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EP 59: Crossover Thursday - Aston Villa
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Crossover Introduction: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
00:00:05
Speaker
sports podcast network work hello everybody and welcome to the Daily Chelsea slash Daily Aston Villa podcast this week. um It is of course crossover Thursday with one of the big pictures of the weekend, or I wouldn't say the biggest picture, but one of the big pictures of the weekend, um Chelsea versus Aston Villa.
Aston Villa's Season Performance: Successes and Struggles
00:00:29
Speaker
um Obviously, been quite quite an interesting picture. Last few of times we faced each other and so there is much to discuss. um And for that I'm joined by my co-host today. Firstly, we'll introduce from the Daily Villa podcast, ah Joe, how you doing mate?
00:00:43
Speaker
I'm very well, very much looking forward to ah to chatting about the weekend. Like you say, a very big fixture and ah yeah, I'm excited to get into it. And joining us as well is a cohot my co-host from the Daily Chelsea team is Matt. Matt, how are you doing mate? Yeah, very well. Thanks Jake. um Yeah, I think this is going to be quite a tentative game for both clubs. Yeah, a hundred percent. I i think, you know, it's It's interesting the the the way the teams are the teams are facing each other you know at this point you know with the form that Villa are in and the way that you know Chelsea have have started the season. A lot to discuss about the game, but Joe, less first we I think we as Chelsea fans want to know sort of how' is your how has your season been so far under Emery? It looks like you were actually doing really well and now recently it seems to be
00:01:35
Speaker
maybe a bit loss of form and that sort of thing. But but is there any particular reason for that? Is there questions being asked of Emery? Is it something to do with the squad or something like that? How's it how's it been? Yeah, it's been a real mixed bag so far this season. I think kind of the start of the year or the start of the season, I should say we look really strong. We were kind of hanging in those top four places. We've obviously had a a fairly new kind of pursuit in Champions League football, something we've not had for over 40 years and and kind of battling alongside that. I'm sure you guys and your listeners will know exactly how difficult that is.
00:02:06
Speaker
um I think when you look at the kind of moments we've had this season it would be very easy to say that it's all rosy obviously we've had wins against Bayern Munich and really good results against some of the kind of Premier League sides lower down those point building games but when we've when we've really been tested we we struggled and we're now winless in six in all competitions which has been a ah huge blow for us particularly our form and our momentum and I think there's the kind of idea creeping in amongst some kind of sections of the fan base that maybe we are getting found out a little bit in terms of how we like to play football. You look at an Emery, Aston Villa side, it's very possession heavy, we like to keep the ball. We play kind of attacking slow build-up football, everything comes from the back and we we kind of build up the pitch. The kind of the
00:02:56
Speaker
I suppose the key kind of elements of that are having a really high backline which particularly in recent weeks in our last game against Palace and our games against Liverpool we saw exploited particularly on the counter attack when we would kind of leave a backline forward. um And that worked so well for us last year because we had a really consistent back four. We had four defenders that kind of knew how each other read the game.
00:03:18
Speaker
they would push up together they would drop together and we haven't had that this season for various reasons injuries and suspensions have meant that we've kind of had to chop and change that back four and what that's meant is obviously they don't have the same kind of they haven't gelled in the same way and we've been caught out kind of with those counter attacking situations with our defenders maybe not pushing or stepping up at the right time so I think there's definitely a lot of food for thought for Emery especially going into this game with a lot of the the attacking quality that that you guys have so yeah I think there's there's definitely some concerns creeping in but I don't think it's quite hit the panic button just yet.
Chelsea's Form and Key Player Impact
00:03:56
Speaker
Fair enough. And and and so so one of the really interesting stats I thought i saw like coming into the weekend is you know how many goals have scored in the last five matches? Because I think one of the things you know that you briefly touched from it there is maybe maybe the attacking side of your of your play seems to me, from from a couple of games I've seen, it's looked a little bit stale.
00:04:16
Speaker
um we've said to chelsea like going into the game, Chelsea have scored 12 goals in the last five matches, um Villa have only scored four. um do you Just sort of it it sort keeping in mind the game on Sunday, do you do you think, is there still changes needed to your attack or is it maybe you need another signing for your attack? Is it not something that that can be sort of fixed before a transfer window?
