Aston Villa vs. Leicester City Post-Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Leicester are nowhere near as pod as our ONeill side. They're kick and run merchants with this year's Marcus Stewart.

I honestly think with how average the league is right now O Neill's Villa side would be pushing for the title. They'd certainly get top four, even probably with the usual March debacle.
Leicester have punched above their weight. They've done well. But our 07-10 outfit was better.

MON's teams couldn't string 4 passes together. We were successfully ugly. Leicester are beauty queens in comparison.

[Monty]

The defence tended to be average at everything other than heading away - which is fine, as it goes. The problem was these good players were the only ones he ever used despite spending scores of millions on a squad, and also played an unnecessarily tiring brand of football, meaning we were completely fucked by March every year.

[citizenDJ]

Wins are what we need.

Having said that, though, that is four points from the last six we've taken, playing sides who would be expected to beat us.

I get the "a point is no use" thing, but it's not true, a point and a decent performance are a small platform to maybe build on. I don't think we're going to escape relegation, but fuck it, while it is mathematically possible still, we might as well give it a go.

True. And I think that we're starting to see the benefit of Garde's approach coming through on the pitch; i think we're seeing a more pressing, snappier style of play which I like the look of.

I think we are going to be relegated, but it will be beneficial to be relegated not as a complete shitshow of a team but one that is showing that it really is a Premier League team.

It's hard to guess if we'll be able to keep the players for the Championship - I think Veretout, Ayew, Amavi, Okore and Gueye are easily good enough for Premier League - but if we go down looking like we will march straight back up with a coherent plan then I think we stand a better chance of them maybe sticking around with Garde for the year. If they do, I reckon we'll get promoted right back, as the likes of Gestede, Westwood and Sinclair are quite good enough at that level.

[SamTheMouse]

The defence tended to be average at everything other than heading away - which is fine, as it goes. The problem was these good players were the only ones he ever used despite spending scores of millions on a squad, and also played an unnecessarily tiring brand of football, meaning we were completely fucked by March every year.

And by the 70th minute in every game.

[villan from luton]

If we are going down (and we are), we need to go down fighting and second half we showed we can do that. Cant say one player really played well today, Gana perhaps, but they at least battled in that second half. Other than Ayew, a total lack of pace in the front six and that is a concern to me.

[kippaxvilla2]

I'm pleased for Garde and I'm equally pleased he's had the balls to stand up to players like Richards and Gabby.  Something has definitely changed in terms of attitude since Wycombegate.

[Des Little]

Veretout's delivery at set pieces is absolutely shit. Time after time he can't clear the first man.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If we are going down (and we are), we need to go down fighting and second half we showed we can do that. Cant say one player really played well today, Gana perhaps, but they at least battled in that second half. Other than Ayew, a total lack of pace in the front six and that is a concern to me.

Good points but for me it's not enough players having the determination to run at teams. Everything is so bloody safe.

[wittonwarrior]

Again needed  a knee jerk to get us going - their penalty which  I can understand why it was given but it was harsh.

We looked going forward, lacked a centre forward - if only Benteke hadn't got the grass is  greener infection.

Its the defence that is  worrying.  Why we didn't go  for Sam Byrom is beyond me.  Lescott showed his lack of movement with their goal.  Bunn did well  overall, but over a full season might see something else.

Next  Saturday and the  week after are 6 pointer games.

[Ads]

Leicester are nowhere near as pod as our ONeill side. They're kick and run merchants with this year's Marcus Stewart.

Not sure what pod means but they were the best team I've seen turn up at Villa Park this season. The fact we made them really sweat second half is a credit to our team.

Really? This coming from the man who decreed us as a pub side under O'Neill?

They couldn't be any more one dimensional; when in possession lump the ball into the channel for quick men to chase and push up on the opposite flank to flood numbers. If you've lost the ball then chase and harry in numbers for 3-5 seconds. If you've not won it back, drop into two ranks of four, wingers tuck in and sacrifice the wide areas to protect the middle two. Retreat deeper and deeper until the opposition recycle it. Rinse and repeat.

And this has them top #bestleagueintheworldmegalulz

[ozzjim]

Again needed  a knee jerk to get us going - their penalty which  I can understand why it was given but it was harsh.

We looked going forward, lacked a centre forward - if only Benteke hadn't got the grass is  greener infection.

Its the defence that is  worrying.  Why we didn't go  for Sam Byrom is beyond me.  Lescott showed his lack of movement with their goal.  Bunn did well  overall, but over a full season might see something else.

Next  Saturday and the  week after are 6 pointer games.

Byram is a right back, that is going to Everton who are streets above, and better than us currently. Not sure he would sort our defence?

Lescott switched off, I think he thought Vardy was offside and the whistle would go, because he stood there in suspended animation for a second.

The comment on Veretout, his corners and free kicks have been generally good up till today, with a few assists from them, so I think it is a bit harsh to brand them shit overall. Today, woeful.

[brontebilly]

Veretout's delivery at set pieces is absolutely shit. Time after time he can't clear the first man.

hit and miss today alright, more miss than hit in truth but he has created four goals for us from set pieces so far this season

thought we grafted very well in the second half today. clever tactical reshuffle by Garde at half time moving to a diamond in midfield helped us own the ball. Going with the twin towers up front worked well too. Think some of the commentary on Kozak is incredibly kind. Limited is putting it kindly. Just Head showed a lot more when he came in but the likes of himself, Kozak, Gil, Westwood are only subs at best really.

Gueye has a very good second half for us, Bacuna, Westwood, Okore and Ayew improved big time in the second half. But Leicester were the more polished outfit. Fair play to our lads we outfought them in the second but lack of quality up top and lack of pace in our team is glaring.

Bunn 6, Bacuna 7, Okore 7, Lescott 5, Cissokho 6, Veretout 6, Gueye 8, Westwood 6, Gil 5, Ayew 6, Kozak 4. Gestede 7

Wouldnt be surprised to see the likes of Richards, Guzan and Gabby leave the club in the next week

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Leicester are nowhere near as pod as our ONeill side. They're kick and run merchants with this year's Marcus Stewart.

Not sure what pod means but they were the best team I've seen turn up at Villa Park this season. The fact we made them really sweat second half is a credit to our team.

Really? This coming from the man who decreed us as a pub side under O'Neill?

They couldn't be any more one dimensional; when in possession lump the ball into the channel for quick men to chase and push up on the opposite flank to flood numbers. If you've lost the ball then chase and harry in numbers for 3-5 seconds. If you've not won it back, drop into two ranks of four, wingers tuck in and sacrifice the wide areas to protect the middle two. Retreat deeper and deeper until the opposition recycle it. Rinse and repeat.

Ads, I can understand you enjoying, especially having traveled so far, week in, week out, to see the boys and actually win a game but boy it was ugly. Champions League? Now that would be a real waste of money, had we qualified, despite having a top 3 budget, we'd have been kicked back to Jurassic Park in the 4th place, qualification round, in some where like Greenland.

If you can't appreciate the way Leicester played first half, no worries. But for me, they were far better than any of the plastic Manc/Scouse/London teams I've seen at Villa Park this season. Reluctant respect to their manager though their supporters (from what I heard) are still inbred twats. Somethings never change.

[Nunkin1965]

Enjoyed today. Little steps for me and we're showing a better team performance now. No stand out players but the guys are working hard. We've got limited ability, especially in midfield, but I've enjoyed watching Villa for a change.

At least there's some semblance of form going into the Albion and Norwich games.

[LukeJames]

David Moyes "The only way you can jump is to use your arms as leverage"
Yes David but you can use your arms for leverage without knocking somebodies head off you bug eyed ******.