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Episode 59 - Aston Villa LOSE in Monaco as Liverpool fight for a victory against Lille + Buildup to Arsenal and City
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Louie Easton is joined by Dan Tilley from the Aston Villa team as they review contrasting performances from the English clubs in the Champions League + Previewing crucial matches for Arsenal and Manchester City.
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Transcript
Welcome Back and Guest Introduction
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily English Premier League Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Who'd have thought? Aren't we posting back to back once more?
Aston Villa vs Monaco: Disappointment and Analysis
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic to be back after the hiatus and once again, I'm Louie Easton and I'll be your host ah today and I am joined by someone who's not a regular on the podcast but came in as an emergency substitute from the daily Aston Villa team. Dan Tilly, absolutely fantastic to have you with us.
00:00:40
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
ah Thank you for having me. Really looking forward to making my debut on this but this podcast.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant and um maybe a disappointing ah evening for you in the Champions League as a Villa fan ah traveling to a very rich ah tax haven Monaco and unable to pick up any points with a 1-0 loss.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll talk about that first as ah this was the early kickoff. We'll move on to the Liverpool games later and then we'll end up previewing the Manchester City and Arsenal games tomorrow night.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what did you think about Aston Villa's ah team performance? What went wrong for Aston Villa today which ah ended up with a loss against Monaco?
00:01:28
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Well, it's funny, I've just done my instant reaction with a chat called Joe Boone on the Daily Villa podcast and and we came to exactly the same conclusion.
00:01:39
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
the The game really was lost in midfield for us. We looked like a team that um went to Monaco, as you say, they're a beautiful tax haven. And we we looked like we'd already qualified. And this has them caught us in the past with um our game against Club Bruges. We just looked like we were going to go and steamroller over them. And it came back to um bite us in the bottom. we We didn't play with enough energy. It's the age old thing. They wanted it more. And yeah, a really disappointing team performance tonight in my eyes.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, you brought on um John Duran in the ah in the second half, ah and it was strange seeing him on the pitch at the same time as Olly Watkins. Do you think you just look desperate?
00:02:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
it it It isn't a move that Unai Emery usually does. If we've brought both of them on at the same time, then it it really is. We are desperate for a goal. And there didn't look to be a plan um or change of a system when we bought him on. I mean, one thing that certainly Liverpool can do with their attacking team is that they all know their own roles. They don't all stand in the same place. And that is exactly what seemed to be happening.
00:03:05
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um to us when we bought on to run. in In my eyes, it actually made us worse when he came on.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. And that's not something you often say about John Duran influencing a team negatively, and everyone's competing for his signature at the moment.
00:03:21
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah after looking at his performances earlier in this season, ah it's not hard to see why. But Astavilla have had a really strange experience
Champions League Reflections and Future Outlook
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the Champions League for the first time ah since it's renaming in the 90s.
00:03:31
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
you
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
00:03:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the the match against Club Bruges was a very, very strange one, to say the least. um Now it's a loss against Monaco, and it's sort of a complete contrast to the way Aston Villa started off in this competition.
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember when they won three times, was it three times in a row, something like that, whatever it was.
00:03:56
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
It was? Yeah.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, three times in a row, one of which was against Bayern, I think.
00:04:01
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah, five minute. Yeah, one else then.
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah at Villa Park.
00:04:05
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
on That was the first one as well. So it's been a huge mixed bag for Aston Villa, but definitely an unforgettable experience back in the Champions League.
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd like to ask you now ah about a player that we forgot existed ah because it's been so long since he's been on the pitch in an Aston Villa shirt, let alone starting Emiliano Buendia. It wasn't a good day for Buendia, no pun intended, but well, that's one slide. It was an influential performance from him despite the score line, wasn't it?
00:04:47
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um I wouldn't have said it was the standout performance of his career. I mean, out of the players that we saw tonight, he had one of the better performances in my eyes. um I think it actually um slightly disrupted our team.
