These are both heady and palpitating times!
Up one place on Sunday because Bournemouth's goal difference sank, and two days later up a further place because of a merited win against a team we've not beaten at Villa Park for 22 years.
Football always surprises, but this one is almost a shock to the system. Although our team is not yet clear of relegation, we have hope for the first time since the League Cup final of stabilising our position in the Premier League.
A quite astonishing match, with not only Mings playing mind games with his opponent before helping the ball on for a cracking goal by Trez, but being able to stop the Pea-shooters (the erstwhile Gunners!) from getting a shot on target. Er, except a goalpost intervention that became closer to a goal when our keeper fumbled!
In fact, did I see Villa move up a gear when Guilbert came on? He was only on the pitch for two minutes when Villa scored. Perhaps he was the unintentional surprise tactic to upset them.
It was a match where Villa seemed to play the same kind of strategy as Arsenal did over Man City in the Cup semi-final a few days ago. Villa defended well and kept their shape throughout, and broke out well at times. But - again - one or two excellent chances went begging, meaning that we were hanging on by our fingernails for longer than is healthy.
However, the much-changed Arsenal side seemed to indicate that the Gunners either thought a win would be easy, or they were more concerned about the upcoming Cup Final. Or both. However it was, it's now all down to Villa. A win at the Hammers on Sunday prevents relegation with reasonable certainty, but any other result depends on what the other relegation contenders do. For example, if Watford draw then we have to also get a draw as the minimum in order to stay up.
What is for sure: we must aim not to lose on Sunday!
This is not good for the heart ... after 70 years of watching too many seasons go by like this, I am getting worn out!
UTV!
Up one place on Sunday because Bournemouth's goal difference sank, and two days later up a further place because of a merited win against a team we've not beaten at Villa Park for 22 years.
Football always surprises, but this one is almost a shock to the system. Although our team is not yet clear of relegation, we have hope for the first time since the League Cup final of stabilising our position in the Premier League.
A quite astonishing match, with not only Mings playing mind games with his opponent before helping the ball on for a cracking goal by Trez, but being able to stop the Pea-shooters (the erstwhile Gunners!) from getting a shot on target. Er, except a goalpost intervention that became closer to a goal when our keeper fumbled!
In fact, did I see Villa move up a gear when Guilbert came on? He was only on the pitch for two minutes when Villa scored. Perhaps he was the unintentional surprise tactic to upset them.
It was a match where Villa seemed to play the same kind of strategy as Arsenal did over Man City in the Cup semi-final a few days ago. Villa defended well and kept their shape throughout, and broke out well at times. But - again - one or two excellent chances went begging, meaning that we were hanging on by our fingernails for longer than is healthy.
However, the much-changed Arsenal side seemed to indicate that the Gunners either thought a win would be easy, or they were more concerned about the upcoming Cup Final. Or both. However it was, it's now all down to Villa. A win at the Hammers on Sunday prevents relegation with reasonable certainty, but any other result depends on what the other relegation contenders do. For example, if Watford draw then we have to also get a draw as the minimum in order to stay up.
What is for sure: we must aim not to lose on Sunday!
This is not good for the heart ... after 70 years of watching too many seasons go by like this, I am getting worn out!
UTV!
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