00:04:39
Speaker
um it's it's ah It's a difficult one because I think that the the quality that we have going forward, it's players that we know have that quality. Obviously we saw what Ollie Watkins was capable of last year and he finally got on the score sheet again after there are a couple of weeks of of not kind of not really looking threatening in in any way shape or form. He's kind of been overshadowed by the the good form of John Duran, who's the obviously the ah the young striker that I'm sure you guys will know from various Premier League transfer window links. um but But he's kind of, you know, I don't think it's unfair to say he's overshadowed Ollie Watkins in large parts of the season, kind of coming on and being our hero off the bench and winning us games and grabbing us points. So
00:05:20
Speaker
I think hopefully Watkins will now kind of hit that runner form after scoring against Palace, he took his finish really well, he looked like a striker that was confident so I think he he definitely needed that. Aside from Watkins we've obviously got Morgan Rogers who's probably been the kind of the the shining light of our season so far.
00:05:38
Speaker
he was a ah brought in in in last part in the last season sorry bought in last season for from the championship for around £10m it's estimated which was a kind of figure that was laughed at by much of the English media and he's now worth probably in some villa fans minds seven eight nine times that with how good he's been this season he's he's a player who can pick the ball up drive past three or four people and then i think his final ball sometimes leaves a little bit to be desired but in terms of the the attacking quality he brings i think he's certainly someone to watch out for as well
00:06:13
Speaker
Interesting.
Tactical Approaches: Chelsea vs. Villa
00:06:14
Speaker
Okay. and yeah Obviously, we'll we'll get to our predictions and score lines towards the end. Matt, just quickly, how sort of how sort of confident are you feeling going into this game against Fullard? Just based on their sort of like recent form, or do you think do you think we should really still be worrying about them coming to the bridge this Sunday?
00:06:34
Speaker
We've definitely got to be worried, them absolutely. I mean, sort of Joe alluded to it that, you know, they had a stellar start, you know, completely unbeaten in September, almost unbeaten throughout the whole of October, apart from that um ah cup loss to to Palace. And yeah, they haven't won in November. So if if there's any good time to play them, it's definitely now when they're on a bad run of form. And yeah, like sort of Joe said that Watkins still struggling to find the net.
00:07:01
Speaker
ah But it is Villa and they have had an unbelievable resurgence under M-Ray from going like near the relegation to qualifying for Champions League and Now almost, you know sort of pushing that being part of that top six um Club um per se ah we definitely need to worry about them because they've got players that can hurt us and I mean both clubs do have players injured um or room to be injured for for the game ahead and some quite key players on both sides so um I'm sure we'll get into that later but they' they're still a quality threat and you know we just can't let it up particularly for Chelsea you know this season if we take a home form and a wave form
00:07:44
Speaker
we're at the top on away form and we're like near the top we're brilliant away from home but at home we're like mid-table we've only um you know won two of our six games at home we've drawn three we've lost one and so that is kind of worrying um and so i almost would be slightly more confident if we were away um but i think um just because of our form and i think we rise to the occasion a bit more when we're away um Rather with that than when we're at the bridge. I just feel we we feel a lot more of the pressure of the home fans um Even though they're there for the support. I just feel like its sort of the players feel under the course a little bit So um so yeah, definitely need to be aware about um a villa for sure But I mean, I'm not gonna give my predictions away too soon, but I'm having for a positive blue result Fair enough and and and Joe a question for you as well. I suppose is
00:08:38
Speaker
and if If we were facing you after sort of your first six weeks of the season compared to obviously you know when we're facing you now, what's your difference in confidence levels? you know and and that What would that what that be in between these two games?
00:08:50
Speaker
Yeah, I think it would be quite a significant difference in confidence. I think if you were playing this in those first kind of six to eight weeks of the season, I think could be a lot more confident. I think I'd kind of I think we saw a lot more of the the quality that we had. I think John Duran was still kind of in his superhero phase for us coming off the bench and and and winning us points. And I think that we would be a lot more confident in terms of being able to to have players that were that that were danger men and that would hurt you. And and now it's kind of it's it's a lot different because we've seen a perhaps team that looks lethargic, potentially out of ideas and definitely, I think, a victim of the continental hangover. um And therefore, I think all those factors make it really, really difficult for me to go in, sort of brimming with confidence against the team that are third in the league with the the quality that Chelsea have. So I think, yeah, it would definitely, I'd definitely be a lot more confident if we were asking this a couple of months ago, but yeah, it's it's a really, it's a difficult one to call, I think.
