Aston Villa (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[levets]

Very average all over the pitch. Bernardo is finished, we know it, he knows it, Pep knows it. Been a diamond for us though over the years, but his legs have gone even if his heart hasn’t. Putting him alongside Reijnders, who couldn’t tackle a fucking full English breakfast was ludicrous.

I’m sorry to say this and I don’t say it lightly, Oscar Bobb is turning into a myth. He’s offered very little when given the opportunity. Savinho offers glimpses, but his crossing was awful today and Doku was on too late to make any impact; same can be said for Cherki & Marmoush. I’d like to see Haaland AND Marmoush starting, with Cherki in for either of our current unproductive wingers. We started well today, but our well known issues crept in and we became sloppy again.

Our tactics really need a shake up, too laboured in our approach play (even when we are on the break), gives the opposition time to set up. Our current players are not as capable at controlling possession as our previous teams were, we need to evolve and transform our style of play. Our reluctance to try a shot at goal for fear of giving up possession is irritating. Eventually we attempt one too many passes and lose possession anyway. Why are our set pieces so poor? What are we practising? We have so many players over 6’2” but we hardly cause any problems.

 

[Eaststander1]

Just another totally frustrating afternoon from the second that Vlla took the lead .... Haaland broke through but tried his trademark low shot and failed, when he should just have blasted it high into the net .... and from that point on we just didn't pressurise them enough to equalise ..... Marmoush runs too early which lead to Haalands goal being ruled out, and him getting injured, didn't help our cause either.

Villa were all right, physical, worked hard, but were nothing special ....

Sunday football and wearing questionable football kits just doesn't seem to agree with us.

 

[Trojan63]

1st defeat in 10 but the way things are going we can’t afford to drop too many points between now and Xmas not just for title but for top 4 - our attack is good of course but like all forward lines need midfield to control the game and create chances - Reijnders and Stones switching positions was a bizarre tactic against a young energetic Villa midfield - maybe try that against Swansea - Villa went through our midfield at will - don’t mean any disrespect but players wrong side of 30 now struggle to do 90 minutes week in week out and a midweek game too - Stones Bernado Kovacic should be coming off bench not starting - this is not just City - dippers Salah Van Dyke Robertson etc struggling this season

 

[tonea2003]

Here we fucking go, another 150 page post match thread after a narrow defeat to a very good team

There should be a kind of entry policy applied to post match threads whereby if you don’t comment in one after a victory then you’re not allowed to comment after a defeat.

It would keep out all the rags / dippers / various player fanboys / tourist / JCLs etc who just flood it with tantrum inspired nonsense, the vast majority of whom are nowhere to be seen when we win

were you happy with that then?
to not play a cdm was criminal, if nico or kova were not fully fit then give them 45 each
reijenders will never be that player

stop playing josko at left back wasted
pedestrian build up against two banks of 4 makes life really hard

pep know best of course , but i think we all know football to see the obvious

 

[ancoats]

A selection of wide players that simply don't offer enough. All fairly young and inconsistent. I think any two of Bobb, Dokuu, Savinho from the start and we often struggle. Add in Reinders and it seems to be completely disjointed.

Pep needs to change the setup and add more midfield players like Marmoush and Cherki and open teams up down the middle

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I think you're underestimating how difficult it is to break down a side like Villa who have a 1-0 lead. We weren't up to it though. I am not sure there are many sides in Europe who could do it.

Is that Aston Villa, who’ve kept 3 clean sheets all season, invariably concede from set pieces and lost to Go Ahead Eagles 4 days ago, or a different Villa?

 

[mosssideblue]

In your opinion of course.

And, obviously yours

 

[Phil1]

Let's be honest, No Rodri No Party.

Ironically had it been no Partey we’d still fucking have Rodri!!

 

[hilts]

Flat track bullies.
Pep can't beat a decent team anymore.

Give us 10 minutes I'm sure I can think of one:-)

 

[Rodri’s ACL]

Why pick an individual out from today’s game? Not a single player played well at all.

He is consistently poor
Insane to not take the £70m and run with it

 

[eyalluvitt]

Improved when he did what we were crying out for eventually, but why wait over an hour?

 

[Rammy Blue]

Enjoyed O’Reilly’s cameo, lol. Played like he was pissed.

 

[Bluearmy]

We still have many issues. Full back. Possibly Centre back. Central Midfield and both wings. And Foden at 10 is still undecided.

Haaland doesn't score we dont. That has to change

 

[Blue tiger]

Bloodless on the pitch,
bloodless at the sideline.

We early fucked up 4 (four!) superb through balls all being too long.

Poor defending not blocking Cash's shot.

Our pressing has zero efficiency. It just pulls us up the field with the next counter to come in. Brainless.

Our 1v1s were schoolboys vs men. Painful watching.

Completely unnecessary defeat. Handed them 3 points.

That last sentence is correct and most annoying thing today. At least last season when we lost there we were played off the park by a team flying and full of confidence. Today I thought they were bang average and dug in defensively, we were just simply crap.

 

[OB1]

You try and remain positive but as soon as I saw that teamsheet pre match I just knew we were getting nothing. It's just not good enough. A Mish mash defence, weak midfield and nothing upfront, Haaland aside,well nothing good enough to compete at the highest level.
Savinho and Bobb should never be starters in a serious side looking to compete for honours but there they were. Nor should Nunes but we're stuck with him because we didn't buy a right back. Gvardiol isn't a left back but again we're stuck with him if O 'Reilly is injured. Even then he's not really a left back but filling in for one. Stones has been great for us but injuries and age are hindering him. Foden is just not consistent enough to fill the likes of David Silva or De Bruyne's shoes. Too many games he's anonymous. Bernie works hard but is a shadow of the player he was. We haven't really seen enough of Cherksi or Marmoush to form an opinion if they'll help take us back to the top. Sadly we are a top six side atm fighting for top four.

Foden made 7 key passes today, I think you will find that is well above David Silva’s average. The best average in the league this season is 2.7 for Ratboy, Phil is joint 2nd with Grealish on 2.4.

 

[Blue-Ghana]

This loss is not a surprise. Performances have been below par, even against bottom-half teams.

 

[jimharri]

I wouldn't put much weight on what the medical team thinks.

You know better than them, right?

 

[thyer64]

The 11 that finished the match should've started it (except maybe Cherki who doesnt seem fit yet).

Marmoush again not fully fit but had a more dangerous cross-ball than savinho and bobb did all game.

Villa lucky shites scored a wonder goal and got lucky with last ditch blocks

 

[BuryBlue1977]

Madness.

Maybe tongue in cheek but trust me Guardiola would walk if he didn’t think he could improve us and win things.
In my mind it comes down to a simple choice. Who do you want as your manager, Pep or someone else. I’m choosing Pep every time

 

[homerdog]

Poor performance today, seemed to lack energy.

Must give a special mention to Oliver, he put in a good performance for Villa today; totally bought into their game plan of diving at every opportunity and making sure the 50/50 decisions went their way.