Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on March 22, 2026, 04:09:51 PM

Title: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 22, 2026, 04:09:51 PM
Never in doubt.

Near perfect weekend to go into the break.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 22, 2026, 04:10:23 PM
Clean sheet again as well.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Chris_Jephcott on March 22, 2026, 04:10:33 PM
As good as this result is, and how much confidence it will bring to the team…

Rather immaturely, I’m laughing at Spurs.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: villadelph on March 22, 2026, 04:11:21 PM
60% poss, 23 shots, clean sheet and a routine home win.

Well done to Ollie, Ross and SJM.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ExclDawg on March 22, 2026, 04:11:27 PM
So I guess all we needed was John McGinn?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Halfway to Moseley on March 22, 2026, 04:11:31 PM
Best performance in a long time. We are back!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Mellin on March 22, 2026, 04:11:40 PM
What a fucking weekend. That has made a MASSIVE difference to our chances. Huge.

Pure relief. Well done Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on March 22, 2026, 04:11:55 PM
Thoroughly professional job
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on March 22, 2026, 04:12:18 PM
So I guess all we needed was John McGinn?

Pretty much. Man is fucking legend.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: enigma on March 22, 2026, 04:12:26 PM
Fantastic Weekend.

Onana MotM, but Ollie, Barkley and Digne were great too.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: KevinGage on March 22, 2026, 04:12:47 PM
Great performance across the board - even from the likes of Digne and Onana, who have been ropey recently.

You love to see it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Matt C on March 22, 2026, 04:12:59 PM
Routine win, very encouraging and vastly improved performance. What a great round of results for us this weekend.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: DB on March 22, 2026, 04:13:00 PM
Get in. Looking more like our old selves.
Great weekend going into the int break.
.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: waringpongo on March 22, 2026, 04:13:17 PM
So I guess all we needed was John McGinn?
Can we clone him. Dolly McGinn
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Rigadon on March 22, 2026, 04:14:24 PM
Onana was motm by a mile, he was brilliant. Great to see Ollie Watkins back after being out injured for so long. And Tielemans.
 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Smirker on March 22, 2026, 04:14:30 PM
McGinn MOTM.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: SaddVillan on March 22, 2026, 04:15:42 PM
McGinn back
Tielemans back

Confidence back.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: enigma on March 22, 2026, 04:15:52 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/qMHkpZ2R/tyg23.webp) (https://ibb.co/qMHkpZ2R)


Great to have him back.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 22, 2026, 04:15:52 PM
Best performance by a mile since at Newcastle, tempo from the first minute was spot on. They made more of a game of it after half time but we should have had the game done by then. Motm - I'll go with Barkley or Ollie. Great to have Tielemans back.

Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Torres 8, Digne 8, Onana 8, Barkley 9, Sancho 7, McGinn 8, Rogers 6, Ollie 9.

Emery 9, faith in the squad validated in the past week. Far less rigid set up up front helped, front four performance today v likes of Wolves or Lille away were worlds apart.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Monty on March 22, 2026, 04:16:04 PM
We looked like ourselves again. A really promising performance and result.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: paul_e on March 22, 2026, 04:16:16 PM
Fantastic Weekend.

Onana MotM, but Ollie, Barkley and Digne were great too.

I'd agree with that, I thought the whole team were good but those 4 were excellent and Onana bossed it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on March 22, 2026, 04:17:27 PM
Best performance by a mile since at Newcastle, tempo from the first minute was spot on. They made more of a game of it after half time but we should have had the game done by then. Motm - I'll go with Barkley or Ollie. Great to have Tielemans back.

Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Torres 8, Digne 8, Onana 8, Barkley 9, Sancho 7, McGinn 8, Rogers 6, Ollie 9.

Emery 9, faith in the squad validated in the past week. Far less rigid set up up front helped, front four performance today v likes of Wolves or Lille away were worlds apart.

😳

Erm…I agree with almost all of it. Someone get to Bronte’s and make sure he’s not dead and someone else hasn’t posted in his place.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: saint13 on March 22, 2026, 04:18:03 PM
Suddenly the world feels like a better place.

Excellent performance against the perfect opponents.

You could see the confidence coursing throughout the team. They suddenly remembered that they could play and exactly how to play.

The squad suddenly looks packed with quality and options.

Play anywhere like that during the run in and we will be fine.

Special mention to Onana and Olli I thught tehy we both very good.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: PhilVill on March 22, 2026, 04:18:08 PM
Onana and Digne were different players to the last two months.

