Aston Villa vs Bolton Wanderers: Post-Match Thread

[brontebilly]

Once we got the second goal, it was comfortable.

Thought I suspect that says more of Bolton's limitations that how good we were.

Before that, Bolton were the better side for long spells, each of our centre halves stopped certain goals, Nyland made one top save, our second goal was offside too.

Badly needed win but another poor performance, reminded me of the win v Rotherham earlier in the season, though Rotherham were better than Bolton

Nyland 3 - thought he showed promise v QPR, right back to square one tonight, one very good save but Jan cant come quick enough
Hutton 6 - battled hard but defensively as always lets runners off the back of him, its happened all this career and continued tonight
Tuanzebe 7 - his pace stopped one certain goal and bailed us out a few other times, not dominant enough in air though
Chester 8 - saved certain goal, very solid defensively all night and much improved after costing us points of late
Taylor 6 - defended alright tonight but we simply have to get someone better in Jan
Hourihane 6 - passed reasonably well and took some good set pieces, defensive shield he isnt though and a playmaker as one sided as him is easily nullified
McGinn 6 - very quiet first half bar one burst, bit more lively in second without any telling contribution
Grealish 8 - outstanding first half, quieter after half time but has been much improved of late
Adomah 6 - tried hard but that stat that popped up at one stage of 1 assist in 22 games (or similar) says it all about his form and confidence
Kodjia 5 - few decent moments but we cant carry this guy for much longer, left winger he aint, every second touch is the wrong option
Abraham 3 - assist aside was abysmal, first touch is dreadful, someone like Lewis Grabban would have had a field day against these

Bolasie 5 - some good runs early on which ultimately amounted to little, ran out of puff it seemed, compared to Snodgrass though he really has delivered precious little
Whelan and Hogan - not on long enough, dont think Hogan actually got a kick

[Mossie Hennebry]

Or Jacqueline...

[mrfuse]

all i ever wanted was for us to go out to win a game with atacking intent

that’s what we did tonight, loads to improve on but we are defo on the right track now

Totally agree, a game that we should win without any silly excuses and we did.

[ROBBO]

Abraham needs to put his foot through it in the box Bolaise played for himself and Kodja is not as good as he thinks he is. Jack was superb and McGinn is a terrier we will struggle to hold on to them.
Axel impresses me but there is no calming influence at the back, we desperately need a competent keeper. While we were far the better side they still troubled our defence it worries me when we face stiffer competition.

[Villa Lew]

Jack, SJM, Axel all good and Chester MOM, if he finds last season's form it'll be a massive bonus for us. Apparently we've gotta goalkeeping coach coming in, let's hope he's world class coach, he needs to be.

UP THE VILLA

[Risso]

Alan Hutton, the enigma, 9 out of 10, Tuanzabe almost faultless, The rest 8 or above, Taylor included, UTV!!

Nyland 6

quite like his distribution.....if only he could do what goalkeepers do

Yep, catching like his gloves aren't covered in vaseline would be a big plus.

[jwarry]

Hearing Smith talk post game is so refreshing. I don't remember us having a manager in my lifetime that talks as well as he does.

Honesty and a plan. Just hope he keeps this up

[Risso]

You can definitely see a marked improvement in the football that they're at least trying to play. Little triangles of passing, movement off the ball and far fewer aimless hoofs.

[LeeB]

Alan Hutton, the enigma, 9 out of 10, Tuanzabe almost faultless, The rest 8 or above, Taylor included, UTV!!

Nyland 6

quite like his distribution.....if only he could do what goalkeepers do

'Electric hands' are not a good look for an international goalkeeper.

[kippaxvilla2]

Fcukin Hell Jason Donovan in goal looks dreadful.

[LeeB]

Fcukin Hell Jason Donovan in goal looks dreadful.

There will be too many fucking broken hearts if he chucks one in against the rags, fo' sho'.

[jcsutv]

Hearing Smith talk post game is so refreshing. I don't remember us having a manager in my lifetime that talks as well as he does.

Honesty and a plan. Just hope he keeps this up

He was very clear to highlight good and bad. But the bad wasn't about the player in terms of skill or effort, it was about how they played to the plan. E.g. The wide men kept coming inside, taking Jack's space. Love it!

[kippaxvilla2]

He’s got to play Bunn against them lot.

[Risso]

Fcukin Hell Jason Donovan in goal looks dreadful.

There will be too many fucking broken hearts if he chucks one in against the rags, fo' sho'.

I hope he keeps a clean sheet, especially for you.

[tomd2103]

Perfectly summed up by  this conversation between two blokes leaving the North Stand after the game:

"Pretty comfortable"
"Sloppy though ain't it"

Grealish and McGinn aside, I thought there were some pretty average performances and we didn't really play with any tempo or movement for pretty long periods.

That said, I'll take the win though.