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Showing results for tags 'midlanderbantzincoming'.
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Work-rate. Incisiveness. Nous. I don't ask for much. This is how it's gonna be. Build from the ground up. Villa have been pretty strong since Emery took over. He had a slow start to his Villa career but began to pick up good results as last season wore on. This season began with a drubbing at the hands (well they are the only ones still likely to have theirs!) of the Saudi sportwashers, but Villa have found some form since then, and new signings Diaby and Torres have settled in well. The latter was signed to accompany Mings at centre back but Mings is out for the season after sustaining a serious knee injury in that Geordie mauling. Maybe just as well for Villa as at times, Mings was a combination of sloppy and reckless, and an accident waiting to happen. Villa are not an easy side to face, especially if we aren't quite at it. As was the case in the corresponding fixture last season, which was our final home game of a hugely disappointing campaign. It was a very similar game to this season's Bournemouth fixture where we were shit in the first half but went in only a goal down. Ramsey scored for them, soon after Watkins had fired a penalty wide after being fouled by Ibou, who had been dragged wide to cover the space left by Trent. Trent had moments before been involved in us surrendering possession and was now out of position. Stop me if you've heard that one before. It was and remains the massive pitfall in this hybrid role he's been playing. The game was meandering and needing someone to galvanise us. Who better than Bobby on his last Anfield appearance. He popped up with a late equaliser, reacting first to Mo's brilliant cross with the outside of his foot. We were hoping to push for a late winner but even though a lot of stoppage time was added, nothing much materialised. The players who were leaving got a big send off, none more so than Bobby and Big Game James who have been absolute heroes for us. Both signed a few months before Jurgen joined, they were instrumental figures in our subsequent success. We badly need to eradicate the sloppiness in our play and the erratic decision making, and be ready from the beginning. I keep repeating myself but it's no less true. Attitude, concentration and application need to be spot on. We're without Virg through suspension, but if the Gravenberch deal is completed in time to satisfy the noon deadline for new players to be eligible for the weekend fixtures, we will have another addition to our Dutch contingent. Darwin should be on a real high after his weekend exploits, and Jurgen has a decision to make as to whether to start him against Villa or bring him on to cause his particular brand of havoc late on. Decisions decisions. Whatever, go out there, do the right things and come away with another 3 points. Get it done!