I didn’t mind the way we went about things on Tuesday.
But we shouldn’t keep offering the same respect to lesser sides in the early stages of games and surrendering territory.
I’m thinking about Newcastle, Southampton, Brighton and even Albion to an extent, where the game was being played almost exclusively in our half for the first 20 minutes.
Whether that means taking more risks and playing with a higher defensive line or just upping the effort levels in the opening exchanges, something has to change.
As good as Villa have been at times this season, this is a highly winnable game, but only if we cut out the errors and produce a more even performance.
Villa
Will Jack Grealish play? That’s the big question.
We can rightly point out that he hasn’t produced a fat lot against us in the past, but his mere presence on the pitch elevates this Villa team to another level.
They did well to grind out a result at Leeds without him but have lost the other two games and over a long sequence of fixtures, will suffer if he doesn’t recover from his shin injury.
When the going was really good earlier in the season, I thought they looked a really top side with Grealish, Watkins and Barkley in tandem and McGinn and Luiz supporting.
In more recent times, Dean Smith has moved a few of the pieces around though and they don’t seem to have that same cohesion.
They can fall back on one of the best defensive records in the league though with just 27 conceded, meaning they’re invariably in games even when they’re not winning them.
There was a time when European football looked possible, but they’d really have to turn it on again from this point to make that a reality and looking at their remaining fixtures, I can’t see it.
The home end
Some thoughts lifted from the pre-match thread on the Villa Talk forum.
This has got 0-0 written all over it. Neither team scores goals.
I won £35 tonight having backed Sheff Utd (following team selection). Just put the lot on Wolves at 2-1. We are so poor at the minute and they, although not great, still have a solid defence and attackers who can hurt you on the break. Easy win for them.
1-0 to whoever scores first. On current form and available players 2 poor teams that struggle to create anything.
Tonight hasn’t really changed what I think for this. 1-1. Wolves better in recent weeks but still don’t score much and neither do we in recent times.
Only hope for me is if Jack plays then we’ll get a boost. Wolves are finding form so otherwise maybe we’ll scrape a draw. That defeat yesterday was a real down to earth moment.
Not very hopeful for this one. Maybe we’ll get something. I would like to see Douglas Luiz brought back, maybe Trez in for Traore, and unless he’s absolutely bossing it at training John McGinn needs to sit on the bench for me.
Wolves
If Boly is fit enough to start, I’d put him back in for Dendoncker, who struggled at City.
Some would like to see Fabio get a start, but I’d prefer the physical presence of Jose. Even if he’s not producing the goods himself, he’s helping get better performances from our wide players.
Moutinho still seems to be receiving a lot of criticism from some supporters but he won the free-kick and put it on a plate for Coady on Tuesday. We need to look hard at the midfield in the summer but for now, he’s still an important player for me.
Last time out
It was a frustrating performance at Molineux earlier in the season in a stop-start game where we ultimately surrendered the error, with Semedo getting beaten and then fouling McGinn for the late penalty.
We won at Villa Park last season, grinding out a 1-0 in the sunshine thanks to Leander Dendoncker’s fine finish.
Predictions
Nobody predicted the 4-1 scoreline against City (there were a couple of 4-0 forecasts).
Bedford Wolf still has the outright lead in the overall table at the end of Gameweek 27.
As always if you’d like to join in, simply leave your prediction for this game in the comment section below, which is where you’ll find my best guess.
Up The Wolves!
I fancy us tomorrow, assuming we get a decent team on the pitch.
And because of that expectation, it will be all the more disappointing if we camp out in our own penalty area, concede the first goal and have to fight back yet again.
There isn’t much to play for this season, but wins tomorrow and at The Hawthorns would go a long way to alleviating some of the pain we’ve suffered, not to mention giving us hope of a top-half finish.
The impression I’ve got from the matches I’ve spectated, Jose has had too poor support. I don’t think his new team mates have done enough to involve him in the game. Strange that a player like Jose hasn’t done more impact than he’s done so far.
