Wanted: A Lion That Roars!

How fortunes change! Having had to postpone a trip on Boxing Day meant that I was able to see the game versus Norwich, but I have to say that as the hour approached I was filled with some apprehension: another defeat and we would really be in it. And we nearly were (in it)!

Well, we managed to get over the line, but somewhat fortuitously, and let's not forget we were playing the team that is now bottom of the league. 

And now we've got to the halfway point in the league season, my assessment of the sort of team we have is one that has been living on false confidence - hence the casualness of some of the players on occasion. Villa have flattered to deceive at times, with our insistence that in Mings, Engels, McGinn and Jack we have the essence of a fine - if not great - side. And when we achieved that 5-goal win at Norwich it seemed that champagne was beginning to flow as though we had won a trophy!

The reality has come home to roost - firstly that our midfield is too light, lacks enough sharpness and is often predictable. In Jack, John, Douglas and Marvelous we have players who collectively just do not have enough power nor assertiveness. I am certain now that to play both Douglas and Marvelous on the pitch at the same time is utter folly, but their substitutes - Conor and Henri - are not the complete solution either.

We need more power in midfield for sure, in my opinion, and someone who can help drive the attack in order to give much better support to dear Wesley, who looks alone and forlorn at times.

Until we obtain that power midfielder - if ever we do - we cannot play Luiz and Nakamba on the pitch at the same time, and I have to say of the two Luiz is my favourite to be selected. Though lacking some power, he at least puts himself about a lot more and seems better motivated.

So, I'm reasonably (not perfectly) happy that, when fit, Douglas, Jack and John should be the attacking midfield, or Conor as a left-sided alternative to Douglas.

That leads to who should sit in front of the back four, and I have reached the conclusion that we have a ready answer in Tyrone Mings! He, after all, has shown the propensity for going forward and can certainly pass a ball, and - indeed - provides more power, so with two good conventional centre-backs already in place in Konsa and Hause, why not?

Of course, that is unlikely to happen but, to me, it's an opportunity lost if that approach is not adopted and should solve the lack of power issue in midfield without further expenditure and with the addition of providing a better defensive wall.

One further adjustment: Kodjia or Davis in place of (probably) Trezeguet and then maybe we would have a team that would be hard to handle, allowing the striking pair a chance to develop a hot partnership.

Well, that's my New Year wish-list! But I'm probably on my own on this.

On Saturday we play the team that is next bottom of the league, but they are improving and we play them on their own ground. This match is going to need better commitment and solidity than we have been showing of late - and better shooting too.

Well, I'm holding my breath!

UTV!

Whoops! That Result Has Curdled the Custard!

I usually like to chew over a result before I say anything, but what I saw today seemed to be a continuation of our performances in the previous 2 or 3 matches. It is now - I hate to say it - a reminder of the days leading up to relegation in 2016.

So what is going wrong? Injuries, clearly, are not helping and we have Mings, McGinn and also Davis on the bench: 3 more than useful players.

But what is making the manager persevere with playing Wesley on his own? As the lone striker he cannot achieve much except being the target man. At half-time, however, I was thinking that to bring on Kodjia to partner Wesley would not be a bad thing, but we had to wait until 70 minutes before that took place. From that point on Villa looked more capable of getting something out of the match as Kodjia's manoeuvrability worried their defence. When Jack scored I actually thought we might get back to parity, but it was not to be.

Villa just look too light in midfield and rely too much on Jack to conjure up something. It's rather like the beginning of 2015-16 when several continental players were brought in, and though they clearly had skill, collectively they were mostly ineffective. I see a bit of that now - in Nakamba and Luiz there is promise, but not enough power. So too for Conor, though his shooting has proved handy.

Well, Lambert had to deal with three matches in one December when we conceded 15 goals, and yet the season went on to develop in much better fashion: Benteke, Gabby and Andy came into pretty good goal-poaching form. I can only hope that we can get one or two players in the January 'window' that will help restore our confidence.

Well, enjoy your Christmas Dinner, and let's try to put this matter on one side for the time being, though a win over Norwich is surely a 'must'.

UTV!

Succumbing To A Touch Of Sheffield Steel

Well, clearly the Johnstone-effect of the day before failed to fill the Villa's sails! Or were the Villa players under a further sense of euphoria resulting from Johnstone's speech?

Well, though Johnstone had no real involvement in all yesterday's footie, what we did see was another sign of the steel in the play of the northerners - the very stubborn-ness that voted Johnstone in. And they were at it from morning until night - there was rarely any let up in their play, a high-press game to which Villa had no answer.

Villa didn't even have any shots on target - including a poorly taken penalty that hit the bar!

I do feel sorry for Dean Smith. Everyone was extolling the abilities of Jack, John and Tyrone and yet, since the Man U match in particular, none of them has had too much to say for themselves on the pitch. Well, in Tyrone case he can't any longer until he's fit.

Defensively, Villa were mostly OK, but coming out of defence and igniting anything in attack was something that Villa were simply incapable of - certainly first-half. Second-half, El Ghazi twice supplied accurately from the right but Wesley and Jack failed to get their chances on target. And, at 0-2 down, came Jack's chance to give a chance to get back into the game - and how the skipper squandered it!

It has been virtually the first time this season that VAR had come to Villa's aid after the referee had waved Villa's handball protests aside. For that, and other decisions, another referee not to find favour in my book.

Well, we now face the three teams below us over the Christmas period. Villa don't need to win all three, but if they don't get at least 4 points (out of 9) then there's cause for worry.

We still have the January transfer window and we are short of strikers - and, maybe a more effective attacking midfielder. There's some talk of Villa being interested in Pedro (Chelsea) and that could be an interesting signing.