Play with that tempo and attacking intent from now until end of May and the top 4 and Europa League is ours.

Please stay fit for next 10 days lads!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: TaxDodger on March 22, 2026, 04:18:15 PM
We are so fucking back.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 22, 2026, 04:18:28 PM
Typical negativity from Bronte. Everyone was a 10.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: paul_e on March 22, 2026, 04:18:51 PM
Harsh on rogers who was much more like his usual self but yes, they're much more normal ratings than we usually get.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Goldenballs on March 22, 2026, 04:18:58 PM
What a weekend!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: TopDeck113 on March 22, 2026, 04:19:05 PM
Much more like it. Get our players back and hey-presto!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: tomd2103 on March 22, 2026, 04:21:34 PM
Good performance and win.  Good weekend considering the other results as well.  Great to see Tielemans back and hopefully we can now go on another winning run.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: SamTheMouse on March 22, 2026, 04:22:35 PM
Everyone looked perkier and we moved the ball quicker. It makes such a difference. The returns of McGinn and Tielemans seem to have lifted what felt like a bit of a gloomy pall.

Ollie has also remembered how to physically bully defenders again.

Bostin' performance, bostin' weekend.

The only downside is that I have no beer in the house.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: SaddVillan on March 22, 2026, 04:22:56 PM
Finally managed to take advantage of results in other fixtures.

An important break coming up now.
Plenty of R&R for our non-internationals to get fut and ready for the run in.
Lots of time for Unai to work with Tammy, helping him to better understand, our system and get comfortable with Villa’s style of play.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on March 22, 2026, 04:24:38 PM
It was my eldest’s 5th birthday party so caught very little. Read back the match thread, sounds like a top performance. Huge result and hopefully this is Ollie on a roll.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on March 22, 2026, 04:26:31 PM
Massive win, and sets us up nicely in the race for PL. Still won't be up first on MOTD though.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Stu82 on March 22, 2026, 04:27:03 PM
Great performance, by the team.
McGinn is getting better every game, Tielemans back, and thought Barkley was excellent.
Also Ollie doing what he does best.
What a weekend.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: saint13 on March 22, 2026, 04:28:10 PM
Massive win, and sets us up nicely in the race for PL. Still won't be up first on MOTD though.

To be fair to them, Spurs humbling at home is a seismic event and will rightly take all of the headlines.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Rudy65 on March 22, 2026, 04:29:09 PM
So good to win again in the league. So good
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 22, 2026, 04:29:33 PM
Spurs getting battered and a last minute away winner in a derby should be ahead of a CL chasing side routinely beating a relegation threatened side.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: adrenachrome on March 22, 2026, 04:29:35 PM
Some very positive signs that we are back on track to recapturing our earlier season form of playing liquid football.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on March 22, 2026, 04:30:47 PM
Massive win, and sets us up nicely in the race for PL. Still won't be up first on MOTD though.

To be fair to them, Spurs humbling at home is a seismic event and will rightly take all of the headlines.

I know, it was tongue-in-cheek.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Chip Butty 111 on March 22, 2026, 04:30:53 PM
2 very important wins before the break. Great to have options in midfield again. Forest, Sunderland and Fulham next, 6 points from those games would be great. Much better today all over the park.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on March 22, 2026, 04:32:23 PM
Our 200th clean sheet in the PL.  The 8th team to achieve this.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: saint13 on March 22, 2026, 04:32:28 PM
Massive win, and sets us up nicely in the race for PL. Still won't be up first on MOTD though.

To be fair to them, Spurs humbling at home is a seismic event and will rightly take all of the headlines.

I know, it was tongue-in-cheek.
Ah...apologies that went right over my head!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on March 22, 2026, 04:35:43 PM
I know, it was tongue-in-cheek.

Ah...apologies that went right over my head!

👍
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Holy Trinity on March 22, 2026, 04:37:46 PM
Best we've played in a while, let's catch fire now lads!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Percy McCarthy on March 22, 2026, 04:39:40 PM
Great performance against a team in form (until today) and fighting for their lives. We gave them no encouragement whatsoever, playing the perfect game. Well done Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 22, 2026, 04:42:45 PM
Best performance by a mile since at Newcastle, tempo from the first minute was spot on. They made more of a game of it after half time but we should have had the game done by then. Motm - I'll go with Barkley or Ollie. Great to have Tielemans back.

Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Torres 8, Digne 8, Onana 8, Barkley 9, Sancho 7, McGinn 8, Rogers 6, Ollie 9.