00:05:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um him coming in um with Tillman's having to drop more into that defensive double pivot rather than playing further forward. um ah But didn't know I mean, you know, my Miami from Argentina, is's the he's one of my absolute heroes. I think he's a fantastic player and I am so desperate for him to succeed at Villa. But um yeah, it just didn't really work out for him to tonight in my opinion, but it was good to see him back.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i'm I'm sure he was greatly missed. I mean, at the time of that horrendous injury, it did seem like things would just completely derail for Aston Villa. But um i ah did he I can't even remember him playing under Unai Emery.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Has it been that long? I can't remember anyway. ah So he was playing in that sort of left ah role where Jacob Ramsey has had some recent success.
00:05:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Maybe.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Do you think ah there was any logic to him starting on the left ahead of Jacob Ramsey or maybe Morgan Rogers could have played on the left? um Because when I think of Buendia, I think of him on the right hand side.
00:06:11
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
no I think it's more trying to get Bailey back in to the squad to see if he can build up a bit of his confidence and and We all know that he's very much got a favored side. I think we um we left Ramsey out to see if we can um Let him recover um and get him ready for West Ham on the weekend um in my opinion um ah Yeah, I see Emi as much more of that number 10, not really drifting either side to be honest. It was a bit of a surprise seeing him on that team sheet today.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. So looking ahead to ah to the Champions League fixtures, you've got one left, which will be against Celtic next week. ah How much does this loss impact Aston Villa? Do you think that you can still qualify automatically? Or do you think um maybe just go for the playoffs? Do you think this loss is a huge one for Aston Villa?
00:07:11
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
So if um if any of your ah listeners have been listening to the Daily Villa, I am known as the optimistic one. I'm i'm the only one that believed we would be bimunic and...
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
That doesn't surprise me, actually.
00:07:25
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Well, you know, you've got to keep the faith. So I don't think it's a case of let's throw the baby out with the bathwater. This is... It's not the result we were looking for, but, you know, we...
00:07:41
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
We are not in a bad position. Who would have thought we'd have been in the position we were in in our first um return to the Champions League and let it not be our our only return in so many 40-odd years. um I think it's now obviously a must-win game against Celtic and although um there there is the potential for us to breeze past them or that we would hope If um your team is stuck on form or you haven't had a striker score for a while, come and play Villa.
00:08:17
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
you know And that run seems to end whenever any team comes to play us. I mean, Monaco had only won one in eighth before they played us, but lo and behold, we're the team they turned turned round over.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:08:32
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
so you know I think we can still qualify in the top eight. I believe that and that's what I think we should be aiming for and I personally believe that all Villa fans should also believe that. If if we the fans don't believe that, how can the team take encouragement going out next Wednesday against Celtic and really ready to go for it?
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I do believe that Villa are definitely favourites against ah Celtic next week. I mean, the Scottish league, hey the the standard of that is not as high as the Premier League. that's that's I don't think that's a controversial opinion. Plus it is at Villa Park.
00:09:13
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed, indeed. The the statement ill I'll throw back at you with that is that, obviously, Ligue 1 is the one we all fought at the Farmers League. We certainly weren't playing in a cow shed tonight, were we?
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely not.
00:09:26
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
It was the...
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Liverpool had a had to fight for our win as well against Lille.
00:09:32
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, we are pleasantly surprised by the French league. It's just, i whenever I do actually watch the French league, I can't watch it for more than 10 minutes.
00:09:36
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Hmm.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just so much slower than the Premier League.
00:09:41
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
No, I don't. Yes, i ah that's fair enough. I do understand my opinion.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and a Final question to you. um Obviously Aston Villa have been known to go on these sort of cup runs in the past. I still remember when Aston Villa were in the FA Cup final 10 odd years ago um against Arsenal and I will say I was actually rooting for Villa that day because ah
00:09:58
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah ah Yes, indeed.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, even though you knocked us out in the semifinals, I remember that match very well as well. There you go. The highs and the lows of that so cup run for you.
00:10:09
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
scar
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you consider Villa to be more of a cup team than a league team?
00:10:17
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I think that's quite an interesting point, really, because i mean this is the our first time in um the Champions League for 40 years.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:10:27
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
It's the first time we've gotten into the FA Cup fourth round in X number of years. um I think our league form has drastically improved since um the the chap that shan't be named has moved over to Saudi Arabia.
