Aston Villa v Liverpool Post-Match Thread

[Clampy]

A decent first half, ran out of ideas once we went behind though. I like Bannan a lot but he was dreadful today and Sylla looked a bit out of his depth. I thought we were worthy of a point but no more than that.

As for Baker, I've not seen the penalty back yet. It's a shame because he was greay in the first half.

[old man villa fan]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by Liverpool at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

Most of the times when we were caught through the middle it was after we lost the ball further up the field and the fullback (mainly Lowton) was out of position.  That is where the lack of experience comes in.  An experienced defence would move across with a midfield player dropping deeper.  We fail to do this and the centre backs are then caught so far apart.

[Matt Collins]

Before we decide we're definitely doomed, I suggest people check out some of our rivals. I'd argue we're playing better than stoke, Sunderland, norwich and possibly Wigan too. We just need to out perform them to stay up, not just match them. We've got two away goals in every league away match this year (save arsenal). I fancy us to remain dangerous on the break and I think even our shitty defence might be able to restrict stoke and norwich to one goal apiece.

[villan from luton]

A decent first half, ran out of ideas once we went behind though. I like Bannan a lot but he was dreadful today and Sylla looked a bit out of his depth. I thought we were worthy of a point but no more than that.

As for Baker, I've not seen the penalty back yet. It's a shame because he was greay in the first half.

A minute before he made the rash challenge, my lad had said Baker had been our best player and I totally agreed. I was texting people at half time saying how much Gabby had improved as a player, I know feck all for all my 49 years. I see a team there but we needed to get in there faces more.

[silhillvilla]

I can take a Gerrard or a Suarez scoring against us (just), but Jordan bloody Henderson !! Come on

[silhillvilla]

The match day pie was a highlight, as always 

Balti pie ?

[paulcomben]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by Liverpool at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

Most of the times when we were caught through the middle it was after we lost the ball further up the field and the fullback (mainly Lowton) was out of position.  That is where the lack of experience comes in.  An experienced defence would move across with a midfield player dropping deeper.  We fail to do this and the centre backs are then caught so far apart.

Yep. Ain't that what the manager and coaches are paid a fortune to teach them on the training ground?

[David_Nab]

What I don't get is the pedestrian nature of the second half. We are a goal down with 30mins left and the team are strolling around the pitch, no energy, no determination. If a couple of strong tackles had gone in or a couple of runs and shots had been the hit the crowd may have made some noise too, but it was all so flat.

.... and no movement off the ball.  As a passing team, no movement means no outlet for the man on the ball.  Without a player that can be direct and run at the opposition as an alternative, the play stagnates i.e. us in the 2nd half.  We have two players (Gabby and N'Zogbia) that can run with the ball but both failed to take on this responsibility.  As two of the more experienced players in the team, they let the younger players down.

This is why Bent is worth a place on the bench ,he has the movement that will create space and gives the opposition someone other than Benteke to worry about.Coming on against WHU had this effect.When Weimann went off the movement decreased and we became pedestrian.

[paulcomben]

Easter treat from the grammar nazi. Let's at least be the best fans in the Championship for spelling and grammar...

http://www.shotdeadinthehead.com/grammar-t-shirt-mens.html

[neo_Villan]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by Liverpool at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

Most of the times when we were caught through the middle it was after we lost the ball further up the field and the fullback (mainly Lowton) was out of position.  That is where the lack of experience comes in.  An experienced defence would move across with a midfield player dropping deeper.  We fail to do this and the centre backs are then caught so far apart.

I agree that the full-backs and midfielders don't help out enough. But looking at today, most of the through-balls were played when the CBs were in position to deal with them. It wasn't a case of them being pulled out of position.

[old man villa fan]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by Liverpool at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

Most of the times when we were caught through the middle it was after we lost the ball further up the field and the fullback (mainly Lowton) was out of position.  That is where the lack of experience comes in.  An experienced defence would move across with a midfield player dropping deeper.  We fail to do this and the centre backs are then caught so far apart.

Yep. Ain't that what the manager and coaches are paid a fortune to teach them on the training ground?

I am sure they do, just like staying on your feet in the penalty area.  It does not mean that the players carry out training ground routines in matches though.  Young players ball watch at times and the game passes them by.  At PL level, time does not stand still for decision making.

[olaftab]

I've nothing to say about the game that hasn't already been said.

Same here.

What? Not even the the handbag Downing was wearing?

[villajk]

I've nothing to say about the game that hasn't already been said.

Same here.

What? Not even the the handbag Downing was wearing?

That's par for the course.

[old man villa fan]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by Liverpool at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

Most of the times when we were caught through the middle it was after we lost the ball further up the field and the fullback (mainly Lowton) was out of position.  That is where the lack of experience comes in.  An experienced defence would move across with a midfield player dropping deeper.  We fail to do this and the centre backs are then caught so far apart.

I agree that the full-backs and midfielders don't help out enough. But looking at today, most of the through-balls were played when the CBs were in position to deal with them. It wasn't a case of them being pulled out of position.

Henderson waltzed through a gap the width of the Mersey tunnel!

[Dr_Fegg]

Typical Villa. I'd got this down as a "free" game, hoping for a result but not really expecting too much. We then play a great first half and go in 1 up (should've been more).

Whatever PL said at halftime he needs to re-read and never repeat.  Get in their faces for 10-15 minutes and the sting goes out the game. Instead we sat back, gave them space and looked like we were still in the dressing room.

OK so it's 1-1, and we'd take a draw so we bring on some subs.

To a man all the subs were useless. Christ they only have to play 30 mins so why cant we have some fucking endeavour grrr!!!!  No heart, no desire etc. etc. (all been said earlier).

Nathan, you got suckered - learn the lesson and dont do it again.

We need to make sure we beat the teams around us but it still would have been nice to get something from this (like West Brom, Everton, Man Utd, Newcastle....)