Emery 9, faith in the squad validated in the past week. Far less rigid set up up front helped, front four performance today v likes of Wolves or Lille away were worlds apart.

😳

Erm…I agree with almost all of it. Someone get to Bronte’s and make sure he’s not dead and someone else hasn’t posted in his place.

Rogers 6 and Watkins 9, did he only watch the goal highlights? I'd give them both a 7. Too many chances wasted especially first half when we could on a more clinical day have been 4 or 5 up.

Defence and midfield had a good day, up front West Ham with their 3 at the back gave us so much space and allowed the tactics Watkins loves - loads of space to run at the defence. Sadly some of our finishing was extremely poor or over thought. Thankfully SJM was there to lead the way. A very welcome 3 points and a big improvement on some/most of the games this year.

Next..
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on March 22, 2026, 04:45:01 PM
Best performance by a mile since at Newcastle, tempo from the first minute was spot on. They made more of a game of it after half time but we should have had the game done by then. Motm - I'll go with Barkley or Ollie. Great to have Tielemans back.

Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Torres 8, Digne 8, Onana 8, Barkley 9, Sancho 7, McGinn 8, Rogers 6, Ollie 9.

Emery 9, faith in the squad validated in the past week. Far less rigid set up up front helped, front four performance today v likes of Wolves or Lille away were worlds apart.

😳

Erm…I agree with almost all of it. Someone get to Bronte’s and make sure he’s not dead and someone else hasn’t posted in his place.

Rogers 6 and Watkins 9, did he only watch the goal highlights? I'd give them both a 7. Too many chances wasted especially first half when we could on a more clinical day have been 4 or 5 up.

Defence and midfield had a good day, up front West Ham with their 3 at the back gave us so much space and allowed the tactics Watkins loves - loads of space to run at the defence. Sadly some of our finishing was extremely poor or over thought. Thankfully SJM was there to lead the way. A very welcome 3 points and a big improvement on some/most of the games this year.

Next..


Yep. Why I said I agreed with almost all of it. Ollie an 8 for me as his movement caused them problems and gave us room in the middle. He looked much more himself today.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Nev on March 22, 2026, 04:49:02 PM
Marvellous.

And to all those moaners who wanted us to bust a gut against a side we were already a goal up on, who said we were fucking shit, and it was awful on Thursday, perhaps you'll see what the manager was doing?

It's been a bad run, not unexpected and we're not home and dry yet but I I'll put my money on Emery every day.

UTFV.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 22, 2026, 04:50:52 PM
Thought West Ham looked every inch a team destined for relegation. Fernandes is highly rated but hardly had a kick in midfield today. Diouf at left back has a mean cross on him. Bowen was poor too, Onana took ball off him very easily for our second. Wilson, Wan Bissaka, Soucek, Disasi, that keeper - they will do very well to stay out of it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on March 22, 2026, 04:59:28 PM
Thought West Ham looked every inch a team destined for relegation. Fernandes is highly rated but hardly had a kick in midfield today. Diouf at left back has a mean cross on him. Bowen was poor too, Onana took ball off him very easily for our second. Wilson, Wan Bissaka, Soucek, Disasi, that keeper - they will do very well to stay out of it.

I was shocked at the lack of fight from West Ham, I really expected them to sweat blood like Leeds did here but they were so deflated and tactically got it so so wrong. They played to our strengths. Bowen will be off in the summer, not only is he knackered propping them up every week, his father in-law hinted at it the other day.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: JUAN PABLO on March 22, 2026, 05:09:10 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/qMHkpZ2R/tyg23.webp) (https://ibb.co/qMHkpZ2R)


Great to have him back.




FFS  dont let him back on ref
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on March 22, 2026, 05:09:36 PM
Pretty excellent all round. Two-nil massively flattered them.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: DrGonzo on March 22, 2026, 05:12:27 PM
What a lovely day out.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on March 22, 2026, 05:23:28 PM
Was an archetypal Emery Villa peformance. We bossed them from start to finish. Everyone had a blinder including the subs, bit Torres, although not motm, just makes such a difference, we play 20 yards higher up the pitch with him in the side.

With McGinnand Youri back, feeling really confident about the end of the season… top 4, Europa league snd spurs going down anyone!!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on March 22, 2026, 05:24:19 PM
Good win, two nicely taken goals and a clean sheet.  No-one performed badly, even Bailey worked hard.  I thought Onana was excellent but most of them were.  Good to have a bit of a gap between 4th and 5th/6th.  Played some lovely stuff and deserved more goals.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: wince on March 22, 2026, 05:24:22 PM
Meatball made the difference. Nice weekend let’s push on
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: andyh on March 22, 2026, 05:28:41 PM
Going into April we are strongly positioned in 4th and looking up in the league and in the quarter finals of a major European competition.

