alexf

Sounds silly and obviously more factors involved but if we had just got conference or Europa instead of the CL two years ago. I think we would be in a far stronger position than now. A slower build might have been more beneficial. It's all about timing but Villa definitely are benefitting from when they qualified and the new format coming into play.

Injured his shoulder last season didn't he? Seems to have been wearing it ever since.

Tielemans having a good game. It's annoying seeing 4 new players in the villa first team all looking better than the ones they replaced. They do refresh their squad quite regularly.

I always felt the media and some fans were getting way too carried away with our winning run. It was a great bit of form but we were exceeding our levels. The squad is too thin and there was always going to be a drop in energy and ability to keep things fresh. Reality is we properly are around the 8th - 9th best team but we have a better striker than most. The Tonali position change really helped inject energy into that winning run we had, but teams quickly work out counter tactics , and if we look at that run, there were quite a few teams we played at the perfect moment. Remaining fixtures are going to be tough and we need to fix our recent home form this weekend as it's a 6 pointer.

Trippier is fine in a back 5 when we let no space in behind and play deep. But his legs are gone and he costs us goals. Tino for his flaws doesn't cost us goals from memory.

That sounds worse

That's outstanding. Dixon on commentary "he take's a good touch" Fuck off you miserable shitbag

What's been going on with that barnet this season.

I actually fear some of their B team if they decide to rotate from Tuesday. Solely because they are unknown quantities. That Nico, Rodri replacement I'm sure is probably going to be decent, the two Cb's they bought might improve them, despite that lad we wanted to sign having a ropey first 5 mins on his debut. No idea why Doku doesn't play anymore, has he been injured? He's 10x more threatening than Grealish and tore us to shreds a year or two ago I can remember with runs through the middle. If they don't want him can we have him? As always for us, the main equaliser is Isak. If we can get him the service he can score against anyone.

Can't give Salah a sniff in this. As shown tonight basically touched the ball twice and assisted and scored. Seen enough though in our game against them to know we can cause them trouble.

More abuse incoming for Oliver. Enemy number 1 now to the 2 most pathetic entitled sets of fans in the league.

City will probably win this in a nice morale boosting moment before we play them.

Would argue that I don't think the 5 at the back would work here. Against City the best form of defence seems to be attack. They look vulnerable going in reverse but can still cause you problems going forward. I think if we sit off and allow Foden to do his usual stuff against us as he often does then we'll get beat comfortably. Willock I feel is the safest bet to slot in and be our legs and help on the counters. Choice may be made for us if Burn and Botman are out but hopefully Botman is fit to start with Schar.

Don't remember Eddie ever whinging on about injuries like Ange has this year. We had people like Dummett and Ritchie starting games at one point and I remember even our own Big Al was saying players just need to get on with it and fatigue was no excuse.

We'll need to be clinical but if Gordon is fit, he and Isak will get chances in behind unless City magically improve defensively over night. We still need to be very careful defensively though and big fingers crossed that Botman is back for this. Based on last night it looks like Trippier might be ahead of Tino at the moment aswell but will need to protect him and Hall if they put their pacey players up against him. If it's Grealish then not too worried. Hopefully their new Rodri replacement is injured after yesterday. They won't have a choice but to go full strength against Real unless they want to piss off their fans.

Yeah if we don't win anything, finish outside the top 5. It's quite possible he won't sign a new deal (we can't really break our wage structure and pay £300k etc that other teams can offer) and then we would be looking at a potential sale the following summer. But that's worst case scenario and let's hope we have a strong end to the season and can continue to build around him.

Seemed like the only one who could put in a tackle and win possession when he came on. Put the others to shame. It's crazy to think how strong and important he feels now. You watching him last night compared to Longstaff and remember it was only a few months ago you had plenty on here arguing that Longstaff should be playing ahead of him. I get that it wasn't this version of Sandro we were seeing but imagine saying that now. He's integral to our spine now along with Isak.

Thought he was a real + point of last night along with Willock. You want these players to make their mark and stake a claim when given their chance. Showed he could be an option for the RW behind Murphy until the summer.

I did think that. There might be young Brum kids in the crowd buzzing they got to see Isak. Don't think Alex looked too thrilled about being thrown on in the cold and rain for a few minutes

But he hasn't been fit and when he has come in he's been generally poor. That's not Eddie's fault and not through lack of opportunities. You can't throw your toys out the pram after your first semi decent performance for awhile (not that I think he has, I think those quotes were talking about frustration with himself not the manager)

Mute it is then It's 2025. There should be more options like just crowd noise these days. Or they could just not have utterly unbearable and biased commentary teams.

Like fuck can I be doing with listening to Drury on commentary with his constant Salah wankathon. Accompanied by Carragher I'm sure. Hopefully there is an alternate channel or I'll be watching it on mute.

Flip it round. If he was Arsenal's would they sell him for £150m? Fat chance. They would say "no we have the best striker in the world why would we sell for any price"

Tonali would probably have the athleticism to get across to block but can't really criticise Bruno for that as you cant change his lack of speed. I was more frustrated with the non existence of our right side in the build up. Particular Tino and Longstaff. Both been miles off it so far.

Wonder how long Wilson will last. Means we may see Isak 2nd half.