Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on September 25, 2025, 09:58:08 PM
-
We won.
-
Elliott has obviously done something to piss off the management. Bizarre not to give him time. A completely unconvincing game; pretty awful.
Ball retention and game control totally lacking.
-
We win when we want…..
-
Job done. Poor but not terrible.
-
Some nice moments and at least we played it at something faster than walking pace. But boy do we need to work on our passing
-
It wasn’t pretty awful, it was a team low on confidence. First half good, second was nervy.
Kamara and Pau were particularly good.
-
Fuck me, we made heavy weather of that.
Defence was good and Kamara excelled.
I don't know what's going on with Watkins and Rogers, but they need to sort themselves out.
-
A win. I'll take it. Let's be honest this competition is our only hope this season.
Mid table and 3rd round exit of FA Cup home to a team from South likely.
-
Get a second while on top and that would have been healing but we just couldn't get that second.
-
Better first half. If Rogers can't make a pass he can't be 10, it's killing us in transition. Elliot has to play behind Ollie on Sunday.
-
Some one tell Rogers we play in claret and blue.
The same problems as we have seen all season.
Rogers Watkins Guessand not good enough.
-
We did a win! Once again though I found myself drifting off and doing other things at multiple times. I miss being gripped.
-
Job done.
-
We bore a strange resemblance to a football team tonight.Onwards and erm upwards??
-
Get a second while on top and that would have been healing but we just couldn't get that second.
Yep. The pen miss pretty much took any confidence out of the players and fans.
-
Pretty bad but a win. Guessand is awful. Rogers needs dropping. Kamara MotM for me.
-
A nervy win. The second half was very poor - Watkins' penalty miss was very bad and how Rogers manages to play 90 minutes week in and week out is beyond me.
-
First half we were excellent.
-
That second half from Rogers was unbelievable. Pau’s best game for ages.
-
We really need a reliable penalty taker. There was no one on the pitch that made you really fancy we'd score it. And it definitely shouldn't be Ollie taking them.
-
Thanks Robbie.
Robbie Savage
Forest Green manager on TNT Sports
Villa were good in the first half and didn't do that great in the second but they got the win and that's a boost ahead of the weekend.
1-0, job done
-
Pau and Kamara were excellent.
-
A very much needed victory, still some spirit in the side, to stay positive, Konsa looks a real classy defender even when off the ball, Bizot looks like being a very good second choice keeper, Guessand better but should have been taken off earlier and Elliot on.
Rogers.....I will not get negative tonight about him but when your own fans start taking the piss you need to get your finger out.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
-
We’re like Austin Powers when he lost his mojo. All our best players are a fraction of what they have been when confidence was high.
-
Get a second while on top and that would have been healing but we just couldn't get that second.
Yep. The pen miss pretty much took any confidence out of the players and fans.
Well, we can’t beat this lot 2-0 ever year.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
Agreed, he was decent until he tired in the last 15 minutes.
-
We played pretty well for the first 20 or so. After that, not so much.
-
Jadon Sancho looks to be the best attacking player we have this season. Get him in. The back seven is fine. The other three attacking spots are the problem right now.
-
Some one tell Rogers we play in claret and blue.
The same problems as we have seen all season.
Rogers Watkins Guessand not good enough.
Did you watch it? It was far from perfect, but it was nothing like the other games this season.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
you mean not as bad as Watkins.
-
Stopped the rot. Kamara, Torres looked more like it. Rogers needs a rest, I really rate him but he's been abysmal this season. Can someone practice penalties, anybody?
-
And Kamara is a just liquid.
-
Second half has deflated me after a more encouraging first. I thought Watkins and Sancho coming on made us worse than when we had Malen and Buendia. Last season this game would have been so comfortable. Pau and Kamara were our highlights I think.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
Agreed, he was decent until he tired in the last 15 minutes.
I also agree. Probably needed subbing for the last 15 but I thought he was alright until then.
-
Some very negative comments on here. That was so much better tonight. But hairy in the second half but never really thought we were in trouble. It’s a massive win. Guessand is okay. He will get better.
-
The realization is, following that, Fulham is going to be a very very difficult game.
-
Get a second while on top and that would have been healing but we just couldn't get that second.
Yep. The pen miss pretty much took any confidence out of the players and fans.
Well, we can’t beat this lot 2-0 ever year.
No, but then last year our players confidences were high and fans weren't cheering because one player passed to another.
-
I would swap Guessand right now for about 30 wingers in the Prem. Sorry. Don't see it. Happy to be proven wrong.
-
A wins a win
-
Some very negative comments on here. That was so much better tonight. But hairy in the second half but never really thought we were in trouble. It’s a massive win. Guessand is okay. He will get better.
So you being physically sick was your liver problems. Maybe keep those posts to the "Whats wrong with you?" thread.
-
Get a second while on top and that would have been healing but we just couldn't get that second.
Yep. The pen miss pretty much took any confidence out of the players and fans.
Well, we can’t beat this lot 2-0 ever year.
No, but then last year our players confidences were high and fans weren't cheering because one player passed to another.
That was pretty bloody ordinary.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
Really? I’m struggling to think of anything intentional that he executed successfully during the game.
-
Konsa saying he could hear the crowd getting frustrated with one of two players. Keown just mentioned Morgan lost the ball 28/29 times.
