Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Rigadon on August 24, 2024, 07:34:59 PM
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We’re as good as the side that’s most likely to trouble Man City.
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Yep I'm not too down, we had our chances.
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Being annoyed we didn't put away this Arsenal team for the third game running is the kind of annoyed I like to be.
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Morgan Rogers was imperious
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Hate them c**ts
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The lack of clean sheets is my only concern after that.
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We’re as good as the side that’s most likely to trouble Man City.
Agreed. Better side until they scored. Great as he is, Ollie’s got that in him, two freak misses, and therefore a fluke result.
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Rogers was good
most the players was ok to be fair just the striker had a mare.
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Hate Arsenal, where they're from, the players they have, past and present, the manager and the fucking ratty looking fans.
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Not too depressed, we've played a lot worse and won games. They took their chances, we didn't. We'll still take a lot of teams to the cleaners this season.
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You dont take your chances and thats what happens you get punished.
We missed chances this week and worse ones today. Just hoping we getting that out our system early because the rwsult would have been different if ollie didnt miss thoss simple chances
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Emery out.
Not too disappointed tbh, if Ollie takes his chances we probably win.
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The positives are we’re creating chances, and Arsenal are excellent defensively. Rogers was excellent and so was Maatsen when he came on. Also it was arguably our two best players making bad errors that cost, that won’t happen often.
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Plenty to be encouraged about in that performance
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Ollie clearly needs to get up to speed still. They took their chances, we didn’t, the end.
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Can't argue with the performance. Miss two absolute sitters against a team as good as Arsenal and you will be punished.
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First Ollie miss was a shocker, second one was all about the save for me. 99% of the time a keeper doesn't save that.
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Looked very good at times, but Watkins lack of pre-season involvement really showed. Can't miss chances like that against teams like this and get away with it.
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Hate Arsenal, where they're from, the players they have, past and present, the manager and the fucking ratty looking fans.
Yes , also Arsenal fans rather goad our keeper than celebrate their keeper who kept them in it . i look
forward to them choking
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Arsenal are jammy cheating feckers. And a bit rubbish.
We didn’t deserve to lose that.
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Chsnces to win not taken
Their subs wotked better than ours.
Rogers best player on the pitch
Even got served quickly st HT in Trinity
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Hate Arsenal, where they're from, the players they have, past and present, the manager and the fucking ratty looking fans.
Yes , also Arsenal fans rather goad our keeper than celebrate their keeper who kept them in it . i look
forward to them choking
Emi has dished plenty out, he can suck it up and take some back.
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I thought Konsa, Tielemans, and Rogers looked good today. I am not worried about us in the slightest.
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Was only able to catch the last 15 minutes or so of the match. Sadly enough, 10 seconds after I turned on the game, they scored, so this one is probably on me. From the sounds of it, it seems like Arsenal had a horseshoe up their backside? Even the game announcers on my feed seemed to indicate that Villa was the better team today.
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Arsenal are jammy cheating feckers. And a bit rubbish.
We didn’t deserve to lose that.
We did deserve to lose it because we refused to put the ball into the net when it was the easiest option.
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First Ollie miss was a shocker, second one was all about the save for me. 99% of the time a keeper doesn't save that.
That was a brilliant recovery
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We’re as good as the side that’s most likely to trouble Man City.
I beg to differ, so which 5 or 6 of our team get into the Arsenal team ? Our passing and speed of attacking was found wanting. If our best players don't perform to a high level, we struggle to impose ourselves. Onto Leicester.
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A new right back is an absolute must now. I think Ned will be very good, given time, and now is not that time. You have to take your chances against the best sides, simple as. We are where we were last year so no biggie. Rogers is our best player, strength, vision and great work rate.
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Maybe not too disappointing but we are still three players short of having as good a first team as last year.
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Might be an interesting few days on the transfer front.
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But..., I think it will take us a few games to click with all the new players, the staggered preseason and injury returns.
Rogers in that role is class, Tielemanns was good, I liked Maatsen and JJ on that side and once up and running that could be dangerous. I wish Pau was more assured in his defending, he does some weird things when heading the ball. Ollie looked like a rugby player kicking a football for the first time.
I thought against one of the best teams around we were pretty good in parts.
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Annoying result, but there was nothing between the teams.
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Morgan Rogers MOTM for us again, gonna be some player for us.
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Those two chances Watkins missed, horrendous. Oh well, sure he'll bounce back.
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Even and tense game until they scored. Could have gone both ways just wasnt our day.
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A new right back is an absolute must now. I think Ned will be very good, given time, and now is not that time. You have to take your chances against the best sides, simple as. We are where we were last year so no biggie. Rogers is our best player, strength, vision and great work rate.
Wonder how long Cash will be out for?
Possible bid for Gertie?
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One bit we do need to deal with, we’re still conceding too many goals.
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Rogers was good
most the players was ok to be fair just the striker had a mare.
I thought Konsa had a ragged enough second half. Not sure about our new RB either. Result didn't reflect balance of the game. We were well on top when they scored a bit of a fluke and Martinez should have been able to put his hat on the second. Game turned on Ollie's two misses unfortunately. Rogers was best player on the pitch.
Martinez 5 - one outstanding save from Saka but has to save second
Cash (Kosta 5) - did ok on Martinelli but Trossard exposed him
Konsa 5 - solid first half but poor when we had to chase it
Torres 6 - pressed a lot harder than at West Ham and struggled to get his passing going
Digne 6 - fine defensively but not offering anything going forward
Onana 6 - very quiet first half but much better after half time breaking with the ball
Tielemans 6 - bypassed in first half I thought but much better after half time
Bailey 6 - certainly worked hard and tracked back well but not firing at the top end of pitch yet
McGinn 6 - disappointing first half but much better in second, taken off too early. Would much prefer him on right
Rogers 9 - outstanding really, best player on pitch by a long way
Watkins 4 - awful really, even aside from the two sitters, touch was abysmal and bullied by their CBs
Not sure about subs today, Ramsey a bit hesitant for his chance, Duran couldn't get involved, don't want to see much more of Barkley in a two with Tielemans, Maatsen certainly looks sharp. Thought Buendia should have got 10-15 mins.
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Maybe not too disappointing but we are still three players short of having as good a first team as last year.
Three? Really?
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Ollie should have scored 2 but did not
We should have cleared before Troussard scored but did not
Emi should have done better with the second but did not
I thought we matched them better than the 1-0 home win last year, they have been building a squad for a lot longer than us and it showed.
But move on lets whack the crisp munchers next week
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4th game against them under Unai, W2 L2 and all 4 could have gone either way. Not many sides give Arsenal a good game the last 4 times they played them.
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We will win our next five league matches
1 2 3 4 5
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We will win our next five league matches
1 2 3 4 5
Senses working overtime?
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Absolute shit show at the ground trying to get in. Also, the "this is Villa Park" screen - yes we know. Bring back the match clock?
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Poor sub choices. Taking McGinn off who was breaking up their attacking play and winning countless fouls was where it all went wrong.
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We will win our next five league matches
1 2 3 4 5
V
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Maatsen should have come on earlier , Luca looked knackered , he looks really good .
Emi has to save the second.
With DC not coming on for Cash he must be off I would imagine but shows me need a couple of signing this week.
We will still finish top 4
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First Ollie miss was a shocker, second one was all about the save for me. 99% of the time a keeper doesn't save that.
