Aston Villa, Season 2019-2020

EPL (Premier League), Saturday 14/12/2019 : Sheffield United 2-0 Aston Villa

This looks like a toothless performance from AVFC, with a penalty miss too. AVFC are currently 17th, but will be 18th if Southampton get a point in their late game today. Southampton lost - we play them next week, at home.

Attendance : 30,396 (SSN)

After this result AVFC's total Form Points fell from 36 to 34 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available is now 78 points, with 63 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 17th in the table, with 15 points and GD at -7 from 17 games.

 

League Cup Round 5 (QF), Tuesday 17/12/2019 : Aston Villa v Liverpool, KO 19:45 hours, SKY.

16/12/2019 : Although Liverpool have been forced to field a 'weakened' side, to accomodate the demands of FIFA's 'Club Championship' in Qatar, I nevertheless think this will be a tough fixture for AVFC. Despite this I have predicted a win, as the match requires a result and I do not predict against AVFC.

My AVF prediction, made today : Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

 

It will be very much a second string Liverpool side tonight, lots of youngsters. How strong will AV go?

 

Some players were rested (on the bench), but otherwise a full strength team for AVFC.

League Cup Round 5 (QF), Tuesday 17/12/2019 : Aston Villa 5-0 Liverpool

Job done ... 'men against boys' it will be said, but the main thing is that AVFC avoided the obvious banana skin.

Attendance : 30,323 (SSN)

 

EPL (Premier League), Saturday 21/12/2019 : Aston Villa v Southampton, KO 15:00 hours.

18/12/2019 : A critical game for both teams, the first of three for us, the results of which could see AVFC well away from the basement battle, or mired in it ! ... As usual, I back us to win. We certainly need to.

Sat 21/12/2019 : Aston Villa v Southampton
Thu 26/12/2019 : Aston Villa v Norwich City - Amazon Prime 15:00 hours
Sat 28/12/2019 : Watford v Aston Villa

My AVF prediction, made today : Aston Villa 2-1 Southampton

 

18/12/2019 : League Cup Round 6 (SF) Draw (alpha sorted) :

Leicester City v Aston Villa
Manchester United v Manchester City

The semi-final first legs are scheduled to take place in the week commencing January 6, with the return legs set for week commencing January 27.
The final will take place at Wembley on Sunday March 1, 2020. (SSN)

 

EPL (Premier League), Saturday 21/12/2019 : Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton

AVFC's dismal Christmas - New Year EPL form continues with this defeat, which drops us into the bottom three at 18th.
From MON's time, 2006-2007, to 2015-2016 the record was :
Total : Pld 38 : 7 13 18 : 33-65 -32 : Pts 34
Boxing Day fixture : Pld 10 : 0 4 6 : 9-20 -11 : Pts 4
Our only solace today is our GD of -9 ... if we win and Southampton lose on Boxing Day, we will return to 17th place.

Attendance : 41,834 (SSN)

After this result AVFC's total Form Points fell from 34 to 32 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available is now 75 points, with 60 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 18th in the table, with 15 points and GD at -9 from 18 games.

 

EPL (Premier League), Thursday 26/12/2019 : Aston Villa v Norwich City, KO 15:00 hours.

24/12/2019 : A much better performance is required from AVFC on Boxing Day than we witnessed against Southampton.
I am hoping for the best.

My AVF prediction, made today : Aston Villa 2-1 Norwich City

 

EPL (Premier League), Thursday 26/12/2019 : Aston Villa 1-0 Norwich City

AVFC's must win game is won, 'TFFT' ! ... but ... Southampton won at Chelsea today, so AVFC stay in 18th place, now 1 point behind West Ham, who have a game in hand. Positive game management was crucial today, DS bringing on Hourihane, an attacking option, who scored the winning goal. We need to build on this positive result today at Watford on Saturday.

Attendance : 41,289 (SSN)

After this result AVFC's total Form Points rose from 32 to 36 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available remains 75 points, with 57 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 18th in the table, with 18 points and GD at -8 from 19 games.

 

EPL (Premier League), Saturday 28/12/2019 : Watford v Aston Villa, KO 15:00 hours.

