Manchester City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

We didn't deserve to lose. Benteke won everything in the air, N'Zogbia looked lively when he came on and I thought Cleverley played well.

[GarTomas]

Today was never going to decide our fate; Everton, West Ham and Burnley will do that. Frustrating not to hold on.

[Jimbo]

Christ, Villa, where would you be if you could only defend?

Worth remembering, though, that even under Lambert we weren't defending too badly.

I guess part of it is the pay off of having more attacking threat from Richardson and Bacuna at full back, in that we're shakier defensively.

We need to find some balance between the two, but the same complacency keeps costing us. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather watch us now than under the idiot, but I can't wait until next season when we can look for some players who can stay awake for 90 minutes.

I'd agree with that.

Richardson, for example, strikes me as clearly not good enough. Although worth remembering we were without Clark who has had a good season.

Yep, Richardson spends far too long asleep, and Bacuna is no defender, but his attacking threat makes up for it. I'd happily see Richardson make way for Cissokho next time out. I'll feel mightily relieved when Hutton is back, too. I never thought I'd say that.

[PeterWithesShin]

And we are no longer the sole lowest scorers in the division!

It may still be tight down there but in the last 3 games we've won away at Spurs, deservedly. Beaten Liverpool, deservedly. And should have got a at least a point today. I doubt anyone fancies playing us now.

[Nastylee]

Bacuna should be dropped for that cowardly defending of the freekick. Pathetic!

[Deano's Mullet]

Richardson set the tone for his performance with his first touch which went straight out of play. Cissokho back please, Mr Sherwood.

[clash city rocker]

Why the fuck do we always make it so hard for ourselves? its nothing new we have done things the hard way for years...Why villa..Why ?

[LukeJames]

Get ourselves safe, win that cup and next season we will have one hek of a team!!

[PeterWithesShin]

Bacuna should be dropped for that cowardly defending of the freekick. Pathetic!

Do you mean Richardson for their second?

[django]

I'd still play bacuna despite his weakness defensively. We need to win games and if we play on the front foot like the last 3 games but against weaker teams we'll be alright.

I think confidence should still be pretty high after today's performance.

[David_Nab]

Hope Hutton is back soon , he wouldn't be turning his back on a freekick to hide behind Benteke !!

Guzan ..terrible ,even if the ball had got to Okore it was the wrong option he should be lumping that up the field.

I think we missed Gabby today he would have created space for Grealish in the number 10 role and worked their fullbacks more.Richardson tries hard but he is just not good enough.Amazes me that has a winger/midfielder he seems a) so poor on the ball b) add's very little attacking threat

[PeterWithesShin]

One thing we've shown is that we aren't a million miles from being a decent side. Imagine this side without a neverending injury jinx, no relegation pressure and a decent chunk of confidence.

[Nastylee]

Bacuna should be dropped for that cowardly defending of the freekick. Pathetic!

Do you mean Richardson for their second?

Richardson was shit, but the replay shows Bacuna hiding behind Benteke when the ball was struck. Had he held is position it would have hit him. Poor when we're fighting for our lives. I want to see players prepared to take one for the team not duck out. Should be dropped.

[Toronto Villa]

Sherwood is all about form and attitude. It won't shock me to see Given in the side next week. Guzan today will have royally fucked him off.

[saunders_heroes]

Hard to criticise when we played so well but we deserved something out of that game today.
Roll on next Saturday.