Totally agree. I’ll be disappointed with anything less than a win in those two games
I think Fabio has to start . He’s been so unlucky in front of goal , fluke goal keeping and woodwork have stopped him getting the credit he deserves. He always wants the ball and that counts . We were unlucky second half at city .They are an excellent side and for about 20 minutes it looked like we were going to win there again . Let’s take it out on the Villa
Wolves to win
Hope Boly is fit Dendonker cannot defend. Nuno has been putting square pegs in round holes and it just doesn’t work.
Players are beening played out of there normal position, why no Kilman he is a natural defender why are we not using him instead of a midfielder.
As brilliant as City are we sat off them to much and as Thomas has quite rightly said we have done the same over the season to the lesser sides.
It seems ages ago the game against the Blades first game of the season at there place the first half when we went all out from the first whistle at half time we were 2.0 up I thought that was going to be the template for the season how wrong was I.
And yes we have lost Raul I know but we just don’t do anything in the first half of games but defend pass it backwards and sideways even before we lost Raul.
Play people in there natural position when ever possible makes the balance of the team better.
Villa are no great shakes at the minute so this is a good time to have a go at them……and not just the last 20 minutes…..from the first minute to the 95th
Would go with the starting eleven you suggested. Dendonker has been well below his best this season both in midfield and defence. Killman unlucky not to make the eleven. Little competition from what was on the bench at City. Silva looks better coming on for the last 20/25 minutes. Has 0-0 written all over it.
Back in the day there was a splendid song by Scottish pop stars The Bluebells and it went : ” I’ve been falling on down again, falling on down again, falling on down. I’ve been falling on down again, falling on down again, falling on down”. Was the chap singing about coming out of the pub ? Had he just tripped over rather a lot and was unlucky? Or did he have some sort of time machine which took him out of the 1980’s and hovered over Villa Park ? And he was able to witness free falling Greasy and his colleagues constantly, well, falling down? Who knows? But enough of talking about falling down, which I did occasionally when exiting the pub (when it used to be open) and on to the match. Aside from the falling down antics of the Villa players this will be the game when the speedy Wolves forwards literally dance around the hapless Mings at al and deliver pay back for that ludicrous free kick given against a strangled Podence as he broke away. The very free kick leading to the McGinn penalty. So it will be Villa 1 WWFC 2 and I will be happily drinking a few cans of lager listening to The Bluebells “falling on down again, falling on down again”…………VILE 1 WWFC 2.
One of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands is ‘Freefallin’ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
I think I’m right in saying that Tom wrote it specially for Jack Grealish.
Or was it Harry Kane…
Or maybe Mo Salah.
That other great Tom Petty song, “Learning to Fly” could have been written for the same divers.
I cant stand up for falling down. Elvis Costello.
3 – 0??? Who is this? Body snatches got Clive!
Snatchers
An away win will set us up nicely for our final game of the month at home against Liverfool.
Jose to finally get on the score sheet after being supplied by Neto.
Adama is so frustrating at times as a pass to a colleague much earlier would have seen us get many more goals this season – he’s still damn good though.
Another tight contest on the cards, not expecting a classic. But hopefully one we can edge.
I think this is about right. I’m going got a very optimistic two goals (From who knows where) and a solid defensive performance in the first half.
We should get something out of this game their a totally different team with out Grealish fancy a Wolves 2-1 win.
Like everyone else, I’m sure, I believe having Boly back will make a great difference. He is our best defender even when below par and Coady is perceptibley happier alongside the big man. Jonny also gives balance and Wolves are better defensively and going forward when he plays.
I would start Jose but think Fabio can make add something coming on later. Against a tiring defence his movement can make a difference and eventually things will start to go his way.
I agree Boly is brilliant.
But for me he gives the ball away in bad areas far too much to be considered our best anything.
Can’t see anything but three points tomorrow.
Boly at the back
Neves with the penalty
Jose with the winner .
Come on you wolves
I’d like to see the Line up Thomas has suggest, except the midfield, Neves and Moutiniho in my opinion don’t work together in the Midfield, Especially when they have to do the attacking and defending.
Dendonker has been poor of recent, but I think thats to do with the transition and playing with players that are new.
