Aston Villa v Malaga Hyperstupendous Thread (post-match from page 16)

[The Left Side]

Good win, decent crowd... nice one Villa

[Monty]

We're not going to be boring this season, are we?

[olaftab]

Two things that worry me.
1. I think Westwood, Delph and Sylla must play together in midfield otherwise we look open. KEA can be back uo for any of them if needed. Maybe Tonev can replace Gabby who looks wasted.
2. Ron Vlaar. Honestly he is no good IMO.
Other than that we played very well against one of the top Spanish sides.

[Ron Manager]

Two things that worry me.
1. I think Westwood, Delph and Sylla must play together in midfield otherwise we look open. KEA can be back uo for any of them if needed. Maybe Tonev can replace Gabby who looks wasted.
2. Ron Vlaar. Honestly he is no good IMO.
Other than that we played very well against one of the top Spanish sides.

Agree with that but our defending is just not up to the required standard.

[PeterWithesShin]

Great first 30 minutes, then we seemed to stop playing. Every player seemed to drop down 2 gears, even the off the ball runs etc went down. Their number 19, whoever he was, destroyed us, he would have been my MOTM, we just couldn't cope with him. Still, it was fun game and we won. I always enjoy the first trip of the new season to Villa Park.

[PeterWithesShin]

Two things that worry me.
1. I think Westwood, Delph and Sylla must play together in midfield otherwise we look open. KEA can be back uo for any of them if needed. Maybe Tonev can replace Gabby who looks wasted.
2. Ron Vlaar. Honestly he is no good IMO.
Other than that we played very well against one of the top Spanish sides.

If it wasn't for Vlaar we'd have dropped 2 points today, I thought he was more than useful in the second half.

[Matt Collins]

I agree vlaar really stepped it up in the second half. But it was a concern how easily our offside trap was broached.

I think we're getting better and better going forwards. But definitely need the three in midfield at the moment.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Benteke's first goal was class. Two assists from Tonev even if he was poor. Roll on season

[Matt Collins]

The goals are on AVTV now.

Tonev's two assists were very good.

Defending for the second was probably one of those things. Though I think if you have three more defensively minded midfielders in there you close those shots down better.

Luna and Vlaar didn't cover themselves in glory for the first. I think it just hit Okore really, although having got himself into the right position well, he probably should have had better body shape.

[fredm]

I am definitely worried with Vlaar playing as the left side centre back. Right side he may be ok but for me definitely not left side.
Also Tonev I thought was well off the pace, over ran the ball several times and generally did not seem to know what to do/where the others were.  Needs some time on the training pitch before he gets into the team IMO or if he plays, he needs to be instead of Gabby or Andreas.
KEA has some neat touches but again I think he struggles when the pace of the game is raised.
If the team that kicked off is the one PL intends to start against Arsenal and Chelsea then I am very worried.

[UK Redsox]

Benteke's first goal was class. Two assists from Tonev even if he was poor. Roll on season

Yep, I was going to post about how bad Tonev looked most of the game, then I remembered how he helped set up the goals.

Anyhow, it looks like it'll be a bit helter-skelter this season. We should score plenty but we'll probably ship more.

As mentioned above Spongey Ron improved as the game went one. However, KEA got worse. I'd prefer Gardner as Westwood's backup.

[El Hurricane]

If Tonev was ropey, could it be he needed more game time?

[Karlos96]

Benteke was different class for that first goal the power and strength he has is something else.  That guy for Malaga (Weligton) who collided with Benteke during the first goal fractured his collar bone.

Thought we looked ok in parts we only ever seem to be able to play in stages.  Thought Pawlowski ( the number 19) was the man of the match he was outstanding at times.

[Villafirst]

If Tonev was ropey, could it be he needed more game time?

Exactly, it takes time to adapt having missed much of the pre-season. FFS give the guy time to get used to his new team mates and to get match fit.

[El Hurricane]

compared to say Delph who has played most of pre season?