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Flat-track bullies?

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Since I last posted, Villa have notched up wins vs Hibernian (twice) and Burnley away, meaning we've won 4 of the 5 games we've played so far. On the face of it very strong, yet I still fear a beating up at Anfield tomorrow. 

I'm hoping this fear is a result of a decade-long conditioning to poor results vs decent teams, rather than something I see in this latest iteration of the Villa team. Certainly Newcastle exposed a weakness, and I fear Liverpool are adequately equipped to do the same. Villa have looked more solid since the capitulation on opening day, but it is hard to judge when the quality of our opposition's attack has been several levels below what we will face at Anfield. Even if it does turn out that we are flat track bullies, its actually a recipe for a good placing in the Premier League, as typically there are 12 'non-elite' teams to dispatch (aka 24 wins and 72 points for the taking).

Now that Mings is crocked, we've seen much more of Torres and Carlos. Pau Torres is a sumptuous ballplayer of a CB, a delight to watch, but is vulnerable to pacey players turning him inside (Mo Salah anyone?). Diego Carlos is a powerhouse of a defender and is actually getting up to speed after his own season-ending injury last year. Mings' injury has accelerated the progress of both of these players. Our hopes will likely hinge mainly on whether Martinez recovers from his own knock. With Olsen between sticks, I have very little confidence at all. 

Anyway - moving away from my unfounded levels of Anfield anxiety, it has been good times for Villa - securing group stage football in the Europa Conference league. My autumn Thursday nights have been lifted with fixtures coming up against Legia Warsaw, AZ Alkmaar and Bosnian champs Zrinjski. I cannot wait. 

Transfer deadline day has passed, Villa snapping up Clement Lenglet from Barcelona on a loan, covering our now lighter centre-back department. He's also something of a passer, so Emery is absolutely committed to the style of play - it's good to have an identity backed up by the players we actually have. We've let a few more players go than I expected, including Philogene, Ramsey (Jnr) and Cameron Archer (who's made his mark today), although all of those have convoluted buy-back clauses, making the transfers a juggling act of FFP and gloried loan. 

The main talking points from the window seem to have been: 

  • Chelsea going absolutely apeshit on the purchasing front during the window (and then promptly losing at home to Forest)
  • Forest buying an entire new squad for the second season running
  • Salah, will he be drawn away to Saudi (with my Villa tinted glasses on, I am hoping yes, this evening - but with my footballing hat on, it will be a big shame not to have him grace the PL)
I'm writing this whilst watching Brighton v Newcastle, again supporting the draw (for Villa's general benefit), but am struck by how much weaker the Newcastle team looks once you take a key player out. Without Botman, their defence is significantly weakened, and the same will happen in midfield if Tonali or Guimares have to miss games. It could be a tricky season for Newcastle, especially given their brutish Champs League group.

International weekend next weekend, so we all get to see whether Harry Macguire and Kalvin Phillips (genuinely it took me a minute there to recall his name) remember how to play this game. Seriously, I think the only more contentious selection that Southgate could make would be to call up Mason Greenwood. On that note, ta-ta.

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