Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on April 03, 2018, 09:37:51 PM
-
In the end very comfortable and professional. Special mention for Thor, my MOM
-
That should be enough to secure play offs, a strange month ahead now with us realistically not close enough to gain automatic promotion and not close enough to drop out of the play offs.
-
Only blot is that we didn't get more. Can't wait for Kodj to get his name on the honours board again.
-
Nice win and glad we could take the foot off the gas a little with all the games coming up.
-
Well done. Keep winning.
-
The BBC state are amazing - 79% possession, 28 shots with 13 On target.
-
That should have semi-cemented our place in the play-offs barring any major disasters.
-
Thank you villa boys.
Absolutely delighted with the win, steam back in the stride.
5 positive changes and looking forward to clipping the canaries, then the bluebirds, then the peacocks
-
This time next week we'll be 1 point behind Cardiff.
-
This time next week we'll be 1 point behind Cardiff.
Who’ll be third.
-
Despite their keepers awful kicking he made a few very good saves to keep the score down, in reality with our total dominance for 60 odd minutes it still should of ended at least 5-0.
On to Norwich we go...
-
Thank you villa boys.
Absolutely delighted with the win, steam back in the stride.
5 positive changes and looking forward to clipping the canaries, then the bluebirds, then the peacocks
and ultimately taming the Lions
-
Well done all concerned. It's still on.
-
This time next week we'll be 1 point behind Cardiff.
Let's hope so!
-
credit Steve Bruce tonight. For once, rotated the team significantly tonight and the guys that came in rewarded him big time.
Healthy competition for places now for the next game.
Conor Hourihane's 10th league goal tonight?
-
Two more wins should secure a play off place. We desperately needed the win, Stevie B showed he knows how to rotate the squad and we even got to rest Snoddy and Jack for 25 minutes. Good night all round, but we need to build our confidence by finishing strongly. Beating Norwich and Cardiff would be a good start.
-
credit Steve Bruce tonight. For once, rotated the team significantly tonight and the guys that came in rewarded him big time.
Healthy competition for places now for the next game.
Conor Hourihane's 10th league goal tonight?
yep only four behind Albert now
-
That'll do Spud, that'll do.
-
Good win, IMO no hope of automatic promotion, let's hope this is the start of a run of form in time for the play-offs. This is the biggest hope available.
-
Stats are weird. Suddenly, we are two games unbeaten and haven’t conceded. Well done Bruce, credit where it’s due, I thought he’d be out coached by Clement. Really chuffed to be wrong. It’s a long shot but it’s not over yet.
-
Of course it’s over, it’s play off time.
-
There is now a potential for us to play a demoralised Cardiff side in the play off final if they blow their current advantage to Fulham
-
Of course it’s over, it’s play off time.
It's not over. It's the play-offs.
-
Comfortable win by the sounds of it. Well done lads. No margin for error and a long shot but let's keep winning and see where it gets us.
-
Good win, thought we played well throughout the game and I reckon we'd have probably won even if they hadn't gone down to 10 men. Bjarnasson was very decent. Just need to win as many as we can and see how things develop.
-
Highlights (http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11315932/aston-villa-3-0-reading)
-
Highlights (http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11315932/aston-villa-3-0-reading)
Not too shabby...
-
Surely that’s us in the play offs at least.
-
Highlights (http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11315932/aston-villa-3-0-reading)
Thank you.
-
Edwards was just asking to be sent off for that challenge when he was already on a yellow.
-
Only two pages within an hour of the final whistle....
Comfortable enough win. Think we'd have won that by a couple regardless of the sending off as Hogan missed that sitter at 0-0 when it was still 11 each I think.
Liked SB mixing things up tonight and rotating properly, Bjarni was excellent even before his goal although his shooting did become very wild after the opener.
Tempo was good from the start. Even more frustrating when you think back to the QPR game and how flat things were.
Was right behind the dug out tonight. SB's reaction to Taylor shooting at the corner flag was worth the admission alone.
Just feels a bit of a missed opportunity given the last few weeks but never mind. We need to get going again for the play offs and tonight was a good start.
-
Not even a training game tempo by the end.
Special mention to Whelan who managed to slow down a slow game.
Really happy for Hogan who works so hard but gets so few chances. He earned and deserved his goal.
Playoffs here we come.
-
As others have said, very comfortable evening after the first goal went in (and what a goal!). I thought Reading were the poorest side I've seen at Villa Park all season, even when they had 11 on the pitch.