Second one as bad as the first for me. He had time to pick a spot and nail it. Good save but it was in the perfect place for the keeper to look good.
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Maatsen should have come on earlier , Luca looked knackered , he looks really good .
Emi has to save the second.
With DC not coming on for Cash he must be off I would imagine but shows me need a couple of signing this week.
We will still finish top 4
I'm wondering if Buendia might be going on loan too. Surprised he didn't get a run out late on.
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The lack of clean sheets is my only concern after that.
That’s the difference between us and them. They only conceded 29 to our 61 last season. It’s like George Graham all over again.
We’re good though, not downhearted at all
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We played quite well - but the challenge is at this level we can’t afford to lose too many if we want to be competitive on all fronts. We gifted them at least one of the goals and missed two sitters.
I still think we’re light - as you have to bank on at any time having 2 or 3 out with injury. We need another attacking option and another cb otherwise I think we’re in trouble. One injury or loss of form in those position could be the difference between 4th and 6th.
Clearly it’s early days but today really hammered home how difficult it will be to get UCL football again
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A fully up to speed Ollie and we don’t lose that. We played very well, certainly for the first 60 minutes. Plenty of positives to take, particularly Rogers who looks like he’s gone up another level on last season.
Whoever can finish above Arsenal wins the league.
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They took their chances, we didn’t, the end.
Sums it up unfortunately. We will have better days that's for sure.
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Maatsen should have come on earlier , Luca looked knackered , he looks really good .
Emi has to save the second.
With DC not coming on for Cash he must be off I would imagine but shows me need a couple of signing this week.
We will still finish top 4
I'm wondering if Buendia might be going on loan too. Surprised he didn't get a run out late on.
The game was lost at 2 - 0 so I agree 15 minutes would not have hurt .
Unless a Baena type came in ( dreaming again ) Id keep him around but wouldnt have hurt giving him a few minutes .
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The post match positivity is Morgan Rogers who was outstanding and didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
A draw would've been fairer in a game of few clear chances, and our misses were costly. Trossard made a difference for them.
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Not worried at all. We had enough clear cut chances to win the game today. Ollie will come good. Look at our games until the end of October. We will be just fine.
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I think Unai literally just said he thinks a right back could be incoming.
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Mikel Arteta smiled and nodded when asked about Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers' "running threat."
“When you lose the ball & you counter-press, they break that press. They have a lot of legs, have runners between centre-backs & full-backs. They make us suffer in open spaces.”
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Unai Emery: "I am happy and if we were scoring (those) goals then maybe we would be winning. With Arsenal, we feel we are close to getting a performance. The players will stay calm and have two days rest and then get ready for the match against Leicester."
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The performance as a whole wasnt bad at all. The only negative was the finishing for me.
Thought rogers was motm. Its just a shame we have lost our first home game after being so impressive at home last year.
You can see the quality arsenal have their were clinical today. We only have ourselves to blame today
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Seem to recall that last season they were well on top for most of the game, but we took our only chance.
Roles reversed today?
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Great performance. So positive. Would we have won with Toney?
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The best way to get this out of the system is to fuck Yanited over.
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Its just a shame we have lost our first home game after being so impressive at home last year.
That's what happens when you tempt fate and change our lucky players tunnel. Madness.
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The post match positivity is Morgan Rogers who was outstanding and didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
A draw would've been fairer in a game of few clear chances, and our misses were costly. Trossard made a difference for them.
Defo - surprised he dodnt statt.
Onana and Rice sort of negated each other.
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I thought it was very early season Ollie - couple of months down the line and we’d have done them.
Very weirdly, I was watching this in the airport in Cyprus with lots of flights delayed and there were kids in Man City shirts with Haaland on the back cheering on Arsenal. I thought that very strange.
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Maybe not too disappointing but we are still three players short of having as good a first team as last year.
Three? Really?
Yes. A centre half, a right back and a forward.
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The two chances for Watkins are the obvious talking points.
Shortly after Watkins went off a long ball was played into Konsa at the far post who put back into the 6 yard box but nobody was on the end of it. If Watkins had still been on he may have been on the end it ? Or if Duran had been brought on 5 minutes earlier maybe he would have been sharper and on the end of it ?
If, buts and maybe....fine margins.
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Maybe not too disappointing but we are still three players short of having as good a first team as last year.
Three? Really?
Yes. A centre half, a right back and a forward.
But we had the centre-halves and right-backs we had last season, and Rogers probably played better than Diaby’s best game for us, whatever that was.
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It depends if the ambition is to go further than the top four ie a title push. The same right back as last season needs upgrading. Carlos isn’t consistent enough and I’m still to be convinced we have enough options up front for that to be a serious aim.
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We were the better team, looked very, very good at times but you just have to take those chances.
Still think we need a few in and if we get them anything is possible.
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Disappointing, i didn't think there was a great deal between the two sides overall other than the two chances they took. Thought the midfield lack a little something but Rogers looked very good again. One to put right next time.
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
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Its just a shame we have lost our first home game after being so impressive at home last year.
That's what happens when you tempt fate and change our lucky players tunnel. Madness.
Waht happened ? I must have missed this
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We'd have won if we had gone with the decapitated heads and real lions option.
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I thought we were good today and maybe 2-0 flatters them. They are a good team and we matched them except for taking chances. Rogers was excellent as was Tielemans and the rest weren’t too far behind. Ollie’s chances must be taken if we’re going to challenge teams like this
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It depends if the ambition is to go further than the top four ie a title push. The same right back as last season needs upgrading. Carlos isn’t consistent enough and I’m still to be convinced we have enough options up front for that to be a serious aim.
I agree with the go further bit. It’s the ‘to be better than last year’ bit that surprised me.
I think we maybe missed Carlos at centre-back and Konsa at right-back, but we had that available. Kamara maybe, but he’s injured. Tielemans played as well as Dougie. Rogers was an improvement on where Tielemans played last season (number 10)
I think we’d be buzzing about the squad had Ollie scored 50% of his sitters today..
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Unai Emery says Ezri Konsa "is comfortable" playing at centre-back and now prefers playing either Matty Cash or Kosta Nedeljkovic "playing in their position" due to changes in the build-up structure this season.
Unai Emery was glowing about Morgan Rogers: "He's playing fantastic. He is getting more confident, he's adding us more tactical ways with how we can connect with him inside, on the outside and the next step is getting him in the box. He's hungry to increase his level."
Unai Emery: "I am proud of how we played these two matches. I know August is difficult because we are playing only three matches in three weeks and because the transfer window is open and some players only re-joined us the week before West Ham and not fit completely."
Unai Emery: "How we faced Arsenal today is the way I want. Of course, we have to be clinical, but the match more or less tactically, had control in some moments more in the second half, yet they scored two goals. It was very similar to last year."
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
He reminds me of Ronaldo, the brilliant one.
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Enjoyed the game and agree with the comments from Unai.
But couldn’t understand why he made the two subs around the 60 min mark. We were right on top!
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We played better and controlled more of the game tonight than we did in the win last season. Disappointing to lose, but lots to be positive about.
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I thought best player on the pitch was odegard followedb Rogrs.
