Aston Villa v Notts County - Post-Match Thread

[KRS]

Well...that was all a bit mental!

From the minute I saw the team sheet, I was wondering how that selection could possibly line up and I wasn't wrong when I saw Sanchez in the back four...but I think most of you seem to be missing the rather obvious reasoning behind his team selection and looking to deep into how we performed as a team.

The back 5...all of them were given game time as they haven't kicked a ball this season. Sanchez was played at the back simply to make up the numbers and give him some minutes on the pitch. Quite clearly he isn't a CB but some game time will do him good, and I was actually impressed by him tonight...thats the first time I've ever said that about Sanchez!

The other 6...well the same applies...game time and fitness exercise in a competitive match.

Veretout: looks to be coming along slowly but surely.
Traore: excellent but needs to learn to pass and become a team player...you can't do it all yourself every time! Concerned about the kicking he took tonight and hope he isn't too badly injured from the disgraceful challenges he received.
Gil: looking good and linked up play well...probably takes one too many touches at times, and often chooses the wrong option.
Ayew: really the only one of the new guys that concerns me...I want him to do well but he just doesn't look like he's upto standard. He could be one of those players that takes a season to settle in...or never will.
Jack: played his heart out...best player on the pitch by a mile and you can see he's desperate to score. Just takes too much time when it opens up for him or decides to shoot at completely the wrong times. He probably felt the weight of the Holte on his shoulders when the open goal presented itself...but he fluffed it. His goal will come sooner rather than later.

Bring on the blue scum!

[CT]

Just home, a really exciting Cup tie, I just enjoyed it for what it was.

Traore was just fantastic and I hope his injury isn't too bad. So many plus points, we could have scored 8 in the end and fair play to County for never giving up. Credit to League 2.

Only real negative for me was Ayew who I wanted to put in a really good effort to say to TS ...pick me ahead of Gabby on Saturday. Unfortunately after that tonight, that's still some time away.

Scott Sinclair definitely said pick me, as did Carles, and fair play to Libor and Joe Bennett too, both made statements as well. Keiron Richardson continues to make me realise that I still have a future in the top flight.

Great night and obviously great draw!

[in exile]

Now do you believe me?
WE NEED A RIGHT BACK
Nice touch from the County fans in applauding our Jack throughout the game.
And for those who missed it, he gave them his boots.
Good lad Jack

[tomd2103]

Now do you believe me?
WE NEED A RIGHT BACK

I certainly believe you a little more after seeing Hutton tonight. 

[brian green]

Highways Agency you make the lives of travelling fans unbearable. A14 closed. 17 miles of diversion down to one lane. M1 closed then our junction on M11 closed. This country is rapidly grinding to a coned off halt. The game was like the team selection. Mental. Timmy you just got a big question mark in my black book. That game needed to be quietly put to bed with the minimum effort. Instead it was like Benny Hill meets the Keystone Kops.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Now that I've got home and settled down...
I was like a cat on a hot tin wotsit for about 100 mins of that game...

crazy selection but...is that Tim being "positive" or just mad...no DM (Veretout? who I thought had a great game) meant that our defence was always under pressure - result of which was - they scored 2 shitty goals.
Bunn looked fine to me and I was less nervy with him than with Guzan
Back 4 were not a unit...Hutton ok, Baker was Baker, Sanchez was played out of position but did a fantastic job, Richardson was fine and calmed a few potential attacks for them and was excellent going forward.
Midfield was nuts! I thought Veretout looked the business and will clearly get better (Westwood watch yer back ...or create a pair of strong DMs)...imho I like the look of him - he'll be good, likes a tackle, takes no shit and has an eye for a ball. Jack was outstanding, as was Gil. Didn't realise Sinclair was playing 'til he did something after 20 mins. Got into good positions and scored 3 ffs...good for you Scott!
Traore....thank fu*k I never made it as a full-back and had to mark this thing...he clearly sees full-backs as a minor obstruction to him conquering the World by stealth, strength, speed and fuckyouweaklingness.
Ayew needs games - but not crucial ones (they all are aren't they?) as he needs to get up to speed etc.
I was incredibly impressed with Libor (but then I am a fan anyway) and I thought Bennett looked amazing in his brief appearance - looked comfy in an odd role and created/took his goal with considerable aplomb.


(always wanted to use the word "aplomb" on H&V... not had chance since the semi-final annihilation of 'The Mighty Reds YNWA')
UTV!
 

[berneboy]

Can anyone provide a report on how Veretout was?

We thought he was good tonight, but then he was the on,y central midfielder playing.

He looks to be getting more settled, was nice and tidy on the ball, got forward well towards the end of the game, and had a really good shot blocked.

He worked really hard too. Very determined chap, methinks.
Maybe physically a little weak.
Three Shredded Wheat a day required.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I thought Veretout was "dogged"...nothing fancy but those cu*ts who play for the other side are going nowhere!
He was clearly fu*ked after 60  mins v B'mouth and Utd.
Taking the opposition into account, he looked fitter tonight...getting fitter? perhaps he just needs time...

[KRS]

I can see the makings of a good central midfield partnership developing between Veretout and Gueye with backup from Sanchez. Its actually going to be hard to fit them all in the team when we also need to accommodate Traore, Jack, Gil and a striker...but I guess thats a nice headache for the manager to have for a change and gives us good options.

[KRS]

Midlands League Cup Attendances tonight:

Villa: 21,430
West Brom: 13,915
Blues: 9,275
Wolves: 7,384
Walsall: 2,968

All games played at home against lower league opposition except Walsall.

[Deano's Mullet]

heres all the goals.

[Matt C]

Good goals all round.

Bunn didn't exactly cover himself in glory though.

[Matt Collins]

Bunn could wel have been sent off and I thought he was static for the first

Glad to hear veretout did well. The thing is we now have lots of options in central midfield that look promising but we're lacking in wide positions and the forwards all look poor so far

[PaulWinch again]

Didn't see the game, but sounds like it demonstrated that our defensive back up isn't up to it. Still pleased for Adama to get off the mark and Sinclair to show that he definitely offers something and should be in the team in front of Gabby every day of the week.

[UK Redsox]

Beats me how anyone can listen to that buffoon Woodward. He really does sound like Alan Partridge, minus the footballing knowledge of course. Toe curling.

The man is a treasure.

J-Dub introduced one of the mascots as being from "Can-knock"