-
I think our intent was completely different this game. We set out to create and did well for a good chunk of the first half.
Kamara was excellent, and Torres was really good all round. We had a better structure - we wasted a few chances and got nervy second half.
It was far from perfect, but it was never going to be from where we’ve been. It was a step forward.
-
Jadon Sancho looks to be the best attacking player we have this season. Get him in. The back seven is fine. The other three attacking spots are the problem right now.
The fact he couldn't be arsed chasing that guy at end was a bit worrying.
-
Some one tell Rogers we play in claret and blue.
The same problems as we have seen all season.
Rogers Watkins Guessand not good enough.
Did you watch it? It was far from perfect, but it was nothing like the other games this season.
he was rubbish Rogers . How did he stay on?
-
Konsa saying he could hear the crowd getting frustrated with one of tow players. Keown just mentioned Morgan lost the ball 28/29 times.
Yeah the crowd doing that doesn’t help.
-
Keown w*****r - it's the crowds fault they can be tricky!!! And Konsa agrees!!! Grooming him for a move? Haymre every time our boys feature in England set up, suddenly we aren't good enough!!!
-
"John says the crowd were flat and rightly so we've been crap for 5 games"
-
Backline was good especially off side trapping
Front line is so shocking it’s laughable if you weren’t a Villa fan
Kamara is different potatoes
-
Some very negative comments on here. That was so much better tonight. But hairy in the second half but never really thought we were in trouble. It’s a massive win. Guessand is okay. He will get better.
So you being physically sick was your liver problems. Maybe keep those posts to the "Whats wrong with you?" thread.
Stop stalking me you weirdo :-).
Obviously during play you think you’re going to concede every time the team attacks. It’s Villa after all. However, once you have a chance to reflect you produce a more grounded review of what has happened.
I hope you understand. I’ll post where I want, I’ll post where I wannnttt.
-
We sound like a team of whiney excuse makers this season.
-
Konsa saying he could hear the crowd getting frustrated with one of tow players. Keown just mentioned Morgan lost the ball 28/29 times.
Yeah the crowd doing that doesn’t help.
It doesn't but if Keown was correct that Rogers lost the ball 28 times from 29 attempts, then it goes to show why the fans were getting frustrated, especially when he is a big reason our attack this season is dead on arrival. As I mentioned, it if fully on Emery for putting starting him every match with no criticism when playing this badly, but naming Elliot as not doing things correctly.
-
Thank goodness for that! Made hard work of it though...
-
(https://i.ibb.co/v4XXdQ01/image.png) (https://ibb.co/v4XXdQ01)
Rogers pass percentage in 90 min...and add 5 dispossessions to that. Now imagine if we faced a PL side...
-
You’d think winning the young player of the year award would have had Roger’s floating into Villa Park after the summer. It’s like he’s taken it as a massive knock to his confidence and can’t even get the weight on a pass right let alone make a correct decision under pressure. I can’t remember anyone going into this kind of decline like this it’s hard to watch.
-
Thing is Rogers was obviously trying hard tonight. I just don’t see the value in getting on his back.
-
Same old Villa, always winning.
Next.
-
Konsa definitely needs some PR lessons from the media team.
Kamera was class and Sancho must be close to starting.
-
We did a win! Once again though I found myself drifting off and doing other things at multiple times. I miss being gripped.
Gripped and groped ftw
-
You’d think winning the young player of the year award would have had Roger’s floating into Villa Park after the summer. It’s like he’s taken it as a massive knock to his confidence and can’t even get the weight on a pass right let alone make a correct decision under pressure. I can’t remember anyone going into this kind of decline like this it’s hard to watch.
Leon Bailey about 12 months ago. I don't think it's chronic with Rogers though. You could see Bailey was done.
-
Most important of all, proof that PWS is indeed a time traveller.
(https://i.ibb.co/N6qwcJnS/Screenshot-20250925-212731-Ecosia.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6qwcJnS)
Look at the time top left with the time of his post.
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
-
Konsa definitely needs some PR lessons from the media team.
Kamera was class and Sancho must be close to starting.
Kamara is just amazing, coming right back from an injury....and owning everyone and everything like form is something you can pin on with the matchshirt!
-
Most important of all, proof that PWS is indeed a time traveller.
(https://i.ibb.co/N6qwcJnS/Screenshot-20250925-212731-Ecosia.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6qwcJnS)
Look at the time top left with the time of his post.
Doesnt that just prove you have a crap phone that can't even keep time?
-
Yeah, it's shit we can only play yer man from Def Leppard half a dozen times more before Xmas.
-
I did not see anything tonight that gives me any confidence we can beat Fulham. If we wondered why Malen didn't get more game time tonight proved the point, him and Buendia simply not premiership standard. Rogers should sit the next couple out but he won't. Last season we had the strongest bench I have seen at Villa Park but now we look very weak. Pau and Kamara steady all night but another very poor performance.
-
We won, and it's 3 points in one of our tougher games in the EL. On to Fulham.
-
McGinn getting some more records and being in exalted company.
Only Peter Withe (9) and Gary Shaw (8) have more goals in major European competition for Aston Villa than John McGinn (7).
He’s the first player to score in three different major European competitions for them (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League).
