Report: Villa (0) v (2) Arsenal
I apologise given that this blog is now starting to write itself. It is after-all, another defeat, another tame performance & another game that slips away. I wonder whether I could merely replace the opposition name and the scoreline in these posts…such is the recurring theme.
The game was over before it had really begun. Hutton, clumsily defending in the box, conceded a penalty. Dispatched with ease. The second Arsenal goal was a brisk counter attack, punishing all of our weaknesses whilst barely breaking a sweat. It was, obviously, embarrassing to watch & all too predictable.
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And ‘ease’ would adequately sum up the Gunners victory. Villa were never threatening, always at risk of conceding another and absolutely unable to build upon anything with which to change the game.
Whilst I don’t think that results like this will relegate us, our lack of fight is deeply concerning. Almost as much as our genuine lack of quality throughout the first 11. For all of the promising signs seen in the draw at Southampton, our weaknesses leave us unable to compete with even marginally better sides. Arsenal, naturally, come into a bracket above that.
These shortcoming could be our undoing. We absolutely have to find unexpected victories against good sides if we are to stay up. Further, we cannot afford to not beat sides like Newcastle, who we face next. Their recent upturn in form, as well as Bournemouth’s, could not have come at a worse time for us mentally.
Reports of Gabby Transfer In January
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The Telegraph have reported that Agbonlahor’s time is up and he is to be sold.
In truth, his time was up long ago. After years of under-performance, occasional brilliance and overall failure, it would be of no surprise.
The only unlikely element is that Gabby would command any interest from other clubs, let alone a transfer fee.
Gabby personifies the clubs stagnation. Our acceptance of the sub standard. Our celebration of consistent failure being rewarded. Gabby has lived the dream that many Villa fans would have killed for growing up. However, he has never remotely fulfilled his potential. Sadly, for a young player who showed so much, he will be remembered for season upon season of alarming mediocrity.
For me, seeing Gabby go would enable the club to draw a line upon the myth that he is the standard bearer for the team. It is time to prepare for a life where the Gabby Agbonlahor’s of this world aren’t considered part of the plan.
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