Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on January 08, 2017, 05:58:35 PM
-
It's not our year.
-
Meh. They're better than us. I knew that already. Delighted that my free cup game will now be the playoff semi-final.
-
Wolves is much more important next week.
Sign that keeper up pronto.
-
Competed, offered little going forwards. No injuries, last time at this place, not overly bothered.
Wolves game is far more important.
-
About what I expected.
Good debut for Sam Johnstone.
Chester and Baker solid.
Tshibola providing us with a midfield presence.
Adomah worked hard in defence,
No attacking threat - we need a striker or we have no chance of the play-offs.
-
Hopefully that's the start of Tshibola in midfield for a bit.
-
Could have been a lot worse if they'd played more of their first XI and a bit disappointed we were so negative against their reserves. Like the look of Johnstone.
-
Disappointed with the result but not with the performance...new keeper did fantastically well...did spurs batter us...no !! BBC fucked me of especially Danny mills..." villa got what they deserved " . Well fuck off..we lost 2-0 at shire fart lane the same as Chelsea did.
-
I can only think that Danny Murphy's Mrs is regularly and publicly being rogered by a Villa fan.
-
Never looked like scoring but worked hard as a team for 70mins. The keeper looks decent which was a massive plus. Grealish frustrates the hell out of me though as he just doesn't do enough.
-
I thought it was a good performance for 70 minutes but as soon as they scored we were knackered.
I don't buy the have a go thing...it's an easy and lazy thing to say. Let's say we come out, flood men forward and are 2 down in 20 minutes, what then.
We competed, kept it very tight for 70 minutes but sadly Spurs are on a different level to us nowadays.
Keeper and back 4 played well as did Gabby.
-
One of those types of games that makes you wander why you bother. Thoroughly depressing how far we've fallen behind Tottenham bloody Hotspur.
-
No real attempt to win the game, and could have lost by more with Bunn in goal. It's all so predictable, but we are what we are.
-
Gabby tried hard and did ok. Tshibola should be starting. You can desperately see why we want Lansbury, a midfielder hitting the box would be a massive bonus with the state of our midfield.
Back four solid, keeper good too.
-
Better than I expected and about time we had a decent keeper
-
I'd keep Grealish as an impact player for now, coming on as and when needed, given whole games his impact diminishes and we are playing too many games with bit part players not offering enough impact on the game as a whole.
-
Looks like we have a goalkeeper, Chester and Baker played very well, Tish in midfield from now on in please, result predictable and ever so sorry Danny Murphy we couldn't play the game you wanted us to, you overpaid, turgid excuse for a pundit.
-
Can live with that. Spurs the best form team in the Premiership, us just getting up off our knees, we improve, little by little. Keeper a big plus.
-
Goalkeeper looks good, central defence did ok, midfield had no real outball to the forward and no real attacking threat at all.
-
Like the keeper. Liked Tshbola's contribution. It's what I wished for out of the match. Grealish was easily our best player again. Is there any truth in £25 million for Amavi? Get it done before they find out if there is.
-
Not a bad performance, good header changed the game. So be it - not a competition we will win with this squad.
So fairly content.
-
We didn't have a go because we didn't give a fuck really.
I wanted a half decent performance, I wanted to nick it perhaps, I didn't want to fuck up our slim chance of promotion with injuries or conceding a bucketful.
Murphy and McMannaman can bitch all they like, the TV companies made shit selections and got shit games.
Fuck them.
-
I think the BBC pundits have been very unfair here. They are the form team in England and we having a difficult patch. What the fuck do they expect! I may be sensitive but I really feel they revel in our plight. As for Murphy words fail me. The so called neutral BBC should be embarrassed
-
No attacking threat - we need a striker or we have no chance of the play-offs.
We need an attacking plan more than anything.
Positives from today:
We seem to have finally found a cracking keeper.
Everybody seemed to know what their job was. Now the midfield alongside the defence look organised.
Tish, Bacuna should join Jedi in midfield against Wolves.
We need two up front and today despite Gabby working hard he never stood a chance alone. Today he doesn't deserve any stick.
Bruce giving Davies and Green an outing.
Bruce leaving Westwood and Gardner out of the team.
And of course the Villa fans, forever loud and proud.
I'm not too disappointed with the result or performance. We didn't get slaughtered and there are positives to take from the game. It could have been really ugly.
-
Always disapponted to go out of the Cup and would have liked us to give them something to think about, but I just wanted us not to get smashed. Apologies to the BBC for not providing the requisite cannon fodder.
Danny Murphy dredging new depths of woe-is-Gerrard biased bullshit.
-
Like the keeper. Liked Tshbola's contribution. It's what I wished for out of the match. Grealish was easily our best player again. Is there any truth in £25 million for Amavi? Get it done before they find out if there is.
And get rid of that other useless piece of dog turd Hutton....usual all over the place cluelessness from the so called full back.
-
Have the bullsh-t broadcasting company and Dean stopped jerking themselves off at the result we all know they wanted? Sad f-ckers!!!
Sounded like there were some decent performances from some Villa players especially Johnstone. Only 7 away goals all season and we play agbonlahor as a lone striker who last scored away when? McCormack hasn't scored away for Villa either, so it was always going to be a difficult task. It does highlight an obvious area for improvement in the transfer window though.
-
Originally put this in the match thread....
Johnstone....good game...looks like the best we've got between the posts....get rid of Bunn now and have Gollini as the understudy.
Hutton.....so FUCKING SHIT.....get rid asap.
Chester.....give him a much longer contract....class.
Baker....gave his all as usual.
Amavi....if we've really been offered what they say, SNAP THEIR FECKIN HANDS OFF NOW....
Glad to see Tshibola And Jedinak in the midfield, injuries apart, should keep them in until we get better replacements.
Adomah.....not given enough support, showed some good touches though....
Bacuna....solid game...
Grealish....not much effort and no substance.....
Agbonlahor.....another flabbyonegoalayear no show....had one chance I think...
1st Half .....0-0....job done...
2nd Half.....didn't get out of the blocks like we should have....
Subs....too late to make a difference...
-
No slaughtering like most predictions and gabby put a shift in..... Meltdown.
-
Like the keeper. Liked Tshbola's contribution. It's what I wished for out of the match. Grealish was easily our best player again. Is there any truth in £25 million for Amavi? Get it done before they find out if there is.
And get rid of that other useless piece of dog turd Hutton....usual all over the place cluelessness from the so called full back.
I thought Hutton had a very good first half, like a few others got dragged out of position in the second but overall more than decent.
-
Johnstone, Tish and Chester all played really well.
-
We're not as good as Spurs, like another 89 side in the country, especially without our best player and leading scorer. We are where we are.
-
The BBC do know Spurs bought Dele Alli from MK Dons don't they? The way they were talking he seems to have come through their academy.
-
Hutton wastes so many opportunities.
-
Found that more encouraging than the recent performances against Burton and Leeds, weirdly. Despite getting nothing.
It looks like we finally have a keeper. Starting gave Tish an opportunity to show what he can do, but that can go two ways. Make a match-altering howler and it will be held up as an example of why he hasn't featured.
Yet he gave an assured performance. He likes to play box to box, but was disciplined enough to sit in.
There is really no reason to resort to Westwood again. Tish and Lansbury in alongside Jedinak and our midfield looks a completely different proposition.
We offered little attacking threat, but when you seen who was starting up top, that's not much of a shock. In fairness, that was as probably as good a shift as he has put in for the past two years.
-
Like the keeper. Liked Tshbola's contribution. It's what I wished for out of the match. Grealish was easily our best player again. Is there any truth in £25 million for Amavi? Get it done before they find out if there is.
And get rid of that other useless piece of dog turd Hutton....usual all over the place cluelessness from the so called full back.