00:09:51
Speaker
Fair enough. My last question, which is related to that, and you sort of touched on it there, was in that sort of early part of the season, obviously drama is doing really, really well. It's not as if you've been doing bad recently, but on the start of the season, it was also just the goals you were scoring were just absolutely just incredible as well. I remember that top gold one was fantastic.
00:10:13
Speaker
whats What's, you know, sort of Duran and, you know, a couple of other players, were they sort of papering over the cracks in terms of maybe how you were playing at the start of the season? Has there been a massive difference in how you've been, you know, playing on the pitch? Like how you've been... Because your last season you were dominating some teams. Some teams, you you know, you're like Arsenal, you were turning up and you were playing on the counter. But other teams, you were just absolutely smashing all over the park. Like, has there been a massive difference there or...?
00:10:38
Speaker
Yeah, there has. I think that the the Rand thing that you mentioned there about him potentially papered over the cracks, I think is a really important point. I think there were there were moments this season where we we didn't play particularly well and he came off the bench at the hour mark or just after and nicked a goal and all of a sudden everything's fine. And I think he definitely kind of put a plaster over some of the the issues that we had in some of those games. So I think he's kind of he saved us in in certain situations. But I think had we not had him, I think I'd I dread to think some of the the kind of results that we had because as you mentioned there the the kind of spark and the flair that we showed for large parts of last season you talk about the Arsenal game I think about playing Man City and dominating them I thought you know the various other games where we kind of we looked like we had a set out style and if that style didn't work we could revert back to plan B and plan C and that just doesn't seem to be the case we've kind of
00:11:31
Speaker
adopted this possession based expansive attacking slow tempo kind of build up play style and when that doesn't work we we kind of look a little bit out of ideas and we don't look as kind of able to hit teams on the break with pace going forward or or um or kind of going more direct. That's not really something we've seen at all this season so I'm not entirely sure whether Emery is just kind of homing in on plan A and it's either that way or no way or or whether it's just ah maybe a player communication thing in terms of if
European Competitions: Strategies and Aspirations
00:12:02
Speaker
if a star's not working, reverting to a different one. it It doesn't seem to be something we've seen all that much.
00:12:09
Speaker
Yeah, it's really interesting to be honest to get, to get you know, the full insight, because obviously I'm a bigger team now, so you see them often on TV, but you know, still don't get the ah for the full look at at the club. And and we'll we'll take a bit more of a deeper look into that as well as obviously our scores and predictions um after we come back in a short break.
00:12:34
Speaker
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00:13:07
Speaker
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00:13:16
Speaker
And we are back on the Daily Chelsea podcast. I'm joined. ah Sorry, Anthony Villavicosa as well. I guess we're joined obviously from ah by Joe from the Villa team and my other co-host Matt as well. and So we've taken quite a long look at you know Villa so far this season. um just before we i suppose Just before we move on to you know sort what questions you have for for the Chelsea side, Joe. and What do you think about Villa as sort of like a top four club at the moment? Because this I think it's interesting how ah certainly Sky seems to be building up to be, you know, Villa are the top four team and Chelsea is sort of the outsider, which, you know, can't can't disagree with, you know, that's that's how it's been in the last couple of seasons. Certainly Villa have been up there and we haven't.
00:14:03
Speaker
But obviously, you know, if if you think of terms of like, you know, the big six clubs, you know, it's it' still very much stuck in that older sort of sense. and do you think Do you think you'll be able to be up there in the top four this season? And do you and what would you sort of, what would you sort of prefer, sort of like a longer run in the Champions League, possibly, you know, getting to the final or winning that, or would you prefer to solidify your place for the next season?
