Aston Villa v Gloryhunters Post-Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

The difference in performance compared to Blackpool was massive.

[KevinGage]

Great performance from the kids but we can't close out games. Wasn't even particularly pissed off when their second went in. How can you be when you knew it was inevitable?
Not building on slim 1-0 leads has cost us this season but I did think we had actually done enough when we got to 2-0. More fool me.

In the last two weeks if you'd offered us 1-0 up v Fulham away  and 2-0 to the good v Man U at home, and all we had to do to win was to kill the game in the last few minutes you'd have taken it pre kick off.

But we can't, so it's two points instead of the six we should have on the board.

We had a similar failing under MON at various times, but it's really starting to bite at the moment. Injuries play their part, of course they do. But whatever eleven we have on the pitch should be able to see the thing through from such a favourable position. One of the things you look at in a manager is how he faces those kind of challenges, the changes he makes (be they tactics or personnel) to secure the points et.c.  So far GH is coming up short. Injuries or not.

I think it's great that so many are tripping over themselves to look for positives, I really do.
But it's beginning to sound like "It's OK, we're Aston Villa. We don't need to win football matches."

Perhaps the players think that too.

It's a concern for me if the level of performance starts to dip or if confidence takes a hit after today. They used to say it was a sign of a good team if they don't play well and still win. What do you say about a team who plays quite well and can't win?

[Somniloquism]

Our midfielf of Bannan and Hogg shat all over Fletcher and Carrick... you'd have thought it was Bannan and Hogg who have played in the Premier league for 5 or 6 years - awesome performance by both lads.

Albrighton was sick again, made Evra look like a clown and Downing just made Wes Brown look like the shit and average player that he is. Ash played well again too, good penalty from him.

Overall it's a bit annoying to no beat United after looking so comfortable for 80 minutes, some inspired subs from Fergie nicked a point for them. Lets just remember we completely outplayed them with our kids and I'm very proud of the Villa today after a very spirited and determined performance.

That and tired legs. Young was off the pace at the end and couldn't stop Nani playing the only decent ball he made in the whole match to Vidic. Would have been interesting if the ref hadn't bottled that decision when he assaulted Warnock.. Although it was still 0-0 and they would have tried to play the counter attack which meant they would have been tighter at the back so we might not have scored.

[hilts_coolerking]

Our midfielf of Bannan and Hogg shat all over Fletcher and Carrick... you'd have thought it was Bannan and Hogg who have played in the Premier league for 5 or 6 years - awesome performance by both lads.

I thought Bannan was the better of the two but Hogg certainly didn't do much wrong.  I agree that Fletcher and (particularly) Carrick were anonymous.  As was Berbatov.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Feels like a loss, again.

We played very well and hope we keep it up.

[hilts_coolerking]

Would have been interesting if the ref hadn't bottled that decision when he assaulted Warnock.. Although it was still 0-0 and they would have tried to play the counter attack which meant they would have been tighter at the back so we might not have scored.

True enough.  They were down to 10 men at VP last season and looked more likely than us to win it.

ETA - Although Rooney was playing out of his skin then.

[JJ-AV]

Bottlers. Our defence is shit and have no composure what so ever, 2 balls into the box and 2 goals.

You really haven't got a clue.

He really hasn't, it's laughable. Atleast Gregnash had a logic to his wind-up views.

[Somniloquism]

Would have been interesting if the ref hadn't bottled that decision when he assaulted Warnock.. Although it was still 0-0 and they would have tried to play the counter attack which meant they would have been tighter at the back so we might not have scored.

True enough.  They were down to 10 men at VP last season and looked more likely than us to win it.

ETA - Although Rooney was playing out of his skin then.

Although as they tired we had some good chances in the last 10 mins. But as you said Rooney was playing out of his skin. If that was towards the end of the season (after the League cup final) when he started to get worried about his private life it probably would have been an easy win for us.

[RossLeach]

Gabby going off defintely affected us; we were much less of a threat on the break and they could afford to push more men up. A function of injuries and poor size/quality of squad.

Downing and Albrighton were exceptional

[Somniloquism]

I thought considering he had just come on that Fonz did amble more the he should have for the last 10 mins. He should have been buzzing around their players at the back more then he did when they had the ball.

[luke25]

Just got back, gutted about the 2 late goals but looking at the bigger picture we were fantastic, thats the best we've played against that lot for years, they'll be absolutely thrilled with a point

[usav]

Just got back, gutted about the 2 late goals but looking at the bigger picture we were fantastic, thats the best we've played against that lot for years, they'll be absolutely thrilled with a point

I think bigger picture is right.  Chelski and Manure will both feel lucky to have left Villa Park with a point this year.

Now we just need to start picking up more points in the other games - and get a few players back to fitness.

[FatSam]

The victory would have been cathartic, and would have lightened the baggage of one win in thirty for this new generation of players. Still really proud of the kids today though, and delighted with the example shown by our more experienced players going forward such as Gabby, Ash, and Downing.

I can understand why Houllier wanted to bring the Fonz on at that stage, with Gabby returning from injury, and the Fonz needing some experience to become a realistic option in the long-run. Its easy to say with hindsight, but I don't think he is ready for the lone striker role yet though. I would have been more comfortable with Gabby holding the ball up in the last few minutes.

Downing is really looking the part this season, which has compensated for Ireland's relative no-show so far. It feels as tough we have pretty much consolidated over the last few years in terms of experience/ talent in this area of the squad; with Downing effectively a replacement for Barry, Ireland for Milner, and the emergence of Albrighton.

It seems to me that O'Neill's brand of relative success was unsustainable, buying a whole new defence each season, falling-out with his own signings etc. We were able to consolidate (arguably an achievement in itself) by spending a lot of money (sometimes almost indiscriminately), but ultimately not progress further - and I think he could see that he had taken us as far as he could. Hopefully Houllier can manage the development of these young players, and bring in some choice additions to actually take us forward.

[Tony]

Played really well for half an hour in the second half, a fair result overall, we looked a bit nervous in the first half and Berbatov had a really good chance to score, but just before half time we were getting on top and carried that into the second half.

Gutted at how they came back into it, and Gabby going off did mean we had less of an escape route but he's just back from injury and I didn't expect him to last the full 90.

Barry Bannan played really well, the ref, as usual against Man United, bottled some decisions, Hernandez had to be booked for kicking the ball away, Brown for the penalty I'd have to see again but if he's booking Ashley for going into the crowd he has to book Vidic, wouldn't have made much difference by that stage but refs just need to be consistent.

[avfcpg]

Gutted but as good a performance second half from us against Man Yoo as I have seen. By Fergies own admission, could have been 5 or 6 second half, ripped them apart at times. Really impressed by the pressure on the ball, and breaking at speed when in possession...joy to watch.

I never know how they manage to find another gear when 2 down, but they have done it for years...at least the two goals conceded were half decent and weren't thrown away, and at least we didn't let them nick all 3 points...