I thought Hutton had a very good first half, like a few others got dragged out of position in the second but overall more than decent.
I agree - nowhere near as bad as some obviously want to see. However, we do need better.
-
I think that was a good work out for our lads. If we were mid table Premiership, gone there and got that result we would not have been shocked. We went there after five nightmare years of incompetence and ineptitude to hold our own for 70 minutes. Little by little we rise again.
-
Just lack an attacking threat without our African players. Gabby showed he might still be of some use but not as an out and out striker. Midfielders needed who can shoot and get on the end of crosses running in from deep.
-
Grealish was easily our best player again.
A couple of decent free kicks and he kept it tidy in the second half but not much more apart from than one track back, Bren. I'm struggling to see how Bruce can afford the luxury of keeping him in the team. Today wasn't the best day to decide but best player? Not even in the top 5. Samuel Johnstone, Chester, Baker, Tish, Adomah and Bacuna all in front of him today in my book.
-
Oh well...Tish looked very competent. Big Sam very assured. Jack looked useless. CB's very good Less said about Hutton the better. Whoever played up front today would have been isolated. We have to bridge that gap.
-
Decent enough defensive display except for Amavi who is not doing well currently, but sadly lacking going forward. Gabby tried, Adomah had a few good moments, even Bacuna did OK. The same cannot be said for Grealish though, was poor throughout and seems intent on trying to beat every player on the pitch instead of making a simple pass. Oh, and then he falls over.
The score flattered Spurs somewhat - Alli made the difference for them. On another day we may have held on for 0-0.
-
Ultimately, who gives a shit. If the only things that come out of today are that we didn't get stuffed in a confidence obliterating way, we don't look weak in the sticks anymore and tshibola will surely never be behind the invisible brothers again then it's a decent result.
Now let's buy some players and win some league games.
-
Quite a disciplined performance without anything to be too pleased about.
If we 'came out and played' as the Beeb pundits kept ridiculing us for not doing we would have got smashed, which the pundits wanted as well to be fair.
We buy a few, move on and keep building.
-
A battling performance, and we are going to need plenty of those to get out of Division 2.
-
with a few judicious acquisitions we could make the play offs and be playing this lot again next season
-
Oh well...Tish looked very competent. Big Sam very assured. Jack looked useless. CB's very good Less said about Hutton the better. Whoever played up front today would have been isolated. We have to bridge that gap.
Yep, pretty much as I saw it too today. Not enough bodies going forward. Someone else posted about Jedinak, Tsibola and potentially Lansbury being enough, but I'd suggest strongly getting a proper box to box player too and rotating the 4 depending on circumstances. If he's going to keep playing with the 3 up front we need another good wide player but no more centre forwards as Kodjia, McCormack and Ayew can all play that role, some better than others obviously.
-
Johnstone, centre backs and the young lady who interviewed Mullary at half time were the highlights for me.
Still carrying too many who don't offer enough at Championship level or against a weakened Spurs team.
-
Ho hum. Never really looked like scoring, and we never will while he continues to play Agbonlahor up front. The midfield was as anonymous as ever, and Grealish was especially ineffective.
-
If we were mid table Premiership, gone there and got that result we would not have been shocked.
Brian, a word of caution. Every time somebody calls it The Premiership, God strangles a kitten.
-
Reasonable display and the new keeper looks good. Very disciplined 1st half but as we started to push forward a bit more in the 2nd half, we lost our shape in midfield.
-
Least bothered I've been by a defeat all season. We aren't in the same division and they weren't overly impressive themselves. Just need Fleetwood to beat Bristol City and our fixture with Bristol won't be moved and I won't lose out on ore booked train tickets to that game. I'll be a lot more annoyed if we lose to wolves next week
-
Oh and yes, Jack was shite again. While we're arseing around waiting for him to fire we're never going to do much. I won't write him off completely yet but he should be used just from the bench until we see him consistently have an impact on games, he's little more than a passenger at the moment.
-
60 years and counting... *sigh*
However, the reality is we're currently a million miles away from competing with Spurs let alone winning major silverware. So, on that basis, there are some positives to be had from a not-unsurprising defeat:
(1) A good debut in a position that has long been identified as a weakness.
(2) A battling first half where we held our shape.
(3) No one let the side down - although it would have been good to have seen Hutton put in a performance that made Spurs fans long for the day when he was back in their colours...
-
First trip to the Lane, good to be among a boisterous away following notwithstanding some dumb fucks chanting a fair bit of vile nonsense at the Spuds lot the other side of the guards.
On the pitch we contained them well and it seemed Bruce sensed a goal was in the offing for us as Adomah and Bacuna pushed up much further in the second half. Gabby's scrambled shot about as good as it got but we didn't disgrace ourselves against a club with more confidence than any other right now even if they put out a shadow team.
-
SVC has tried to get at Murphy,via twitter, about the attendance today and has had his arse spanked, sometimes wish he would keep his gob shut.
-
Anyone who complains about that needs a reality check.
We're a mid table Championship team playing Agbonlahor up front. He's been crap for five years, and even when he was 'good' he was crap. Ok we barely did anything but did anyone really expect us to get a result? I thought we'd lose by 4 or 5 so we did better than I thought.
Grealish, what does he do?! Most overrated player I've seen in a Villa shirt. He's piss poor.
Our support was magnificent. Theirs was pathetic.
Glad we're out, we need promotion this season.
-
Thought we did alright, no disgrace, and many thought we were in for a mauling, including me. Hopefully we'll get to see more of Tish, he did well tonight.
-
Grealish needs to develop some drive and purpose is his game, he's too peripheral.
-
The biggest positive was our new 'keeper. Seemed to pluck the ball out of the air with ease. I too wasn't too bothered about the result but, it was a second string Spurs side so would have liked us to have tried pressing them more. Sadly, unless we sign one or two this week, I think the same will happen at Wolves. Just having Gabby as the lone striker, I just can't see us scoring.
I agree with others, bring Jack on from off the bench. He's a luxury player that seems to only do well when he comes on as a sub. The other major complaint I have is SB bringing on the subs far too late. Particularly as a striker, they need to have at least 30 minutes to affect a match. Bringing Ross on for 13 minutes is a total waste of time and, may just as well not bother making the change at all.
Hutton and Amavi I think were not at the races today either. I would rather see Bacuna at right back if we can get a couple of decent midfielders in.
-
That's about the tenth time I've been to White Hart Lane, and it gets quieter every time. Absolutely woeful set of fans.
-
Oh and yes, Jack was shite again. While we're arseing around waiting for him to fire we're never going to do much. I won't write him off completely yet but he should be used just from the bench until we see him consistently have an impact on games, he's little more than a passenger at the moment.
Thought he was very frustrating today. He seems more interested in playing his own game and trying to beat players than making a meaningful contribution to the side.
To be totally honest, we tired towards the end, but if we are as organised and hard working as that most weeks, we should do well in the Championship. From that team today, if we swapped Kodjia for Agbonlahor up front, Lansbury for Grealish in midfield, Bacuna for Hutton at right back and bought in a decent natural left winger, I think we would be in decent shape.
Thought Johnstone did very well today and thought it was the best game I've seen Adomah have for us. Also, why Gardner and Westwood have consistently played ahead of Tshibola this is a mystery.
-
as daft as it will sound i thought the keeper looked a proper one just in the warm up,
solid no fafing about, actually catching the ball you could tell the defence and the fans were full of confidence with him in goals
at last
-
Predictable result goalie. Looks the business, because Jack lacks pace he never seems to try the give and go often. I think he's a luxury we can't afford he looks so assured on the ball it's frustrating for me, plus points so far Albert, Chester Baker and Kodja. I can't see us spending much this Window when you 8consider the amount of players we need to move.