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
Haven't we effectively bought Elliott? Why on earth couldn't we play him in Europa, unless I've missed something
-
I did not see anything tonight that gives me any confidence we can beat Fulham. If we wondered why Malen didn't get more game time tonight proved the point, him and Buendia simply not premiership standard. Rogers should sit the next couple out but he won't. Last season we had the strongest bench I have seen at Villa Park but now we look very weak. Pau and Kamara steady all night but another very poor performance.
I would argue that this time last year, our bench looked as weak when we still had the injuries. The time it looked strong was second half when we had everyone back from injuries and Asensio/Rashford.
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
Haven't we effectively bought Elliott? Why on earth couldn't we play him in Europa, unless I've missed something
The rumour of he can't play 10 games before Jan or we have to declare the payment in the accounts which we can't afford at the moment under the UEFA SCR.
-
Most important of all, proof that PWS is indeed a time traveller.
(https://i.ibb.co/N6qwcJnS/Screenshot-20250925-212731-Ecosia.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6qwcJnS)
Look at the time top left with the time of his post.
Doesnt that just prove you have a crap phone that can't even keep time?
You have your theory, I have mine.
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
Haven't we effectively bought Elliott? Why on earth couldn't we play him in Europa, unless I've missed something
Some boring accountancy arse tickling shenanigans.
I just want to watch the footballers play football.
-
I wonder how many in the crowd had to have the Tifo explained to them as they'd have no idea what a Polaroid is.
-
We won, and it's 3 points in one of our tougher games in the EL. On to Fulham.
Is the right answer. I’m surprised by the negativity of some of the reaction - it was always going to be tough, we’ve been on a shocking run. But we won and we showed more than we have done - defensive structure, attacking intent. Loads to improve, but by some of the reactions you’d think we’d lost.
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
Haven't we effectively bought Elliott? Why on earth couldn't we play him in Europa, unless I've missed something
The rumour of he can't play 10 games before Jan or we have to declare the payment in the accounts which we can't afford at the moment under the UEFA SCR.
Bloody SCR, at this rate we'll be on the next episode of 'Can't pay, we'll take it away'...
-
SCR?
-
Swedish Car Reverser
-
Suspiciously Conveniant Renumerations.
-
SCR?
Squad Cost Ratio (or Super Cristiano Ronaldo).
-
Spawny crying rottervilers
-
First half good, second was nervy.
McGinn, Kamara and Pau were particularly good.
FTFY
Great to see Pau put in a solid performance. He hasn't lost it. Just like a new signing.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
Really? I’m struggling to think of anything intentional that he executed successfully during the game.
What are you talking about?
He broke through on goal early in the first half, only to be denied by a strong save from the keeper. Later he skipped past two defenders and delivered a dangerous cross that Ollie almost turned into a shot, before it was scrambled away for a corner. His hold-up play under pressure was decent at times, and he worked hard tracking back. Yes, he faded a bit in the second half, but I think some of the criticism he’s had on here is harsh—especially when players like Rogers were well below par.
-
That's aged me a few years, but a vital win for our season, I think Elliott wasn't played due to the conditions of his loan deal and Emery was only gonna use him, if we lost our lead, but we gotta start him on Sunday, along with Sancho, who impressed me when he came on.
Haven't we effectively bought Elliott? Why on earth couldn't we play him in Europa, unless I've missed something
Some boring accountancy arse tickling shenanigans.
I just want to watch the footballers play football.
Yeah well you can't, accountants rule. As they should.
-
Some boring accountancy arse tickling shenanigans.
I just want to watch the footballers play football.
Yeah well you can't, accountants rule. As they should.
Hear! Hear!
-
I'm an Ops Manager and we manage the P&L on our sites within the business. There's a Finacial Controller who oversees the region, but basically does fuck all, and technically no accountants.
It's a smart way of doing things. Get in the furnace.
-
Hardly thrilling but job done. We never looked like conceding but didn’t look like extending our lead either.
Torres first half was excellent, McGinn and Kamara good games throughout. Bizot very confident with the ball at his feet receiving it under pressure which in turn spreads to the defenders.
Bologna must have been taking lessons from Filippo Inzaghi the amount of times they were offside.
-
Good start to the game but then it tailed off massively.
We look flat and I have no idea where the goals are coming from this season. Defensively better apart from that sitter they missed.
There was no atmosphere at all and why anyone in that ground felt it necessary to cheer when Rogers made a successful pass towards the end is beyond me. He was terrible tonight but there’s absolutely no excuse for that. I’d rather the boo’s ring out than that cheap shot.
Embarrassing!
-
Can we stop talking about the game and set fire to the accountants please. Thanks.
-
Thing is Rogers was obviously trying hard tonight. I just don’t see the value in getting on his back.
This is it. Its a weird thing to think he’s like doing it on purpose or couldn’t give a shit. He never hid tonight, yes nothing came off for him but the sarcastic cheer was bad I thiought and will do nothing to help him.
-
Can we stop talking about the game and set fire to the accountants please. Thanks.
You don't need to set fire to the accountants, we're hot enough already.
-
Started ok and overall played reasonably well in the first half. Second half not so good but it's job done.
-
Thing is Rogers was obviously trying hard tonight. I just don’t see the value in getting on his back.
This is it. Its a weird thing to think he’s like doing it on purpose or couldn’t give a shit. He never hid tonight, yes nothing came off for him but the sarcastic cheer was bad I thiought and will do nothing to help him.
