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Opening Changes
Aston Villa’s start to the 2020/21 season has seemingly been in a constant state of flux. First, their opening fixture away to Manchester City was postponed and then Villa’s new opening fixture, a week later at home to Sheffield United, was put back a further two days for TV too.
Now comes news of a very late switch to their second league game of the season, which has been put back a day from it’s original 14.00 Sunday 27th September slot, to Monday evening 28th September at 18.00 for Sky Sports broadcast (Villa’s first three fixtures will now be on Sky Sports main channel).
Such a change at late notice would be unthinkable if supporters were to be present, but still it creates an unwelcome precedent even without match-going fans.
Aston Villa’s relegation odds are 7/4, so with them being one of the favourites for the drop – in the eyes of the bookies at least – the good news for Villa is the fixture changes will afford Dean Smith and his coaching staff extra time to prepare for their opening games. After an international break, the extra week will also provide more time to make new signings and bed the likes of Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins into the squad.
Any such advantages will be very welcome by Villa, in a what has been a frantic and unusual preseason.
Opening Fixtures & Transfer Deadlines
September
- 15: Burton Albion (a) 7.45pm SKY SPORTS
- 21: Sheffield United (h) 6pm SKY SPORTS
- 28: Fulham (a) 6pm SKY SPORTS
October
- 3: Liverpool (h)
- 5: Transfer Window Closes 11pm
- 16: EFL Trade Transfer Window Closes 5pm
Aston Villa’s Full Fixture List 2020/21
Extra Prep
To further help the Villa team prepare for the league season, when it eventually kicks-off, Villa have managed to fit in an additional friendly against Manchester United at Villa Park this Saturday afternoon (there will be an opportunity to watch this for a £5, a charge due to the game also being on MUTV).
Villa will also have the benefit of a League Cup match at Burton Albion on Tuesday 15th September, before the Premier League kicks off for them. With the match coming six days before Villa’s first league game, it will potentially tempt Smith into fielding a strong line-up to get a competitive game under the belts of his new signings.
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talk of Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen on LW there is also a rumour of a CB from there ??? Vogt
So far so good….. Cash, Watkins and Martinez very close with personal terms agreed. All three definitely upgrades on last season.
A no-nonsense experienced right sided CB, improves the spine, a goal scoring winger, and another creative midfielder would give us depth.
Maybe being greedy, an upgrade on left back, somebody like Brentford’s Rico, and you just can’t have enough strikers ????
I can’t see us adding 7 New players without shuffling the pack…. and some out of the door.
Two keepers, one defender, two midfielders and one striker would balance out headcount but not the????????????????
It will still be a tough season but at least this season…. we might be better place to make a ????
Wesley doesn’t fit villas system at the moment he needs a strike partner or for the wide forwards to play a lot narrower. His heat maps for Brugge and villa are almost identical, He plays very deep. Villa didn’t change system when Abraham left and his heat map is much more predatory. Watkins is more aligned to this. Although he could play wide with Wes in the middle.
I don’t see us being safely mid table at all. It shouldn’t be as close as this year but look at the mid table teams they have all strengthened well with seasoned international and or premier league players. The only teams that haven’t are Brighton and West Ham.
For me we still need :
CB – hopefully Mings and Konsa kick on, but there is no cover. Hause is a calamity , Engles just isn’t quick enough
LB – Targett is good enough but made of glass and Taylor isn’t good enough cover
CM/AM – Cover for Jack/McGinn – hopefully one of the youngsters comes good. Last seasons was Jack first season without at least a 2 month lay off in the middle and he looked naked by the time CV19 came into play.
Wide attack – both flanks need replacing – Watkins used to be a winger and we know Jack can play there but that leaves holes elsewhere.
Yes Edouard would be perfect, been wondering lately I know Tammy Abraham’s still, wants to stay with Chelsea and fight for his place, but my own feeling is that he’s probably going to end up third choice and maybe by the next window possibly January he might well be up for a move, can you imagine Ollie and Tammy and maybe even Edouard they would just tear it up. Just a thought.
We have done well so far let’s hope it continues. I see that pundits have us down as relegation candidates again but this time they’re wrong I see us comfortable mid table.
This may be controversial but personally If we can sign another quality striker would should let Samatta go and send Davis on loan for another season but he’s 22 now and I’m doubtful whether he’s going to make it. Anyway onwards and upwards.
so how do we get to pay £5 to watch the man u freindly.? And why is no one talking about Wesley? The revious record spend is either going to recover and play or we get the insurance money. But more forwards when we need midfield players is not a priority if a £22m player comes back to fitness
trevor Fisher
Rumour has it that the next 2 in will be a goalie & a CB
edouard and watkins
i agree with colin, another striker is a must and for me its edouard from celtic. imagine them two in a 4 4 2
Two good signings both Championship players but I think both will come good I would be pleased if we sign another striker we really need firepower this season, personally I’m not convinced about Brewster I think worth a punt with no buy back clause but I don’t believe that we should be going that route again, bearing in mind it was touch and go with Luiz a little while ago. And it’s strange that we’re being linked with Rashica again when he’s clearly made it clear that he doesn’t want to play for us, be interesting to see who we end up with.