Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Marton]

The goal was a disgrace. The handball? I'd have probably felt annoyed if it had been given against us, not sure if Terry can really get his hand out of the way there, and his arm's up because he's falling not because he's blocking.

The arm is high in the air. Its diverting the ball from dropping in the dangerarea in front of goal. That a freaking basketball block anywhere but on SB!

[Toronto Villa]

Paul Lambert in less than 18 months has restored our spirit and pride. He'll be a bear in the post match interview. He's becoming one of us and you can see how passionate he gets. He understands

[PeterWithesShin]

All this 'it was the referee's fault' makes us sound quite a lot like the Arsenal fans we were laughing at a couple of days ago.

A couple of decisions went against us tonight, there will be another game this season when a couple of decisions will go in our favour.

We had a few shockers tonight though. They had 1, which was Vlaar not going off. They were just whinging because the rules were applied against them. We're steaming because 3 or 4 times the rules were ignored.

[Mister E]

All this 'it was the referee's fault' makes us sound quite a lot like the Arsenal fans we were laughing at a couple of days ago.

A couple of decisions went against us tonight, there will be another game this season when a couple of decisions will go in our favour.

Good, balanced comment.

If we can take all the positives from these first two games, we'll have a good season. I'll go with that, particularly since so many people on here thought we'd struggle to get 3-4 points out of the first three games.

Let's give a really good account of ourselves on Saturday ...

[ozzjim]

All this 'it was the referee's fault' makes us sound quite a lot like the Arsenal fans we were laughing at a couple of days ago.

A couple of decisions went against us tonight, there will be another game this season when a couple of decisions will go in our favour.

That's fine Dave and you're going to be proved right, but until that happens we can only talk about the now. Tonight the decisions weren't even marginal. They had a big impact on the result. One thing bleating when it's 7-0 and they make it 8, but if it's a tight game every decision is a big one. Those were decisions a ref in PL should have been better in making. He didn't do that.

The ref was right with his calls at the weekend apart from maybe not sending Vlaar off. To compare the two is night and day Dave.

[andyh]

We should not behave like Arse did on saturday, but we are totally justified in questioning so many of those refereeing decisions.
Despite all of those, the lads did us and themselves proud tonight.

What a joy to be watching a game and not expecting the inevitable goal against us like previous years. Now there is belief that we can do something ourselves.

Of course, it is very, very early days, but I truly believe we will go from strength to strength and will be the surprise package this year.

 

[N'Rexy]

We were excellent.  In the second half we played superbly.  The midfield is so compact and tight.  The defense looks good.  Upfront we are looking good bar Weman who looks off the pace a bit.  However we look like a totally different team.  Robbed of a point at least but there is plenty to look forward to this season.

The Villa are back.

[Toronto Villa]

Okore and Vlaar looked the most comfortable our centre halves have in 12 months for me.

Ozz, Vlaar needed a quality CB to play with. I think Vlaar was overburdened by Clark and Baker who will both improve. Okore is quality and Vlaar will improve alongside him.

[PeterWithesShin]

I can't wait for Saturday. We are a football club to be reckoned with again.

[Olneythelonely]

All this 'it was the referee's fault' makes us sound quite a lot like the Arsenal fans we were laughing at a couple of days ago.

A couple of decisions went against us tonight, there will be another game this season when a couple of decisions will go in our favour.

When the decision in question is to award an offside goal, from a player who shouldn't have been on the pitch makes it especially hard to take.

Fuck the ref though, let's talk about our performance. It was excellent.

[Rudy65]

Sometimes i hate this game. We lost to 12 men

Great performance and we are definitely on the right track.

[PGW]

Ivanovic should not have been on the pitch - definite fore armed smash with a clenched fist into Benteke's upper body/chin.
Linesman how did you not see the offside Ivanovic started in an offside position and when Lampard took free kick he was still offside.
Penalty - how could Friend not see that....certainly no friend of Villa's.

[alan_clarke]

The goal was a disgrace. The handball? I'd have probably felt annoyed if it had been given against us, not sure if Terry can really get his hand out of the way there, and his arm's up because he's falling not because he's blocking.

Still. We're in these games aren't we? Roll on 'Pool.

Fuck me he was falling from 3 foot.Penalty all day long.

Indeed and we had 2 less obvious handballs given against us. Lack of consistency or just plain bias.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

What. A. Joke.

Winner scored by a player who had two chances to be sent off from a free-kick that never was. And then we don't get a blatant penalty.

Sorry, and I'm going to sound like a child, but it's not fair. Referees consistently favour the top 4 teams and something needs to be done about it. Sod whether a ball crossed the line or not, there are more important things to be dealing with.

[eastie]

Feeling very good about the future after these 2 games -the good times are back .