HEROES AND VILLAS
Aston Villa is a big and old club. One of the 12 founding members of the Football League, he always had the air of a club sheepskin coat in a league full of fashionable anoraks. With its brick façade, Holte End, wood-paneled interiors and grandeur befitting many an FA Cup semi-final, the magnificent Villa Park has seen it all in its 126-year history. And in the not too distant past Villa became champions of England and Europe. They’ve been relegated, promoted and had a slightly average performance recently. Villa fans have long dreamed of ending a nearly 30-year hiatus from the competition (no, we’re not counting the 2001 Intertoto Cup) but no one thought it would be the Premier League that ended the drought. The size of a trophy cabinet doesn’t necessarily mean a club (just ask Newcastle), but it certainly helps.
If “Aston Villa: title contenders” sounds a bit odd, that’s because it is. But here are the facts: Villa have won 10 of their 15 league games this season: their most wins at this stage of the league campaign since 1980-81; They won the championship last time. They are four points off the top and can close the gap to a single point this weekend when they host leaders Arsenal at Villa Park, which we are contractually obliged to call “the castle”: the Birmingham club have won their last 14 league games at home. games equaling a club record dating back to 1903.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Villa is in somewhat good shape right now. Unai Emery won 31 of his first 50 games as manager; That was two more than Pep Guardiola won in his first 50 games in charge of Manchester City, and he was given a boost at Villa Park on Wednesday. Guardiola’s teams don’t get hit on a regular basis but this was certainly a 1-0 draw. Leon Bailey had a pretty tough win but it could easily have been 4-0. Villa had 20 more shots than City in the win (22 with each other, 2 against), the widest margin Guardiola’s side have had in 535 league games. Despite the notable absence of Rodri (suspension) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring strain), this was a complete victory.
Emi Martínez is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now. Super John McGinn is not only the owner of the Premier League’s best celebrations, he is also one of the best left-footers in the business. Ollie Watkins is the league’s most in-form striker and is knee-length away from Harry Kane to spearhead England’s attack at Euro 2024. Recruitment was crucial, with a combination of negotiation and money well spent. While Youri Tielemens and Boubacar Kamara arrived on free transfers, no one questions the high wages of Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres anymore. But it was Emery and his coaching that fueled Villa’s rise. This was not a complete revolution, but an evolution; Six of the players who took the field against City were also in Steven Gerrard’s starting 11 in his last game as manager 14 months ago. Now Villa have an elite manager, an elite team and all the momentum of our weird uncle climbing down from the ice sculpture at the annual Big Website Christmas party. If Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal’s trip to Luton is difficult, he has plenty of work to do to beat his predecessor on Saturday.
LIVE ON MAJOR WEBSITE
Join Rob Smyth on the Premier League watch from 19.30 BST for updates on Everton 2-3 Newcastle and Tottenham 2-2 West Ham.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It was a very sad evening for us. The truth is that the expectations are high, so there is booing. But the truth is that the fans have been spoiled here lately, they are used to seeing us do very well and get good results at home and we haven’t been able to do that this year. I hope we are with them in the difficult times they have enough empathy to stay together” – Roy Hodgson has a choice of words that are unlikely to appease Crystal Palace fans who are calling for his head following the 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Re: Jimmy O’Brien’s email about a certain number of spots being open (yesterday’s Football Daily letters), kudos to him for introducing me to a new example of pedantry; This will now spark every time I hear someone is ‘two points clear’. . I have a similar problem with a phrase often used at the end of the season when goal difference comes into play: a team needs to beat its opponent by ‘two clear goals’. What is the difference between beating a team by two goals and beating them by two open goals? What makes these clear? -Brendan Mac Carron.
I would go further and ask the lexicographers to impose the harshest penalties permissible for any use of an expression that is somehow “clear” and “perverse” from acceptable English: I am of course talking about the absolute horror of being a target for one or more of them. ‘for good’. Then I thought I’d get it off my chest before I went to a Christmas party, after which I’d probably have a few pint tins ‘shattered’” – Tim Clarke.
A blast from the past in Memory Lane (yesterday’s full email edition) – yes, I know that’s the point – Pat Nevin shows off her best Gregory’s Girl fashion choices. “Did everyone in Scotland have to have a hat and fringe at that time, or were they just the things we all loved best?” – Colin Reed (and others).
Forget Pat Nevin. It always comes to mind when I think of pure rizz on a park bench Wilson and Glendenning”-Jim Hearson.