-
I saw Grealish at half time having a laugh and a chat with Pele Alli or whatever that hyped fellas name is that the commentators were spaffing their undercrackers over. He may act like he's one of the big boys but today he looked like what he is, and that's a player who's struggling to standout in the second tier. He's a long, long way off being what he was being hyped as after the Liverpool semi-final. He's regressed and I think that's 110% down to taking his foot off the pedal. He's not the first. He's not the last, but he's got to pull his finger out now. I'd rather put a carthorse in his place who's going to work their bollocks off. You can't carry someone like Grealish if they're not delivering what they should regularly enough, and he's not.
Today showed he's not fit to the lace the boots of a Tottenham reserve.
I thought not taking Baker off when it was clear he was having one of his bi-monthly bodily shutdowns was an error on Bruce's part. The triple substitution was desperate and made is completely imbalanced.
Mostly I was disappointed the way we approached the game. I know, as it's all too painfully clear, that Spurs are eons ahead of us, but we came out looking like an Evo Stick Premier League division side on a plum tie in the cup, not like a side that was not too long ago on a level playing field with Spurs. Actually I take that back, because an non-league side might have thought "fuck it" and had a go. I even heard Bruce yelling "Park the bus!" at one point. Pathetic.
Yes be disciplined. But at least attempt to win the game. It's a one off tie. Everything is about the day. No points...just go for it.
-
Oh and whilst Gabby may be trying he's done now. Absolutely finished as a player in the top two divisions. His legs have gone and he's got no ability to fall back on. He belongs in League 2, if he's lucky. He can't undo the damage.
-
so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week
sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league
-
so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week
sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league
Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.
Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling.
-
so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week
sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league
Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.
Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling.
you see I think Albert flatters to deceive, I would much prefer Grealish,
maybe today's game was difficult but without him you really would have been parking the bus in true Pulis style
-
We looked ok until the substitutions. Defensively sound until the last 20 minutes and then the silly mistakes crept in. We are solid enough but need more going forward. Agree with others about Gabby. He isn't mobile enough, although playing on your own up front is tough. Keeper was good. Can we agree a deal now please?
-
Grealish needs to develop some drive and purpose is his game, he's too peripheral.
I was thinking about Grealish and how comfortable he looked on the ball but delayed passing too long and was often closed down/tackled. I thought he looks a good player but is not getting anywhere and your points are spot on. Bruce needs to get him into a system that he plays to so that his talents can be developed and start to dictate games. He needs to bring other players into the game.
-
Adomah is actually very average, lacking pace and incision.
I rather liked the three sub approach but thought it came 10-15 minutes late.
What is going on with Amavi? - another mediocre display, I thought.
-
I saw Grealish at half time having a laugh and a chat with Pele Alli or whatever that hyped fellas name is that the commentators were spaffing their undercrackers over.
What a massive bastard, who the fuck does he think he is? Did he not get the memo that both smiling and laughing or having a stern expression are no longer permitted. As for talking to opposition players, disgraceful behaviour.
-
the first half was the most disciplined performance I've seen from Villa in a long time everyone played a part. Grealish lacks a yard of pace and he gets caught against better opposition he seems to slow the game down. If Bruce can get the forward line to perform as good as the defence we will be a good side.
-
What is going on with Amavi? - another mediocre display, I thought.
He seems to have struggled a bit since we have gone to having a wide midfield player right in front of him. I think he needs space to use his pace. He is not the strongest of players and when play is congested he gets knocked off the ball.
-
Saw the game on TV, wasn't impressed but like the goalkeeper Johnstone. I don't think we actually tested Spurs goalkeeper Vorm at all.
-
so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week
sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league
Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.
Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling.
you see I think Albert flatters to deceive, I would much prefer Grealish,
maybe today's game was difficult but without him you really would have been parking the bus in true Pulis style
One thing with Albert is, he's inconsistent and won't impact things throughout the game, but even if he's not playing brilliant he still puts in a shift and still delivers balls into the box. I think he's our clear leader as far as assists go. Seems to have a good understanding with Kodjia, and so I wonder if his productivity may be affected by Kodjia being away. Plus as far as Albert goes he's easier to fit in the side. Plonk him on the right wing.
We have no idea where to play Grealish as he's not really nailed down any spot, be it left wing, LCM, or as Timmy loved to say "the no 10."
I can't think of too many fancy dans who excel in the Championship. Just using our old boy Pete Whittingham for example. He's excelled in the championship over the years. Good delivery. He's got a bit of ability. Scores, creates, puts in a shift. He's pretty ordinary as it goes, and that becomes all the more clear when you watched him in the Premier League after Cardiff went up.
In recent memory I can think of Adel Tarrabt. Complete show pony. He did tear the championship up. QPR had to revolve their entire side around him though. When you do that, sometimes it comes off, but more often than not it won't.
-
so you take Grealish out and replace him with a standard midfielder thus taking every last shred of creativity out of the side,
whether he uses it every match or not he's all there was out there today,
then we really are the workman like difficult to beat team that has no inspiration apart from grinding out results week after week
sorry but you got to have some semblance of attack mindedness especially when playing in our own league
Well no, in an ideal world you have someone who works and creates, but my point is, if Jack isn't scoring or creating, what's the point of him? Okay I'm thinking more so of a game like today. If we had someone like Reo-Coker we may as well have played him there and effect the game defensively. As it is of course we're short of willing and able cart horses. We've got Jedi and he's 57.
Robbie Brady as an example works hard, but he'll make chances too.
Not too many successful championship sides will carry a luxury like Grealish or Ayew for example. Sometimes a bit of ordinary, maybe a tad boring 7/10 every week will take you further.
Adomah is the only player we have who creates. Which is why we're struggling.
you see I think Albert flatters to deceive, I would much prefer Grealish,
maybe today's game was difficult but without him you really would have been parking the bus in true Pulis style
I think Adomah offers much more than Jack, especially given Jack appears to be given more licence. Jack has a lot of talent, but he's a bit aimless and needs to become much more effective.
-
Pleased that people are waking up to the fact that Danny Murphy is not actually an intelligent, astute, erudite philosopher of the beautiful game, but seeing him as the tedious, spiteful, no-nothing prick that he actually is.
Re: the negative Gabby comments, fair enough, but I thought he did well foraging on his own up front and he was a damn site more effective than McCormack, who was absolutely diabolical when he came on. I thought it would have been better to leave Gabby on with Davis and Green up front. Those free kicks - dear oh dear.
-
Of course we didn't get battered, but it was pretty much a typical Aston Villa performance from the last few years.
Lots of fart but no sign of a shit.
-
If we're going to play Grealish (and I think we should) we have to accept that sometimes the stuff he tries won't come off and he'll end up looking a bit stupid. In a side like ours that doesn't create much, he's worth his place for the fouls he draws.
-
Of course we didn't get battered, but it was pretty much a typical Aston Villa performance from the last few years.
Lots of fart but no sign of a shit.
Disagree it was a lot more solid than past few years.
-
I've nothing against players talking to opposition players or having a joke with them, but when Grealish was laughing and joking with Alli at half time I did smile to myself. Grealish was talking to him like they were best mates and on the same level, the reality is Alli will be world class in a couple of years whereas Grealish is pretty shit. We're an average side and he doesn't even stand out in it, even against mediocre opposition in the Championship he just doesn't do anything.
-
I thought we were very dull - set up not to lose heavily but offered no real threat and once we fell behind defeat was inevitable. Spurs never needed to get going - and their crowd were in the same half asleep mode. Johnstone impressed me but I was perplexed by how frequently Adomah and Bacuna's were defending behind Hutton and Armavi ( who had a below par game today). Not for a moment did I feel we would get anything out of this match.
