Aston Villa v Chelsea Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

It wasn't in the least bit defeatist or evidence we were playing for a draw. He brought him on to replace a tired young forward. I really don't see the issue.

The manager hauled him off after 60 odd minutes against Arsenal last week because he was useless. What could he have done in the last 10 minutes today?

Help set up a few attacks, win headers and help keep possession? Which is exactly what he did today.

[Fin Feds Dad]

For the majority of the game we were woeful.

There were a number of kids in today - which is a factor - however, Chelsea didnt have to get out of first gear for most of the game.

Until the 75th minute we created very little , the play was ponderous and pedestrian at times. We scored a goal from a long throw (something we have been very sniffy about when Stoke do it) and Lichajs goal was on the back of an all too rare decent cross from Albrighton.

Positives

- 19th minute (impeccable from all sides of the ground)
- lichaj
- warnock
- albrighton (when he came on)

Negatives

- set piece defending again
- the referee
- Gardner on the left (right footed) Bannan on the right (left footed ) go figure ?
- Gabby - not at the races at the minute . watched his movement compared to Torres (absolutely non existent)

We are bang in trouble.

 

[KevinGage]

McLeish doing his best to take us down.  I had hope at 2-2 and we were in the ascendancy.  It can't be just coincidence that Ivanhoe comes on and minutes later we concede and ultimately lose 4-2.

It had nothing to do with him at all. Give any player space at the near post for an unmarked header, let alone an international, they'll hurt you. The last goal was just us pushing up and being caught.

We got fucked by the ref. we'll never know if Gabby would have scored but had he done so 3-2 would have been an entirely different Villa Park.

I sort of agree TV. 

But even if we had gone to 3-2, Chelsea only needed another corner to get back into the game. 

Corners against us are almost like penalties, and have been for a while.

I don't think we'll go down, in Stoke, Slumberland the Olbiyun and Norwich we should have enough opportunities to get the points we need.  Maybe with the Redscouses dodgy form that's one we can target for at least a point too. 

But we are involved, no question about it.  If we do go down, McDounghnut will blame injuries, luck and McGrath knows what else.  But for his approach to so many of our games this year, he'll have brought it all on himself. 

I think back to the times when we were competing at the upper end of the table and I don't recall too many sides giving us freebies  -  'Villa have spent x amount so we can't be expected to compete with them.'    No,  Stoke, Burnley, Boro, Reading, West Ham and the rest didn't think that way at all.  They still went out to beat us.  Have a go and you might get lucky or catch the stronger/ more favoured opposition on an off day.

Unfortunately, there are many games this season we can instantly recall when we haven't even given it a go. And that may do for us in the end. What was it that bloke in the Guardian said "If there is any justice Aston Villa will go down?"   If I supported another side I'd probably feel exactly the same.

[wombat]

I thought credit to ol' McGinge when he played 4-4-2 and didn't start Heskey. But i couldn't get my head round Gardener (right footed) playing on the left and Bannan (right footed) playing on the left, I thought it was worth a swap as it wasn't really until Alrbighton came on (yes I know he played on the left) we started to get any crosses in which really seemed to get up Chelsea's noses. If it had stayed 2-0 to Chelsea, I may have shrugged off that. But getting back into it and then losing it is so disappointing.

AMC did look so clueless stood on the touch line hands in pockets round the 60 min mark, it was a bit out nothing that Collins scored that goal. I don't trust the guy to instill the motivation, fight or tactical nous to get us many more points. In my mind the possibility of relegation lies more with the fates of those below us than with us, and that is a bad place to be.

[brian green]

Just home from the game.   I thought the youngsters did not let us down today but the whole game hinged on the way Chelsea had their confidence boosted by a string of decisions being given their way by a referee determined to take Route 1 to the top namely be on first name terms with all the celebrity players and not upset any of the London/Lancashire top team godfathers.   The pinnacle of this refereeing debacle was when our lads had forced their way back into the game and we had the momentum, to haul Gabby back for a "foul" on Terry when he had a straight run on goal.   Chelsea's composure returned because the official had reassured them that they were always going to be given the edge and it was game over.

A Villa fan on 606 tried to make the refereeing point but Fletcher did the usual let's slag off the Villa put down to such an extent at one point I thought he was going to use the Aston Vanilla cheap shot and claim it as original.

It is close to heresy to say it but I am beginning to think that Given must take his share of blame for the ease with which we concede goals from corners and set pieces.

I don't think Heskey played too badly when he came on but by God is that man a bad luck charm.

And I thought our poorest players- Gabby included - were the highest paid ones.