He is going to score a Dalianesque one from his own half. Brilliant
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Emery said Villa have changed their build up this season. I think they’ve tweaked from back three in possession to two CBs & the two CMs very central & deep (one often between the CBs) Rogers can then arrive in the pockets left & drive (as he did superbly today)
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The positives:
We were every bit as good as them overall, and could and should have won the game
Rogers was absolutely magnificent, a real bums off seats player
Onana played well again
The negatives
Watkins - dreadful misses and his all round game was awful. Did nothing but give the ball away and was generally rubbish.
Kosta - he's good at closing players down and is quick but I think he was thrown in at the deep end, and it showed. Was positionally a bit off and never seemed to be in the right position.
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Encouraged by performance, annoyed by result. Rogers was v v good
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
And Gascoigne at times!
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
And Gascoigne at times!
Yes, I think Gascoigne is a very good comparison. The way he gets the ball centrally, gets surrounded by two or three players and still finds a way to come away with the ball in space. He's absolutely brilliant now, how good is he going to be in three or four years?
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I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward.
Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat. Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.
Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.
I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan.
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
And Gascoigne at times!
/Yaya Toure?
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I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward.
Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat. Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.
Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.
I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan.
After Kosta came on, it seemed to me that nobody passed to him for about 30 minutes. Either he wasn't in the right positions or they don't fully trust him yet.
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Emery said Villa have changed their build up this season. I think they’ve tweaked from back three in possession to two CBs & the two CMs very central & deep (one often between the CBs) Rogers can then arrive in the pockets left & drive (as he did superbly today)
That would make sense, given our recruitment but it does mean we need a new right back.
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I thought they probably shaded it in terms of controlling the game, but we obviously had quite a few good chances. Watkins should have had two without being in the game. I am so grateful to finally have a Villa team that will give a damn good account of ourselves. How many times have we just rolled over for Arsenal in years gone by.
Some excellent stuff from our guys today - Rogers, Bailey, Tielemens. I thought it was a great game. We're going to have a really memorable season, I feel.
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I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward.
Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat. Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.
Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.
I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan.
After Kosta came on, it seemed to me that nobody passed to him for about 30 minutes. Either he wasn't in the right positions or they don't fully trust him yet.
Yes, I thought that as well. I think that is often the case with young players. Happened with Rogers in his first couple of Euro appearances. They soon learned.
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Always disappointing to lose the first home game of the season,however with this manager and squad of players that will be a rarety. Onwards and upwards we will go.
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If Watkins scores either of his sitters, we win. He seems about two weeks behind the rest of the team, just hope this doesn't knock his confidence.
First-half we executed Unai's plan brilliantly and Arsenal were jolly lucky to go in level at HT. Second-half as soon as we stopped pressing they were the better team.
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I love the gaffers interviews afterwards. So reasonable, sensible and respectful. Top bloke we have.
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Kosta was pushed high and it seemed to be a decision not to involve him with the passing out from the back. Sensible decision.
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I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward.
Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat. Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.
Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.
I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan.
After Kosta came on, it seemed to me that nobody passed to him for about 30 minutes. Either he wasn't in the right positions or they don't fully trust him yet.
Yes - it might be a bit of both - him and Bailey with there pace could be brilliant but I thought a couple of times he ran “with” Bailey rather than there being any idea of how the two would link up - when Ramsey and moreno did it on the left the season before last they looked great. I think he’ll do the same with Maatasen
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Kosta was pushed high and it seemed to be a decision not to involve him with the passing out from the back. Sensible decision.
Was a mix for me, I think this is true but they also didn't want to pass to him in situations where he might be under too much pressure. Which is also totally fine, he's young and Arsenal are so dangerous when they win the ball high up.
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100% they pushed him high so he didn't have to get involved in the passing from the back. Makes total sense.
He did ok too.
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It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.
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One thing - and area of positivity - is it does feel like we’re build a unai team for the next 4-5 years.
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It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.
I think those were when Kosta didn’t do what Bailey wanted - I think Kosta either didn’t take up a good position - or Bailey wanted him to run into a space that might have created more space for him (Bailey) in the end he just kind of felt like he was there.
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It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.
Yeah I thought that was very noticeable early in the second half. Later, Bailey had possession of it for ages and did really well to keep hold of it then played a hospital pass to Ned when he finally released it.
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That's probably on a par with the Newcastle 5-1 last season. We are better than being defined by one game, so we move on again (copyright Mr P Lambert).
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Kosta was pushed high and it seemed to be a decision not to involve him with the passing out from the back. Sensible decision.
Was a mix for me, I think this is true but they also didn't want to pass to him in situations where he might be under too much pressure. Which is also totally fine, he's young and Arsenal are so dangerous when they win the ball high up.
Devils advocate - they took off Martinelli so he must have done something right
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Deserved to get something from that. Unlucky to lose. Shocking miss from Watkins. Thought the other one was an outstanding save.
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How Martinelli gets in that team ahead of Trossard I don’t know.
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https://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-arsenal/report/505817
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Deserved to get something from that. Unlucky to lose. Shocking miss from Watkins. Thought the other one was an outstanding save.
I thought the second one was an amazing save - but a save that shouldn’t have been possible. 9 times out of 10 what Watkins did in that situation would have been enough - but still shouldnt have given the keeper a chance
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press conference:
"I thought it was a goal. I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar. We're all watching the ball and I went, 'No, please!' Then I see the striker in that position and normally it's a goal. David's reaction is unbelievable.
"I'm very happy. It's a really tough place to come, a great atmosphere for football, a really good team, really well coached with great collective organisation and huge individual threat.
"We found a way to win, especially because the team played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better as it was going, apart from those 10-12 minutes in the second half.
"When we had to rely on certain individuals, we did, like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save. When we made the changes, the impact they had was tremendous.
"When the team starts to be equipped that way and starts to be able to navigate through different contexts in the match, it becomes a team that can win in every place. Today we showed that."
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Can’t complain. We were a bit sleepy a number of times We had our chances and didn’t take them. In the big games it makes the difference.
Ollie 1/10 today. Apart from missing two easy chances he kept giving the ball away, couldn’t hold it up and didn’t do much to stretch their defence.
Rodgers was sublime. They couldn’t cope with him when he ran at them. What a signing. Just shrugged them off at times.
Young Ned did ok in such a big game.
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Played well today though the two goals we concede were very soft. Defence remains a big issue. The Watkins misses are what can you say , you cannot miss those and get away with it . Rogers MOTM .
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press conference:
"I thought it was a goal. I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar. We're all watching the ball and I went, 'No, please!' Then I see the striker in that position and normally it's a goal. David's reaction is unbelievable.
"I'm very happy. It's a really tough place to come, a great atmosphere for football, a really good team, really well coached with great collective organisation and huge individual threat.
"We found a way to win, especially because the team played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better as it was going, apart from those 10-12 minutes in the second half.
"When we had to rely on certain individuals, we did, like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save. When we made the changes, the impact they had was tremendous.
"When the team starts to be equipped that way and starts to be able to navigate through different contexts in the match, it becomes a team that can win in every place. Today we showed that."
That's fair enough from the twat.
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I have to say ollie was bloody awful today. His misses were bad but his general performance was very poor. If he plays that badly against leicester he has to be dropped and duran given a start.
Two games he has been really bad and this is what we need competition for places
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On the plus side we've now got a nice run of 7 games against the dross of the division, Leicester, Everton, Wolves, Ipswich, Man Utd, Fulham, Bournemouth, 24 points after 9 games will be decent.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press conference:
"I thought it was a goal. I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar. We're all watching the ball and I went, 'No, please!' Then I see the striker in that position and normally it's a goal. David's reaction is unbelievable.