I thought at least in the last 20 he was receiving the ball and turning in to space which was better than previous games. His passing was crap but I’d agree that it doesn’t help at all to cheer when one does reach its target. I wouldn’t have started him and if I did he wouldn’t have played 90 minutes it there we are.
-
Passed to a Villa player once out of 29 attempts. That must be a record.
-
Passed to a Villa player once out of 29 attempts. That must be a record.
Is that true? If so, that’s quite something.
-
Got the win, but it was pretty turgid stuff. Thought they were a poor side and am struggling to remember a team that was caught offside so many times in a match.
We weren't much better though and it was just so laboured again at times. Saying that, thought Bizot, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara and McGinn were fine. Thought Malen and Buendia had a go and were a bit unlucky to get subbed when Rogers and Guessand were struggling. Thought Sancho did OK again when he came on.
Elliott has seemingly pissed on his chips already given that he wasn't given a run out tonight.
Oh yeah, what was with the vans with electronic signs about Israel.on Trinity Road before the game? Had they got wrong match?
-
We weren't really convincing tonight but didn't need to be. What was important was the win.
The opponents offered minimal threat, but that's not our problem.
Ironic cheering when one of Rodger's passes came off was just bullshit, and isn't "supporting" your team. Don't do it.
-
They were caught offside as much because our offside line was working so well for most of it.
-
I wonder how many in the crowd had to have the Tifo explained to them as they'd have no idea what a Polaroid is.
Gentlemen Take Polaroids...great album ;)
-
They were caught offside as much because our offside line was working so well for most of it.
Maybe so, but it was a bit ridiculous the number of times they were offside.
-
After Sunderland, Rogers shouldn’t have been anywhere near that squad, let alone starting!?
And to avoid the hook when the 3 players subbed were 3 of our BETTER players tonight is beyond me!?
Really can’t be arsed to go on Sunday, and ruin yet another weekend. If I see Rogers’ name on the team sheet, that’ll make my mind up I think. It’s not a one off, he’s been shite for most of this calendar year, and that’s on Unai for not dropping him.
-
Pau playing well is always helpful, he does seem rather better at leading the offside line than Mings. The flipside is that he's nowhere near as commanding in the air, and Bologna - hardly a very aerial side - had us panicking a bit. We did well enough but it was a bit hairy.
He's so very good on the ball though, and he and McGinn kept finding outs for us when they were pressing. That's where the trouble started though - I don't think Guessand was as bad as others think, but he wasn't especially stellar, Buendia is useful but never seems to to execute the right option, Malen did OK but is still struggling to keep the ball, and Rogers...I mean, the ironic cheering of our own player is a bunch of shit, but it's undeniable he had a remarkably horrible night. Surely he can't start against Fulham.
-
After Sunderland, Rogers shouldn’t have been anywhere near that squad, let alone starting!?
And to avoid the hook when the 3 players subbed were 3 of our BETTER players tonight is beyond me!?
Really can’t be arsed to go on Sunday, and ruin yet another weekend. If I see Rogers’ name on the team sheet, that’ll make my mind up I think. It’s not a one off, he’s been shite for most of this calendar year, and that’s on Unai for not dropping him.
I did think that they were quite strange substitutions at that point. Fine with Sancho.coming on, but Buendia was doing OK and should have gone into a more central area with Rogers coming off, more for his own good than anything.
-
Creeping ever closer to being ok.
Torres was excellent, the line was good as well. SJM and Kamara were fab.
Marlon was ok and Guessand had some good moments.
Rogers looks like he's trying too hard but he's been gash for ages so that's what led to the sarcasm. No, it doesn't help, I cringed but in the list of blame for our malaise this season, the fans are way down the line.
-
Guessand was not as bad as people are making out.
Really? I’m struggling to think of anything intentional that he executed successfully during the game.
What are you talking about?
He broke through on goal early in the first half, only to be denied by a strong save from the keeper. Later he skipped past two defenders and delivered a dangerous cross that Ollie almost turned into a shot, before it was scrambled away for a corner. His hold-up play under pressure was decent at times, and he worked hard tracking back. Yes, he faded a bit in the second half, but I think some of the criticism he’s had on here is harsh—especially when players like Rogers were well below par.
He was not good. He tracked back yes, but failed.to stop at least 3 crosses coming in. He just doesn't look good.enough going fwd, ran into players and lost it. Rather have Bailey back as nothing I have seen this season tells me he is an upgrade....but let's see.
-
We won!! Most important thing.
Decent first half, not so great 2nd half…created more chances tonight and worked their keeper a bit which was progress.
Kamara, Torres and Maatsen good…Malen did ok at holding the ball up first half. Guessand did a couple of nice things but doesn’t look particularly of the set up yet.
Referee….let a lot of obvious fouls go
Ironically cheering one of our own players making a pass was pretty pathetic, using the Bronte scale 3/10 for those. Hopefully they won’t be whinging about loyalty if he leaves next summer
Rogers is still a young player in terms of top level experience, he is having a blip as they all do and did (Jack / Giggs / Rooney / Gerrard) but tonight he wanted the ball constantly wasnt hiding but his distribution was poor but it was for Unai to take him off.
-
Neither side was remotely impressive and thank heavens we were not playing one of the European Giants who would have been far more ruthless in front of goal than Our visitors tonight.
