Aston Villa vs. Man City Post-Match Thread

[SamTheMouse]

Reading that forum is the textual equivalent of being at a chavs' wedding. If it had a car park, they would definitely be having a scrap in it.

[damon loves JT]

The most important positive to bring away from today is that it really is a fresh start. We're not asking the same players who got us into this mess suddenly to get us out. It's a new team.

The way they started the game, keeping the ball, not giving it away, not allowing themselved to be panicked or rushed into a mistake, was something completely new. They have confidence in themselves and their team-mates.

I suspect most of those eleven players have known all season they deserved to start. If Remi can persuade Richards to simmer down and accept the new order - and I'm sure a couple of decent results is all it'll take - they really will be playing as a team.

Every time I've seen Villa relegated, the eleven on the pitch have come out scared, played scared and fallen apart. If our best players play for each other, we will be fine.

[Lastfootstamper]

When I saw the line-up, I had a sense of "finally!". I thought with the new manager effect we'd maybe contain them for 70 minutes before our legendary running out of steam kicked in, and they'd bag a couple towards the end. Rode our luck a bit, chuffed with a point, but couldn't help but wonder on how much better we'd already be if this had been our starting XI with the regularity which many of us, on here anyway, reckon it should've been. Movement. Quick to the second ball. Patience in looking for an opportunity to move forward. Supporting the man in possession. All simple things which we've seemingly overlooked for a long time, but all evident today.
And I'd like to see Ayew get a run up top. We won't be playing against a back four like theirs often, and I reckon he's got more than enough about him to get plenty of joy from lesser central defences.

[dave shelley]

Reading that forum is the textual equivalent of being at a chavs' wedding. If it had a car park, they would definitely be having a scrap in it.

Not really, there wouldn't be any room because they'd have all parked like c**ts.

[Astral Weeks]

How did those of you watching on TV  saw the Gestede/Hart throw in incidents. From upper Witton End I saw it as the throw back was a bit harsh but Hart could have left it rather than trying to play it and giving the corner away? City players going mad I did not understand however fair play to Kompany who told them to get on with it.

Gestede and Hart were talking before it. Gestede seemed to know what he was doing, the throw-in had a bit of whip on it and seemed to be aimed at Hart's legs. Not very good sportsmanship but in our position I really didn't give a shit and too often we're the nice guy when we could do with a bit of aggression. It's a shame Gestede's flick from the resulting corner didn't drop in and really cause a stir.

A city fan on the Guardian website said it was the most outrageous example of gamesmanship he'd ever seen. I think he needs to get out more.

[SoccerHQ]

How did those of you watching on TV  saw the Gestede/Hart throw in incidents. From upper Witton End I saw it as the throw back was a bit harsh but Hart could have left it rather than trying to play it and giving the corner away? City players going mad I did not understand however fair play to Kompany who told them to get on with it.

Gestede and Hart were talking before it. Gestede seemed to know what he was doing, the throw-in had a bit of whip on it and seemed to be aimed at Hart's legs. Not very good sportsmanship but in our position I really didn't give a shit and too often we're the nice guy when we could do with a bit of aggression. It's a shame Gestede's flick from the resulting corner didn't drop in and really cause a stir.

A city fan on the Guardian website said it was the most outrageous example of gamesmanship he'd ever seen. I think he needs to get out more.

Worse than when Arsenal actually scored from a throw in v Sheffield.

I just though it was hilarious. It's not like we actually scored from it, Joe Hart could've just let it role out for a GK or y'know actually control the ball.

You usually see teams kick the ball into the corner and pressure teams from there so to me not a whole lot different.

[joe_c]

I have moved the minute hand on the Doomsday Clock from We're Fucked O'clock  to two minutes to Cautiously Optimistic.

What was most refreshing today was that whenever they made a mistake, they worked hard to rectify it. The effort and the organisation were all first rate. Where the goals come from is still a concern but most importantly, we've staunched the bleeding.

[damon loves JT]

Also: there must be something in the tapwater at the Etihad because the whole Citeh squad are built like professional wrestlers. Even that cheating little twat Sterling looks more like a rugby league scrum half than a footballer. As for Yaya Toure, he's the largest man I have ever seen on the VP pitch.

[Legion]

Also: there must be something in the tapwater at the Etihad because the whole Citeh squad are built like professional wrestlers. Even that cheating little twat Sterling looks more like a rugby league scrum half than a footballer. As for Yaya Toure, he's the largest man I have ever seen on the VP pitch.

Are you forgetting about Grant Holt?

[AV82EC]

Also: there must be something in the tapwater at the Etihad because the whole Citeh squad are built like professional wrestlers. Even that cheating little twat Sterling looks more like a rugby league scrum half than a footballer. As for Yaya Toure, he's the largest man I have ever seen on the VP pitch.

They reminded me of Orcs from Lord of the Rngs.

[four fornicholl]

How did those of you watching on TV  saw the Gestede/Hart throw in incidents. From upper Witton End I saw it as the throw back was a bit harsh but Hart could have left it rather than trying to play it and giving the corner away? City players going mad I did not understand however fair play to Kompany who told them to get on with it.

Gestede and Hart were talking before it. Gestede seemed to know what he was doing, the throw-in had a bit of whip on it and seemed to be aimed at Hart's legs. Not very good sportsmanship but in our position I really didn't give a shit and too often we're the nice guy when we could do with a bit of aggression. It's a shame Gestede's flick from the resulting corner didn't drop in and really cause a stir.

