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Theo Walcott's towering header

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Relegation watch is in full flow here. Full on grumpiness. Near constant reviewing of league tables . Analysis of what-if scenarios, including trying to manufacture realistic yet spectacular ways in which Villa can overcome their points and  goal difference deficit vs the teams around them. 

The situation was made maddeningly necessary by Theo Walcott, who last scored a header when he was eleven*, equalising Villa's  lead, late in the game the other night. Alkaline batteries conked out, yet again, after an otherwise impressive performance.

At full time I was convinced that the shit or bust scenario  had left Villa very much on the shit end of things, but a combination of results subsequently  seems to have left the survival door somewhat ajar. Bookies give Villa a meagre 8% chance of survival, and they are rarely wrong, which is a blow - but I am a fond adopter of groundless optimism and forlorn hope.

All we need is as follows.

-Watford to lose vs Man City and Arsenal, with a -4 goal difference over the two games
-Bournemouth  to not win, or only win by a single goal in their last game vs Everton
-Villa to get 3 points and a +2 goal difference across their last 2 games vs Arsenal and West Ham

Whilst actually feasible, there is always a spanner in the works and my gut instinct is telling me that unless we can muster a point vs Arsenal, we will be left facing relegation. This because Watford, with their new manager bounce (again!) are just bound to get a draw with them on the final day, that or Bournemouth will score a few vs Everton, putting us out of it (on GD) without an extra point that could be gained tomorrow in our game against the Gunners. Hopefully the joy of them smashing Man City and the prospect of a Cup Final will see their guard come down, but I'm not covinced. 

Also a nightmare of a game for Smith to tactically brief. A hefty defeat will leave us as good as relegated. Playing defensively (going for the draw) is normally  a recipe for us to get whooped,  and going gung-ho risks the same bad outcome. In fact, if ever there was a scenario where bland and clichéd team talk was the best one, this could be it. "Go out there, play well, do your best and whatever will be will be". We have to be positive and have a go. We've scored more goals than the lauded Sheff Utd in 8th after all!

This, in summary, is what being a Villa fan has been like for the past 5 years. One seemingly shit or bust game passes, only for the next, even more shit or bust game to come around.

The top end of the table has just drifted by, but as far as I can see, it is most likely that Leicester will be facing a win or bust game vs Man United (presumably sans De Gea)  for Champions League qualification. That'll be the game I watch if it all goes wrong for Villa.

(*this is not true...Walcott has actually scored 3 premier league headers in his long career, at a rate of one every 115 games)

Comments

  1. KevJuly 20, 2020 at 6:49 PM

    Could be worse mate - you could be a Forest fan!!

    ReplyDelete

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