Will we win the Premier League

[aj2k77]

Our last 38 league games shows a record of won 23, drawn 8 and lost 7 for 77 points. Over the last 10 years that would have put us 2nd 3 times, 3rd 5 times and 4th twice.

We won't win the league but unless we fall apart will qualify for the Champions League again which surely should put an end to our FFP/SCR problems for a while.

[Mister E]

Maybe Garcia plays a half, then we see where we're at?
Who else can play in the pivot? We've had Yuri rotating in there for 45 mins at a time. Onana and Kamara for a game and a half a piece. You could play SJM there, I guess - but that just leaves us short elsewhere.
Thinking that the elegantly named George Hemmings will see some action from the bench.

I don't think Emery will risk any inexperience: Bogarde at right-back, Youri and Onana in the double pivot and Watkins / Rogers / McGinn / Buendia ahead. Sancho and Malen will come on second half. Injuries may force a Garcia introduction, but any midfield injury will - I think - be covered by bringing on Digne.
I just don't see our George getting on in the Arsenal game ... but we may well see him in the FAC3 game.

[tomd2103]

We must be a nightmare to face, how do you stop us? We gave the league a 5 game start and are in the title fight. We went away to one of the best sides in the country, gave them a 60 min head start and still won with their keeper keeping them in it.

If we play well, you're fucked. If we play badly, you're fucked. If we go ahead, you're fucked. If you go ahead, you're fucked. Allow us freekicks, you're fucked. Let us play through balls, you're fucked. Let us shoot from range, you're fucked. Try and stop our key players, someone else steps up and you're fucked.

One of the real key things for me thus season has been having bench options that can genuinely change games.  Of course, you need a manager who knows when and how to use those options, but yesterday was a good example of how substitutions changed the game.

[eamonn]

Maybe teams will counter our rope-a-dope strategy by copying what we do. Draw us on in the first half and then bring on their five "finishers" off the bench.

[PeterWithesShin]

By the time the Jan window closes our only away games against 'rivals' are ManU and ManC. Even at home it will only be Chelsea and Liverpool. Be close at the end of the window with a couple of good 'uns in and who knows.

[eamonn]

Our last two games of the season are killer though. Think we'll need to have the title wrapped-up by then.

[Dave]

By the time the Jan window closes our only away games against 'rivals' are ManU and ManC. Even at home it will only be Chelsea and Liverpool. Be close at the end of the window with a couple of good 'uns in and who knows.

Also, if we keep pace at the top through January, it means players are going to be more keen to join us, and we might feel more comfortable splurging a bit, "safe" in the knowledge that we'll have Champions League money coming in to pay for it.

Opta* have the likelihood of us finishing in the top five at something like 98.3% at the moment, so that's a much happier position to spend money from than it was last January when we were ninth.

*yes, I know it's bullshit.

[Olneythelonely]

Maybe teams will counter our rope-a-dope strategy by copying what we do. Draw us on in the first half and then bring on their five "finishers" off the bench.

Then we’ll counter that with whatever tactic Unai has up his sleeve. He’s playing a different sport altogether. Easily the best coach in the league.

[algy]

Maybe teams will counter our rope-a-dope strategy by copying what we do. Draw us on in the first half and then bring on their five "finishers" off the bench.

Then we’ll counter that with whatever tactic Unai has up his sleeve. He’s playing a different sport altogether. Easily the best coach in the league.

This is it. Just look at our attacking at the moment. Up til the tail end of last season we were prolific at shorter range stuff. Other managers worked out how to counter that, by sitting deep, but that now gives us so much space that Rogers & Little Emi can have a field day scoring bangers every week.

Genuinely think we have the best manager and one of the strongest first teams in the league at the moment, and regardless of whether something happens this season or not we’re on the cusp of an era of Villa dominance on a level that hasn’t been seen since the days of Queen Victoria and Edward VII.

[Olneythelonely]

Maybe teams will counter our rope-a-dope strategy by copying what we do. Draw us on in the first half and then bring on their five "finishers" off the bench.

Then we’ll counter that with whatever tactic Unai has up his sleeve. He’s playing a different sport altogether. Easily the best coach in the league.

This is it. Just look at our attacking at the moment. Up til the tail end of last season we were prolific at shorter range stuff. Other managers worked out how to counter that, by sitting deep, but that now gives us so much space that Rogers & Little Emi can have a field day scoring bangers every week.

Genuinely think we have the best manager and one of the strongest first teams in the league at the moment, and regardless of whether something happens this season or not we’re on the cusp of an era of Villa dominance on a level that hasn’t been seen since the days of Queen Victoria and Edward VII.

Was the same with the high line too.

[SaddVillan]

From The Athletic

ASTON VILLA JUST DON’T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE BEATEN

Jacob Tanswell

The numbers do not lie.