00:14:26
Speaker
um I think a big thing for for Villa and a lot of Villa fans has been establishing ourselves as a European club, whether that's through the Champions League or the Europa League or the Conference League, which we obviously played in ah last season. And I think it would be a huge ask for us to finish in the top four this year. I think that's not really a ah controversial opinion. I think with the way that we've performed, particularly in the last kind of month or so, or to six weeks even, it's going to be a really tall order for us to finish in those top spots. But I think In terms of what we what we wanted to achieve this season was whether, as I say, through the Champions League or the Europa League or the Conference League was really establishing ourselves as ah as a side that are pushing for those spots. and you know we we didn't We were very conscious about going into this season and and trying not to be you know one of those sides that finishes in those Europa League or Champions League even spots and then suffers off the back of that and you end up finishing kind of mid-table. That was something we were very kind of adamant that we didn't want to be.
00:15:24
Speaker
um based off the last six weeks it looks as though it's heading that way unfortunately but I think you know we've got to we've got to find a way of kind of combating the the the the Champions League hangover as quickly as possible because it's it's becoming a real ah real real issue for our for our squad but I think hopefully establishing ourselves as ah a European club or a club that plays European football has got to be the aim this season. Moving forward it with a kind of longer term vision I think that's what the the ownership and the the kind of coach and staff want to try and achieve um because as you say we are kind of painted as a top four team factually that's what we achieved last season but I don't think we're in that kind of
00:16:04
Speaker
I don't think we're ready to break that kind of that that that top six consistently because I don't think we have the the the squad necessarily depth in squad to to do that at the moment.
00:16:18
Speaker
Fair, yeah, yeah i can I can see that. I um probably you ah do see you sort of getting there though, especially but especially when you talk about the side in terms of your squad as well. um I think you'll do really well, to be honest. That's that's sort of in my opinion. but um Joe, you obviously have some questions for for the Chelsea side, but Matt, I will let you answer whatever Joe asks first.
00:16:42
Speaker
and Strike it. Strike it. just Go for it, Joe. I was trying to say that. I was trying to rip. Take it away, but strike it. I don't know. Yeah, go for it. Yeah, I certainly do. I think my my big ah my big question for you guys, I think, comes from the tactical side. Obviously, Mareska is a manager that we've seen likes to use those wide areas, um whether it's Madawakey or Felix, or I think Neto's injured. I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong there.
00:17:12
Speaker
um in those those wide spots. um Villa have had a lot of issues at fallback, particularly on our right side. Cons has filled in there, he's injured. Cash has kind of played there to to mix success. We've had some of our youth players, Bogard, ah played there against Palace and looked okay. um how kind of How big are those wide areas for the way that Chelsea play?
00:17:36
Speaker
I think massively. I mean, Mariska will know all about the defensive issues that you're going to be struggling with this season. He'll definitely, imate him and his team will definitely look thoroughly into that. So I'm sure we'll definitely try and capitalize on that.
00:17:49
Speaker
and particularly with our players like Madawake and Neto, when he is fair, you know, we love their their dribblers that love to stretch the defense, to love to drive down the wing um or just, you know, sort of try and penetrate the penalty area um and either get a cross or a shot in. So, you know, sort of Mariska is all about possession football, um inverting the fullbacks to, you know, sort of Have more bodies within midfield and then so the wingers can be like true wingers and just really really stretch Um the back line of the opposition Um, and I think that was like clear to see really um Against lester last week when I mean it was slightly different because felix was on the left and he sort of came in a bit more But then when we do that we just push our left back in cocarello just up the field even more To to give that width and so I think that's going to be a really key
00:18:43
Speaker
play for us against you guys because yeah like you say you're not fully full strength in the defense and that is going to be a worry for you. um I think you know you know on that I can completely say we're going to get into the right positions to hurt you and to stretch your your your whole team throughout the game.
00:19:03
Speaker
um
Match Predictions and Key Threats
00:19:04
Speaker
I think my only thing that I constantly have a bit of a niggle about with Chelsea is just that, which is a bit of a hangover from last season as well, is that we get into the right positions, we create great chances, but we we're just not clinical enough. we we create we ah We were so dominant against Leicester and we really could have been like four, five nil up within the first half an hour, but we were only one nil up.
