Aston Villa v Liverpool Post-Match Thread

[Clark W Griswold]

I disagree with many of the comments. Delph was awful, as was Gabby. They both looked like they couldn't trap a bag of cement. Bacuna gave the ball away a lot especially early on, but he's definately got talent. Okore looks very promising, Luna has sorted our left back problem.

The talent is there for all to see, but they didn't look like a team today, and this home performance thing is strange and worrying. I don't think we need a 'number 10', we have a glut of attacking options. If the movement and ideas are lacking going forward it will be a struggle for any new attacking player to change it. We still need a leader on the pitch to gee everyone up and get messages across better. Has Scott Parker signed for anyone yet?

[danno]

I disagree with many of the comments. Delph was awful, as was Gabby. They both looked like they couldn't trap a bag of cement. Bacuna gave the ball away a lot especially early on, but he's definately got talent. Okore looks very promising, Luna has sorted our left back problem.

The talent is there for all to see, but they didn't look like a team today, and this home performance thing is strange and worrying. I don't think we need a 'number 10', we have a glut of attacking options. If the movement and ideas are lacking going forward it will be a struggle for any new attacking player to change it. We still need a leader on the pitch to gee everyone up and get messages across better. Has Scott Parker signed for anyone yet?

Fulham, he made his debut today.

[eastie]

I disagree with many of the comments. Delph was awful, as was Gabby. They both looked like they couldn't trap a bag of cement. Bacuna gave the ball away a lot especially early on, but he's definately got talent. Okore looks very promising, Luna has sorted our left back problem.

The talent is there for all to see, but they didn't look like a team today, and this home performance thing is strange and worrying. I don't think we need a 'number 10', we have a glut of attacking options. If the movement and ideas are lacking going forward it will be a struggle for any new attacking player to change it. We still need a leader on the pitch to gee everyone up and get messages across better. Has Scott Parker signed for anyone yet?

Delph was not awful , one of our best 2 players today in my opinion with okore.

[pauliewalnuts]

First half very poor, second half much better.

As others have said, we looked like we were playing our third very difficult game in seven days, which is what we were doing. Away to Arsenal and Chelsea and home to Liverpool that quickly is awfully tough.

Can't get away from the fact that, yet again, at home we are going to struggle to break teams down - precisely like it has been for years now, including the MON era. We can not expect to counter attack at home - the results were patchy when MON relied on it, and they'll be patchier this time around.

This team would benefit massively from an attacking midfielder, a typical number 10. Maybe Tonev could play that role, I don't know, but it seems a risky bet on such an inexperienced player.

I'd love us to go out and buy a bit of class for that position, it'd make an enormous difference.

As for those talking about finishing close to Liverpool - they are a much better side than us, with much better players. I am behind Lambert as much as the next man, but I think we need to keep a hold on reality too - they're way further down the line than we are.

[avfcpg]

Scott Parker?!!!!! Seriously??
Though Delph was good again 2nd half....

[onje_villa]

Dreadful first 40, much better after that but I suspect Liverpool took their foots off the gas somewhat.
Think Bacuna will do alright, he's got lots to offer. Okore looks very good already and Vlaar has definitely improved over the summer along with KEA.

Some of the technique was very poor though at times and we do need a bit of quality for games like this at home.

[paulcomben]

We looked young and naive. Like that's news!

There were very encouraging signs, but a lack of judgement when openings arose e.g. Tonev's late free kick blast at goal when it needed lobbing in to the box. Bacuna was simply over enthusiastic and nervy on his debut. That is not a bad thing.

We certainly opened without a plan for playing at home, as compared with away and on the break. We do need that playmaker.

Vlaar and Okore were slack to let Sturridge in for the goal.

[villan from luton]

I dont agree that Liverpool are so much better than us, they had one shot in the whole game. They had class in the shape of Toure, Gerrard and Sturridge to be fair. Some of our players did look jaded, three games in a week at the start of the season isnt easy. Personally I think Lambert could have made the subs a little earlier. As someone else mentioned, can only think Lowton was taken off for fear of being sent off

[Matt Collins]

Poor 1st half , much better 2nd , maybe deserved a point but would have taken 3 points from these 3 games and a zero goal diff before the season started - we do need to beat newcastle though next game .

spot on

[paulcomben]

Scott Parker! Has Lambo resigned and MON been reinstated?

[eastie]

I dont agree that Liverpool are so much better than us, they had one shot in the whole game. They had class in the shape of Toure, Gerrard and Sturridge to be fair. Some of our players did look jaded, three games in a week at the start of the season isnt easy. Personally I think Lambert could have made the subs a little earlier. As someone else mentioned, can only think Lowton was taken off for fear of being sent off

Me neither, Liverpool top 6 at best for me and no reason why we shouldn't finish top 8 on what I've seen so far.

[Monty]

Not so much a Number 10, more a European Number 8 - an attacking central midfielder, a technical playmaker who can make things happen, and even play on the wing if necessary. Iniesta is the best in the world of this type, and Kiyotake is one of these as well.

[Toronto Villa]

I was hoping Luck had a Villa kit on in the 2nd half. It's the least he could have done for us seeing how we were fucked by him during the week.

[Nev]

Why people seem to think that everything is in place is beyond me. Over the last seven days the team have made me proud and having watched todays game, given the resources and stature of the clubs we have faced (which makes all the difference with the officials) we have been ok, no better no worse, but who would expect more?

[charleeco7]

Didn't turn up first half and some of the passing was awful. Bacuna in particular was shocking but there's something there in him and ive a feeling he is going to be a star.

Delph again was excellent and Okore looks the defender we've been after. Is it just me though who thinks Benteke isn't putting as much effort in off the ball as he did last season?

Plenty of positives from the last three games though. UTV