Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithe]

The last 15 minutes, after Benteke's goal infuriated me last night. Yet i've had conversations with mates since who thought it was great.

To my eyes, we got back into the game from a wonderful cross into the danger area that was put away perfectly. Instead of building on that with a good amount of time left we then just proceeded to just launch the ball forward at every opportunity in the hope of causing a scramble instead of trying the route that had just been successful again. Hoofing it doesn't work for us, getting some decent delivery into the box (more than once or twice a game) just fucking might.

Couldn't agree more.

[Brend'Watkins]

Did anyone really think Baker was that hurt? 

I've lost count of the amount of times this player has had to go off for one reason or another.  He maybe incredibly unlucky or it might be that he just doesn't fancy it.  I think that's more likely the case.

He was poleaxed.
I don't think he was acting.

Maybe he was poleaxed.  All I can say is from the many years I've played football I've coped the ball in the face plenty enough times to know it can knock you for six if it hits you with enough force.  You're out of it for a minute or two but that's it. You're then back playing.  I don't know what it is with Baker, he puts himself about well enough and doesn't shirk tackles but virtually every game he plays there's a problem.  The Man U game where he passed the ball to Giggs which resulted in a goal, he tried to make out there was something wrong with his leg, as if to suggest, the shit pass I just made which resulted in a goal is because there was something wrong with my leg.  Everyone knew there was nothing wrong with him, no physio' attended to him, nobody took any notice.  Miraculously his leg was okay a few minutes later.

I think he lacks bottle, all the more evident when we play the bigger teams.

[dicedlam]

But we're not shit though are?

So you are entirely happy with the dross served up week in week out?  Having a clueless manager that sets up a team with 5 at the back knowing very well Arsenal only have 1 fit forward in there entire fucking squad?
And it takes a kick up the arse at half time to remotely get the players to shift into another gear.

I'm sorry, I've seen some crap in my time over the years since the Tommy Cummings days, but never a Villa side so devoid of tactics and a manager to deliver any.

I want him gone.

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 He lacks ability, not bottle and I would like to say that I find it staggering that we're now bemoaning a player who has been knocked unconscious for not just "brushing it off", but to be honest, nothing that is posted on here anymore, no matter how ridiculous, shocks me.

When did H&V become Villa Talk?

[PeterWithe]

I must admit my first thought was 'the ball has only hit you, get on with it'. However, he didnt seem to move for a considerable amount of time and concussion can be dangerous.

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But we're not shit though are?

So you are entirely happy with the dross served up week in week out?  Having a clueless manager that sets up a team with 5 at the back knowing very well Arsenal only have 1 fit forward in there entire fucking squad?
And it takes a kick up the arse at half time to remotely get the players to shift into another gear.

I'm sorry, I've seen some crap in my time over the years since the Tommy Cummings days, but never a Villa side so devoid of tactics and a manager to deliver any.

I want him gone.

Just because I don't think things are the worst they have ever been (because they're plainly not) does not mean I think things are great either.

 

[Brend'Watkins]

He lacks ability, not bottle and I would like to say that I find it staggering that we're now bemoaning a player who has been knocked unconscious for not just "brushing it off", but to be honest, nothing that is posted on here anymore, no matter how ridiculous, shocks me.

When did H&V become Villa Talk?

it's an observation about one of our players is all it is.  He's injury prone to an extent where it's a gamble playing him.

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But you're saying he got hit in the face and thought "I'll just stay down here".

[Brend'Watkins]

But you're saying he got hit in the face and thought "I'll just stay down here".

That's a distinct possibility. It wouldn't be a revelation that a player who doesn't fancy it on a day makes out he's hurt more than he actually is.

[Monty]

The idea that Baker faked concussion to get off the pitch - by the way, when it was still 0-0 and Arsenal hadn't threatened much despite their possession - is astonishing, and frankly stupid. And I don't care if I insult anyone by saying that, because it is a really stupid, malicious, arseholish thing to say. Baker is many things, but a bottler and a coward he is not, and to question the validity of his concussion is just pathetic.

[damon loves JT]

You can question Baker's ability but not his courage.

[hartman_1982]

The idea that Baker faked concussion to get off the pitch - by the way, when it was still 0-0 and Arsenal hadn't threatened much despite their possession - is astonishing, and frankly stupid. And I don't care if I insult anyone by saying that, because it is a really stupid, malicious, arseholish thing to say. Baker is many things, but a bottler and a coward he is not, and to question the validity of his concussion is just pathetic.

This.

[danno]

I must admit my first thought was 'the ball has only hit you, get on with it'. However, he didnt seem to move for a considerable amount of time and concussion can be dangerous.

I don't think its his first concussion either, I'm sure in American football recently there's been some research showing that
one concussion can make you far more likely to get another.

Could be a worry for him in the long term.

[Brend'Watkins]

The idea that Baker faked concussion to get off the pitch - by the way, when it was still 0-0 and Arsenal hadn't threatened much despite their possession - is astonishing, and frankly stupid. And I don't care if I insult anyone by saying that, because it is a really stupid, malicious, arseholish thing to say. Baker is many things, but a bottler and a coward he is not, and to question the validity of his concussion is just pathetic.

That's your opinion, I have mine.  I haven't actually said he faked anything either by the way.  I know what I seen him do against Man U so it's been on my mind since then.  It's a shame for the lad really as I think he's been thrust into the top flight too soon for his development.  But the one thing that is a fact is that he is a particularly injury prone player. 

[Dave Cooper please]

Couple of other things - great cross from Lowton for the goal.

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

Stranger!? I refer to that spot as the dead-zone. Got moved from my (semi)-regular spot outside the Trinity Road gates.

Don't worry, I sold bugger all there anyway.