Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Post-Match Thread

[DBTW]

First note of our new manager.....he is capable of changing things around.

[Phil from the upper holte]

1st half was terrible, Half the team looked lost and unsure as what they were supposed to be doing, I don't agree with half the crowd singing "what the fuck is going on" with 40 mins on the clock.

2nd half much much better Heskey came on and changed the game (never would have thought i'd said that before) Nice to see some changes made and early and nice to see them trying to keep the ball. Thought Sidwell tried to get a foot in but his passing was terrible.

Bannan did well as did the fonz when he came on, question is now who do we play up front against Wolves, Will be nice to see GH have a selection headache!!

Disappointed with turn out but then I saw there was 10k at Boggies & only 22k at anfield 4.5k was Northampton so that's as bad in my opinion. All round not bad start and hopefully that will give them confidence for Sunday!

[Hookeysmith]

When i saw the team sheet i thought they had put all the players names in a hat and drew them out to form a team - when i saw the formation i was convinced of it.

Awful 1st half - i actually missed their goal as i was playing with my phone i was that bored!

2nd half - i am sure everyone was expecting same old same old - and when EH was getting ready you could hear the groans from the crowd.
I was stunned at the passion, fight and workrate of EH from the second he came on - have to agree with Sam fathead - they really could not cope with our formation change and what a joy it was to watch.

Guzan - assured in the air (much better than of late) bit dodgy on his calling, especially at the edge of the area - 2 very good saves - no chance with goal. Frustratingly does hold on to it a tad too long then reverts to a huge lump up field to no one.

Lichaj -  positionally caught out a couple of times but looks very promising

Carlos - very assured - also gave the 100% perfect example of how to take out man and ball at same time with a superb tackle in 2nd half

Clark - very strong and composed - won almost every header

Warnock - great headers - not much support going forward

Bannan - once in wide position was fantatstic and his confidence gre - love to see the youngsters demand the ball and be confident with it - star for the future

Sidders - opening 30 mins ran round like a man possessed but if i am honest he just cannot play ina 4 - has to go and be replced with better

NRC - what he lacks in skill he makes up for in sheer workrate and bottle - has to stay in

Young - came alive in better formation - i think he loves being the main man

Carew - difficult job when played in isolation - but at the very least looked like he gave a shit and worked  - much more than under MON

Gabby - not right at all - he was obviously a name that was pencilled in with MON  - maybe he realises its not like that now and is having a bit of a sulk - maybe his comments in the press about GH has done him no favours - Gabby stop thinking you are billy big bollocks and go back to what you are good at

Subs:

Fonz - grew in confidence and i am sure one that is not unhappy that Kev Mac has gone

Davies - Again heart went in my mouth when he came on - but fair play looked composed and won all his headers

Heskey - i have always said............  like everyone else i wondered  what they had put in his drink - play like that mate and you keep the shirt for me - top performance and hope it shuts a few of us up - especially me

GH & Team - constantly talking over game play with each other and pointing things out to players - great use of subs and tactical nous

THis could be exciting

[nick harper]

Really enjoyed the last half hour. Some of the passing and movement was excellent. Confidence came flooding back to the side once the first goal went in. Well done to Emile - looked like a proper centre forward last night and changed the game - maybe Gerrard can find the player in him again - would definitely play him on Sunday.

Finally a word for Sidwell. He did struggle all evening and looked like a player who hadn't played a full game for a long time. However, he and NRC gave us better bite and we looked more solid in the middle. Like everyone else in the squad, it's a fresh start for him, so let's give him a chance to find his form because there is a decent player there.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Who'd of ever thought Emile Heskey would completely change the way a match was going. The movement and finish for his goal was great, it makes football look simple. I also thought it was extremely funny the way Heskey's goal was greeted with a cheer at first and then lots of laughter - never seen anything like that before.

When that goal went in we looked a million times better. It makes you wonder why we don't pass the ball more often because we can actually look quite good when we do. We've shown it in every game so far, but not for long enough periods.

As for the first half, the less said the better.