Thought Bjarnason had a good game to compliment his goal even though he was given acres of space when he had the ball. One of the real positives for me was how threatening Kodjia looked when he came on (did everything but score) and I thought Onomah did well when he came on as well.
-
As others have said, very comfortable evening after the first goal went in (and what a goal!). I thought Reading were the poorest side I've seen at Villa Park all season, even when they had 11 on the pitch.
Thought Bjarnason had a good game to compliment his goal even though he was given acres of space when he had the ball. One of the real positives for me was how threatening Kodjia looked when he came on (did everything but score) and I thought Onomah did well when he came on as well.
Agree with all of this. Reading didn’t get close to us all night. Such a contrast to the approach QPR took.
-
Well that was nice. Reading were poor with 11 men on the pitch and when they went down to 10 it was only a matter of time before we scored and put them to the sword. Mannone was the difference between 3 goals and a hatful - haven't seen the shots/on target stats yet but we certainly kept him busy. Good to see Kodjia getting a good run out, and he was unlucky not to score. Thor MOTM for me, not just for a cracking goal but his energy and link up play were excellent all night. Oh, and their away kit was awful- looked like a bunch of stewards
-
Very professionally done by us.
Reading were godawful. They didn't seem to be trying.
Their 90 travelling fans must be upset
-
BTW I thought the state of the pitch made it heavier going than it needed to be for us tonight. We passed it around very well, but I couldn't help but think this side could use the high quality pitch we have been used to for decades.
-
It is pretty poor on having a close up view tonight.
I presume we're ripping it up this summer?
-
Pitch was due to be replaced last summer and same day KW had meeting with Tony and brought it up. We won pitch of the year from EFL. So it was decided to give it another season.
Contracts have been signed for a replacement Desso pitch to go down this summer.
-
Apparently so. It was mentioned in the minutes of the SCG meeting the other week.
-
We would have won this game even with 11 on their side however it was quite frustrating in the first half as time after time our final ball and lack of bodies the box let us down. Once Barny had weaved his magic it was as comfortable a second half as you could wish for. Well done all.
-
BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.
-
I thought Ahmed Elmohammady was very good tonight and MOTM for me.
-
Most one sided game I think I’ve seen all season. Bjarnason man of the match for me, and a cracking goal as well.
The dream of top 2 is still on, albeit a long shot. Wolves to beat Cardiff Friday then we beat Norwich then send Cardiff packing next Tuesday night. Oh and hope Fulham slip up.
Piece of cake...
-
Like a few have said already, Reading were offering nothing before they went down to 10 and they offered even less with 10 and didn't make it hard for us at all. We should have scored a few more but it was good to get a comfortable win and some more playing time for Kodjia. Given the unpredictable nature of the play offs, his own unpredictability may prove invaluable.
-
Brilliant 3 points and 3 goals just what's needed and great that was comfortable win. Hopefully that gives positive push forward for remaining games. By next week will know how the situation is regards slim chances for automatic.
Well done to Bjarnason looked a great strike. And to see the team and squad used with good effect.
Utv
-
BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.
From where I was sat in the Holte, it looked like a disaster was going to happen as Terry was stretching and Johnstone had come rushing out of his goal. It looked from my angle that Terry at full stretch was going to poke the ball past the on rushing Johnstone giving their striker a clear run in on an empty goal. As it was, Terry just nonchalantly pulled the ball down and strode away with it.
-
As comfortable a win as you will ever see, just a shame our poor finishing, some solid goalkeeping and some iffy crossing conspired to keep the score down to semi respectable. We could have had 10.
MOM Barney, he was really very, very good all over the field. Great to see Kodja back.
-
BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.
As was his crunching tackle as their player was about to shoot at 1-0.
-
Just back. Worthwhile trip. Good allround professional performance. Thor and Snodgrass standout players for me, and Terry just oozed class every time he touched the ball. Only downside was lack of real penetration in the final third.
Thought the Reading sending off was a little harsh.
And who was the nice lady selling H and V outside Aston Church?
-
Weird to think that the same Readin side played us off the park in our third game this season
Though at the time we really didn’t have many established partnerships within the side
-
BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.
As was his crunching tackle as their player was about to shoot at 1-0.
That was international quality. Right player, right time.
-
Lots of positivity here ... nice.
And: “there’ll be plenty of twists and turns ...”
-
Judging from the highlights, the goals were celebrated in a quite low key manner. I guess the players know they've blown automatic and it's heads down now to keep the momentum and form going.
