It has not been a very good week for us. We were dumped out of the Cup in the first round itself, losing to a Feyenoord side which was weaker than us. Very disappointing show, 13 shots on target and none on target is not very impressive. Eder, Wickham and Waris did nothing to show why they should be first-team starters, while Derlis did not have a great start, although he will be involved heavily in the next few weeks.
Our youth side then lost to Olympiakos away. This was more balanced, and we were unlucky to lose, as admitted by David Senior, the opposition manager. Derlis is still looking for his first goal. Maybe he can get it tomorrow.
To cap things off, we then drew to bottom side Hamburg in an exciting 2-2 draw that again we should have won. Very annoyed with this one. To be fair Hamburg are underperforming this season having a better starting XI than us but on form we should have thrashed them. 23 shots, 14 on target and 66% possession and yet we only drew. In fact, we came back from behind to make it 2-2 thanks to two late Djuricic goals. Adds to his good form this season. They only had 3 shots on target which they scored two out of. Shame, we do not want to drop points lest we are stuck in a play-off battle again.
The fixture list has not been very kind to us. This week, we have had to travel from France, to Netherlands and then back to Villa. The youth team also had a game in Greece before making it back to Villa yesterday night. Tonight, the youth team travel again to far-off Brazil which will be a tough game. Away at Flamengo will not be easy. You have to feel for Derlis though, who has travelled from Kyiv to Villa to Rotterdam to Athens to Villa to Rio de Janeiro to Bordeaux to Istanbul and finally to Villa in the space of 10 days. A lot of travel to do for the young lad.
We also signed Florin Tanase from Viitorul Constanta for 800k and Luka Belic, who sadly isn't good enough for any manager. He joins up with Hodorogrea, who is happy to welcome his mate. The youth side is now complete for the test at the Maracana tomorrow, Whatever the result, it shall be a good learning curve for the team.
The likely line-up for tomorrow's game. Only one player is a Villa graduate, Grealish, who will wear the arm-band. Hopefully he inspires the team to victory.
What is striking about Flamego's youth team is the lack of quality and balance in the defensive third. I can see them playing a 4-1-3-2 formation that allows him to play all his three 80+ rated attacking mids, his two 80+ forwards and his sole 80 rated DM. It shall be a tight game and we are hoping to come away with all 3 points. Coincidentally Fannie's article on the Flamego manager gave me an insight into his project at Flamego. I'd like to applaud his only-Brazilian policy, may pay off one day.
Rahul W was also pressed on his interest in Matt Miazga of Levante. It was reported that Villa had lodged a Carl Robinson plus cash deal for the American, but was promptly rejected. Rahul W is quoted as saying that the bid was only made in jest to annoy the Levante manager. He recognises the Levante project, and given that Levante are in the same YC group, a sale could harm the side. We hope Miazga does well for the Spanish side.
Lastly, on the FrankGate incident, hopefully the SM staff listen to us and do what is necessary.
Good luck!
Our youth side then lost to Olympiakos away. This was more balanced, and we were unlucky to lose, as admitted by David Senior, the opposition manager. Derlis is still looking for his first goal. Maybe he can get it tomorrow.
To cap things off, we then drew to bottom side Hamburg in an exciting 2-2 draw that again we should have won. Very annoyed with this one. To be fair Hamburg are underperforming this season having a better starting XI than us but on form we should have thrashed them. 23 shots, 14 on target and 66% possession and yet we only drew. In fact, we came back from behind to make it 2-2 thanks to two late Djuricic goals. Adds to his good form this season. They only had 3 shots on target which they scored two out of. Shame, we do not want to drop points lest we are stuck in a play-off battle again.
The fixture list has not been very kind to us. This week, we have had to travel from France, to Netherlands and then back to Villa. The youth team also had a game in Greece before making it back to Villa yesterday night. Tonight, the youth team travel again to far-off Brazil which will be a tough game. Away at Flamengo will not be easy. You have to feel for Derlis though, who has travelled from Kyiv to Villa to Rotterdam to Athens to Villa to Rio de Janeiro to Bordeaux to Istanbul and finally to Villa in the space of 10 days. A lot of travel to do for the young lad.
 |
| Florin Tanase, our new signing |
Bratveit
Hadergjonaj Hodorogea Turnbull John
Forster-Caskey Selnaes
Tansase Grealish Fraser
D. Gonzalez
The likely line-up for tomorrow's game. Only one player is a Villa graduate, Grealish, who will wear the arm-band. Hopefully he inspires the team to victory.
What is striking about Flamego's youth team is the lack of quality and balance in the defensive third. I can see them playing a 4-1-3-2 formation that allows him to play all his three 80+ rated attacking mids, his two 80+ forwards and his sole 80 rated DM. It shall be a tight game and we are hoping to come away with all 3 points. Coincidentally Fannie's article on the Flamego manager gave me an insight into his project at Flamego. I'd like to applaud his only-Brazilian policy, may pay off one day.
Rahul W was also pressed on his interest in Matt Miazga of Levante. It was reported that Villa had lodged a Carl Robinson plus cash deal for the American, but was promptly rejected. Rahul W is quoted as saying that the bid was only made in jest to annoy the Levante manager. He recognises the Levante project, and given that Levante are in the same YC group, a sale could harm the side. We hope Miazga does well for the Spanish side.
Lastly, on the FrankGate incident, hopefully the SM staff listen to us and do what is necessary.
Good luck!
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