Aston Villa (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

I cannot wax more lyrical about Nico O'Reilly.

19 years old...I repeat 19 years old.

Of course he isn't the first at this age, but to come into a team like City, with very little involvement previously and play like a seasoned pro is just astonishing.

Most get blooded against 'lesser' teams over a couple of seasons, but this lad has come straight into the Premier League and on top of that, he is playing out of position.

Who's to say he won't be converted to full-back. He seriously needs to consider it.

Speaks volumes for our incredible Academy.

BTW, five ex-Academy players on the pitch/bench last night.
 
Marvin. said:
I noticed for the first time that there are yellow for hire bikes under the Nexen Bridge and 2 young people in front of me hired them. Once you get the bike to the main road, I imagine that it works well but for me I enjoy the walk.

On the way back to town I could hear Villa fans complaining about their performance. I expected so much more from Villa. It was like the Newcastle game where a visiting club has been on great form, and then failed to show up against us.
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yes, and its a great tactical choice. Many people hear screaming before the game to put there wide players, but Pep wants to control the game, to be slow on purpose. This way we avoide being vulnerable for counter attacks to some point and tire the opposition.
 
Really glad with the game and the result. Villas been really on fire lately and its been a must not to lose game for them as well.

One negative is unfortunately James.

If I didn’t know any better, out of all the players on the pitch at that moment, McAtee would’ve been my maybe first pick to try that lob over Martinez. Hes been great with this kind of sneaky goals. Had a pretty much a tap-in thanks to O'Reilly and missed it too. You can't write off such a good football player, but let us down yesterday.
 
I enjoy watching intelligent players; those who don't need to run and sprint everywhere or be the quickest.

They've got the brains to foresee where to be or where the ball is going. It is a unique talent in such a fast sport.

Gundogan and Gareth Barry instantly come to mind, but you can see it in Omar Marmoush, how he peels away into space, always looking for the 'round the corner' one-two, etc.

Very impressed with what I've seen so far.

Gonna be a big player for us in the years to come.
 
waspish said:
Some saying the performance wasn't that good!? Sorry it's what pep wants total control 60+ possession stats never over commit no risky passes it's his base that won us the treble! I was saying a lot of fans were saying Newcastle were going rip us apart Villa was going to rip us apart essentially when you watched there last game against Newcastle how good they've been with on of the best midfield in the league!

I'll keep saying his Pep's philosophy of control possession is the best way to defend and win games win trophies , it's why we been the best team in the premier league for the last 8/10 years!

Personally hope Pep stays for another 10 years because when we get a new manager it might be more end to end but we will not win as many titles trophies as under pep..
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This. I think most people are overlooking the fact that we look substantially more solid in defense than most of the season as well. A lot of that was down to Kovacic/KDB/Gundo/Bernardo as well. Pep knows if we give too many counters we do not have the legs to stop them and doesn't want Doku or Savinho taking those risks on the wings specially when we have 0 aerial threat and the opposition knows that. Take into consideration our LB/RB are Nico and Nunes who arn't natural at all and it would be a recipe for disaster if we went too direct.
Villa had nothing to show after the game and we had a few decent chances. Pep got it 100% spot on and this and the Palace win were 100% on his tactics. He is adapting to a new style against these physical teams (which created us a lot of issues this season) without Haaland.
 
supercity88 said:
Another game that should serve as a lesson to those fans who bemoan Pep's starting 11. If this was a season we were fighting for the title we'd be focussing on results not performances and the same is true this campaign. We've got a job to do and it's about the 3pts not about how well we play. He's sticking with older heads and whilst the performances are still miles off it and we spend large parts of the game completely sterile he got the game plan right. Keep the ball and the opposition can't score. We wore Villa down, Pep injected some pace in Doku and we got the 3pts which on the balance of the game we deserved.

There's been a lot of criticism levelled at Pep this season and some of it is warranted. But other than beating Arsenal away last season, Emery's record with Villa is abysmal in away games against the top sides. They were toothless and clearly trying not to lose the game more than to win it.
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Great post, results and CL qualification is essential with a summer rebuild needed.
If Pep leads us to that and the cup he is a genius and it would be up there with the treble in terms of achievement in the circumstances.
 
Not a bad match in all honesty, with the little bit of added tension involved. Deserved winners in the end I thought. Great play from Doku to set up the winner, he was great when he came on.
 
Marvin. said:
I watched it again, and yes I think he does. Does that make a difference? He still fouls him in my opinion.

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He touches the ball first and then the 2 players ‘come together’.

It’s not a pen imo but I’m still not having it that Neville and all the “Ooh” isn’t having a significant impact on VAR. Him and Carragher and ensuring games are refereed differently.
 
Not really sure what Villa were doing with those tactics but they got what they deserved coming for a draw. They played into our hands sitting deep all game. As it stopped our lack of legs being exposed and we were able to just keep the ball very well.

Can’t say i was too pleased when i seen the line up but have to say the way the game panned out Pep got it spot on. A draw wouldn’t have been too bad for us but bringing Doku on to help us get the 3 points was absolutely brilliant for us. Top 5 is very much in our hands now.
 
I can't quite believe the results we're getting at the moment. Every team selection stills fills me with dread when I see our non-athletic midfielders. The fact is, it's only the very top teams who really have anything better than our guys.

I've been a harsh critic of Pep and the team at times this season, but, if we finish top 4 - and 3rd looks achievable now - after the problems we've had all through the autumn and winter, that will be some achievement by the club. If the FA Cup is landed too - fantastic.

Well done to the boys last night - tried and tried all night, and we all know what happens when we fight to the end; there's only gonna be 1 winner - the boys in blue.
 
no idea why Pep persisting playing Gundo and KDB for full 90 mins twice within 3 days. they are very far from their prime also physically they do struggle especially late in games. their experience is still huge.

Foden and Grealish must be horrible in trainings.
 
supercity88 said:
Another game that should serve as a lesson to those fans who bemoan Pep's starting 11. If this was a season we were fighting for the title we'd be focussing on results not performances and the same is true this campaign. We've got a job to do and it's about the 3pts not about how well we play. He's sticking with older heads and whilst the performances are still miles off it and we spend large parts of the game completely sterile he got the game plan right. Keep the ball and the opposition can't score. We wore Villa down, Pep injected some pace in Doku and we got the 3pts which on the balance of the game we deserved.

There's been a lot of criticism levelled at Pep this season and some of it is warranted. But other than beating Arsenal away last season, Emery's record with Villa is abysmal in away games against the top sides. They were toothless and clearly trying not to lose the game more than to win it.
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Yes indeed they will need to sort that issue out if they wish to push forward and really challenge. This was probably the performance of the season all the old heads put in a shift and our improvised full backs both had stormers. We should cement top five from here. If we can rescue a cup win Pep will have pulled this season out of the fire big time.
 
Vienna_70 said:
Why the fuck was Dick playing for a draw?

In order to claim a Champions League spot, Villa needed the win more than we did, so why have Martinez waste time like he did?

The Brummie twats got exactly what they deserved; fuck all!
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Its mentality. Its why PSG knocked them out, its why they came to us as the inform team in the prem and played tactics like a league 1 side, its why whenever a big game comes around they will revert to what they are. Villa have just smashed Newcastle and everyone raving about how well they are playing and turned up at the champions and decided to try and cheat their way to a point.
 
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