Burnley v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[supertom]

This is what I wrote about him.

Joe Cole showed 2 things today. Why Lambert signed him. And why virtually no one else wanted him.
Head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch, real genuine quality. We played some of the best time in years in the first half and he was nearly always involved in it. Then he went on a run in the second half, not a long run, maybe a third of the pitch tops, and he was absolutely fucked after it. Slowly walking back to halfway line, hands on hips, bending over, everything to try and get his wind back. It didn't work as he was pretty much done after that run.

Cheers.
I think we've got to wrap him in cotton wool. For want of money, he's the best play-maker we've got at the club. I can't see Zogbia's persistent blind alley runs creating, or anyone in our CM. Our fullbacks can't be relied upon doing it. Benteke will make chances for himself, but if he's got Cole helping him we might get some joy.

Use Cole sparingly but actually use him. Show more faith in Grealish. That will hopefully give us a little something between now and the Jan window. Not shutting down after going ahead would be good too.

[pauliewalnuts]

I thought Grealish did very well when he came on.

He looked happy to have the ball, used it cleverly, and didn't act like he wanted to get shot of it like someone who has just had a grenade land on their lap.

That contrasted hugely with most of the rest of the team, who seemed to be spending most of their time giving the ball straight back to the opposition.

[PeterWithesShin]

Jack did look comfortable on the ball, one slight criticism from me would be that I would have liked to have seen him take a man on more often, he rarely did yesterday and I think that is one of his strengths.

[Dave]

I thought it was a definite pen - I also think another ref may have shown Okore a red card as he was the last man

Ings didn't have control of the ball though so yellow is correct call.

Technically true, as he was nowhere near the ball when Okore fouled Jutkiewicz.

[Chris Smith]

To be fair to Cole he is going to take a while to get fully fit but if yesterday is a taster of what is to come then things 'might' start to look a little better, particularly with Benteke available again. Having posted this I fully expect to see news of them running into each other in training and being crocked until February.

[papa lazarou]

That contrasted hugely with most of the rest of the team, who seemed to be spending most of their time giving the ball straight back to the opposition.

This has been prevalent for two seasons+ and a major downfall. When the top echelon have six or more players that are "comfortable on the ball" our nearest to that description has been Delph, and that's about it. Any statistics relating to N'Zogbia must provide depressing reading. Hopefully, Jack will be in the Cole mould - someone who can pause, think, change and create things. We could do with a lot more.

[adrenachrome]

I thought the goal would be disallowed as there must be some rule that Villa players are not allowed to make a well timed run to near post.

[fredm]

I thought the goal would be disallowed as there must be some rule that Villa players are not allowed to make a well timed run to near post.

Was it the first time this season that a midfield player has made a run into the box to get in front of an attacker?

[fredm]

The chronic 2nd half form , could it in part be a fitness thing ?

Been saying this since last season.  I don't think we are as fit as we should be/compared to other teams.  One report today re Keane's departure says it was a bust up about lack of intensity during training.  Maybe a bit of truth there?

[Ads]

To be fair to Cole he is going to take a while to get fully fit but if yesterday is a taster of what is to come then things 'might' start to look a little better, particularly with Benteke available again. Having posted this I fully expect to see news of them running into each other in training and being crocked until February.

"Joe Cole stepped on a plug today while putting his Christmas lights up and is now out for the season."

[Reuben]

The chronic 2nd half form , could it in part be a fitness thing ?

Been saying this since last season.  I don't think we are as fit as we should be/compared to other teams.  One report today re Keane's departure says it was a bust up about lack of intensity during training.  Maybe a bit of truth there?

Lack of intensity - maybe, but it doesn't stop countless injuries occurring during it!

[FranzBiberkopf]

The chronic 2nd half form , could it in part be a fitness thing ?

More a tactics thing. If you constantly give the ball away,and have to chase to get it back; you will be knackered come the 75th minute.

[Villa in Denmark]

The chronic 2nd half form , could it in part be a fitness thing ?

More a tactics thing. If you constantly give the ball away,and have to chase to get it back; you will be knackered come the 75th minute.

Completely agree - said something similar in the Lambert thread.  The tactics or lack thereof are the cause and this is just another symptom of why sit back and hope is a disaster waiting to happen every single game.  (As was the case under MON as well.)

Improved fitness might help a bit, but I suspect Keane's complaint about lacking intensity was as much to do with the quality of the training and the dedication to it / expectations of players to it.

[Gregorys Boy]

Grealish came on as a sub during the second half Saturday. I don't see why he can't start tomorrow.  If we have a lead to protect later then giving Grealish a rest and bringing the more experience Cole on would make sense.  Cole did play well at Turf Moor, but because of his age and injury record it is him who we need to use here and there.

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought Cole and Weimann linked up well in the first half. Hopefully Cole is fit to start on Tuesday.