I think with that line up and swap out Neves for donk, For me would be stronger as we would have someone on all lines to actually challenge and battle for the ball, winning games starts with winning battles, especially in midfield. If we cannot do that, we are not as good as we think.
1-0 – we wont concede and they wont have Grealish.
If we play like wot we did for twenty minutes or so the other night, we will marmalize this shower.
About time we really creamed someone, and who better to stuff than Villa?
Oh, yes, the shit, but Villa close second!
And I still think Bedders is Chalkie in disguise.
How many predictions are you going to try to sneak in?
456
That’s better. Clive is safe.
A game we’d all love to win. We have the necessary, that’s for sure. It’s just a matter of putting it all together on the pitch.
Big Willy back please, as he’s fit again. Donk up to midfield with Neves and Kilman bought in to the left of the three. Romain can play at the back or midfield so is a useful guy to have on the bench when we need to protect our handsome lead.
Jose is something of an enigma really. Seems too laid back to be effective but he’s Brazilian, so you can’t expect him to run around like a headless chicken. I feel he does slide gently into good positions. So gently that defenders often don’t notice. Unfortunately, his fellow forwards don’t seem to notice either so I don’t recall him missing many clear openings. I remain confident though that, given a clear opening, he’ll have the skill and composure to put it away. He is Brazilian, after all.
I hope I’m not slagged for “stating the bleedin’ obvious” but Jose should look at a compilation of all of the headers Raul has scored to see if he can learn anything about how Raul got his head on the end of Adama’s often erratic crosses.
I think that at least in some cases, he held himself back and waited for Adama to kick the ball and then adjusted his run to intersect with the ball at an optimal location.
Willian can’t just get into the box and expect Adama to place a perfect cross to him.
Conversely, the inside forwards should look at Jose’s goals from Spain and try to learn where he likes the ball. If he scores from inside the box from a pass to his feet, then that is how they should be trying to get the ball to him.
Apologies to Clive for him having to read this but I mainly posted it here for Pedro, Adama, Nuno and Jeff.
I agree.
To be fair, I do see Jose making those runs into the crucial areas (on our attacks) sometimes and then the ball isn’t played quick enough, So the next time he holds off and is out of position.
That’s the chemistry thing that Raul had with Adama, Adama knew to play the ball because he knew where Raul was.
That wont happen with Jose, But if they just commit to playing the early balls and Jose Commits to running in between the posts and the defenders he should score plenty.
I do believe though he has the ability, I just don’t think he is good enough himself for the prem. (jose).
Didn’t “ have to read it”, wanted to, so I could disagree.
But I don’t!
Mind games, Timmo, mind games!
Probably before Tim’s time, but your comment reminded me of the great John Lennon song and album. Those were the days, Brew 11 and puking outside the Laf.
I’m in my 60s.
There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.
I think it’s time we stop
Children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look, what’s going down?
It’s another song about our chum Jack.
After the midweek disappointment I expect a rampant Wolves to take the game to veela . No greasy Grealish and there form is slipping, we should put this lot to the sword.
Get at the them from the get go please Dr Nuno.
COYW
I think the short stint we had after the equaliser against City showed we can still play on the front foot, taking the game to teams, even with the immense quality of city.
We did it against leeds in the first half and I thought we played well.
I believe if we come out and be positive in our approach we can beat Villa, who seem to me to be a decent yet inconsistent side this season.
Let’s hope Nuno loosens the shackles a bit and it’d be nice to see the midfield get on the ball and dominate, again like we know they can.
Having Boly back will be huge so hopefully he’s fit enough to start.
In a season where positivity has been lacking quite a bit, I’m going to be positive in my prediction!
Always likely to be tight againsg the Vile.
We got this. Come on Wanderers!
Please let us not sit back, soak up pressure for 35min n then concede n have to chase the game.
If Boly not available get Kilman n Hoeven in defense.
Would pair the Donk with Moutinho, start Silva.
