Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[avfc_1874]

Same old 1st half. A bit more self belief after we got one back.


I thought Wilshere was lucky to stay on the pitch.

[olaftab]

Disappointed to lose ...again however very encouraging performance.  Team could have capitulated after that mad one minute but didn't. Confined Arsenal to almost no chances in the second half and came back strong to score one and deserved a draw at the very least against a team who have been top of the table all season. It all bodes well for the next 16 games.
I thought Benteke showed signs of getting back to his best and the defence payed very well in the Escondido half.

[martyn ellis]

A lot of harsh stuff on here. They did nothing with the ball while we had three at the back with Baker - admittedly neither did we but we had the odd chance even then. Baker's injury was fairly key, did force us to change the shape and allowed them in to score the goals. The first was soft but the second was an absolute gift from Delph and then lucky woth the ball bouncing off Giroud's knee. unlucky to be two down at half time and I think we did boss parts of the game in 2nd half. yes their football is pretty but we threatened more. Not good but a lot better. Let's give them a bit of credit.

[Clampy]

And who was the stranger selling H&V at the Holte gates where Mr Whitehouse normally sells?

Also who was the young female selling opposite DW?

[Chipsticks]

Saddest thing tonight was Belgian Tele showing highlights of the 1-3 victory down the Emirates last August before the game. Yes, we were lucky that day. Yes, we easily could have lost that game. But damn yes we showed some fighting spirit and really believed we could pull that one off. Everything we lacked today, even after the 1-2...

Honestly I think fighting spirit was the one thing we did show tonight.

[dave.woodhall]

And who was the stranger selling H&V at the Holte gates where Mr Whitehouse normally sells?

Also who was the young female selling opposite DW?

Jas. She's a new recruit.

[PeterWithesShin]

And who was the stranger selling H&V at the Holte gates where Mr Whitehouse normally sells?

Also who was the young female selling opposite DW?

That was me. I've had an operation.

[BC54 VFC]

Delighted to see us finally score a home league goal against an English team; the first since September.

[Seb_AVFC]

Saddest thing tonight was Belgian Tele showing highlights of the 1-3 victory down the Emirates last August before the game. Yes, we were lucky that day. Yes, we easily could have lost that game. But damn yes we showed some fighting spirit and really believed we could pull that one off. Everything we lacked today, even after the 1-2...

Honestly I think fighting spirit was the one thing we did show tonight.

You might have a point on this one. We tried, but lacked the quality tho. There's a team in there somewhere. I really believe that. I used to be a big Lambert fan in his Norwich days (and Hoolahan fan for what it's worth) but he has to let his team play footy with confidence. I recall Norwich playing 4-4 (?) away at Arsenal thinking if only...

[saunders_heroes]

Is there any news on Baker?

[oldhill_avfc]

5-3-2 suits us as it can allow Lowton and Luna forward with some security behind them. 4-4-2 kills us because Westwood can track back and Lowton is not a good defender.

If we want to play 3 centre backs I have no issue with it, but we need to sign another one to allow us to do so, as Baker and Vlaar putting 10 fit games together is as likely as us turning to Gr...

Anyway, Benteke confident - Villa suddenly play.

Closing down was the key though, it is not rocket science. Close down, bust a gut, get there, make damn sure!

Agree with this.  Both Lowton and Luna look OK on the ball and are probably better suited to playing further upfield.   Let's face it - they are both lousy as 'normal' full backs.

[LeeB]

I never, ever want to see Karim El Ahmadi in a Villa shirt again.

I honestly can't think of one Premier League player I wouldn't take over him.

[oldhill_avfc]

5-3-2 suits us as it can allow Lowton and Luna forward with some security behind them. 4-4-2 kills us because Westwood can track back and Lowton is not a good defender.

If we want to play 3 centre backs I have no issue with it, but we need to sign another one to allow us to do so, as Baker and Vlaar putting 10 fit games together is as likely as us turning to Gr...

Anyway, Benteke confident - Villa suddenly play.

Closing down was the key though, it is not rocket science. Close down, bust a gut, get there, make damn sure!

Don't agree at all, 5-3-2 means we sit back pretty much on the edge of the area and just give the ball back to the opposition. We only started to put any pressure on them when we had 4 in midfield.

Really?  We only put them under pressure when we had 3 in midfield and put Wieman on.

[PeterWithe]

I remembered how much I despise Arsenal fans, fucking Tarquins with their Soccer AM songbook of 'footie' banter wind up chants. Utter post Fever Pitch fakes.

[saunders_heroes]

I remembered how much I despise Arsenal fans, fucking Tarquins with their Soccer AM songbook of 'footie' banter wind up chants. Utter post Fever Pitch fakes.

I'm sick to death of seeing away fans deliriously celebrating at Villa Park, spilling onto the pitch and generally taking the piss out of us. It's demeaning to us. These last few seasons have been quite humiliating for Villa fans.