Some twattish behaviour from younger Villa fans in the Haringey Irish centre pre match - knocking tables over and chucking plastic glasses around. I felt like a warden in the cafeteria scene in Scum. Hope they have us back in the future though.
-
Predictable defeat but I thought the scoreline flattered them a bit. Not so long ago we were their equals but after Lerner's sabotage we looked like exactly what we are, a championship club. Saying that though I thought we battled well and there's a decent team in there somewhere. We have to buy well this month and you never know because the Play-Offs are still getable. The Grealish criticisms are a bit harsh though, he's still young and up and down. Stick with him because he's a star in the making. Thought Gabby did okay as well considering the lack of support.
Onwards and upwards and all that...
-
Oh and I thought our new goalie looked the bees knees. A cut above any other keeper we've got that for sure.
-
Sam Johnstone looked very assured. Big and commanding. Didn't panic in what would have been a very big game for him.
-
Let's be honest - by playing Gabby, Bruce settled for the 0. He just isn't very good. That said, we only really flirted with attacking. Best team won and we go again (winky thing)
-
I've nothing against players talking to opposition players or having a joke with them, but when Grealish was laughing and joking with Alli at half time I did smile to myself. Grealish was talking to him like they were best mates and on the same level, the reality is Alli will be world class in a couple of years whereas Grealish is pretty shit. We're an average side and he doesn't even stand out in it, even against mediocre opposition in the Championship he just doesn't do anything.
Compare how quickly Spurs move the ball in attack to how slow Grealish is to move it off or drive at goal when he picks it up and it shows how far he needs to go to even reach the level of what was essentially a Spurs XI
-
the first half was the most disciplined performance I've seen from Villa in a long time everyone played a part. Grealish lacks a yard of pace and he gets caught against better opposition he seems to slow the game down. If Bruce can get the forward line to perform as good as the defence we will be a good side.
Grealish can do some great things, bought a very clever yellow from one of the Spurs defenders near the end with an excellent quick turn. But...there are a lot of buts with Grealish
1) his crosses today were worse than Hutton's, constantly blocked by the first defender, technically he cant seem to curl the ball with pace at all
2) his upper body strength is nowhere near good enough, ball taken off him regularly in close contact today
3) holds onto the ball too long, a bad habit Ross Barkley has aswell
4) his workrate without the ball and general discipline on the pitch is very very poor, Grealish isnt a good enough player and Villa arent a good enough team to tolerate it
5) he doesnt influence the game at all to be honest when played centrally, its only on the left or on the bench
-
Oh and I thought our new goalie looked the bees knees. A cut above any other keeper we've got that for sure.
only saw one replay but his footwork seemed poor for their goal?
a physical presence anyway and sharp off his line
-
I've nothing against players talking to opposition players or having a joke with them, but when Grealish was laughing and joking with Alli at half time I did smile to myself. Grealish was talking to him like they were best mates and on the same level, the reality is Alli will be world class in a couple of years whereas Grealish is pretty shit. We're an average side and he doesn't even stand out in it, even against mediocre opposition in the Championship he just doesn't do anything.
Compare how quickly Spurs move the ball in attack to how slow Grealish is to move it off or drive at goal when he picks it up and it shows how far he needs to go to even reach the level of what was essentially a Spurs XI
That's his biggest weakness and it needs to be knocked out of his game if he is to fulfill any kind of potential. He takes far too many touches, slows the game down, and frequently ends up losing possession. He frankly looks a bit of a poser at the moment.
-
Another thing. God help their fans when they get that sparkly new 60k stadium, and they want to park their car. It was bad enough today with half that number turning up. I'll never drive to WHL again, and only did today because of the tube strike. Fucking bun fight.
-
Johnstone, centre backs and the young lady who interviewed Mullary at half time were the highlights for me.
Still carrying too many who don't offer enough at Championship level or against a weakened Spurs team.
the way I saw too it too pretty much
however I dont get the Baker love in at all, wholehearted in the Hutton sense but a mutton brain of a defender
laughable that he cant even attempt to slide tackle on his right side, twice in the second half today, almost cost us a goal against Cardiff too
Amavi was diabolical again too, tries to take someone one when he has no cover behind him, soft as sh*t for their goal, positionally hopeless, did he get beyond Grealish even once?
Tshibola, Bacuna and Adamoah all put in decent shifts I thought, we carried the threat of a wet teabag with Gabby and Grealish going forward
Need some pacy attacking options even with Kodjia coming back, id be cashing in on McCormack for any reasonable offer this month
Green and Davis need first team football, get them out on loan asap
-
Amavi still can't defend. Turning down that £25m looks silly.
-
Maybe Grealish and Alli know each other from their days at Mk Dons and Notts County or really are mates. Why does it mean he thinks he's on the same level as Alli because he's having a laugh with him? If it was Ayew he'd be criticised for looking like it's beneath him to talk to such a player.
-
Baker has to realize that his right foot is for more than standing on.
The number 10 role can be a glory only position, I can attack but I don't want to do any of the dirty work type thing. Grealish will not get a better season to dominate the Championship than this season. He's doing ok. We need better than ok if we are to go up.
I'd really like us to bring in three midfielders, two central, one for the left side.
-
I like what Grealish does, I just wish he would do it quicker. He has the great ability to beat a man or create space out of nothing, he just needs to do it quicker and pass to a team mate faster. That would be enough I think to take him from "decent" to "good" in the Championship.
-
Highlights:
http://www.footytube.com/video/tottenham-hotspur-aston-villa-jan08-469012?ref=lchan_vidgrid
-
Baker has to realize that his right foot is for more than standing on.
The number 10 role can be a glory only position, I can attack but I don't want to do any of the dirty work type thing. Grealish will not get a better season to dominate the Championship than this season. He's doing ok. We need better than ok if we are to go up.
I'd really like us to bring in three midfielders, two central, one for the left side.
Baker was fine until he seemed to jar his back during one jump. He looked fucked after that point and looked like he couldn't run (even by his standards). When Baker takes a knock he's done for. He should have gone off at that point. I like him but whilst he looks like he was carved from marble the dashingly handsome cad, he's actually made from biscuit crumbs moulded together.
-
I hate watching this Villa team. They are just a bunch of mediocre journey men. Preston North End gavevArsenal more of a game yesterday,played as a team and carried a threat.There were one or two individual performances that stood out, the keeper,Gabby and Chester,but as a team Jesus Wept.
-
Thought we looked solid first half, Chester immense, Sam looks the real deal, Tish had a reasonable game and hopefully means the end of the Chuckle brothers. If the answer is Gabby got help us this month, the same for fat Ross. Amavi, I would sell for 2.5 never mind 25 mill, can't defend and offers nothing going forward.
Jack has one trick trying to place himself across the ball and blocking the opposition, but has not the upper body strength to carry it off, to one paced both in thought and movement, caught numerous times with the ball, impact player of the bench and I honestly think the player we hoped he would be, is not there.
Some shrewd business needs to be done this month, we are far from a certainty for play offs and we need to be.
-
Maybe Grealish and Alli know each other from their days at Mk Dons and Notts County or really are mates. Why does it mean he thinks he's on the same level as Alli because he's having a laugh with him? If it was Ayew he'd be criticised for looking like it's beneath him to talk to such a player.
How dare a 21 year old have a joke with another young player?!
-
Maybe Grealish and Alli know each other from their days at Mk Dons and Notts County or really are mates. Why does it mean he thinks he's on the same level as Alli because he's having a laugh with him? If it was Ayew he'd be criticised for looking like it's beneath him to talk to such a player.
How dare a 21 year old have a joke with another young player?!
I know, how could they possibly have anything in common or know each other? They play for different teams in a different league and a different city.
