VfL Bochum v Aston Villa Monster Thread

[villan from luton]

It is not about the results at this time, fitness is what matters most and the Germans start their league season next week, so will be nearer match fitness than the Villa lads

[silhillvilla]

Whilst disappointed with another late goal, this is all about fitness at this stage. Let's not sweat the small stuff.

[Villafirst]

I think we'll be back to drawing lots of games next season unless we buy 3 or 4 more quality players.

We need a top quality striker to replace Benteke - don't think we'll need another 3 players, maybe 1 more to add

[damon loves JT]

I was at the game. Wish I had anything meaningful to say about it, but spent most of the game trying to work out who was playing, and in what position.

I like the look of Gardner, Luna and Bacuna. Sylla will be our most important player this year.

[dave shelley]

Silly question Damon but, in light of what's going on re Benteke, did we offer any kind of threat at all going forward?

[damon loves JT]

Erm... Not really. But the match had all the urgency of a trip to the post office to but some stamps.

Helenius looks like he has a nice touch and an eye for goal. He is never going to destroy a centre-half, though

[dave shelley]

Thanks.

Slumps over keyboard and cries.

[German James]

Silly question Damon but, in light of what's going on re Benteke, did we offer any kind of threat at all going forward?

Virtually none! The second half team had a lot more purpose to it, but was still too reliant on long balls - although "reliant" would imply they could do anything useful with them. I wasn't that impressed with Helenius and Weimann looked lost. I agree about Damon's Sylla analysis: he looked very impressive. It's a cliche, but we're not yet fit enough, compared to Bochum, and they were able to close us down very quickly.

Like a fool, I expected the 19th minute applaus! It's great we don't have to do that for him now!

[damon loves JT]

Thanks.

Slumps over keyboard and cries.

It wasn't that bad. The team PL fielded in the second half is close to being our first XI.

And with Okore instead of Baker and Lowton instead of Webb, we wouldn't have been in any trouble at all, defensively.

We will have spells this season where we are scratching about for a result. But we will play some good stuff, too.

[dave shelley]

Dries tears and begins to smile a little.

Thanks Damon.

[Dave Clark Five]

We met German James at this game. Thanks for all the arrangements, James. Hope we can return the honours one day.

[German James]

We met German James at this game. Thanks for all the arrangements, James. Hope we can return the honours one day.

It was a pleasure! Nice to meet you two too!

[Brend'Watkins]

From the AVTV footage Sylla look really good which is very encouraging.  Was he that good all game?

[Dr Butler]

From the AVTV footage Sylla look really good which is very encouraging.  Was he that good all game?

I watched it this dinner-time and also thought he not only got around the pitch well, but his touch was also impressive too.

UTV
The Doc

[TheTimVilla]

I was quite disappointed by Okore (Fidel Edwards). He seemed to be well short of pace and stood out as a bit of a liability. However, I really like the look of Bacuna, Tonev, Helenius and Luna. All of those look ready for the first team. GJ's Weimann was a little harsh as he was forced in to a lone striker role first half, in a 4-5-1, compared to a second half 4-4-2. Bowery was poor. Sylla played well throughout.

Looking at the way Clark, and even Vlaar, played we definitely need a new centre half in.