenge outright, I think.
I do think that when the dust settles, even winning Conference and getting Europa next season, while finishing 5th, would be a fantastic season. I've said before, other than the financial benefits, I'm not overly fussed about CL. I think we've just been in 4th for so long that it's going to sting a little to see Spurs finish there.
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Well what a cheery 5 page read that was.
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This is only going one way.
Our task is to control the goals against.
True, too few clean sheets kept this season.
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1-1.
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Martinez
Cash Konsa Carlos Torres Digne
McGinn Iroegbunam
Bailey. Rogers
Watkins
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Normally try to be positive but the only good thing about tomorrows match is that 'it will be out of the way'. Our run in compared to Spurs will then look a lot rosier.
We have too many good players missing, they are better rested and almost at full strength.
3-0 Arses :(
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They never seem to have many injuries and not the main players Rice (kamara) , Martin Ødegaard(Buendia) William Saliba (Mings) Saka ( Ramsay) .
Well If they was missing those four they wouldnt even be top 6 so very lucky season for them.
Not looking forward to this one , I actually thought we could get a result against M115ty until I saw the team so no idea who Unai will play , not that he has a lot of choices.
Going to be hard , keep the score down please . I could see us taking the lead actually but we dont clean sheets . 3 1 .
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Well, if Newcastle beat Spurs then we only have to beat Arsenal tomorrow to go 4th again. Piece of piss really!!
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Well, if Newcastle beat Spurs then we only have to beat Arsenal tomorrow to go 4th again. Piece of piss really!!
Actually we have to draw if Newcastle win.
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Well, if Newcastle beat Spurs then we only have to beat Arsenal tomorrow to go 4th again. Piece of piss really!!
Actually we have to draw if Newcastle win.
Yes, but we’re only playing Arsenal so not going to settle for a draw are we?
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Man a draw would be massive tomorrow
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A win would be huge, but a boring 0-0 draw wouldn't hurt either.
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A win would be huge, but a boring 0-0 draw wouldn't hurt either.
Ill happily take that!
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They never seem to have many injuries and not the main players Rice (kamara) , Martin Ødegaard(Buendia) William Saliba (Mings) Saka ( Ramsay) .
Well If they was missing those four they wouldnt even be top 6 so very lucky season for them.
Not looking forward to this one , I actually thought we could get a result against M115ty until I saw the team so no idea who Unai will play , not that he has a lot of choices.
Going to be hard , keep the score down please . I could see us taking the lead actually but we dont clean sheets . 3 1 .
They pretty much had that player missing the 2nd half of last season (and no Rice at the time) which is the common reason given for them blowing the title at the time.
I don't think we will have the same follow on season next year as Arse did this one (afterall they spent 200mill as well), but I'm hoping this season does give some of the players the experience to be more ambitious next season.
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Actually, it looks better for us when we don’t play at all. Up 1 place to 4th now. I’d ask Arsenal if we could cancel the match!!
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Is there anything in the laws of the game that would forbid us from having 11 players on the line in the form of a human pyramid?
I'd rip your arm off for a 0-0 bore draw.
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With the side we are likely to put out I think there is a better chance if a 2-2 or a 3-3
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Both Cash and Lenglet are available so is that a back 5 tomorrow?
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Time to break some North London hearts tomorrow boys. Onwards and upwards.
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Ill take a boring 0-0. A point would be huge
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Tomorrow is set up for counter attacking football.
Park the bus, play Diaby and Bailey . UTV .
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Have a good feeling about this one. If Cash is back then we will have our best defence available for the first time in ages. Emery and Emi will be up for it. Diaby is hitting form and Watkins is on a good streak. McGinn is back in the team.
0-2 Rogers and Diaby.
Be half time before I can check the score though as on a flight back home from Eindhoven around kickoff time.
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Not expecting much, but they will also be feeling huge pressure. Who knows.
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Both Cash and Lenglet are available so is that a back 5 tomorrow?
Yes that worked well against Spurs.
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Fingers cross for the unexpected, but very welcome win for Villa.
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With the players we have missing, I can't see us being able to deploy the back six as effectively as we've done in the past.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Pau Torres
Digne
Bailey
Iroegbunam
McGinn
Rogers
Tielemans
Watkins
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Both Cash and Lenglet are available so is that a back 5 tomorrow?
Yep . Counter attack is on .
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Imagine the confusion Spurs fans must be feeling about the outcome of this game now! Even they must want us to get a draw!
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I would be the most shocked I have been for a really long time if we can pull off a win here. I'm going 4-2. I basically work off the basis that we will likely concede a couple and go from there. If Konsa is back at CB though then that might change things a little.
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They are on a mission. This could be horrible.
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In 2024 in the league they're W10 D1 L0 F38 A4.
Time to chaos them to 3 points.
