Aston Villa vs Manchester United Post-Match thread

[andrew08]

Gabby is getting pelters but won't be playing in a month or so when the others are fitter and bedded in. He'll be an impact player from the bench. Sherwood is playing him now because he knows what's he getting (so do we unfortunately😀) and can rely on a certain level of performance as he's not sure if all the newbies are ready.

He has to play against the bogeyes though having said that.

[Villatillidie25]

A tough game to review really. It was quite bitty and scrappy from both teams in all honesty with them having marginally more luck and a tiny bit more cutting edge being enough to steal all 3 points.
I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see similar performances throughout the season. We just need to hope, a little like last weekend, that more of those games fall in our favour than against - most definitely a season of transition, which will probably frustrate a number of fans but it is incredibly refreshing to finally see that there is a plan, some renewed vigour and a manager who is desperate to win, not just "go again".

Guzan - 6 - Didn't have a lot to do in all honesty other than a couple of decent claims from crosses. His kicking looked better but he still looked nervous with it (or maybe that was just me that was nervous).

Bacuna - 7 - Solid performance from the right back. I thought he was a little less suspect defensively as well tonight but then United played far fewer of those balls inside the full back than other teams might. In a one on one situation he is ok, certainly enough to slow the attacker down but his positional awareness sometimes lacks but this wasn't put under much pressure last night. Didn't do as much going forward though.

Richards - 7 - Another good performance from Richards defensively. I like him bringing the ball out although Gueye/Sanchez/Westwood will need to be aware if he does this as he's going to lose it at some point. His distribution needs improving as well.

Clark - 7 - Another solid game for Clark, who is really maturing into a decent player. I don't think we are in much need of a new centre back to be honest now, just need to ship Senderos out.

Amavi - 8 - Another good performance from Amavi. Created our best opening where he fizzed one across the box, only to see Ayew and Gabby run to the same place. One mistake in the second half where he tried to run the ball out and got robbed and a couple of misplaced passes but he is a class act.

Gueye - 8 - My man of the match. Thought he worked his socks off, breaking play up but also quick with the pass. Given that he is probably still getting up to speed (although seems to be closer than others) I think we have a very useful player on our hands here

Westwood - 7 - Thought Westwood, set pieces aside, had a good game. He moved the ball a bit quicker than normal and played a couple of excellent cross-field balls. I feel he will ultimately be replaced though by Sanchez once he is back up to speed.

Veretout - 5 - Largely ineffectual. One of the signings I was most excited about but he clearly isn't both fit or up to Premiership speed yet. He shows some good touches but I think he is one that will either take a while to settle or will never quite adapt, which would be a shame as I think there is a good player there.

Sinclair - 6 - Worked hard, had a good spell just before being subbed (an incorrect decision in my opinion) but, overall, lacks an end product. If he is to play out wide on a regular basis, he needs to ensure that he either delivers a cross or plays an incisive pass on a far more regular basis. Too often does he go on a dribble, either get tackled (eventually) or turn back and play to Amavi/a midfielder.

Gabby - 4 - I will always have a soft spot for Gabby and while I understand people's view that he isn't necessarily that loyal given that it has never truly been put to the test he does obviously genuinely care for the cause. Nevertheless, he just isn't good enough. His movement is poor, first touch shocking (certainly when playing as a loan striker) and he blistering pace seems to have deserted him these days. Sad but he should be an impact sub at best now.

Ayew - 5 - Another one that will take a while to settle I suspect, although I also feel the lack of play between the midfield and forwards (missing Gil/Grealish) will also have hindered him. He looks like he could have something about him but I suspect he will be one that flatters to deceive more often than not and will almost certainly one that drives the Villa faithful mad (CNZ mark II he may well be, although an upgrade on him for sure)

Subs

Sanchez - 6 - not on long but, as with Bournemouth, came on and impressed me. He should start next week instead of Veretout if Gil/Grealish are back or Westwood if they aren't.
Gestede - 5 - Not as impressed this week with Rudy, although I think that was largely because United dropped a bit deeper and handled him much better than Bournemouth did. What we failed to realise was that space opened up between him and the midfield but without genuine attacking midfielders on the pitch (just forwards playing out wide) we lacked someone to realise this and pick up positions in the space.

Overall, it wasn't a dissimilar performance to the Bournemouth match really but we were playing a better team. Both sides looked disjointed, especially in the final third but they created the best two openings of the match and so probably just about shaded it. Very much a work in progress but one that we probably won't know how it is going until after about 10 games - seen enough to suspect we won't struggle but not much to suggest we will prosper either. I think goals will be an issue this season.

