The Magnificent Aston Villa vs Man United Match Thread

[Jimbo]

Now his pace and exuberance has gone Gabby just hasn't got the brains to play at this level.

[ciggiesnbeer]

No shots. Where have we seen that before?

I hate this fixture I really do.

[steamer]

No focal point going forward

[supertom]

Same old same old so far. They're getting the rub of the green and finding life quite easy without having to really get out of second gear.

This front 3 just isn't ever going to work. You can't play 3 players who are all essentially the same. None of them are team players. They're all about pace. Knock it and run. That's good if you play 1 or 2, but 3? No. Not gonna work. You need something different in there. Either a target man, or someone to drop off. It's time to get Gestede on. He'll make a difference.

Veretout is struggling again. I'd consider putting Sanchez on to sit and pushing Westwood further forward.

We're still in the game though. But we need the next goal.

[villadelph]

Really like Gueye and Veretout. They seem to have an edge about them. They're chippy and aggressive but fair.

I think Gueye is showing tackle abilities greater than that snake.

[brontebilly]

Ayew looks like he has something about him, if only we can find a way to unleash him properly.

Does he? His first 90 odd mins for the club have been distinctly underwhelming, hope he bangs in a hat trick in second half mind but he looks lost so far and wouldn't be surprised if Gestede replaced him at break

To be honest, sherwood got it wrong tactically first half. Carrick and Schneiderlin have sat on their two centre halves. Granted Ganby and Ayew have been very static but it was calling out for a change early on that one of them go wide right and Veretout move central.

[Steve R]

1-0 is a fair reflection on the balance of play but it doesn't half help when you can bring your own Ref and Rulebook.

How was that not a penalty?

[ez]

For me Gabby is a weight we can no longer afford to carry, he's almost always completely ineffectual.  Fails to complete nearly all of his passes and can't shoot for toffee.

True but get used to it. He's the first name on the teamsheet.

[Boz]

Sure to see Gestede at some stage, hopefully while we are still only a goal down

[Rigadon]

Really like Gueye and Veretout. They seem to have an edge about them. They're chippy and aggressive but fair.

I think Gueye is showing tackle abilities greater than that snake.

Not sure the kick to Yanuzaj's (spl?) face was too fair... 

[AlexAlexCropley]

Very disappointed we haven't put Romero under any sort of pressure.
Surely worth a Vertout punt or two
Anyway, Richards to equalise from a header

[Villa in Denmark]

1-0 is a fair reflection on the balance of play but it doesn't half help when you can bring your own Ref and Rulebook.

How was that not a penalty?

Because Mike Dean now has a joint account with Phil Dowd?

[taylorsworkrate]

Pretty even first half apart from 5 minutes where we sat off.

We look ok at times when we pass the ball through midfield. Some of the long balls Westwood in particular has tried have been mystifying. If we want to play direct then Gestede should have started.

Gabby really is a pointless footballer these days

[villadelph]

Really like Gueye and Veretout. They seem to have an edge about them. They're chippy and aggressive but fair.

I think Gueye is showing tackle abilities greater than that snake.

Not sure the kick to Yanuzaj's (spl?) face was too fair...

"Edge"

[Rigadon]

We need to change the shape and the midfield need to support the front 3 more when we win the ball back.  When we've done that it's looked better.  The long balls aren't working as Manure are defending quite deep.