"I'm very happy. It's a really tough place to come, a great atmosphere for football, a really good team, really well coached with great collective organisation and huge individual threat.
"We found a way to win, especially because the team played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better as it was going, apart from those 10-12 minutes in the second half.
"When we had to rely on certain individuals, we did, like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save. When we made the changes, the impact they had was tremendous.
"When the team starts to be equipped that way and starts to be able to navigate through different contexts in the match, it becomes a team that can win in every place. Today we showed that."
That's fair enough from the twat.
Literally took the words out of my mouth.
Just watched the sky highlights back and it was a really good save, but Ollie header was lind of central.
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
He reminds me of Ronaldo, the brilliant one.
I thought that.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in his press conference:
"I thought it was a goal. I saw the reaction of the defensive line which was none because the ball goes on the crossbar. We're all watching the ball and I went, 'No, please!' Then I see the striker in that position and normally it's a goal. David's reaction is unbelievable.
"I'm very happy. It's a really tough place to come, a great atmosphere for football, a really good team, really well coached with great collective organisation and huge individual threat.
"We found a way to win, especially because the team played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better as it was going, apart from those 10-12 minutes in the second half.
"When we had to rely on certain individuals, we did, like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save. When we made the changes, the impact they had was tremendous.
"When the team starts to be equipped that way and starts to be able to navigate through different contexts in the match, it becomes a team that can win in every place. Today we showed that."
That's fair enough from the twat.
Literally took the words out of my mouth.
Just watched the sky highlights back and it was a really good save, but Ollie header was lind of central.
I thought ollie had enough time to just blast that in with his foot
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On the plus side we've now got a nice run of 7 games against the dross of the division, Leicester, Everton, Wolves, Ipswich, Man Utd, Fulham, Bournemouth, 24 points after 9 games will be decent.
Which obviously brings its own pressure. We need to be sharper and kill these teams off and be more robust in defence.
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Plus more clinical in attack.
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Plus score more goals than the opposition.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
No it doesn’t.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
You sound like the bloke I sat next too. Wholly accurate mind.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
Early goal though and we then parked the bus, totally different game dynamic
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
No it doesn’t.
It wasn't last season, either.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
No it doesn’t.
It wasn't last season, either.
We conceded a lot more last season than the season before though. Better defending would have seen us probably top 3
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We conceded 61 last season, Arsenal by comparison conceded 29. Until we stop conceding an average of 1.5 goals a game 4th is our ceiling.
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We conceded 61 last season, Arsenal by comparison conceded 29. Until we stop conceding an average of 1.5 goals a game 4th is our ceiling.
Exactly.
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We conceded 61 last season, Arsenal by comparison conceded 29. Until we stop conceding an average of 1.5 goals a game 4th is our ceiling.
Well that's a better right back and a fit 'Kamara' type player to close the gap. Though Rice and Onana largely cancelled each other out today.
Maybe we can also sign that fella Saliba.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
Early goal though and we then parked the bus, totally different game dynamic
We scored late though in 2nd half . Was 0-0 at HT in both games. But arsenal were veey good last year and unlucky to lose. Today we playdd miles better than last seasons game and won. Very strange how football can turn out!
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We scored late though in 2nd half . Was 0-0 at HT in both games. But arsenal were veey good last year and unlucky to lose. Today we playdd miles better than last seasons game and won. Very strange how football can turn out!
McGinn scored after 7 mins at VP last season.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
Early goal though and we then parked the bus, totally different game dynamic
We scored late though in 2nd half . Was 0-0 at HT in both games. But arsenal were veey good last year and unlucky to lose. Today we playdd miles better than last seasons game and won. Very strange how football can turn out!
Are you confusing it with the Citeh game? Arsenal was McGinn goal after about 5 mins and then hanging on.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
No it doesn’t.
It does.
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I'm not to down about that at all. Ollie scores either of his chances and we win.
How long until Rogers scores a Dalian umbrella goal?
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
Early goal though and we then parked the bus, totally different game dynamic
We scored late though in 2nd half . Was 0-0 at HT in both games. But arsenal were veey good last year and unlucky to lose. Today we playdd miles better than last seasons game and won. Very strange how football can turn out!
McGinn scored after 7 mins , we then parked the bus .
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Ask Dalians Umbrella.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
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So bad defending then.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
Goal difference already -1. We have followed on from last season where across 38 games we conceded way too many .
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Tbh i thought we played every bit as well in this fixture as we did in the same one last season, and we won that.
I haven't seen anything negative in two games this season.
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So bad defending then.
2nd Yes as Partey wide open in any case prior to Emi not saving - who is the last line.
First one less - it was a ricochet of Rogers and Trossard struck it perfectly.
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Two lucky breaks for Arsenal in front of goal with Emi needing to do better for the Partey shot and the very fortunate Trossard break. I thought we were a bit unlucky, although luck or bad misses, take your pick.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
Goal difference already -1. We have followed on from last season where across 38 games we conceded way too many .
We were on 0 after two games last season and -1 after four. Maybe lets wait until we have more games under the belt before claiming we are worse then last year.
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Whats strange is arsenal probably played better last season at villa park and we were worse than today in that game yet arsenal win today and lose the last game.
Its a funny old game
Early goal though and we then parked the bus, totally different game dynamic
We scored late though in 2nd half . Was 0-0 at HT in both games. But arsenal were veey good last year and unlucky to lose. Today we playdd miles better than last seasons game and won. Very strange how football can turn out!
Are you confusing it with the Citeh game? Arsenal was McGinn goal after about 5 mins and then hanging on.
Yeah i am sorry 😂
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.
We have some easier? Fixtures ahead so let's see if the goals A column improves. My point was really we concede too many over 38 games last season and we have continued in that same vein. The 2 goals were soft today .
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Have to say saliba looked on a different level to konsa and torres today. He was bloody fantastic for them annoyingly
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.
We have some easier? Fixtures ahead so let's see if the goals A column improves. My point was really we concede too many over 38 games last season and we have continued in that same vein. The 2 goals were soft today .
We have conceded 5 fewer in 2 games so far than in last 2 games of last season with comparable oppositon. That's a 60% improvement :D
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.
We have some easier? Fixtures ahead so let's see if the goals A column improves. My point was really we concede too many over 38 games last season and we have continued in that same vein. The 2 goals were soft today .
We have conceded 5 fewer in 2 games so far than in last 2 games of last season with comparable oppositon. That's a 60% improvement :D
Fair point in fairness.
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Have to say saliba looked on a different level to konsa and torres today. He was bloody fantastic for them annoyingly
I thought our pair did well enough today especially ball at feet. Konsa constantly made Havertz run extra yards.
Saliba is a different level to everyone in the league since VVD came off the boil.
Positional sense, timing, tackling and above all organising the other defenders who aren't all that great. if nothing else I was glad to see him in the flesh today. That tackle on Ramsey was impeccable.
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Like most I'm not too disheartened, Ollie on form and we win that. We'll definitely be top 4 contenders again.
Fuck me Rogers is good. It's funny what fans think of their own team, probably a good half from Boro were not bothered about him going. Just goes to show how much the right manager and set up matters.
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Rogers was outstanding. And he's improving . Excellent signing .
