Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Dave on January 16, 2025, 02:12:02 PM
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Saturday 18th January, 17.30
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Mings
Digne
Onana
Kamara
Tielemans
Bailey
Rogers
Watkins
2-2
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A draw wouldn't be the end of the world here. Unless they sign a striker, I think avoiding a loss is eminently plausible.
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I do not think they are totally clicking, really think we can get something here
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Any of the injured players back for this one ?
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No JJ ?
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Ah, here we are in the land of the entitled, in their unremarkable ground, with their contrived and cringeworthy "anthem", their bitter and perpetually vexed manager with his bumper book of excuses and a habit of celebrating a last minute winner against Brentford like they had won the League, FA Cup, Champions League and Strictly all rolled into one. I haven't even mentioned the oh so clever gamesmanship of a fake injury/mid half coaching session or taking an age with every set piece.
So I'll be the vexed one if they get a victory against us. Which they are more than capable of doing, they are still a decent side despite all of the above so it's another tough fixture. Hopefully Ollie will kick on from last night, the defence will hold firm (Bouba and Onana in front of them is a must) and the ref thinks as highly of Woolwich as I do.
I would take a draw but I'm going for a back to back.
0-1
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They deserve to lose for that manufactured 'Ultra' section.
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They deserve to lose for that manufactured 'Ultra' section.
And the aforementioned 'anthem'.
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A good article from yesterday on the state of the atmosphere at Arsenal.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/15/artetas-task-revive-teams-fortunes-relationship-with-fans?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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Mings being back will help with the corners. Some of their passing play in the final third against Spurs last night was worrying but I think we can also get to them and just hope we can take our chances. A repeat of this fixture last year would be tremendous and being 5th on Saturday night with our season so far would be a useful position for the second half.
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2-0
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FTF
4-1 Villa
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This will be like the Liverpool game. We will come away with our dignity but not a lot else.
2-1
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I'd like to win if nothing else to hear the excuses from Arteta. Like the ball was square and that favoured Villa because we practice with cubes. Or something equally ludicrous.
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Really hard to say this one. Tileman's needs a good performance. If he clicks, I fancy a win.
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A win would be a great result. a defeat wouldn't be the end of the world, a draw more than good enough.
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A point would be excellent i would be happy with that havertz.
Set pieces is obviously a issue as they score a lot of goals. We need mings and onana on form here
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I suspect they’ll win, but a draw would be an excellent result.
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They're not as good as last season. We're improving. Nothing less than a Villa win here..... again!
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The whole team will need to be on it and no doubt it will be us v them and the officials and VAR.
----------Martinez----------
Cash Konsa Mings Digne
-- onana --- Kamara -----
Rogers - Tielemans- Ramsey
-------- Watkins -----------
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Something like that to hold them, then hit them in the second half with Malen.
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The whole team will need to be on it and no doubt it will be us v them and the officials and VAR.
----------Martinez----------
Cash Konsa Mings Digne
-- onana --- Kamara -----
Rogers - Tielemans- Ramsey
-------- Watkins -----------
Id go with this team again, but Maatsen on mid point in the second half, if we are still level.
We’ve struggled against the big guns away this season, battered really by Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool. Time for a win, 0-1, Ollie Watkins du du du du
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I actually fancy us to get a result there.
We owe them for the game at VP and Ollie owes us a goal for his 2 costly misses in that game
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Watkins owes us nothing.
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I fancy a tetchy 0-0 here with lots of complaining from the home side
Got to be worth £10 on the win with a £5 draw saver
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Watkins owes us nothing.
Indeed
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Nice of the Guardian to try and sell our forwards to Woolwich. Appalling, disrespectful and pathetic.
They make suitable bedfellows.
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I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Bailey, Maasten and Duran in the starting 11.
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Nice of the Guardian to try and sell our forwards to Woolwich. Appalling, disrespectful and pathetic.
They make suitable bedfellows.
Talking like this match is a shop window for them. Arseholes.
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Watkins owes us nothing.
He doesn't your right, but the club owes him nothing either for example if he goes on a terrible run of form and does not score. He shouldnt be starting.