-
I hope Grealish wasn't smiling when they talked. We know that smiling and sulking are out. Players must maintain an expressionless visage at all times.
That's why Gabby is so popular.
-
Some twattish behaviour from younger Villa fans in the Haringey Irish centre pre match - knocking tables over and chucking plastic glasses around. I felt like a warden in the cafeteria scene in Scum. Hope they have us back in the future though.
First time I've been embarrassed to be a Villa fan. 20 year old shithouses pissed on a couple of pints, filming each other breaking tables and chucking glasses. A decent, friendly, away-welcoming place to drink near the ground - wouldn't be surprised if it's not open to Villa fans next time we play there. The sight of that poor bar woman, trying to fix the tables while these pricks were singing and chucking stuff was pathetic. I was actually hoping for a group of Spurs fans to walk in and batter the living shit out of them.
-
It's depressing to see us comfortably beaten by Spurs reserves. Our attack has the sharpness of a huge bell end.
FA Cup 3rd round day; once the most exciting day of the season, now an apathetic sideshow smeared across a whole weekend of disinterest and empty seats.
-
Thought we looked solid first half, Chester immense, Sam looks the real deal, Tish had a reasonable game and hopefully means the end of the Chuckle brothers. If the answer is Gabby got help us this month, the same for fat Ross. Amavi, I would sell for 2.5 never mind 25 mill, can't defend and offers nothing going forward.
Jack has one trick trying to place himself across the ball and blocking the opposition, but has not the upper body strength to carry it off, to one paced both in thought and movement, caught numerous times with the ball, impact player of the bench and I honestly think the player we hoped he would be, is not there.
Some shrewd business needs to be done this month, we are far from a certainty for play offs and we need to be.
Such an over reaction. He's been one of our better players this season and will probably develop into a really good full back. If we sold him for £2.5m I'm sure you, alongside everyone else, would be fucking furious and wondering how we would get anywhere near replacing him for less than 3 or 4 times that price.
-
The game went pretty much like I thought it would. I didn't think we'd get thrashed but I couldn't see us winning either. The new goalie looked solid and whilst Gabby probably is past his best, I don't think McCormack would have been much better on is own up front. It was also good to see the likes of Green and Davis get a run out. Overall, disappointed but not too gutted about it.
-
Danny Murphy is an absolute thundercunt.
-
I saw Grealish at half time having a laugh and a chat with Pele Alli or whatever that hyped fellas name is that the commentators were spaffing their undercrackers over. He may act like he's one of the big boys but today he looked like what he is, and that's a player who's struggling to standout in the second tier. He's a long, long way off being what he was being hyped as after the Liverpool semi-final. He's regressed and I think that's 110% down to taking his foot off the pedal. He's not the first. He's not the last, but he's got to pull his finger out now. I'd rather put a carthorse in his place who's going to work their bollocks off. You can't carry someone like Grealish if they're not delivering what they should regularly enough, and he's not.
Today showed he's not fit to the lace the boots of a Tottenham reserve.
I thought not taking Baker off when it was clear he was having one of his bi-monthly bodily shutdowns was an error on Bruce's part. The triple substitution was desperate and made is completely imbalanced.
Mostly I was disappointed the way we approached the game. I know, as it's all too painfully clear, that Spurs are eons ahead of us, but we came out looking like an Evo Stick Premier League division side on a plum tie in the cup, not like a side that was not too long ago on a level playing field with Spurs. Actually I take that back, because an non-league side might have thought "fuck it" and had a go. I even heard Bruce yelling "Park the bus!" at one point. Pathetic.
Yes be disciplined. But at least attempt to win the game. It's a one off tie. Everything is about the day. No points...just go for it.
Dear me.
Do you go to any of the games or even watch on the telly before spouting such absolute bollocks?
-
60 years now since we won the cup and only 1 cup win since 1920. For a club that is suppose to have a good cup pedigree that is a mega embarrassing double stat. Saw us on the tele win the cup in 57, but at the age of 66 the chances of me seeing a Villa captain lift the cup again are becoming more and more remote.
Johnstone had a very good debut, the CBs, Tish and Bacuna also ok. Bacuna, never a Premier league player, but seems to have found his level in the Championship and deserves a starting place in the big derby on Saturday. With Lansbury, possibly signing in time for the Wolves match, let's hope that's the last time we see Westwood and Gardner in the starting line up again this season.
-
How anyone thought that the game would pan out any different than it did when the draw was made is beyond me.
The fury that many, including me, had when Houlier waved the white flag at Man City was totally different. Then the FA Cup was the only thing on the table, now, in the Championship, promotion has to take precedence. I, like every other Villa fan, see the Cup as the holy grail but if Bruce was to sacrifice promotion to try and win it there would be uproar, not least I would imagine from the owner.
If we did win it then I'm sure we would be delighted but it is such a long shot it's highly unlikely.
Sometimes it feels that after 5 years of sound and fury that we can't react to a defeat any other way. Yesterday was a world away from the routine league surrender of recent times where the next game is approached with further doom. I'm looking forward to the Wolves game, I think we might give it a go you know?
-
Thought we looked solid first half, Chester immense, Sam looks the real deal, Tish had a reasonable game and hopefully means the end of the Chuckle brothers. If the answer is Gabby got help us this month, the same for fat Ross. Amavi, I would sell for 2.5 never mind 25 mill, can't defend and offers nothing going forward.
Jack has one trick trying to place himself across the ball and blocking the opposition, but has not the upper body strength to carry it off, to one paced both in thought and movement, caught numerous times with the ball, impact player of the bench and I honestly think the player we hoped he would be, is not there.
Some shrewd business needs to be done this month, we are far from a certainty for play offs and we need to be.
Such an over reaction. He's been one of our better players this season and will probably develop into a really good full back. If we sold him for £2.5m I'm sure you, alongside everyone else, would be fucking furious and wondering how we would get anywhere near replacing him for less than 3 or 4 times that price.
Amavi would take £10m to replace? He looks decent in this division, nothing more and I'm pretty sure the average cost of a left back in this crap league isn't anywhere near £10m quid.
-
Thought we looked solid first half, Chester immense, Sam looks the real deal, Tish had a reasonable game and hopefully means the end of the Chuckle brothers. If the answer is Gabby got help us this month, the same for fat Ross. Amavi, I would sell for 2.5 never mind 25 mill, can't defend and offers nothing going forward.
Jack has one trick trying to place himself across the ball and blocking the opposition, but has not the upper body strength to carry it off, to one paced both in thought and movement, caught numerous times with the ball, impact player of the bench and I honestly think the player we hoped he would be, is not there.
Some shrewd business needs to be done this month, we are far from a certainty for play offs and we need to be.
Such an over reaction. He's been one of our better players this season and will probably develop into a really good full back. If we sold him for £2.5m I'm sure you, alongside everyone else, would be fucking furious and wondering how we would get anywhere near replacing him for less than 3 or 4 times that price.
Amavi would take £10m to replace? He looks decent in this division, nothing more and I'm pretty sure the average cost of a left back in this crap league isn't anywhere near £10m quid.
You don't see any potential in him? I think he has the makings of a a very decent PL leftback, so yes £7.5-£10m is about the mark. Selling him for £2.5 would be nuts - which was the point of the comment.
-
How anyone thought that the game would pan out any different than it did when the draw was made is beyond me.
The fury that many, including me, had when Houlier waved the white flag at Man City was totally different. Then the FA Cup was the only thing on the table, now, in the Championship, promotion has to take precedence. I, like every other Villa fan, see the Cup as the holy grail but if Bruce was to sacrifice promotion to try and win it there would be uproar, not least I would imagine from the owner.
If we did win it then I'm sure we would be delighted but it is such a long shot it's highly unlikely.
