Aston Villa v The Throstles Match Thread

[Monty]

Tom, I think Barry's been better going forward than Ash, who has been leaving the midfield two exposed by his seeming need to stand next to the goal all the time, which is infuriating. If Nige can play, I'd replace Ash.

[Toronto Villa]

The first 15 minutes will be massive. They'll come at us with everything, and they know the left side is the weak link in our set up. We have to account for that in our HT planning. If we can get to a point in the game where we've taking out much of their sting, we may be able to bring NRC on, shore up the midfield and grab a cheeky second. Right now I'll take our next goal coming off of 14 deflections if it means a win.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

veetle disabled any other links

Sopcast channel 80517. Quality.

[BannedUserIAT]

Well...

Not great. But, good team spirit. Players are covering for teammates, and especially with youngsters, that's gonna be needed because of mistakes.

Downing and Albrighton have been good.

Heskus is leading the line well. Boy have we missed him.

We're looking fairly solid on the right of defence thanks to Cueller (thank fuck he's back, solid and no messing about) and Lichaj. Lichaj is quite aggressive, he'll always go for a tackle of push tight, so he's gonna get caught out a few times, but the key is, he's winning most of his battles and he's got Cueller or Hogg covering him. Carlos reads the game very well, whereas in previous games, Luke Young, who's been getting mullered, has not been covered by Collins.

Negatives- Barry Bannan is offering no help to Hogg and we're getting overrun in CM. That's not Barry's fault, it's a tactical mis-fire. If Nigel is fit enough for one half, get him in alongside Hogg. We've enough attacking flair with the wide men and Ash to make things happen. Barry has been invisible mostly.

Ash Young has been non-existent. I'd get him off and put on a 2nd striker. Probably the Fonz, although they're back line looks like it could be bullied. Maybe Carew will have some joy playing with Heskey, as it means he'll not have to work hard.

Warnock and Collins looks decidedly shaky, Warnock especially. He's a liability. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like Houlllier. Thing is, we know he's capable enough on his day, because first half of last season he was excellent. He's not a great player by any stretch, but he's certainly not this bad.

There's hardly a single word I'd disagree with there. Except Bannan being 'invisible'. Transparent maybe, but not quite invisible. I'd give him another 15 mins then, if he's not got his creative hat on, bring out the Nige.

[brontebilly]

Think we have been pretty poor to be honest. Leading totally against the run of play. Collins started very poorly but seems to have settled a bit. Cuellar has been excellent. His pace has covered for a couple of Lichaj's mistakes. Think Lichaj has been a mixed bag. Some great tackles but some missed ones too. Think if he gets a yellow card he could really struggle. Warnock I wont even go there. Think Hogg and particularly Bannan are struggling badly in midfield. Bannan has been anonymous. Great play by Albrighton for the goal and Downing did well to follow it up. That is all we have had though. Our midfield are unable to get Ashley Young into the game and we are struggling. Heskey has worked hard and held it up pretty well without ever looking like a goal threat. He actually is a decent man for defending set plays. Seems like only him and the two centre halves are our only decent players in the air.

West Brom are very dangerous down the flanks but Fortune isnt much of a player up front.

[PaulWinch again]

Right come on Villa, just win please.

[adamski villa]

veetle disabled any other links

this seesm to be ok at the mo

http://www.espa.tv/embed.php?channel=amor10&width=780&height=560

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good game and more importantly, a big step up from Monday night. The kids are doing us proud, as are King Carlos and Heskey.

[supertom]

I think the major problem for Barry is, that we're on the back foot mostly and as part of a central 2, his job is mostly defensive right now. That's in as much where he's been invisible.

Going forward we have Ash, Stewie and Downing. I don't see why we really need that 4th offensive minded midfielder really.

I agree with Monty though, If anyone of those 4 needs dropping, it's Ash first.

But personally I'd take off Ash and Bannan, and bring on Nige and Fonzy, and switch to two up top. It'll still be 4-4-1-1 pretty much because Heskey plays pretty deep. I really don't rate Ashley as the advanced striker either. I don't rate him in the centre at all actually. He does need a kick up the ass at the moment, that's for sure.

[PaulWinch again]

Ashley looks fucked.

[Mac]

No such thing as an accident against the stripey filth.

Ashley's fucked.

[lee hendries tan]

http://www.espa.tv/embed.php?channel=amor10&width=780&height=560
not as good as veetle but alright to watch

[PaulWinch again]

He's Ok I think.

[berneboy]

36745

[Monty]

Oh look, hoofing the ball forward under no pressure didn't work, Brad. Funny that.