Eleven straight wins across all competitions, equalling a club record set in 1897 and 1914. Eight successive Premier League victories. Nine goals from substitutes, with two of them coming in a 2-1 victory against Chelsea courtesy of Ollie Watkins. In all five of Aston Villa’s away league wins, they have come from behind to earn three points.

Across the last three Premier League seasons, Villa have won more points from losing positions than any other Premier League side (54). Quite simply, they do not know when they are beaten.

Combining a resilient mentality with Unai Emery’s in-game acumen is a heady concoction for success.

Villa have recovered 18 points from losing positions this term, with the 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge the most startling but in no way a total surprise. In truth, the second-half transformation felt fitting, considering the broader trends of the campaign.

This, however, was the biggest turnaround, with the contrast in performance enormous.

Chelsea's 10 shots to Villa's zero in the first half became 11 to four in the opposite favour in the second.

The game swung violently from the 59th minute, when Emery made a triple change. Until then, Villa were second best in every facet. They were stifled going forward — Donyell Malen had one touch in the opening 20 minutes — with the team completing just 36 passes in that time.

Tactically, there seemed to be problems, not in keeping with Emery’s usually sound structure. Villa struggled with Chelsea’s in-possession 3-2-5 shape, especially the five players across their back line. By protecting the space behind — rather than stepping onto Chelsea’s attacking midfielders, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, or Marc Cucurella — Villa ceded possession and territory.

Chelsea carried overloads in midfield and on the wings. Villa's narrow ‘wide’ players, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn, were supposed to carry the ball forward, but spent most of the time running frantically towards their own goal.

Chelsea sucked in Villa with short passes before raking switches of play out wide. They were too slick, too precise and completely dominant, other than on the scoreline, leading by only a goal.

Villa’s back line hung in there, particularly Ezri Konsa and Victor Lindelof, while the front four completed 22 passes between them in the first half, which floundered the plan to hit back on transition.

More than 10 minutes into the second half, Villa’s expected goals (xG) came into focus. Their 0.04 played Chelsea’s 1.99.

But Villa have the greatest, most intangible knack. They just win. This time, it was engineered by Emery’s triple change.

Watkins replaced Malen up front, with Jadon Sancho coming on for McGinn. Most crucially, Amadou Onana's introduction for Buendia pushed Youri Tielemans further forward, with Morgan Rogers, who had been suffocated before then, becoming the second No 10 (attacking midfielder). This enabled Rogers to enjoy a competitive battle with Reece James and have a greater impact.

Rogers could then drift inside to dribble or pick up the ball, in turn proving harder to mark. Having the play in front of him, as opposed to Chelsea's defender wrestling him from behind, brought his best strengths to the fore and saw him slip in Watkins to equalise.

Watkins' winning header was a throwback to the England striker of two years ago, the athletic, high-jumping leader of the line who was clean and clinical.

“He (Emery) changed it because Chelsea were going man for man, but they had the extra centre-back when we were going long,” Watkins explained to Sky Sports after. “When I came on in the second half, he brought Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers on the wing and put Youri Tielemans in the No 10 — so we had an extra man in there. He's a tactical genius."

Villa can play average, or even downright poor — they were throughout the first half — yet keep their head down and charge forward, taking punishment but forever wanting to back their opponent up and turn the tide.

Sometimes they do this through one astonishing blow, like a Rogers strike from distance. Here, though, it was the power of the collective. When Watkins equalised, Villa were the team who were going to win the contest.

Watkins threw fist pumps with Onana in perfect synchronisation at full-time. They hurtled towards the away support in the far corner, who for the first time, started to sing, “Now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league.”

Villa are three off the top and continue to do what senior figures at the club insist is a “miracle” after the problems of the summer. Now 10 points ahead of Chelsea, Villa are entrenched in a Champions League spot. This also appeared unthinkable not so long ago.

“(The comebacks) are not a surprise,” said Emery. “It makes us proud, but it is about building a mentality and structure like we are doing. We were so worried in August and September… we didn’t watch the table, but focused on each match. Through creating our stronger structure, we were working hard and we continue to work hard. Our individual players are working hard and are staying responsible and mature.”

It is not yet the new year and Villa have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this season. There is no team or tactical puzzle that Villa cannot end up solving within 90 minutes.

In a league where most teams are plagued with inconsistency, possessing the ability to withstand and weather storms in matches grows in importance. The regularity with which Villa snatch wins from the jaws of defeat has happened too many times under Emery to be down to fortune.

It is an enduring, remarkable trait, with the 2-1 victory at Chelsea the clearest illustration. Arsenal are next.

[Brazilian Villain]

Maybe teams will counter our rope-a-dope strategy by copying what we do. Draw us on in the first half and then bring on their five "finishers" off the bench.

It's just a shame Ali used 'rope-a-dope' in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' rather than in the "Thrilla in Manila'.