Sometimes it feels that after 5 years of sound and fury that we can't react to a defeat any other way. Yesterday was a world away from the routine league surrender of recent times where the next game is approached with further doom. I'm looking forward to the Wolves game, I think we might give it a go you know?
I'm probably in a minority but I thought the tactics and the performance were both very good. What would have been the point of going toe-to-toe with them and getting a thumping?
I felt we did try and win the game, perhaps in a somewhat negative style in some people's eyes, but in realistically the only way we could - by stopping them playing, defending deep and trying to get something on the break or from a set piece.
If we've have sneaked a goal and held on it would have been heralded as a great performance. We didn't and in the end it was a routine win for them - so fair enough - but it doesn't mean we waved the white flag in a way, as you rightly suggest, has been done in the past.
-
Spurs Reserves is a bit disingenuous. They're one of the best sides in the league, as horrible as it is to admit and they have a squad which merits that position.
Reading went and played their game at Man United and got smashed up.
Kane was out, but so was Kodjia. I'm not sure what people expected.
-
Plus, in fairness they only scored once Alli came on and made the space necessary in the move that led to the opener.
-
As it was our last visit thought I'd make the effort, took the old man who last visited WHL when Jimmy Greaves was up front. That has to be the quietest home crowd we've ever experienced they were awful like a 30k mannequin challenge. Good noise from our lot as usual. Didn't go downstairs at half time but maybe someone can shed some light on why lads were emerging for the second half looking like they'd come off the log flume?
Regarding the match I thought our defence was decent once again I sincerely hope we keep hold of Chester as captain he just oozes "McGrath" like calm and the new keeper looks sound. Jack fluffed his lines and obviously we are weak without JK leading our attack. Was all going to be up hill once Alli came on and that chance Gabby had just before they scored it could've turned out differently. Now we get back down to business and go again against Mr We go Again on Saturday.
-
I like what Grealish does, I just wish he would do it quicker. He has the great ability to beat a man or create space out of nothing, he just needs to do it quicker and pass to a team mate faster. That would be enough I think to take him from "decent" to "good" in the Championship.
The thing is, as I said in the match thread, he was picking the ball up 10 yards outside our box, looking up and seeing 6-7 spurs players and gabby in the distance, how can he do anything creative in that situation? I can understand being defensive in that game but ayew/kodjia/grealish picking it up deep in their own half with no pass forward available has been a consistent problem for the last 2 months.
You mention he can 'create space out of nothing' but who is he creating space for other than himself and if he's the only person who can benefit from it then he's really got no choice but to hold onto the ball.
The problems you describe exist at the team level and Grealish is a circumstance of that as much as anything else. This isn't me attempting to white knight for him or ignore his part in it, I'm just pointing out that right now under Bruce we'd be better off playing long ball in a 442 with a big target man and a quick fucker running off him because players like Grealish just aren't going to work if we play so deep.
-
I'm another who would have preferred us to have been a bit more adventurous. We may have shipped 4 or 5 but I doubt it given that Spurs were nowhere near full strength and their defence didn't look all that. We had little to lose really by giving it more of a go. Our away following is good and loud but some of the repertoire is on the embarrassing side. Rather hear them getting behind the team than slagging off the home crowd/attendance, it just sounds childish. Grealish continues to underwhelm just like the Moores, Del Founso, and many other promising youngsters before him. Reminds me of Del Founso in that he has a good touch but looks as if he's half asleep when playing. Needs a rocket up his arse if he's ever going to make it.
-
Not really got much to add on yesterday's efforts apart from the following
Johnstone looked handy, apart from the one punch under no pressure
Grealish looked absolutely awful, as he usually does when he starts. So so lightweight and lacking any sort of urgency. Losing any faith I had in him making it
Hutton is absolutely appalling
Gabby will never be the answer to any striking problems. And i'm not going to applaud him for doing the absolute minimum he should, eg run about a bit
As much as i rate Chester, he did dilly dally on the ball far too long on a few occasions yesterday
Tshibola looked 'alright', not anything to set my pulse racing
Bacuna/Albert worked hard enough defensively I guess
-
I like what Grealish does, I just wish he would do it quicker. He has the great ability to beat a man or create space out of nothing, he just needs to do it quicker and pass to a team mate faster. That would be enough I think to take him from "decent" to "good" in the Championship.
The thing is, as I said in the match thread, he was picking the ball up 10 yards outside our box, looking up and seeing 6-7 spurs players and gabby in the distance, how can he do anything creative in that situation? I can understand being defensive in that game but ayew/kodjia/grealish picking it up deep in their own half with no pass forward available has been a consistent problem for the last 2 months.
You mention he can 'create space out of nothing' but who is he creating space for other than himself and if he's the only person who can benefit from it then he's really got no choice but to hold onto the ball.
The problems you describe exist at the team level and Grealish is a circumstance of that as much as anything else. This isn't me attempting to white knight for him or ignore his part in it, I'm just pointing out that right now under Bruce we'd be better off playing long ball in a 442 with a big target man and a quick fucker running off him because players like Grealish just aren't going to work if we play so deep.
He is exactly the kind player who would shine in a better team. Good first touch, can carry the ball and has good passing ability (when players find space ahead of him). He does need to add end product with more assists / goals but that will come.
-
I think people are over analysing things here. We played a team ten times better than us, got the result that the vast majority of people expected, our only goalscorer wasn't there, Grealish ( I'm not one for having a go at him without good reason, by the way) gave the ball away and the new goalkeeper looks a decent prospect.
We're still miles away from premier league standard but we always knew that. Still, gabby touched the ball more than 4 times and we only conceded half as many as we did in last season's absolute debacle down here. I'm not slashing my wrists just yet
-
Take the defeat and move on. It was exactly as i thought.
We set up not to concede, sat deep and they had a single shot on goal for the first 45.
Not too bothered about losing, i still feel the pain of us getting ripped apart by Arsenal in the Final in 2015.
A cup run would have been a distraction that would have meant us meeting one of the top PL teams sooner or later, and it may have distracted priorities away from the league.
We don't know where we will finish, but i would prefer to not have the extra cup games to play this season. At least we never lost to lower league opposition.
Move on, our FA Cup destiny will wait, we need to concentrate on getting 3 points against Wolves.
Our supporters were fantastic, you have to take the piss where ever you can, and if that means pointing out empty seats, and sh*t support, or being Champions of Europe a long time ago fair enough.
Considering what our away support has endured over the last 5 years they were magnificent. You pay your money, you sing what you like.
-
I think people are over analysing things here. We played a team ten times better than us, got the result that the vast majority of people expected, our only goalscorer wasn't there, Grealish ( I'm not one for having a go at him without good reason, by the way) gave the ball away and the new goalkeeper looks a decent prospect.
We're still miles away from premier league standard but we always knew that. Still, gabby touched the ball more than 4 times and we only conceded half as many as we did in last season's absolute debacle down here. I'm not slashing my wrists just yet
Yup.
-
Also we seem to have a new song about Baker and Chester. We were moaning before the game about our boringly predictable song book and hey presto a new song.
-
I thought Bruce set us up to keep it tight and that's exactly what we did - had Chester or Gabby scored that chance we had just before they took the lead then who knows what might have happened
I was fearing an absolute hiding so holding my head high in work today and drawing on the positives which in no particular order were:
1. Sam Johnstone
2. The organisation of the back 4-6 keeping Spurs chances down to a minimum
3. We were right in the game for 70+ minutes v a very good side
4. Bruce giving Davis and Green 15 minutes
5. We didn't get twatted
6. No injuries or suspensions
7. No sign of Westwood, Bunn or Gardner in the starting line up
Onwards and upwards and hoping for three points on Saturday...