-
missed last night due to sickness. Well done Villa, now let's give Fulham and Cardiff a run for their money. To anyone there how did Kodjia do when he came on?
-
Every goal was celebrated by all 10 outfield players.
-
Good win, well comfortable.
Hopefully that will kick start us to another good run of wins, but alas I think all we'll achieve is helping Fulham to overhaul Cardiff now at this stage. But let's hope they slip!
-
missed last night due to sickness. Well done Villa, now let's give Fulham and Cardiff a run for their money. To anyone there how did Kodjia do when he came on?
Kodja looked fit and dangerous.He also looked hungry for a goal.Could be the ace up Bruce's sleeve in the play offs
-
To anyone there how did Kodjia do when he came on?
He looked far sharper than on Saturday. He caused them problems when he dribbled at the full back coming in from left where he replaced Albert. He forced the keeper into his best save of the night at his near post after driving in from the touch line, he also should have done better with a late free header that the keeper saved more comfortably.
He’s obviously a massive talent and will get goals, I’m just not sure his playing style suits his inclusion in our best starting XI.
-
Decent performance against a poor reading team. Bjarnason was man of the match for me. The only disappointing bit was the lack of numbers in the box. We must of put 30 crosses into the box with only Hogan in the middle. Kodija looked good when he came on.
-
That we wasted so many crossing opportunities was frustrating, they seeemd to let us have the ball wide and packed the penalty area themselves. With our wingers playing on their ‘weaker’ foot we always checked back before either over hitting the cross or chipping into areas where the defenders were well positioned and ‘set’.
In a Reading team as poor as I’ve seen in our time here, I was impressed by Liam Moore, their number 6. His defensive positioning was mostly excellent.
-
To anyone there how did Kodjia do when he came on?
He looked far sharper than on Saturday. He caused them problems when he dribbled at the full back coming in from left where he replaced Albert. He forced the keeper into his best save of the night at his near post after driving in from the touch line, he also should have done better with a late free header that the keeper saved more comfortably.
He’s obviously a massive talent and will get goals, I’m just not sure his playing style suits his inclusion in our best starting XI.
In the current system I think he would start in one of the wide positions. That is of course if he can do enough to dislodge Snodgrass or Adomah.
-
The great thing this time with Kodja is that we have enough options up front for us to be able to ease him back in. We don't only have other good options up front, but goals coming from other parts of the pitch.
Previously, we would have been desperate to get him back in the team and probably risked recurrence of the injury by asking too much too soon. Now we don't have to do that - so fingers crossed we can keep him fit this time and he could really make a difference for us now. Not many teams in this division have an 'impact sub' of that quality.
-
Every goal was celebrated by all 10 outfield players.
I was talking about the intensity, compared to goals scored before the bad run.
-
Reading were shocking, I counted they got in our half past the centre circle 3 times in the second half. They look doomed. Strange game in that it was unbelievably so one sided but we can only beat who's in front of us.
Agree with everything else you've posted, PeterWithe, the crossing, Bjork MOTM, Kodja.
-
I'm probably clutching at straws but I watched parts of the Fulham game, and the score line flattered them, at one nill Leeds had a gilt edged chance to equalise, only for the ball to bounce off the keeper to a Fulham player who belted it up field and they made it 2 nil. Very frustrating. I think Fulham have to play Millwall and Brentford yet so anything could happen.
As for last nights game, great to see Hogan score, hope it sparks another good run for him. It seems that in all the years I've been watching Villa it is only our keepers that make stupid mistakes that give us grief! I almost wished the scoreline had been nil nil at the time, just to even things up.
-
Happy with the three points but Reading are 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' can see why they have struggled this season.
-
Reading are the poorest team I’ve seen at VP for many a year. If they don’t put more effort they’ll be dragged into the bottom 3. We really should have put 6 or 7 past them. We had it won after the first goal and played like we were preserving our energy for the coming games. Bjork, some iffy shooting apart was our best player on the night. Hourihane is a confidence player, he was quite poor up until he scored, after which, he got more involved and looked to get the ball forward instead of back. Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque. Taylor’s shot of great velocity in the same half I think went behind him and then out for a throw. Funny as it was It was a truly awful effort.
-
Before the kick off I was not happy with Hutton and Grabban being left out, but this time Bruce got it right. Good performance and good result. Bjarnson is starting to look decent and suits that role. Not sure about Hogan, but hopefully that goal with be the start of a glut of them for him.
-
Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque.
Great phrase, but surely it's McGrathesque?