00:19:28
Speaker
And I think that's essentially the main thing that we need to work on ah within our play. And we just need to become a bit more like Liverpool are this season because they are just so, so efficient with their chance and their goals compared to their XG and everything like that.
00:19:44
Speaker
um I think the only other worry that we do have is the big robo in between the sticks. um He is quite susceptible to maybe have a lapse of concentration or just a poor decision in there and I think most teams really really know that and they'll want to press him and put ah him under pressure as much as they can when we are playing it around the back.
00:20:05
Speaker
or when we are trying to find that gap to exploit it against you guys. So I think we really need need to capitalise when we do get a chance and we need to you know try and keep you as far away from our box as possible. Yeah, I completely agree with Matt there. I'd completely agree with Matt, I won't add too much to it, Joe. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think those areas are definitely areas Chelsea will look to exploit, I think rightly so. I think as you said there, Mareska is going to be very aware of kind of the the goals that we've conceded and the way that we've kind of suffered in those those wide areas and I think that's definitely something Emery's going to need to kind of I suppose fix in in terms of doing the best he can with the the injury list that's that's ever building for Villa at the moment it seems.
00:20:51
Speaker
My next question moves into those attacking areas, maybe a bit more centrally. Obviously, we know how good Cole Palmer is. I think all the Villa fans listening to this will target him as an obvious danger man. But maybe someone we don't know as much about, for whatever reason that is, is Nicholas Jackson, who's actually joint top scorer, I do believe, alongside Palmer for Chelsea. Can you talk a little bit about the qualities that he brings and things that we should be looking out for as Villa fans?
00:21:22
Speaker
ah Yeah, I'll start that off because I mean, I've been a backer of Jackson for a long time, not that it hasn't. But, you know, I think at the daily choice, because I think we do, we've we've backed him for quite a while. And certainly one of the things that, you know, we we speak about nearly every week is, you know, what does Jackson, what's Jackson are going to do in this game? And it and he is sort of employed differently for sort of different opponents. yeah You know, he he'll try, for some opponents he'll very much press on the back line, try and get him behind. Other one you know other games, you know he's been sort of like a target man holding up and playing the pass out to a wide player.
00:21:55
Speaker
um Usually and the indicator of that is the wide players he's got around him, you know, have he got more skillful, dribbling wide players who are going to take their own shots on goal, in which case Jackson may be there to hold up the ball a bit more um and then pass it out wide. If if it's more sort of non-matter way, k and Neto, as you said, Neto hasn't been confirmed that he's injured yet, but is likely. um you know, then those players are there very much to deliver to Jackson, essentially. um But he's like, yeah, he's done really well. he that The difference really has been, you know, I think all Chelsea fans would agree is he's just added finishing to his game. He's always been a nuisance for opponents. He's always been able to get into defensive spaces. But now he's taking finishes, you know, first time, you know, often um his first, you know, yeah often when he scored in matches, that's been his first shot on goal. You know, he's just got the confidence that
00:22:47
Speaker
to do that now. um And that's, yeah, that's why I say it is a potential worry for, especially for Villa as well, because it's a big game and he seems to do quite well on big games in terms of winding up other players as well. He seems to have that bit of that about him. Not that he, not the often that he often avoids yellow card himself, but um he, yeah, he really does. He he really is sort of becoming a big game player as well. well I mean, what would you say, Matt?
00:23:11
Speaker
Yeah, completely agree. And I think he is really interesting because a lot of people were writing him off last season or just saying he's complete waste of space or a waste of transfer, this, that and the other. Now that he's been given time and he's in a, you know, proper system under Maresco.
00:23:28
Speaker
People are sort of almost saying that is a bit of a combination between drug bur and costa. ah You know, our two most prolific strikers in the last 20 years. And I just find that funny because it just kind of shows how fickle the papers are and how quickly the the and narrative changes. I mean, look, he's twelve played 12 games, he's scored seven goals and he's got three assists. That's that's that's, you know, top level numbers. um That's what every club wants from their striker.
