Doesn’t something traditionally happen at 3pm on a Saturday? What is it?

April 16, 2009 by Martin Banks
Filed under: Aston Villa 

As Villa fans, we can be forgiven for forgetting the answer to that question. The last 4 games have all been Sundays and we haven’t played at the old traditional time for over 2 months. In fact, we have only played 3 league games then so far this year.

The rise of our game has seen the TV networks want to televise our games more and more, which is usually the reason for altered kick off times, which is great in many ways, but has also meant that our recent downfall has been made all the more public.

Anyway, we have shown in the last 2 games that we are still that same attacking side, capable of scoring enough goals to win games, if only our defence could plug the leaks. We came closer to getting 3 points at Old Trafford than most and we showed resilience and strength of character to come back from 3-1 against Everton.

West Ham at home then

This game should definitely be seen as winnable. We beat them at their place and, without disrespecting a decent side, it should be won by a team hoping to stay in the top five.

We can definitely take the game to them, as we did for large parts of the last 2 games, but it is imperative that we sort it out defensively. West Ham are no mugs and they will know full well that we are weak at the back at the moment and they will try extra hard to exploit it, knowing an easy win is available if they do. We can’t let that happen.

Knight and Davies are both capable of playing better, they just don’t seem to gel well together. Maybe Cuellar will make a recovery in time, though it’s doubtful and Laursen is out for the remainder of the season. Young and Shorey should hold their positions, keeping some stability. Bouma is unlikely to feature this season for anything other than cameo roles. O’Neill won’t risk starting him on the grounds of both fear of re-injuring him and for lack of match sharpness. A few short runs should get him back into the swing of things, ready to compete with Shorey for left back next season.

Up front we should have Heskey back, but Gabby is out. Will MON plump for the 2 big men up front in a 4-4-2? Or will he choose one and go 4-5-1? If he does the latter, it’ll most likely be Heskey he chooses as the two are in love and him and Carew are forever spatting. Ooooh, am I suggesting that O’Neill lets his personal feelings get in the way of his judements sometimes? Noooo, surely I wouldn’t!


Comments

2 Comments on Doesn’t something traditionally happen at 3pm on a Saturday? What is it?

  1. Daniel T on Fri, 17th Apr 2009 4:14

    2. If MON leaves Carew out of the starting side for the rest of the campaign he is MAD! Heskey was fine when we were without Carew, but when Carew is on top of his form he is a top 5 striker in the Prem, no questions asked.

  2. john on Fri, 17th Apr 2009 18:17

    3. If heskey starts 2moro then big john will be off in the summer

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