It feels like it’s been a fast paced week for Villa. A battling display against City, a handful of new transfer rumours, Hause crashing his car and the football community coming together to recognise the dreadful events surround Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
It was also a week in which we covered the impact that the Omicron Covid variant may have upon overseas supporters visiting the UK to watch Villa throughout December and the New Year period. If that wasn’t enough, the 2021 are Ugly Christmas Jumper are back in stock, with a chance to win starting Sunday! These are strange times indeed.
MIDWEEK REFLECTION
Midweek saw a game of two halves against Manchester City. The visitors put in a dominant display in the first half, barely permitting Villa a moments respite or the luxury of venturing much beyond our final third. Dias and Bernardo Silva punished us, leaving many pondering what the second half might entail
Positively and perhaps unexpectedly, Gerrard rallied Villa who gave Pep Guardiola’s title chasing side a real test in the second 45. Ultimately it wasn’t enough, but there were opportunities for Villa to have made a shock and a statement with it on the night.
Check out the Player Ratings and Full Match Report here.
RETURN OF GREALISH
Whilst the media have been desperate to paint of picture of the worst reception in recorded history for Jack Grealish, the facts naturally differ.
The England international go a relatively minor proportion of boos and applause, but overwhelmingly fans at Villa Park made their point with a round of ‘Villa ‘Till I Die’.
OMICRON IMPACT
Whilst talking about negating the impacts of Covid in the context of football seems a bit absurd, this is our new normal. So we must plan accordingly.
The Villa Underground has been keeping an eye on this after being contacted by a number of overseas supporters about changes to UK entry rules and the impact this could have upon their plans.
The practical considersations aren’t straightforward and given what we know about UK government policy, subject to u-turns and change.
You can find the latest updates about Omicron here, in the context of travel and any plans you may have for watching Villa across December. Importantly, everything has been fact checked with sources provided.
Hopefully everyone can stay safe, travel with reasonable precautions and get back to enjoying a game of football. For many, it’s been two years since they’ve been able to visit Villa Park or an away day.
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes
Villa confirmed on Friday that the club will hold a minutes applause in memory of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
The story has provoked outrage and sadness in equal measure due to the desperate and inhumane circumstances of the youngsters death. The cruelty of the case is such that the facts are hard enough to read and won’t be reprinted on these pages.
The 6th minute will see Villa Park remember and reflect upon a life taken prematurely and in a manner that is totally unacceptable in our community.
Hause Fortunate
From the serious to the surreal…
Kortney Hause had a lucky escape midweek after crashing his £180,000 Lamborghini through a school fence in Aston.
The Villa defender escaped uninjured and was an un-used sub in the defeat to Man City on Wednesday evening. Perhaps more fortunately, no pedestrians, bystanders or pupils were involved.
TRANSFER RUMOURS
The latest Villa transfer news and rumours from across the week:
INJURY NEWS
The latest injury updates for Leon Bailey, Matt Targett and Danny Ings ahead of Sunday afternoon’s visit of Leicester City can be found here.