The last cup final of the season is now upon us as Villa look to return to Europe for the first time in 13 years. No one would’ve dreamed of it back in October. But staring down the threat of a relegation battle, the owners took decisive action and replaced Steven Gerrard with Unai Emery. He rewarded them with a top-half finish—and maybe more. Many are saying it’s a Manager of the Year performance, and I wouldn’t disagree. The transformation has been remarkable. The fact that there’s still more to play for today is incredible. On the day, it’s Brighton who stand in the way. Emery’s been extrem ..read more

Villa are visiting Anfield, and for all the world it feels like walking into a buzz saw. We’ve all seen the hype, the impossible task, etc. In the end, it’s just another match. But it is a tough one. Liverpool have lots of momentum, eyes on a CL spot, and obviously an emotional day with a number of pages being turned. Villa have momentum of their own, an eye on Europe. But they’re away, facing a better squad and not filled with a sense of so much import. It will probably be about not not losing their heads as much as it is battling. Which could be the same thing. The more you mix it up, the le ..read more

There are all sorts of streaks going for both sides as Spurs visit Villa Park, which makes things confusing. Because once you start talking about streaks, the one thing you know is that they all end. And who knows which one(s) it will be today. More to the point, a top-10 finish is on the cards for Villa this afternoon. That alone ought be enough motivation for a result, never mind the Europe business. The last two matches have seen the script flipped on Villa, and Emery obviously will be wanting to turn that back around. Especially since Spurs are such a basket case. Could be goals all o ..read more

Here we are, sat 8th with four to go. Unless you’re Brighton, who’ve got six to play. Emery wasn’t kidding when he talked about games in hand, and is there any wonder why people hate the damn United. But let’s take nothing away from Brighton. Very good team, and certainly better on the night. So where does that leave Villa? Given we have Spurs, Pool, Brighton and this Wolves derby thing…very much in the running. Having got the weight of expectations off our shoulders by losing to United, Villa could be well positioned to nick a spot. Depending on results around us, of course. Perhaps the even ..read more

Short one from me as I’m traveling (and will consequently have to watch on my phone). As mentioned, we’ll be playing against a potentially tired United side supplemented as usual by a fresher officiating crew. You really have to beat them twice over to take points. But we’ve done it once, so why not twice? Or is that four times? Anyway, as has also been mentioned, Brighton’s demolition of Wolves does illustrate that Europe won’t be at all easy. Let’s hope their games in hand prove a burden. But for any of that to matter, we likely need to take at least something today. A win would be fabulous ..read more

Emery has pronounced the point at Brentford as a very good one while also saying it’s not enough. Demanding, improving…That’s basically the gist of everything he says. And while most every manager will make the same points, with Unai you know it’s not just lip service. And Europe will be difficult, he says. He’s not wrong. Do Villa need to win out? Is every game a cup final? As always, depends on results around us. If Liverpool and Brighton were to win out, well, they’d knock us back and pass us. So, maybe Villa do have to win out to pip Brighton who now have three games in hand. Which is a li ..read more

So it’s Brentford away with Villa on a five-game winning streak and seven to go. More impressive, Villa are unbeaten in the last eight, with just the West Ham draw keeping the streak from being almost incredible. Well, it is incredible, all things considered. It could’ve just been even better. Yes, there’ve been some dodgy moments in a number of the matches. Yes, what goes up must come down. But. Villa just put in their most complete performance in years last week against Newcastle, so there’s every reason for optimism. When it comes to numbers, Villa could win out and still be overcome in the ..read more

Villans are buzzing as the club climb into 6th for at least a moment. We may not be throwing around the M-word just yet, but it’s getting hard to keep it in the bottle. This, coming off the back of a clearly tired squad finding their way past Forest 2-0 for a third straight win at Villa Park. What a far cry from Gerrard’s disastrous and thankfully brief tenure at the helm. The difference, clearly, is that Emery is actually a proper manager. Not that I scoff at Deano by any means. But Unai is different gravy. And comparisons are fair since the core of this team remains Smith’s, and currently fe ..read more

Of all the teams in the relegation scrap, Forest are the one I want to stay up. Have no idea what’s about to happen, but if Villa were to lose, I wouldn’t begrudge Forest those crucial three points. Which is why I’m not down the pub watching with my Forest mate. So, I got drunk with him last night, instead, and we dissected Villa, Emery, Forest, Cooper and everything in between in great detail. He’s very complimentary when it comes to Villa and the job Emery has done. Bottom line, come on Villa, but if we’re going to be winners, let’s please be worthy winners. Can’t think of anything else to s ..read more