Villa to kick off season against Wigan.
By: Ryan |
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The new Premier League fixture list for next season has been made public, putting Villa up against Wigan on the 15th of August at Villa Park, with the next four matches being :
Liverpool - 22nd - Away
Fulham - 29th - Home
Birmingham - 12th September - Away
Portsmouth - 19th September - Home
Mixed reactions from myself, quite a tough opening to the season, but definitely should be action packed. Last season we managed to get 3 points from these same games, (apart from Birmingham) so we really need to do better this season. Lets see who MON brings in.
R x
Match Preview and Update - Bolton Vs Aston Villa
By: Ryan | Add Comments
It’s been a while since my last update, and for that I apologise, moving house and working away a lot has taken it’s toll, a bit like Villa’s season to be honest.
It seems fourth place is a bit like winning the lottery now, you know it’s possible, but you also know it probably wont happen. But lets not dwell on the bad form we’ve been in, this has still been a tremendous season, and the thing we NEED to do is finish strong. Finishing the league badly is not good for anything, it sets us in a bad light for the whole of the summer, we are dangerously close to losing fifth place to Everton which would leave us at the same place we were last season. The last games coming up are vital, they are winnable, and we need to try to win them all, we have the attacking force to score goals, but after watching our defence against West Ham, we could also easily lose quite a few.
Which brings us to this afternoons game, away to Bolton, typically this season we’ve been tremendous away, and with the likes of Abonglahor possibly coming back, we could do some real damage at the Reebok Stadium. But with the killer blow news that Laursen may be forced into retirement, and Bouma needing more surgery, I’m afraid our defence’s moral will be dented. I really hope to god the defence can hold it together today, every time the ball was in our half against West Ham, my heart was in my mouth, we were really shaky at the back, and that’s not good for my nerves.
It will be interesting to see who MON plays today, with talk of playing Abonglahor, Carew, and Heskey up front at the same time, personally I don’t see that being beneficial at all, but I’m also not a huge fan of lazy Heskey, so that might have something to do with it.
My prediction? 3-2 to the Villa.
R x
Category: MiscMatch Report - Aston Villa 3 Everton 3
By: Ryan | Add Comments
First of all I’d like to apologise for a lack of preview for this match, I’ve been away on business and simply didn’t have the time, but I really wish I did, as I really think this is a key match to the end of our season, for some reason I believe that single point will be vital in the final table. Fighting back from two goals down is hard enough for any team, let alone to do it twice in one match, it just shows how much will and fighting spirit our boys have, and I hope I’m right in thinking this point was vital, as our boys fully deserved it.
Our attacking display was phenomenal, everyone just works so hard, It’s just a shame our defence isn’t up to scratch at the moment, we really are missing Laursen quite a lot. Our second goal was nothing short of brilliant, and for it to come from the boot of James Milner makes it even better. A free kick of that caliber I would expect from the likes of Ashley Young, or David Beckham, well done James, absolute cracker!
Not to put Everton out, they too had an amazing game, it really was end to end stuff, a contender for game of the season, both teams wanted the three points bad, so I guess the only outcome had to be a draw, anything else would of been just wrong.
So what does this mean now for the Villa? Just carry on trying to win games, Everton are only a point behind, and we really don’t want to lose 5th place, and as for the Arsenal, well, if we manage to win every remaining game this season we could come 4th, hoping that Arsenal fail to Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, but that really is a big ask.
R x
Category: MiscMatch Report - Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 2
By: Ryan | 1 Comment
If you judge a match by the scoreline, most of the time you would have a good idea of what happened. This match certainly does not fit in that category, Villa were robbed, at the very least we deserved a point, if not all three. Every single Villa player on that pitch gave it their all, and it showed. United were pinned back for a large portion of the game, and the times that United did push forward, they simply couldn’t get into our box, resulting in many wild long range efforts from various United players.
The first goal was an absolute shocker all round, it came against the run of play, and I still have no idea what Milner could of possibly been thinking when he passed the ball straight into Friedels hands, and I still have no idea how we let United score from the resulting free kick.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being bitter about the whole thing, I thought we showed some of the spark that we used to have at the beginning of the season, we played an absolute blinder, and if we were facing any other team than United, we would of taken 3 points easily.
Looking at the big picture now, the rest of the games on our schedule are do-able, if we play like we played on Sunday, and with Abonglahor back on the score sheet, we should be able to take a few points. Everton is the next match, which is arguably the hardest match left, and will be a real test, but with Arsenal’s heavy schedule, and Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea left to play, fourth place for Villa is certainly NOT out of view.
