It's The Hope That Kills Ya'

El Chapo's been caught, Bowie's dead, and Aston Villa Football Club have won a game of association football.

It's been a weird week. 

I haven't written anything since September 1st, and to be honest it's because there's been very little to write about that hasn't already been said. 

When the only thing you can say about a game is "we were shit and deserved to lose", and hundreds of people are saying the exact same thing, every week, then there's little point in putting pen to paper and adding a drop to the ocean.

But last night against Palace - for the first time in months - Villa stirred and showed signs of life. 

We were controlling, attacking, and didn't panic while trying to hold a lead, very different to everything we've come to expect from what I can comfortably say is the worst Villa side I've ever seen.

Can we attribute this to Remi Garde?

In fairness, who'd have thought that playing a 'proper' centre forward - who can play a bit and has been tearing up the u21's - up front in Libor Kozak would improve our fortunes?

All of us, for months and months.

But at least Remi's finally seeming to get the picture. There's more to our side than just 'lump it to Rudy' and it's seeming like it might be finally starting to show. Players like Kozak and Gil who have been mercilessly overlooked in recent times not only have something to offer the team, but are perhaps people we should be looking to build the team around.

He's also showed that he has the ability to lay down authority when needed - something massively needed when you're trying to run through treacle like we are right now.

Somewhere between punishing Grealish for his unprofessionalism; finally dropping Guzan; and his straight-talking press conferences, Garde proved on Tuesday that the team still has spirit and are willing to fight for him - shown undoubtedly through the tireless, industrious display from the midfield 3 and the celebrations after the final whistle. 

Anyone who's been a Villa fan for longer than 6 months (and I can't imagine we've picked up many glory hunters in that time frame) will know that these 'turned the corner' displays often come to an abrupt halt 90 minutes later.

Saying that, me and my old man had agreed we wouldn't return to B6 until we thought the team could compete, and we've got tickets for Saturday.

It's the hope that kills ya'.