It all looks so so much rosier.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on March 22, 2026, 05:35:21 PM
A solid weekend, and just saw our young lasses also won at Leicester. All coming up Aston Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Nii Lamptey on March 22, 2026, 05:37:11 PM
Team play with a bit more purpose, more haste..... and surprise, surprise, Villa Park creates an atmosphere! It's not rocket science.
MUCH better today. From someone that's feeling a bit disenchanted with football in general, I really enjoyed that this afternoon.

7 games plus Europe to go, with both McGinn and Tielemans back in action, and Watkins starting to look like he could be playing himself into some sort of form. Please God let this be the season we finally get something over the line!

 UTV.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: aj2k77 on March 22, 2026, 05:39:40 PM
Absolutely dominated them today. I've not given Meatball his dues enough down the years, he's absolutely pivotal to us these days and I would Kevin Keegan love it if he held the Europa Cup aloft in May.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: andyh on March 22, 2026, 05:43:53 PM
Oh, and Traore.
He always was a circus act rather than a footballer, but now he’s like a pantomime horse.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Steve67 on March 22, 2026, 05:59:55 PM
Oh, and Traore.
He always was a circus act rather than a footballer, but now he’s like a pantomime horse.

When they brought Traore and Wilson on at half time, I was a bit worried because you never know what you're going to get with Traore.  I needn't have worried as he was appalling. 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: AV82EC on March 22, 2026, 06:02:07 PM
Well that was all rather lovely. Excellent performance from start to finish. Totally in control and West Ham will be happy it was only 2-0, could have had a hatful. The seeds of playing ourselves back into form have been there since Lille away and this was just what we needed pre international break. Everyone played well so I’m not doing scores today.

See you all in Bologna.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on March 22, 2026, 06:04:17 PM
Huge result.
Watched in a bar in Amsterdam ( last half hour) I asked the bloke behind the bar if he could put the Villa game on, it was wall to wall Spurs Forest, he did and then poured me a Guinness with AV in the foam. Nice touch.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Mellin on March 22, 2026, 06:07:14 PM
Absolutely dominated them today. I've not given Meatball his dues enough down the years, he's absolutely pivotal to us these days and I would Kevin Keegan love it if he held the Europa Cup aloft in May.

I'm guilty of this sometimes. He's been around for so long now that it's easy to take for granted what he brings. Never again.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 22, 2026, 06:12:07 PM
Huge result.
Watched in a bar in Amsterdam ( last half hour) I asked the bloke behind the bar if he could put the Villa game on, it was wall to wall Spurs Forest, he did and then poured me a Guinness with AV in the foam. Nice touch.

Which bar as I will be over there when we play Bologna at home.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Legion on March 22, 2026, 06:16:02 PM
All good. Normal service resumed.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Meanwood Villa on March 22, 2026, 06:19:48 PM
First half was best we've played in the league since Newvastle. Should have been further in front. Second half a bit of a drop off but the goal killed it completely. Hopefully clicking into gear for a stong finish in league and cup.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Luffbralion on March 22, 2026, 06:22:02 PM
I really thought West Ham would be hard to break down but the quality of our passing and movement cut then apart throughout the game. A thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Traore looks like he's ready to take up sumo wrestling.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on March 22, 2026, 06:22:13 PM
Really good today, can't remember the last time we controlled it as much as we did today, it
was a stroll. Only gripe is that it should have been more than two.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: London Villan on March 22, 2026, 06:23:47 PM
As comfortable as it gets. Good to see Rogers on the left too.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Skipper_The_Eyechild on March 22, 2026, 06:40:43 PM
Oh, and Traore.
He always was a circus act rather than a footballer, but now he’s like a pantomime horse.

When they brought Traore and Wilson on at half time, I was a bit worried because you never know what you're going to get with Traore.  I needn't have worried as he was appalling.

I'm not sure I agree. You know what you are going to get with Traore, a shit footballer.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on March 22, 2026, 06:43:11 PM
Yeah Traore was very predictable in his appalling output.

Has been utterly dreadful other than a 6 month spell at Wolves, which he’s somehow still stealing a living off.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: KevinGage on March 22, 2026, 06:47:41 PM
Team play with a bit more purpose, more haste..... and surprise, surprise, Villa Park creates an atmosphere! It's not rocket science.