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We're a top 4 side, we're not a title challenging side, yet. Arsenal are. Man City are a title winning side, so there's your escalation points.
Felt we were better against Arsenal today for a longer period than we were in either game last season, particularly the home fixture. Missed 3 really good chances to be out of sight, in a game that didn't really have any significant difference between the sides until a fortunate ricochet. Fine margins, etc etc.
The chances we missed were real gilt edged ones we ought to have taken. Score and we win.
I dont think Partey should have been on the pitch, a 2nd booking for a late shirt tug on Onana or Rogers, but Emi must do better. Digne shackled Saka, although doesn't offer as much going forwards as Ian.
Subs and injuries made the first 30 a bit stop start. Pur 2nd ball was a rushed and wayward at times, after beating the press. Rogers continues to impress and I'm hopeful JJ is nearing full fitness too.
I'd like a Diaby replacement and another centre half, but we look a really good side. Easier to be sanguine in August, but lots of positives.
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We lacked quality in the final third today . Same at West Ham where we would on a better day have scored 5 or 6 . It's early days though and the signs are we will dismantle lots of teams in the division especially if we can hone our finishing .
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As per 2016-17 we are going to give someone a good spanking soon.
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To be beaten 2-0 and their goalkeeper get man of the match says a lot about the game.
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We were nowhere near our peak performances of last season.
Too many players not at the right level.
Watkins was awful, Bailey reverted to the player of 2 seasons ago.
Good teams do not give up the ball as easily as we did.
Nothing positive about losing at Villa Park.
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Righto.
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Another word for Morgan Rogers, who sometimes literally reminds of Kaká.
And Gascoigne at times!
/Yaya Toure?
That's the comparison I used with my mate earlier- he doesn't rely on pace, he doesn't rely on skill, he doesn't rely on strength. He has all three in pretty equal measures.
It's ridiculous what's happened to him since he looked alright in January when we were beating Middlesbrough.
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How long was it before we launched a meaningful attack? For the first 25 minutes we were under the cosh.
As somebody close to my tinnitus affected ear vociferously opined: "Vaym all over us on the flanx, we'm too narra!".
We could have scored 3 goals from breakaways, but we never dominated the pattern of play at any point.
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Absolute shit show at the ground trying to get in. Also, the "this is Villa Park" screen - yes we know. Bring back the match clock?
That's exactly what I thought. I couldn't read the time from the Holte, had to take a photo of it then zoom in.
On a more positive note they've made a good job of the bogs, nicely refurbished and clean.
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For me, Arsenal are overrated by many here. They are good but so are we, and today we were better save for Watkins who was shite on toast. Two games straight he has been poor and it cost us today.
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They retained the ball better than us, we were a little sloppy at times. Not sure what position JM is playing, been taken off twice now. Overaul we looked a very good side, the game could have gone either way, still not a believer that Duran can lead the line for a full game.
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
Not really.
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The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.
With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.
I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.
We have some easier? Fixtures ahead so let's see if the goals A column improves. My point was really we concede too many over 38 games last season and we have continued in that same vein. The 2 goals were soft today .
We have conceded 5 fewer in 2 games so far than in last 2 games of last season with comparable oppositon. That's a 60% improvement :D
Points wise we are 1 point worse last season though. We drew at west ham and beat arsenal so had 4 points compared to 3 that we have now 🙂
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If Watkins scores either of those sitters we would be talking about Villa having 6 points from two testing fixtures. Keep the faith people. Another top4 season is underway.
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We more than matched them but didn't take our chances. Watkins should have put away the first one & the keeper makes an outrageous save for the second.
Duran is still a bull in a china shop & is never a backup to Watkins.
Special mention to the Arsenal fans who were totally silent for 70 minutes.
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
No, think he did ok yesterday, especially in that 20 min 2nd half period. We were arguably poorer when he went off. There won’t be many of the midfield and forward line that will play the full 90 every week this season.
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
Said to my lad during the game yesterday that by the end of the season McGinn will be a rotation option not a starter. Sad, but where Emery wants this side he won't keep up. I reckon this season will be his last with us before he takes the move to Celtic. Heartbreaking, but father time will catch up with him before most in my opinion.
We need to sharpen our end product. For all the ball they had, we frustrated them and then found holes and should have been very comfortable by the time they got a lucky break and scored. Ref was kind to Partey, Saliba and Saka all night.
We have a terrific chance of top 6, but need a defender through the door at a minimum this week. I also think last night is the type of game Diaby popped up with a goal, which is something we missed for me, more than we missed Doug.
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We were nowhere near our peak performances of last season.
Too many players not at the right level.
Watkins was awful, Bailey reverted to the player of 2 seasons ago.
Good teams do not give up the ball as easily as we did.
Nothing positive about losing at Villa Park.
I thought Bailey had a good game.
Im without exception always deflated when we lose, but my 14 year old essentially said, its Arsenal, along with Man City, the best side in the league and we battered them for a large part of the game, we can’t be too disappointed.
Ollies miss in the first was unreal and an awful miss, but it would of been against the run of play. However, the one in the second half came towards that spell when we were totally dominating them, I think if he scores, we arguably win by a couple of goals.
Anyway, the team is taking shape and if we play like we did for large parts of the game, we’ll have the beating of most teams.
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Yeah i think mcginns is in most danger of losing his spot in next 12 months. I love him but he doesnt score enough goals like he use to.
Think bailey worked hard yesterday i was worried he was going to pick up a injury after he went down.
Im suprised unai opted for barkley ahead of buendia yesterday
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
He’s been very ordinary the first two games.
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Not sure what position JM is playing, been taken off twice now.
I suspect 80% of that is a keenness to get Ramsey on the pitch. Other games it might be Rogers coming off but he’d playing too well. It’s not entirely a reflection of SJM’s performances.
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I don't think McGinn played there last season. Ramsey Zaniolo and Rogers all played on that side. It does feel like he's a placeholder until Ramsey claims that position back.
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When the fixtures came out, conceivably we could have lost to both West Ham and Arsenal, so we are three points up. As for John McGinn, Captain or not no one should be guaranteed the place.
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
Said to my lad during the game yesterday that by the end of the season McGinn will be a rotation option not a starter. Sad, but where Emery wants this side he won't keep up. I reckon this season will be his last with us before he takes the move to Celtic. Heartbreaking, but father time will catch up with him before most in my opinion.
I hear where you’re coming from but I don’t think Celtic could offer the cash needed to justify losing SJM the player and more so the character.
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We're a top 4 side, we're not a title challenging side, yet. Arsenal are. Man City are a title winning side, so there's your escalation points.
Felt we were better against Arsenal today for a longer period than we were in either game last season, particularly the home fixture. Missed 3 really good chances to be out of sight, in a game that didn't really have any significant difference between the sides until a fortunate ricochet. Fine margins, etc etc.
The chances we missed were real gilt edged ones we ought to have taken. Score and we win.
I dont think Partey should have been on the pitch, a 2nd booking for a late shirt tug on Onana or Rogers, but Emi must do better. Digne shackled Saka, although doesn't offer as much going forwards as Ian.
Subs and injuries made the first 30 a bit stop start. Pur 2nd ball was a rushed and wayward at times, after beating the press. Rogers continues to impress and I'm hopeful JJ is nearing full fitness too.
I'd like a Diaby replacement and another centre half, but we look a really good side. Easier to be sanguine in August, but lots of positives.