A city fan on the Guardian website said it was the most outrageous example of gamesmanship he'd ever seen. I think he needs to get out more.

says a man reading the guardian on a sunday night

ps only joking

[PeterWithesShin]

OS

Rémi Garde spoke to the press after the solid point against Man City.

Find his comments below.

On the point…

I am pleased for the players because they worked very hard.

They have worked very well since the start of the week.

They were rewarded with this good point.

On what he's worked on this past week…

I have worked on many parts.

Every manager has his own view on football. You also have to adapt to the players you have - and the qualities they have.

So I tried to find the best solution for today's game.

Maybe next time will be different.

On moving forward…

It gives us something to build on.

We got a clean sheet against such a good team, such good players all over the field.

That means we should be a little bit more confident next time.

It was a good occasion to do it.

We have been a bit lucky of course because they touched the bar. We didn't create so many chances, I know that.

But it was City - and a City full of confidence.

They had a brilliant, brilliant game in Sevilla, which is a good team.

I thought it was a good point to work on.

On his emotions…

I was not frustrated not to get the three points.

I am realistic.

It's quite a good start.

On Carles Gil…

For me Carles can be very useful for the team.

Today was a good game for him.

He had a lot of defensive work to do and he did it very well.

He has to carry on like all the other players.

On Jordan Veretout…

Jordan didn't play for a few weeks so I wasn't sure he could go until the end. I think he had cramp at the end.

Ashley Westwood was not in the group because he suffered a bad kick on Monday. He didn't train this week.

Ashley could have played as well.

On rising confidence…

We have very good players in this group.

We have to believe we can be safe. It will be a tough mission.

Let's see what will happen.

On getting a bit of luck against City…

You have to be lucky also, of course.

But to be lucky you have to work hard.

Luck is not coming knocking on your door, saying 'I'm here.'

You create that - that situation and the behavior to get lucky.

It would have been very disappointing for us not to get a point.

On scoring more goals…

I am not crazy. I am quite realistic about the team we played against today.

I was not expecting three or four goals from my team to be fair because we played Manchester City. City is top of the table.

We will work hard to score goals of course.

It's step by step.

On the international break…

There are a lot that will leave.

It would have been better for me to have all the group on training sessions for the two weeks.

I will adapt. We will work hard with the players that are there.

It's the same for all the teams so I am not complaining.

On Charles N'Zogbia…

I think Charles is an interesting player.

He was quite okay on the training sessions and I thought he could be useful for the team. That's it.

Maybe next week it will be another. I don't know.

On Brad Guzan's save from Raheem Sterling's header…

I will ask Tony Parks if that was in the training session!

On Gabby Agbonlahor's absence…

Gabby was off at half-time with a calf injury at Tottenham.

He was in treatment all week. He was not fit to play today.

Let's see how the injury is going.

But he was in the dressing room with all the lads and hopefully he will be fit soon.

[Marlon's Hairy Wood]

Wonderful, just wonderful.

It's hard to single anyone out.. they all impressed

Sanchez was my MOTM, that guys an absolute beast. Fantastic. When he had Sterling climbing on his back, and then two man city midfielders trying to take the ball off him and he just beasted through them all >>>>

Gil was his usual self, always making things happen and forward thinking, surely becoming the first name on the team sheet

Was Great to see Amavi back to his usual role, made the Richardson replacement decision look even more appalling

Veretout was one of the slowest starters, he was clearly the one who hadn't been getting games. But as the game went on he grew into it more and more. There's not a chance Westwood is getting a sniff after that performance. Great forward runs towards the end.

Ayew's really growing into his role into the team, had no idea he'd be so strong in the air. Also capable of holding the ball up and tracking back. We'll need to see more in front of goal but no complaints today.

I thought N'Zogbia would be due a return once the new manager came in. He was impressive in his return to the team and showed more danger than Sinclair did. Looking forward to seeing more.

[olaftab]

Also: there must be something in the tapwater at the Etihad because the whole Citeh squad are built like professional wrestlers. Even that cheating little twat Sterling looks more like a rugby league scrum half than a footballer. As for Yaya Toure, he's the largest man I have ever seen on the VP pitch.

Are you forgetting about Grant Holt?

May be Damon is talking about the largest man who can actually move?

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

My heart lifted when I saw the line up, including the midfield most of us have wanted to see since August. The team clearly knew what it was doing and how/why...my concern was that we would buckle due to fatigue after 60/70 minutes, and we did to some extent but 110% effort kept things together. We had some "luck" but all teams do - Spuds had loads of it on Monday, most of it provided by us!
There is no doubt that Garde has already sorted out who the obviously better players are and where to play them for the benefit of the team...I anticipate this will continue to improve.
How we improve/increase our scoring chances is not as easy as buying a striker...it's the midfield where the chances are created and where I hope we will see significant progress over the next few months.
I think that will be down to improved fitness all round and the likes of Ayew, Sinclair?, Kozak?, Gestede, AN Other being sharper and more adept at making the most of the service they get.

imho I thought Sanchez - one wayward pass? - was outstanding today.

The Gestede throw-in thing? He threw it to give them a goal kick. If Hart tries to be clever and fu*ks it up that's Hart's fault. No bad sportsmanship involved at all.

Come on you Villa boys!