Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Steve kirk]

I am going to offer everyone a tiny bit of hope.

Everyone is banging on about us having the least number of points at this stage of the season and all that.  Fair enough.

It is worth noting that even after Boxing Day's fixtures last year, Leicester still only had 10 points.  At the end of January, Leicester had 17 points from 23 games.  At the end of February Leicester only had 18 points from 26 games.  As late as 4th April, after 30 games incredibly, Leicester were still only on 22 points.  So it is possible to accrue points quickly.

I realise it is faint hope, however, considering the gap, but it is worth noting how quickly things can look different.

Well when you put it like that we may still have a slither of a chance.

[UK Redsox]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

[Clampy]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

When he missed that header (which he should have buried), I thought it was a sign that we'd go on and get something.

Let's hope that the second half performance has given the players some belief. The three games coming up are all winnable, especially the Sunderland one who look bloody awful at the back again.

[OzVilla]

De Jongs miss was one of the worst I've seen in a long time. 

[walsall villain]

De Jongs miss was one of the worst I've seen in a long time. 

Why did our players seem to stop in the build up to that? Ball went wide and nobody made any attempt to get out to it.

[Villa Lew]

I am going to offer everyone a tiny bit of hope.

Everyone is banging on about us having the least number of points at this stage of the season and all that.  Fair enough.

It is worth noting that even after Boxing Day's fixtures last year, Leicester still only had 10 points.  At the end of January, Leicester had 17 points from 23 games.  At the end of February Leicester only had 18 points from 26 games.  As late as 4th April, after 30 games incredibly, Leicester were still only on 22 points.  So it is possible to accrue points quickly.

I realise it is faint hope, however, considering the gap, but it is worth noting how quickly things can look different.

Well when you put it like that we may still have a slither of a chance.

I admire the optimism but Leicester won 7 of their last 9 games losing only to champions Chelsea, are you seriously saying this squad are capable of doing anything similiar.

[kippaxvilla2]

I'm not sure but the same could've been said for the aforementioned Leicester.  Of course we could also have some additional players with a bit more Premier League savvy by then.

[Chris Harte]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

And if we'd have done the basics from that corner that they scored from as well we'd have ended up (in theory) with three points.

I think we need strengthening in all areas, but the back seems to be a priority.

[Villa Lew]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

And if we'd have done the basics from that corner that they scored from as well we'd have ended up (in theory) with three points.

I think we need strengthening in all areas, but the back seems to be a priority.

Sanchez, Gana and Westwood I would say midfield equal priority

[The Edge]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

And if we'd have done the basics from that corner that they scored from as well we'd have ended up (in theory) with three points.

I think we need strengthening in all areas, but the back seems to be a priority.

Sanchez, Gana and Westwood I would say midfield equal priority

A keeper. A left back. A midfield enforcer.Priorities.

[olaftab]

This 'it's effectively 11 points because of the goal difference' thing.

Can we stop it? Newcastle' goal difference is 4 better than ours. It is actually pretty much impossible to make up 10 points WITHOUT turning round a goal difference of 4! (Edit: it IS impossible)

It is 10 points, that is bad enough - there is really no need to try and think of ways of making it worse.

For sure if we make up the points difference goal difference will not be an issue.

[VillaAlways]

I am going to offer everyone a tiny bit of hope.

Everyone is banging on about us having the least number of points at this stage of the season and all that.  Fair enough.

It is worth noting that even after Boxing Day's fixtures last year, Leicester still only had 10 points.  At the end of January, Leicester had 17 points from 23 games.  At the end of February Leicester only had 18 points from 26 games.  As late as 4th April, after 30 games incredibly, Leicester were still only on 22 points.  So it is possible to accrue points quickly.

I realise it is faint hope, however, considering the gap, but it is worth noting how quickly things can look different.

Well when you put it like that we may still have a slither of a chance.

I admire the optimism but Leicester won 7 of their last 9 games losing only to champions Chelsea, are you seriously saying this squad are capable of doing anything similiar.

This time last year they were 5 points from safety we are double that.

Far too much to make up especially on current form

[sirlordbaltimore]

Stats are there for breaking

I've took heart from yesterdays performance, a solid well deserved point

[DeKuip]

If do we stay up it's going to be a hell of an enjoyable 2nd half of the season so let's take that positive thought into Xmas and merry Xmas to you all.
Whatever happens I'll still be Villa and proud of it.

[tomd2103]

Yes the performance was a bit better and the spirit/effort has certainly improved.

However, Newcastle missed two absolute sitters.

If De Jong had put that header away, there'd have been no way back

And if we'd have done the basics from that corner that they scored from as well we'd have ended up (in theory) with three points.

I think we need strengthening in all areas, but the back seems to be a priority.

Sanchez, Gana and Westwood I would say midfield equal priority

A keeper. A left back. A midfield enforcer.Priorities.

I think the following side could be beginning to shape:

                           ?

Richards     Okore    Lescott      ?

               ?             Gana

 Traore           Veretout        Ayew

                           ?

If we can fill those four spaces with better options than we currently have then we might just stand a chance.