:D
-
BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.
Was absolutely superb. Class
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
Honestly don't even remember seeing him
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
Honestly don't even remember seeing him
That's an improvement then.
-
Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque.
Great phrase, but surely it's McGrathesque?
:D
If you mean the interception where he flicked it over his own head away from the Reading striker on the volley - I asked straight after he did it whether he had been watching videos of Paul McGrath.
-
One thing I found a bit annoying was the lack of patience from the crowd.
It was the polar opposite to Saturday where we recycled possession without a plan. First half we put in a lot of crosses and got the ball moved, at a good tempo, into the wide areas quickly. We played in perhaps too straighter lines and patterns, but we should have been leading. The delivery I felt was consistently too long and we lacked numbers in the box.
Second half we had Snoddy come inside more to change the angles, with Grealish getting closer to him and Elmo and I felt we opened them up routinely. Lovely first goal, good that we had the midfield hit the box with the second and Hogan buzzed and harried for the third.
Thor gave us so much more mobility and he really did set the pace at which we've played and the result was inevitable; 10 or 11 men, it made no difference to the dominance.
It was a smart performance. Good use of the squad and subs. Its a pity we didn't freshen up like that after Wolves.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
rubbish . which proves how did he stay here so long.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
rubbish . which proves how did he stay here so long.
I only noticed he was playing in the 2nd half and then it was because someone told me. Looks like he's bulked up a bit too.
-
One thing I found a bit annoying was the lack of patience from the crowd.
It was the polar opposite to Saturday where we recycled possession without a plan. First half we put in a lot of crosses and got the ball moved, at a good tempo, into the wide areas quickly. We played in perhaps too straighter lines and patterns, but we should have been leading. The delivery I felt was consistently too long and we lacked numbers in the box.
Second half we had Snoddy come inside more to change the angles, with Grealish getting closer to him and Elmo and I felt we opened them up routinely. Lovely first goal, good that we had the midfield hit the box with the second and Hogan buzzed and harried for the third.
Thor gave us so much more mobility and he really did set the pace at which we've played and the result was inevitable; 10 or 11 men, it made no difference to the dominance.
It was a smart performance. Good use of the squad and subs. Its a pity we didn't freshen up like that after Wolves.
Agree with every point you made Ads. Apart from bringing in Kodjia who wasn't fit at the time, Bruce should have freshened it up for QPR to keep players hungry and it's such a pity that the six days following that wolves win will likely cost us (automatic) promotion this season.
Great win, in 10 days it's possible we could be 2 points behind Cardiff with 5(?) to play so who knows. This league is so unpredictable.
-
Happy with the three points but Reading are 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' can see why they have struggled this season.
Good article, Darren.
-
Weird to think that the same Readin side played us off the park in our third game this season
Though at the time we really didn’t have many established partnerships within the side
We also drew with Hull first game.
Our poor start has cost us when you think Cardiff won their opening five games.
Whoever is manager we need to be at it from the first whistle next season.
-
Guy behind me was saying Bacuna would enhance the Man. City-Liverpool game if he was playing. He was joking of course...
I reckon he's disappointed you weren't watching his every move, had a special Jason Lee haircut all done for the occasion.
-
I thought Kodja looked really sharp and with Albert looking ropey in recent games , his timing getting back to match fitness is so important with the play offs coming up.
I think Id give him a good 30 mins against Norwich.
-
din't Reading thrash us at VP last season with virtually the same side?
-
That we wasted so many crossing opportunities was frustrating, they seeemd to let us have the ball wide and packed the penalty area themselves. With our wingers playing on their ‘weaker’ foot we always checked back before either over hitting the cross or chipping into areas where the defenders were well positioned and ‘set’.
In a Reading team as poor as I’ve seen in our time here, I was impressed by Liam Moore, their number 6. His defensive positioning was mostly excellent.
Got there a bit early last night and noticed in the warm up that the midfielders and forward players were doing an exercise which involved getting the ball wide and crossing the ball in early. Thought our crossing was pretty average last night on the whole, with too many hitting the first man or going out of play. Hourihane did put an absolute beauty in for Hogan in the second half though which he headed just over.
-
din't Reading thrash us at VP last season with virtually the same side?
Bacuna has obviously dragged them down.
-
din't Reading thrash us at VP last season with virtually the same side?
They massively overachieved last year.
One of those clubs I just don't like, horrible stadium miles out of the town centre and very plastic fans when you get inside.