00:10:45
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
well I think so as well.
00:10:46
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
You know, and as president company accepted, but I won't mention his name. um' And I think we are building to be more of a league team, but Emery is a bit of a cup specialist. You know, I think he realises the importance of European football and its qualification, even if you don't go off to win it as a cup.
00:11:14
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
the The importance of qualifying for it is so desperately important now for clubs finances. It's why these, I don't want to say the so-called big six with a Liverpool fan that I'm talking to, but you get the point.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no.
00:11:29
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
With that money constantly rolling in year on year, the moment you dip out of that, you start seeing those sort of clubs start to, you know, get a bit itchy and get a bit worried.
00:11:41
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
It's so important European football qualification and yeah.
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Anyway, we are going to take a short break right now as you find out what we use to record our podcasts here at the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right,
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Dan, you ah you can take the reins on this one. ah Obviously, Liverpool with ah the opposite results sir tonight, ah as Anfield against Lille.
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
You take the reins.
00:12:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed, so obviously you came out of that 2-1 winners and and you know, Villara are not um you know We know, Leo, they're not an easy side to play against. Now, unfortunately, I was still licking my wounds while this game was a was carrying on. So, talk me through it. How did you find Leo? How did you find Liverpool's performance?
Liverpool's Performance and Key Players
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it was a little bit dominant. I will say only a little bit because we didn't actually find ourselves ah constantly finding space in front of goal or anything. They were mostly sat back and very organized in defense. um And I thought the game was over in the second half when one of their players got sent off. I can't remember the names of any of them, ah of of the players, but ah Once they got a red card, I thought, okay, well, it's time to bring on some of the players who need more minutes, you know, bring on Federico Chiesa, bring on Wataruendo, and then they scored.
00:13:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Mmm.
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that took me a bit off guard. um We still bought on Wataruendo, and I thought, well, that's not the most attacking switch in the world.
00:13:49
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Mm.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know he did have a bit of an impact in midfield getting himself into some 50-50s and then our goal um came from Harvey Elliott. It was it's in my opinion I still think it was an own goal because the ball was going completely the opposite side of where of the goal to where it ended up.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I wasn't even sure it was going in but I mean that's his first Champions League goal at Anfield. Mo Salah got his 50th European goal for Liverpool so a very pleasant night ah for the statisticians um and a pleasant night for Liverpool fans as well and may I just say the atmosphere was boiling points so loud um and the ah my only criticism as well of um of the matches amazon prime because they do not know how to operate all of the camera cuts they're showing the fans ah when there's a chance brewing and it's so frustrating to watch
00:14:49
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah. yeah
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, I would like to also make it clear that the opinions and thoughts shared by the podcasters are not the thoughts and shared by the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Back to you, Dan.
00:15:02
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed, and and obviously other football viewing platforms are available and all of that sort of thing.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:09
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I mean, I'm just just looking through the stats here. Obviously, you've got 13 shots on goal to therefore. seven shots on target today at one, 56% possession to 44, a much higher pass total and just a little bit more pass accuracy.
00:15:27
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
So it does look like you are you really did take them to bed. um Obviously, um Jonathan David with their goal, and I'm not going to try and pronounce his first name, but um is it Mandy on 59 minutes with the player being sent off?
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Mundy. I think he just went as Mundy anyway, so ah you can give that one a miss.
00:15:47
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah I mean, it yeah, it's it's not something you need to have happen to you when you go and play Liverpool at Anfield. I think we struggled there when we had 11 players on the pitch, but never mind. um So, I mean, the question I've always wanted to ask the Liverpool fan, and I don't have any mates who are Liverpool fans being from the from the Midlands, are you going to go off and win the Champions League then this year?
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I've looked at the bookies and they actually do have us as the favourites.
00:16:18
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
that's constant Okay.
