A few thoughts about... Villa vs Wolves

Hi all - and Happy New Year!

I hope you had a good end to 2022. It was a wild ride for me. I'm hoping it was easier for you.

Been a bit hasn't it? Since we last spoke, Villa have actually played a few games and have brought back an Actual World Cup Winner from a World Cup break for the first time in their history.

I've not found the time to write much due to the hectic end to the World Cup as well as the hectic return to the Barclays. In the meantime, I've got a few changes to talk about.

I have moved the newsletter from Twitter's Revue service (closing down, cheers Elon!) to Ghost.

For you, this means little. If you're not happy about this newsletter being delivered by another platform, the unsubscribe link is at the bottom.

But I hope you'll stay!

In terms of other changes, I'm running with a new format today for post-match stuff that should make it quicker - and better. Let me know how you find it.

As for the rest of the year, it'll ideally be a bigger and better year for the House of V. Villa are a fun team to watch once more, and I hope I can match that with a newsletter that is worthy of its eye-watering subscriber base.

Anyway, here's some quick thoughts from Villa vs Wolves.

A word for Leon

Surging through on goal at the death, he could've won it with a whisper. He ended the match - after busting lungs and legs all game - with his head in his hands and tears flowing into the turf.

It's weird. At the final whistle I was reflecting more on how bad I felt for Leon Bailey missing - and how he felt - than the chance for 3 points that was spurned.

His actions post-miss said it all. Shirt covering his head, stride broken. Head completely gone. I've not seen a great deal of that in football - especially so at Aston Villa. I've certainly not seen many lay motionless on the turf for minutes.

But there you have it. Proof that Bailey really does give a shit.

And for those mocking an 'overpaid footballer' for 'not doing his job', he's done his job already. And you could've earned that dosh if you wanted it as badly as Leon did, I guess.

Oh, and he doesn't need to apologise at all.

Another word for Danny Ings, Ollie Watkins and Robin Olsen

As Bailey lay defeated on the turf, three members of the Villa team waited not a moment to comfort him.

Danny Ings crossed the entire pitch, while Ollie Watkins and Robin Olsen (I think) strode from the bench.

Bailey missed his shot while isolated in the opposition box. He certainly wasn't isolated when confronting his disappointment. His team had his back.

Welcome home, Emi

It was a delight to see Emi parade Villa Park with his World Cup goods. Shame he couldn't bring the actual trophy.

And he didn't miss a beat at all, did he? There was no stopping Podence's shot (as far as I can remember), but when it came to chances that were firmly within his gift to save, he kept Villa in the point. Just ask Ait-Nouri.

That first-half

My-my.

Not even sure what to say here. It was an absolute clownshow.

I've not seen much like that at all, and it wasn't even like Villa were playing badly. They just weren't playing at all.

Lopetegui's Wolves hoovered up the space and made a static Villa pay. Then, Villa couldn't respond. Wolves held the game out of reach, a tormenting elder sibling.

Kudos to them for that, but also - god. Never let a half like that happen again.

Worst about it all? It fed the boo-boys by me, who armchair manage with the same energy as someone belting out Wonderwall in the subway hoping to catch the ear of a record exec. Nobody is listening lads.

I really hate those bad halves, and the little errors. They just feed negative energy so much.

Boos ring out

I'm totally conflicted about the booing that occurred at half-time. For one, it was a diabolical half of football, which fans had paid over £50 to watch.

However, it's our job as supporters to support. If a team is being well-beaten, as Villa were at the break, we're the last line to hold them up. Without fans, they don't have back-up, do they?

Plus, if we're saying booing is entitled because of cost, then we aren't fans. We're customers at that point - especially if we can draw a correlation between the entertainment we expect vs money paid.

I get it, I truly do - watching Villa has never been more expensive, but if you are there - especially now - you're privileged. Back the team well on behalf of those who genuinely cannot spare the cash to be there, as hard as that might be sometimes.