 UTV.

Yes.

None of the slowly slowly, working our way into the game we've seen too much of late.

Good tempo and rhythm from us from the outset.

There's still a place for the former. But it helps to mix it up.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: rob_bridge on March 22, 2026, 06:48:14 PM
12 games to win.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: KevinGage on March 22, 2026, 06:48:37 PM
Yeah Traore was very predictable in his appallingly output.

Has been utterly dreadful other than a 6 month spell at Wolves, which he’s somehow still stealing a living off.

Roided up beefcake with zero football brain.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 22, 2026, 06:54:29 PM
Very similar start to the match as last season visit from Nuno with Forest. Only difference was he had better attackers with them so they got a goal back but if it had been 4 goals to Villa at HT in either match, there could be no complaint.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Olneythelonely on March 22, 2026, 07:07:36 PM
Back to something like our best. Onana, McGinn, Digne, Pau and Barkley were very impressive. Also thought the atmosphere was good today. With all the other results going our way too, what a weekend and ideal before the international break.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Villa Lew on March 22, 2026, 07:09:41 PM
Superb performance Villa, SJM, Ollie, Barkley, Digne all superb, but MOTM for me was Onana, back to his best.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: charlatan on March 22, 2026, 07:10:38 PM
Now guaranteed a fourth consecutive finish above Tottenham.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on March 22, 2026, 07:14:05 PM
Now guaranteed a fourth consecutive finish above Tottenham.

I wonder if SHA will manage it next season.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Bobby Boy on March 22, 2026, 07:17:47 PM
Football is meant to be enjoyable, right? And that was enjoyable!

We were on the front foot from the start and played with fluency and confidence.

It was as dominant a performance as you could hope for. Brilliant.

We are looking well placed for the run in. Good times.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: spk on March 22, 2026, 07:19:20 PM
 Had the 1897 group just infront of me at L6. They really added to the the atmosphere. Nice, as an older bloke hearing some of the classics from the 70's and 80's. Hope the club let them stay there.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Behind Bluenose Lines on March 22, 2026, 07:22:27 PM
Feels great to win in the league again, and not by an own goal!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on March 22, 2026, 07:25:14 PM
Had the 1897 group just infront of me at L6. They really added to the the atmosphere. Nice, as an older bloke hearing some of the classics from the 70's and 80's. Hope the club let them stay there.

Good to know they hit that perfect beat, boy.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: FranzBiberkopf on March 22, 2026, 07:25:33 PM
We are such a good, very good team, an excellent team when we start strongly with intent.

A great performance. We should have been three up.at half.time. Five up at full.time.

McGinn back..Tielemens back..Happy days again.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: TonyD on March 22, 2026, 07:31:32 PM
The tempo has returned. 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: olaftab on March 22, 2026, 07:33:35 PM
Absolutely F ing marvellous. No other analysis.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: rougegorge on March 22, 2026, 07:38:03 PM
Everyone played well today. Onana should probably have done better with his header in the first half, but showed what he can do today, and needs to keep up that standard.

The only gripe was that we should have put away some of the chances in the first half to make it a more convincing result.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: olaftab on March 22, 2026, 07:38:46 PM
Huge result.
Watched in a bar in Amsterdam ( last half hour) I asked the bloke behind the bar if he could put the Villa game on, it was wall to wall Spurs Forest, he did and then poured me a Guinness with AV in the foam. Nice touch.
Great. Enjoy your evening but only window shopping mind!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Baldy on March 22, 2026, 07:43:50 PM
The tempo has returned.

I honestly think it's down to Unai conserving energy levels during a busy schedule. We have a break now so Unai told them to up the tempo today.


 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 22, 2026, 08:09:07 PM
Yeah Traore was very predictable in his appallingly output.

Has been utterly dreadful other than a 6 month spell at Wolves, which he’s somehow still stealing a living off.

Roided up beefcake with zero football brain.