Everybody played much better after the goal with the exception of Sidwell, who was awful throughout.

I also noted there was a few times when Bannan passed the ball, ran past the opponent to get the ball back, but the ball was not returned and instead passed backwards when he was in an ideal position. It's not hard, just pass and move. He must get that ball back playing the reserves otherwise why would he make the move on numerous occasions which then begs the question, if the reserves can do it, why can't the first team?

[eastie]

Hookey - what did gabby say bad about GED ? I haven't heard anything of this.

[Simon Ward]

Pass and move. Simple game football when you do that and we can, lets hope the manager and coaches give the players confidence to do that more.

[Concrete John]

I also noted there was a few times when Bannan passed the ball, ran past the opponent to get the ball back, but the ball was not returned and instead passed backwards when he was in an ideal position. It's not hard, just pass and move. He must get that ball back playing the reserves otherwise why would he make the move on numerous occasions which then begs the question, if the reserves can do it, why can't the first team?

I don't watch the reserves, but I'd imagine in there wee Barry is the star man/best player, so if he demands the ball he gets it.  Moving up to the first team that won't be the case, mainly as they won't be fully aware of his game.  But that'll come as he playes with them more. 

[Hookeysmith]

Hookey - what did gabby say bad about GED ? I haven't heard anything of this.

He was interviewed for either sky or a magazine / paper and was asked certain questions. One of them was along the lines of "So Gabby whats your thoughts on GH as the new Manager"

Gabby replied  "Next question"

He was obviously one of the chosen few with MON due to him being a 100% effort player - maybe he sees that he is not golden bollocks anymore and will have to earn his place and maybe he does not like it

[Oscar Arce]

Gabby has got to realise that he is not a nailed on starter, and get his head down, he looked way off the pace last night I'm afraid.
I can't believe iIve just heard an interview with Fat Sam in which he states we 'could'nt cope with Heskey' !!
And he was right, the big man has had plenty of stick over the years, including from me, but on that 35 minute appearance he has to be our first choice centre forward.

[damon loves JT]

Even if it's blues it will be on a tues or weds night , no way it would played at weekend.

After consultation with City centre Wetherspoons, Police have decided no kick off time is safe from bingeing knuckledraggers and have advised switching any potential Blues cup game to North Korea

They would still need a licence to Il

[Walmley_Villa]

As all have said - great last 30 mins. Fair play to Emile - outstanding contribution. Like the look of Lichaj, fast and decent passer. Carlos and Clark looked pretty comfortable as did wee Barry once he went wide. Ash is our best player, no doubt and he and Heskey had a great footballing understanding which makes me think they will be our front 2 in the next few games with Gabby injured and JC looking unfit/laboured. Albrighton and Downing on the wings on Sunday I suspect.
Nice to have a manager who makes tactical changes - he is a football man.

Poor crowd - but most were apart from Chelsea and Spurs. Glad I made it with the boys (kids) who were full of beans at the end compared to half-time.

 We are 3rd faves for the cup - bring it on.

[paulcomben]

Has anyone else highlighted that it was the first line-up in 4 years without 2 wingers?  Just the one - and he ended up playing centrally and scoring twice. Hopefully, the end of MON means the end of 'no plan B'.

[villasjf]

As others have said that first half was probably the worst I have seen The Villa play for years, no passion, no forward passes, giving the ball away, playing like strangers, I even suggested to my son at half time, shall we go now? Second half so much better Bannon grew in confidence and started to go past players, he linked up well with Ashley who even let him take the odd free kick and corner. The Fonz got better once we had scored and Heskey led the line well. Sidwell looked very rusty but thats his first match for ages. An amazing turnaround once Heskey came on. We now have a level playing feild at Bodymoor Heath and everyone has a chance to shine.

[London Villan]

There was also a nice moment after the second goal, when McCallister and a couple of the other staff congratulated Sid on the bench. Not sure what he'd done or said, but he must of done something!

Sid being Sid, acknowledged the praise with a nod and got on with telling the team what to do.