Damian 16 September 2025
I had a post written. It was wonderful. But then I closed the browser window down and I've just remembered. It went a little something like this.
Silverware is silverware and it's what football is all about. It's about winning matches. And because of that, it's why tonight is so important and why I think we should play our strongest side.
That and because we have already lost to Brentford this season and we're only four games in. But four is just over 10% of the season and we've also not yet scored. But it's a catch 22 for Unai tonight, having already lost to Brentford.
Play a weaker side and lose, it's not unexpected, especially if Brentford put out a strong side. But why a weaker side when we need to start winning games and also when football is all about silverware and this is, statistically the best chance we have of it this season.
Put out our strongest side and lose and then there is a group of Aston Villa supporters that will enter meltdown. But we need to start scoring goals and this is our best chance of silverware, so considering our form this season and the need for goals, we have to put out our best side.
And that means and this isn't me contradicting myself, starting with Martinez, Elliott and Sancho.
And we have to go for it. We have to play to their strengths. And when they start to tire, we have to bring them off. But we must play them until that starts to happen and then five minutes more. And then we let the science help them get better for the weekend.
Tonight is so important for many reasons. And in this, I trust Unai.
It went something like that, but the one I lost was better. Now I need a glass of wine. Back in about an hour.