VillaParkAvenue

Ten Hag checking in at Carrington

If he gets Norwich promoted surely he stays there? (and gets relegated)

Ronaldo was too good to play Europa League they said. Tonight he starts against Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova.

Let's hope Arsedale can improve on his performance against Hungary.

A surprise success has been Benfica choosing a manager from the Bundesliga, Roger Schmidt. They’ve played 13 games under him so far, all wins. Counting pre-season it’s 18 straight wins. Beat Juventus away easily last night.

Sounds plausible. When a Premier League club comes, the price of a mediocre 28 year old is roughly 30m.

Kalvin Phillips stats tonight are actually quite fascinating. Minutes played: 1 Goals: 0 Assists: 0 Touches: 3 Accurate passes: 0 Shots on target: 0 Shots off target: 0 Dribble attempts: 0 Ground duels: 0 Aerial duels: 0 Possession lost: 2

Nice to see Kalvin Phillips getting 3 minutes. He doesn’t get on the pitch much in the league, but if he keeps playing the odd minute in the UCL maybe he can still pretend to have a career.

IMO we definitely were tighter in those first Gerrard games, with focus on defending in a narrow shape and forcing the opposition wide. and having very little possession. It was obvious that SG wanted to play differently, and when he had more time he tried to implement a more expansive style. That still hasn’t clicked and the more we work on it, the worse we get.

Lots of top players from Belgium obviously, the problem has been Villa’s judgement when shopping there.

Hell of a game from Upamecano though it must be said.

Another find from the belgian league after Wesley, Nakamba and Samatta?

Looks like Nagelsmann will be a free agent soon.

Bayern continue their awful form from the league, nothing’s working really. Their own press hasn’t enough support from midfield, and they really struggle with Barcelona’s high press. Looks like Barcelona will take this easily. Are Bayern playing to get rid of Nagelsmann?

Richarlison is still one of their better players…. But Spurs don’t really impress, they’re at their best when they sit back and soak up pressure. Still not great at breaking down teams. Spurs were a bit lucky against Marseille, not impossible they don’t get past the group stage.

My guess is Grealish at 29 will be less useful than Coutinho is today, after another 3 years of partying and not playing that much. Likely to focus more on hair transplants than improving his game.

It's not "passion", it's just idiots wanting to show their abs. Give them a straight red.

Looking at the potential England players ahead of the Nations League games is quite depressing. Very few in that expected England squad are in any sort of form. Pickford has some injury. Trent, Maguire, Walker, Shaw very much out of form. Big question marks for the form of Mount, Grealish, Gallagher. Rashford has been poor for a long time. Phillips hasn't even played this season bar a minute or two. Sterling not looking great. Abraham has some light injury.

Or a young Dixie Dean.

Just hope Kamara makes it to the WC for France.

But Luiz has never been a regular has he?

This is a real concern. Coutinho not making the WC would take away any motivation he’s had.

Improving the football would have made the club easier for Purslow to sell. You’re painting yourself into a corner here, but you seem to enjoy it so why not.

Hodgson was given a 3 year contract by CP, but sacked by FSG after being at the club for 6 months. Some expensive safe hands.

He got the club sold to good owners. Selling the club was his main objective and he succeeded. FSG have played a big part in Liverpool’s success but CP hasn’t been involved in that. Purslow was however disappointed when FSG sacked Dalglish: https://www.tribalfootball.com/index.php/articles/ex-liverpool-chief-purslow-shocked-dalglish-sacking-3180241 While at Liverpool, CP also made some smaller and more football related decisions. He signed a couple of shit players on high wages. He appointed a shit manager. And he tried to interfere with signings even when the new manager was in place: https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/11/roy-hodgson-liverpool-nesv