Hi Hong Kong fuey
How’s life over there? Must be a bit on the tough side
To be fair to Villa, they have been brilliant at times this season and have recruited well after the previous years disastrous acquisitions. They have had purple patches with an end product in goals which we can only look at and admire. However, their recent form is poor, we are improving although not wholly convincing and with Willy back in the side we will be very hard to beat this time round. One nil to the Wolves, don’t care who scores or how. Revenge will be sweet but a ‘’Clive ‘ against the Albion is what we all crave. Hope the Donk returns to form soon, we miss his breaking up of the oppositions attacks and good technical finishing.
Does anyone know how this 10,000 fans back in the stadiums for one game is going to work. The last time they did this for a week or two, the teams jammed everyone together instead of spreading them out across the entire stadium, apparently missing the whole point of reduced attendance.
If they do spread them across the entire stadium, are they going to take down all of the new signs that are currently covering the seats?
You often hear the comment about a previously more successful team, that they have been ‘worked out’. Sheffield United are a prime example. High flying last season and now heading down. Mind you, you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to work Wolves out. You don’t need to know anything about football in fact. We’re crap in the first half and massively odds-on to concede first. Doesn’t matter who we play. Against Chorley it was us looking like the non-league side, and our keeper was my MOTM. For god’s sake Nuno, call the shrinks in if need be, we have a psychological problem early doors in matches. Get it sorted man.
Because of our embarrassing first half problem, which the whole world knows about, Villa will come at us aggressively in the first half, like the world-beaters they ain’t. They know we also get the wobbles towards the end of matches too. Three goals conceded in the last ten minutes against City, and innumerable examples against the whole world as well. So, for 55 minutes of most matches we are like jelly. This must be sorted now.
I would tell Silva, you start, and you’re guaranteed the first half at least. He’s definitely showed potential and got into scoring positions in the scant time he’s had on the pitch. Jose so far has been below expectations but on the other hand we haven’t lost a match with him. I’d give Jose the second half against Villa if Silva hasn’t broken through.
We have to start strongly against Villa and I think Silva’s young legs will complement Traore and Neto’s movement. Traore (our one) to score, and Silva too. 2-0 Wolves.
Willian Jose started the game at Palace which we lost 0-1
.
Got to be a draw for me, they are a good side. Would not even have Silva on the bench,
no where near Premiership standard , embarrassing !
He’s 18 not 28!
10 reasons to win tomorrow;
1 We can close the points deficit on them and hopefully end up as top West Midlands club again (it certainly won’t be the other lot)
2 As payback for them stealing the three points at our place with that last gasp penalty
3 So we can remind them of the ‘mind the gap’ chant
4 Jack Grealish – talented without a doubt but boy what a f***ing diver!
5 If Mings can play for England so can I
6 They aren’t Manchester City so nothing to be scared of
7 For charging us £1.5m for Andy Gray in 1979 when everyone knew he was only worth £1.499m
8 Because they once employed Steve Bruce as their manager
9 They are Vile
10 We are Wolves!
OODCL
Would really love to see us stick it
to them from the off and come away with a decent performance and 3 points
Boly back would be great and lets give Fabs 60 mins start and put Jose in after
COYW
To be fair, Jose has only played 4 games, not 8 as our first halves don’t count as we don’t venture into the opponents half!
Refuse t o believe that we will fall behind AGAIN for the twenty- something time, so we w ill score first. And very late, we will score a second.
And Jack Grealish! They say he is president of the Midlands Scuba club, because he does so much diving!
Wolves to win, but will make hard work of it!
Without Grealish they are easily beatable.
I want to see Boly back from the start.
CF position is still a big concern.
Think we should start with the same team that started at city excepting that Boly may be back and Dendonker may be pushed in midfield
Which is strange considering we have been calling for a replacement for Raul, neither of the two we have now have been outstanding so would stick with the front 3 of Neto, Traore and Semedo.
I would prefer Boly, Coady and Kilman as back 3 but from some reports Kilman will be leaving.
Vile always get a result out of us even when we were playing really well but fancy us just to shade it
I really fancy a win
We went 4-2-3-1 against them at home, and caused them problems, but with no Podence that is a non-starter tomorrow. So maybe 4-3-3 with Donck restored to midfield ?
We have enough to see this lot off as we showed at Molineux and I expect the job to be done properly this time.