00:23:57
Speaker
And that shows that he's getting involved in all areas. um I do think he's matured a lot compared to last season. I think last season, because you know going from Villareal to Chelsea, that's a huge, huge step up, that he would feel a lot of pressure, that he would do the sort of classic thing when whenever anyone's put into a ah super desired situation that they want to perform all the time and they almost overthink or over mistake or over correct things when they don't just really enjoy it um and i think he was just coming under that um last season in particular whereas now he's he and and and on that last season i think he was too focused on trying to score a goal or things like that whereas now he is fully
00:24:40
Speaker
all about how can I help the team win. um And as sort of, you know, Jake's alluded to that, he's just, whatever that is, whether that's being a nuisance to defenders, whether that's going out to left wing and cutting in, um he he's willing to do that. And his variety of goals is just amazing um in terms of what he can offer. He scored plenty of headed goals last season.
00:25:01
Speaker
I think more headed girls last season than than than with his feet. ah But it seems this this this season that he's been able to sort his feet out and actually get a couple of girls with his feet. I do think that he is more of ah an instinct sort of striker. And so if he's got, you know, five seconds to think about something,
00:25:21
Speaker
He might be more prone to miss it than score it. So I think that's another slight area for him to improve on. ah But he's still young. He's still 23. And you know we only bought him for, say, 32 million. And when you compare that to Nunez being bought for about 80 million, um ah Hoyland for Man United being bought for 72 million, he's clearly outperforming them. And um I think we should need to give give him some more respect.
00:25:47
Speaker
Yeah, there's some really, ah really scary stats there for the the Villa fans listed in ah to try and give us some optimism going into Sunday. Are there any Villa players in that starting kind of leaven or even in the squad that you look at and and potentially scare you going into the the game at the weekend?
00:26:06
Speaker
and I would 100% say, I mean, like, you know, you're playing Juventus, you know, the players you're putting out against even just like Juventus this week, like,
00:26:18
Speaker
I mean, firstly, Watkins, um we have a very, Watkins, I mean, but for me, Watkins is a player who is just like a positional striker. Like he knows whens to when to make his runs and that's, you know, and he's a good finisher on the end of what he's made a good run. And if he does that with our defense, I do think he's 100% going to have one or two opportunities, one on one with Sanchez. There's no doubt in my mind about that. um And then,
00:26:43
Speaker
You know, I also, I also quite like pal Torres for you as well. I think he's, he's been a really solid defender and I actually do worry a little bit about Jackson or, you know, for thetor for about Torres as well, you know, he seems to come out wide as well. You know, he, he, you know, just general in general, our attack. um And then also T elements, I think has been really good for you. And I think if he's given the job of sort of maybe man marking or taking out Cole Palmer, um I would be quite, I would be quite worried about him as well. What about you, Matt?
00:27:13
Speaker
Yeah, I see those points though, Jake. I mean, for me, it's actually always Martinez, your goalie, because, you know, sort of what a set of appointments he's put in at the World Cup those years ago. But even since then, he's generally really, really consistent. And he, um you know, I can actually see us getting a penalty in this game, but I can see him getting in um whoever's going to take his head, and sort of really making himself a nuisance um within that Martinez, you know, sort of he's a,
00:27:42
Speaker
I know in some ways he's a bit like Mopin that he loves to do you know just roll the opposition up and the opposition fans and and you know that's great for the drama and everything um but it ah it definitely works to your advantage crucially. um So I think you know he's definitely one to watch although sort of I think he's dropped off slightly but he's still a top top keeper and I think you know Villa in some ways are quite lucky to have him um you know a keeper of his level um at your club but um He's really stepped up in the last three or four years for you. um Yeah, I would definitely second tealaments just because he's got a wonder strike on him and he can you know pull out of the bag very occasionally. He definitely did that against us in a final hour a couple of years ago and that was really, really annoying. um But and let's hope he doesn't do that um this week.
00:28:30
Speaker
And then also Bailey, he's, um, I think, uh, you know, so correct me if I'm wrong, Joe, but I think he's been pretty inconsistent with his time at Villa. Some, like, I think he started off with a lot of hype, uh, but just really didn't deliver. And then he's kind of settled, grown into it and has got really a lot better, but.