Pretty much what I would have written about our showing yesterday against potential title winners Ads.
The result went against us but we ran them close overall and we were miles better than last year in every department apart from the important one!
Ollie will be flying soon and we'll be top 4 contenders again.
Absolutely agree about Partey also.
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We're a top 4 side, we're not a title challenging side, yet. Arsenal are. Man City are a title winning side, so there's your escalation points.
Felt we were better against Arsenal today for a longer period than we were in either game last season, particularly the home fixture. Missed 3 really good chances to be out of sight, in a game that didn't really have any significant difference between the sides until a fortunate ricochet. Fine margins, etc etc.
The chances we missed were real gilt edged ones we ought to have taken. Score and we win.
I dont think Partey should have been on the pitch, a 2nd booking for a late shirt tug on Onana or Rogers, but Emi must do better. Digne shackled Saka, although doesn't offer as much going forwards as Ian.
Subs and injuries made the first 30 a bit stop start. Pur 2nd ball was a rushed and wayward at times, after beating the press. Rogers continues to impress and I'm hopeful JJ is nearing full fitness too.
I'd like a Diaby replacement and another centre half, but we look a really good side. Easier to be sanguine in August, but lots of positives.
Pretty much what I would have written about our showing yesterday against potential title winners Ads.
The result went against us but we ran them close overall and we were miles better than last year in every department apart from the important one!
Ollie will be flying soon and we'll be top 4 contenders again.
Absolutely agree about Partey also.
Yeah good summary - I agree on Partey - Arsenal and Man City seem to be able to walk the win of tactical fouls without sending off - a big part of it is I think they do it more subtlety then others
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Absolute shit show at the ground trying to get in. Also, the "this is Villa Park" screen - yes we know. Bring back the match clock?
That's exactly what I thought. I couldn't read the time from the Holte, had to take a photo of it then zoom in.
On a more positive note they've made a good job of the bogs, nicely refurbished and clean.
I completely agree on the clock - just show the bloody time. As you say, we know where the f*ck we are but we don’t know how long has been played.
The toilets in the upper Holte were a disgrace - St Andrews level disgrace. The urinals were close to overflowing before kick off and by half time there was a centimetre of piss in the floor. Full time was full on Trainspotting. .
On the pitch, a tale of awful finishing by Ollie at one end and an error by Martinez at the other to finish the game. Overall I thought we showed promise going forward, notably Rogers who was our MOTM, and the defence were generally very good too. However I thought we struggled in midfield where Odegaard was excellent for them.
An annoying defeat but plenty of positives to build on.
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We were nowhere near our peak performances of last season.
Agreed - Arsenal might say the same of their performance.
Too many players not at the right level.
Same point as the one above. Only Watkins looked well off the mark, though.
Watkins was awful, Bailey reverted to the player of 2 seasons ago.
Watkins was well off the mark. Bailey did some good things (in defence, particularly) and his pressing set up Watkins for the first miss; but, I do think he has to be more effective going forward (I don't see him leaving defenders in his wake, for example).
Good teams do not give up the ball as easily as we did.
- we'll get better.
Nothing positive about losing at Villa Park.
- I think it's okay to be able to take positives away from a defeat - we played some good football, gave last season's runners-up a hell of a fright, saw the new boys playing themselves into Emery's system, forced Raya to make a couple of world-class saves.
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Absolute shit show at the ground trying to get in. Also, the "this is Villa Park" screen - yes we know. Bring back the match clock?
That's exactly what I thought. I couldn't read the time from the Holte, had to take a photo of it then zoom in.
... The toilets in the upper Holte were a disgrace - St Andrews level disgrace. The urinals were close to overflowing before kick off and by half time there was a centimetre of piss in the floor. Full time was full on Trainspotting.
Terrible. When you consider, they reduced toilet capacity in the upper Holte last season, to fit in a new bar, and then increased the number of seats over this close-season, the state of the toilets was a disgrace. To Heck: "GET THE BASICS SORTED !"
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Despite the result I think that we have got closer to Arsenal, the two missed golden chances was the difference but I saw plenty to be optimistic about. Rogers had a blinder and I thought Tielemans had a very good game alongside Onana.
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There was one segment of play in the first half where I thought they’d cut through us and were going to score and Onana just appeared from nowhere to clear. I’m really impressed with him so far.
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UTV!
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Overall I am happy apart from Watkins contribution,
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Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?
Shouldnt have taken him off anyway. Bailey should have gone before him.
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Overall I am happy apart from Watkins contribution,
It makes me wonder if he's been got at by one of the European giants. Two games in and his contribution so far has been negligible. Even when he's having a dry spell in front of goal he's usually still an absolute thorn in the side of any defender but we've seen nothing of this so far.
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Good view BE. Was that corporate or normal searing in the Trinity?
I forgot to mention the queues earlier. I was in Holte upper and entry was ok, maybe a 5 minute queue. The lower Holte was ridiculous at 5pm and I reckon a number of people wouldn’t have made kick off.
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Overall I am happy apart from Watkins contribution,
It makes me wonder if he's been got at by one of the European giants. Two games in and his contribution so far has been negligible. Even when he's having a dry spell in front of goal he's usually still an absolute thorn in the side of any defender but we've seen nothing of this so far.
No. Just lacks match sharpness, the Euros were demanding in many ways even though he played only some games. The likes of Rodri Stones Walker and Foden have similarly not played much for City yet. We of course don't have their squad depth yet.
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Good view BE. Was that corporate or normal searing in the Trinity?
Yes great photos. BE is from Tile Cross so no way he's ever going to stain his earthiness by taking a corporate seat.
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Slept on it and thought long an hard about the game and I have to say we were fantastic for large parts of the game.
Result aside I would only change 1 starter moving into the next game and I would be moving hell and high water to get a RCB in who can also play right back as Ned isn't quite there and if cash is out for a while I would be worried to heap pressure on Ned.
Maatsen has to start 100% and I'm sure he will displace Digne fairly soon.
Rogers was magnificent
Onana looks class
Youri is just as good as Dougie IMO
Centre backs looked good.
Bailey looked OK but a little off.
Ollie was very wasteful and if his open goal goes in we win that game. But that's Ollie, sometimes he has a game like that.
We went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the world and didn't disgrace ourselves.
Loss aside we have so much to look forward to this season and the signs are already there for all too see.
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Good view BE. Was that corporate or normal searing in the Trinity?
I forgot to mention the queues earlier. I was in Holte upper and entry was ok, maybe a 5 minute queue. The lower Holte was ridiculous at 5pm and I reckon a number of people wouldn’t have made kick off.
B2 Row 24 seat 66. Normal ticket.
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We more than matched them but didn't take our chances. Watkins should have put away the first one & the keeper makes an outrageous save for the second.
Duran is still a bull in a china shop & is never a backup to Watkins.
Special mention to the Arsenal fans who were totally silent for 70 minutes.
They were (are) rubbish. Easiest way to wind them up is to tell them Spurs make much more noise.
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The Arsenal, fans and players, celebrations at the end said it all, they knew that yesterday, along with Liverpool and Man City, were gonna be their most difficult away games, of the season.
If the match had taken place a few weeks later, Ollie would not have missed those chances and we would have gone onto to win. Morgan is the star, when you consider the amount of top flight football he has played, he is absolute class. When JJ finds his top form, can't wait to see them both together.