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was five to one, ah something like that. So i'll I will take that, but I am not the sort of person that goes out and makes predictions about outright winners of
00:16:28
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
competitions especially the Champions League but I definitely say we are contending. I don't think we've played perfect football these last ah few matches and certainly we're not the team we were a few years ago under clock when we still had Sadio Mane and
00:16:38
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
be
00:16:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gini, Wijnaldum and Ko.
00:16:45
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
me
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do think we are playing decent football and if we can be at our absolute best, especially during an Anfield night when all of the fans are rallying us on, I don't see why there's any reason we can't go out and beat the best teams in Europe.
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've already completely dominated Leverkusen, We comfortably beat Real Madrid, granted that they weren't at their best at that point, but I still think we are definitely within a chance.
00:17:18
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Well, it's interesting to to hear you say that slot obviously um hasn't quite managed to necessarily um en capture the same sort of performance as when maybe clock was there. What I was going to ask is what has slot done that clock couldn't? You guys seem to be running away with it all at the moment. You you are um head and tail at the top of the Premier League.
00:17:44
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I believe you've still got a game in hand with points to spare. Now obviously we had a bit of a drop off from um the but the noisy neighbours in blue in man's pity, not your noisy neighbours obviously.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
like um But um you know, yeah i did I didn't necessarily have Liverpool running away with it quite so much at the start of the season when I when i was thinking about league leaders.
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, me neither.
00:18:09
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
but This plot seems to have, what it must have, splotted in just perfectly at Liverpool.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, i had I actually haven't heard that pun mentioned as much.
00:18:20
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Oh, well there you are, thank you.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think i think people are too responsible to be saying stuff like that. But no, you're you're absolutely right um about the predictions because I don't think anyone predicted Liverpool to be ah dominating the league, so to say.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I still don't think we are absolutely running away with it at this point. Let's not forget, it is only January and we're only six points clear, granted with a game in hand.
00:18:41
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, i I mean, the way things are going with the other teams, I think that is the difference between us and the other team.
00:18:52
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
mean
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the reason we're doing so well is the fact that everyone else isn't doing as well as they should be. I mean, Arsenal, they've had Saka out, they've had Urdugard out, they've had Saliba out now as well.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
three key key players and I think they haven't been able to replicate the magic that Saka can provide from the right-hand side with um with Nwannori who's 17 years old I think and also Raheem Sterling who just seems to be completely past it at the moment and
00:19:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yes.
00:19:20
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
ah Indeed.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Nottingham Forest have surprised everyone obviously with the way that they have been playing their football recently off the ball you know just classic to mid 2000s Premier League side park the bus and hit them on the counter that's why Chelsea did so well under Mourinho so I I just think you know as long as nothing goes wrong we should win the league but
00:19:24
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
me
00:19:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed.
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, it's football, it's the Premier League, we're in a very busy period at the moment with plenty of midweek action going on. um And, you know, if we are actually going to go for the quadruple and try and push on all four fronts, then, you know, maybe we will run out of energy and maybe get a couple of injuries, you know, Diego Jota's out again.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's so annoying. Luis Diaz has been trying to fill in as a um as a striker and, you know, Darwin Nunez had a good performance today, I think. But ah again, he's not the sort of person who's going to be scoring week in, week out. ah He keeps on getting caught offside. He did again today and had a goal disallowed.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, plenty of things can change is what I'm saying. But at the moment, I am very pleased with where we are and where other teams are.
00:20:36
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I mean, this this obviously comes from a Villa fan that hasn't tasted success quite so recently as as Liverpool.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:43
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
if i If Villa were in the same position that Liverpool in, I would be screaming it from the rooftops. I think you're being incredibly modest.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, I have a reason to be because of my recent trauma facing a Manchester City. You know, the amount of times I've had my heart broken because, you know, we finished twice or three times, whatever it was, with one point off the top and beaten in two Champions League finals.
00:21:04
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, when that carriers gate happened, I didn't watch football for six months. And that's not an exaggeration.
00:21:18
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Limey that is that is a wounded soul just there. I failed for you Yes Indeed
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because Yeah, I mean, think about where we were a few seasons before we were like eighth. I think we finished one season and then we climbed up and we managed to get to the Champions League final and then carriers does that and gets elbowed in the head by Ramos and no one saw it. So yeah, that's that's there's a lot of there's a lot of pain there.
