Liverpool has dropped 3 huge points at home to Crystal Palace. City are 2 points ahead having played an extra game than us. We win today and we go back to the top. We win today and we go three crucial points ahead of Liverpool with only 6 games to go. Every game is a cup final now for the boys and Mikel.
Team News
Strange decision to start Zinchenko ahead of Kiwior, because Kiwior has been doing better than Zinni and one bad game doesn’t mean we are going to hamper his confidence. If it’s purely for rotational purpose, I can live with it. Gabriel Jesus makes his way into the starting XI with Rice anchoring the midfield alone with Havertz playing the more forward role today. Trossard starts today ahead of Martinelli whom I think will come-in at some point to give Saka some rest.
Frankly, I had hated the concept of playing Havertz as CF but he has been doing better up top than he does in midfield. Gabriel Jesus does the dirty work but is not as clinical in front as you would expect your CF to be. Trossard gives me some hope though.
Liverpool is suffering the way we did last season. One loss and everything has gone bonkers for them. They were unbeaten at home from god knows when, and suddenly Atlanta wins 3-0 and they can’t even keep Crystal Palace to a draw. City, on the other hand, have gone full beast mode.
We need to win today. At any cost. First, because Pep is not going to drop any points now and the only way we win the league is by winning all our games. Second, I hate Aston Villa.
Right, a very short one today. See you during the game.
Villa don’t know what to do with Havertz run. We should have made it count because he will regroup at half time.
We’re playing well and creating chances without fully ticking. Need to get more shots off and show a bit more composure.
hard to believe it’s 0-0 at half considering the back-and-forth of the last 10-12 minutes…everytine I watch Emi I can’t help but think of what might have been, especially with a spine than included him and Rice on either side of our backline
I woudl suspect that Villa’s defensive concerns recently, plus having no Luiz, was enough impetus for MA to pursue a more offensive gameplan…would like to see what this looked like with Marts out wide and either Tross or Havertz in that lane crashing role…frankly it’s a travesty that we haven’t tried it until the last month or so of the season
3 shots on target from 14 attempts is a little pedestrian for my liking…we simply have to get better inside the box…if it weren’t for Emi’s presence, Tross would have likely put us up by 1
Ambarish-have to disagree with your suggestion that White makes Saka better, as he doesn’t do enough to rid the latter of his normal double-teaming situation…like I said, he’s done an admirably job, but I would really like to see Timber on his natural side with Saka, once he returns from injury
we spend way too much time going to ground!!!
now that they’re man-marking Havertz more, maybe it’s time for Rice to make a run on the odd ocassion
if Villa keep trying to overplay the ball at the back we should get a gift or two
Zaniolo is the Italian equivalent of Havertz, as both were blue chip prospects of the highest order, but now find themselves in resurrection mode…to be fair, Havertz has been more impactful in recent years than Zaniolo, mind you the latter has been ravaged by injuries for the better part of his professional gig
we need to get out of this rather scrappy period, as that favours them
the woodwork is our best friend today
That one broke the neighbour’s windows.
I think we could use Mart’s pace right about now
We can’t afford a draw.. #COYG
KP
I heard it here 😀
20 min that’s going to decide our Title run because I don’t fucking believe Pep is going to lose on any point.
We look lost not PL contenders
woodwork is our best goalie.
Just thinking same Ambarish. Wrong selection for this game. Jesus, Zinchenko and Havertz largely ineffective but this is El B.
Tony – El B’s three favourites.
Now we play who should have started.
What in the hell. You can’t bring on ESR when you are 2-0 up but when we need a win and Odegaard is playing well, you get a not-so-match-fit player for 10 min to win you a game? Really?
I seriously hope ESR wins this or Jorginho or anyone for that matter, but it’s a bad decision to get him at this time.
at this *stage rather
Havertz has 17 passes and 12 tackles only 4 sacks restful and has lost possession 5 times: his sum of his total input to this game, so far.
oh dear
Fuck me
And there goes our league hopes. Sorry Marc you had to witness this.
We have the squad but not the manager has always been my mantra.
AK – not while there are dogs on the street.