Champions League Contention

[PaulWinch again]

I've seen it all before too many times Rory. We've no chance tomorrow night. Whether we get over the line for 4th depends on what Spurs do I reckon.

But the other thing we've seen before is everyone deciding that they all look knackered, people not being able to see where the next win is coming from, and then we go and beat Arsenal. Because all the same things being said now were being said then, but they still found something. 

It just feels improbable that we're going to end the season with five* straight defeats.

I guess a 1-0 win tomorrow and still being knocked out would technically mean that didn't happen, but still.

That Arsenal game is the one thing giving me some hope. You’re right I thought we were completely cooked before that and had no chance. The worry though is we won’t have Rogers and might well not have Tielemans, which cuts out a lot of our drive forward and incisiveness.

[Proposition Joe]

We were worried about the Arsenal game because we were playing crap and they were on form. The team surprised us with one of the best performances of the season. Trouble is, we are now playing crap *and* we look knackered, *and* we have lost Martinez, Tielemans, Rogers and Zaniolo since the Arsenal game.

It's also that this many decades of following Villa has left me scarred. Whenever we have the chance for a real milestone achievement, we fall short. We can do "quite well" and "pretty good", but those true milestones evade us. Champions League with football as it is these days will be a milestone achievement. Watkins getting 20 league goals will be a milestone achievement. Which is why I am sure neither will happen

[Monty]

Should have Martinez back though, hopefully Tielemans, and maybe Rogers and Zaniolo too. You'd hope that would get us something from the last two games, though it'll be very hard.

[Proposition Joe]

Sure, you'd hope. In fact, with Spurs playing before us this weekend we know quote/unquote all we have to do is match their result vs Burnley. I have more hope for the Liverpool game than the Palace one. Palace look to be our team's kryptonite: energy, physicality and pace.

[Monty]

Yeah and Liverpool do have a wild, self-destructive streak that, you never know, might play our way. Even a draw and it means Spurs have to beat Man City (assuming they beat Burnley), so that'd be useful.

[Ads]

We were knackered after 120 minutes and the emotional turmoil of penalties at Lille. Off it as a result in the first half against the mighty Bournemouth, who many had spent the week eulogising their form and prowess (as in fairness they were artificially 5th in some arbitrary form table that ignored chunks of the season). Then we blew them away 2nd half with some style. Despite them having all the skills we apparently can't deal with (and despite being easily better than everybody bar the top 3) in pace, high press, physical presence and skills.

Nobody has ever seen this Villa before. Nobody.

[Risso]

Looked like an all too familiar Villa against Brighton to me.

[Ads]

Not one I've seen play before, but if you've surrendered it in your head then there's no convincing you.

[Risso]

I just can't see that on current form there's much to be optimistic about. I get that you're out in the sun in Greece having a beer and enjoying yourself, but the reality is we've been in poor form for ages now, and there's not much that points to a sudden uplift in form unfortunately.

[Drummond]

I just can't see that on current form there's much to be optimistic about. I get that you're out in the sun in Greece having a beer and enjoying yourself, but the reality is we've been in poor form for ages now, and there's not much that points to a sudden uplift in form unfortunately.

Ok, if that's true, what are the signs that Spurs are going to suddenly do the very same thing, having been in worse form than us?

[Ads]

I just can't see that on current form there's much to be optimistic about. I get that you're out in the sun in Greece having a beer and enjoying yourself, but the reality is we've been in poor form for ages now, and there's not much that points to a sudden uplift in form unfortunately.

Ok, if that's true, what are the signs that Spurs are going to suddenly do the very same thing, having been in worse form than us?

That's a fair point. Spurs have been shite for weeks, getting whacked (and 4-2 flattered them) in the process. Then they have to play Man City in full on Dreadnaught title winning mode. They'll be annihilated.

[Risso]

I just can't see that on current form there's much to be optimistic about. I get that you're out in the sun in Greece having a beer and enjoying yourself, but the reality is we've been in poor form for ages now, and there's not much that points to a sudden uplift in form unfortunately.

Ok, if that's true, what are the signs that Spurs are going to suddenly do the very same thing, having been in worse form than us?

Well, two of their three matches are against the two worst teams in the league for a start. As I've said, I think it's all going to come down to the Spurs result against Man City. On form they shouldn't get anywhere near them and we'll scrape over the line, but an unexpected draw could well be enough for Spurs.

[Dogtanian]

Archer hattrick on the last day to bury Spurs, tears off his Blades shirt to reveal glorious claret and blue, before running straight down the tunnel, flicking Vs at Premier League manager Wilder, and jumps straight into a cab back to Bodymoor Heath.

[Drummond]

Spurs have conceded loads in the last 4 games:

4 Liverpool,
2 Chelsea
3 Arsenal
4 Newcastle

We're the only side  in the top half they've beaten this year.

[Risso]

Spurs have conceded loads in the last 4 games:

4 Liverpool,
2 Chelsea
3 Arsenal
4 Newcastle

We're the only side  in the top half they've beaten this year.

As I say, they've got Burnley at home next. They'll batter them.