00:28:48
Speaker
It's a bit of a coin toss with him. Sometimes he doesn't really do anything, but other times he's absolutely electric and it's really hard to handle. So um because of your sort of defensive frailties, I think um particularly Bailey and you know your attacking team will will recognize that and really try and be on fire when you do um when you do attack us.
00:29:07
Speaker
Yeah, I think you've raised a lot of really good points there. I think Yuri Tillman's has probably been one of our um more consistent, good performers. That said, he missed the penalty against Palace. So, you know, that's about as as good as it's got in recent weeks. I think Leon Bailey, looking the outside perspective is exactly right. I think he's really, really struggled in recent weeks. And I'd actually be, I'd be relatively surprised if he started the the game on Sunday. I think we have Jaden Philogene who played the buying game and looked exceptional. um the The young lad who obviously spent time in the championship and is now back at Villa and is performing relatively well kind of in the the small cameo appearances that we've seen. and But Leon Bailey at the moment looks like a player who's tired, like I could say, out of ideas and and just not the Leon Bailey that we were kind of accustomed to seeing last season. So hopefully he refines his form in in that sense and we kind of get the Leon Bailey back that we've we've we've kind of seen before and that we know.
00:30:03
Speaker
um I think my my final question is just merely kind of looking at at European football. How are you finding the conference league?
00:30:14
Speaker
I'll let you answer on that. Yeah, yeah. I think I'll speak on about behalf of us. um it's um It's probably the perfect competition for us, ah in all honesty, because we do have two 11s available, but our second available 11 is clearly not at the level of our first 11. And so it is the perfect level of just being, it is Europe,
00:30:40
Speaker
And there is that attractiveness, but it is a lower level. um I think, you know, sort of even if we were in the Europa League, that would be a real challenge for our second 11. And so it's kind of actually been the perfect balance for us as a club that it gets the whole squad and the whole club.
00:30:58
Speaker
in tune with that two game to yeah two game a week ah process and just kind of lifestyle and you know sort of having that about the club that we are in Europe is good but obviously it's not the standard that we want to be at um but you know sort of if we didn't have that then players like Madrid and like Felix they wouldn't have time to sort of really play even in Kunku um you know He's barely played in the Premier League, and so that competition there has actually you know sort of' given a lot of other players minutes just to get themselves fit and for them to you know sort of bang a lot of goals in. Kunku's scored so many in in the Europa Conference. Yeah, it's not really the highest league, but you know sort of it's what he loves to do.
00:31:39
Speaker
And so that's great, great to do. I mean, obviously, unfortunately, we we're out of the the league cup, which gave some more games. But I think really that's going to be good because I do expect us to go on and win the conference league. I'm really sure it's because of where we are as a club. um And then, you know, sort of ideal situation is that, you know, we win this, get a trophy and then we get top four and we're we're in amongst the company that we want to be.
00:32:04
Speaker
Yeah, yeah thanks exactly. I completely agree with you there, Matt. Guys, we're starting to run a little bit on time and I still have an ad to do. Joe, was there anything else you wanted to ask us, Chelsea fans? No, I think that that's some great insight. Yeah, thanks very much. Fantastic stuff. Okay, guys, we'll have a very, very quick break and then we'll come back and do quick lineup predictions as well as score predictions as well. We'll see you very shortly.
00:32:34
Speaker
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00:33:04
Speaker
And we are back and it is of course the final part of the crossover Thursday, which we do with every team, which is where we do some lineup predictions and score predictions as well. um Joe, we'll go to you first. um what what How do you see Villa sort of lining up against us? Will you bit would it be a typical 4-2-3-1? And what do you think the score will be? And goal scorers as well, please, mate.
