Don’t give up the fight! – An outside perspective on whether Villa have blown their chance by Gareth Freeman

March 24, 2009 by betfair.ie
Filed under: Aston Villa 

If Martin can quote the great Bob Marley then I thought I might as well join in.  Villa fans have got a bit of bad press at the moment with the whole booing thing, granted it was a bit out of order but that happens everywhere.  I’m a Bolton fan (I do try and watch a bit of football occasionally though..) and a section of our crowd had a similar go at a couple of our players after Fulham ran out 3-1 winners at the Reebok, though I will be the first to admit that comparing Andy O’Brien and Gabby Agbonlahor is just ridiculous – a bit like comparing Sean Paul to Bob Marley.

I’ll leave the dubious reggae references alone now, it just isn’t sunny enough for those shenanigans.  It might look like Arsenal are going to come in and nick fourth spot just as it seemed Villa were going to do what only Everton have done recently and break the top four but it isn’t a done deal yet.  I’ve had a look through the Gunners’ fixture list and they still have to play Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United so there is plenty of scope for them to drop points.  I know Villa have also got United and Everton in their next two games but Arsenal will surely drop points between now and the end of the season.

To keep spirits high Marttin O’Neill needs to make sure his players get over the heavy defeat to Liverpool.  Sometimes teams react after a heavy defeat and it inspires a bit of improved form – lets just hope this is the case with the Villa.  Everton have perhaps still got a shot at nicking the fourth spot but their squad as been hit too hard by injuries to consider them serious contenders.  The race is now between just Arsenal and Villa and for me both teams have just as good a chance as the other.

Villa have to play one of the top three, Arsenal have to face all three so that perhaps even swings the advantage in Villa’s favour.  Wenger’s side might be in a richer vein of form at the moment but they’ve been inconsistent all season and there is no reason why that should change now.  I rate Arshavin, he looks pure quality, but one player won’t make a massive difference and I’m not sure how much better he is than what they already had (Walcott and Van Persie).

Apart from Man Utd and Everton you would expect Villa to win the rest of their remaining fixtures.  With just the visits to Fulham (great at home) and Middlesbrough (fighting relegation) looking like potential banana skins.  Arsenal also have to play a couple of teams fighting relegation so for me both sides face a fairly similar task in finishing fourth at the end of the season.

Arshavin may have given everyone at the Emirates a boost but the return of Carew should do the same at Villa Park.  I’ve always rated Carew and he’s got a lot of skill for a big striker, his return could not have come at a better time.  Basically the point of this article was to give an outside perspective, inspire a bit of confidence and demonstrate the last Champions League place is still very much up for grabs.  I think pretty much the whole country, bar Arsenal fans of course, are willing Villa on at the moment just to prove it is possible for another team to get into the Champions League.  I know the ‘boo boys’ are in the minority but the fans need to get behind the team for this final push, I said I’d leave the reggae alone but I’ll quote sir Bob one last time, Don’t give up the fight!

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who writes about online football betting for Betfair.


Comments

4 Comments on Don’t give up the fight! – An outside perspective on whether Villa have blown their chance by Gareth Freeman

  1. andy villa on Tue, 24th Mar 2009 13:28

    2. i wish i shared the optimism…

  2. villarobin on Tue, 24th Mar 2009 17:39

    3. He is right !

    yes its hard to be optimistic, but slumps happen, if we get our act together we can get 4th place, simple as that.

    In theory Arsenal could easily loose 3 / 4 / 5 games.

    We are only 3 points behind

  3. M.O.N on Tue, 24th Mar 2009 20:24

    4. this guy is taking the piss…

  4. Dan on Thu, 26th Mar 2009 1:48

    5. I think the biggest cause for optimism for Arsenal’s downfall is the invitation for Wenger to stay for life. lol nah but it was beggin to be said – at least the competition of the league is back – next year with Everton (hopefully) with a fit team, the top 4 will be wide open.

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