Maybe what VAR and the referees are missing is rizz? Some charisma. None of today’s current crop, with the possible exception of Michael Oliver, carry as much pizzazz as what Pierluigi Collina does. Those bug eyes, the death stare followed by a wry smile, Collina was your worst enemy and your best friend at the same time. VAR certainly makes enemies, it’s time to make friends with a little excitement” – Stephen Jackson.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. The winner of today’s letter of the day is… Jim Hearson, who received a copy of Pretty Polly: The History of the Football Shirt, published by Pitch Publishing. Visit the amazing football book shops here.
WE RECOMMEND YOU LISTEN
Football Weekly Extra podcast here, here, here.
F&G IN SOUTH AMERICA SECTION
Palmeiras became Brazilian champions for the 12th time after drawing 1-1 with Cruzeiro with the goal scored by Endrick. “People were saying I won this, but I couldn’t have done it alone,” he shouted. “At the beginning of the year, I cared too much about what people said, I was angry. Then I realized I shouldn’t have done that. I’m getting a bit old.” He is 18. Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Santos were relegated for the first time, losing 2-1 at home to Fortaleza. Fans tried to invade the pitch, forcing the players to run for cover, followed by a shootout with police outside the pitch.
NEWS, TITS AND BOBS
Luis Rubiales allegedly kissed Lucy Bronze “apparently forcefully” and “face-palmed” England team-mate Laura Coombs after the World Cup final in August, according to FA chief Debbie Hewitt.
Following Fulham’s 5-0 defeat, which felt like the end of an era, Steve Cooper is expected to take charge of Nottingham Forest’s match against Wolves, while the club hierarchy continues to search for a new player. Julen Lopetegui and Oliver Glasner are names written at the top of Christmas lists. “You have to show belief and character in what you want to be, who you are, what you represent and what the club and the fans need to see,” Cooper said.
Manchester United may or may not have turned a corner after giving Chelsea a 2-1 hiding chance at Old Trafford.
Chris Wilder’s return to Sheffield United resulted in a predictable defeat against Liverpool, but less predictably a half-decent performance from the Blades.
If you’re feeling old, it won’t help: Jack Hinshelwood is the fourth generation of football-playing Hinshelwoods, a family tree that includes his great-grandfather Wally and his father Adam from seasons four through nine. The player, who was captivated by the Seagulls for a year when Jack was born, became the latest Brighton winner after scoring the decisive goal against Brentford.
Like you were in Scotland after Edinburgh’s 2-0 win in Glasgow.
Spurs have rejected an offer to meet Swansea senior assistant coach Chris Davies. The Championship club are searching for a new manager after letting Michael Duff through the Do One door on Monday, but Tottenham see Davies, 38, as an important part of their coaching team.
There is some belated good news for Dele Alli, who is approaching a return to football with Everton. “Everything is calming down and he’s feeling good,” Sean Dyche said.
And the FA rewound the first round cup tie between Forest Green and Scarborough Athletic, ordering a replay after the League Two club were found to have fielded an ineligible player. Forest Green won the replay 5-2 after a 1-1 draw and were set to face Blackpool last Saturday before an FA investigation forced postponement. “Forest Green will now play against Scarborough Athletic in a one-off match on 12 December, with the winner traveling to Blackpool for a second round match on 19 December,” an FA statement said. Barnsley were completely disqualified for a similar offense last month. Good luck to Blackpool, Forest Green and Scarborough Athletic fans reorganizing their Christmas diaries.
STILL WANT MORE?
Christophe Galtier racism case raises questions for Dave Brailsford, Ineos and Manchester United. Barney Ronay reports.
The support for the women’s football review means a lot; let’s make an impact now, insists Karen Carney.
David Conn on the frustration Hillsborough families feel over the government’s failure to fully enforce a “Hillsborough law.”
Scott McTominay is actually good and provides the kind of midfield leadership that Paul Pogba signed up for, writes Jonathan Liew.
Ben McAleer explains why Dejan Kulusevski plays a key role for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.
And a nostalgic nostalgia for the mid-90s as Ryan Baldi recalls Terry Christian, Huffty and The Hopefuls, the glitz and golden-goal drama of the first MLS Cup final.
WITH MEMORY STRIP
Birmingham City players and children enjoy their club’s Christmas party in December 1970; In this batch, in no particular order: Garry Pendrey, Mike Kelly, Mick Darrell, Trevor Hockey, John Sleeuwenhoek, Bobby Thomson, Dave Latchford and Johnny Vincent. Speaking of which…
BUTLER 3-1, MURRAY 9-2, CHRISTENSON 5-1, DART 6-1, DAVIES 8-1, 10-1 BAR. ROD!