A welcome win but there are clearly some problems in the squad and the next two home games will give us a good indication of whether or not this is a temporary blip or a long-term malaise.
Villa are unimpressive at best so far this season so a big improvement is needed quickly
-
It’s a win but I’m not so sure it’s an improvement, Bologna were pretty poor.
There were glimpses of promise in the first half but we were dreadful after the break and the subs seemed to make us worse.
It’s painful watching Rogers at the moment - utterly bizarre that Emery won’t give him a break, for his own sake as much as the team’s.
Watkins looks so low in confidence - scoring the pen would have helped but I fear missing in the manner he did has made things much worse.
It’s early days on Guessand but at this stage it looks like he doesn’t possess an X factor that makes a successful premier league forward - he’s not quick, not powerful and not particularly skilful. He’s just…there.
-
These twazzocks ramble about Villa being stale like bread with green bits...
-
Why would you do that to yourself?
-
I don't need to hear O'Hara or Cundy's view on anything, unless it's if they're talking about how each other is a dipshit. You couldn't find me a more off-putting thumbnail.
-
Is Cundy doing phone-ins from the lav?
-
I thought Kamara was back to his very best tonight. An excellent performance.
I feel for Rogers. The kid has obviously been struggling for months and his confidence is shot to shit.
So what’s the best option, keep playing him, game after game after awful game and hope he plays through it, or take him out of the firing line for a few weeks ?
My ire from tonight is saved for Malen.
I thought he was absolutely dreadful.
Always a second behind the act that was actually needed.
Slow to shoot, slow to make a clinical pass, on his heels when receiving a pass.
Christ knows how much we are paying the bloke, but whatever it is, it is wasted on him.
-
Sorry, this is better. Stan Petrov and Dicky Dunne have their say on Dublin TV:
-
It was better wasn’t it? Far from perfect, but better. Green shoots, I’ll take it.
-
We played pretty well for the first 20 or so. After that, not so much.
Just got home and that is pretty much my view. I’ve seen the stats on the way home and backed up my thoughts that Bologna should have got something from the game.
The defence were generally ok but creatively we were poor. I never felt we’d get a second, not even with the penalty, so it was nervy.
Shit drive home too. Thank god it’s Friday tomorrow
-
We are unbeaten in four.
-
The highlights I watched seemed to show Torres looking away as Watkins set up to take the penalty. Almost like he knew.
-
Passed to a Villa player once out of 29 attempts. That must be a record.
To clarify he lost possession 29 times and passed to a Villa player 10 times out of 24.
-
That was like watching Pau from 2024, he was back to his best.
Kamara was great too and the first half was good from Buendia.
Rogers continues to be a liability, although did win a few physical duels in the last 10 minutes and put a good pass through to Ollie.
Could see the nerves in Ollie's face when taking then pen, but other than that, he played okay.
-
The highlights I watched seemed to show Torres looking away as Watkins set up to take the penalty. Almost like he knew.
I was looking away until the last second, I knew and I’m no mystic meg.
Torres was excellent, Ill be really disappointed if him and Mastsen don’t start on Sunday, Kamara excellent as well.
For the second game in a row I was gutted when I saw the line up, this time Beundia, Guessand/Maeln instead of Sancho and Elliot. To be fair Beundia had a good first half and tried to make things happen in our better spells in the game, he just lacks that pace that 2023/2024 Bailey and Diaby had that turns all that energy into goals. Malen started brightly then faded pretty quickly.
Emery is trying to get Rogers to work through this spell and given some of the crowds reaction I was glad in the end he didn’t get taken off. He doesn’t hide and he’ll come up, confidence is everything.
Ive resigned myself to both Beundia and Guessand starting again on Sunday, I really would like to see Elliot and Sancho starting though, even if it means Rogers pushed wide right.
Baby steps in the right direction.
-
Great to win last night - but we will need to play better on Sunday to beat Fulham
Pau was very good with the ball, passing into midfield made such a difference for us.
-
On that evidence Pau, Maatsen and Sancho need to start all the home games.
Watkins needs a goal somehow. I was saying the last thing he needed was a penalty really as it’s too much time to think and too much pressure.
-
Rogers was turd.
Matsen, Torres, McGinn were good.
Malen and Guessand, although poor end product worked hard. Cash needs to chill a bit.
-
To clarify he lost possession 29 times and passed to a Villa player 10 times out of 24.
[/quote]
It feels almost cruel to be playing him at the minute. He is so off it it is painful.
Playing someone into form is laudable but this feels more like sadism.
Give the fella a bit of time on the bench. He'll be all the better for it.
-
After Sunderland, Rogers shouldn’t have been anywhere near that squad, let alone starting!?
And to avoid the hook when the 3 players subbed were 3 of our BETTER players tonight is beyond me!?
Really can’t be arsed to go on Sunday, and ruin yet another weekend. If I see Rogers’ name on the team sheet, that’ll make my mind up I think. It’s not a one off, he’s been shite for most of this calendar year, and that’s on Unai for not dropping him.
Nothing like a bit of overreaction. Also this “useless for most of this year” thing, he might have struggled a bit but he got 6 assists and a goal in the last 8 league games of last year. He missed placed lots of passes last night, but had Malen finished better his passing would have set up two goals. Also he never hid and was trying difficult passes, he wasn’t that far off. Maybe give him a break, it’s evident he was trying bloody hard.