My AVF prediction, made today : Watford 2-2 Aston Villa

 

EPL (Premier League), Saturday 28/12/2019 : Watford 3-0 Aston Villa

A pathetic 'performance' and non-result from AVFC today.

Attendance : 21,348 (SSN)

After this result AVFC's total Form Points fell from 36 to 34 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available is now 72 points, with 54 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 18th in the table, with 18 points and GD at -11 from 20 games.

 

EPL (Premier League), Wednesday 01/01/2020, : Burnley v Aston Villa, KO 12:30 hours.

30/12/2019 : BT Sport will be showing all of the NYD EPL matches live.

My AVF prediction, made on 31/12/2019 : Burnley 2-2 Aston Villa

 

EPL (Premier League), Wednesday 01/01/2020, : Burnley 1-2 Aston Villa

I watched most of the 1st half mute, due to watching the NYD Concert from Vienna. It was a bit surreal, watching the game to the accompaniment of the Blue Danube and the Radeztky March, Clockwork Orange like (yes, I know CO had Beethoven). AVFC had the ball in the net 3 times in the 1st half, but our 1st goal was ruled out by VAR ... another millimetre offside decision.
I trust this will be the turnaround result, being just what the doctor ordered, off a reasonable display overall. We have injury worries with Wesley and Heaton, both were stretchered off; hopefully those injuries are not too serious. Returning to music, the latest crowd chant was in respect of VAR ... no prizes for guessing the lyrics !

Attendance : 19,561 (SSN)

 

EPL (Premier League), Wednesday 01/01/2020, : Burnley 1-2 Aston Villa

After this result AVFC's total Form Points rose from 34 to 38 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available remains 72 points, with 51 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 17th in the table, with 21 points and GD at -10 from 21 games.

 

FA Cup Round 3, Saturday 04/01/2020 : Fulham v Aston Villa, KO 15:01 hours.

01/01/2020 : The KO time is 15:01 hours, per the AVFC website; cba to find out why.

My AVF prediction, made today : Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa

 

FA Cup Round 3, Saturday 04/01/2020 : Fulham 2-1 Aston Villa

Usually we would bemoan a defeat for AVFC, but in this instance not so much, given our injury and EPL situations.

Attendance : 12,980 (SSN)

 

League Cup Round 6 (Semi-Final 1st leg), Wednesday 08/01/2020 :

Leicester City v Aston Villa, KO 20:00 hours, SKY.

07/01/2020 : Although AVFC's prospects seem as gloomy as the overcast weather today, I will not predict against our team, but go for a draw, even if it loses me Prediction League points. Fortunately, no EPL points are at stake in this match !

My AVF prediction, made today : Leicester City 2-2 Aston Villa

 

League Cup Round 6 (Semi-Final 1st leg), Wednesday 08/01/2020 : Leicester City 1-1 Aston Villa

An unexpected result and well done to AVFC for setting the stage well for the 2nd leg on January 28th.
Even so, tonight's result is one of those draws that feels like a defeat, as Leicester's equaliser to Guilbert's opener was gifted to them !

Attendance : 31,280 (SSN)

 

EPL (Premier League), Sunday 12/01/2020 : Aston Villa v Manchester City, KO 16:30 hours, SKY.

10/01/2020 : Dean Smith has said AVFC may play without a centre-forward on Sunday, not that we have anyone matchfit for that role anyway. Maybe DS will try a 3-5-2 formation, we shall see. In any event, I am backing our team to win and offer my default prediction, hoping for 10 Prediction League points for me and 3 points for AVFC on Sunday.

please log in to view this image

My AVF prediction, made today : Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City

 

EPL (Premier League), Sunday 12/01/2020 : Aston Villa 1-6 Manchester City

Not the result anyone wanted, which leaves AVFC in 18th place, but it was the sort of result many expected. A nasty hit, but a free one, considering AVFC's circumstances atm.

Attendance : 41,823 (SSN)

After this result AVFC's total Form Points fell from 38 to 36 ... that is, points after 38 games.
The maximum available is now 69 points, with 48 points left to play for.
AVFC are below par and 18th in the table, with 21 points and GD at -15 from 22 games.