-
Oh and yes, Jack was shite again. While we're arseing around waiting for him to fire we're never going to do much. I won't write him off completely yet but he should be used just from the bench until we see him consistently have an impact on games, he's little more than a passenger at the moment.
Interesting attempt at doing a Carbone that didn't quite come off.
-
I like what Grealish does, I just wish he would do it quicker. He has the great ability to beat a man or create space out of nothing, he just needs to do it quicker and pass to a team mate faster. That would be enough I think to take him from "decent" to "good" in the Championship.
The thing is, as I said in the match thread, he was picking the ball up 10 yards outside our box, looking up and seeing 6-7 spurs players and gabby in the distance, how can he do anything creative in that situation? I can understand being defensive in that game but ayew/kodjia/grealish picking it up deep in their own half with no pass forward available has been a consistent problem for the last 2 months.
You mention he can 'create space out of nothing' but who is he creating space for other than himself and if he's the only person who can benefit from it then he's really got no choice but to hold onto the ball.
The problems you describe exist at the team level and Grealish is a circumstance of that as much as anything else. This isn't me attempting to white knight for him or ignore his part in it, I'm just pointing out that right now under Bruce we'd be better off playing long ball in a 442 with a big target man and a quick fucker running off him because players like Grealish just aren't going to work if we play so deep.
Pretty much the way I see it too Paul.
We have been quick to write off some of our younger players, but when you consider the team in which they are thrust into its little wonder they struggle to shine. It's no coincidence that Grealish was beginning to look his best when we still had the likes of Delph and Benteke in the team.
Overall thought it was an ok performance yesterday, against one of the stronger squads in the Premier League. On another day, we could have got a fortunate break on the counter to make it less of a formality but very few options to rely on.
It is critical we bring in a few more quality players this window to build a more convincing attacking threat.
-
Managed to find a bar in Zaragoza that had first half of the game on, and we coped better than I was expecting.
I was slightly nonplussed with us giving game time to a Man U reserve, but to be fair to Johnstone I was impressed with him. Hopefully the reports that we have an option to buy are accurate.
Gabby did OK, much as I dislike him he did not look totally out of the game and has definitely improved his fitness.
Grealish needs people running into positions and making space, else he will struggle to thread passes through. I will reserve judgement on both him and McCormack until Bruce has addressed midfield. I think the goals will flow once we have some pace and running in the middle of the park.
-
I don't know what people expect of Grealish with so few options around him to play with. He was the only player apart from Adomah who could hold onto the ball for any period of time. Hardley his fault there isn't a player making a run or in a position to move the ball on.
-
Some twattish behaviour from younger Villa fans in the Haringey Irish centre pre match - knocking tables over and chucking plastic glasses around. I felt like a warden in the cafeteria scene in Scum. Hope they have us back in the future though.
First time I've been embarrassed to be a Villa fan. 20 year old shithouses pissed on a couple of pints, filming each other breaking tables and chucking glasses. A decent, friendly, away-welcoming place to drink near the ground - wouldn't be surprised if it's not open to Villa fans next time we play there. The sight of that poor bar woman, trying to fix the tables while these pricks were singing and chucking stuff was pathetic. I was actually hoping for a group of Spurs fans to walk in and batter the living shit out of them.
There was a few behind us on the way. One of them started "Big nosed ******, my Lord" which I'm glad to say didn't get taken up by many, but there was some real stupidity on show yesterday. They're a decent bunch in the Centre so I'm sorry to hear that.
Anyway, it was all very predictable. I thought we had a chance when I saw the Spurs team (I was told only two started against Chelsea) but one lose ball in the box aside it never looked like happening.
I've seen a few comments about the home support. There were a lot there that don't often go, including a lot of kids it seemed. And, let's face it, they weren't really bothered about playing us. I don't hold a torch for Spurs but it's been one of the better grounds over the years. New one will be another soulless bowl though.
-
Some twattish behaviour from younger Villa fans in the Haringey Irish centre pre match - knocking tables over and chucking plastic glasses around. I felt like a warden in the cafeteria scene in Scum. Hope they have us back in the future though.
First time I've been embarrassed to be a Villa fan. 20 year old shithouses pissed on a couple of pints, filming each other breaking tables and chucking glasses. A decent, friendly, away-welcoming place to drink near the ground - wouldn't be surprised if it's not open to Villa fans next time we play there. The sight of that poor bar woman, trying to fix the tables while these pricks were singing and chucking stuff was pathetic. I was actually hoping for a group of Spurs fans to walk in and batter the living shit out of them.
There was a few behind us on the way. One of them started "Big nosed c***s, my Lord" which I'm glad to say didn't get taken up by many, but there was some real stupidity on show yesterday. They're a decent bunch in the Centre so I'm sorry to hear that.
Me and Pat went back in for a few pints after the match, in the Spurs side of the centre, and had a good drink. I'm guessing the kids who tried to smash up the other side of the pub were fast asleep on their trains by this time. We've been drinking in there for, what, 8 years maybe and never had any trouble, always ended up talking to the locals and staying on long into the evening. The funniest thing was when one of my mates from London- who's not even a Villa fan but loves coming to aways with us - pushed a Villa fan in the back when he was about to launch a glass. This kid tried again and my mate pushed him through the door this time. Then the young kid turned round as if he was going to smack my mate - and realised just how big a fella he is. Then he went all "hold me back" as if some invisible fella was stopping him from retaliating. We laughed at him. He looked a right tit in front of his mates
-
Some twattish behaviour from younger Villa fans in the Haringey Irish centre pre match - knocking tables over and chucking plastic glasses around. I felt like a warden in the cafeteria scene in Scum. Hope they have us back in the future though.
First time I've been embarrassed to be a Villa fan. 20 year old shithouses pissed on a couple of pints, filming each other breaking tables and chucking glasses. A decent, friendly, away-welcoming place to drink near the ground - wouldn't be surprised if it's not open to Villa fans next time we play there. The sight of that poor bar woman, trying to fix the tables while these pricks were singing and chucking stuff was pathetic. I was actually hoping for a group of Spurs fans to walk in and batter the living shit out of them.
There was a few behind us on the way. One of them started "Big nosed c***s, my Lord" which I'm glad to say didn't get taken up by many, but there was some real stupidity on show yesterday. They're a decent bunch in the Centre so I'm sorry to hear that.
Me and Pat went back in for a few pints after the match, in the Spurs side of the centre, and had a good drink. I'm guessing the kids who tried to smash up the other side of the pub were fast asleep on their trains by this time. We've been drinking in there for, what, 8 years maybe and never had any trouble, always ended up talking to the locals and staying on long into the evening. The funniest thing was when one of my mates from London- who's not even a Villa fan but loves coming to aways with us - pushed a Villa fan in the back when he was about to launch a glass. This kid tried again and my mate pushed him through the door this time. Then the young kid turned round as if he was going to smack my mate - and realised just how big a fella he is. Then he went all "hold me back" as if some invisible fella was stopping him from retaliating. We laughed at him. He looked a right tit in front of his mates
The pre-match antics in the Irish Centre made me feel old - not in years as such (though I am) - but more the gulf in attitude between the young lads and me. The teenage me would probably have thought it was fun whereas yesterday I just felt sorry for the staff.
-
I don't know what people expect of Grealish with so few options around him to play with. He was the only player apart from Adomah who could hold onto the ball for any period of time. Hardley his fault there isn't a player making a run or in a position to move the ball on.
I expect him to do whatever job he's in the side for instead of flouncing around doing nothing. He literally did nothing yesterday, AGAIN
He's not creating, he's not making runs, he's not providing a spark. What is he doing ?