-
Passed to a Villa player once out of 29 attempts. That must be a record.
Is that true? If so, that’s quite something.
I remember two, including the one that got cheered. Another one was a little lofted lay-off to Buendía.
-
Fuck me if that's the reaction after we win, get a new hobby.
Torres was good; the high line is back and operating like a the proper trap. As we remember. His passing between the lines is incredibly helpful. Shame Rogers is so wildly out of form he wasted nigh on every opportunity to hit them in transition.
Kamara was good, as was McGinn. Thought Guessand worked really hard first half and probably should have hit the ball slightly earlier for his chance. Same With Malen.
Second half it took Sancho coming on for us to use the ball a bit better.
Not an impressive second 45 and we gave up that header at the death- a chance you knew was coming at some point after the penalty miss.
Watkins should have made it a stroll. That was probably our hardest home game, so nice to get it out the way with a win.
Hopefully it breeds more belief. Buendia does not work for me, neither does Rogers in this form.
-
I actually enjoyed that game. There are plenty of positives.
We actually looked like we wanted to get forward and score. It was way more direct and pacey than any game we’ve played this season. It was definitely an improvement.
-
I actually enjoyed that game. There are plenty of positives.
We actually looked like we wanted to get forward and score. It was way more direct and pacey than any game we’ve played this season. It was definitely an improvement.
Yep exactly - far from perfect, but there was attacking intent there and the defensive shape was much better than it has been for a long time.
-
Pau Torres was brilliant, such a classy player, he made a huge difference. I’m happy with Guessand’s work rate, he’s settling in well. He might not give us those really exciting highs of Bailey at his best, but as his confidence grows, he may give us a little more steel. We really need Rogers, Watkins and another playing consistently well to give us more cutting edge. We actually did create far more efforts at goal, but we’re lacking that confidence and quality in the final third.
It’s the first game I’ve enjoyed this season, albeit a bit nervy come the end.
-
I'm trying to think if we've had three consecutive goals which have come from outside the penalty area before under Emery.
-
Can we stop talking about the game and set fire to the accountants please. Thanks.
You don't need to set fire to the accountants, we're hot enough already.
Is that how you lot manage to "cook the books"
-
Pretty mediocre, really. Both sides lacked a cutting edge, and for Malen and Guessand - well, the the jury is out on both although both showed some energy and enthusiasm. It occurred to me that Guessand reminds me of Zaniolo - big, strong and enthusiastic but lacking pace and vision to see a pass.
Rogers was once again a shadow of his 2024 form - he needs some time out of the team (or perhaps he simply misses the forward momentum provided by the absent Tielemans).
Watkins never looked like scoring the pen; awful.
I agree with others who say that Torres looked much better; hurrah!
Last night, Kamara was player of the match.
Our ball retention is terrible and game control was totally lacking! A completely unconvincing game; pretty awful.
Elliott has obviously done something to piss off the management; bizarre not to give him time.
Emery has to find a way to inject some energy, intensity and accuracy into our game, and fast (hint: Elliott can provide those factors).
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
-
I read somewhere they Unai felt Elliot needed to adjust a bit more. So far this season only Sancho has looked ok in more than 1 occassion - the rest of the forward line have had a few bright spots but have been poor overall.
Not right to jeer Rogers - I think some of the frustration isnt so much at him - more Unai's need to play him for every single second even when hes being shit. That doesnt make it acceptable.
Great to win - sure the attacking play will click - but good the rest of the team is looking more settled. Youri, Barkley and Onana back will also help.
-
I actually enjoyed that game. There are plenty of positives.
We actually looked like we wanted to get forward and score. It was way more direct and pacey than any game we’ve played this season. It was definitely an improvement.
Yep exactly - far from perfect, but there was attacking intent there and the defensive shape was much better than it has been for a long time.
Yep, agreed. If we keep playing like that the confidence will build and we'll soon look more like the team we've been used to under Emery.
We pressed more effectively, our passing was sharper and our movement was better. Add Youri back in to give us a little more incision from midfield and I don't think we'll be far off where we need to be.
The most important thing is that Watkins and Rogers need a boost, a goal or 2 for each of them would kick start our season I reckon.
-
I read somewhere they Unai felt Elliot needed to adjust a bit more. So far this season only Sancho has looked ok in more than 1 occassion - the rest of the forward line have had a few bright spots but have been poor overall.
Not right to jeer Rogers - I think some of the frustration isnt so much at him - more Unai's need to play him for every single second even when hes being shit. That doesnt make it acceptable.
Great to win - sure the attacking play will click - but good the rest of the team is looking more settled. Youri, Barkley and Onana back will also help.
Unai’s always pretty careful about throwing new players straight into the starting XI. After the cup game he even said Elliot wasn’t quite playing the way he wanted.
Don’t forget, it took Tielemans a fair few games before he nailed down a starting spot when we first signed him.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
That can't be right. The away end was sparse but apart from North Stand corner and a few in Lowe DE, it was pretty full. I was surprised to see it that populated tbh.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
That can't be right. The away end was sparse but apart from North Stand corner and a few in Lowe DE, it was pretty full. I was surprised to see it that populated tbh.
Agree, for all the talk in the build-up of a low attendance, there didn't seem to be too many empty seats in the home stands.
