Newcastle are arriving in Aston, Bring your own banner.
The big games are certainly coming thick and fast as we approach the business end of the season. No sooner have we been gallantly knocked out of the Champions League than we can take another giant stride towards being in it again next season. This is the start of a week that will define the season, and very likely a good few years after that. Yes, it’s that important.
And to get things underway it’s Newcastle, with a 5.30 kick-off. We can’t do incredibly cutting repartee about the last time they won a trophy anymore because they somehow fluked the League Cup. We can, though, be equally scathing about how one cup since rationing has made the most overblown supporters in football think they’re Real Madrid. What this has done for their new-found desire to be friends with us is yet to be seen; we’re probably beneath their dignity now.
Their ownership is well-known, as is their owners’ response to criticism, so whatever they do is perfectly fine by us. Their manager is currently on the sick with pneumonia, which is hardly surprising that close to the Arctic Circle. They’ve still got Matt Targett on the wage bill even if he never plays for them, which is strange given how important they’ve become. Lining up for us is likely to be the strongest match squad we’ve ever put out, unless a few of them wake up on Saturday morning with malaria or similar. Unlikely, but this is the Villa we’re talking about here.
They’ve started playing well at an annoyingly useful part of the season and we’re bang on form at home. It could be an absolute classic and winning it should lead to loads of positive comment no matter who’s working in the press box. But don’t bet on it. Three points and onto the next match, which will be another low-key affair.