00:21:43
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
That's fair enough. Now, obviously, your your first goalscorer, Mohamed Teller. Now, I haven't been keeping totally up with his um contract.
00:21:54
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Are you still having him next year and is he going to be playing for you for the next two years or are we looking at...
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it's up to me, absolutely. If it's up to me, give him a lifetime contract. That man is just unbelievable. I mean, it's not just his football, but the way he takes care of himself.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, have you seen that man's physique? He's still so quick. He can still play for 90 minutes and he can still strike at any time.
00:22:15
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yep.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's like a python. ah yeah And the way he's playing and the way he's taking care of himself, I don't see you any reason why he can't be at the top level for the next two or three years.
00:22:27
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
good news and It's good news for the Premier League to to have a striker like that that we can watch week in week out. um I mean, I'm in awe. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Liverpool.
00:22:39
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
You seem to have built your club the right way, rather you know through pedigree.
00:22:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:44
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
and oh yeah That's why I'm so happy to see teams like Knox Forest doing so well at the moment.
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:51
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
the These teams that have gone about football, in my opinion, the right way and built a good culture around their squad.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:59
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
So um I'm really pleased um to see you guys doing well. So who have you got next in the Champions League?
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and the champions leave your PSV next week.
00:23:08
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Okay, and obviously we think that's a bit of a winnable game.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so. And if we do win that, then in the first season ever of this new format, Liverpool have got maximum points. And I just, I mean, I remember when we got maximum points from our group stage a couple of years ago, I think it was 2022, I could be wrong, ah but we got maximum points and we were all just freaking out over it. But now we got 21 points from seven games and PSV next week, granted it's in Holland, but I don't see any reason why we can't go ahead and win that.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we definitely have the quality. It will be a huge match for um Cody Yakpo playing against his former sides and and um it will be a spectacle, I'm sure.
00:23:46
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
here
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we got Ipswich before that on Saturday during the blackout. I have no idea how I'm going to be able to watch that game, but let's hope for three points there as well.
00:23:59
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Fantastic. Well, let's keep the faith.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. And we'll go into another short break now as you find out what we do here at the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant, and now as we go into the final segment of this podcast, ah we have two massive games tonight at the time of this episode coming out. PSG against Manchester City and Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, ah we'll start with the Arsenal match. You are a villa fan, obviously. You saw Arsenal's last match and, I mean, what did you make of Arsenal's performance?
00:24:52
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yep.
00:24:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um um You know, i I've always followed Arsenal. A lot of my family are Arsenal fans. so i'm I'm not a massive, deep appreciator of of Arsenal Football Club. um They've hurt us quite a lot in the past. um However, um that They're a team that certainly are going to go, and I think they're going to do fairly well against, ah is it Dynamo?
00:25:25
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Careful, Dynamo is diagram.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Denomize our grab.
00:25:27
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
so
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Denomize our grab.
00:25:29
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I think they're going to go and turn them over. it's It's at the Emirates, so there should be no reason why they don't get a result there tomorrow.
00:25:39
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
They are missing Erdogan. Sorry that he's been out.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:25:43
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
They have missed him. Saka obviously is still a massive miss and he was clearly missed playing against us. They seem to lose quite a lot of creativity down down the right hand side.
00:25:56
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um Yeah, but I don't fear them i not getting a result tomorrow night.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the the trouble with Arsenal is, you can't underestimate anyone who's in the Champions League. However, they have to rotate their squad, but they don't really have much squad depth to rotate at the moment.
00:26:12
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they were to rotate their squad entirely, they'd be playing academy players. ah Granted, they've had a couple of brilliant prospects come up through the ranks this season, Miles Lewis Skelly, Ethan Wannary.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you're in the Champions League, you need players with experience. And Dino Mozagreb, granted they may not be a great team of individuals, but they're definitely, especially in east southeastern Europe, there are a lot of teams you'll find who work so well in a system.