-
Whilst it wasn't a gerat performance, I thought Malen had a few hopeful moments. He can collect with his back to goal and turn with the pace to beat a defender. He times his runs well and was stopped on 2 occasions by some incisive keeping. Considering he's hardly had much game time and is probably lacking in confidence a decent performance.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
A typo or something. I’ve been there in 30k crowds and it looked like thousands more than that last night.
-
Not quite at our best, but miles better then previous showings. Don't think there was any player that didn't look more up for it.
Kamara and Pau sensational all evening with the former looking bang in form. Guessand grew into the game very well and Malen, whilst still not entirely convincing definitely appeared a little brighter especially when receiving the long ball in tight spaces.
Will likely get slaughtered for this, but I thought Rogers had his best game of the season last night. That's not to say he looks anywhere near as good as he has been, nor that his passing was any good, but he received the ball on the half turn beautifully on several occasions and never really went missing. He was a frustrating watch because he actually turned up. The sarci cheer turned my stomach a little in all honesty.
Don't really know what to say about Watkins. Should have put his laces through the pen and probably a little slow to get a shot off at times but again, only frustrating because he was more visible.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
-
I thought the ironic cheering of Rogers at the end was a disgrace to be honest.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
A typo or something. I’ve been there in 30k crowds and it looked like thousands more than that last night.
When I got back last night I read somewhere it was over 35k, can’t find it now. No way was is less than 31k
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
Sounds more like it..
-
Will likely get slaughtered for this, but I thought Rogers had his best game of the season last night. That's not to say he looks anywhere near as good as he has been, nor that his passing was any good, but he received the ball on the half turn beautifully on several occasions and never really went missing. He was a frustrating watch because he actually turned up. The sarci cheer turned my stomach a little in all honesty.
Something in that, he did what he was supposed to do, then gave it away, constantly. He's not there to spin his player then make the easy square pass, he's there to get on the ball and get us up the field. He just seems to have a mental block when releasing the ball.
-
Yeah loads more than 30k. Some Doug economics at play if that's what's gone down.
Did anybody hear the announcements about racist abuse before the game?
-
Will likely get slaughtered for this, but I thought Rogers had his best game of the season last night. That's not to say he looks anywhere near as good as he has been, nor that his passing was any good, but he received the ball on the half turn beautifully on several occasions and never really went missing. He was a frustrating watch because he actually turned up. The sarci cheer turned my stomach a little in all honesty.
Something in that, he did what he was supposed to do, then gave it away, constantly. He's not there to spin his player then make the easy square pass, he's there to get on the ball and get us up the field. He just seems to have a mental block when releasing the ball.
Genuinely think half the problem is that he wins the ball in such tight and promising areas at times, catching everyone off guard and forcing him to make some worldy Tielemans style pass that is always likely to be intercepted.
I dunno. The sarcastic chant really got to me. I wouldn't mind all the blood baying if he failed to show up, but he never hides and almost always looks like he's playing his nut off for the shirt. I get that's not enough for some people though and that's fair.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
Sounds more like it..
Definitely, not a sell out but other than the away section I didn't see too many empty spaces.
-
Talking about ironic cheers
Anyone else old enough to remember Frank Carradus he was always one of my most favorite players, but was a proper scapegoat for fans a bit like Cash is now Alan Wright used to be
Anyway, one game he was getting a bit of stick from the fans all game and then he went on this mazy run
Obviously it’s a long time ago, but I reckon he must’ve beat five or six players and he’s through on goal, crowds cheering and on their feet and then he stands on the ball and falls over
The whole place just fell about, it sounds bad but it was actually quite funny
I loved Frank absolutely loved him and he could run forever
-
Where has 35,578 come from? BBC has the lower figure.
-
Where has 35,578 come from? BBC has the lower figure.
Matt Maher and looks right to me!
-
Certainly had a 35k-ish feel to me.
-
The pictures of the TIFO showed a clump of missing seats in the top of the Witton but the Holte looked close to full. Obviously a good shot of the Trinity Upper usually lets you see if 12k are missing.
-
A difficult watch. But very glad to see a Villa goal and win. Still not at the levels under Unai that we have need to meet. Bologna were terrible a better team would have punished the turnovers and poor forward passing. Sad to see so many players just so out of form. Very odd that Elliott didn't get on for at least 20 mins. Smaller crowd meant getting away was easier.
-
Anyone else old enough to remember Frank Carradus he was always one of my most favorite players, but was a proper scapegoat for fans a bit like Cash is now Alan Wright used to be
Carrodus was definitely the one that unfairly got the blame from some sections when things went wrong. Saunders who brought him down with him from Man City knew better. He was the all important workhorse in a side was was arguably better than the 80/81/82 team. The likes of Little and Gray would get the plaudits, but I bet they would be the first to recognise how important Frank was to them.
-
A difficult watch. But very glad to see a Villa goal and win. Still not at the levels under Unai that we have need to meet. Bologna were terrible a better team would have punished the turnovers and poor forward passing. Sad to see so many players just so out of form. Very odd that Elliott didn't get on for at least 20 mins. Smaller crowd meant getting away was easier.
On that note, I reckon about 35k is ideal for Villa Park in terms of getting away, once it goes over that is when we start to have problems.
-
Whilst it wasn't a gerat performance, I thought Malen had a few hopeful moments. He can collect with his back to goal and turn with the pace to beat a defender. He times his runs well and was stopped on 2 occasions by some incisive keeping. Considering he's hardly had much game time and is probably lacking in confidence a decent performance.
