Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

Fantastic performance, and really, really encouraging. Well done McLeish. The difference between our performances against LFC, MUFC and THFC is stunning. We had our luck, but deserved it.

I think this shape really suits us. It does create a problem for how to incorporate Bent. Gabby terrorised their centre backs.

Guzan - 7. Little bit dodgy, but came well for crosses and came out to close down their fwds.

Cuellar - 7. Much improved posession of late. Got caught out defensively a couple of times.
Collins 8. Have to say I thought he was excellent.
Dunne 7. Would have got a 9 were it not for a stupid tackle.
Warnock 8. I thought he looked really good today.

Petrov 8. Fantastic performance again. We'd be crazy to sell him.
Clark 7. Completely agree that he offers us so much more than Herd or Delph at the moment. Protected the back 4, calm on the ball, crisp pass to Petrov.

Albrighton 6. Some really good crosses in first half, and some typical determination in 2nd half.
Ireland 9. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Exactly the player we hoped we were getting. Classy on the ball. Always picked the right option. Involved in all 3 goals. Worked like a trojan. His  best performance for us by an absolute mile.
N'Zogbia 7. Very good first half, much quieter second. Skinned Ferreira a few times. Looks much better on the left for now.

Gabby 8. Worked tirelessly, gave Terry a nightmare. Should have buried his chance.

Bent 6. Worked hard, bit lucky with the goal.
Bannan 5. Minimal impact.
Gardner 6. Positionaly sound.

[Witton Warrior]

Brilliant.  Absolutely bloody brilliant.  Walked up fulham road with a silly smile on my face.  Still can't get rid of it.  I'll certainly be celebrating that tonight.

Enjoy Pauline, I only wish I was there. Mind you, I'd be mouthing off at Chelsea fans right, left and centre and would probably get my head kicked in...

Thanks Richard.  You'd have been ok.  The Chelsea fans were subdued, obviously from shock.

Tremendous support - came roaring over the airwaves on R5Live - we were so carried away me and the lad were joining in - Happy New Year Pauline

[Ian.]

I'm glad people on here are finally giving McLeish some credit, even if it is seen as a response to criticism. He's won silverware most places before and I'm sure he will here. Shame on the people who said Ireland was a "waste of space", shame on the people who said Petrov could no longer be "carried", shame on those who contemplated selling Bent, shame on those for not backing McLeish. Believe in Aston Villa. Always.

I've generally supported Ireland since he joined, but the stick people have given him, and even the stick that was given to him this week has been mostly self inflicted. That said, he deserves all the credit in the world after today. What's more, McLeish could have just stuck him on the bench today as a lesson which could have been counter-productive. Fair play to him also for playing Ireland today.

Spot on, both deserve credit today. The team AM picked, the formation and even the subs. Ireland for bouncing back after a terrible 12 months. Well done to them.

[hawkeye]

I'm glad people on here are finally giving McLeish some credit, even if it is seen as a response to criticism. He's won silverware most places before and I'm sure he will here. Shame on the people who said Ireland was a "waste of space", shame on the people who said Petrov could no longer be "carried", shame on those who contemplated selling Bent, shame on those for not backing McLeish. Believe in Aston Villa. Always.

i was waiting for the first negative post, Happy New Year and UTV

[TopDeck113]

A great way to end what has been a very forgettable calendar year AVFC-wise.

Here's to a more successful, harmonious 2012

[Matt Collins]

massive, massive game now against Swansea. They're not very good on the road, and Villa Park should be buzzing after today. We must take advantage of the new momentum and good feeling. People left Villa Park generally happy and encouraged after Arsenal despite the result. Time to send Villa fans home with an even bigger smile now to start 2012 off right with a good win.

I agree. I think it may be a mistake to revert to 442 as well. Ireland has made that very difficult anyway. I'd play the same xi if we can, perhaps with Hutton for Collins?

If Petrov is injured, I think I'd probably play Gardner rather than Ireland deeper? Anyway, not one for decision now.

[PeterWithesShin]

[Toronto Villa]

massive, massive game now against Swansea. They're not very good on the road, and Villa Park should be buzzing after today. We must take advantage of the new momentum and good feeling. People left Villa Park generally happy and encouraged after Arsenal despite the result. Time to send Villa fans home with an even bigger smile now to start 2012 off right with a good win.

I agree. I think it may be a mistake to revert to 442 as well. Ireland has made that very difficult anyway. I'd play the same xi if we can, perhaps with Hutton for Collins?

If Petrov is injured, I think I'd probably play Gardner rather than Ireland deeper? Anyway, not one for decision now.

thing is Matt, if the team have confidence playing this way, we can play in a number of different systems. Horses for courses and all that, and it will mean different players being able to adapt to different situations. The key is, keep the ball on the deck, knock it about and play the ball to the players that can do the damage. We did that today.

[eamonn]

Mad, bad Stevie Superman Ireland can puff away on that water/crack(craic?) pipe, half-naked in snakeskin pyjamas as much as he likes if he comes up with a performance like that every week.

Delighted for him, he's taken some pelters here over the past year and a bit, deservedly so at times, but he's probably the most gifted player we have so it was important we tried everything in coaxing the best out of him. Chuffed to see it finally working today.

[Toronto Villa]

joy

[kippaxvilla2]

You cannot take anything away from players, staff and manage for such an impressive result.

I honestly think that McLeish has taken a long hard look at his tactics, realised we aren't Small Heath, have players who can pass if encouraged to and undergone a Damascusian conversion to attacking football as a result.

No need to revert to type Alex.  It will have dawned by now that if you try and score goals you have a chance to win the game.

[sg]

Mad, bad Stevie Superman Ireland can puff away on that water/crack(craic?) pipe, half-naked in snakeskin pyjamas as much as he likes if he comes up with a performance like that every week.

Delighted for him, he's taken some pelters here over the past year and a bit, deservedly so at times, but he's probably the most gifted player we have so it was important we tried everything in coaxing the best out of him. Chuffed to see it finally working today.

x2!

UTV.

[darren woolley]

Happy New Year everyone what a result the way we've played in the last three games showed we have turned the corner long may it continue.

[Matt Collins]

massive, massive game now against Swansea. They're not very good on the road, and Villa Park should be buzzing after today. We must take advantage of the new momentum and good feeling. People left Villa Park generally happy and encouraged after Arsenal despite the result. Time to send Villa fans home with an even bigger smile now to start 2012 off right with a good win.

I agree. I think it may be a mistake to revert to 442 as well. Ireland has made that very difficult anyway. I'd play the same xi if we can, perhaps with Hutton for Collins?

If Petrov is injured, I think I'd probably play Gardner rather than Ireland deeper? Anyway, not one for decision now.

thing is Matt, if the team have confidence playing this way, we can play in a number of different systems. Horses for courses and all that, and it will mean different players being able to adapt to different situations. The key is, keep the ball on the deck, knock it about and play the ball to the players that can do the damage. We did that today.

True, but Ireland's movement was so good. He gave our midfielders an option that Bent doesn't give us. If we're going to retain Petrov and Clark as deeper holding midfielders, then I think we risk losing creativity in the middle of the park if we just stick BEnt and Gabby playing right up top.

[Hampshire Villa]

Deep Deep Joy

 With Chelsea having such a crap season I just wish Obramovich would get fed up with football and go off to buy an F1 team or something.
 That day will come and then Chelsea will be back  where they belong!

joy