Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Post-Match Thread

[eastie]

Yes we look better playing without the 2 winger system , more strength in midfield and better options rather than just knocking it out to the wing .

Maybe on sunday he will go heskey and ash up front with downing as the one winger and a midfield 3 of nige petrov and Ireland - I think that would be very flexible and good to see.

[Chris Smith]

First half we lacked all shape and structure. Those of you who question what Petrov provides only have to look at that for your answer.

Second half was a slight improvement to start with it and then a total transformation when Heskey came on. if that was the first time you'd seen him play you'd think we had a world beater on our hands.

Overall very encouraging the one downside being the crowd which, according to the Guardian match report, was lower than any during O'Neill's time. It's no surprise given the shaky start to the season but it is a pity that there weren't a few more there to see Gerry's first game.

[pablopicasso_10]

nice to see a manager with the ability and balls to change things around properly when plan a' isnt working...

[Tony Boucher]

Usually takes me a good hour and a half to get back after the game - tonight just 40 minutes, a reflection on a very low turnout (18,500?). 

18500 - was this league or Simod cup?

18500 is bad - but still twice as many as turned out for Bloose last night apparently!

9,450 according to BBC

[WarszaVillan]

Last night's goals: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/aston-villa-blackburn-6962297/

[eastie]

Liverpool only got just over 20000and 4500 of those were from Northampton- bring on the wolves on Sunday- if heskey can get confidence from this display he could win a lot of us over in the coming months.

[cheltenhamlion]

Petty I know but our worst attendance in 4 years still comfortably trumps the cumulative total of the noses first two round in the competition.

[Ads]

I hate the crowd we get for the early round of the cup. The season ticket holders behind me never come and I was get a load of dickheads sitting behind me.

[ktvillan]

First half we lacked all shape and structure. Those of you who question what Petrov provides only have to look at that for your answer.

Second half was a slight improvement to start with it and then a total transformation when Heskey came on. if that was the first time you'd seen him play you'd think we had a world beater on our hands.

Don't see how you put the first half problems down to Petrov's absence when the problem was rectified without the introduction of Petrov.  And we didn't exactly have an excellent shape and structure in the games against Vienna, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, all of which Petrov played in.

[Chris Smith]

First half we lacked all shape and structure. Those of you who question what Petrov provides only have to look at that for your answer.

Second half was a slight improvement to start with it and then a total transformation when Heskey came on. if that was the first time you'd seen him play you'd think we had a world beater on our hands.

Don't see how you put the first half problems down to Petrov's absence when the problem was rectified without the introduction of Petrov.  And we didn't exactly have an excellent shape and structure in the games against Vienna, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, all of which Petrov played in.

It wasn't all down to his absence but it highlighted what we miss when he isn't the re. We couldn't do the simple things, we couldn't keep hold of the ball, we had nobody talking or organising, all of the things that Petrov does. 

[sfx412]

Plan B and it worked.
Who was that centre forward who replaced Carew ?
How come Young can score a beautiful glancing header like that and miss like he did last time, in front of a near open goal.
Good way to start Houllier man, now we need a nice home draw next round

[ktvillan]

First half we lacked all shape and structure. Those of you who question what Petrov provides only have to look at that for your answer.

Second half was a slight improvement to start with it and then a total transformation when Heskey came on. if that was the first time you'd seen him play you'd think we had a world beater on our hands.

Don't see how you put the first half problems down to Petrov's absence when the problem was rectified without the introduction of Petrov.  And we didn't exactly have an excellent shape and structure in the games against Vienna, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, all of which Petrov played in.

It wasn't all down to his absence but it highlighted what we miss when he isn't the re. We couldn't do the simple things, we couldn't keep hold of the ball, we had nobody talking or organising, all of the things that Petrov does. 

We've rarely been able to keep hold of the ball well, with or without Petrov - and 66% possesion suggests we actually did much better than we normally do last night.  And talking and organising?  Are you sure you are thinking of Petrov?

[pauliewalnuts]

First half we lacked all shape and structure. Those of you who question what Petrov provides only have to look at that for your answer.

Second half was a slight improvement to start with it and then a total transformation when Heskey came on. if that was the first time you'd seen him play you'd think we had a world beater on our hands.

Don't see how you put the first half problems down to Petrov's absence when the problem was rectified without the introduction of Petrov.  And we didn't exactly have an excellent shape and structure in the games against Vienna, Newcastle, Everton, and Bolton, all of which Petrov played in.

It wasn't all down to his absence but it highlighted what we miss when he isn't the re. We couldn't do the simple things, we couldn't keep hold of the ball, we had nobody talking or organising, all of the things that Petrov does. 

We've rarely been able to keep hold of the ball well, with or without Petrov - and 66% possesion suggests we actually did much better than we normally do last night.  And talking and organising?  Are you sure you are thinking of Petrov?

I thought the same - he doesn't seem to do any organising a far as I can see.

I think Chris has a point, though, in that we were lacklustre in the centre of midfield. What we needed is a player of Petrov's type, but ideally better than him.

Until we can get that, he'll have to do.

[villajk]

I hate the crowd we get for the early round of the cup. The season ticket holders behind me never come and I was get a load of dickheads sitting behind me.

Same by us.  I was the only season ticket holder in my row and I didn't recognise any of the people in the two rows in front.

[mozza]

Didn't think I would ever write this on H&V .............but well done Emile Heskey !

There were some amazed looks on faces in L6 when he stroked the ball across
the face of the goal for the equaliser but he well deserved motm for his 30minute
cameo performance that won us the game and a place in the next round

Disappointed by lack of Gerard or Gary Mc in the techinical area until after the
Heskey goal, then both of them were like 'jack in the box' (perhaps they are
feeling their feet and getting to know the players)

Good to see that brains beats brawns ................wee Barry deserved a goal
with two excellent strikes on target in the second half

Neither Lichaj or Clark did themselves any harm either for the future

Can't recall such a physically large team at VP in ages - caused a few
laughs when our wee Scotsman was stood alongside them !