[pauliewalnuts]

What was it that bloke in the Guardian said "If there is any justice Aston Villa will go down?"   If I supported another side I'd probably feel exactly the same.

And that is the most embarassing thing of all.

[TonyD]

He brought Heskey on as he panicked.  He thought we might carry on and score a third goal.  Imagine the horror of winning. 

Get well Stan.   

[caster troy]

I think these youngsters show a lot of promise but that will be wasted with a poor manager like McLeish. Gardner left wing, Bannan right wing? We should have rested Albrighton back when we had a full strength squad, now he is our only fit winger he has to start.

Credit to Ireland today, I don't recall him giving the ball away once.

On the corners issue, it struck me that Given doesn't really dominate the 6 yard box, I wonder if that is part of the problem.

[ez]

He brings Heskey on when we are on for a draw. Then we lose.

[Dave Summers]

- Gabby - not at the races at the minute . watched his movement compared to Torres (absolutely non existent)

Try comparing his movement to Weimann?.  Gabby was captain of his boyhood club today and needed to show leadership and desire and try to get us something out of the game.   I thought Weimann worked his nuts off today and tried to make things happen, his hold up play, link up play was first class and I think we have found one for the future for sure.   I'm a big fan of Gabby, but so disappointed with him today and indeed since he has had his injury this season.  He just didn't appear up for it at all, which I am struggling to comprehend to be honest.

What I would say today is that I felt a little more connected with the team.  Quite frankly I have had enough of the likes of Dunne, Hutton, Heskey, N'Zogbia, Warnock et al, just collecting their wages each week and not giving a shit for the club.  I think we have some excellent youngsters who just need some experience now to see what they are made of.   And for people saying we need experience at this tricky time, look at where experience has got us?.   Lets see a little of Johnson, Carruthers and more of Gardner ( in the right position) Weimann, Lichaj etc.

The 19th minute was superb today, really made the hair on the back of the neck stand up.  Made me proud to be a Villa fan and hopefully Stan realises the love and affection in which he is held by everyone concerned.  I'm sure that he will battle his way through this and come out the other side to lead a fulfilling life.

[Bad English]

I'm just gobsmacked that fucking Torres scored. That shows you how bad things really are at B6.

[paul_e]

I think the effect of the ref needs to be fully appreciated when we appraise the game.  Their 2nd shouldn't have stood (looked a clear handball live and nothing in the highlights I saw have changed my mind about it) and then that decision against gabby are the 2 standout terrible decisions but there were a number of others.  As I said on the match thread, aside from 2-3 which were totally wrong he also never gave us a single 50-50 all game.

Aside from that I thought we actually played ok.  In the first hour or so the thing that seemed to be causing us the most problems was the fact that it appeared that we'd been told to hold in 2 banks of 4 which meant Gardner and Bannan were struggling to be involved whilst they had 3 in the middle who were finding loads of space.

Looking at the players we had McLeish set the team up wrong.

Herd should've been deeper and holding just in front of the back 4 defensively he'd have been able to pick up Mata who had too much space.  More importantly it'd have freed lichaj and warnock to drift forward with him filling the space if we lost the ball.

Gardner and Bannan were too wide and were on the wrong sides of the pitch.  both of them were having to drift in with the ball rather than picking it up and drifting wide (and getting an overlap from the fullback).

I'd also have asked Weimann to play 5 yards deeper to try to pull Luiz out of defence leaving Gabby 1-1 with Terry.

[Chipsticks]

- Gabby - not at the races at the minute . watched his movement compared to Torres (absolutely non existent)

Try comparing his movement to Weimann?.  Gabby was captain of his boyhood club today and needed to show leadership and desire and try to get us something out of the game.   I thought Weimann worked his nuts off today and tried to make things happen, his hold up play, link up play was first class and I think we have found one for the future for sure.   I'm a big fan of Gabby, but so disappointed with him today and indeed since he has had his injury this season.  He just didn't appear up for it at all, which I am struggling to comprehend to be honest.

I disagree entirely. I thought that Gabby was excellent today, and very much worked his absolute cock off. Maybe by expectations have just gotten really low, but he very much impressed me.

[paul_e]

Any manager that can be quoted as saying "The gods are conspiring against us a little bit." may as well have a sandwich board saying they're out of their depth.

[SashasGrandad]

I'm just gobsmacked that fucking Torres scored. That shows you how bad things really are at B6.

Walking past the Chelski fans after the game - how can they sing "He scores when he wants"?  Not very often I told a few as I passed by. Should have reminded them - once in 6 months.