For me, despite all the talk about Jack and John, the team does lack a midfielder who is more decisive. I do think that a Pedro type could fit the bill and could set a better example with all his experience.

UTV!

It Didn't Take Much For Us To Be Out-foxed!

Prior to the match, Dean Smith acknowledged that Leicester were doing well, but then said: "But this is Villa Park" - as though to say we don't give anything away at the old home.

Now I admire Smith's attitude for him to say that, but, alas, we saw more of a carefree attitude on the pitch - or was it over-confidence? Despite a promising start by Villa, from the time El Ghazi put his 6-yard shot against the bar when it would have been much easier to score, I began to fear the worst. Then 'Mr. Cool' Mings - yet again -  was too cool in taking his time to clear and gained a card in trying to stop his error from being severely punished.

There followed a further spell of foolishness when Mings was injured and elected to carry on. However, his teammates seemed to share his over-confidence when Wesley casually gave away a pass on the half-way line to enable Leicester to break and leave Mings limping in their wake. Vardy was even allowed two attempts to put the ball away having already slipped past Tom Heaton. 

What should have been a stimulus to get back and even win the game - when Jack scored with almost the last kick of the half - was not taken up. In fact, as soon as Leicester scored their third within a few minutes of the re-start, the Villa looked dazed and uncertain. Nothing worked. In contrast to the Foxes' quick and direct passing, we took our time - almost as though we had all day to put matters right, and remained happy to misplace passes.

Now ... This is a transition season and we can't expect too much. Yesterday's opponents were clearly revelling in confidence after their recent run. But in the position the Villa are in, league-position wise, we surely need to have more of a sense of urgency! The dilly-dallying approach and the sloppy passing must stop for a start. Or perhaps we just do not have enough top-rank quality in the team? I would like to think they can do better, but to achieve it the approach must surely change - if Villa Park is to be a real fortress then let's have the players firing with all guns blazing - and accurately, too!

Brendon Rogers has done well at Leicester, there's no denying that. I'm not sure I entirely like their football, but it does, clearly, produce very effective results. We certainly need to mirror their fleetness of foot, accuracy and determination. Let's face it, they might have scored six or seven yesterday.

Over the Christmas period we face all three teams that currently occupy the bottom three places. Please Villa, let's have some good Christmas Cheer by gaining all the points from those matches - particularly as two are at home.

Though the club has shown signs of getting itself back together, my feeling is that right now we need to get back to some no-nonsense football. I read a headline that suggested what a good game Jack played yesterday, but, apart from his goal, he didn't do a lot that was right. Against opposition playing with confidence, Jack and McGinn seem to be lost souls. When opponents raise their game we seem to go on the back foot, hence perhaps why we have conceded so many points after we have been in a winning position in previous games.

I don't think we can live with yet another season of struggle. Can we?

UTV!

What Do Referees Get Paid For?

Well, we lost. However, losing by itself is not a disgrace, but something within me wrankles on how we lost.

Firstly, we gave them too much space, particularly - but not only - on Targett's flank. Secondly 'Mr. Cool' Mings again tried the impossible once or twice and also did not keep a proper eye on Abraham i.m.o. I like Mings, but he does have to tighten up.

Thirdly, the officials. Terrible. Everyone is talking about how Jack is unprotected by officials, but it was not only issues about Jack that the officials were poor on. And they didn't just fail for us, they failed Chelsea too, on occasions. Second-half, Mings blatantly pushed Mount and got clean away with it, but later there was that so blatant hauling down of McGinn when he was breaking free. That was an absolute disgrace and deserved a sending-off i.m.o. Was that soccer or rugby?

And, in addition, what has VAR done for the game? Well, it was very good in spotting that Jack's heel was offside in the previous game!

Unfortunately, combined with our relative timidity, it was  Chelsea's aggression that won them the game. Whenever Jack, McGinn or anyone looked as though they were going to seriously damage Chelsea, they were illegally stopped in their tracks, and sometimes did not even get a free-kick.

But Villa are not having a very good time in dead-ball situations against teams like Chelsea. We lack an Abraham-like (or Hateley-like!) striker to get to those corner kicks etc that come across. Wesley works hard but in my view needs a taller partner.

But, not to be disheartened. We now face the very much in-form Foxes. I think we need to win this one, but it won't be easy.

UTV!

Jack Made The Reds' Faces Red

Super...super...superlative! Yes, that's my word for Jack's opener last night. A very fine goal.

Constantly active and causing the United defence to be all at sea at times, Jack again gave a fine display of craftsmanship, even providing the chance for the second goal - that wasn't, owing to Jack's heel being offside! That's a new one, isn't it?

But...Jack also missed a glorious chance for Villa just before United scored. And none of his many corner-kicks and free-kicks had much to threaten about them. So, there's a downside or two to his performance, but he's getting better and people are beginning to sit up and notice a bit more. And talking of how he should move to a 'big club' and not stay at Villa. Oh dear, such small-minded comment.

Again, a good team performance with everyone doing a good job. Tyrone 'Mr. Cool' Mings again dallied to Villa's detriment but then sallied forth and cracked home a fine equaliser. Freddie G., though, got booked yet again so we miss him for the Chelsea match. That's a pity, I've really got to like his play - as, indeed, Matt Targett. These two are developing into a fine pair of full-backs.

It's onwards and upwards as I see it. 

UTV!

The Magpies Are Quiet Today!

Well, much of Villa's play last night was fairly pedestrian, with the emphasis being on retention of the ball it would seem. Pity they gave it away in a silly fashion on occasion!