[Villatillidie25]

Strange feeling on a Saturday morning. Normally my sausage and fried onions ( with brown) sets me up for a journey towards Villa Park looking forward rather than a deflated its all over. Friday night games ummmm not sure. I guess we will probably have two more of these this season?

No - Friday night football is next season. Last night was a one off due to the EDL march. Next season there will be a max of 10 (if i remember rightly) so we may have one next season but could, quite easily, not have one at all

[brian green]

Kozak has not had a good pre season. At Forest he was terrible. As DW would say another case of a player being rated better and better the less he plays. I really was dreading this ripping into players like Ayew and Vertoute because was don't smash our way into a ten point lead at the top of the table by Christmas. This next two months is going to be the miserablists' Christmases all coming at once and coming really early.  If you want instant glory go and join that crew we hosted last night.

[BC54 VFC]

http://outside90.com/player-ratings-aston-villa-0-manchester-united-1/

[silhillvilla]

Kozak has not had a good pre season. At Forest he was terrible. As DW would say another case of a player being rated better and better the less he plays. I really was dreading this ripping into players like Ayew and Vertoute because was don't smash our way into a ten point lead at the top of the table by Christmas. This next two months is going to be the miserablists' Christmases all coming at once and coming really early.  If you want instant glory go and join that crew we hosted last night.

Kozak has played about a dozen games for us yet you want him out on loan. No real difference.

[garyshawsknee]

I think that was the kind of game we have to take on the chin while the team settles in and players come up to speed. Had a couple of good spells when we passed it well. Thought Sinclair was coming into the game when he got taken off.

Gueye was excellent in spells, once he gets his stamina right he's gonna be a hell of a players, Amavi showed really promising signs, Veretout  started well but looked knackered and will take him time to get up to speed. Ayew was in and out, feel he will do a lot better with a focal point up front, as will Grealish and Gil when they are back, that focal point isn't Gabby.

This was a pretty average Utd side, that the disappointing thing about the match, neither team deserved to win, they will get a lot of wins that way this season.

[Tayls_7]

I refuse to relinquish this feel good factor. I was hoping we'd be a bit Messi last night and I was almost right.

[Clampy]

Kozak has not had a good pre season. At Forest he was terrible. As DW would say another case of a player being rated better and better the less he plays. I really was dreading this ripping into players like Ayew and Vertoute because was don't smash our way into a ten point lead at the top of the table by Christmas. This next two months is going to be the miserablists' Christmases all coming at once and coming really early.  If you want instant glory go and join that crew we hosted last night.

Kozak has played about a dozen games for us yet you want him out on loan. No real difference.

Ayew has played two games for us and you reckon he looks a poor signing. No real difference.

[mr underhill]

not sure we are playing him (Ayew) in his best position.

[olaftab]

Next season there will be a max of 10 (if i remember rightly) so we may have one next season but could, quite easily, not have one at all

Oh ok in that case it's all set up for one of those pointless stats in fees time "Villa have not won a Friday night game for 10 years" when we probably only played 2!

[Dante Lavelli]

Kozak has not had a good pre season. At Forest he was terrible. As DW would say another case of a player being rated better and better the less he plays. I really was dreading this ripping into players like Ayew and Vertoute because was don't smash our way into a ten point lead at the top of the table by Christmas. This next two months is going to be the miserablists' Christmases all coming at once and coming really early.  If you want instant glory go and join that crew we hosted last night.

Kozak has played about a dozen games for us yet you want him out on loan. No real difference.

I don't think Brian has suggested a loan, that was me, or at least it was about 10 posts ago.
I do not see loan as a failure, it is more about getting players fit and improving.  That is less likely to happen when their only game time is 10-20 minutes from the bench.

[Chris Jameson]

I love the way Kozak has been written off and not given a chance. Right now I'd rather see him out there than Ayew who already looks like a poor signing.

I love the way Ayew has been written off and not given a chance.

[brian green]

I want Libor Kozak out on loan for two reasons, firstly fully to reestablish his fitness after an horrendous injury and over a season out of the game and secondly to find out whether the goal scoring ability he appears to have can outweigh his lack of pace which on everything I have seen he comes up short. If for no other reason than respect for a player we should allow them to show what they can do and that goes for Ayew.  I could give you a yawn inducing list of poor debutants at Villa from Johnny Dixon (flat feet) Peter McParland (can't dribble) Tony Hateley (Douglas Bader) Andy Gray (too short) Gerry Hitchens (too flash) to Christian Benteke (Bambi on ice) but I won't I refer you Allan Evans who got slated as a centre forward but became  a fantastic, full blooded Villa hero as a centre back. Talent will out.

[ROBBO]

Toothless up front but Sherwood would see what we see, Gabby can still play a part but not leading the line far better on a wing. I think we expect too much of players not used to the pace of the premiership, would like another centre forward before the close.