-
Oh and yes, Jack was shite again. While we're arseing around waiting for him to fire we're never going to do much. I won't write him off completely yet but he should be used just from the bench until we see him consistently have an impact on games, he's little more than a passenger at the moment.
Interesting attempt at doing a Carbone that didn't quite come off.
It was a bloody good attempt too, only for the BBC commentary team to mock. Danny Murphytwat really doesn't like us does he? Always looking to be critical and have a go. This has only been in the last 18 months or so because he was largely positivr about us until something has happened to make him bitter about something.
As for the game:
Johnstone - Yep, good debut.
Hutton - Actually thought he defended well. Rubbish going forward but nothing wrong with his defensive work
Amavi - Needed to do a lot more work in trying to overlap. Also, when to sleep again and the was 2-0 and game over.
Chester - Nice
Baker - Towering
Tishbola - Some nice touches
Grealish - Not supported but always looking to get something going
Jedinak - Good covering
Bacuna - Worked hard
Adomah - Some nice touches
Gabby - Haterz gonna hate. Did his job very well.
-
His free kick was certainly a better attempt than anything McCormack came up with. Quick thinking and awareness that the keeper was in a poor position, sadly the execution wasn't right but didn't deserve the derision from Murphy. If Alli had attempted it no doubt it would be an audacious attempt from an outstanding player.
-
Gabby - Haterz gonna hate. Did his job very well.
I can haz hate? I don't recall seeing an assist or a goal from Chubs so I would put 'to the best of his current ability' rather than 'very well'. Trust me I write lots of reports. ;-)
-
Gabby - Haterz gonna hate. Did his job very well.
I can haz hate? I don't recall seeing an assist or a goal from Chubs so I would put 'to the best of his current ability' rather than 'very well'. Trust me I write lots of reports. ;-)
Did his job averagely I'd say, which is more than we've come to expect of him. Still looks unfit and only one decent chance all game. If you modelled an infinite number of scenarios for that game, none of them would have gabby scoring. Which is an issue when he's your only striker.
-
I don't know what people expect of Grealish with so few options around him to play with. He was the only player apart from Adomah who could hold onto the ball for any period of time. Hardley his fault there isn't a player making a run or in a position to move the ball on.
I expect him to do whatever job he's in the side for instead of flouncing around doing nothing. He literally did nothing yesterday, AGAIN
He's not creating, he's not making runs, he's not providing a spark. What is he doing ?
Waving his arms and whinging at the ref mostly
-
His free kick was certainly a better attempt than anything McCormack came up with. Quick thinking and awareness that the keeper was in a poor position, sadly the execution wasn't right but didn't deserve the derision from Murphy. If Alli had attempted it no doubt it would be an audacious attempt from an outstanding player.
All that gushing over Alli was nauseating. I'm surprised the MOTD studio wasn't drowning in jizz. It's that sort of ridiculously fawning that goes to these players' heads and contributes to them never fulfilling their potential. Talking him up as being good enough for Barca and Madrid? Fucking ludicrous. Lets see in another 1-2 years, not because he scored 7 in 4 games. It was only the other month for England he was being singled out as one example of the dwindling levels of talent the country has. Now all of a sudden he's the next Pele.
-
His free kick was certainly a better attempt than anything McCormack came up with. Quick thinking and awareness that the keeper was in a poor position, sadly the execution wasn't right but didn't deserve the derision from Murphy. If Alli had attempted it no doubt it would be an audacious attempt from an outstanding player.
All that gushing over Alli was nauseating. I'm surprised the MOTD studio wasn't drowning in jizz. It's that sort of ridiculously fawning that goes to these players' heads and contributes to them never fulfilling their potential. Talking him up as being good enough for Barca and Madrid? Fucking ludicrous. Lets see in another 1-2 years, not because he scored 7 in 4 games. It was only the other month for England he was being singled out as one example of the dwindling levels of talent the country has. Now all of a sudden he's the next Pele.
That's a good point.
-
when it comes to the big games like champions league and England that's when you see how good a player really is and that's why England was put out by Iceland and spurs are in the Europa league ok danny smurfy
also his comment all the time that villa are always seem to have 6 men in defence yes you prat that's what usually happens when the other team are on the attack
-
I'm probably biased but my view on grealish is this
He's not strong or fast or tall. He's outstandingly skilful. But he's only as good as for players around him enable him to be. He needs to interact with players who will give him space, who he can play a one two with or who will move intelligently for him. They're in short supply at villa
Also, it doesn't seem that long ago that he scored a brilliant last minute winner so I think the all fart no shit stuff is a bit harsh. He's scored three great goals this season and won about four penalties
I'm not saying he's going to live up to the hype but he's still a talent to be cherished in my view
-
I'm probably biased but my view on grealish is this
He's not strong or fast or tall. He's outstandingly skilful. But he's only as good as for players around him enable him to be. He needs to interact with players who will give him space, who he can play a one two with or who will move intelligently for him. They're in short supply at villa
Also, it doesn't seem that long ago that he scored a brilliant last minute winner so I think the all fart no shit stuff is a bit harsh. He's scored three great goals this season and won about four penalties
I'm not saying he's going to live up to the hype but he's still a talent to be cherished in my view
Good post. I think in a better team he would look very good indeed. But he's not yet the type to carry a team on his own.
-
I like what Grealish does, I just wish he would do it quicker. He has the great ability to beat a man or create space out of nothing, he just needs to do it quicker and pass to a team mate faster. That would be enough I think to take him from "decent" to "good" in the Championship.
The thing is, as I said in the match thread, he was picking the ball up 10 yards outside our box, looking up and seeing 6-7 spurs players and gabby in the distance, how can he do anything creative in that situation? I can understand being defensive in that game but ayew/kodjia/grealish picking it up deep in their own half with no pass forward available has been a consistent problem for the last 2 months.
You mention he can 'create space out of nothing' but who is he creating space for other than himself and if he's the only person who can benefit from it then he's really got no choice but to hold onto the ball.
The problems you describe exist at the team level and Grealish is a circumstance of that as much as anything else. This isn't me attempting to white knight for him or ignore his part in it, I'm just pointing out that right now under Bruce we'd be better off playing long ball in a 442 with a big target man and a quick fucker running off him because players like Grealish just aren't going to work if we play so deep.
fair points.
-
Grealish is too slow on the ball. He slows everything down and is more interested in trying to draw a foul than stretching his legs and being direct. I just want to see him pick the ball up and run at defenders with pace.
-
Grealish makes runs all the while. He needs movement to deliver a killer ball. How was he going to do that at Spurs when we were sat with a low block?
-
Grealish is too slow on the ball. He slows everything down and is more interested in trying to draw a foul than stretching his legs and being direct. I just want to see him pick the ball up and run at defenders with pace.
What he's doing is the only sensible thing to do. As you say he tries to draw fouls. Surely you've noticed we're at our most dangerous from set pieces, especially in away games so I can't decide if this is something he's decided to do to give us a chance or if he's been asked to do it. I think Grealish is a very smart player so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he has realised that he just doesn't have the movement in front of him to influence games in open play so he'd rather get us free kicks and see if we can take advantage from those.
-
So fatty can blast them over the bar
-
Grealish is too slow on the ball. He slows everything down and is more interested in trying to draw a foul than stretching his legs and being direct. I just want to see him pick the ball up and run at defenders with pace.
What he's doing is the only sensible thing to do. As you say he tries to draw fouls. Surely you've noticed we're at our most dangerous from set pieces, especially in away games so I can't decide if this is something he's decided to do to give us a chance or if he's been asked to do it. I think Grealish is a very smart player so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he has realised that he just doesn't have the movement in front of him to influence games in open play so he'd rather get us free kicks and see if we can take advantage from those.
If he has the right players with the right movement around him I think he could be similar to David Silva