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The Arsenal, fans and players, celebrations at the end said it all, they knew that yesterday, along with Liverpool and Man City, were gonna be their most difficult away games, of the season.
If the match had taken place a few weeks later, Ollie would not have missed those chances and we would have gone onto to win. Morgan is the star, when you consider the amount of top flight football he has played, he is absolute class. When JJ finds his top form, can't wait to see them both together.
I remember Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle all celebrating like loons last season at VP
we finished above them all
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Nice to see we are as good as Arsenal again this season, looking forward to the next 36 league games now
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Some ne'er-do-wells at the top of the ramp mumbled Shit on the Villa! at me earlier, which was cute.
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A good performance, we could have been 2-0 up but a close game where the score flattered the.
Onana and Rogers particularly impressive. Looking good for the rest of the season.
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UTV!
Like your sky captured in HDR.
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When we lose I usually ignore football for a few days but not today. We played well but didn't take our chances, they did. Lots to look forward to.
We were lucky getting in to the UH, no real delay. Inside nothing has changed and the bogs were as bad as described by others.
Caught the shuckle bus back to Town, very slow getting onto the Lichfield Rd and up the first section past Rocky Lane but cheaper than a taxi. It was fairly muted on board after the result but it's a good service so everything isn't all necessarily negative.
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Went into the services at Strensham M5 just before heading west into Wales. Going into the toilets was like being at Villa Park, just so many Villa fans. The only real difference was that the urinals weren't overflowing with piss and you could get something to eat and drink in comfort without waiting for ages. I enjoyed the performance but Vila Park was a joke yesterday...
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A newish Villa fan went to the game with us yesterday. Paid £75 in the upper Doug Ellis and missed the first 15 mins due to the issues getting in. He was less than happy..
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The Arsenal, fans and players, celebrations at the end said it all, they knew that yesterday, along with Liverpool and Man City, were gonna be their most difficult away games, of the season.
If the match had taken place a few weeks later, Ollie would not have missed those chances and we would have gone onto to win. Morgan is the star, when you consider the amount of top flight football he has played, he is absolute class. When JJ finds his top form, can't wait to see them both together.
I remember Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle all celebrating like loons last season at VP
we finished above them all
Thats what disappoints me most. It took till january for a team to beat us in the league. Arsenal did it in our first game. We want villa padk to be the fortress it was last season
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We have some lovely running with the ball attacks. They just need to get their heads up for the final ball. We could seriously give a team a pasting.
We need to sign a right back and another top class centre half. If we do - glory is waiting on the horizon.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
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The Arsenal, fans and players, celebrations at the end said it all, they knew that yesterday, along with Liverpool and Man City, were gonna be their most difficult away games, of the season.
If the match had taken place a few weeks later, Ollie would not have missed those chances and we would have gone onto to win. Morgan is the star, when you consider the amount of top flight football he has played, he is absolute class. When JJ finds his top form, can't wait to see them both together.
I remember Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle all celebrating like loons last season at VP
we finished above them all
Thats what disappoints me most. It took till january for a team to beat us in the league. Arsenal did it in our first game. We want villa padk to be the fortress it was last season
Villa Park was a fortress. In fact, we won 15 home games on the trot. Then before the Sheff Utd game we learned that we wouldn't do the North stand because of the special home advantage. We then drew with Sheffield United and were never as invincible at home again for the rest of the season.
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A newish Villa fan went to the game with us yesterday. Paid £75 in the upper Doug Ellis and missed the first 15 mins due to the issues getting in. He was less than happy..
Seventy five quid!? In that awful stand? Jesus christ
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
You are on about Andre Onana, aren't you?
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
Think you were watching a different game. Our best player for me after Rogers.
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I love Unai and it goes without saying he is doing a fantastic job but i really do think he got it wrong with the substitutions. Why make all those changes when we were well on top?? - it wasnt like we were struggling and losing. i said when he did it it was risky and they scored straight after.
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I love Unai and it goes without saying he is doing a fantastic job but i really do think he got it wrong with the substitutions. Why make all those changes when we were well on top?? - it wasnt like we were struggling and losing. i said when he did it it was risky and they scored straight after.
I agree, we were looking secure on our left until SJM went off.
We were on top with momentum and then bang, game over.
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I don’t agree. Subs were correct and in fact Digne should have been subbed as well in the first set of subs. His tiredness led to their first goal.
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We have some lovely running with the ball attacks. They just need to get their heads up for the final ball. We could seriously give a team a pasting.
We need to sign a right back and another top class centre half. If we do - glory is waiting on the horizon.
Yesterday we often didn't have enough support going forward. I remember Onana and driving forward and there was no one near him. Happened far too often.
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If SJM was not out on his feet he should have stayed on a bit longer.
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For some reason I’m still totally pissed off about losing yesterday. More so than most games.
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Anyone else on the train from Euston to New Street? We stopped Milton Keynes for an hour and a half because of cows on the line. No trains either way so well and truly stuck in the metropolis that is MK. Then they announced the train wasn't stopping at New Street (if and when it finally got going) and we would have to change at Rugby. By then it was just over an hour to kick-off so I walked and walked and walked until I finally found a screen in a casino and watched it with a load of Arsenal fans. I'm crossing MK off my 'places to visit' list (no offence if anyone on here lives there). Stood on a train all the way back to London. If Avanti West Coast don't fuck it up, the cows will, it seems.
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Martin used to live there or I may be wrong.
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I don’t agree. Subs were correct and in fact Digne should have been subbed as well in the first set of subs. His tiredness led to their first goal.
I thought that was more to do with Ramsey not providing the same protection that McGinn had previously. That said we won’t get players up to speed without giving them some time on the pitch.
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For some reason I’m still totally pissed off about losing yesterday. More so than most games.
I'd say the gap, which was huge, between us and Arsenal is getting smaller and smaller. We're getting close and perhaps thats why the frustration is there.
We've gone from serial also rans to starting to ruffle a few feathers amongst the so called elite!
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I'd like a Maatsen/JJ axis for Leicester.
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I'd like a Maatsen/JJ axis for Leicester.
Same. Fuck it. They've been 'eased in' in these two difficult games, and they at least equalled the starters in front of them overall. I say we unleash them at the home of the Crisp People.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
You are on about Andre Onana, aren't you?
Must be the ManU keeper against Brighton who I thought played pretty well. Is there a 3rd high profile one somewhere.
The Villa Onana bossed Rice who was unusually ineffective. Should have been at least one more booking against him too.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
Been here five minutes give him a chance
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At the level we are now challenging at it's a really hard one to take. Never felt in control but I think we were happy to surrender possession and hit on the counter . You have to take those chances though. The defending for both goals was poor . It's very early days though. Big reaction next week hopefully.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
Tbh onanas one player i wouldnt criticise after yesterday. The main reason we lost because was mainly because of watkins. Not just the misses but his overall performance was so poor. It was like playing with 10 men.
Not sure why he is so unfit when palmer had exactly the same pre season and circumstances as ollie and he has looked good in both his games. Just hope he is far better for leicester.if he plays that badly again in the next game he shouldnt be starting and duran given a start
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McGinn was a bit of a passenger too (not to OW level) , when he's on it he's superb but he has these days where he seems 90%. Doesn't look razor match sharp yet, understandable.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
You are on about Andre Onana, aren't you?
