The Official Aston Villa FC thread
Discussion
PurpleTurtle said:
Bielsa seems one of a kind, this article makes some quite entertaining reading: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/11/m...
Bielsa certainly is different but, whatever people may think of him, there seems little doubt he has an ability to make players better. Go back to the end of the 2017/18 season and many Leeds supporters - including me - were questioning whether a large number of our squad were good enough to get anywhere near the play-offs never mind promotion from the Championship; in reality we should have gone up the following year (but messed it up at the end!), were promoted easily last season and, although it's early days, a lot of those players who were struggling in the Championship now look like they might be capable of holding their own in the Premier League. So that's quite a turnaround and you have to say it's mainly down to Bielsa.As with Villa last season, the immediate priority for us is staying-up and consolidating our position in the PL. It's gone ok so far but it's only 4 games so we can hardly get carried away; however, I'm quietly confident we'll be alright and hopefully we'll be more like Wolves than Norwich!
As I said earlier on the thread, I think Villa will be absolutely fine this season and it's good to see clubs like Everton looking more competitive as well; if we could get the likes of Newcastle and ourselves up there as well we'll have games at grounds with some serious atmosphere if we can ever manage to get the fans back through the turnstiles!
The whole 'being involved' thing is always a little contentious, I forget which manager it was who quipped "If he's not involved in play, what's he doing on the pitch?"
VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
PurpleTurtle said:
The whole 'being involved' thing is always a little contentious, I forget which manager it was who quipped "If he's not involved in play, what's he doing on the pitch?"
VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
I realise we're heading somewhat off topic here when we should be focused on villa's bid for premiership glory but....VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
If VAR is just like the old days where sometimes it goes for you and sometimes against and it all works out in the end, then what exactly is it for? Because if it's not achieving it's intended outcome then all it is doing is getting in the way. I've said it before on the VAR thread but for me, I've tried to be patient, tried to give it time for faults to be ironed out and start working a little more fluidly and yet we're now 4 years into this and I honestly cannot see that anything has changed at all. It's as haphazard as it ever has been, But I fear that there is far too much pride at the top level of the game for this path to ever be reversed.
Anyway, back on topic, without getting carried away it's so nice to have some points on the board early for once and not be starting off on the back foot. It seems a long time since we've had a decent start to a season, very much including our championship years. Villa have always seemed so slow out the blocks pretty much since the MON days. Big test on Saturday. Looking forward to it. UTV
Gad-Westy said:
PurpleTurtle said:
The whole 'being involved' thing is always a little contentious, I forget which manager it was who quipped "If he's not involved in play, what's he doing on the pitch?"
VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
I realise we're heading somewhat off topic here when we should be focused on villa's bid for premiership glory but....VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
If VAR is just like the old days where sometimes it goes for you and sometimes against and it all works out in the end, then what exactly is it for? Because if it's not achieving it's intended outcome then all it is doing is getting in the way. I've said it before on the VAR thread but for me, I've tried to be patient, tried to give it time for faults to be ironed out and start working a little more fluidly and yet we're now 4 years into this and I honestly cannot see that anything has changed at all. It's as haphazard as it ever has been, But I fear that there is far too much pride at the top level of the game for this path to ever be reversed.
Anyway, back on topic, without getting carried away it's so nice to have some points on the board early for once and not be starting off on the back foot. It seems a long time since we've had a decent start to a season, very much including our championship years. Villa have always seemed so slow out the blocks pretty much since the MON days. Big test on Saturday. Looking forward to it. UTV
As far as the good start goes, best since 1962/3 ... let's see how long we can keep it up, UTV indeed!
PurpleTurtle said:
Gad-Westy said:
PurpleTurtle said:
The whole 'being involved' thing is always a little contentious, I forget which manager it was who quipped "If he's not involved in play, what's he doing on the pitch?"
VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
I realise we're heading somewhat off topic here when we should be focused on villa's bid for premiership glory but....VAR is one of those things where if it goes in your favour you breathe a sigh of relief, if it goes against you and your striker's armpit is deemed offside then you loathe it.
I try to not get too wrapped up in it, taking the view that, like the old skool referees decisions, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season.
Obvs I'll be back here ranting and raving if we ever go down off the back of a couple of iffy VAR calls!
If VAR is just like the old days where sometimes it goes for you and sometimes against and it all works out in the end, then what exactly is it for? Because if it's not achieving it's intended outcome then all it is doing is getting in the way. I've said it before on the VAR thread but for me, I've tried to be patient, tried to give it time for faults to be ironed out and start working a little more fluidly and yet we're now 4 years into this and I honestly cannot see that anything has changed at all. It's as haphazard as it ever has been, But I fear that there is far too much pride at the top level of the game for this path to ever be reversed.
