The Rubaiyat of Aston

[dave.woodhall]

So he chose success after all. A transient type of success, but success nevertheless. There have been a few analogies about the difficulty or otherwise of winning trophies with Manchester City, some more suitable for family audiences than others, but the one I think the most apt, is that winning at the Etihad is like climbing Everest on a stairlift. It’s not the hardest nor the most challenging of tasks for someone who wants to test themselves to the limit.

In the cold light of day it was woefully naïve to expect that it would have been anything else. His city, his club, his home; what’s that compared to a handful of medals and global attention? Of course, it could have been different. The Villa are now being run more professionally than at any time in the past hundred years – just look at what supporters from other clubs said about our behaviour in the aftermath of the deal being announced. Such professionalism and decency is the epitome of getting the little things right. We’re on the cusp of an exciting era and he could have made history as the first Villa player to go from supporter to trophy-winning captain. But he chose success.

And so the moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on. Danny Ings’ arrival was surely unparalleled in modern football – the first inclination that we were in for him was the announcement that the deal had been done. The football experts who were congratulating themselves over getting the sale of the century right were a bit quieter over their total lack of insight on this one.

Not only is Ings a goalscorer, his experience will help the rest of the squad. We might not be bringing in big names but we’re certainly bringing in some big characters, and none more so than the other arrival of the week, Leon Bailey. The nature of his signing was simply bizarre, coming during a press conference on YouTube orchestrated by his step-father. If his Villa career is anything like his arrival we’re in for a memorable time.

Also arriving, or rather returning, is Axel Tuanzebe. While you might have thought that loan deals were now behind us this one makes sense. We’ve got a central defensive pairing that’s as good as any in the Premier League. We’ve got at least one highly-promising youngster coming through the ranks. What we’re short of, and this is the same in a few positions due to the previous shortcomings of our youth policy, is the sort of Academy graduate who isn’t ready to be a first team regular yet but is good enough to rely on in an emergency. Bringing in Tuanzebe gives us the chance to see what the Class of ’21 will be able to offer with a year of playing with the big lads behind them.

On the subject of playing, if we hadn’t already had enough disruption the match with Seville was called off and replaced at short notice by an open training session and a behind closed doors run-out against Salternitana. The first of this double-header was a chance to see what the players get up to at work, as well as to remind ourselves what Villa Park looks like from the inside and also remember how many steps there are to climb to the top of Trinity Road.

Sunday’s offering saw a 3-1 win with Ings scoring on his sort-of debut and looking sharp, while of the youngsters Carney Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace continue to impress. Ashley Young might be (almost) a couple of decades older than them but he still showed a turn of speed and commitment that means he might figure more this season than at first expected.

And with the preliminaries over we move on to the main course next weekend. It remains to be seen how many of the new signings will be in the team at Watford, and indeed if there are any further arrivals. With Douglas Luiz still to return from the Olympic with his gold medal and some hopefully minor knocks to clear up, the team might take a while to gel. But I’m still confident that we have the firepower, the strength in depth and now also the experience to overcome the loss of someone who decided that this wasn’t after all, his city, his club or his home. 

[Clive W]

Good read Sir as usual

And as you’re slumming it with us you may be eligible for a reduction in your council tax

[Scratchins]

Spot on again Dave. I've gone in a week from dreading our Villa supporting hero (!) leaving to shrugging 'so what' and being excited about what looks to be the brightest future we have had in a long time. 

[ChicagoLion]

Good work Dave.

[West Derby Villan]

Great summary Dave, onwards and upwards

[vilan461]

Good summary that,i especially like the last 2 lines,  VTID

[Hookeysmith]

Excellent read as always and points nailed

[SashasGrandad]

And with the preliminaries over we move on to the main course next weekend. It remains to be seen how many of the new signings will be in the team at Watford, and indeed if there are any further arrivals. With Douglas Luiz still to return from the Olympic with his gold medal and some hopefully minor knocks to clear up, the team might take a while to gel. But I’m still confident that we have the firepower, the strength in depth and now also the experience to overcome the loss of someone who decided that this wasn’t after all, his city, his club or his home. 

Aston Villa finally gain an Olympic Gold medal after over 140 years being the near neighbours of Birchfield Harriers, who fail to add to their 30 Olympic medals - Birchfield had only 5 athletes selected but none reached a final. Birchfield hoping to have more success on their home track next year.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Another great read Dave, genuinely catching the mood of so many of us. UTV!

[SirSteveUK]

I understand that Manchester City do not have a trophy cabinet - just a vending machine.  You just have to put in the right amount.