I'm wondering whether Villa won last night more through Newcastle's poverty in attack rather than Villa's own effort, although it has to be said that Villa did put a lot of chances together. Again, it's a pity that Villa were so wasteful in shooting, otherwise it could easily have been 5 or 6 last night.

So, what's the overall feeling from my p.o.v.? It is that we give the opposition too many chances to stay afloat, either through misplaced passes, misplaced shooting and (Mings!) a rather carefree attitude. Being carefree may look cool, but it has several times this season led to mishaps.

Now, a look at the immediate fixtures list might produce concern, having lost three on the trot up to last night:

01-12-2019 A Manchester United
04-12-2019 A Chelsea
08-12-2019 H Leicester City
14-12-2019 A Sheffield United

Yes, even Sheffield United could be a dodgy fixture, particularly on their own ground. They are proving to be a resilient side.

To look at the situation negatively, losing all those four fixtures may well keep us too close to the bottom three for comfort. It's not a good idea to my mind to be continually flirting with danger when all that is required - in a season of consolidation - is a touch more discipline, to stop the loose passing and the wayward shooting. And I think poor Wesley was so surprised at the one real chance he had that he he put it straight to the keeper from a few feet.

The other matter of concern is that since Mings and McGinn have received so much of the spotlight, they seem to be becoming stale. Perhaps it's the sign of too many matches (the normal fare plus internationals) having their effect? Or is the publicity they're getting doing its bit?

Despite all that there are pleasing signs in Villa's play, and it is what makes me look forward to seeing what happens next.

UTV!

"I Want More Goals!"

That's what manager Joe Mercer said to his Villa forwards a few days over 60 years ago. "I want more goals, and if you don't deliver there are others just waiting for their chance!" And they were too: Villa had two reserve strikers - Ken Price and Brian Handley - who were knocking in goals for fun for the reserve teams.

What made Joe Mercer get angry? Well, the previous match the Villa had lost at Anfield after a long unbeaten run by Villa in their first season back in the second tier since before 'the war'. Villa were high in the table but, since the first few games, they were not killing off the opposition, despite the fact that in Gerry Hitchens and Peter McParland Villa had two players with plenty of goal-scoring potential. Bobby Thomson wasn't bad either.

So, Villa were then paid a visit by Charlton Athletic, who were no mean side. I - as a 15-year-old - went down to Villa Park as per usual, star-struck by Hitchens and 'Supermac' and hoping to see a couple of goals from them that day. Well, when Villa were winning 4-1 at half-time I was more than pleased and certainly happy that Hitchens had scored his hat-trick before the break. But what about Supermac? He looked as though his nose had been put out of joint by Gerry's first-half achievement!

Well, when Gerry scored his fifth to make it 6-1, the Villa fans were really getting goal-happy! What is more, Gerry's fifth goal was hit so powerfully that Charlton 'keeper Willie Duff broke a finger in trying to save the old leather caseball. This was in the days before substitutes and with Duff having to go off, his place was taken in goal by a Charlton outfielder. Duff soon came back on but was unable to take his place in goal, and played on the wing instead.

The goals kept on coming, and before it was 9-1 the stand-in 'keeper gave up in disgust and called on another team-mate to go into goal. And Supermac? He still hadn't scored! And at 9-1 every other forward had scored apart from he! But he was not going to be outdone and finished the match with two trade-mark goals to make sure that he was on the score-sheet and to record a day's work when every Villa forward had scored. 11-1. Wow!

But it didn't stop there! With Joe Mercer's warning still ringing in their ears, Villa went to Bristol City the next week and won 5-0, with Hitchens scoring three more! And then Villa won 5-0 at home against Scunthorpe with Hitchens scoring another brace. He managed 10 goals over that three-games period.

But that was it. There were no more great scoring heroics that season, apart from a 4-0 win over championship contenders Huddersfield (which side included a certain Dennis Law!) and a remarkable 4-4 draw against championship hopefuls Liverpool at Villa Park after Villa had been 0-4 down with 20 minutes to go! What a finale that was and a match in which Brian Handley finally got his chance because of an injury to Hitchens, but was never seen again. Nor was Ken Price.

Both Hitchens and McParland finished with an overall 25 goals each that season, with Thomson netting 22. And Villa finished as champions and were promoted at the first time of asking.

No-one at Villa has scored 5 in a league match since then. Only Hateley (4 at Spurs in 1966) and Abraham (4 against Nottingham Forest last season) have been close.

Hitchens scored his 5 just over 30 years since the previous Villa 5-goal scorer. We are very much overdue for another 5 goal scorer!

UTV!

What's A Little Defeat When Hope Is Around?

Well, did we expect to get anything at Man City? Beforehand I felt the score would be 2-0 or 3-1 to them, and in fact, if we were to go by the match stats it looks as though Villa deserved to get a consolation goal.

But just as our efforts at Spurs and the Gunners fell apart in the second period, so too it happened that we were found wanting after a good first half. This time, though, we failed to carry a lead at the break.

So, my overall view of the Villa is that just like way back in 1975-76, in the first season then back in the top flight, there is a lot of feet-finding to do. And bearing in mind that a lot of the team looks different from last season's, they have not done badly to adjust together. I am quite hopeful and, indeed, expectant, that the Villa will finish in the top-12 or thereabouts.

There is good quality in most departments of the Villa team, and that surely supports a certain level of optimism. I would just like to pull some Villa supporters back down from the clouds, however, after Villa's two back-to-back wins prior to yesterday, particularly after the outstanding scoreline at Norwich. That is that if we would look at the bigger picture, the three wins we have so far obtained have been against clubs that are no great shakes in defence. Conversely, in our matches against teams in the top few places of the Premiership, we have buckled somewhat when the pressure was eventually applied against us.

If we were then to look at a couple of the star-rated Villa players - like Grealish and Mings - they have shown up well against the lower teams of the Premiership, but have been seen wanting at crucial times in the matches against the big 'uns. Not that either of the two named players played badly yesterday. Not a bit. But Mings - who seems to do something a bit wayward in every match - did not do his proper job at the start of the second-half and we got punished for it. Grealish, for his part, failed to pick any locks. He looked the part, but did not deliver in the final third. And then he got crocked near the end of the match, so if he does have to miss a match or two it will be interesting to see how well his place can be filled.

And, yes, VAR has been haunting us all season. It was certainly in question yesterday. As things stand I certainly prefer the old system of leaving it to the ref, that if he makes a mistake against us then hope that the error is balanced out in another match. In my view you simply cannot make things perfect through automation in a volatile scenario. Robots have worked well in areas like car production for a long time, but that is an utterly different ball game. VAR worked well in sorting out "was it over the line" issues, but, as things stand, the way the VAR system is now applied seems to make officiating that more laughable.

Nevertheless, things are not at all bad for the Villa, and I suspect that as things progress over the season we'll pick up more reasons for optimism rather than the other case.

Certainly, I feel the ship is in far, far better shape than it was three years ago, and in that light, I rest easy.

UTV!

Time For A Sing-Along?

Well, we had a good win at Norwich, and there are positive thoughts that the upcoming Brighton game will yield another much-needed win. And, hopefully, a win of the same sort of calibre as at Norwich.

And since then two favourites - McGinn and Mings - have been doing all the right things on the international front.

So, while all Villa fans should be in a positive state of mind right now, perhaps the time is ripe to raise an issue or two that surely need to be addressed.

While racism has taken up a lot of the headlines at the moment, a good friend and long-time Villa supporter recently wrote to me and expressed his unhappiness with what he termed vile chanting heard at Villa Park, which, he says, "not only contains foul language but is often personally abusive to people. What some players and managers have to put up with is also unacceptable. Some of the hand gestures towards opposing supporters, players, manager and referee are also highly offensive."

He adds that this scenario is made worse by the fact that women and children are present. And this concern reminds me of words uttered by the late great Phil Woosnam - once a master of ball play on the Villa Park turf - who looked forward to the day when football grounds could be places fit to receive families. But that was back in the 60s, just before rowdyism in football truly began. Nevertheless, after the 1968/69 takeover, there was a big attempt at making a Villa Park football match a family-orientated occasion, and I know that ideal is still very much present.

Clearly, however, there are some fans that don't agree with such ideals, and hence my friend's concern.

How can this matter be addressed? Well, to some extent I put such rough attitudes down to a sense of over-competitiveness on the part of those particular fans, who clearly do not have the civility that you find in the other football sport - Rugby Union. Why is it that what I consider to be a much rougher contact sport has almost no record of incidents that match my friend's complaint? I find that very odd, and always have.

The solution? Well, rugby followers - particularly the Welsh - are famed for their singing which, let's face it, unites people. You also hear England supporters singing the Queen's praises when soccer's all-whites are winning!

At Wembley, there used to be the pre-match community singing at Cup Finals and other matches, but this has sadly subsided into an opera-singer led rendition of "Abide With Me". Nevertheless, at least that is in place - a means of uniting all supporters in a very positive way.

What I suggest is that at Villa Park, and all football grounds in the major divisions for that matter, a form of community singing should be introduced in, say, the 10 minutes before the players come out onto the pitch to start the match. Personally, I feel that "Abide With Me" should be a mandatory item on that agenda, but perhaps there are suitable alternatives to generate a sense of unity and civility amongst all fans.

If this isn't a solution to "the problem", then what is?

UTV!

By George! Is this the turning point?

After a win like this you sing the National Anthem or, better still, thank Prince William and Kate for bringing son George along so that we can see him celebrate like any other proud Villa supporter!

The pic reminds me of when I first went down to Villa Park as a lad and saw Danny Boy and Tommo wipe Man City off the park. That was back in the early 1950s - baggy shorts and all.

But to return to this match, yes we were fortunate that Norwich had been hit by injuries, but the fact is that the score at half-time could have been much closer than the 2-0 lead that we had, but for some stalwart defending. It could have been 3-0 to us at that point, though, as Wes failed to take the opportunity to seal his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

With the caveat that injuries to both the Brighton and Norwich sides helped us to comfortable wins, the next match (again against Brighton) is surely going to bring out the maximum number of fans to VP in anticipation of seeing their favourites take their improvement one step further.

It cannot be a coincidence that Villa's improvement as an attacking machine has come about with the inclusion of Conor and Marvelous - who is! I have rarely seen such a cool cookie as he in front of defence. He is full of skill and determination, and seems to act as the perfect springboard for the Villa attacks. Conor, for his part, glides along and anticipates very well, taking charge on at least 3 significant moments yesterday to set up a goal, win a penalty and then score himself. He now has the remarkable record of scoring in all the four major levels of English football.

But the whole team seems to me to be playing as a team should be right now.

I wonder how long it will be before we see that Man U not only want to buy McGinn but the whole Villa team! For me they all - on this form - look to be on a par in terms of quality.

Yes, the Villa are moving up! Please, Dean, let's keep it that way!

UTV!

Slipshod Is Not Quite The Word For It

Oh, dear. Now that was sad. Pause: no it wasn't, it was just downright silly!

It was almost a carbon copy of the late collapse at Spurs on the opening day. Silly errors, all presenting the opposition with three goals. The best or worst of it is that the Gunners - and Spurs - are not showing themselves to be great shakes this season, which means the future is clouding somewhat for Villa.

I am not really pessimistic as to fear the worst, but there is a certain naivety in the team that is bordering on the calamitous. The saddest thing about yesterday was that the centre-back combination that we have been lauding so much each made a significant error leading to goals.

Adding to this - and despite our two slickly created and taken goals - is that our shooting is non-functional. Too many shots aimed at the keeper or without sufficient power. Yesterday we should have been out of reach of the Gunners before they recovered but for our woeful shooting, and followed by those so silly errors.

To my mind the situation really does call for a player of more maturity to be picked to help steady the ship. I have said this before and I think it worth repeating. Perhaps Lansbury or Conor is that player, probably at the expense of El Ghazi, who for me is not entirely convincing.

As a possible alternative, what about Davis playing with Wesley? Both of them work hard in retrieving the ball and I feel that the two together would be a mighty battering ram against opposition defences if allowed to blossom together.

I feel that some sort of decisive team adjustment needs to be made. And something that will be key to giving Villa the extra touch of oomph that is so badly needed.

As well as to stop making those silly mistakes. They keep talking about doing that, but when an extra touch of pressure is applied it looks as though we buckle.

Well, at least we scored, with Jack, at last, doing something really decisive to create the second.

UTV!

To Err Is Human ... But History Is History

One of the reasons why I plunged into an 18-month full-time study of the Villa's history all those years ago (and which study has vastly increased over the years since) was because I was certain that many things had been mis-stated in the various Villa histories I had read. I wanted to find out the truth.

One significant example is a statement in Peter Morris's well known history of 1962 which states that the Villa's famous captain of the 1880s, Archie Hunter, when on his premature death-bed, asked his brother Andy and others to push his bed towards the window of his room so that he could see the fans on their way to a Villa home match.

Now that statement is evocative in itself, and it is easy to accept the story on face value. However, supposing the true story is even more evocative? If so, 'why not tell the story as it really was', I thought.

So, what was "the real story"? The fact (as I discovered) is that Archie's brother Andy had himself died of TB six years before, so could not have been at Archie's bedside! In fact, to try and beat his illness, Aston Villa and the FA collected funds for Andy to go to a more suitable climate (they chose Australia). That took place in 1884. However, the week before the very start of the Football League (September, 1888), Archie belatedly received news from Australia of his brother Andy's death in June that year. Archie, understandably, was shaken by that news, and so affected that he did not play in the Villa's first-ever Football League match at Wolves. 

Archie then had to be prevailed upon by the Villa committee to continue playing, which he did. However, less than 18 months later Archie himself played his last game of football when he had a seizure or heart attack in a match against Everton at Anfield, and less than 5 years after that Archie died. From this sad event came the story about Archie's wish to have his bed moved so that he could witness the fans on their way to a Villa match, which is basically a true story.

It is so easy to create a myth out of reality, and I found so many other examples of the creation of perpetuating myths. Here are two more:

1. Legend has it that in 1874, four members of the Wesleyan Chapel male adult bible class met under a gas lamp in Heathfield Road to form Aston Villa.

2. The four founding fathers of our club are believed to be Jack Hughes, William H Price, George Matthews and William H Scattergood.

Nothing of the kind. Aston Villa was not formed under a gas lamp. It was merely a place of discussion about what type of football to adopt. And the four named people were not the "founding fathers". They were merely a deputation that went to look at a football match to decide on its merits and returned to report on the same.

(The above 2 statements were, surprisingly, stated in an official Villa page which can be seen here, and has not been changed despite my pointing out the error to the club.)

The real "founding fathers" were the 15 original members of the club, whose names I have, and are all quoted in my books "The Villa Chronicles" and "The First Superclub". Jack Hughes (one of the four that met under the gaslamp) was quite adamant that the founders were all the 15 original members, not just "the four". Jack Hughes stated this on more than one occasion - and certainly stated this in 1899 and 1924, the 25th and 50th anniversaries of the club. As Hughes was himself "one of the four" under the gaslamp it is likely that his account of this aspect of the club's foundation is correct.

Again, it is commonly stated (see Wikipedia) that the Villa were formed by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel. This is probably just lazy writing, but the fact is that the chapel was named as the Aston Villa Wesleyan Chapel, which was located at what became to be known as Villa Cross (my own family lived in that area at the time and attended that chapel).

Another myth is the old story about the Villa playing their first match against St. Mary's in March, 1874 in a 15-a-side struggle. However, it is now known that this match was played in the following year (March, 1875) and seems to have been the first match that the Villa won, not the first they had played. It has been uncovered by more than one researcher that Villa started playing at least as early as November, 1874.

So the story of Villa being created in March, 1874 seems, now, to be quite spurious. However, there were several leading sports writers of the 1890s who repeatedly stated that the Villa had been founded in October, 1874, before the story was suddenly switched to March, 1874, for reasons unknown. Today, the date of November 21, 1874 is commonly stated, but that itself is not certain. I believe that we can say with reasonable certainty that no more than the process of the creation of the club occurred over the months October and November, 1874. And (who really knows?) there might have been a move towards creating a club in March, 1874 after all.

Anyhow, history is history no matter how you dress it up. And all that people like me can do is as much research as possible to uncover facts that might lead to what really happened. The reality of what happened is usually a lot more interesting than the myth!

Why not read about the main history of the Villa for yourself? Please see this webpage for more information about a magazine series.

Thank you and UTV!

A 'Natural Break' Reflection Time

On the face of it, the Villa is not doing too well after gaining points from just one game out of four. And of the games lost, one of them was to Spurs on the opening day, who have since failed to win.

Rather than wanting to stimulate panic, however, there is the good side - well, good-ish - in that we have only conceded six goals in four, and three of those were on the opening day. So we're hardly getting a pasting.

The fear I do have, though, is that although I can see some good signs of quality in pretty well all the players brought in to the club, the current outfield players all lack Premier League experience and are sometimes showing naivety. And they are going to take some time to gel, I feel. 

To continue losing matches is not a valid option. Will they - can they - pull together to start climbing the table to a respectable (less worrying) position?

To be frank, I think there is an adjustment needed, and that is to bring back one of or both Conor and Henri to bring in a better level of experience at possibly no loss in quality. I feel they could provide the maturity that's needed to steady the ship. It's not an ideal option, but a necessary one I feel.

Or even bring in Elmo on the right-wing.

Against Palace I felt that from the start we seemed to be half-a-pace behind our opponents, with our old castigated discard Jordan Ayew making a monkey out of our hero Mings on at least two occasions. Ayew and Zaha really did have an edge that we did not have - or were not allowed to reveal. So for John McGinn to assert that Villa deserved a last-minute 'equaliser' - from, effectively, Villa's only decent attempt on goal in the match - was surely an over-the-top statement. I have no trouble in condemning the referee's un-Friend-ly decision on Jack, and the goal should have stood, but we honestly can't say we deserved a goal. In fact, we were somewhat lucky to lose by only one goal.

If we had left Palace with a point salvaged I feel that it might have glossed over our problems. Better, I think, to face up to the situation that we are short of something, and that possibly boils down to commitment. I don't think the team have yet measured up to just what is needed to stay in the top-flight, and the fight/effort required to achieve that.

My mind also goes back to just about four years ago when even then we started bringing in a lot of young-ish overseas players like Veretout, Amavi and Gueye, and expected them to gel and keep our club going at the top. But collectively they were not up to the mark. It is telling, though, that since those players left Villa they have gone on to success with their new clubs, and Everton fans are expressing their sadness over Gueye's expensive departure.

We can look to Jordan Ayew, too, and Robinson and Stevens at the Blades, and Albrighton at Leicester - to name a few - that have left Villa for better things.

Well, perhaps what happened in the final seconds at Palace will make the Villa players all fired-up and ready to hammer the Hammers in the next match! They really do need to do that, as the next match up after that is rapid fire from the Gunners on their patch.

UTV!

My Stomach Feels Better Now!

Oh, that's a relief! Points on the board at last.

It was still not an ideal performance from the lads but, importantly, the spirit is there and also quite a lot of skill. It needs simply more time for them all to play together to get the understanding straight.

Wesley still needs better support, but he does work hard and took his goal well. Lovely play by Jota to see the opening, and Jota thoroughly entertained me throughout the first half. He seems to be a better signing than I had previously thought. El Ghazi came on with something to prove, and one rasping shot was bettered by a nicely-taken goal: he proved his point perhaps.

Jack continues to frustrate me. He has quality, without doubt, but is not stamping himself on the game enough, in my view.

But the rest of the team - with Mings outstanding as always - stood their ground pretty well.

Now, with some points on the board, perhaps the Villa will go on to show us what they're really capable of.

I feel positive we'll get something at Palace.

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Needed: A Fully-working Mojo!

Well, if you let the opponent in so early in the match then the game is bound to be difficult - especially when you're trying to find your feet in the PL with so many new players. Their second goal was bizarre, with a shot that went in off the post having taken a huge deflection off Mings' back. In fact, I thought the shot would have gone out but for the deflection.

It was also bizarre that having conceded such late goals at Spurs we start the second match in like vein! Five goals conceded in something like 30 minutes over the two matches!

The Villa's shooting shortcomings of last season were manifest in this match, with not enough shots going in on goal to test the keeper, and Jack still not showing the command that he continually promises to produce but rarely manifests. Two good chances to score for him early in the second half, and one of those should have been taken. If taken then the game could easily have swung heavily in Villa's direction.

I am more disappointed with El Ghazi, though, and I feel that Green should not have been allowed to go out on loan. I think he'd be a better proposition to El Ghazi given the right encouragement. El Ghazi showed up well in the Championship but he's got something to do to get up to scratch at this level.

Otherwise, it's a question of the team settling down, with Luiz and Trezeguet looking to me as being potentially great players once they really get their act together. The big trouble is that once you start having a run of defeats the pressure to win becomes greatly increased. I'd have preferred the third match to be away from home to take off some of the pressure, but Everton at VP it is and so all we can do is hope that all the lessons have been learnt from the two opening matches so that we do not have a hat-trick of 'nil points' matches.

It does occur to me, though, that Wesley needs to work in tandem with another striker. I feel that Davis may just be the man.

It's crazy, though, that having spent a basic £130 millions plus, we're still short of adequate cover in important departments.

In the end all I can say is, "Jack, please get your mojo working to fulfil that promise that keeps promising!"

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A Top 'C' For Clarity, Conciseness and Commitment

Since last summer, my confidence in the new owners has steadily increased. I think they have gone about their job very well, and Dr. Xia is now, having failed to settle Randy Lerner's final (over-the-top) pay-off, no longer a voice that counts. We must thank Dr. Xia, though, for bringing in what appear to be two very competent new owners.

Thanks partly to one of the new owners, we are developing an Egyptian flavour in the squad, with two Egyptians now on board. And in Trez we seem to have acquired what might well be a match-winner. So Egypt has emerged with more than the structures of the Giza plateau to show off!

But in Dean Smith and the other football management and backroom boys we also seem to have a lot of quality in place.

However, a key signing for me is one who is not a person with a history as a player or football manager or coach, but the man who runs the business of Aston Villa FC on a daily basis - Christian Purslow, the CEO.

In this interview, our CEO shows the enthusiasm that we'd hope for from someone in his position, and also the Clarity, Conciseness and Commitment to earn him a top-rating from me. A top 'C' to you, Christian! It's a pity your name is not Albert, for then I could award a top 'A'!

As I see it, we have in all these gentlemen a quality that is a huge difference to the crew that sat in control at Villa 10 years ago, and who proceeded to guide a great club downhill. 

It is today's men at VP that give me confidence in Villa's ability to succeed - a situation that I have not confidently felt in 40 years. In the setup we now have, I feel that we could go a lot further; not straight away, but soon enough.

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Yes; We're In The Premier League Now, Chaps...!

Before the match I strongly felt that we had the capability of grabbing a point at Spurs, and until the 80th minute, I was pretty well convinced that's what we'd do. Sometimes the Spurs' quality seemed to demand that they'd win, but the Villa's fine defensive organisation (no doubt substantially due to John Terry) remained intact. Until late on.

We unfortunately wilted, and a lot of that was due, sadly, to our midfield, who did not deal with the ball as it should have been and mistakes were made. Most sad of all was that our skipper failed to clear on two occasions and those non-clearances led to two of their goals. Our skipper, clearly, must learn from those situations. As Dean Smith said after the match: "...We’re always learning lessons, today’s game has set a standard for us.” But there's no getting around the fact that the skipper has to set the example; Jack's tendency to dither at times can be fatal at this level.

Although we were only playing half a first-choice Spurs side, today's fixture was probably just the benchmark that Villa needed. But despite that being the case, I did not see enough in El Ghazi and Jota to believe they would thrive at this level. Wesley was mostly on his own, and it would be callous to throw criticism at him, although he, too, will have learnt a lot. I am a bit worried, though, as to whether we have enough punch up front.

Engels, I thought, was magnificent until the last 10 minutes. But, again, I am loathed to throw criticism at him. For most of the time he was simply great, as indeed was Mings, who also showed his constructive abilities in that fine long pass that enabled our goal to be scored. Ably supported by our keeper, of course, who made a couple of great saves.

It's too early to properly assess most of the other Villa players in this match, but I do think we still have a problem at left-back, and Elmo is not consistently the assured defender that we really need at right-back, in my opinion.

The effect of all the new team-building must take awhile yet to settle down, but experience tells us that it's wise to start getting some points on the board pretty quickly. Next week's home game, then, will be an equally big test, but one that we should pass. We need to.

Nevertheless, that was a brave start to the season. We are all disappointed, but not totally dejected.

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Big Times A-comin'?

A 100% pre-season winning programme culminated with a win on the ground of a club that finished 3rd in the Bundesliga last term, and that looks to have been the icing on the cake. However, it was mainly down to the work of new keeper Tom Heaton and also Tyrone Mings and his mostly capable crew who prevented Leipzig from taking a second-half lead before Villa took over.

It has to be said that Villa's midfield and attack did not look too effective in a lot of the match (though not lacking in commitment). They seemed to find it very difficult to play their way through the opponents' defence, and it was left to Conor's trusty left boot from free-kicks that gave Villa the boost before McGinn's very late third.

Having said all that, this is a very new team that Dean Smith is trying to put together, with several new players still to make a significant appearance. Though there are positive signs, I feel we must allow a couple of months at least before we can see what kind of progress the squad is really making.

However, let us turn to Brian Little (he who walked on water) who has said (reported in the Express and Star, Aug 2, 2019)...

"I’ve felt it for a period of time now, a real togetherness,” he said. “I have been at this club for a long time now and I have seen three big waves of momentum. The first was 69-70, coming in and seeing the club relegated to the Third Division and 12 years later winning the European Cup.

"I wasn’t here for the Graham Taylor revival in the late 80s but that led into Ron (Atkinson) being successful as a manager, me being successful as a manager and John (Gregory) to being successful.

"That momentum of a team. I do feel it now, genuinely. I think the supporters feel it too. There is a real togetherness. ..."

And he then went on:

“I know a lot of people say if you buy a lot of players it takes time for them to gel. But I honestly think if you do your work properly, you get the type of player you want.

“I’m very comfortable, watching what is going on. It is a challenge, but if you have done your homework you will get the players you want.

“They have picked players for specific roles. It is a structured plan and I think they are executing it very well.”

Dean Smith himself has said that he wanted to keep his core team with the likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings. And Anwar El Ghazi and Kourtney Hause are no strangers to Villa Park either! So, although so many new purchases have been made, three of those have already been at Villa Park for a good length of time as loanees, and have been well received by the Villa faithful.

With three days remaining before the transfer window closes, one or two more signings can be expected. But these are the purchases to date (click on image to enlarge):

The most alarming aspects of these signings are two-fold:

1. The sheer number being signed all at once (they amount to more than a complete team);
2. That only one of these has any significant Premier League experience: keeper Tom Heaton.

In Tom Heaton, the Lancashire media observed about Burnley's exiting goalkeeper:

Heaton's influence and importance was as much off the pitch as on it.

He was captain, a leader in the changing room and someone who shared the vision of Dyche and could translate that to the players.

A modest man, quick to praise others and with a personality that is take home to meet your mother in law material, Heaton has cemented his place as a modern day Turf legend.