Anyway, back on topic, without getting carried away it's so nice to have some points on the board early for once and not be starting off on the back foot. It seems a long time since we've had a decent start to a season, very much including our championship years. Villa have always seemed so slow out the blocks pretty much since the MON days. Big test on Saturday. Looking forward to it. UTV
As far as the good start goes, best since 1962/3 ... let's see how long we can keep it up, UTV indeed!
It’s been a wild start to the season for us. I was very happy with our form at the end of last year and we’ve improved on that.
The Liverpool game was fantastic, but I’m almost more pleased with the results we’ve dug out and clean sheets we’ve kept.
What’s everyone’s thoughts now on our best business in the transfer window? Extending Jack’s contract is up there, but Cash, Martinez and Barkley have looked very good. Traore is taking a little time to settle but seen enough to feel confident about him as well.
The Liverpool game was fantastic, but I’m almost more pleased with the results we’ve dug out and clean sheets we’ve kept.
What’s everyone’s thoughts now on our best business in the transfer window? Extending Jack’s contract is up there, but Cash, Martinez and Barkley have looked very good. Traore is taking a little time to settle but seen enough to feel confident about him as well.
Edited by Hungrymc on Monday 19th October 12:49
PurpleTurtle said:
My mate has had his customary throwaway 20 quid on us to win the PL at the stat of the season, at odds of 1000/1!!
I don't think that will happen, but this positive start could see him sitting on a nice cash out bonus.
To be honest, I'm just so pleased to already have 12 points on the board this quickly. It might make for a season that can be enjoyed rather than watching from behind the soda! I don't think that will happen, but this positive start could see him sitting on a nice cash out bonus.
Hungrymc said:
It’s been a wild start to the season for us. I was very happy with our form at the end of last year and we’ve improved on that.
The Liverpool game was fantastic, but I’m almost more pleased with the results we’ve dug out and clean sheets we’ve kept.
What’s everyone’s thoughts now on our best business in the transfer window? Extending Jack’s contract is up there, but Cash, Martinez and Barkley have looked very good. Traore is taking a little time to settle but seen enough to feel confident about him as well.
Not sure whether Traore is taking time to settle in or not, I think it's just down to the improvement Trez has made keeping him out of the team. I'd like to at least see him get some longer appearances off the bench in the next few games. Hard to judge him on the game against Stoke in the cup when he was playing with the second string.The Liverpool game was fantastic, but I’m almost more pleased with the results we’ve dug out and clean sheets we’ve kept.
What’s everyone’s thoughts now on our best business in the transfer window? Extending Jack’s contract is up there, but Cash, Martinez and Barkley have looked very good. Traore is taking a little time to settle but seen enough to feel confident about him as well.
Edited by Hungrymc on Monday 19th October 12:49
What a win against Arsenal!! Alan Shearer was falling over himself with praise for us on MOTD2 last night, although he might have been laying it on a bit thick to wind up Ian Wright.
Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
PurpleTurtle said:
What a win against Arsenal!! Alan Shearer was falling over himself with praise for us on MOTD2 last night, although he might have been laying it on a bit thick to wind up Ian Wright.
Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
I WhatsApped my Gooner kid today, after watching Villa slaughter the Arse on MOTD last night, saying that as a Hammer, I was pleased to see a team that usually wears claret and blue, play a blinder like Villa did.Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
He agreed that Arsenal were woeful, he said that Aubameyang and Lacazette never threatened Villa, he said that it wasn’t just that Arsenal were bad, but Villa were too fu*king good,
PurpleTurtle said:
What a win against Arsenal!! Alan Shearer was falling over himself with praise for us on MOTD2 last night, although he might have been laying it on a bit thick to wind up Ian Wright.
Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
There is a part of me that thinks this performance was better than the Liverpool one. We were more composed.Onwards we go. Still no goals conceded away from home, our best start to the season away from home, ever. Last season we didn't keep a clean sheet in any of our 19 away league games.
We’ve also had the reality check with Southampton and Leeds, they’re a reminder of how many good sides there are (or how lots of sides can turn in a great performance).
What a fabulous start to the season though. And what a turn around in two years.
The jiffle king said:
Watkins seems like a great buy who seems to be thriving in a team which is creating chances for him. You guys seem to have a level of confidence about you and are working as a team which seems to be making a difference
I was gutted when we sold Ollie Watkins to you guys, however we now have Ivan Tony who is flying. Glad to see Ollie doing so well Melman Giraffe said:
The jiffle king said:
Watkins seems like a great buy who seems to be thriving in a team which is creating chances for him. You guys seem to have a level of confidence about you and are working as a team which seems to be making a difference
I was gutted when we sold Ollie Watkins to you guys, however we now have Ivan Tony who is flying. Glad to see Ollie doing so well The jiffle king said:
Melman Giraffe said:
The jiffle king said:
Watkins seems like a great buy who seems to be thriving in a team which is creating chances for him. You guys seem to have a level of confidence about you and are working as a team which seems to be making a difference
I was gutted when we sold Ollie Watkins to you guys, however we now have Ivan Tony who is flying. Glad to see Ollie doing so well Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff