Aston Villa vs Arsenal Match Thread

[ozzjim]

People as ever seem to revel in it going wrong for us.


Sanchez and Clark, thrown in together for the first time, against Arsenal is the reality.

[barrysleftfoot]

 Just highlights our deficiences.Lack of pace in the central defence for the 1st, poor positioning by Clark for the 2nd, and unlucky by Aly for the 3rd.

 I do think we are a bit unlucky tbh, should have gone 1 up, Sanchez obviously got to get up to pace, Cleverley not on the ball enough.We do need to keep the ball better, and for longer.Agreed would bring Jack on, and probably Okores as well.We have lost this game, so lets have a look at some of the younger players.

[SamTheMouse]

We've actually really missed Westwood today (aside from obviously missing Vlaar massively too). Westy offered a bit of composure and nous from deep. No one is really coming back to start things off. Sanchez is the deeper mid, but he's been dreadful.

We have missed him. Westwood has looked a different player this season so far, which is why I was indifferent about Cleverly as I think they're too similar.

Sanchez looks like KEA. Which is not encouraging, but he'll take a while to settle and it's a bit unreasonable to judge him this early.

[oldham_villa]

Safest bet of the day today, us losing. Always happens: win a couple, fill the ground and then concede against the run of play.

The thing that has disappointed me about Sanchez is that he rarely offers himself to be available. He has been hiding, resulting in us passing the ball back.

Our shape just went as soon as number 1 went in. Concentration, pure and simple.

Up to then, we looked quite decent.

It's a shame the virus has depleted the team that beat Liverpool. I hope that is the only reason Clark was preferred to Baker.

This game certainly does not need to non-mobility of Joe Cole - need to consider CNZ or Grealish.

Nick

[django]

I can't remember having this much faith in our defence.

No!

Between that and slagging off Ozil I feel pretty responsible. Sorry.

[VillaAlways]

As soon as I saw Clarks name on the teamsheet I had a sense of dread his career at Villa is practically over How unlucky are we to face an injury riddled Arsenal only for us to get hit by a bug , unacceptable capitulation mind.

[ez]

And there was me looking forward to seeing us top of the league.

[Summers]

No idea why Clark started over Okore. Madness.

[Nelly]

And there was me looking forward to seeing us top of the league.

We'll get there eventually!

[Stu]

Barring some sort of miracle, this is lost. We're still struggling with injuries to key players in key areas though; we don't look dangerous and the defence has three players out.

Arsenal looked, to me, like they had the measure of our midfield for a few minutes before the first goal; their movement was a lot better and our defence cannot cope with the runs Ozil and Welbeck are making.

[Rigadon]

Grealish on, Weimann off

[PeterWithesShin]

Jack on for Andi. Not the change I was expecting.

[Nelly]

Fair play bringing Grealish on, no pressure, just go have some fun.

[django]

I'm guessing Weimanns under the weather.

[supertom]

We've actually really missed Westwood today (aside from obviously missing Vlaar massively too). Westy offered a bit of composure and nous from deep. No one is really coming back to start things off. Sanchez is the deeper mid, but he's been dreadful.

We have missed him. Westwood has looked a different player this season so far, which is why I was indifferent about Cleverly as I think they're too similar.

Sanchez looks like KEA. Which is not encouraging, but he'll take a while to settle and it's a bit unreasonable to judge him this early.

Certainly he's obviously got ability but I think he needs easing in over the "easier" games. This is too much too soon, against a side where you have no time on the ball and have to think a couple of moves ahead. Language may still be holding him back at this stage too.