Aston Villa v Liverpool Match Thread

[carlos the third]

Looked to me as though we started 4-4-1-1, but switched back to 4-3-3 around the 40 minute mark after which we had our best spell of the half. Hopefully we stick with our usual formation in the second half and get back to doing what we do best.

[achilles]

Think we look very tired and flat!

[Rigadon]

I fear we've met our old enemies again. Complacency and hubris. We think we're better than we are sometimes.

To be honest Jimbo, I think we're the most outrageously cautious supporters in the world when it comes to blowing our proverbial trumpets.  We have played very very well in the last couple of games.  I reckon the difference today is the weight of expectation for a team who aren't used to it. 

[Boz]

Looked to me as though we started 4-4-1-1, but switched back to 4-3-3 around the 40 minute mark after which we had our best spell of the half. Hopefully we stick with our usual formation in the second half and get back to doing what we do best.

I hope so

[Monty]

Looked to me as though we started 4-4-1-1, but switched back to 4-3-3 around the 40 minute mark after which we had our best spell of the half. Hopefully we stick with our usual formation in the second half and get back to doing what we do best.

I think that's a coincidence of when we have the ball - it's 4-4-1-1 (or 4-1-4-1) without the ball, 4-3-3 with. I'd rather see us have a link between midfield and attack and go proper 4-2-3-1.

[SamTheMouse]

Tonev or El Ahmadi for Bacuna please, the lad looks fucking awful.

To be fair, he did improve a bit as the half went on. The whole team is playing poorly - as usual, it's the movement that's the problem. Whenever a Dippers player gets the ball, his teammates find space and give him an option. When a Villa player gets it, he's got nobody to aim for but the centre backs.

[ozzjim]

Looked to me as though we started 4-4-1-1, but switched back to 4-3-3 around the 40 minute mark after which we had our best spell of the half. Hopefully we stick with our usual formation in the second half and get back to doing what we do best.

You know that might be spot on. I wondered why Gabby was so deep on the left, maybe we were a flat 4-4-1-1.

[Jockey Randall]

We've certainly got away with it a bit there. If Liverpool hadn't been trying to emulate Mowbray's Baggies side and tried to create chances with their possession they easily could have had 3 there. They were far too half arsed. Let's hope half time sorts us out.

[Colhint]

I reckon they are all just nervous, 1st home game and all that.

No way are we out of it

[barrysleftfoot]

 I think he was playing 4-4-2, with Weimann playing off Benteke, and Bacuna on the right, he then reverted back, and we look slightly better.

 Still think we'll score as they look quite nervous.Need to give Coutinhio a bit of a kicking though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Vlaar marking Sturridge terrifies me, the number of times he's been left looking like a statue as Sturridge drifts off him.

Bacuna is a rabbit in the headlights.

I'd forgotten Westwood was playing until somebody on here mentioned him.

Lowton has been very sloppy.

Weimann is still riding on last season's reputation. He needs to be more threatening and desperately needs a goal.

Delph and Gabby can't be expected to do everything.

FFS, this is Liverpool, stop showing them so much respect and get into the fuckers. We're not a counter attacking team so stop trying to be one every fucking time we get the ball.

[JUAN PABLO]

only coutinho

I could kick a few of them

[manic-road]

Delph's been poor.

I think that's a bit harsh, he actually looks one of our better players at the moment.

[PeterWithesShin]

Very poor until the last 5. Delph and benteke carrying us.

[carlos the third]

Looked to me as though we started 4-4-1-1, but switched back to 4-3-3 around the 40 minute mark after which we had our best spell of the half. Hopefully we stick with our usual formation in the second half and get back to doing what we do best.

I think that's a coincidence of when we have the ball - it's 4-4-1-1 (or 4-1-4-1) without the ball, 4-3-3 with. I'd rather see us have a link between midfield and attack and go proper 4-2-3-1.

For the majority of that half it seemed to me as though we were doing this, with Weimann on Gerrard/Lucas, Bacuna on the right and Gabby left, but then towards the end I thought Weimann was definitely wide when we were defending with Bacuna in the middle with Westy and Delph, and we were letting Gerrard and Lucas have the ball a bit deeper - could be coincidence though (or I could be completely wrong!).