-
That we wasted so many crossing opportunities was frustrating, they seeemd to let us have the ball wide and packed the penalty area themselves. With our wingers playing on their ‘weaker’ foot we always checked back before either over hitting the cross or chipping into areas where the defenders were well positioned and ‘set’.
In a Reading team as poor as I’ve seen in our time here, I was impressed by Liam Moore, their number 6. His defensive positioning was mostly excellent.
Got there a bit early last night and noticed in the warm up that the midfielders and forward players were doing an exercise which involved getting the ball wide and crossing the ball in early. Thought our crossing was pretty average last night on the whole, with too many hitting the first man or going out of play. Hourihane did put an absolute beauty in for Hogan in the second half though which he headed just over.
I really struggled to see the point of our attack first half. The Reading centre halves were very comfortable dealing with our crosses into Hogan who never stood a chance. If we'd been playing Davis, Kodja or Grabban it would have made much more sense but tactically, after all the great build up work had been done, it was a very stupid plan.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
Honestly don't even remember seeing him
Didn't realise he was playing until seeing these posts! Thought he was too busy playing in the Champions' League! ;-)
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
Honestly don't even remember seeing him
Didn't realise he was playing until seeing these posts! Thought he was too busy playing in the Champions' League! ;-)
He was hard to recognise because of his change of hairstyle.
That and the fact that he was totally anonymous all evening.
-
Easiest win of the season; would have been double that if not for Manone's saves.
Barney = MotM.
-
Thor was imperious in midfield. A flawless and dominating performance until his goal gave him delusions of being Tommy Hitz, and Hitz he ain't.
John Terry was immaculate at the back. Dare I say it, McGrath-esque at times.
We totally controlled the game and we could have scored eight but for their keeper and centre halves. I was particularly impressed with the stocky black guy who I only found out this morning was Tyler Blackett.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
His current hairdo is spectacular. Several haircuts, all going on at the same time on the one head
-
Neil Taylor's shot was one of the all time classics
-
Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque.
Great phrase, but surely it's McGrathesque?
:D
If he had stuck an apple in his face he could have been Magrittesque.
-
Neil Taylor's shot was one of the all time classics
As I said on the match thread it was unfortunate it fell on his weaker left foot :)
-
Judging from the highlights, the goals were celebrated in a quite low key manner. I guess the players know they've blown automatic and it's heads down now to keep the momentum and form going.
Really? When Thor scored they all mobbed him. There still seems to be great spirit between the players.
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
His current hairdo is spectacular. Several haircuts, all going on at the same time on the one head
;D
-
I met Preston manager Alex Neal on the way in last night.
Thoroughly nice chap, I hope he thought the same about me.
He wouldn't tell me what his mission was though
-
PNE play Reading next.
-
PNE play Reading next.
I thought that may be the case
-
Just watched the highlights
Some nice passing and movement
But my god reading looked terrible. So passive. That team was nearly in the premier league this season
-
I met Preston manager Alex Neal on the way in last night.
Thoroughly nice chap, I hope he thought the same about me.
He wouldn't tell me what his mission was though
Perhaps he was in town holding talks with Gabby the Weeble 🙏
-
How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.
Kept am eye on him but it was difficult as he kept himself well away from the ball for long periods. Hung around over on their left hand side waving his arms now and then and occasionally chasing Jack around in centre circle. I would have think he probably didn't need a shower at the end of the game.
-
That we wasted so many crossing opportunities was frustrating, they seeemd to let us have the ball wide and packed the penalty area themselves. With our wingers playing on their ‘weaker’ foot we always checked back before either over hitting the cross or chipping into areas where the defenders were well positioned and ‘set’.
In a Reading team as poor as I’ve seen in our time here, I was impressed by Liam Moore, their number 6. His defensive positioning was mostly excellent.
Got there a bit early last night and noticed in the warm up that the midfielders and forward players were doing an exercise which involved getting the ball wide and crossing the ball in early. Thought our crossing was pretty average last night on the whole, with too many hitting the first man or going out of play. Hourihane did put an absolute beauty in for Hogan in the second half though which he headed just over.
I really struggled to see the point of our attack first half. The Reading centre halves were very comfortable dealing with our crosses into Hogan who never stood a chance. If we'd been playing Davis, Kodja or Grabban it would have made much more sense but tactically, after all the great build up work had been done, it was a very stupid plan.
I said exactly the same. After more than 10 balls in it was obvious we had to change tactics. But it just carried on pointlessly and ineffective. will be different with Kodja in the box ....