"Questions Will Be Asked"

Incredible. The Villa today had 5 (five) first-team players on the injury list, 2 (two) players that were having to isolate because of COVID precautions, and another (Watkins) who only came on the pitch late as he has only just found his fitness. 

On top of that, another (Targett) is still playing himself in as a result of injury through the summer. That is a total 9 (nine) first-team players that have impacted Villa's start to the season and have caused three quite distinct teams to be put out in three league matches. Another (Luiz) had to miss the first match because of Olympic Games duties.

And then we have the business of Beundia and Ings getting used to a new team. "Which team?", I ask! Bailey is still to come but his cameo in the first game was mouth-watering. It nearly made me dream of European Cups!

And if the list is not already long enough, Konsa went off injured in today's match and whether he will be fit for the next match remains to be seen.

Now, bearing all that in mind, and that is data that is quite accessible to the pundits and journos, this website said, after the match today, and after reporting on Dean's view of the match and his team: 

It still seems to be taking some time for things to click, and until they build consistency, questions will be asked of missing their former captain.

Just what are they trying to stir up? Why am I wasting my time reading this kind of tirade?! I suppose as a Villa fan I should be used to it as there are plenty of people that don't want Villa to succeed and they know full well that a sizeable section of the Villa fanbase can be whipped up into a frenzy.

So, thanks for allowing me the two-minute rant!

Instead, let's look at some positives.

And it's all about the youth. We had a basketful of revelation and joy in the middle of the week at Barrow, let alone the FA Youth Cup win earlier in the summer. And today's circumstances forced the successful appearance of the young Chukka brother as a starter in the first-team line-up. This after Jacob Ramsay has shown that he definitely has the talent after his start against Newcastle.

On top of that, young Archer almost came on to shoot his arrows today but was thwarted by the injury to Konsa that necessitated another defender to be the last sub.

As to the future at Villa Park? All I can say is that it is a great pity that today's bottomless pit of great and potentially great players weren't in place when I was a lot younger. And there's more to come! Phew.

The future is bright! At last!

UTV!