Villa Move Up Yet Another Place!

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!

Villa Move Up A Place!

Agatha Christie could not have written a better plot!

Bournemouth were losing 1-0 into added time (and should have been 2-0 down). Then Bournemouth thought they had scored in the fourth extra minute, but it was disallowed. Then Southampton scored again in the 8th extra minute to help Villa move up a place as we have scored more than Bournemouth!

So, as I see it, it's just (just!) a matter of us getting above Watford (4 or more points to their 0) - or we just getting 3 points and they conceding a lot against their 2 remaining opponents.

Bournemouth seem to be effectively down no matter what they do in their last match.


West Ham and Brighton are effectively safe.

This in the knowledge that in  the 1963/64 season Liverpool won Division 1, Leeds won Division 2 and Coventry won Division 3.  

... While Villa finished fourth from the bottom. (I was kindly reminded about this by a very alert Villa fan.)

It doesn't help my heart condition. I'm suing Villa!

UTV!

Stuck In the Goodison Toffee

There were times in this match when I saw Villa's midfield coordination working pretty well, and the team as a whole kept a not very impressive Everton at bay. Until, that is, those last few minutes when the Villa attackers' wastefulness in front of goal was punished. The defence had become weary and let them through the gate. It so reminded me of Villa's last game against the Albion in 1959, when they scored late to cause Villa to go down.

Jack's wanting that extra half-minute before shooting, a  further Samatta header over the bar, a Trezeguet mis-control and El Ghazi's astonishing lob over the bar when it needed more of a push to go into the net, were the pick of Villa's wasted opportunities.

But, again, it's a defender that has to score from a cute Conor free-kick to give Villa a much-needed lead. Mind you, Davis seemed to connect with the ball with a diving header before Konsa popped up, to cause the keeper to dive the wrong way. So that Davis effort was very useful.

What's the matter with Samatta? When he first arrived I thought he looked sharp and good, but since the re-start he's looked not very confident in front of goal. A pity. Davis, for me, looks the more useful player, but he still can't score either.

So, we go into the last two matches still with a chance for survival. But can we beat Arsenal? And can we then beat the Hammers? It is possible, but for as long as we waste our chances then there's doubt.

The old saying "what a load of wasters" comes to mind. Villa could have saved themselves by now with the chances available, but now we have two very big cup finals coming up.

Still, while there's life there's hope!

UTV!