the lion roars tonight

 

 

The 'Toon Army' are back in town for Villa's first home fixture of the 2021/2022 season. Neither side impressed on opening day - we lost to Watford, Newcastle to West Ham. So the stakes are high.

 

The first half drifts by with precious little excitement until the dying moments. A Matty Cash long throw, a flick-on header from Tyrone Mings and now it's Danny Ings bicycling the ball into the back of the net. What a stunner!! Villa go in one up.

 

Our lead doubles in the second half. Newcastle's captain reaches out an arm to block a goal-bound Mings header. After a lengthy VAR review the penalty's awarded and up steps Anwar El Ghazi who slots the kick away coolly.

 

In truth, Villa's performance leaves much to be desired but tonight there are three points in the bag to savour. And the smell of greasy fast-food. And the joy of seeing friends missed for so long. And the roar of the lions as we rise to our feet in unison to greet our team and the first few tender shoots of a more normal world.

 

yours is no disgrace

And so to the game ...

Villa start brightly, putting Manchester City on the back foot and creating a half-chance for Anwar El Ghazi. But before long the pattern of play is established with City pressing forward relentlessly. Their opening goal comes from the boot of Sergio Aguero and a few minutes later Rodri doubles the score with a fine header.

Despite these setbacks Villa refuse to buckle. An equally fine header from new striker, Mbwana Samatta cuts the lead to one as the teams go in at half-time.

The second half sees constant pressure from City. Villa have little in the way of possession. On the rare occasions they do get the ball City's relentless harrying forces them either to go long or lose possession. Unbelievably, though, they do have one last opportunity to level the scores and take the game to extra-time. Bjorn Engels delivers an excellent header only to see it deflected onto the cross-bar by an even finer save by City's Claudio Bravo.

Villa fans remain resolute, cheering the team as the players fall to the ground when the final whistle blows.  There's no disgrace here. We've held City to just two goals, scored a fine one ourselves through Samatta and out-sung their fans throughout the game.

Here's hoping we can continue in good form for the remainder of the season.  Our survival in the Premiership depends on it.

 

 

 

 

aston villa 2 v 1 wolverhampton wanderers

It's a brisk Autumn evening at Villa Park. We're here for a mid-week game in the Carabao Cup, a trophy we've won five times in the past in its former guise as the League Cup.

The opposition are Wolverhampton Wanderers. Under Portugese coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, they enjoyed a fantastic first season back in the Premiership last year. Deservedly, they secured a place in the Europa League.  This has, however, stretched their small squad rather thinly - they've already played some twenty games to date in their current campaign.  Accordingly, it comes as a little surprise when Nuno puts out a team comprised almost entirely of youngsters and fringe players.

Whilst Villa see out the game comfortably with goals from our two Egyptians, Anwar El Ghazi and Ahmed Elmohamady it was hardly a classic of modern-day football. Still, the win secures a place in the quarter finals and a match-up with Liverpool some time in the new year.