Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[mrfuse]

I know we want to look on the bright side but I can't see these boys bouncing back from this. Talk of a 'backlash' against Spurs just don't hold water for me. More likely their morale is crushed for some time. This could be a pivotal game.

No we probably wont have a backlash against Spurs.We didn't really have a backlash against Arsenal after loosing against City but we did gradually improve and expect to see the same against Spurs, Wigan, Swansea and Ipswich.

[paul_e]

I'm not making any judgement on relegation or anything like that. However the level of performance and result in that one game was utterly embarrassing and a disgrace.

I agree totally on that, today was a perfect storm effect.  World class side full of experienced internationals scores early against the youngest side in the league.

They then decide to leave their wide attacking players up front, regardless of what our full backs do, leaving us effectively 3 on 3 at the back as soon as we tried to press them, or leaving their midfield and fullbacks with loads of space if we didn't press them.

We then had a really poor game with the ball, lots of static players, lots of underhit passes, Benteke showed inexperience running the line.

At the same time they played superbly, everything went well for them other than a couple of snatched chances and a very good performance from Guzan.

Finally Dowd, as usual, favoured a top 4 side, 2 penalties given that he'd never have given for us, and then a few free kicks (1 of which that they scored from) that were 50-50, yet we never got a single free kick in the same circumstances.

Today is shit, but other than ruining our goal difference, it's not hugely important so long as Lambert gets them in the right frame of mind from wednesday.  I think the squad have shown the ability to not dwell on these things so far so hopefully we can get back on track with a decent performance agianst spurs before we take 3 points off Wigan.

[curiousorange]

Look on the bright side how shit must liverpool have to be for a team like us to do them at Anfield

I just had a text off a Liverpool supporting friend saying 'Oops'. I replied by saying 'Don't fancy your chances at Stamford Bridge after the same Villa side spanked your asses on your home ground'.

Haven't heard back yet.

[cdbearsfan]

at least we are respecting the uefa financial fair play rules.

You're not allowed to buy players in December. Why not wait till next month and see who we sign?

[Fergal]

Not even a wibble could have saved the day.  Still it's a one off, we will get better and better if Randy spends a few quid....

[pauliewalnuts]

We desperately need to get in some proven players with experience.

The flip side of playing a side this young is that they get a spanking like this and you wonder who they'll look to for leadership in the dressing room.

I am not going to get suicidal over this, we will take some more beatings this season but we have to be realistic, a team of 23 year olds is not going to see out a season unless they get a bit of support, and that is what we need in January.

I think this thrashing is a timely reminder of how much work we still have to do.

[Irish villain]

It's the goal difference that worries me. That's why I raised the r word again earlier.

I agree we should be looking up, and can still creep into the top ten. It's just that tenth to eighteenth is so damn tight this year. Wigan have a knack of coming good, while both Southampton and Sunderland can nab important wins. That's why I mentioned the dreaded 'r' word. A goal difference like ours is a real concern and it is important we bounce back quickly and put it behind us.

Sadly, 7 or 8 goal defeats are more of a problem to us now than they were in March 2010 when at least we knew we were definitely safe and chasing Europe.

[MarkM]

We lost 8-0 and not a single Villa player booked, where was the fight?

[Goldie.7]

Do your "Work in progress" somewhere else other than at Aston Villa F.C

Has any other team got completely smashed this season like us, those players are a disgrace.

[kipeye]

Most of us knew it was going to be like this. Wait and see how they play next before judging this one. As long as it is something that we can recover from then it won't make much difference in the longer term.

[Brian Taylor]

Please get Robbie Keane back to pull them together..be the best Christmas present we could give ourselves!!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

at least we are respecting the uefa financial fair play rules.

Nobody can ever say again that our televised live games on Sky are dull.

[Billy Walker]

I know we want to look on the bright side but I can't see these boys bouncing back from this. Talk of a 'backlash' against Spurs just don't hold water for me. More likely their morale is crushed for some time. This could be a pivotal game.

Which is why we, as fans, need to stick together and lift the team up.  We need to keep our heads and keep backing the manager and team.  The morale will be fine if we keep the support and belief going.

Arsenal shipped in eight last season and it did not do them too much harm.  It's horrible for us as a club to go through it but we can come out stronger with the right attitude.

[barrysleftfoot]

 
 Not going to join in the arguments on here.Today showed to me that we need a bit of a destroyer in midfield, who can just sit in front of the back 4 and protect them with a more physical presence.Westwood and Bannan try to play the ball out, and at times play it out nicely, but they are too weak.

 Too many were poor today, but i did'nt get over excited last week, and i'm not going to get too despondent this week.We are going to get poor results, but i have to say it should make the Jan transfer window a bit more interesting.

 Personally i wouldn't sign any more youngsters yet.

[cdbearsfan]

We lost 8-0 and not a single Villa player booked, where was the fight?

What's the point in picking up stupid bookings when you're 4/5/6/7/8-0 down?