00:26:35
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Mm.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think if they underestimate them, they could be in a lot of trouble. But also, if you're Mikellar Teta going into this game, you may have a little bit of a headache with who you choose. I mean, if you are Mikellar Teta, would you rotate or would you save up for the weekend or would you just go out and field an entire squad of first team players?
00:27:07
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
but I'm just looking, you've asked me if I've got Wolves on on um Saturday the 25th and they're away at Molyneux. No team in the Premier League is an easy place to go to. um so you know oh Although Wolves seem to be having a ah horrid time of it at the moment. I think you're going to have to keep a certain amount of first-team players in for the Champions League to keep that level of experience. but I don't think I'd be afraid of seeing a couple of the academy prospects or certainly some of the um the the more bench players. maybe yeah I think it's definitely keep a stronger a strong defense for the Champions League game. and they I mean they've got a torrid run of fixtures haven't they? Because then it's um who have they got in the Champions League next? Is it Genoa? And then they're at home to Man City on
00:28:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Sunday the 2nd. So they have got a really tough run.
00:28:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
is It's is's a rough time for Arsenal and they need all the players they have,
Arsenal's Challenges and Squad Depth
00:28:15
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
they can get available.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I think a lot of questions will be asked of Kai Haberz because he's been having a pretty mixed time recently. I mean he got a goal against you guys but then he disallowed a goal from his own team by sticking his arms out in front of his chest um while turning away from the ball.
00:28:33
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed.
00:28:36
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Loads of people, Mikellar Tessa included, were saying that it wasn't Hamble. I just, I can't understand the logic behind that. Me and Erby White spoke about that in yesterday's episode.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, if you're an Arsenal fan, are you worried at the moment? Are you... Because I don't i don't know if you're going to go for the Premier League or...
00:28:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
the League Cup or the Champions League, I mean, FA Cup, they I think they're out of, I can't remember, of yeah, they are out of it because Men United knock them out.
00:29:05
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, they have chances and you would fancy them for all of these ah competitions with a fully fit squad. But, I mean, are you anxious if you're an Arsenal fan at the moment?
00:29:17
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Well, it was an interesting one. When we did the crossover episode with the the Daily Arsenal, um they were getting incredibly concerned about not having a proper hour-and-hour number nine.
00:29:30
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
And if I was an Arsenal fan, excuse me, I would be as well. And, you know, listening to them, there have been doubts amongst their own fans about Kai Haberz.
00:29:42
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I mean, I personally not rated him fully as an outand out-and-out goalscorer. I mean, he's not a bad player, but not an out-and-out goalscorer. And obviously with that injury to Gabriel Jesus, they've got a real problem.
00:29:58
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
um I'd be surprised if they if they weren't going out and looking at least looking
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:03
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
In the january market an out-and- out-and-out gold scorer, but who'd you go and get?
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I never rated Eddie and Kettier, but I think selling him to Palace, although I can't remember if it's a sale or a loan, and not replacing him with some more squad depth, I never understood.
00:30:21
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah
00:30:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah especially And getting rid of Reece Nelson as well when they're lacking, clearly, a natural right-winger. I don't think Raheem Sterling is. Ethan Wainery has had his flashes, but I don't understand why they don't put Kai Havitts on the right, because we saw him play there sometimes when he was playing for Chelsea.
00:30:36
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Mmm.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I understand that he's 6'3 or 6'4, whatever he is, and he does have an aerial threat inside the box, but I i don't understand the logic with the Arsenal Boars, and I think that's what's costing them a proper title challenge this season ah with us.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, the other match that I would like to mention just love lastly, before the end of this podcast, PSG versus Manchester City. Both teams have been severely struggling for points in the Champions League thus far.
Manchester City's Predicted Struggles
00:31:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in on the last weekend, just gone of the Premier League, they went to Ipswich and they smashed them 6-0.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you put Manchester City as favourites in the Champions League again if they can keep this sort of performance up?
