Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[UK Redsox]

Fcuk you Halsey..

What did he do today?

[Toronto Villa]

Well done Alex McLeish. Very well done. He's taken a lot of shit from a lot of people since he came. He has had to change his philosophy and he last few games has seen us transform to a team that actually wants to play. We have the players that Blues never had to do good things. I hope he now believes even more that tis is the way forward. A fantastic result.

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!

[mrfuse]

GULP.... I was wrong.... I wanted him out three games ago. But he has managed to totally change the way we have been playing, and it has totally transformed us, we now keep the ball so much better.

The key for me is Cirian Clark, because he is positionally so disciplined, and so good at using the ball. I really think he could be world class in that position, and shows we don't need a Frimpong or McShitran or whoever else.

Well done Alex McLeish, keep them playing in this style and you will win a lot of friends over the next few months, excellent today.

Final mention - Stephen Ireland, you little bugger, play there, like that, every week and you could be a legend after such a chequered start. You have the ability, and today were the difference between us and a top 4 side at their ground!

Couldnt have said it better myself

[Irish villain]

Brilliant. They proved me wrong, and I love it when that happens. Happy new year, all.

Many Happy returns!

[TonyD]

OMG   Just got in and seen the score.  Well done the lads. Even AM. 

Happy New to all.  Hope to see some of you at Bristol game.

[taylorsworkrate]

Absolutely brilliant performance, looked a threat every time we had the ball, passed it very well and we had real cutting edge.

We defended really well, especially in the second half.

Dunne, Warnock, Clark, Cuellar, Petrov and N'zogbia all stand out terrific.

Special mention for Stephen Ireland, who I thought was absolutely outstanding. His touch, vision, passing, movement and workrate (yes workrate) were a joy to behold. If he can perform consistently half as well as that then we have one hell of a player on our hands.

Suddenly every looks infinitely more positive. Big credit to the manager for picking a team to take the game to Chelsea. Long may it continue.

[richard moore]

Absolutely made up. Playing Chelsea is my biggest two games of the season as I work with so many of their gloryhunting, johnny come lately fans and also know a shedload (no pun intended) socially. I have been mouthing off all season to them how they have joined the ranks of the also rans and this is going to give me so much ammunition to back that up!

Sky + all set for MOTD as I am to a friend's house for the night....and who does he support do you think?

Wahooooooooooooooooo

[monkeyboy]

Happy New Year all!!

Let's hope 2012 continues with us all feeling this way

UTV - Great afternoon

[SteveD]

"England striker comes off the bench to get Villa's third at Chelsea." Sounds good, that, doesn't it?

Ireland, Petrov and Zog (before he tired) especially ran rings around their midfield at times, especially first half. Rode our luck at times in the 2nd - esp when they brought Lampard on - but we deserved that. Brad made some good saves and we could have had more (two penalties denied and a Gabby one-on-one). 

[KRS]

Am I dreaming or have we just beat Chelsea away?!

I'm putting it down to hallucinations caused by altitude sickness and fatigue. No way is this reality

I think someone spiked my coffee with acid. Am I trippin?

[glasses]

After a couple of encouraging performances, this win was probably due, though I admit I didn't expect it.

Things are suddenly looking a lot better. The big difference for me is that we now longer look as disjointed as we did for almost four first months of this season. I suspect that the inclusion of Clark in midfield is a big part of the explanation.

It has taken him a long time, but maybe McLeish is finally starting to realize what his team should look like.

Happy new year!

Pretty much how I feel. Actually, I feel like a fucking king.

[alan_clarke]

Heskey gets my man of the match vote for being injured and not playing. Really does make a massive difference when he isn't in the team. First against Arsenal where we were unlucky and now today.

Ireland played the best I've seen him play in a Villa shirt. Mainly because he covered every blade of grass. The ability has always been there he just needs to keep up the effort!

Happy New Year all!

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Fcuk you Halsey..

What did he do today?

Nothing for us, wouldn't book their players, handball on the line ignored and refused two pen appeals later on.

[Pete3206]

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

[D.boy]

Absolutely chuffed with that performance and result.
Ireland had the stand out performance for me.
Well done on the sub decisions Alex. Keep that up and we will all be behind you.
Havn't enjoyed a game so much in ages.
We beat 12 man Chelski on their turf. Fantastic stuff.