Aston Villa vs Burnley Post-Match Thread

[Dave]

A mediocre performance, knocking the team's confidence further AND our best players all had 90 minute shifts.

*slow hand clap*

Truly the worst of both worlds.

Thank goodness that horrible league season is done with.

[aj2k77]

I'm not knee jerking here, I'm pretty certain that the players won't have been at 100% today, physically or mentally, let's be honest it's all about next Saturday.

It's been a terrible season, that might end with the holy grail, the most unlikely Fa Cup win you could imagine, in January we couldn't get a bloody shot on target nevermind reach the final.

The defence needs some proper fullbacks and a commanding centre half, every single defensive player we have has a rick in them and that includes the goalies, we need more consistent defenders.

The frontline is basically Benteke, we need to get this guy a decent partner. Having another striker will give him space as well so he can't be gang marked like he usually is. The time is up for Gump he's shite and we could do with saving the wages, a few million for him and a few million for Weimann would be good business.

The midfield, Cleverley has had a bit of a resurgence but I'd like to think there's more of a dynamic player out there who influences games more often.

Lot's of work to be done this summer. Let's not rest on our laurels or there will be a 6th season of relegation troubles.

[Smirker]

Shite. Hopefully the next game is better 

[Jimbo]

Back to dreary. A reality check going into our biggest game in 15 years.

[Monty]

I thought Westwood and Steer were quite good, and Grealish did his best with not much space or support. The rest were pretty middling with the exception of Gabby and Zog, who were abominable.

[passitsideways]

Let's not fucking ever do this season again. There are the makings of a top 8-top 10 team here, but proper money needs to be spent to fill the considerable holes we have.

[eamonn]

Our lowest league placing since the top-flight became a 20 team division in 1995.

[Toronto Villa]

It is really concerning that Sherwood has delivered goals and open football and now the last two weeks we've reverted to Paul Lambert football. I just hope that with safety guaranteed the players simply relaxed (in of itself inexcusable but somewhat understandable) and that it is all being saved for next week. We will need to be absolutely way beyond our best to beat Arsenal next week. Any lapses and they will bury us.

A sad way to end the season.

[mr underhill]

Lambert-like performance -  might Tim be at risk if a new owner pitches up in the summer?

[timeoutbigbar]

Safe to say N'Zogbia won't be playing left back next week.  I don't think we deserved to lose the game.  We weren't any good, though neither were Burnley.  After playing so well for the last couple of months, I worry that perhaps the honeymoon is over for Tim.  The cup final is a one off, anything could still happen - the real work will start in the summer.  Changes are needed (particularly in defence) and the ownership issue resolved if we have any hope of avoiding a repeat of recent seasons.

[supertom]

We've looked a different side in the cup. I think we'll see a different Villa next week. There's something to play for. It's a one off game. They've got to give it their all. Delph was unusually lacklustre today. He didn't have quite his usual drive.
I just hope we can get as many of our players as fit as possible. We can't play N'Zogbia at left back again.

Had we put our all into it and lost today I'd be slightly more concerned but this just felt typical of a side with nothing to play for, who have a cup final around the corner. We seemed in no real rush to pull the game back. There was no urgency. Burnley just sat back and made easy work of defending. Benteke didn't have his usual spring. It was a bit like turning up for threesome with a semi and not really having the will to give yourself a full chubb.

[frank black]

End of season friendly over...lets get ready for Wembley !

[Damo70]

I seem to remember we were pretty awful in the last couple of games before beating United in the final in 1994.

[aj2k77]

It is really concerning that Sherwood has delivered goals and open football and now the last two weeks we've reverted to Paul Lambert football. I just hope that with safety guaranteed the players simply relaxed (in of itself inexcusable but somewhat understandable) and that it is all being saved for next week. We will need to be absolutely way beyond our best to beat Arsenal next week. Any lapses and they will bury us.

A sad way to end the season.

The one good thing I'd highlight is it should make sure every single player next Saturday is aware that if they are not on it 100% then we will be beaten comfortably. No half hearted tackles, working hard to track back, supporting going forwards. A rabid crowd again pumping them up like the semi and I just feel our names on the cup.

We've all relaxed a bit a put in two shitehawk performances. We need to have that nervousness and edge that gave us our best performances this season.

Next week will be completely different to this one...(I hope)

[Matt Collins]

Lambert-like performance -  might Tim be at risk if a new owner pitches up in the summer?

I hope not. He's done a great job.

The defence does need improving and we need better players alongside benteke or a very good replacement if he goes

Disappointing today but that kind of performance is fairly typical ahead of a cup final. We had the same tripe before the 94 final.