Mr Ireland last night

[Dave]

His vision for a pass was excellent. The Collins through ball in particular.

If we give him a good platform on Sunday, by having Stan and NRC central, allowing him a freer reign, then we may be alright.

I thought that through ball was a misplaced shot.

[TheTimVilla]

He was great for the first hour or so, he'll be a good'un.

[BedsVillain]

I could almost hear his footballing brain working overtime last night, unfortunately there seemed to be very little wavelength from the rest of the team, bar Ashley maybe. I could see him getting a little frustrated. Agree on the Delph thing, from the glimpses we had of Fabian last season you could tell he plays a similar forward thinking game. There was far too much hesitancy and sideways/backwards thinking last night. Delph and A.N Other (Flamini) sitting in front of Ireland, Ashley and Albrighton would do me come January.

[Ads]

His vision for a pass was excellent. The Collins through ball in particular.

If we give him a good platform on Sunday, by having Stan and NRC central, allowing him a freer reign, then we may be alright.

I thought that through ball was a misplaced shot.

You're just not used to a Villa midfielder having the ability to spot a pass. We'll all get used to him.

[damon loves JT]

If he's Mr Ireland, there must be some bloody ugly men in Ireland

[old man villa fan]

I thought he looked good in the 1st half but in the 2nd he drifted further and further back looking for the ball as the rest of the midfield disintegrated.

As others have said, he moved the ball well and always looked to create space by movement off the ball.

Push and go is not exactly rocket science but it seems to escape most of our players at times.

[The Situation]

Whenever Ireland is on the ball he looks so calm and composed, never seeming to panick... he just threads delightful through balls. On top of that he's our best tackler in our team, for such a finesse and creative player it's a big bonus we can get someone who can be fearless at the same time making well timed tackles.

[Ads]

He also has the ridiculous habit of always finding a claret and blue shirt. The lunatic.

[Salsa Party Animal]

He can do quality but it take time for our players to learn what runs to make and when to pass for Ireland.

Shame we will not seen Milner and Ireland Partnership for Villa.

[Risso]

He showed last night what a great player he'll be when the others are on his wave length.

[Sister of Top Cat]

I kept wondering why James Collins was so far out of position.

[Aloysius]

Sasa Curcic anyone?

[mozza]

The guy can control the ball, spot a pass and create for others provided he is played
in the correct position

His movement and link up play was one of few positives against Rapid

Just hope the others don't drag him down to their standard     

[not3bad]

Sasa Curcic anyone?

Hopefully having the effect Curcic was meant to have.

[TRO]

Seemed a nasty bugger too.

Just what we need.