[SaddVillan]

The Athletic

ASTON VILLA JUST DON’T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE BEATEN
Jacob Tanswell

The numbers do not lie.

Eleven straight wins across all competitions, equalling a club record set in 1897 and 1914. Eight successive Premier League victories. Nine goals from substitutes, with two of them coming in a 2-1 victory against Chelsea courtesy of Ollie Watkins. In all five of Aston Villa’s away league wins, they have come from behind to earn three points.

Across the last three Premier League seasons, Villa have won more points from losing positions than any other Premier League side (54). Quite simply, they do not know when they are beaten.

Combining a resilient mentality with Unai Emery’s in-game acumen is a heady concoction for success.

Villa have recovered 18 points from losing positions this term, with the 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge the most startling but in no way a total surprise. In truth, the second-half transformation felt fitting, considering the broader trends of the campaign.

This, however, was the biggest turnaround, with the contrast in performance enormous.

Chelsea's 10 shots to Villa's zero in the first half became 11 to four in Villa's favour in the second.

The game swung violently from the 59th minute, when Emery made a triple change. Until then, Villa were second best in every facet. They were stifled going forward — Donyell Malen had one touch in the opening 20 minutes — with the team completing just 36 passes in that time.

Tactically, there seemed to be problems, not in keeping with Emery’s usually sound structure. Villa struggled with Chelsea’s in-possession 3-2-5 shape, especially the five players across their back line. By protecting the space behind — rather than stepping onto Chelsea’s attacking midfielders, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, or Marc Cucurella — Villa ceded possession and territory.

Chelsea carried overloads in midfield and on the wings. Villa's narrow ‘wide’ players, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn, were supposed to carry the ball forward, but spent most of the time running frantically towards their own goal.

Chelsea sucked in Villa with short passes before raking switches of play out wide. They were too slick, too precise and completely dominant, other than on the scoreline, leading by only a goal.

Villa’s back line hung in there, particularly Ezri Konsa and Victor Lindelof, while the front four completed 22 passes between them in the first half, which floundered the plan to hit back on transition.

More than 10 minutes into the second half, Villa’s expected goals (xG) came into focus. Their 0.04 played Chelsea’s 1.99.

But Villa have the greatest, most intangible knack. They just win. This time, it was engineered by Emery’s triple change.

Watkins replaced Malen up front, with Jadon Sancho coming on for McGinn. Most crucially, Amadou Onana's introduction for Buendia pushed Youri Tielemans further forward, with Morgan Rogers, who had been suffocated before then, becoming the second No 10 (attacking midfielder). This enabled Rogers to enjoy a competitive battle with Reece James and have a greater impact.

Rogers could then drift inside to dribble or pick up the ball, in turn proving harder to mark. Having the play in front of him, as opposed to Chelsea's defender wrestling him from behind, brought his best strengths to the fore and saw him slip in Watkins to equalise.

Watkins' winning header was a throwback to the England striker of two years ago, the athletic, high-jumping leader of the line who was clean and clinical.

“He (Emery) changed it because Chelsea were going man for man, but they had the extra centre-back when we were going long,” Watkins explained to Sky Sports after. “When I came on in the second half, he brought Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers on the wing and put Youri Tielemans in the No 10 — so we had an extra man in there. He's a tactical genius."

Villa can play average, or even downright poor — they were throughout the first half — yet keep their head down and charge forward, taking punishment but forever wanting to back their opponent up and turn the tide.

Sometimes they do this through one astonishing blow, like a Rogers strike from distance. Here, though, it was the power of the collective. When Watkins equalised, Villa were the team who were going to win the contest.

Watkins threw fist pumps with Onana in perfect synchronisation at full-time. They hurtled towards the away support in the far corner, who for the first time, started to sing, “Now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league.”

Villa are three off the top and continue to do what senior figures at the club insist is a “miracle” after the problems of the summer. Now 10 points ahead of Chelsea, Villa are entrenched in a Champions League spot. This also appeared unthinkable not so long ago.

“(The comebacks) are not a surprise,” said Emery. “It makes us proud, but it is about building a mentality and structure like we are doing. We were so worried in August and September… we didn’t watch the table, but focused on each match. Through creating our stronger structure, we were working hard and we continue to work hard. Our individual players are working hard and are staying responsible and mature.”

It is not yet the new year and Villa have beaten Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this season. There is no team or tactical puzzle that Villa cannot end up solving within 90 minutes.

In a league where most teams are plagued with inconsistency, possessing the ability to withstand and weather storms in matches grows in importance. The regularity with which Villa snatch wins from the jaws of defeat has happened too many times under Emery to be down to fortune.

It is an enduring, remarkable trait, with the 2-1 victory at Chelsea the clearest illustration. Arsenal are next.

[PeterWithesShin]

You can say that again.

[ChicagoLion]

You can say that again.

I wonder what Jacob Tanswell thinks