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Emery doesn't do counter attacks. Not confident.
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Imagine the confusion Spurs fans must be feeling about the outcome of this game now! Even they must want us to get a draw!
I hae a lot of mates that are spurs fans and a majority told me they would rather finish 5th and miss CL to villa if it meant arsenal did not win league 😂
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No chance in this one with the personnel available and how we’ve been defending. We really struggle to keep clean sheets so we’d have to outscore Arsenal on their own patch which won’t happen.
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No chance in this one with the personnel available and how we’ve been defending. We really struggle to keep clean sheets so we’d have to outscore Arsenal on their own patch which won’t happen.
Yeah its not lookjng good for me for the reasons you have given leon. But if we can avoid getting thumped that alone will be good. Cant see hiw we are going to contain saka.
Think timmy needs to start this one make it difficult for them in middle. If cash isnt back id rather have kesler start and konsa and pau at cb then carlos at cb and konsa at rb. Konsa at rb today would be massively worrying. He is doing his best but konsa is superb at cb
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Fascinated to see what plan Emery stitches together today to try and outmanoeuvre tarmac head. Personally I'd park the bus so to speak and hit these arrogant wankers on the counter. The pace of Diaby and Bailey is a weapon of mass destruction.
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Fascinated to see what plan Emery stitches together today to try and outmanoeuvre tarmac head. Personally I'd park the bus so to speak and hit these arrogant wankers on the counter. The pace of Diaby and Bailey is a weapon of mass destruction.
I have a feeling it may be same back four vs lille. Only change im expecting is maybe diaby starts ahead of bailey
Just hope he doesnt go diaby bailey rodgers as thats far too attacking and i think we will get ripped apart if we go too attacking.
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I saw a stat yesterday that the arse have scored the most goals from corners of any team in the league this year. So that does not bode well with our seeming aversion to crosses coming into the box!
I don’t know. It’s going to be a really tough game. Really tough. But we have to go there acting like the top 4 club we are and not meekly swinging for a ‘free hit’. Show some balls and get a bit of the rub of the green and it’s not beyond the realms of the possible that we can get a result. A win would be a huge, nay gargantuan result at this point after the spurs result yesterday.
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I thought we'd scored the most goals from set pieces in Europe?
We just can't defend them.
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If Konsa is back at CB though then that might change things a little.
Yes, whilst we’ve got away with it at GK and CF this season we’ve not really at right back and with hindsight it’s looking like we should have done more there in the previous windows. A decent player to come in there so that Konsa can step back into his natural position would have been very useful in recent weeks. Hopefully this young Serb can fill the gap from next season.
4-1 them.
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Not hopeful. Could be an absolute battering.
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I thought we'd scored the most goals from set pieces in Europe?
We just can't defend them.
Just checked and it was headed goals rather than corners:
https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/att_hd_goal
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I think we’ll be well beaten, but at least Spurs were well beaten yesterday.
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I think we’ll be well beaten, but at least Spurs were well beaten yesterday.
I thought to myself last night if we came away with a narrow defeat and no further injuries I wouldn't be miserable.
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I think we’ll be well beaten, but at least Spurs were well beaten yesterday.
I thought to myself last night if we came away with a narrow defeat and no further injuries I wouldn't be miserable.
Yeah I’m much more relaxed about it now (at least at this point!)
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If you were looking at this game as a neutral you’d be looking forward to a close, exciting game. That’s how it should be.
If it was spurs panting then today what would you expect? A battering for spurs? I would be worrying they could get a result.
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If you were looking at this game as a neutral you’d be looking forward to a close, exciting game. That’s how it should be.
If it was spurs panting then today what would you expect? A battering for spurs? I would be worrying they could get a result.
Spurs were definatley panting yesterday.
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Even with all the injuries/suspensions, I’m as nervous as I always am, maybe delusional, but I haven’t given up on this one.
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Under O'Neill - even with his many, many faults - these sort of games were winnable.
Under Dean Smith, we should have beat them in our first season back and did beat them comfortably in 2020/21.
We have the best manager we've had in a generation, so shouldn't be thinking it's nailed on for the Gooners.
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1-1
Gotta be worth 10 & 5 on win and draw saver
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4-1 unfortunately.
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1 - 1. Paul Merson, Tony Moon.
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En route. Nipper says 2-3 to us. I’d be ecstatic with that!
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I'm looking forward to big Jhon Duran clearly punching the ball in the net in the last minute for a Villa win and the referee allowing the goal on the grounds of "common sense" as Arsenal are cheating walkers!
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I think we’ll be well beaten, but at least Spurs were well beaten yesterday.
I thought to myself last night if we came away with a narrow defeat and no further injuries I wouldn't be miserable.
We are still 4th even if we lose by a goal. That's the context we need as ultimately we'd come out of the weekend in a better position than we entered it.
