Swansea City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Iago]

I would just like to see, for the first time in probably 15 years or so, a team capable of playing a passing game.

I echo your sentiments. But it is highly unlikely to happen any time soon.

[Risso]

To cheer us all up: Downing has been shite for Liverpool. No goals. No assists. 2 thwacks over the bar today against Citeh, when he should have hit the target. £20 million quid to us, Scouse mugs!

And we spent just over half of that on two terrible signings in N'Zogbia and the truly dire Hutton.

[Simba]

I would just like to see, for the first time in probably 15 years or so, a team capable of playing a passing game.

I echo your sentiments. But it is highly unlikely to happen any time soon.

To add a more positive note: it might be sooner than you (we) think if the acumen displayed by both reserves and youth teams can be applied by a positive thinking first team coaching staff.

erm. no you are right. 

[Simba]

To cheer us all up: Downing has been shite for Liverpool. No goals. No assists. 2 thwacks over the bar today against Citeh, when he should have hit the target. £20 million quid to us, Scouse mugs!

And we spent just over half of that on two terrible signings in N'Zogbia and the truly dire Hutton.

That throw away comment might just define us at the moment. Brilliant.

[Dave Clark Five]

Surprised with the amount of posters saying that N'zogbia was decent today.  I thought he looked limited.  I'm not convinced he's going to get much better either.  There can't be too many big money / flair signings that look so... bland.

I think he was better than he had been which is not difficult as he had been poor.
Next free kick just outside the box, he needs to take it. A goal might do the trick but we should be getting a better return for the money.

[jembob]

I would just like to see, for the first time in probably 15 years or so, a team capable of playing a passing game.

I see so many teams filled with average journeymen who can do it, why the fuck does it seem such a tricky task for us?

The Blackpool home game summed that up for me last season. Holloway got in trouble for fielding so many second string players but they passed it about really well and showed us up - admittedly they were gung-ho and relegated but it just showed that average players can play good football. I've said for ages that I'd like to see what a good coach could do with our sqaud but it doesn't look like we'll find out for some time. It just baffles me how both manager and players seem to think it respectable to hoof the ball, try the flick-on-by-the-big-man tactic and to be so utterly careless in keeping the ball.
Ultimately I want to see Villa win every game, even if it's ugly. If we can't win then at least I expect 100% effort and basic levels of organisation. Ideally I would see us winning in style but it'won't happen with our current management team.

[Legion]

Match highlights

[Bad English]

At 1pm GMT, I went to the "Traditional British Christmas Market" in the little town of St Jean Pla de Corts, near Céret on the French-Spanish border. Mulled wine, mince pies, Terrys Chocolate Orange, had the lot.

I knew I was making the right decision before I got out of the door.

So, Villastreams is £1.99 lighter and I still haven't replaced my chipped Villa mug at the online shop.

[Iago]

I would just like to see, for the first time in probably 15 years or so, a team capable of playing a passing game.

I echo your sentiments. But it is highly unlikely to happen any time soon.

To add a more positive note: it might be sooner than you (we) think if the acumen displayed by both reserves and youth teams can be applied by a positive thinking first team coaching staff.

erm. no you are right. 

And I do not expect us to be Barcelona, but come on, is it that difficult to pick Jenas over Heskey in the midfield?

I really hope this is Heskey's last season with us.

[Iago]

Match highlights

I will give it a miss, but thank you anyway.

[Legion]

It lasts about 30 seconds.

[PaulWinch again]

N'Zogbia showed some decent link play today and made me think if we made the right selection in midfield he could be a good player for us.

[KevinGage]

Hutton and Warnock have both come in for a fair bit of stick, but I think both were better today.

Warnock looked more like the player we signed in 2009 -a marauding fullback with a bit of bite to his game. Rather than the error prone clogger from last season.

Hutton won't be topping anyone's poll of alltime Villa greats, I expect.  But for as long as I can remember we have said we are too 'nice' as a team, we don't have that bit of mongrel in us.  Well Hutton does.  He's a throwback, the type of fullback who likes to nail his man in the first 10/15 minutes, to let him know he won't have an easy afternoon.  If he put those kind of challenges in and was still being turned inside out, I'd say it's pointless, all for show.  But -QPR apart-  I can't recall us looking hugely vulnerable down that side of the pitch.   He also has to contend with CNZ- who doesn't seem to think tracking back is part of his job description.

Delph has also come in for a fair bit of criticism recently, but I just see a player low in confidence.  Having watched him on his debut v Fiorentina, seen him be the best man on the pitch (apart from Rooney) in our game against Man U at VP in early 2010 and MOTM against Blackburn a few weeks back, I'm pretty confident he'll come through.  Technique wise  he has it all, he can go past players, decent range of passing and can get stuck in. The tactical side of the game lets him down, but that he'll learn.

I'm afraid I can't make a case for Ivanhoe's continued selection though.  A genuine mystery for the ages, is that.

[Legion]

The view from Pravda

[pauliewalnuts]

It lasts about 30 seconds.

Oh, is there an ad break too?