Not that i expect to happen. I think now he will go on a run of goals. You could see how much that goal meant to him vs Everton
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Apart from his winning goals and assists in the last few games, what has he done?
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Nice of the Guardian to try and sell our forwards to Woolwich. Appalling, disrespectful and pathetic.
They make suitable bedfellows.
Talking like this match is a shop window for them. Arseholes.
I read that too. Shame, John Brewin can be good, but do you think for one tiny second they’d be writing that about Son or Palmer? No chance. And Isak would be too expensive, but Duran? Nah, it’s only Villa. Poor show.
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I fancy a tetchy 0-0 here with lots of complaining from the home side
Got to be worth £10 on the win with a £5 draw saver
Next to a shoeing for them,this is my close second preference
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Nice of the Guardian to try and sell our forwards to Woolwich. Appalling, disrespectful and pathetic.
They make suitable bedfellows.
Talking like this match is a shop window for them. Arseholes.
I read that too. Shame, John Brewin can be good, but do you think for one tiny second they’d be writing that about Son or Palmer? No chance. And Isak would be too expensive, but Duran? Nah, it’s only Villa. Poor show.
To save anyone looking for it:
Villa’s forwards to catch Arteta’s eye?
If Arsenal’s books for the January window look closed, a meeting with Aston Villa casts forward thoughts to summer business. During Wednesday’s north London derby it was not difficult to wonder how much greater the margin of victory might have been with either Ollie Watkins or Jhon Durán leading the Gunners frontline. If Martin Zubimendi is an expected summer arrival, adding to an already packed midfield, where does a forward come in? Gabriel Jesus’s knee injury delays his possible sale while increasing the need for reinforcements. Villa have been busy, with Donyell Malen coming in from Dortmund and Jaden Philogene sold to Ipswich. Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, has never been shy of selling players to bring in further talent. Watkins, who is 29, was on the mark at Everton for his first goal of 2025. Duran, 21, unused at Goodison after suspension, may be Arsenal’s next-best option to the imperious, and probably far too expensive, Alexander Isak. John Brewin
Neither Ollie nor Jhon are likely to be cheap. Arsenal would have to pay through the nose for either.
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There is as much chance of us signing Saka as there is of either of our two going to Arsenal in this window.
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Nice of the Guardian to try and sell our forwards to Woolwich. Appalling, disrespectful and pathetic.
They make suitable bedfellows.
Talking like this match is a shop window for them. Arseholes.
I read that too. Shame, John Brewin can be good, but do you think for one tiny second they’d be writing that about Son or Palmer? No chance. And Isak would be too expensive, but Duran? Nah, it’s only Villa. Poor show.
To save anyone looking for it:
Villa’s forwards to catch Arteta’s eye?
If Arsenal’s books for the January window look closed, a meeting with Aston Villa casts forward thoughts to summer business. During Wednesday’s north London derby it was not difficult to wonder how much greater the margin of victory might have been with either Ollie Watkins or Jhon Durán leading the Gunners frontline. If Martin Zubimendi is an expected summer arrival, adding to an already packed midfield, where does a forward come in? Gabriel Jesus’s knee injury delays his possible sale while increasing the need for reinforcements. Villa have been busy, with Donyell Malen coming in from Dortmund and Jaden Philogene sold to Ipswich. Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, has never been shy of selling players to bring in further talent. Watkins, who is 29, was on the mark at Everton for his first goal of 2025. Duran, 21, unused at Goodison after suspension, may be Arsenal’s next-best option to the imperious, and probably far too expensive, Alexander Isak. John Brewin
Neither Ollie nor Jhon are likely to be cheap. Arsenal would have to pay through the nose for either.
Blimey, what a twat! He’s usually pretty good as well. How about actually mentioning the game?
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I’ll watch the game and have a good think if Odegaard could be a good impact sub for when Tielemans needs a rest.
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Arsenal meltdowns are legendary when Villa have the temerity to beat them. We played them off the park earlier in the season despite the loss. A comfortable 2-0 Villa win.
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Think we'll miss Pau badly in this one, his passing out from the back had really caused Arse issues previously.
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Think we'll miss Pau badly in this one, his passing out from the back had really caused Arse issues previously.