Expecting a reaction from both sides tbh, after poor showing by the Vile against the Blades and we always bounce back, well mostly.
Agree about Donk and Kilman.
It was eluded too, but play like we did against the Blades, all those months ago, plus the 20 minutes or so we did go toe to toe with probably the best team in the Prem currently, we are hard to beat.
Let’s, control the game, not sit back, or pass side to side, be up for it and play to the high standard we know we are capable of.
Their comments above show how nervous they are, so let’s go get em.
Not going to be a highscoring game, but fancy our bounce back and we will see us take the 3 points.
Nothing to say.
I was going to draw attention to a league table I’ve seen which shows Grealish at the top having been “fouled” over 100 times. Way way ahead of more stable players (like our Adama) who have actually been fouled. This suggests that 40% of those fouls were actually falls.!!
Well we’ve heard he’s not playing but I’ve spotted a few Villans pretending to be Grealish and trying the falling log trick, it’s so obvious, why do referees not see it?
Anyway, we need to be switched on to that and not charge into people from behind and concede free kicks in our half. We need Boly back to defend the aerial threat and Jose too for defending set plays. Fabio is lightweight and clueless in those situations.
Last year we were all over them in both games but they have improved while we clearly haven’t. I’ll predict a draw and would take that now but wouldn’t be surprised by a 1.0 in either direction.
You’ve got to Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
Eee-lim-my-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In Between
You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring The Vile down to the minimum
Have faith in Dr Nuno and
He’ll have The Clarets looking GREEN
With apologies to Johnny Mercer (But not Jackie Grealish).
Wolves to win
Definitely a winnable game. One from a difficult set of games this month that we need to take the points from.
Prediction wise though, I see this as a similar game to the Newcastle match. Okay Villa are much higher up the table than the Toon, but as I paraphrased from the “Home end” for that game – we are “two sides allergic to scoring goals”. Grealish will improve them, but it looks like he isn’t going to make it and in any case I see him as a similar challenge as Saint Maximin.
So I’m going for another 1-1.
Wolves 0
Villa 1
Yep, I agree with this Brompton. We still struggle to create much, let alone score and Villa have been better than for some time now I’m afraid.
Always going to be tough against City and that first half performance in isolation against them is understandable but when you look at all out recent first half performances its starting to worry me. We need to stop giving poor teams and foot up in games. If we go at Villa from the off we will the game but we wont and they will grow in confidence leaving us chasing the game. I’m still an advocate of 4-2-3-1 people think 3-4-3 had made us more solid. Yes we have conceded less but the opposition recently have had numerous shots on our goal but fortunately Rui has been very good. Let us off the hook Nuno
Wolves being linked with Gatusso to replace Nuno?
Please let this be a joke
Nuno please make sure that you are around for a long time yet!
UTW
We’re impossible to predict other than to say it’s likely to be tight with only a goal in it either way.
2-1, 1-2, 1-1? I think I’m playing it safe and going for the latter.
I have a feeling they were looking ahead to this game. Let’s make it count.
Let’s Go Wolves!
Just depends on the usual question, will we surrender the first half again?. If we do, and they score, we will be lucky to get the draw, if we start intent on winning then we should be comfortable. Hoping as always for the latter
TumbleVile 1 – 2 Wolves
I’ve been studying the fantasy football teams of the villa boys and can confirm good news jack is still out. Trouble is I think they have signed Traore.
Your formation does make sense. I still prefer Jose upfront. What is needed is for him to gain some self confidence (seems to be suffering from an inferiority complex -is the lad being bullied or something ??). Neto and Traore need to supply better passes to him and stop hogging the ball. He does get into decent scoring positions. I must say that Silva has shown some improvement since Jose came. He is still not good enough to feature at the start.
I fancy us sneaking a win here if, for a change, we score first.
Lets hope we turn up min the first half for change. If we do I don’t think we will have much of a problem unless the Oilskick is playing.
Feeling good about this one…
Probably a goal in it either way. If Boly is fit would play Dendonker in midfield. Prefer fabio to Willian.
