Aston Villa’s 3-2 win against Burton was perhaps a little to close for comfort, but six wins on the trot is six wins on the trot. It don’t happen every season, people.
This column was started as a post-match attempt to offer up some rays of sunshine amidst the misery of supporting Villa in recent shambolic times. Whether it was doses of truth or irony, it’s not been easy coming up with reasons to be cheerful every week.
Now though comes a different test, doing it when Villa are winning all the time! Do I just repeat the column week-in, week-out, with the same stuff? Hogan scored again. Grealish had another good game, another three points in the bag, etc, etc?
It’s a good headache to have though, to borrow a cliche off football managers when their entire squad is fit and available for selection.
Five Reasons…
1.Sixth
At the start of the season finishing sixth or above was the goal, but when you’re knocking out six straight wins, you start thinking it’s got to be second or above. The last time Villa chalked up six on the bounce was when Graham Taylor’s Villa team finished second in the top tier in 1990, so there’s a good omen.
It’s good to finally see the younger generation of Villans getting to see a winning Villa team. Hopefully the fanbase’s collective ambition for where the club should be, will also return in time.
2. GG
Jack Grealish’s goal, Villa’s third against Burton, was much deserved, as it capped off an impressive few weeks for the 22-year-old player.
Against Burton he also clipped the bar with an audacious effort, before finally despatching home a sweet volley.
Now, it’s time for him to fulfil his dream…
We all have 1 dream… Mine is & always has been to score the winner infront of the holte end against birmingham ! #Dreams!!, #Realityyy!!
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) December 24, 2011
3. Form Team
In 2018, Villa’s 100% record is only second to Fulham on goal difference for the Championship’s best record of the year (which includes the last five games).
In terms of the usual metric of the last six games to measure current form, Villa are the most in-form team in the league.
Lets keep it going in February.
4. Outside Champions
I’ll preface this by saying that I don’t think Villa are currently playing well enough to be worthy champions, but last month they cut the gap from Wolves by five points.
It’s hard to see Wolves dropping enough points, no matter what Villa do, but both teams have tricky fixtures in February.
If Villa can get the gap down to single figures by the end of it, then there might be some fun still to be had in terms of the title race.
5. Full House Blues
While it’s only the Blues coming to town, it’s always good to see a full Villa Park, after having to watch games with half-empty stands in view this season.
Hopefully the full house is a vision of the future.
To reward those coming to Villa Park, lets hope the performance against the Blues is a lot better than when Small Heath previously visited to Villa Park. Yes, we won, but it was painful to watch.
It’s been a while since the Villa have turned on the style in the Second City derby. Hopefully they’ll be some fireworks on Sunday.
UTV
Villa Sex Tapes, Game of Thrones Season 8 spoilers and banter galore in the new MOMS podcast episode:
Starting to get a bit excited for the first time in years. But they say it’s the hope that kills you…