Even a two goal defeat isn't a disaster as Spurs could get turned over 3 or 4 nil in at least one more game they play this season quite easily.
3-1 loss feels about right. Think Arsenal's gameplan will be a couple of early goals and then around 70th minute mark they'll take off key players and ease off to prepare for the Munich second leg. And we'll probably do the same rather than chase things.
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Arsenal are on a winning streak and scoring for fun. It has to end sometime...
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A win would be huge, but a boring 0-0 draw wouldn't hurt either.
Ill happily take that!
Is there anything in the laws of the game that would forbid us from having 11 players on the line in the form of a human pyramid?
I'd rip your arm off for a 0-0 bore draw.
May I provide some additional insight into best draw result in the league and what is optimal in a score line? As it’s not 0-0
A score draw would make us all even happier
With the side we are likely to put out I think there is a better chance if a 2-2 or a 3-3
These are the scores which give us a little advantage.
Looking at the bigger picture in the league when teams are level on points and goal differential, it goes to goals scored, so a score draw today and not merely 0-0 with 1 point earned, but a 2-2 or 3-3, 4-4 is a better draw result as it gives both goals scored and a 1pt earned
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9-9, with us having staged the mother of all comebacks from 9-5 down with only 3 minutes of normal time left on the clock.
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Arsenal are on a winning streak and scoring for fun. It has to end sometime...
Some Footy insight
Arsenal at home
Can Villa win ? Well Arsenal 2 defeats at home:
Both times Arsenal have lost at home this season once in league and once in FA cup they lost 2-0 (West Ham and Liverpool)
A score draw ?
Arsenal have drawn twice at home in the league this season a score line of 2-2 both times (Fulham and Spurs)
Last match also a 2-2 v Bayern Munich
Arsenal defence is the best in the league, conceded the least goals.
In last 4 matches in the Premier league haven’t conceded a goal
But in 9 of 15 league games at home the away team has scored so 60% of matches they concede at home
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9-9, with us having staged the mother of all comebacks from 9-5 down with only 3 minutes of normal time left on the clock.
Remember the 5-5 draw with Forest and Abraham scoring 4 was historic !
I would take the same today with Watkins scoring 4!
Aston Villa matches in the league this season have seen 115 goals. The second most in the league. . Newcastle matches have the highest amount of goals 120
That means Villa matches average 3.59 a game
The premier league average is 3.24 a game
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9-9, with us having staged the mother of all comebacks from 9-5 down with only 3 minutes of normal time left on the clock.
It would still be last on MOTD.
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If awarded :Would you be confident for Watkins taking the penalties in Douglas Luiz absence ?
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If awarded :Would you be confident for Watkins taking the penalties in Douglas Luiz absence ?
No
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We are due some luck so you never know. A draw would be big.
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If awarded :Would you be confident for Watkins taking the penalties in Douglas Luiz absence ?
No
Wasnt there a soundbite at the start of the season, that when they were taking penalties off Ollie, it was either Dougie or McGinn taking over? So I guess McGinn if we get one.
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If awarded :Would you be confident for Watkins taking the penalties in Douglas Luiz absence ?
No
Yes. Watkins confidence is up and he now feels he will score most times so I'm more confident then what I was before.
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A good start for us would be Martinez not getting his usual MOM award.
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Our odds on a win are out to 11/1.
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Our odds on a win are out to 11/1.
Early inkling on the team news, or just that so much has been lumped on Arsenal?
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Bookies odds are hugely based on where the money is being placed.
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If Arsenal are at their best then the chances of us getting anything from the match are probably as good as the chances of Tiger Woods winning The Masters! However there is the Unai factor, returning to Arsenal for the first time, he'll probably be desperate for a victory, so I haven't giving up all hope.
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If awarded :Would you be confident for Watkins taking the penalties in Douglas Luiz absence ?
Bet they are all practicising penalties more anyway in case needed on Thursday,
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If we do get a pen, I'd let Mcginn take it.
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Didn't Tielemens take pens at Leicester?
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Thats a fucking strong arsenal team tbh
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Time to break some North London hearts tomorrow boys. Onwards and upwards.
As predicted. Epic and a footballing lesson.
We march on.
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Am I crazy in thinking we will scrape this 0-1?
Don't know why, but I just get that feeling.
Hope its not just gas...
Nope.
Neither crazy or gas... 😂
Sorry for 'pulling a Footie', but its not often I am right in these sorts if games... 😂
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Am I crazy in thinking we will scrape this 0-1?
Don't know why, but I just get that feeling.
Hope its not just gas...
Nope.
Neither crazy or gas... 😂
Sorry for 'pulling a Footie', but its not often I am right in these sorts if games... 😂
We didn’t scrape it 1-0, though. Terrible prediction 😉
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😂