Everton v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[hawkeye]

Another vote for Albrightons cross, perfect.

[avfcpg]

With choices of Bannan, Ireland, Nzogbia, Jenas, Albrighton in midfield, you'd think we could get a formation to play some creative football. Maybe we're a little impatient...or maybe that's just not the way AM plays...time will tell.

Mind you that's one defeat in last 12 league games...get hard to beat and then get creative & winning.

[Simba]

If the Manager was brave..... Herd would be back next game, Bannan would start. At least.

He's the one who said he picked according to form.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think we need a bit more patience with Delph. He shows promise when you consider it's his first real run of games in this league. I'm probably looking through rose-tinted specs because I'm always buzzing when Gabby scores, but it looks to me like we've still got a few good players who, hopefully, will start to perform as they get used to each other and the manager comes up with the right formula.

[Tom_Mc9?]

A good result. Good to see Petrov get on the scoresheet. Never mind the rest - it's a results business.

[pauliewalnuts]

With choices of Bannan, Ireland, Nzogbia, Jenas, Albrighton in midfield, you'd think we could get a formation to play some creative football. Maybe we're a little impatient...or maybe that's just not the way AM plays...time will tell.

Mind you that's one defeat in last 12 league games...get hard to beat and then get creative & winning.

It was pretty sterile to watch today.

Very, very early days, but it was Blues-ish, I thought.

Still, the results are decent while he works on it, so hopefully we'll start to play with some more fluency at some point soon.

[TheSandman]

I think we need a bit more patience with Delph. He shows promise when you consider it's his first real run of games in this league. I'm probably looking through rose-tinted specs because I'm always buzzing when Gabby scores, but it looks to me like we've still got a few good players who, hopefully, will start to perform as they get used to each other and the manager comes up with the right formula.

Agreed. I think with Delph we've just got to find his best role. We've been playing him defensively and he's done well before today but I still think he's best suited to a box-to-box or playmaking role instead. Once we find his best position he'll be cooking with gas.

[villadelph]

Where to start with this game.

The first half was probably one of the most woeful performances I've seen. Going into the half time we were lucky to be down only 1-0, with little positives to draw from 45 minutes. While it is a shame Heskey had to go off, because I would never wish misfortunes on another and I am generally supportive of Heskey, but Bannan was one of our only bright spots and his entrance was a blessing.

As the second half squandered on our style of play was clearly more attack minded, and we actually started to string some passes together. There was a stint of passes that came around the 55-minute mark and I was stunned to see that we had the willingness to possess the ball in Everton's end on a day like today. Proud we fought, happy to get a point.. but there is a lot of work to do as far as the players, tactics and mindset.

To address individual players.. 

Hutton: It was his first game in a Villa shirt and he had some shaky moments, but we also have to take into account this was his first shot at first team football in quite a while. He was certainly nervy, but I think he will come good with Collins and Dunne next to him.

Dunne: Incredible game, not much to say but praise.

Collins: Solid game, strong in the air but needs to try and play to feet a bit more often. Nothing we're not already aware of.

Warnock: I don't understand all the flack he catches. Whilst he might not of had a great came, he contributed to the fight and was typical 100mph Stevie and always gives his best effort whether he's gone to ground or on his feet.

Delph: Obviously, still showing some signs of immaturity but had some seriously bright moments. Some great touches and in possession has good vision for the threatening pass. The pen was a pen, and an unfortunate one at that. Osman's soft. I wish he would try to get up the field a bit more, of course one of the CM's has to stay back but he is a good contributor in the offensive end.

Petrov: An absolute stunner of a goal that reminded me of his Celtic days. Worked hard and looked to play a standard Stan game.

Bannan: The spark we so desperately needed. A player that truly plays with a sense of urgency. He was sometimes hopeless against Fellaini's size but he held his own and had a great impact on the game. Very pleased to see him play well and hope he'll start from here on out. Were his defensive duties on the rigth flank, he seemed to be tracking back for Gabby quite a bit.

N'Zogbia: He wasn't as effective as I thought he'd be today. His agenda is much different in terms of service and taking on players than that of Ash and Dxwning. He needs to prioritize and get the ball to Darren Bent, end of. I hope he can turn it around and bring something to next Saturday's game.

Gabby: You beauty, you can do no wrong in my eyes. His pace is more threatening than ever and I thought he was going to get around Distin on that lone 1 on 1 break. So happy for him to save our point, and it's clear how proud he is to wear the shirt.

Bent: I don't know if he's not fit or needs a striking partner. His technical abilities are not up to par at the moment. He needs service, but he also needs to work harder and contribute more to the game than just in the opposing 18 yard box. Good for a goal next weekend.

Ireland: Didn't feature for too long, but he seemed pleased to be on the pitch and genuinely happy to be part of the tie. He also looked comfortable on the field, and not the typical "lost"

Albrighton: Glad he could contribute on the goal, especially to Gabby. He's got a good motor but always makes me nervous in the defensive end. He gives us a young and hungry dynamic that I like to see on the field.

Given: Great game, saved some crucial shots. Proving again to be the bargain of the summer. So glad to have him in a Villa shirt. With he and Dunne playing this well I expect a secure and responsible defensive campaign.

onwards and upwards, upthevilla.

[The Situation]

Is Jenas injured? He wasn't on the bench.

[Percy McCarthy]

Is Jenas injured? He wasn't on the bench.

Yes.

[villadelph]

Is Jenas injured? He wasn't on the bench.

Yes.

Out 7-10 days, not expected to feature in the Newcastle game.

[Ads]

Just got back from the game.

I thought we were bullied out of it for the most part. We really struggled to come to terms with Fellani in the middle of the park and in the first half, we were far too narrow.

We showed a lot of bottle to come back twice, especially with so many players out of sorts, i.e. Bent.

We have that hard to beat quality back, with Dunne in top form too.

Last season, conceding a late goal, we'd have lost it, so its pleasing to see we have the resolution in us to battle it out for a point when we were playing so iffy. A point away from home is always a good result, especially at a place like Goodison.

Hoping for better performance wise and three points at home next up, but plenty of comitment there.

Everton fans were their usual whingy seleves. No songs. Just moaning.

[kippaxvilla2]

It's a good job Heskey got injured.  Saying we're becoming 'hard to beat' doesn't give me that much comfort at all.

[john e]

question -

if the side is to defensive, and AM plays safe with his lineups
if we need to be more creative and give our forwards more supply
if we are turning into a Bluesish team playing boring football,

none of which i disagree with,

   why do people still want a defensive midfielder  ?  wouldnt that just make us worse  ?

[pauliewalnuts]

Everton fans were their usual whingy seleves. No songs. Just moaning.

I know it's bad to make generalisations, and I actually quite like Everton as a club, but for a long time their fans truly have been the most whingey, miserable, chip-on-the-shoulder tits in the league.