R x
Match Preview : Manchester United Vs Aston Villa
By: Ryan | Add Comments
Manchester United Vs Aston Villa
Premier League
Old Trafford
Sunday 5th April 2009, 4.00pm
Pic: Ole Ole
Seems like an age since our last match, but the humiliation still remains, and it could possibly get worse since our next challenge is facing the champions. Although saying that, Manchester United have numerous key players out, either on suspension or through injuries, but since the quality is so deep at United, this is still going to be a VERY tough match, with our last win at Old Trafford being the year I was born!
Premier League Form Guide
Aston Villa: WLDLLL
Loss, loss, loss. Doesn’t look great does it? Could it be a fourth? If we lose and Arsenal win their match, its going to be near impossible to finish in the top four, and with Everton so close, we may not even improve on last seasons rankings. BUT if we draw or win, and if Arsenal draw or lose, it will be just the kind of lift we need to give a final push for a fourth spot, the leagues not all over yet.
Manchester United: WWWWLL
Two losses would normally mean the team are out of form, but I’m not sure that is the case with Manchester United, they will be hungry for a win, and will go all out to get it, especially since they are at home.
Team News
Friedel will be playing after his recent red card has now been rescinded, and Bouma (who I hoped would play last week) has now played three successful reserve matches, and could be just the boost we need. Abonglahor is back since Heskey is out injured, and the strike force team from the start of the season are back together.
No Rooney, Scholes, Vidic, Berbatov, Anderson, Brown, Hargreaves, and maybe even no Ferdinand for Manchester United, good sign for Villa, although like I said earlier, United has such a strong team, this is almost irrelevant.
Why Manchester United away is a must-win
This is the business end of the season, and for any chance to break into the top four, this needs to be a win, or possibly a draw, but both are HUGE asks of our boys.
I cant wait for this match, lets hope for a massive upset this weekend!
By the way, comments are always welcome!
Friedel red rescinded
By: Ryan | 4 Comments
I must apologise for the lack of any kind of report on the Liverpool match, but I couldn’t even bare to think about it for a few days. Five goals, two penalties, and an unfair red card, all going in the wrong direction for my liking. We must take this humiliation to realise we still have a long way to go to really break into the champions league. Playing Reo-Coker in right back against a strong Liverpool team on form its only inevitable he is going to make a few mistakes, and those mistakes led to two goals.
The good news is that Friedel’s red has now been rescinded, so he is able to play against Manchester United, and if the Liverpool match is anything to go by, we are going to need all the help we can get.
Oh and I must say congratulations to Brad Guzan for his debut Premiership match, he did well between the posts during the time he was on the pitch, it’s just a shame his debut was under these circumstances.
Ryan x
Match Preview : Liverpool Vs Aston Villa
By: Ryan | 3 Comments
Liverpool Vs Aston Villa
Premier League
Anfield
Sunday 21st March 2009, 4.00pm
Pic: Team Talk
This maybe, hopefully will be our turning point, although looking at both clubs form, I’m sure the bookies will have a Villa win at something like 100/1. Coming from a MASSIVE win at Manchester United, Liverpool will be flying high, but I guess that will take some of the pressure off our boys. The second half of the season the fans have expected villa to win every match, and if we don’t, boo’s and hisses all round, when in reality, this has been an outstanding season for Villa. But this match away at Anfield, anyone would expect Villa to lose. I personally think we can do it, back to winning ways, beginning of the season stuff, Carew and Abonglahor up front, Bouma back in defence, L.Young playing where he should, with Cuellar and Knight in central defence. I can’t wait for this match.
Premier League Form Guide
Aston Villa: DWLDLL
After the poor run we’ve been having we are now fifth, the first time in a long time, level on points with Arsenal, but behind on goal difference, we’ve got a lot to do. Arsenal are currently winning 3 – 1 as I write this, but Manchester United and Chelsea have both lost, proving anything is possible in the beautiful game.
Liverpool: WWDLWW
Liverpool are right on form, thrashing Manchester United and Real Madrid in the same week, and with the only other two real contenders for the title losing this weekend Liverpool will be pulling all the strings to close the gap on Manchester United.
Team News
We could be seeing a few faces we haven’t seen for a while coming out of the tunnel for this match, Bouma (fingers crossed) could make an appearance, along with Steve Sidwell, and if I had anything to do with it, Carew would be starting.
Alonso could be making an appearance after a slight calf strain has had him sidelined, but Benayoun and Degen are both out.
Why Liverpool away is a must-win
After being chased by Arsenal for a while, we are now chasing them, and after their win today, they now are three points clear, and even though I’m under no illusion this game is going to be near impossible, it certainly ISNT impossible, the fans need to get behind our boys as best they can against the Kop lot, and I think we might have a chance, no matter how slight it is!
If we really want to be top four material, these are the kinds of games we need to win.
A New Start…
By: Ryan | 3 Comments
First off i’d like to thank Daryl here at theoffside.com for letting me take over from Chris. I’ve been following the Villa page and Chris’ posts for a while now and i’m a big fan of his work and was sad to hear that I wouldn’t be able to follow his updates via Viigo on my Blackberry anymore!