00:31:28
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
i I personally wouldn't because I don't think they're necessarily going to keep this performance up. my Myself, football comes in rotations and I i personally believe Man City need potentially are going to be
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:31:46
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
i'm trying to think of the best way of describing it. Their their time has been, and they're going to there's going to be a bit of a revolve. We'll see the resurgence of Chelsea and Liverpool maybe dominate for a couple of years.
00:31:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
and I think then we may see Man City come back after that. Now, that's quite a bold statement that I've just spat out there. at
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
20 to 11 on a Tuesday night. But that's how I feel. I don't think they're going to win the Champions League this year. I don't see them coming back to challenging for the Premier League.
00:32:17
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I think this is a year where they're going to have nothing myself. And i I don't think that's bad for the Premier League.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
wow
00:32:23
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
And I don't think it would be bad for Man City. I think if that happens, they strengthen over the summer and come back stronger the following year.
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, their transfer markets ah dealings in the summer was questionable to say the least.
00:32:33
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
so
00:32:38
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yes, indeed.
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Getting back 34, 33, whatever it is, your old Ilkay Gunduan, selling Calvin Phillips.
00:32:44
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Yeah.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Savino, I think has been a decent signing, but I was wondering what was going on and they and and getting rid of Julian Alvarez, it's hurt them more than I could have imagined, but I mean,
00:32:48
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
me
00:32:57
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah
00:32:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's having a good time in Atletico Madrid at the moment. Atletico Madrid are up to third in the Champions League table ah in current standings.
00:33:01
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
mean
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That could change if Arsenal or Inter get a win tomorrow, or even Brest. ah but It's a crucial crucial match ah going to PSG a PSG or a team also struggling for points in the Champions League ah Currently not even in the playoffs brackets ah Sat at 26th Man City sat at the lowest possible position to advance into the playoffs at 24th.
00:33:27
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Mmm.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a proper six pointer It almost feels like a knockout match this one and it would be so strange if we went into Champions League knockouts without Manchester City or PSG.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man City's final match is against Club Bruges, which will be um i mean one you still fancy them to win, um whereas Arsenal sat up in ah fifth place.
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Deena Mozagreb Girona, without any disrespect, they should be beating those two teams. So it's it's it's a crucial night ahead of us ah in the Champions League.
00:34:05
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Indeed.
00:34:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i mean against PSG, do you fancy their chances in this one? I mean based on current form, suggesting, know you know, you're going to Ipswich and getting six goals, maybe that might have tired them out even, Dan.
00:34:28
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I think it's interesting, you know, um Man City this season have not been the Man City of old, of of recent years. It's been, you know, it's plain to see.
00:34:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:34:38
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
But I see them, you know, they're going to, in my opinion, finish in that sort of bottom half of the playoff qualifiers of the Champions League.
00:34:49
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
I think they're going to go and get a result against PSG. You know, they're going to then play someone in that sort of 9, 10, 11, 12 position for the Champions League, which, you know, potentially could be someone like Juventus Dortmund or Bayern.
00:35:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Potentially Manal looking at those, those sort of moments there or who drops out then of that top eight. It's going to be a tough one for them to qualify after that, but you know, indeed.
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And it's a strange format, isn't it? That we're still getting used
New Football Tournament Formats Discussion
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
to. So, I mean, there'll be, I'm sure in about 10 years time when we have gotten used to this format, we'll be used to all of the phrases that we, the new phrases that we'll have come up with by that point to throw around whilst analyzing the table.
00:35:32
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Well, I mean, who knows, we might have even got used to the nation's league by then.
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Oh, the Club World Cup, even.
00:35:41
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
No,
00:35:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Which i I still don't understand the qualifying format for that, and i doubt I doubt I ever will.
00:35:42
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
and we are
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've tried to grasp it. It's out of my comprehension to say the least.
00:35:50
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
yeah I'm not even going to try, not even going to try.
00:35:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I don't blame you. We are going to end the podcast there. ah Dan, it has been a pleasure having you on ah off the Daily Villa Podcaster for this one-off episode, which I've quite enjoyed, actually.
00:36:06
Dan Tilley The Daily Villa
Wonderful, well thank you for so much for having me.
00:36:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. And you are listening to The Daily English. We'll see you for tomorrow's episode.