I wrote in the comments earlier about why today was such a great opportunity for us. Someone also commented that we rarely take these opportunities. This was when I opened the wine I think.
And whoever wrote that, about us not taking the opportunities, isn’t wrong. A Spurs fan could probably easily say that we only got fourth last season because they bottled it. Does that then mean we bottled it today?
I don’t think we bottled it, I don’t think the manager designs things that way. I think this manager is on a different level.
And it could be that I’ve had a really happy Sunday (yes it’s the wine) but it feels like there needs to be something of a realistic post written. Not an optimistic one, just a ‘this is where we are and there isn’t anything to worry about type post’. And only because some of what I’ve seen on social media.
But before I go on, I have to spend a little time on the wine. You see, I knew I was the only one drinking red today so it was a better red than normal. It was lovely.
And it’s not that I don’t like sharing a good red, it’s that if I absolutely know it’s only going to be me, I tend to open a bottle I’ve had my eye on for a while, or hidden somewhere behind quite a few other bottles.
Don’t get me wrong, if you and me one day find ourselves sharing a bottle it will be a nice bottle, not a Tuesday bottle at the front of all others. But when I know it’s only going to be me, I like to push the boat out and the bottle today has got me feeling all optimistic.
Last bit on the wine and the better the wine, the slower I drink it and the more optimistic I find myself. That’s strange right?
About Aston Villa
Anyway, this is an Aston Villa blog, so here we go. But before I get started there are a few things we shouldn’t forget and they’re all sort of connected, so I’m gong to list them.
I think I am anyway. I’m also thinking about the nice bottle of grappa I have hidden hidden. Yes, it’s not the ‘on the side grappa’, and it’s only me so why not. I don’t think it’s open. Should I open it?
Just so you know where I am, there are still no goals between Manchester United and Chelsea. The list:
- Unai Emery joined us just over two years ago
- He is a sensible man with a high degree of common sense
- Since becoming manager, he’s had four transfer windows
- Starting the match today were 8 players he inherited, I think
- During his first season, we qualified for Europe
- In his first full season, we qualified for the Champions League
- He is sensible man with a high degree of common sense
- He knows the most important thing this season is top four
And I’m not going to create a list for myself but I will write that for years I’ve said that the most important man at any Club is the manager and you can’t make too many changes in a transfer window and expect instant results.
I think I might have also written that too many changes and there will be negative effects, but that is also something I might just wish I had written, in my current state of confidence. But it could be written. It sounds like something I would have written.
Anyway, to my point. We are ten games into the season and we are on the same points as Arsenal, who many pundits thought would win the League this season. We are playing more games than most other sides and this manager knows how to get the best out of the players he has and he’s proven that, time after, time after, time after, time after time.
My point? He’s proven it, so we shouldn’t be questioning him and we should start to enjoy it, even days like today.
He knows what we need this season but he has to put a team out each week that will win that game based on what they have in the bank and what is needed for the next match and the one after. And he has to factor in the days in between. It’s not just about going all out like it used to be.
Unai Emery sees the matrix. You and me, worrying about this one result and performance, ten games into the season is just madness.
We are so good right now and for most of us, there has never been a better time to be an Aston Villa fan. We should embrace these moments for what they are. I’m going to open that grappa.
And for the record, the players are coming out for the second half of Manchester United against Chelsea. Goodnight chaps.
