Villa's style of play

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Nonsense, you will notice that when we improved in the second half it was because we got the ball on the deck and passed and moved. That's probably because Lambert told them to stop panicking and to play on the floor.

We created as much from open play as City did.

I can recall two speculative shots (one of which lead to our goal) and two set pieces.

Its smoke and mirrors from Man City about domianting the game. Dominated in what sense? A lot of possession in areas of the pitch that you were unable to hurt us in?

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We're without our top defender, top two strikers and most consistent midfielder from last season. We're playing the favourites to win the league, go behind twice, come back to win and still some of our supporters can only moan.

Not only that, we limited them, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to next to bugger all. We conceded 5 compared to the 13 of last season and scored 7 compared to the 2 last campaign.

The former result, being as you say, without one of the best out and out centre forwards in Europe and three of our other best players.

But we're not improving?

[villa `cross the mersey]

We're without our top defender, top two strikers and most consistent midfielder from last season. We're playing the favourites to win the league, go behind twice, come back to win and still some of our supporters can only moan.

Not only that, we limited them, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to next to bugger all. We conceded 5 compared to the 13 of last season and scored 7 compared to the 2 last campaign.

The former result, being as you say, without one of the best out and out centre forwards in Europe and three of our other best players.

But we're not improving?

Yes the stats suggest we are improving on last season however the facts suggest that we are still conceding from set pieces - something that has gone unchecked for quite some time. I understand that Citeh had a rash of corners on Saturday and we successfully defended most of them however we still concede two in a sloppy manner - granted the second was off the guys back.
I think it is frustrating for fans to see us concede in this way so many times - as suggested this appears to be our achilles heel - Something I would like to think that the defensive coaches and Lambert are looking to "iron out". Sort that out and even I will start to think positively

Also good to hear we defended higher up the park - another criticism of our home play is that we sit too deep, inviting teams onto us.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Isn't this thread supposed to be about Villa's style of play ?

Not results

[PeterWithesShin]

Isn't this thread supposed to be about Villa's style of play ?

Not results

The two aren't exclusive. The style of play is ultimately responsible for the results.

So far this season we are winning more games, scoring more goals, and conceding less. That will do me. And shows that the style of play is working.

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We have conceded three goals from set pieces.

[PaulWinch again]

Isn't this thread supposed to be about Villa's style of play ?

Not results

The two aren't exclusive. The style of play is ultimately responsible for the results.

So far this season we are winning more games, scoring more goals, and conceding less. That will do me. And shows that the style of play is working.

Yep agreed, I don't think anyone is saying we're the finished article. There is still plenty to improve on, we need to be a lot more crisp with our passing and need to work on out set piece defending. We also have a tendency to go long when we panic, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.

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We have conceded three goals from set pieces.

To emphasise, that is one goal less than Man City, who will likely win the league, in no small part because they have the best centre half in the country playing for them.

[Monty]

We have conceded three goals from set pieces.

To emphasise, that is one goal less tan Man City who will likely win the league, in no small part because they have the best centre half in the country playing for them.

Indeed, and two of our three conceded were against same Man City, whose team is absolutely enormous.

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The size difference, especially in midfield was very noticeable.

I think that given the quality of players we have come up against, with the quality of ball they can put in and the scarce amount of goals we have conceded, shows a real improvement defensively. It also shows that perceptions are misleading.

There is no doubt about it that the goals were sloppy, but when you accept they're the first corners we have shipped, the reality proves that we're not leaking them left right and centre.

If we really want to be pedantic, then Ivanovic should not have been on the pitch to score the other set piece!

[paul_e]

Isn't this thread supposed to be about Villa's style of play ?

Not results

Yes, but you appear to completely ignore big chunks of the game and focus entirely on passing to form your criticism.  Our passing isn't where we want it to be at times but the rest of our game is better than it has been for a while and the results in a very tough start to the season, back that up.  You seem to be suggesting that there is nothing positive in our play style and I'm afraid that's complete nonsense, that people keep referring to the results is to highlight the fact that we couldn't be where we are if we were as shit as you seem to think.

Can you explain what you'd need to see to be happy without mentioning anything that has happened so far this season and that's realistic as an aspiration, I genuinely can't think of anything, we're inconsistent but that's different to shit, which seems to be something you and bronte completely fail to grasp.

[not3bad]

A more settled midfield such as we had in the second half of last season would help the style I think.

[danlanza]

We are doing fine on the budget we have ffs. Moan, moan bloody moan.
Stop moaning when we beat Hull on Saturday. You might just realise how far we have come in the last 18 months.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

It's better than last season - at times.
We're very much a work in progress and an accomplished passing game will take time, particularly with the players PL has brought in - young and with potential to grow into the league and develop as individuals and as a team. It's the nature of the beast we have.
They will make mistakes and lack cohesion at times, but I see signs that it is coming, albeit slowly and inconsistently.

Can't make Hull on Sat (working) and gutted. First game I'll miss this season and am hoping to see some sense of progression in the team passing game following two league wins on the trot to give them a sense of confidence.

[garyshawsknee]

We are doing fine on the budget we have ffs. Moan, moan bloody moan.
Stop moaning when we beat Hull on Saturday. You might just realise how far we have come in the last 18 months.

 Well said.