That effort with his left late on was awful but I thought he gave Cash more to think about when he came on. Far more than the guy he replaced in any case. Bringing on likes of Wilson and Traore kind of sums up why they are fighting relegation.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Walmley_Villa on March 22, 2026, 08:12:55 PM
Very comfortable game for us and it felt to me that Unai wanted us on the front foot from the start to get the crowd up which in my opinion definitely worked. Onana MOTM for me and it was great to see some of the players and BL from 1996 at halftime.
With Youri back and the break I don’t see why we can’t have a strong end to the season.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 22, 2026, 08:31:14 PM
Meatball made the difference. Nice weekend let’s push on

Big time, thinking back to all those lifeless performances against Leeds, Wolves, Brighton et al. From the first whistle today we were on it. Quick restarts, throw ins, free kicks - some contrast. All with the same players bar one. Difference has to be a fully fit McGinn.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: dorsetvillian on March 22, 2026, 08:45:16 PM
Finally home. So enjoyable to see Villa play well and get a truly massive 3 points. The team looked confident, organised and bright on the ball. Some very good patterns of play and very dominant for pretty much 90 mins. All topped off with an Ollie goal and Youri back on the pitch. Hopefully we have enough to make it over the line. Only downside was Bailey as a sub.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on March 22, 2026, 09:07:53 PM
Yes I was thinking the same about Bailey, if we could just have someone competent enough to receive and then pass the ball to another Villa player.
In his cameo I think he pretty much lost possession every time he had the ball.
If we are ahead and running the clock down , surely there are better options.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 22, 2026, 09:08:42 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c74vjd8zg7vo

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: usav on March 22, 2026, 09:25:47 PM
So nice to have players back and Unai be able to play the team and structure/style he wants to play.  To have Buendia and Bailey on the bench and not starting is how it should be - and they can still play a role, just not as big as they have tried to over the last few weeks.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on March 22, 2026, 10:05:09 PM
I guess we were kinda lucky that the formation WHam have had success with recently - the three at the back that's banned on here, went out the window when one of their lads lad pulled-up injured during the warm-up. Must have shaken them a bit, glad we took advantage.

Delighted I got to see two 2-0s this week, a far more satisfying double-header than last time twenty-odd years ago.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ROBBO on March 22, 2026, 10:08:50 PM
Bailey again was the only disappointment in a back to normal Villa performance. Should have been five or six but the pure relief of at last getting back to the Villa we love overides everything.
The players on loan all played their part, keep that going and we may keep a couple.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 22, 2026, 10:11:44 PM
I guess we were kinda lucky that the formation WHam have had success with recently - the three at the back that's banned on here, went out the window when one of their lads lad pulled-up injured during the warm-up. Must have shaken them a bit, glad we took advantage.

Delighted I got to see two 2-0s this week, a far more satisfying double-header than last time twenty-odd years ago.

To defend three-(five)-at-the-back is a sin. To do so passive-aggressively is three-(five)-at-the-back behaviour.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Hillbilly on March 22, 2026, 10:21:12 PM
Let's not underestimate the impact of the return of Matty Cash either. He adds impetus going forward.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 22, 2026, 10:26:48 PM
Let's not underestimate the impact of the return of Matty Cash either. He adds impetus going forward.

Weight of his pass has really improved. Set Sancho free on a few occasions in the first half. Bogarde doesn't have that in him.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on March 22, 2026, 10:37:45 PM
The only downside is that I have no beer in the house.

Lent or laziness ?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: SamTheMouse on March 22, 2026, 10:49:44 PM
The only downside is that I have no beer in the house.

Lent or laziness ?

Misguided attempt to be slightly less unhealthy.

Currently reconsidering that particular life choice.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Pat McMahon on March 22, 2026, 10:58:45 PM
A very pleasing performance with more energy and vitality to our play. We started positively and the crowd responded with the best atmosphere in a while.

I think every player had a decent game today but Onana, McGinn and Barkley were each excellent in midfield. Chuffed that Ollie got a goal and Sancho had the best game I have seen him live. A great cameo from Tielemans and this is the happiest Sunday night in a couple of months.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: adrenachrome on March 22, 2026, 10:59:05 PM
The only downside is that I have no beer in the house.

Lent or laziness ?

Misguided attempt to be slightly less unhealthy.

Currently reconsidering that particular life choice.

"When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say you need a change,
A pint of plain is your only man."
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Monty on March 22, 2026, 11:01:33 PM
The only downside is that I have no beer in the house.

Lent or laziness ?

Misguided attempt to be slightly less unhealthy.

Currently reconsidering that particular life choice.

"When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say you need a change,
A pint of plain is your only man."

By God there's a lilt in that.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on March 22, 2026, 11:13:55 PM
Lilt may not be beer but it is (was?) very refreshing.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 22, 2026, 11:18:05 PM
Just hope Rogers starts to get back to form now as well with the rest of them.God knows  what he was thinking when the ball broke to him from the "penalty" challenge.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: thick_mike on March 23, 2026, 06:09:36 AM
Lilt may not be beer but it is (was?) very refreshing.

