Aston Villa 3 – 2 Everton
Into Euston. A shorter trip than when I go to Goodison, but not to be. I’ll explain later.
I was sat on a table with three young people, who annoyingly played some name game thing for ages and were complaining that the carriage was too warm. I just went to sleep and woke up when we got to Birmingham New Street.
I purchased a return ticket to Witton. £2; bargain. I then made the short walk to Villa Park. I was earlier than anticipated, so sat in an adjacent park enjoying the Birmingham sun. I got bored, so decided to go for a walk.
I spotted a pub, as I hadn’t had a drink yet. Now, I know a lot of places nowadays have a no away fans policy, which I personally feel is not necessary, but I thought I’d try my chances. But this one was season ticket holders only. Back to the park bench to drink some water.
I waited for Greg, who had the tickets on his phone. I got a text from him saying he was across the road from the away entrances, wearing a blue hoody and black cap. I had a random thought that made me think of those old spy films where agents met and exchanged a codeword or newspaper!!
Anyway, Greg and I joined the queue. And what a queue it was. At all the turnstiles, people were getting agitated, and I have to say, as much as Villa are admired for what they’ve achieved on the pitch in recent years, their stewards were losing control and supporters were clamouring to get in for kick-off. The system was not the best. Eventually, the police came in to assist with the body checks that were slowing the process.
Greg scanned me in first and then himself. We got in and made our way up the many steps to take our seats next to Neil. Villa does that flame thing and although not close to the pitch, as we were in the upper section, you could still feel them.
When the team was announced, not that I go there, but I’m glad I wasn’t looking at the Live Forum as I’m sure many would have been frothing at the selection of Young. In honesty, he wasn’t our worst performer.
We were on the back foot against a very good Villa side. But then we go ahead with McNeil’s tenacity to win the ball off Onana and drive forward to slot it in past the Villa keeper.
Then Dominic nods one in after a great delivery from McNeil. I was convinced it was offside at the time, as we were right in line from our vantage point. Neil told me the bloke next to him said it was onside, so he was confident.
We waited nervously as VAR took its usual eternity to decide… Goal! We are 2-0 up! Could this be us out of the blocks? Long way to go at that point, so I wasn’t counting my blue chickens.
Villa pulled one back, but we were still in front. Michael Keane has to do better. That is a centre-back’s ball all day. But we still had our noses in front. Maybe Pickford could have claimed it.
We had a great chance to go 3-1 up, when Calvert-Lewin got through after the best move of the match with some slick passing and movement but didn’t take the chance early enough. If anything, I think he could have laid it off to Ndiaye for a tap-in. And then later in the game, he rattled the crossbar. I was getting ready to celebrate.
Then it started. Harrison bizarrely plays in Watkins. I don’t know what he was thinking. Maybe that he was playing for Villa? Watkins kindly accepted the invite.
There was not a lot we could do about their 3rd goal. At first, I thought Pickford could have done better, as he got there. But as Neil called it, the player put a wicked swerve on the ball, so he had no chance, and in defence of the goalkeeper’s union, you don’t always realise the pace of the ball as well. It was simply a great strike.
Once again, our midfield was easily calved open as Villa controlled the middle. Or they were bypassed as we thumped it forward. They must have neck-ache watching that ball go over them. I get the impression Idrissa is having to do or trying to do too much on his own.
Tim had a quiet game, and I personally didn’t notice Mangala. McNeil had a decent game. A goal and a great delivery for Calvert-Lewin’s goal. But we didn’t keep possession and a lot of the players didn’t look comfortable on the ball. As the game went on, there was a definite lack of confidence.
The defence increasingly played very narrow, and we are missing Branthwaite. A bit worrying that we are pinning our hopes on a young centre-back, but he and Tarkowski struck up a good partnership.
Not everyone’s favourite and he did his usual of allowing the ball to get behind him, Keane did make some crucial interceptions and played okay. Tarkowski still doesn’t look his normal self.
To my previous point about Branthwaite? Mykolenko went off, but apparently it was illness and not an injury. Garner came on as right-back and done okay, but they were hammering our right-hand side. Ashley Young went to left-back, but at times, I was struggling to see where he was playing.
I wonder if young Dixon would have made a difference given their bombardment of our right flank to counter the pace of their winger? O’Brien came on, but had little impact, but I felt for him being put into the right-back position.
Something has to change. On the pitch, the manager has to change his tactics. Once again, as the match went on, I was struggling to see any shape. I read his interview on the way home. I wish I hadn’t, as I was still a bit raw.
Off the pitch, get this ownership issue sorted, Mr Moshiri, so we can move forward. Textor spoke last week and was almost immediately countered by the interim CEO. Maybe Textor jumped the gun, but left hand and right hand not talking to each other springs to mind? And that is the first time I’ve heard an Everton CEO communicate for a long time.
Whether this leads to a change of manager remains to be seen, but I doubt it will until this is sorted out. My brother sent me an image of Moyes last night. Some are calling for him to come back, he is one of them, but not for me. He’s the past and would split the fan base in my opinion.
We need to move forward and change the mentality of the club at the top. I get the feeling some in the corridors of power might be uncomfortable with that if they remain. Lessons demonstrate that any new owner coming in would bring in their own people and shake the club up from top to bottom.
The trip back ended up being an epic. I left and made my way back to Witton station. There was a queueing system in place and, having made the journey earlier, once they let us onto the platform, I just got on the first train assuming it would be going to New Street. No. I ended up in Walsall and had to wait for a train back to New Street.
It didn’t stop there. Now New Street is an impressive station, more like an airport terminal, but it is so complicated to navigate to get to the platforms. To compound it, the platform got changed three times. More steps. I was certainly getting them in. I eventually got home around half-past midnight.
I think under normal circumstances, that result wouldn’t look as bad as it does right now if it wasn’t for the terrible start. Villa are a very good team right now.
Two important matches coming up. Southampton in the League Cup and then Leicester City. Surely this dismal run must end soon. I still think we’ll be okay once we turn the corner.
Okay, Man of the Match… and there weren’t many contenders. I’m divided between Ndiaye and Calvert-Lewin. Despite his miss at 2-1, I’ll go for Calvert-Lewin. It’s a lonely existence as an Everton striker right now and he got a torrid time from their centre-backs but kept going.
The supporters were loud and noisy, but the atmosphere gradually depleted as the inevitability sank in. From where we were sat, the players got a half-decent reception.
Once again, thank you to Greg for the ticket and to Neil for facilitating. Great to see you both.
See you at the next one, Blues. I’ll meet some of you on Tuesday. Sorry I couldn’t be more upbeat.