Aston Villa (H) | PL | Post-match Thread

I’m guessing the aftermath of Sunday wasn’t pleasant for the players as they came out with so much more intent today. Food for thought for Haaland in particular and De Bruyne who will no doubt be back in Saturday.

It was a good performance bar the odd lapse of concentration which could have led to more goals for Villa.

Super second half for Foden after a quiet start, superb goals.

Rodri as good as ever

Grealish and Doku both having great games.

Lewis did well.

Defence still a bit iffy at times but Ortega there to save the day at 2-1 down.

Fair play to Villa. They have been ravaged by injuries etc but unlike the boring gunners, they tried to attack when they could.
 
Be interesting to see how many of those on the bench tonight start on Saturday, bearing in mind the fixture we’ve got next midweek.
 
Resurrect the are we a better team without Haaland thread…

Joking aside, that is the best we’ve looked in a while, feels like there’s a big Kev/Foden conversation needed to be had though..
 
Think we saw that having two high wingers helps our creativity.

No bad performances, slightly wasteful, but a really good team display.

Rodri was utterly supreme in midfield today. He was a 6, 8 and 10 whilst being the conductor. Not seen many better performances from him or anyone. Simply the best player in the world.

Foden was class for his goals and grew into the game after a relatively quiet first half. His second and third goals were both brilliant.

Doku did well on the right. A first time ball baggged him an assist. Hopefully we see more of that!

Grealish brings the control and dictates the tempo, whilst dragging their players to places they don’t want to be.

Lewis was superb, especially in the tightest of spaces. His interlinking with Foden and Bernardo was really special.

Gvardiol looked like a genuine left back tonight. Some great duels won with Bailey and Diaby.

Ortega with two huge saves too at 2-1.

We’ve got our mojo back.
 
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Three For Phil...​

We needed a big performance tonight & it came by the way of Pep Guardiola. His starting line-up was bold & daring & I believe it was done to send a message to Haaland & KDB that we have other options, & for Phil to grab his opportunity to play as a No 10 when it's given, & boy did City show a reaction after the disappointing draw against ArseAnal.

Jack's Back​

Doku was a constant danger from the get go, & so it proved after he exchanged passes with Rodri to setup the cutback for Rodri's opener. Villa actually played very well in the first half, & their equaliser was taken very well.

We mostly dominated throughout the first, but Villa posed a constant danger on the counter. Grealish has been off it all season & injured for several periods, but I sense he's turned a corner at last & we definitely need him for the most difficult of end of season run-ins.

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We continued to press Villa & caused them constant issues, but right when we needed to strike a decisive blow, Foden stepped up to take a free kick, & Villa's wall obliged by opening up like the parting of the Red Sea to give us the lead going into the break.

We came out for the second half & continued how we finished the first, & 15 minutes into the second, Foden scored his second to put clear Sky Blue water between the sides.

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Doku continued to torture Villa's defence relentlessly, as Rodri took complete control of the midfield.

Gvardiol was absolutely brilliant, as he's been since his return from injury.

Bernardo did the simple things well & adeptly transitioned between CDM & a No 8 position to shore up our defence & help setup attacks.

Ortega had a good game, as did Akanji who showed pace, strength & skill in attack when needed.

A special mention must go to Lewis who I thought was excellent. He covered a marathons worth of ground, showing skill, composure & tenacity to keep our brilliant performance ticking over. I was gutted he didn't convert that goal attempt his efforts deserved.

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Phil rounded off a special night, after Rodri's one-two with himself which setup Foden, who despatched his third of the night with aplomb.

I was happy that Pep kept KDB & Haaland on the bench, which showed we can progress without them if necessary. However, it also gave those who replaced them the opportunity to show they deserve to play.

We need everyone back & ready to step-up the pressure on all fronts. Foden started quietly, but his goal woke him up & he went on to take full advantage with a return to top form.

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We're forced to play a different game without the Viking, more like the false-nine/Aguero City of old. If Haaland's not scoring, he doesn't contribute enough in the general build-up play to make a difference & with a weaker squad this season, it's telling.

I've no doubt Pep will find the key to unpick the lock, but no one can deny we seem to create more chances, have more attempts at goal & share the scoring workload better throughout the team without him.

If we could mix Kane's all round football ability, with Haaland's speed, strength & clinical finishing, we'd probably have the most devastating No 9 in the history of world football. The good thing is that Erling is young & has ample scope to improve as a baller.

We've Palace away up next, which is always a tough fixture for us, & word is that Olisé maybe in contention to play a part for them. From hereon in, we simply can't afford to drop a point.

Roll on Saturday!
 
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