Totally
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on March 23, 2026, 08:03:39 AM
Lilt may not be beer but it is (was?) very refreshing.

I think it's just one of the Fanta types now.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Crown Hill on March 23, 2026, 08:12:00 AM
Just hope Rogers starts to get back to form now as well with the rest of them.God knows  what he was thinking when the ball broke to him from the "penalty" challenge.

I thought he looked better yesterday with more space. When quality players are alongside him it takes defenders away from him. One reason the grass might not be greener if he thinks about moving.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: brontebilly on March 23, 2026, 08:19:17 AM
Just hope Rogers starts to get back to form now as well with the rest of them.God knows  what he was thinking when the ball broke to him from the "penalty" challenge.

Tried hard I thought and movement was good but just not clicking for him right now. The one cleared off the line probably sums up his luck currently. Our set pieces were very good yesterday looking back.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: olaftab on March 23, 2026, 08:24:02 AM
Rogers availability and link up play was excellent. He had 3 chances and normally would have scored at least one but in each case he was just a little anxious to get the shot away and it didn't work.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Hookeysmith on March 23, 2026, 10:19:54 AM
Martinez - not a lot to do but so cool with ball at his feet - probably the best there is at that part of the game - interesting how every time he had it in his hands WH players would do everything to stop him getting a kick away.

Cash - Such a good player he has become - very disciplined in his role (Not suprising when he has SUE in his ear hole all 2nd half)  ;D

Konsa - i really thought Lindelof was unlucky not to keep the position but Ezri had a very easy afternoon.

Torres - one mis controlled pass aside was his usual self and some great forward passing.

Digne - great shot (although possibly going wide) and i had to check that Bowen was actually playing - he marked him that well. Great to have him and Maatsen as options

Onana - My MOTM was everywhere and was actually getting stuck into some meaty challenges - patrolled centre really well and was instrumental in 2nd goal

Barclay - Close to being MOTM - very experienced and tidy footballer - kept our engine moving

McGinn - just a force of nature - i cannot think of any other player in the world who does what he does and how he does it - he needs to lift a trophy to cement his name in our history.

Sancho - another decent game, another couple of challenges bottled  >:(  Hope he keeps this form up till end of season but really hope we spend our money elsewhere rather than sign him up - he would be a costlier mistake that Coutiniho i fear.

Rogers - Was finding space due to us stretching their midfield - great drive for the 2nd goal - maybe should of had at least one for himself.

Watkins - worked his socks off and deserved a goal - maybe the pressure of having to re prove himself for England will fire him up (although how a donkey like Solanki is picked over him is bizarre) Very sharp to pounce on keepers fumble.

Subs:
Bailey - thought he held the line well and really stretched them
Tielemans - just oozes class
Luiz - did ok
Tammy - awful long attempt ( to be fair they only look good when they actually go in)
Buendia - showed a bit of fire

SUE
We all can question and even moan but this guy is the real deal. The old adage of "Have to be in it to win it"

European football in first season
Conference league semi final
Champions league qualification by finishing 4th
Qtr final of Champions league - beating Bayern / PSG along the way (nights that will stay in memory for ever)
FA Cup semi
Finishing 2nd in Europa league
Europa League Qtr final
And here in March after a really dodgy spell sit in a solidified position  (i actually think we will finish 3rd )

Teams can win one off games but we are showing a level of being at the very top of the game season after season and earning our right to be considered a real challenger to the scum 6 - if only we were getting the credit we deserve.


Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on March 23, 2026, 12:40:40 PM
The problem is Hookey, as soon as we start getting credit we shit the bed.
We are a little bit fortunate to be in the position we are based on our recent run but obviously not fortunate to have our midfield weakened so much.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Ads on March 23, 2026, 12:50:38 PM
Thought we were excellent and only criticism was we didn't score more. Pulled them all over the place first half. Their man marking of Rogers opened up the left and McGinn consistently dragged his man inside to open up the right.

Second half we played through the lines on the break really well. We have seen that second goal or a variation multiple times.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Brend'Watkins on March 23, 2026, 02:00:02 PM
Yes, 5-0 would have been about right. I’ve only just realised that Summerville wasn’t playing. He’s definitely the standard of player we should be after. Bowen who I also rate hardly had a kick.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Demitri_C on March 23, 2026, 03:12:33 PM
Thats more like it.