Hmm. His passing is extraordinary often, but I'm not sure I'd have him over Mings to keep Arsenal out from corners, which appears to be their main attacking threat at the moment.
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Yes, I expect Ty to pwn Gabriel at set-pieces.
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Footy's back, 3-0 win for Villa. 8)
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New Year warm wishes to everyone.
Let's have a fantastic and blessed 2025
My prediction
0-1 away win
Watkins with the goal.
He's scored 3 goals in 4 games at Emirates stadium
UTV!
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Same to you, F-V. Let's hope 2025 is a great year on the football front.
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HNY to you too, Footy, good to see you again.
I hope Ollie frightens Arsenal again tomorrow, as well!
I’m wondering if Unai will use Malen at some point; understand he’s an ex Arsenal lad so that could help with the mind games.
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With The El Maestro of the forum returning it can mean only one result. A little INSIGHT beforehand should narrow down exactly who, when and how we will do them. Then I'll have a little bet on it.
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Malen available for tomorrow’s game. Diego not available…
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Good news about Malen, I’m looking forward to seeing him in action for the mighty Villa.
I think we’ve sold Diego so he’s moving on?
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I’m pleased Unai has signposted that Malen is here to help get behind opposition defences. That is 100% what we have missed since Diaby left.
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Shouldn't really be playing them as they cheated their way into the top division in the first place.
Anyway, as that was over 100 years ago and it doesn't look likely to be overturned now I will predict Lucky Arsenal 0 Mighty Villa 2 (Malen, Watkins)
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New Year warm wishes to everyone.
Let's have a fantastic and blessed 2025
My prediction
0-1 away win
Watkins with the goal.
He's scored 3 goals in 4 games at Emirates stadium
UTV!
This is wonderful news. Welcome back!
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The goal Watkins scored there last season was in the top 3 best if not the best he’s scored for us
Another one of those will be most welcome
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Given the fixture pile up I can see Emery starting Duran possibly with an eye on Monaco Tuesday .
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After Watkins scored the winner v Everton, Id nearly start Duran. Not sure we are playing well enough to trouble Arsenal away at the moment. Anyway get stuck in and see what happens. Could give Maatsen another go and possibly Bailey.
Martinez
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen
Rogers, Kamara, Onana, Ramsey
Tielemans, Duran
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Doesn’t matter who starts for me and it’s down to Unai anyway as always
Watkins has a good record against Arsenal and they will be scared of him and what he can do especially after last season
Psychologically he it might get into their heads a bit, so I see that as a strength
Obviously Durán will be fresh so there’s a good case for either
I’ll trust Unai make the right decision, personally I think he will start with Ollie
1-1
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Probably be the opposite to the Everton game where we dominated possession.
I think it will be the same starting X1 but expect more subs used.
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Stand tall boys, don't bend, don't back down......2-1 the lads
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With The El Maestro of the forum returning it can mean only one result. A little INSIGHT beforehand should narrow down exactly who, when and how we will do them. Then I'll have a little bet on it.
Welcome back FV. I hope the new firmware/destruction of Sarah and John Connor went well.
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Probably be the opposite to the Everton game where we dominated possession.
I think it will be the same starting X1 but expect more subs used.
Yea agree, subs from 65 depending how the games going. Watkins has always been a bit streaky for us in terms of goalscoring runs, ultimate confidence player. Given that I think its more likely he starts this, with Duran starting against Monaco.
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Feels like a bit of a free hit. Away at any club with title aspirations always feels like anything you get is a bonus.
We have a decent record against them in recent years, but I’d be happy with a draw.
That said, I think the 0-2 at our place flattered them, and but for a couple of worldie saves by Raya and Emi pretty much chucking one in at our end, we should have got something from that game. So if the football gods are looking to even things up a bit… who knows..?
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The goal Watkins scored there last season was in the top 3 best if not the best he’s scored for us
Another one of those will be most welcome
The deflected chip, John? ;)
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No Saliba , Partey at RB, we should be taking points here.
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Liverpool won late so I can see Arsenal wanting to keep up with them, unfortunately.
2-1 them. Ollie to score.
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I'm pretty sure they'd want to win regardless.