Aston Villa vs. Man City Post-Match Thread

[placeforparks]

good start.

onwards and upwards.

[olaftab]

Alan Hutton was very good today.

Not a fan of him but totally agree. I thought he was superb against likes of KDB and whole fanfare of attackers they have. Difficult to split MotM today but he is there amongst equals.

[Witton Warrior]

People grinning and clapping.
Handshakes and backslaps from strangers.
A warm feeling.
A point.
Where the hell was I this afternoon?

[LTA]

Certainly more positives than negatives today.

A much more organised and disciplined display and that point could be so crucial.

Interesting image on twitter of Collymore giving Delph the bird when he came on from the press area.

[Witton Warrior]

Alan Hutton was very good today.

Not a fan of him but totally agree. I thought he was superb against likes of KDB and whole fanfare of attackers they have. Difficult to split MotM today but he is there amongst equals.

I say every time I see him play that we get 100% of what he has to offer - he is not a tricksy flying wing-back but he is a totally committed professional and I appreciate that

[walsall villain]

The players I've wanted to see start did well today. Veretout was careful with the ball and very mindful of his position on the pitch. Gil was really impressive, kept the ball so well under pressure, he needs to get fitter and last the 90! Sanchez looks like he can play that defensive midfielder role and made fewer errors with the ball today. Gana was less noticeable tiday but worked hard. I left feeling they had all tried their upmost and that's what we all want to see. Sinclair tried but struggled to shake off their defence, I was impressed with how he supported the full back defensively though. Just a point I know but I feel it will give the squad a boost. Signs of tiredness at the end, Amavi in particular, but hopefully these lads will get a decent run in the team.
Another star performance was the guy who played the last post at the start, found it quite moving, must be my age!

[olaftab]

Some years ago during or 6th finishing seasons under MON I felt disgusted that some of our players celebrated a 0-0 at home match against Chelsea ....today I joined in with players and fans with gusto. This was very very important for us fans, Garde and players. Shame it's a two week break now.

[Louzie0]

Wonderful start for Villa with Remi Garde.
Christmas has arrived early! Long may it last.
Thanks to Randy and Tom as well. Looks like the luck has turned, what a great appointment.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Didnt look like two teams that far apart.

[Ron Manager]

The midfield we wanted.The organisation we needed.Remi Garde  has made us look watchable.
He doesn't need too much. Could he do something with Libor ? You know I think he could.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

Encouraging, especially from the midfield 3 of Sanchez, Gana and Veretout. I think that 3 could gain us the upper hand in games against a lot of teams.

this

at half time you couldnt tell the diference with who was top and who was bottom

we had a good shape and moved the ball at pace and actually won most of the second balls

faded second half and rode our luck but we dug in an got a good point

[Flamingo Lane]

I know everyone wants a striker more then anything, although I agree we could use that but even more I think  we need a new keeper. Guzan was lucky today, two fumbles that Villa defence could clear. Steerlings header hitting him right in the face. The one that hit the bar... He sure fought as bravely as anyone else ... he just declined and cant see him getting the grove back. He looks heavy, grip is poor and his skill with his feet has never been good.

You shouldn't overlook the best save of all, finger tipping away the cross at the end that would otherwise have been a certain goal.

[olaftab]

People grinning and clapping.
Handshakes and backslaps from strangers.
A warm feeling.
A point.
Where the hell was I this afternoon?

Yes for once it was nice to say goodbye to fellow ST's with a smile and everyone was chirpy walking away from the ground. It doesn't take a lot please us Villains  and we need more of that.

[CJ]

What a difference in the space of just a week! More organised, players confident on the ball, more passion, harder working, more skill. Sure we rode our luck a couple of times, but that was a hard fought, well-earned point which we wouldn't have got under Sherwood. And where were those players that Sherwood said were too raw, unfit, and not ready for the PL - oh, that was them on the pitch today. And the re-introduction of Charles tells me that anyone in the squad can be picked and will now be judged on merit and how they fit into Garde's team shape, not on reputation. Gabby may not get a sniff. Well pleased coming away from VP today - I feel really hopeful that maybe, just maybe, Garde will keep us up and take us on to better times.

[cdward]

Brilliant result.

No way did that look like top vs bottom. Citeh have recently scored 6 past Newcastle, 5 past Bournemouth and 4 past Sunderland, so if we can maintain that level of performance relegation should be wiped off the agenda.

A few things that I liked
Gestede making Hart look stupid throwing the ball at him. Would have loved to have scored from the resulting corner.
Remi looking like a manager who has studied the game.
The Villa Park atmosphere sounded great on TV.
Delph was left in no doubt what we think of him. The TV even showed a couple of young Villa fans holding up snakes

UTV