Written By Hannah

Just over a year ago, I sat down and wrote a post entitled, 'What's Going On At Aston Villa?'  After a COVID-19 enforced delay to the start of the 20/21 season, Villa had just won their fourth consecutive game at the opening of the campaign, marking a landmark occasion. I couldn't believe it. From feeling impending doom throughout most of Villa's first season back in the Premier League in 19/20, to beating the reigning champions 7-2 in our backyard and breaking records of our own - we had come a long way. Fast forward to 1st November 2021. 10 games in, Aston Villa look a shadow of the side that appeared confident and composed in 2020.  Yesterday, almost 42,000 fans witnessed yet another concerning performance from Villa - one in which the spark and intensity of the last 12 months seemed a distant memory. West Ham turned up to Villa Park and showed how easy it is to play against us at the moment. For months, starting with Project Restart in summer of 2020, one thing ...

After 75 minutes of quality attacking football and defending at both ends of the Etihad, Aston Villa fell victim to yet another VAR controversy. 19 days after their last match across the city at Old Trafford, Villa were lively and confident in their display against title challengers City, who were beaming following nine games unbeaten in the league. A wet and windy Manchester made for a turbulent but exciting fixture. Ross Barkley made his way back onto the team sheet for the first time since his early injury at home to Brighton on 21st November 2020. The players were rested, but there were doubts on match sharpness and fitness, which Dean Smith and his men were undoubtedly hoping to dismiss.  An open and end-to-end first half included an impressive early-on save from Martinez, and some dangerous counter-attacks that unfortunately failed to come to fruition. A premature substitution for City welcomed Zinchenko for the injured Kyle Walker, while Villa tried to capitalise on attackin...