Signs are good we are turning a corner so should do villa this time
There are, for me, some teams who down the years have played their part in giving us memorable games. In this category I would include both Manchesters, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Burnley. Then there are the rest, and in this category I would very firmly place the Villa. I can only call to mind one game against them in over sixty-five years supporting Wolves. The only thing that made it memorable was Norman Deeley’s goal which took us to Wembley to win the 1960 FA Cup, because this was the semi-final played at The Poorthorns. The only other memory I have is of the BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS signs that used to adorn their ground and cast a Fagin-like gloom over the proceedings.
So, on the basis that “Blessed is he that expecteth little, for he shall not be disappointed”, and knowing that we currently find goals hard to come by – especially from the forwards – and, although defensively stronger of late, are not averse to making the odd mistake or falling foul of the latest VAR travesty, the best I can raise myself to is a one all draw.
However
COYW
CET
Boly’s back – I hope.
Would really like to see us be a bit more aggressive
I don’t doubt Traore’s skill but sometimes I think he stifles our attack. Would like him to pass earlier when he has the ball.
Jose to score and a clean sheet.
Right, here goes…
A friend of ours brother passed away a couple of weeks ago.
Ahuge wolves fan and only in his 40s .
For Deb,Pete and family and friends I am predicting a wolves win
Gary..always in their hearts mate ?
I will raise a glass in his memory tonight.
A fast, fighting start please (and middle and finish).
Slight preference for Fabio as a sub; Jose must score soon (?).
Adama (bless him) really hasn’t got an advanced football brain. Let’s hope someone keeps on telling him what to do, where and when – or he could just run with the ball towards the goal.
???
Now there’s a novel idea!
Run towards the goal and try to score!
Brilliant!
If only it could click inside his noggin.
Look, Tim, yet another prediction.
Another middling point in a middling season
I’m kind of fancying us for this game , but that means absolutely nothing. Villa, like nearly all the teams in this league, can be great on their day and fairly ordinary on occasion. I’m not a hater of other teams and have always had a soft spot for Villa, except when we are playing them obviously. I even love Grealish as a player when not playing against Wolves, and Ollie Watkins is becoming a firm favourite. However, today they are the opposition, so here’s hoping for a good win and I’m hoping for a 2-1 win for our lads.
I thought we showed City too much respect in the first half and we badly need someone with great all round ability to be playing in that central midfield area. Against the top teams you cannot get away with playing two guys in there on most occasions; they are chasing shadows often and are swiftly outnumbered when in possession. This and the shortage of pure striking options is really starting to annoy me. The boys are doing their best mostly, but to no avail without more depth to what is a tiny squad.
We need to go at them from the start -every player watch Silva- he’s a blur..
I fancy us even so ..even with atishoo atishoo playing for them …
our star Traore who will put the form record straight this game ..Netto to get one too…he looked lost at city but this is villa good for a scrap.. 3-1 to us with a penalty and Nuno’s sophisticated strategy in full flow for all to see..
COYW
Cual es la traduccion al ingles?
BORE DRAW…
Hopefully Boly is back in defence and we can avoid ‘dipping our toe in the water’ during the first 45 minutes.
Let’s get at them from the off, as we have done before and give them something to ponder in overcoming a couple of our early goals, hopefully.
Personally I’d start with Willian and bench the Donck…
I will be surprised if Neves doesn’t score, even in open play, as he seems to be playing further forward these days… and Neto will be giving Targett twisted blood…
Wolves to win 2-0.
Must be tight ,we don’t score many, they have the best player in the premiership with
Grealish , streets ahead of our mid field. Always support Wolves but this blog seems wildly optimistic to me !
Go for a draw , start and finish with Willian !
GreaseBall is out with Tom Daley practicing for the Olympic diving event in Tokyo,
Apologies I was wrong apparently he is away practicing to park his range rover.
With non matching slippers on,I assume?
So you’d pick him over De Bruyne?
I put on my Wolves dressing gown more in hope than expectation
But surely we will start passing to our own team?
With or without Grealish this is a must win to set us up for strong season finish
COYW
Was waiting until I saw the line up but seems Dendoncker is in defence again. What exactly has Kilman done wrong? At least he’s a defender so why aren’t we playing him?
