Unai Emery

[Nev]

The problem with that analysis from The Athletic is that you never hear anything as informed and nuanced as that in the broadcast media because it's populated with agenda driven, vested interest pundits, some of whom lack even the most basic knowledge. On top of that we hear how the fans should in some way be grateful that their friends are managing the clubs. Often any lack of education or ability to analyse is hidden beneath "banter" as has been pointed out elsewhere.

[Garyth]

I think the euro games help with this also. Although a strain on regulars physically, most of the squad/fringe players know they are going to get game time.

Yet another benefit of finishing 7th rather than 8th last season. New and out of form players know if the put the effort in during training, they’re going to get more than a few games in midweek to press their claim/prove their worth.

[john e]

I’m getting a lot of ‘Villa are doing well’ in a surprised way from mates and acquaintances,
I don’t blame them for being surprised I think we are all a bit taken aback

But to the nobs who support the global franchise clubs I say -
well we first won the league back in 1893 before all you Johnny come lately’s were even formed, and it’s only a matter of time before things return to their natural order
And that time is now

Just got to wait for Preston North end to catch up now

[Monty]

I’m getting a lot of ‘Villa are doing well’ in a surprised way from mates and acquaintances,
I don’t blame them for being surprised I think we are all a bit taken aback

But to the nobs who support the global franchise clubs I say -
well we first won the league back in 1893 before all you Johnny come lately’s were even formed, and it’s only a matter of time before things return to their natural order
And that time is now

Just got to wait for Preston North end to catch up now

PNE won the first one, but of the early big clubs Sunderland are the ones currently letting the side down the most.

[BC Villain]

Nothing that we don't already know but decent all the same. Disagree with the bit in bold, obv. And Carpethead is nowhere near the worst manager we had, even in the last 10 years. But the rest of it rings true:

When Emery arrived at Arsenal he was replacing Arsène Wenger, a legendary figure in the history of the club who had grown stale in the job. Most Arsenal fans agreed it was time for a change, but many of them still loved Wenger all the same. His sacking made them feel sad. Emery, lacking Wenger’s fame, charm and charisma, seemed an anticlimactic figure, his appointment symbolic of the club’s decline. When results nosedived in the second season, everyone turned on him.

Don't agree about Emery lacking Wenger's charm.  I found Wenger to be as charmless as the spoilt child Arsenal currently employ as manager.

[Bad English]

Here in France Canal+ have a short report called La Sensation Aston Villa, which was made just after the win against Citeh. Our name is out there.

[pauliewalnuts]

Here in France Canal+ have a short report called La Sensation Aston Villa, which was made just after the win against Citeh. Our name is out there.

https://www.canalplus.com/sport/la-sensation-aston-villa/h/23694111_50001

Up Ze Fuckeeng Veella!

[Bad English]

Ha! I didn't check to see if it was available to non-subscribers. Good work!

[Somniloquism]

Here in France Canal+ have a short report called La Sensation Aston Villa, which was made just after the win against Citeh. Our name is out there.

Does it start with "il ne s'agit pas du groupe, mais de l'équipe de football"?

[Bad English]

It should do. There is quite a bit of English with French subtitles so worth a watch.

[Mister E]

And to add, I looked at the fixtures last night and if we carry on through Christmas, there's not much to worry about until April, by which point we could have a serious lead over other top 4/5 competitors.

Hmmm, I wouldn't want to make such assertions - there are very few easy games in this league.

[dcdavecollett]

As we found out at Nottingham!

[aldridgeboy]

Pundits. “ Villa can’t win the league “

[AV84]

Pundits. “ Villa can’t win the league “

Goals conceded is interesting. I saw someone saying the other day that our goal difference was the worst of the top teams, but they pointed out that a lot of them come from the Newcastle and Liverpool games. If you take those out, it's 12 goals conceded in 14 games, I think?

[OCD]

We also have the best form since September. Not much of a surprise given those Newcastle and Liverpool games came in the first 4 when we were having to make various adjustments. But given what we've done since, it's an interesting question of what we can do for the rest of the season.

Just need to be better away from home. It's good that we've scored twice in our last 2 away games because before that, we hadn't scored twice in away games this season.

Also good that we've had consecutive clean sheets in the last 2 games but we've still struggled to do that on the road.