Hopefully, in some bizarre way this change will trigger a change in Villa’s form of late, because lets face it, its been terrible. Also a change in the starting eleven, ahem, Carew maybe? Bouma maybe? We have had a terrific season so far, it would be a shame to take nothing from it. A few tough games coming up, but nothing’s impossible, right?
Ryan
Category: MiscSaying my goodbyes…
By: Chris | Add Comments
Like a nervous teenager’s first sexual experience, it’s been brief and emotional. But I’m sad to say that my time at The Offside has come to an end.
When I first joined this site, I did so because I wanted to have a crack at single-club blogging. That remains the case, but I simply don’t have the time. So last week I pinged Daryl an email to let him know I was moving on (hence no Spurs preview - sorry about that!).
As it happens, it now looks like I’m jumping ship as the wheels come off at Villa, but in reality the timing of this post is simply a manifestation of my reasons for leaving this blog behind. I work a full day job, have two (and a half) other blogs to run, play football twice a week and go to every Villa home game.
I have not had a spare evening to blog for over a month, and on top of it all my girlfriend lives miles away and even a visit to her is a massive undertaking. Yet I’m taking something else on (a podcast) which means that I need to prioritise. Unfortunately The Offside is the only project for which I’m not personally responsible.
Daryl kindly encouraged me to plug all my other shit on the way out, and I’m not stupid enough to pass up that opportunity. So, I’ll be writing more stuff for VillaTalk, blogging about football at twofootedtackle, writing about social media and PR at Silent in Flames and Clicking & Screaming and, soon, launching the twofootedtackle podcast.
You can also follow me and VillaTalk on Twitter. And I’m no newcomer to it either!
I want to thank Daryl for giving me this gig in the first place and being understanding about my decision to pack it in. The Offside is a fantastic thing, brilliantly managed. Don’t you lot forget it.
Right then, the important stuff: my replacement. If you want to take this blog on (and I thoroughly recommend it) then this is the page for you.
It’s been a pleasure writing for you. I look forward to reading the next chapter.
Chris
Category: MiscBentley circus rolling into Villa Park?
By: Chris | 4 Comments
They called him the next David Beckham, which only raised two problems: he’s not, and he listened.
From a promising youngster with silly hair, David Bentley has gradually grown into one of the most lamented wastes of talent in English football. The Arsenal youngster (described by a Gooner mate of mine as a “silly chav who thought he was better than Pires and Bergkamp but never did anything to justify his arrogance”) has shot himself in the foot so many times that he can play it like a recorder.
Having become quite a magnificent flop since his big-money “ambitious” move from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham Hotspur, Bentley’s being linked with a transfer to Aston Villa. Again. But is he the man for the job? And is he worthy?
The New David Beckham?
The comparisons with Goldenballs came thick and fast while Bentley was at Blackburn. There, he actually began to show his worth. Bentley is a little like Beckham in a few ways. Both have talented right feet, and Bentley is lethal from dead balls when he’s on his game. One could argue that Beckham is a little harder working and Bentley a tad quicker, but the similarities are there for all to see.
Once upon a time, the thought of Bentley replacing Beckham on England’s right flank when Beckham hangs up his boots was pretty exciting.
His own worst enemy
Sadly, Bentley has proven that he is not capable of achieving such status. It’s not down to the boy’s lack of talent, but his attitude and his apparent laziness. It’s quite depressing, really. When you hear Bentley talking, he seems like a down-to-earth, clever lad (with supreme confidence, admittedly). But that just doesn’t translate to his football career. Professionally, he is massively arrogant and lacks focus, humility and willingness to work. Perhaps that will rule him out of a Villa move.
Bentley’s considerable ability was first overshadowed and then made obsolete by his own ego.
Missing piece of the puzzle?
Bentley doesn’t strike me as a Villa prospect, but there are arguments that have been made in favour. Firstly, Martin O’Neill has a reputation for taking talented, wayward players on and getting the best out of them. Bentley certainly falls into that category.
It’s also very obvious that we lack a little creative spark in midfield. Bentley certainly has that capability, and when he’s on his game he is able to pick a killer pass or telling cross from almost nothing. But it’s been a while since he’s done that.
Too good for Villa?
Well, I think the main issue is where would we play him? I’d have James Milner on the right before Bentley every day of the week, but if Bentley wants to swap benches that’s his look-out.
But the reason I don’t want David Bentley at Aston Villa is that he thinks he’s too good for us - and he ain’t. It’s now generally accepted that we were in for Bentley last summer and it seems he wasn’t interested. And he ended up at (snigger) SPURS! Now, whether that was down to “ambition” or money, he’s snubbed us once.
In my view, that’s a missed chance Bentley should never be able to rectify. You don’t mess with Villa.
Category: Transfer News
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