Thought Malen did OK last night. Wasn't helped by often being isolated up front and the ref allowing their defenders to use tactics more suited to the WWE every time the ball came up to him.
Thought he was unlucky to come off when he did really.
-
Whilst it wasn't a gerat performance, I thought Malen had a few hopeful moments. He can collect with his back to goal and turn with the pace to beat a defender. He times his runs well and was stopped on 2 occasions by some incisive keeping. Considering he's hardly had much game time and is probably lacking in confidence a decent performance.
Thought Malen did OK last night. Wasn't helped by often being isolated up front and the ref allowing their defenders to use tactics more suited to the WWE every time the ball came up to him.
Thought he was unlucky to come off when he did really.
I agree.
-
A difficult watch. But very glad to see a Villa goal and win. Still not at the levels under Unai that we have need to meet. Bologna were terrible a better team would have punished the turnovers and poor forward passing. Sad to see so many players just so out of form. Very odd that Elliott didn't get on for at least 20 mins. Smaller crowd meant getting away was easier.
On that note, I reckon about 35k is ideal for Villa Park in terms of getting away, once it goes over that is when we start to have problems.
Get rid of the North Stand instead of expanding it. Problem solved!
On a separate note, whose idea was it to put "Giantkillers" as one of the Tifo slogans? Makes us look Blose tbh.
-
Believe Cash told the Holte to go forth and multiply at one stage, can't blame him really
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
-
That's the thing ultimately. Emery keeps playing him for a reason and one day soon it'll just click for him and he'll have a preposterously good performance.
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
Didn't Derby hit the bar three times in that one. Seem to remember Paul Goddard looking well miffed.
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
Didn't Derby hit the bar three times in that one. Seem to remember Paul Goddard looking well miffed.
Goddard and Dean Saunders up front missed a hatful of good chances between them.
As an aside, always liked Paul Goddard and thought he was an underrated player.
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
Didn't Derby hit the bar three times in that one. Seem to remember Paul Goddard looking well miffed.
Goddard and Dean Saunders up front missed a hatful of good chances between them.
As an aside, always liked Paul Goddard and thought he was an underrated player.
That was my first match! I don't remember much of it though as a five year old.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
Hi Crown Hill, where did you find this figure, please?
Edit: just saw above - Matt Maher, thanks!
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
Didn't Derby hit the bar three times in that one. Seem to remember Paul Goddard looking well miffed.
Goddard and Dean Saunders up front missed a hatful of good chances between them.
As an aside, always liked Paul Goddard and thought he was an underrated player.
Yea the year before, the first year after we cane back up, they beat us 2-1at Villa Park and Saunders and Goddard were excellent. Goddard was a good player.
-
That's the thing ultimately. Emery keeps playing him for a reason and one day soon it'll just click for him and he'll have a preposterously good performance.
Unai's a great believer in the works of Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal.
-
Funny when you come away from a game and have a take on what you've seen.
It was the ideal game for me against an unspectacular but organised and disciplined opponent.
A team totally out of sorts with players searching for form and confidence? Thats Aston Villa right now.
Bologna at home couldn't have come at a better time for me because I'm imagining what might have been if we'd gone straight into the Fulham game without last nights workout.
Morgan Rogers issues did remind me of when Merse first played for us and just maybe, because he was involved so much, with so much going wrong, he hopefully can kick on from this. It didn't work out for him but being more involved than the whole of the season so far might be a positive.
The performance took me back to the Sir Graham Derby home game all those years ago (Think Platty might have scored, but we were dire) when beforehand we couldn't buy a win and we got a streaky one against the Rams and we were flying from then onwards.
I'm crossing everything that history will repeat itself after last night because it happens that way sometimes.
UTV.
Didn't Derby hit the bar three times in that one. Seem to remember Paul Goddard looking well miffed.
Goddard and Dean Saunders up front missed a hatful of good chances between them.
As an aside, always liked Paul Goddard and thought he was an underrated player.
Yea the year before, the first year after we cane back up, they beat us 2-1at Villa Park and Saunders and Goddard were excellent. Goddard was a good player.
I was at that game too, and I remember talk of how that Saunders lad was the kind of player we need to sign as he was quality.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
A typo or something. I’ve been there in 30k crowds and it looked like thousands more than that last night.
My guess last night was about 36-38kk. The upper away tier was completely empty and the lower had maybe 600-800 there. I saw an empty chunk at the top of the Trinity around A1-2 but other than that it was the odd couple of seats here and there.
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
Hi Crown Hill, where did you find this figure, please?
Edit: just saw above - Matt Maher, thanks!
And John Townley confirmed it this morning!
-
1st half very good
2nd not very good. We couls have lost that game if we were playing a better side.
Guessand for me was good. His worth rate is excellent but he hasnt impressed as a attacker thus far.
Kamara motm. He was exceptional
Rogers had yet another stinker. So poor
But clean sheet and a win i wont complain about that
-
Surprised by the attendance, 30,909, looked and sounded more than that?
35,578
Hi Crown Hill, where did you find this figure, please?
Edit: just saw above - Matt Maher, thanks!
And John Townley confirmed it this morning!
Even better! Certainly makes more sense than the figure of 30-odd K.