I think it's wild how some people see the same game THAT differently.
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Onana wasn’t that effective. Drifted in and out. Seemed to be where the ball wasn’t a lot of the time. Let’s hope he is not a one in ten games player.
You are on about Andre Onana, aren't you?
I think it's wild how some people see the same game THAT differently.
It’s what makes football interesting though isn’t it 😀. I thought Onana was a bit quiet to start with but massively grew into the game so, I guess, somewhere between the first 2 posts!
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McGinn and Watkins are getting criticized for what they did on the ball, but their mid-block stifled Arsenal, and when they pressed, they pressed in numbers. The way McGinn, Watkins, Rogers and Bailey all went together, resulting in Bailey dispossessing their centre back and Rogers playing Watkins in was a thing of beauty. Just a shame Ollie blew it. That press will catch teams out.
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McGinn and Watkins are getting criticized for what they did on the ball, but their mid-block stifled Arsenal, and when they pressed, they pressed in numbers. The way McGinn, Watkins, Rogers and Bailey all went together, resulting in Bailey dispossessing their centre back and Rogers playing Watkins in was a thing of beauty. Just a shame Ollie blew it. That press will catch teams out.
It was a shocker of a miss, that was the game.
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McGinn and Watkins are getting criticized for what they did on the ball, but their mid-block stifled Arsenal, and when they pressed, they pressed in numbers. The way McGinn, Watkins, Rogers and Bailey all went together, resulting in Bailey dispossessing their centre back and Rogers playing Watkins in was a thing of beauty. Just a shame Ollie blew it. That press will catch teams out.
We're an extremely well coached side, way above and beyond what others can achieve. The details and the discipline are extraordinary. Ollie has to score though, he does, then all that off the ball work will come to fruition.
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Still annoyed we lost that game.
We should have taken the lead, scored a second and not conceded at least one of their goals.
Oh well, lot's of positives. UTV
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From The Athletic - a really insightful review of Saturday’s game.
ASTON VILLA AND ARSENAL’S MATCHES HAVE BECOME A MEETING OF CHESS GRANDMASTERS
It was fitting that Morgan Rogers likened the meeting of minds between Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta to a game of chess.
Tactical moves, advances, retreats and the constant sense of predicting the next step have been the themes of their four meetings. Akin to the setups of each manager, fixated on overloading central areas and condensing the pitch, the longer chess goes on, the more congested it gets, with the pieces mixed between one another.
In these overcrowded moments, the winner is then determined by who can set up the decisive move clearly.
Aston Villa and Arsenal tend to suffer through the same areas of the pitch when they play each other. Villa’s two victories last season were close tussles, defined by missed chances and ruthless finishing. As Emery would say, the same transpired here in Arsenal’s 2-0 win.
Villa’s success has been through breaking Arsenal’s press and using their powerful forward runners. John McGinn’s goal in the same fixture last season was the blueprint and then at the Emirates, when Rogers was introduced onto the wider stage with his ball-carrying ability, Villa won 2-0 — the only time Arsenal have lost in the Premier League this year.
When Arsenal’s press and counter-press worked and could grind through possession, Villa were the ones who suffered. “That’s what football is about,” said Rogers. “It’s chess, it’s two top managers trying to combat each other and that’s what it was. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that end bit.”
On the balance of the play, Arsenal probably deserved more than nothing last season and the inverse was true at Villa Park on Saturday evening, decided by the host’s profligacy and conceding at a stage when Arsenal were stumbling. Arteta agreed “100 per cent” that the contrast in efficiency was the determining influence.
Tactically, Emery always wants his side to possess the ball deep, baiting forwards into pressing before directly attacking the space vacated, in some ways manufacturing transitions and counter-attacking opportunities.
Opponents, including Arsenal, have destabilised Villa’s approach by pressing higher — making the match-ups between Arteta and Emery dependent on how many transitions Villa can generate and, equally, how effective Arsenal are in regaining possession or keeping the ball. Whoever has the edge, naturally, will then have chances in front of goal.
Arsenal exerted control from the outset. Jurrien Timber drifted from left-back into midfield and Arsenal formed a 3-2-5 shape with the ball, designed to create superiority in midfield and, crucially, knowing Villa station two ball-carrying attacking midfielders — Rogers and McGinn — have players close enough to counter-press if a pass went astray.
Until Ollie Watkins’ first gilt-edged miss, Villa had few opportunities to break. Gabriel and William Saliba were content in defending one-v-one against Watkins and Leon Bailey, with Villa scrappy in possession and unable to escape Arsenal’s press. Emery jumped up and down when Pau Torres passed into the middle of nowhere and when Bailey’s attempt of a through ball was easily cut out.
Bailey soon atoned by initiating the opportunity for Watkins. He picked the pockets of Gabriel before Rogers slid the ball across to the England forward, spare inside the box. A finish symptomatic of a rushed pre-season and general rustiness, Watkins snatched at the strike, sweeping his effort past the post.
Even if recent history suggested wastefulness can come back to bite, Watkins’ miss lit a spark. Rogers, who Emery says is adding “tactical” variation, started to drive his team forward and, as is becoming his USP, made it difficult for any opponent to shrug him off the ball. Declan Rice was booked for a foul on Rogers and David Raya managed to scramble away his low shot-cum-cross.
Villa hoped history was repeating itself. Arsenal, as they did at the Emirates last season, started the better but were now toiling to close the widening spaces between the lines. Timber was forced to defend one-v-one against Bailey from left-back as opposed to being in midfield and Villa’s cohort of powerful runners — Amadou Onana, Bailey, Rogers and McGinn — were cutting through.
Villa were enthralling, driving towards the Holte End. They bravely invited pressure before playing one-twos, flicking balls around corners and making third-man runs to pull Arsenal’s shape apart. Arteta referred to the period after half-time as those “10 to 12 minutes” when Villa were winning the individual battles.
“When you lose the ball and you counter-press, they break that press,” said Arteta. “They are really dangerous. They have a lot of legs, can carry the ball, have runners between centre-backs and full-backs. They have a threat. They make us suffer in open spaces. McGinn and Rogers are really good at holding the ball up and turning your press.”
Watkins’ second miss swung the dial again. From a diving header, unmarked and a matter of yards away, Watkins could not crank his neck far enough to guide the ball beyond Raya.
Three of the four matches between Arteta and Emery have been won by two-goal margins, belying how fine the margins have been in those games. Each one has left the losing team with regret. Watkins’ second miss, this time, was the moment Villa rued.
Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch and Arsenal’s first shot of any kind in the second half, sapping Villa of all momentum. Having done the double against Arsenal last season, maybe it was time for Villa to be checkmated, even if this was not a defeat to be discouraged by.
“How we faced Arsenal today is the way I want,” said Emery. “We have to be clinical, but more or less tactically, we had more control in the second half, yet they scored two goals. It was very similar to last year. How we played, how we faced them, how we performed… we could have won today.”
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Aston Villa defender Matty Cash is set to miss a month of action with a hamstring injury. #AVFC
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McGinn was a bit of a passenger too (not to OW level) , when he's on it he's superb but he has these days where he seems 90%. Doesn't look razor match sharp yet, understandable.
Was a mistake to take him off for me, thought he was taken off too early in the first game too. Bailey hasn't been on it so far, would much prefer McGinn over there where his bum dance can tie up full backs cutting in.