What better signing to act as inspiration for an otherwise young team at Villa Park?

I am disappointed, though, that some of the brighter home-grown young players have gone out to play elsewhere this season in favour of new purchases. But I shall swallow that disappointment and look forward to a successful season - perhaps in winning a Cup!

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Interesting Stuff, But What About The Green Shoots?

I so much want to see the product of Villa's Academy succeeding, but going by the pre-season friendlies I'm afraid I can't see Green, Davis and O'Hare having sufficient impact in the PL. 

They are skilfull players, no doubt, but they have had the opportunity to shine and (to me at least) are just not taking full advantage of that opportunity. If Green had put his shot into the back of the net last night, instead of against the bar, I might be still on his side, but having worked the space to get in his shot, he missed a great chance to give a further lift to his name. For me, he seems to lack a degree of urgency, though he does work hard.

Having said all that the unavailability of El Ghazi gave RHM a surprise opportunity, and what speed and skill he has! Yes, perhaps he does have a couple of raw edges, but rather than put him out on loan I think he should be on the Villa's first-team bench and brought on as the occasion demands.

As to the performances of Villa's new acquisitions, I can't help but see the combination of Jota and Wesley with the added ingredient of Grealish developing a great understanding. Meanwhile, Guilbert strikes me as a fine raiding wing-back. The other new ones seem content just to do what's needed and are feeling their way as they go. I have no reason to think they'll do anything but settle in fine.

But the midfield is intriguing to me. McGinn, surprisingly, doesn't seem to have had so much of an impact and I'm seriously wondering whether Lansbury is a better link with Jack. Conor, meanwhile, has useful moments but I can't see him being successful in the hole in front of defence. Leastwise, not in the PL. Bikir? Mmmm... not sure; he's useful but, except as a late sub, doesn't seem to make a lot of impact.

Nevertheless, pre-season is building quite nicely, and I'm ready for more surprises in the remaining two pre-season games. And more signings, too!

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The Purchasing Message Is That We Don't Intend To Concede Goals!

Bjorn Engels follows Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause to Bodymoor Heath, leaving James Chester, an £8 million signing in 2016, potentially a fifth-choice central defender. Yet Dean Smith seems to think that 30-year-old Chester has a part to play and wants to see him challenging for selection for the first match, at Spurs.

What an extraordinary situation. The acquisition of four new central defenders (though we already know two of 'em) seems to be wildly over the top. Two were needed for certain, and Mings was a priority, but I can't help but see Chester now playing a secondary role, with Hause as extra cover for left-back.

The situation for Chester could be said to be unfair as he stood alone, carrying what proved to be a serious injury, until defensive reinforcements arrived last January. So to have played his heart out under great pressure and now to be in this situation must be very disappointing for him.

However, the secondary role could be just as important, with the return to Villa of a genuine reserve side to draw from rather than the u-23 system. Chester would surely be an example for new players coming through the ranks, and perhaps should be the reserves' captain.

With the virtually certain imminent signing of midfield enforcer Douglas Luiz in the next few days, this has been an extraordinary summer of spending, which worries me a little, especially as I do not yet see an end to the expenditure.

My "worry" is more to do with the approach of spend-spend-spend as a policy for Villa. It rarely produces great results (though the top clubs of the last 25 years could say they can show otherwise) ... unless we have a proper youth basis in place. But I feel that Villa is - based on history - a different kettle of fish to most other clubs and why journalists often don't 'get it'.

The academy seems to have let us down somewhat, not able to reproduce what came through in the early 60s and then 70s, with the odd 'success' since then. Barry was not really one of our own deliveries, nor Ehiogu.

So, in my view that's what we need to keep an eye on if we want to maintain our 'special' character. AVFC's playing success was mainly due to what was developed within the club. The character of the club will not diminish if we build from youth. To start getting into big scale spend-spend mode and acquiring players who do not develop an attachment for the club - being more concerned about their careers - is something to be concerned about i.m.o.

However, I rather think that we are not 'doing a Fulham'. The kind of expenditure taking place has sense about it for the future, and perhaps there's more that's going on that is positive than I realise.

This post seems to suggest a lot of good thinking going on.

We shall see...!

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More News Of Villa's Great Past!

I'm glad to tell you that Volume 2 of Aston Villa Through The Ages - all about a very major period in Villa's history (1893-1905) - is now up and available, and at a very agreeable price - I think! 

Volume 1, of course, remains available as well.

For details of this and for further particulars about the series, including how to purchase and availability of the next volume, please click here to link to my webpage.


Thanks, and UTV!

Some Things Never Change

A friend wrote and referred to a reference in Volume One of "Aston Villa Through The Ages" to Archie Hunter's departure from the Villa in 1881 and that the Sport and Play periodical wrote about "scores and scores of 'fair weather' supporters" and "by and by we shall see Villa once more singing a triumphant march and the croaking prophets of evil today trooping at the heels of the players with all the brazenness of gilded weather-cocks".

The friend said that for some reason it struck a note with him and wondered why!

Well, there are some things that never change, but in that account, Jack Urry, the Sport and Play reporter and commentator and later VN&R writer, illustrates the power of his reports and comments.

When I did that big Villa research through all those publications so long ago I would come across Urry time and again and got to love his perception and way with words.

Which other football club possesses anything like this heritage? No other.

This is part of why Villa is special i.m.o. There was once a link that was more than normal between its organisers and players, and I think that spirit is still there today and what makes the club so special. No-one but a Villan could understand that.

Up the Villa!

Please have a look at my new Villa history magazine series "Aston Villa Through The Ages": just click here. A sampler is available for download. Thanks, and happy reading!