6 points needed to get to the 40 points safe zone so 3 here would be a good start.
Will go with the usual prediction.
COYW
I agree about the six points Border – still squeaky bum time until we do.
Hope we have a positive start and get stuck into them from the off without being too kamikaze.
No Grealish, so hopefully that helps.
No Willy is a bit worrying, as I’d rather see Donk in midfield with Ruben and bring Jao on in second half.
Gotta stay positive.
COMBs!
A good question to put to Nuno- I can only think it’s due to balance, of the available defenders, only Donk can play on the right of a back 3? Saiss was a disaster in that position and he does carry a goal threat.
Let’s hope we can press them from start, and have a high tempo. Having said that, fully expecting a draw.
No grease, except on Adama’s arms means Veela will be ‘armless but hopefully we’ll be far from aimless.
Owe them one for pinching the 3 points at Molineux. But can we score the 2 goals likely to be required?
Disappointed to see that Boly is not ready to start.
Nevertheless, an attacking formation. We really need our midfield to make it an attacking performance as well.
Impossible to call, I’m going for a close 2-1 win.
My gut tells me a Wolves win.
Think we’ll squeak it…
I can not believe how bad we are .there’s a problem at wolves somewhere. I don’t know what it is but something is not right .
We ay bad. Look at Sheffield Utd if you want bad.
Can’t pass for toffee..
Disjointed and almost seem not bothered.
Could have been 3-0 down after 15 minutes.
Just don’t get it
Disagree mate. Hitting the bar don’t count for anything. They can do that all day for me and Rui. They have to get the ball between the sticks and below the bar to trouble us.
Wake up
What an awful first half performance AGAIN. Completely passive, no intensity. Very lucky to be nil-nil. Why on earth is dendoncker in defence when kilman and boly are fit? Only Neto showing anything. Sorry, Nuno but with the quality of players we have it is simply not good enough. This sideways, backwards, parasitical first half game plan has to change.
WTF … ‘parasitical’?
Living off the mistakes of the opposition rather than trying to proactively create.
Hold on everybody. It’s 0-0! No shots on target yet from the vile. You don’t get style points in this league and there’s no value in near misses or bouncing shots off the cross bar. If we nick this 1-0 I’ll be happy even if we have to rely on a mole popping up out the ground to nod one in for us.
Better in the second half AGAIN. Another point towards safety…the feint ambition of 7th place over. Confirmation that there is no point in signing Jose in the summer. A Brazilian Kevin Kyle.
Some of these Villa players are de-evolving: hardly bipedal, they’re losing the ability to walk without falling over.
Very honest interview by Conor post match. Pleasing to hear that the players are also realising they were passive and lacking intensity in the first half. Let’s hope they can start doing something about it.
Good point away from home. Should have done them second half but another point to safety. In my book that is 2 defeats in 9 now including Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, Man City and 1982 European cup winning Villa. So if you want a problem you will find it.
That first half was as bad at it gets, lucky not to 2 down ! This is a pattern now but surely
not an intended ! A draw fair in the end ! Tickets next year should be for second halves only !
It’s football by numbers ! Loosing faith with Nuno tactics !
Well if I was a neutral that would be as good a 0-0 as you’ll see. Unfortunately I’m not so it was utterly frustrating. Play like we did second half and even Paul would be happy. I’m just not understanding why it tss as he’s 45 minutes for us to warm up.
*takes us.
Agree with Prawny its so frustrating why we don’t start playing till the secound half its almost become accepted now by both players and manager its seems.
If this happened on the odd occasion ok, but this has been happening every game apart from the odd one this season. What is Nuno afraid of why are we so passive in the first half of games .
We have shown in our secound half performances we can hurt teams. On balance you have to say it’s a fair result but that is eight points dropped when we have missed golden chances late on in games this time it was Siais who missed from to yards out.
Look on the bright side. There could be 2 Albions going down. And I wont be sorry to see the back of both of them.
Whoever it is , we are a point further away from them, that’s the first bright thing to think about. It’s a point from a Premier League away game, that’s the second. The third is that Boly , Podence, Marcal and our beloved Raul are a week closer to returning .