Had a very enjoyable  day at villa park. We were like our old selves. Onana was brilliant  and so was our captain

That goal massively  helps ollie too. Hopefully  we are back now

Nice break before the bologna game
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Jon Crofts on March 23, 2026, 07:35:05 PM
Missed it live but watched the full 90 minutes yesterday evening, main observation regarding them was

a: Disasi is garbage. b: Bowen would do well for us

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Demitri_C on March 23, 2026, 09:02:13 PM
Missed it live but watched the full 90 minutes yesterday evening, main observation regarding them was

a: Disasi is garbage. b: Bowen would do well for us

Yeah disasi is really shit. Mavroponos was brilliant  yesterday.  Put a absolute  warrior performance.  We would have won by 4 or 5 had it not been for him
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: frank black on March 23, 2026, 09:02:17 PM
Missed it live but watched the full 90 minutes yesterday evening, main observation regarding them was

a: Disasi is garbage. b: Bowen would do well for us



I like Bowen, but think that ship has sailed. Probably too old for us now.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: rob_bridge on March 23, 2026, 09:45:43 PM
Missed it live but watched the full 90 minutes yesterday evening, main observation regarding them was

a: Disasi is garbage. b: Bowen would do well for us

Yeah disasi is really shit. Mavroponos was brilliant  yesterday.  Put a absolute  warrior performance.  We would have won by 4 or 5 had it not been for him

He was MOTM in all honesty.

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ldavfc4eva on March 23, 2026, 10:07:10 PM
I went and didn’t realise Disasi was even playing for them!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Dave on March 23, 2026, 10:09:48 PM
I went and didn’t realise Disasi was even playing for them!

How was your daughter's day?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Exeter 77 on March 23, 2026, 10:12:03 PM
Disasi seemed very popular with the Villa players after the game yesterday. They all spent ages talking to him.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 23, 2026, 10:16:07 PM
He always seemed like a nice fella, and he was desperate to come to the Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 23, 2026, 10:16:34 PM
^^Bonus unwritten Pulp lyric right there.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Dave on March 23, 2026, 10:24:10 PM
Disasi seemed very popular with the Villa players after the game yesterday. They all spent ages talking to him.

My usual pre-match perusal of an opposition forum, the West Ham fans love him and see him as one of the biggest reasons for their post-January form being relatively decent.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Pat McMahon on March 23, 2026, 10:29:15 PM
I went and didn’t realise Disasi was even playing for them!

Same here, I only learned he had played after the game!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Somniloquism on March 23, 2026, 11:02:00 PM
I went and didn’t realise Disasi was even playing for them!

How was your daughter's day?

And can she come every home game?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on March 24, 2026, 12:28:23 AM
He always seemed like a nice fella, and he was desperate to come to the Villa.

I never understood him really and I know it's too late now.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ldavfc4eva on March 24, 2026, 06:34:55 AM
My daughter loved it, where we were in the upper north was great too, surrounded by decent folk and not too bad on the bad language front!

Sang with the rest of us and generally had a great time

Said she would definitely go again and seems quite hooked

Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: Hookeysmith on March 24, 2026, 08:59:46 AM
My daughter loved it, where we were in the upper north was great too, surrounded by decent folk and not too bad on the bad language front!

Sang with the rest of us and generally had a great time

Said she would definitely go again and seems quite hooked



Thats how you get them - well done
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: JUAN PABLO on March 24, 2026, 09:32:35 AM
My first game with my son was the Paul Lambert era , the most shite game Id witnessed in  long time and we had to walk from VP to new street station , he was about 7.  It was bloody hard to convince him to come to another game, even myself.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on March 24, 2026, 09:40:04 AM
My first game with my son was the Paul Lambert era , the most shite game Id witnessed in  long time and we had to walk from VP to new street station , he was about 7.  It was bloody hard to convince him to come to another game, even myself.

We go again.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on March 24, 2026, 04:58:59 PM
My first game with my son was the Paul Lambert era , the most shite game Id witnessed in  long time and we had to walk from VP to new street station , he was about 7.  It was bloody hard to convince him to come to another game, even myself.
My now 16 year old lad was in the latter days of that era, think he was about 4 or 5. We lost 0-1 at home to Swansea, they got a last minute penalty I think. If you can start in that period and come out the other side it’s a lifetime thang.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread
Post by: j66acd on March 24, 2026, 05:05:43 PM
Whereas my eldest is 9 and his first few games were the back end of Smith and the Gerrard experiment. So since a rocky 12 months what he has come to expect his regular European football, winning football and the ability to use the foul language he has picked up from his Mom!

Hope there’s nobody from social services in M4.
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