Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[ROBBO]

The penalty was given because of Collins raised arms, all season they have been clamping down on players using their arms for leverage. Thought once the senior players got back we would improve and pleased to say it happened. Ashley Young must not be sold, Freidal should keep the knockers at bay for a while, Dunne made one mistake but made some great interceptions, Cuellor gave us extra height and played well. One disappointment for me was Petrov, he played with passion and desire but in the first half in particular he gave the ball away too many times and his shooting effots were woeful. We looked like we did last season that with a classy midfielder and a top forward we would be a really good side.

[deero83]

Strange how ex-players who fancy a career in the media suddenly develop a passion for the game they never showed before.

That's cos he is a fat bloke eating four pies at once

Not strictly relevant but thought I'd mention it anyway, but who thought it was a good idea to have Dean Windass as a match day reporter on Sky?  When he tries to be over excited he sounds like a fat bloke eating four pies at once.

[damon loves JT]

Have another go deero, quotes are tricky

[TheTimVilla]

Have anoNot if you know what you're doingther go deero, quotes are tricky

[imull43]

Can see why the ref gave the pen but he was coned. Chelsea player backed into Collins for starters then dived. Ref booked us for everything but how many fouls did Essian have to comit before getting booked.

[damon loves JT]

Just a thought: is John Terry past it? I am really looking forward to the twilight of his career. He will have to keep playing long after the engine has gone, he needs the money

[hawkeye]

Just got back, Clark was imense today he is not the best footballer in the world but 10 out of 10 for concentration and effort, after Albrighton gave the ball away for thier 3rd he was turned on by all the players, collins being the most vitriolic he was going beserk at him for about a minute, oh what joy it was to see him a couple of mnutes later stick the ball on Clarks head for the equaliser. Heskey won every areal chalenge so much so that they stopped chalenging him. Gabby and Downing did a great job of tracking thier full backs. The effort was there, We were tired out from the Chelsea pressure in the second half and the 10 minute spell they scored having made sustitutions ,

[Edvard Remberg]

I was in Fuerteventura this time last year. Watched the Liverpool home game when Torres scored in the last second. To say I was pissed off is an understatement. The pratts on the table next to me had done my head in all game. Stormed out of the bar on my own at FT and went straight back to the hotel to go to bed.

Crap game. I was in a bar/restaurant in Natal Brazil. And all who were there went quiet - as my expression when that slip gave Torres the goal was to hurting, for them even to joke about it.

[JD]

Regardless of what happened in the game and there was lots of talking points, getting a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge is a result we all would have taken beforehand. Therefore I am extremely pleased and hopefully the players can show the same attitude and fight against Sunderland on Wednesday.
Today I shall be happy 

[Archie]

Just got back, Clark was imense today he is not the best footballer in the world but 10 out of 10 for concentration and effort

Agree.
But does anyone know why Super Mark (our most creative  player at the moment) started on the bench and Gabby (our best striker) played left winger, far from the goal, in the 4-2-3-1? I didn't understand these two moves tbh.

[damon loves JT]

I have a feeling our lineup will be as unpredictable under GH as it was predictable under MON.

[vilan461]

Much improved performance----we played as a team today----great to see the togetherness celebrating Clark,s goal,to me he was man of the match,what a prospect this lad is, 3 different positions 3 goals so far in his first prem season--magic
     well played you Villa Boyz-----keethe momentum going for Wednesday,----we fans must play our part and fully get behind the lads---we are all in this together,------great reaction shown by RL

[PeterWithe]

Much improved performance, I didnt see us winning at any point but great to see us come back from the dead to grab a draw. Heartwarming to see us winning tackles and working hard.

[Shrek]

Just got back, Clark was imense today he is not the best footballer in the world but 10 out of 10 for concentration and effort

Agree.
But does anyone know why Super Mark (our most creative  player at the moment) started on the bench and Gabby (our best striker) played left winger, far from the goal, in the 4-2-3-1? I didn't understand these two moves tbh.

It was Houllier's tactics, which worked.

First he wanted as much experience as possible in the side,

Second gabby was very disciplined in his defensive duties, he used his pace a number of times to stop a counter attack.

Everyone from the manager to the subs were great today, we were very unlucky, both Chelsea's late goals were as a result of Brad making a save and it landing at a Chelsea player.

Nothing accounts for experience.

[richard moore]

Just a thought: is John Terry past it? I am really looking forward to the twilight of his career. He will have to keep playing long after the engine has gone, he needs the money

I think you could ask some interesting questions as to where Chelsea and some of their players are heading if they don't win the league or Champions League this season, neither of which looks very likely. Terry, Lampard and Drogba are all starting to look to me as if they have just crept over their peak and are on the downward slope. I reckon Cole might bugger off this summer too. Whereas previously, they might have had the monopoly on signing someone like Bale, that definitely isn't the case anymore. I keep my fingers crossed...