00:33:29
Speaker
Yeah, so i think it I think it probably will be that 4-2-3-1 that you mentioned. I think it will obviously be Martin as in goal. I expect to see potentially cash. It could be Bogard. We're never really sure with the right back roll. There's kind of three or four that it could be. Kondor is out, so we know it's probably... Well, he's playing tonight in the Juventus game, but he was supposedly out for the Chelsea game. so We don't know exactly where he's going to feature in that back four. And then I reckon it will probably be Carlos, Diego Carlos, Paul Torres, Luca Dean. And then the two kind of double pivot midfielders, I ah reckon it will probably be Tealemans and Barkley, with McGinn on the left, Phila Jean on the right, with Rodgers behind Olly Watkins. um In terms of my score prediction, I'm going to, my heart says
00:34:17
Speaker
My heart says 2-1 Villa, my head says 2-1, 3-1 Chelsea, somewhere in that range. um I just think that we look a little bit frail defensively and the poor form we've had of late is is he's iss clear to see for everybody. I think if we do score a goal, it will be through ah Ollie Watkins. I think he hopefully will hit a bit of good form moving forward for us. If I'm going with my heart prediction and I had to pick a second goal scorer, I'd probably go Yuri Tillman's.
00:34:47
Speaker
Fair enough. Fair enough. first so that that's That's interesting. and Matt, what do you think we're going to line up like on Sunday and score and goal score please? Yeah, I think um because the reports um at the moment are that Rees-James is definitely out and that Gusteau had a virus and he might still have it. I'm going to go off the basis that both of them are still out and that Neto's got on lock as well.
00:35:13
Speaker
And because of that, I think we're going to line up exactly as we did against Leicester. So that's Big Robin in the sticks. We've got Kookarilla, Buddy Ashilay, Cole Will and Fafana. And then Quesedo Fernandez with Felix, Palmer and Madawake and then Jackson up top. um I think Mariska's gonna try and dominate the game like we did against Leicester, against Villa and really sort of try and command that midfield just because I think Anana's on the edge for Villa and he's a huge physical presence and if they don't have him then I think we can really dominate that midfield and then really push Kukarela up on the left and you know sort of have Fafana invert in to be a three-man back three. Score-wise, yeah it's gonna be tough. I do see Villa scoring
00:36:02
Speaker
But I also do you see us capitalizing on their defensive issues. So I'm going to go 4-1 Chelsea and I'm going to say Felix is going to get one, Jackson is going to get one and Madawaker is going to get two.
00:36:19
Speaker
Damn. Okay. yeah and i'm I'm not as confident. I think, obviously, I mean, well I'll go quickly with the lineup. Yeah, Matt, I'm pretty much in agreement with you. know You know, we're li lining up in a similar way. And at the moment, our attack sort of set out by what attackers we got available um with, obviously, I'd like to see no start if he's not injured, but most likely he is.
00:36:42
Speaker
ah So, yes, no massive changes for me. I like to see him in a way, you know, Cole Palmer, um maybe Sancho again, um if he's fit, and then Jackson as well. um Score prediction for me, I think it's going to be 2-1 to Chelsea. um I think Villa will probably score first, in all honesty, and I think Watkins will score first. I think Villa will like i think they're bit are likely to press us, actually, I think when when they arrive and possibly a goal will come from that.
00:37:10
Speaker
um And then we're going to go for Cole Palmer to score, uh, as well as Nicholas Jackson as well. He's just well informed at the moment. Um, but you know, we don't know until Sunday. We'll have half on a half on a Sunday, um, at Stanford bridge. Going to be a very interesting game, obviously joined by another massive, massive game on Sunday, Liverpool versus Manchester city. Um, just don't go anywhere guys. Just give me on beers, pizza, whatever. Just yeah.
00:37:38
Speaker
So you sorted. Thank you very much, Joe, for for obviously joining us today. Really, really great to have you on. Thank you very much for having me. Really enjoyed it. And Matt, of course, my marvellous Matt. ah My marvellous Matt? Sorry. right oh usually trip I Sure I am. No, keep with it. matt Thanks very much. Join us always. No, no problem. um Yeah. Delightful as ever. And come on, you blues.
00:38:04
Speaker
come on i had yeah joe can do a car onbo loving as it's awesome i'll have an not there vi a ill'll get one and and Thank you very much, guys, for joining us. Of course, this is for Thursday. There will also be a forecast Friday from both clubs as well. So make sure you are tuning in for that. GSPN Daily Chelsea Daily but Daily. Every club podcast is here Monday to Friday. So subscribe um to whichever club you support and maybe some others us as well. You know, it's um thank you very much both for joining me today.
00:38:33
Speaker
and thank you very much for listening we' will speak to you soon
00:38:41
Speaker
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