Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[Ads]

The full backs finally started getting forward and putting crosses in.

[eamonn]

I missed the first half but one thing I did notice during our good spell for the last half hour or so is that we were playing on the frontfoot and largely keeping the ball for a decent amount of time. True, Arsenal had retreated a little and were happy to play on the break themselves but it was really uplifting to see us drive at them quickly without the move breaking down straight away as it invariably does in games where we try to impose ourselves slowly.
 
We're effective at counter-attacking as everyone knows but last night we also looked dangerous when attacking against up to ten men in the opponent's half, enjoying lots of possession when momentum and pace are added to the mix.

Clearly a lot of these players play off instinct more than know-how. It's when we toil in first gear and try to open up a team before losing the ball after two passes that we look woeful. Lambert has to make them realise that if they are accurate with their passing when playing frenetically, in theory it should be easier when there's more time to think about the pass. And if we could start games with that pressing and pace in the opponent's half at VP (I realise we only employ it when the "Shit, we're losing at home again, better go for broke" mentality kicks in) it mightn't always work but we'd sure have a damn sight more than one first-half VP goal all season to show for it.

[mal]

But we're not shit though are?

In the rush to wank ourselves fucking senseless with even more hyperbolic nonsense about just how utter fucking shite we are, we cannot escape the fact, that there are a good chunk of sides who must be even more apocalyptic than us.

This of course can be brushed off by the "yeah we're 11th now, but will will sink!!!!1111!!!" catch all, yet despite being apparently utterly atrocious (although Benteke unlucky not to "grab a second" apparently and therefore a draw against the league leaders)  here we sit. Mid-table, enjoying poor home form and poor football, but 11th nonetheless. Exactly where most predicted we would be. No hope, no ambition, seas boiling, cats marrying dogs, plagues killing the first born. 11th, mid-table.

Stop it! The truth hurst and this kind of sensible balance look at how we played is not what I read the match threads for!  Where is the wailing and the gnashing of teeth? Where is the hyperbole about the end of the world happening in the next 10 minutes because we're not top of the European leagues and undefeated for a whole century?  Whare are the complaints about what Lambert has done for us?  Your're a very naughty boy Ads, don't do it again.

[Pat McMahon]

I watched the game with 2 mates last night, neither of whom had really seen us this season. Their take on things was that we are compact and hard working without the ball but utterly devoid of creativity with it - no off the ball movement or players able to take on opponents being the main criticisms.

They honestly thought that the passing among the back 4 and ensuing hoof from Guzan was a premeditated game plan, since the obvious thing to do was exploit Lowton's ability to deliver excellent centres.

They were both complimentary about our crowd, expressing amazement at our gates given the quality of football served up. However one of the two said he could watch that at Bristol Rovers for cheaper prices.

[London Villan]

Basics would be a start; like when a player has the ball in the opposition half having players in front of him to pass to, or overlapping into space... when we did that we looked "ok"

[London Villan]

Last night's gate was the first that was below where they normally are for the big teams... 36000 vs Arsenal is probably our lowest gate against them for at least 10 years...

[nigel]

The full backs finally started getting forward and putting crosses in.

Yes.
It looked as if a few players got there mojo back last night.
Lowton had a very good game, particularly in the second half.
Luna had his best game for several weeks, if not months.

We started off with a 5-3-2 and seemed to be holding our own.
When Baker went off we went to 4-4-2 and they scored their 2 goals
We were excellent in the second half.

[sirlordbaltimore]

We were excellent in the second half.

"I've told you a million times, do not exaggerate"

[olaftab]

Last night's gate was the first that was below where they normally are for the big teams... 36000 vs Arsenal is probably our lowest gate against them for at least 10 years...

I blame the Chinese and Japanese tourists. They are caught out by Monday night football.

[olaftab]

I watched the game with 2 mates last night, neither of whom had really seen us this season. Their take on things was that we are compact and hard working without the ball but utterly devoid of creativity with it - no off the ball movement or players able to take on opponents being the main criticisms.

They honestly thought that the passing among the back 4 and ensuing hoof from Guzan was a premeditated game plan, since the obvious thing to do was exploit Lowton's ability to deliver excellent centres.

They were both complimentary about our crowd, expressing amazement at our gates given the quality of football served up. However one of the two said he could watch that at Bristol Rovers for cheaper prices.

As the kids will say lol! I think you and your mates are bang on. It's so much better when Lowton is over the halfway line with the ball at his feet.

[eastie]

We were excellent in the second half.

"I've told you a million times, do not exaggerate"

We played better in the 2nd half no doubt but we were  a long way off excellent.

[astonvillan]

Last night's gate was the first that was below where they normally are for the big teams... 36000 vs Arsenal is probably our lowest gate against them for at least 10 years...

Or even 1 year! We got just 34,000 against them last season.

[Jon Crofts]

Which ever way you look at it, Baker sure is cack. I hope he makes a quick recovery and can be available for selection soon... but then not actually selected.

I'm glad I'm not you, you must live in a joyless world.

[fredm]

The full backs finally started getting forward and putting crosses in.

Yes.
It looked as if a few players got there mojo back last night.
Lowton had a very good game, particularly in the second half.
Luna had his best game for several weeks, if not months.

We started off with a 5-3-2 and seemed to be holding our own.
When Baker went off we went to 4-4-2 and they scored their 2 goals
We were excellent in the second half.

Except Lowton was ball watching and lost his man completely which resulted in them scoring the first goal. The one that was always going to be important for our belief that we could perhaps match them.

Second half when we were attacking and not having to defend nearly as much, yes he was good.

[JUAN PABLO]

We were excellent in the second half.

"I've told you a million times, do not exaggerate"

We played better in the 2nd half no doubt but we were  a long way off excellent.

we were ok for 20 minutes only because Arse had done the job and dropped a gear , we deserved nothing from the game.  the goal lifted us a little but theer was still no cutting edge and guile and the last 8 minutes or so we went hoofy hoofy again.