Newton Heath LYR v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[usav]

We had a decent go at them but were beaten by a top class side finding their best form. There's bound to be the usual nonsensical over reaction but I think there's plenty to positive about.

Makoun looks the business to me.

Agree 100%.

I said that about Makoun after Wigan as well.  First 20 minutes at Wigan he was great, he went in his shell after he got booked.   Couldn't believe some people were knocking him after one (incomplete) game.

[Villafirst]

Bradley and Makoun in the middle from now on - Petrov hasn't the legs anymore. I'd like to see the Fonz given a run. Carlos and Clark at the back - Luke Young at left back (when fit) Not the worst result.

[brontebilly]

Far too comfortable for them.  This 4-5-1 thing just doesn't work, and hasn't worked all season.  Can we try something else please?  Oh and Dunne is back to his fat, shit worst after a brief respite.

diabolical error for the first goal alright but aside from that Dunne was decent I thought. Clark really struggled tonight as did Walker in the first half. Colllins was awful in the second half I thought. But Houllier's tactics were all wrong. We cannot afford to play both Downing and Albrighton away from home at places like Old Trafford. Downing was a disgrace tonight assist or not. He jumped out of every thing including crucially just before their third goal. He didnt bother his arse helping either full back tonight and of course is so slow he will never beat anyone. He is a player I wouldnt mind moving on in the summer to be honest.

Big plus was Makoun tonight he was excellent and the best midfielder on the park. Petrov's lack of pace was exposed again. Not starting Reo Coker was another huge mistake from Houllier. Id always start him in these games. Petrov should only be a sub from now on. Good to bring on but not start. Albrighton was poor really but young players like him will always be inconsistent performance wise. I wouldnt have started him tonight either. Ashley Young in the hole - what can you say. It must be an attempt to keep him at the club. He was far more effective when he went wide. To be fair he had a great touch in the build up to Bent's goal. One which Downing would certainly have jumped out of. Hit the crossbar too and pinged in a couple of crosses when he went wide. Bent scored but was terrible in the first half I felt. Better after the break alright. All three subs did alright when they came on and should have been introduced much sooner.
Im not a huge Brad Friedel fan but he made some great saves tonight. 3-1 was about right I felt.

Certainly the way Collins played in the second half would have me considering to bring Cuellar back in for Fulham. Clark had a really tough time tonight and would also consider bringing Warnock back in for a game or two. Ashley Young must simply play wide. Makoun and Reo Coker for Fulham, might be too soon to start Bradley in the centre but Id bring him on the right for the game if he is fit. Gabby doesnt look fully fit so Heskey to partner Bent up front.

Friedel 8
Walker 6
Dunne 6
Collins 4
Clark 3
Albrighton 4
Makoun 8
Petrov 4
Downing 3
Young 5
Bent 6

[Toronto Villa]

3-1 and Friedel was man of the match.

We did some nice be ineffective things.

Man Utd at hoome do that kind of thing to most teams, let's see what happens now we have our "easy" run of games.

i dont want to put a downer on our next run of games but dont we normally struggle against this sort of opposition?

I think that might be a myth, that isn't helped by some of our poor home form of recent years. This season we've beaten Albion, Blackpool, Wigan, Everton, West Ham, Wolves, and we really should have beaten Fulham and Stoke. These are the types of teams we'll be playing over the next few weeks. We need a minimum of 4 wins to be safe, and then we can go from there.

[Mister E]

Walker will not prosper with Collins at right CB ... Cuellar provides much better cover for an attacking FB.
Downing - the enigma: he is definitely a good footballer but he is not currently providing enough IMHO, and I think both him and AY are a littletoo  up themselves. I'd cash in on both of them in July and give the opportunities to the emerging talent in our squad and youth set-up; after all, there are plenty of candidates to have a go in the first team.

[Villa'Zawg]

Not surprised we lost tbh, but I would love to know why we spent the last 5 minutes passing it across the halfway line over and over again as if we were defending a lead?

To stop them having it and getting a 4th.

[Ger Regan]

Downing 3

Ridiculous. If you gave Bent a 6 for presumably scoring, then Downing's assist for it should have him on a similar score.

[ROBBO]

Downing was at fault for their third just when we were getting back in it, he should have jumped with Vidic for the header then backed off and ball watched. Makoun was great only one stray pass all day but Petrov shaking his head when coming off wasn't a good sight, he really is too slow now and needs replacing. We played the best team in the Prem by far probably the best in Europe on form with players that are world class, Rooney looked the sharpest i've seen him for ages, Berbatov and Nani are brilliant so our performace was credible, don't expect too much too soon. I thought at the start of the season United may struggle shows how much i know.

[Toronto Villa]

The thing about the likes of NRC, Dunne, Petrov etc. They are what remains of the previous regime, and I don't think they'll be part of Houllier's Villa after the summer. They've served their purpose, but they're just not good enough for the next stage. The kids, plus players like Bradley and Makoun are the future, and I'd expect a good number of MON's players (even Ash if the right bid comes in) to be gone by August.

[barrysleftfoot]

   I thought Ure played well tonight, and th efact that they HAD to play well says a lot about how far we have come.

  The Villa move , when Bent fell over in the box, was top quality.

  Makoun was the best midfielder on the pitch, Downing for me was in and out, looked really good at times, but was let down a lot by his final ball.

  AYoung, as someone else said ealier, flounced about as if he was world class, i think hes starting to believe his own hype.

  Apart from the 1st goal , i thought Dunne played well, Clark played ok,out of position, and i did'nt think Walker was that bad either.

  There were signs tonight that we were playing more football,if we will play like that against most teams, we will win the games.

  Don't like losing to them, buti'm not too disappointed tonight.

[l_mckay]

never watched the game,computer to slow! but sound like Makoun had a good game and another goal from bent on the positive side! was always going to be a hard game tonight so the result aint to much of a suprise! Neva mind some better fixtures now if there is such a thing in this league,so hopefully a back to winning ways saturday!!

[littlevillain]

Am I the only one who thought Downing did well tonight?

again i thought downing was a plus.

[Walmley_Villa]

To be fair as long as the management have seen what we have re: Petrov, Colins and Dunne then the future is bright if he can bring in players of the calibre of Makoun. I'm excited and optimistic.

[Somniloquism]

   I thought Ure played well tonight, ........

I'm amazed you have posted without three lines of blank space at the start. Have you finally changed your browser/PC/phone? <wink>

[willywombat]

Thought we looked good up to the final third, Utd were as good going forward as any team I've seen this season. A big slap on the back for Friedel who made a couple of excellent saves. Makoun looks combative and comfortable on the ball, bodes well for when he settles in properly. Hand on heart, I expected to lose but I'm pleased we didnt fall to pieces and kept trying to take the game to them. Onwards and upwards