The Bad
The good news about this week’s ‘Bad’ is that it will have to be a more light-hearted section than usual, as an away win and a clean sheet at Anfield doesn’t produce a great deal of grounds for moaning.
The only real negative is that, unfortunately but inevitably, things will eventually have to stop being quite so good. Villa will eventually (probably soon) lose for the first time in the league this season, and will slip from the dizzying highs of second place. Or we’ll just wake up and discover it was all a dream.
No matter. Villa’s best start to a league campaign in 16 years has given them a fantastic foundation to build upon for the rest of the season. When you look at the fact that we have already amassed over a quarter of last season’s total points tally in the space of four games, it is hard not to feel that top half could be a realistic finish this campaign if Villa can maintain their enthusiasm, focus and confidence.
The Ugly
Philippe Senderos’ heavy-handed treatment of Mario Balotelli on his Liverpool debut drew criticism from many (mostly Liverpool fans) during and after the game, and he was perhaps lucky to escape with a couple of off-the-ball incidents.
Balotelli did make rather a meal of the kick/trip, rolling around like he’d taken a bullet to the shin (perhaps they’ve found a like-for-like replacement for Luis ‘three somersaults and tuck’ Suarez); although perhaps he can be forgiven considering he probably wasn’t expecting a whack on the shin just for beginning a run beyond the defence. Mario, meet Philippe.
Arsenal at home up next, and given the Gunners’ lifeless display against a Dortmund side missing a multitude of key players and the fact that Villa’s confidence must be through the roof at the minute, there is no reason why Villa’s players and fans shouldn’t believe that Villa Park can see its first sit-up-and-take-note win since Fabian Delph’s flick into the corner against Chelsea six months ago.
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I agree, daveyb. We can’t afford to push forward and risk losing the ball in advanced areas. Arsenal are especially susceptible to counter attacks and without an out/out striker, we’d be foolish not to trust our attacks with the pace of Gabby/Weimann down the channels.
I’ve got faith that we can win, provided we don’t get too much of the ball in midfield.
arsenal will be a tough ask,, as we are at home we will be expected to attack,, i think we should just sit back and hit on the break, treat as an away game,,, let them have the ball,, a draw will be a good result
and if they play there high line they will be playing into our hands
and their confidence will be quite low and they will be tired,,,
and gabby is a goal streak player and sendeross is destined to score against his old team
so we have a chance,,, but luck will need to be on our side