Aston Villa vs Burnley Post-Match Thread

[Tom_Mc9?]

We lost but it doesn't matter. Next week matters.

[PeterWithesShin]

Tim Sherwood was happy enough with the effort levels in the Burnley defeat - but felt his side lacked a touch of imagination in the concluding Barclays Premier League contest.

Sherwood insists, though, that his team will now ready themselves for a huge FA Cup final clash with Arsenal next weekend.

Villa face the Gunners on Saturday, with a 5.30pm kick-off at Wembley.

He said: "We didn't show enough imagination.

"The fluency wasn't there but you have to give Burnley credit for that.

"They blocked it out and there was no space behind them.

"It doesn't help when you go behind because they come for just about anything and that's what they got.

"The boys tried hard enough but it was just lacking a little bit of quality.

"Everyone came here and expected us to roll over Burnley.

"I'm not sure how many times any team has done that to them.

"The commitment was there and the effort was there but we just lacked the quality.

"Now we will dust ourselves down.

"The FA Cup final is a one-off game. Anyone can win it.

"There's one game left, the biggest game of all our lives - and the biggest game for a lot of the fans out there - we need to do ourselves proud.

"No-one gave us a chance to stay in the Premier League and no-one gives us a chance of winning the FA Cup.

"But we need to believe that we have a chance."

Sherwood confirmed goalkeeper Shay Given has a groin injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Gunners clash next weekend.

[Legion]

Yawn.

[Matt Collins]

Brilliant.  We have a Cup final to look forward too and decide to churn ought two dismal displays.  What a farcical football club we have become.

Yeah. No other team in the run up to a cup final gets distracted. We should sell every player and the ground

[ciggiesnbeer]

Sherwood confirmed goalkeeper Shay Given has a groin injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Gunners clash next weekend.

Ruh ro.

Why the hell not play Guzan then? I do not understand.

Oh and free advice to Tim. Do NOT take Shay's word for it if he declares himself fit, as the Republic learnt during the Euro's his enthusiasm to play can get ahead of his actual health....

[warleyboy]

Considering a full house, would liked to have seen a little more passion..
Can totally understand why guys were not giving 110% with cup final round the corner, hence why other bench players should have been given a run out.

Job done for this season, thanks Timmy.

FA Cup would be a great bonus, up the villa

[PeterWithesShin]

The 2 games before the 96 final were a 2-0 loss at Sheff weds and one of the most boring 0-0 draws you'll ever see at home to Boro.

3 league games before the 1994 final were a 1-0 defeat at home to Ipswich, a 2-0 defeat at Leeds and a 2-1 home defeat at home to Oldham. Our only goal in those games was an OG.

[PeterWithesShin]

Sherwood confirmed goalkeeper Shay Given has a groin injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Gunners clash next weekend.

Ruh ro.

Why the hell not play Guzan then? I do not understand.

Oh and free advice to Tim. Do NOT take Shay's word for it if he declares himself fit, as the Republic learnt during the Euro's his enthusiasm to play can get ahead of his actual health....

Because if Guzan got injured playing we could be down to the U18 or lower keeper as Steer is cup tied.

[brian green]

Just home.   Distinctly unimpressed. Either play the second eleven and let them try to force themselves into consideration for the final, and avoid the risk of injury or go flat out for a win.   The Southampton game and that game have deflated confidence.   We have so much to do in the summer and so much dead wood to be rid of.

[nigel]

Sherwood confirmed goalkeeper Shay Given has a groin injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Gunners clash next weekend.

Ruh ro.

Why the hell not play Guzan then? I do not understand.

Oh and free advice to Tim. Do NOT take Shay's word for it if he declares himself fit, as the Republic learnt during the Euro's his enthusiasm to play can get ahead of his actual health....

Probably along the lines of:
If Guzan got injured we're f**ked.

[Mossie Hennebry]

It's all part of a plan to lull Arsenal into a false sense of security. If they score early next Saturday, don't fret!

I think you could pick next weeks starting 11 now. You don't spring surprises in cup finals:

Guzan

Hutton Vlaar Baker Richardson (?)

Cleverly Delph Westwood

Grealish

Gabby Benteke

Subs: Steer, Sinclair, Okore, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Bacuna.

Given should be nowhere near the match day squad if not 100% fit.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Sherwood confirmed goalkeeper Shay Given has a groin injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the Gunners clash next weekend.

Ruh ro.

Why the hell not play Guzan then? I do not understand.

Oh and free advice to Tim. Do NOT take Shay's word for it if he declares himself fit, as the Republic learnt during the Euro's his enthusiasm to play can get ahead of his actual health....

Because if Guzan got injured playing we could be down to the U18 or lower keeper as Steer is cup tied.

Oh.

Good answer

Cheers!

[Chipsticks]

Very frustrating afternoon but I'm not too worried. First half was shit and lacking imagination but the second half was just about everything good I've come to expect from Villa. If we'd had a fit striker on instead of Gabby we would have scored 2 and we'd be nowhere near as concerned.

We always lose these games - good run of form followed by a packed Villa Park full of optimism is our unlucky charm.

Arsenal won't defend as well as the Burnley bus.

It's still our year calm down

[tomd2103]

It's all part of a plan to lull Arsenal into a false sense of security. If they score early next Saturday, don't fret!

I think you could pick next weeks starting 11 now. You don't spring surprises in cup finals:

Guzan

Hutton Vlaar Baker Richardson (?)

Cleverly Delph Westwood

Grealish

Gabby Benteke

Subs: Steer, Sinclair, Okore, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Bacuna.

Given should be nowhere near the match day squad if not 100% fit.

If fit, I think Given will play.  I honestly think he will continue with Bacuna at RB and if it were up to me, I'd go back to N'Zogbia and Grealish supporting Benteke.  Left back is a bit of a worry to be honest. 

[silhillvilla]

In a weird way if say we'd won the last 2 I'd be more nervous about the final. As it is , the way I see it we can only improve now. Play like we did v the dippers and the trophy is ours.
Arsenal are natural bottlers on big occasions.