Even the most pessimistic of Villa fans must surely be feeling a little optimism now after the pretty much flawless display against Middlesbrough. I thought we played well when we beat them in the reverse fixture at the Riverside Stadium. However, the performance at Villa Park may have topped that, for me. Promotion is a very real possibility.
I think Middlesbrough would have struggled to score even if we were still playing now. Villa was that dominant. Everybody who watched the game could see how in control of the game Aston Villa, apart from Tony Pulis. I watched his post-match interview and I am unsure what game he was watching. Sounds like he is very bitter towards Villa but that’s another story for another time.
Tyrone Mings – The man mountain
This man can’t do any wrong at the moment. He has been in phenomenal form from day one up until his performance against Middlesbrough. The Bournemouth loanee was once again self-assured, positive and rock solid.
I don’t want to take too much away from Kortney Hause as he is also impressing but surely he is benefiting from having Mings alongside him. Their confidence there for all to see and it is clearly visible by their performances.
The only downside is that Mings’ visibility is probably soaring too much for our liking. He is a player most Villa fans would love to join on a permanent deal. There is no doubt plenty of Premiership suitors watching him closely, as well as a few of our other players.
Upcoming fixtures
It is an old cliche but there is no such thing as an easy game in the Championship. Villa still has to play Leeds away in the penultimate game of the season. We will then finish at Villa Park against Norwich.
There are plenty of games remaining still to build on our point tally and hang on to a playoff spot. Nobody will want to play us at the moment.
Beating Middlesbrough the weekend also bought them closer to us and it opens the playoff positions wide open. There are now two positions to play for instead of one. Bristol City does still have two games in hand over Villa. They also have to come to Villa Park so hopefully, before long, our fate will be in our own hands.
Another of those tough games is against Sheffield Wednesday. They sit two points behind us thanks to a late push for the playoff positions, similar to ourselves. Former Villa boss Steve Bruce will have them well up for the fixture.
It is just a shame that it is the international break this week but hopefully that doesn’t halt our momentum. Hopefully, our players come back injury free and continue where we left off. Keep it up Villa.
