Aston Villa vs Newcastle Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

I wonder if Fatso will sulk about how we celebrated that point as well.

[PaulWinch again]

Three wins in 46 games.

I understand the point, but I always think that's a bit of a irrelevant stat. Tracking backing over last season doesn't really matter. If we won 10 on the bounce now it would still only be 13 wins from 56 and that'd still look rubbish.

[villadelph]

Three wins in 46 games.

I understand the point, but I always think that's a bit of a irrelevant stat. Tracking backing over last season doesn't really matter. If we won 10 on the bounce now it would still only be 13 wins from 56 and that'd still look rubbish.

How does 1 win in 9 for this campaign look? 

[pauliewalnuts]

The thing about Westwood is that whilst he is frequently "not the worst" he is so peripheral to the game he might as well not be on the pitch.

We have a massive problem in midfield, we just look so light there, and Westwood and his inability to spot runners or to provide some sort of defensive quality is a huge part of that problem.

[LukeJames]

Three wins in 46 games.

I understand the point, but I always think that's a bit of a irrelevant stat. Tracking backing over last season doesn't really matter. If we won 10 on the bounce now it would still only be 13 wins from 56 and that'd still look rubbish.

How does 1 win in 9 for this campaign look? 

2 defeats in 9 after last seasons fucking debacle.

[PeterWithesShin]

Or how does 2 defeats in 9 this season look?

We all know we haven't been good enough so far but I really don't get why folks don't try and get some enjoyment from us getting a late goal that means something for once rather than still looking to be as negative as possible.

[kippaxvilla2]

We're unbeaten since the international break I suppose?

[Villafirst]

I'd have taken a point before the game but for the first 70-75 minutes we were dire, poor from Bacuna, Jedinak and Tommy Elprick but a great fightback at the end and could have nicked it.

Lucky. Dreadful performance. Newcastle should have been out of sight.
Ah well.

Lucky. Dreadful performance. Newcastle should have been out of sight.
Ah well.

Lucky. Dreadful performance. Newcastle should have been out of sight.
Ah well.

Not entirely bad. Last 20 minutes were excellent. Could have easily won it at the end. Ayew and Kodjia look skilful and dangerous.

[Malandro]

The thing about Westwood is that whilst he is frequently "not the worst" he is so peripheral to the game he might as well not be on the pitch.

We have a massive problem in midfield, we just look so light there, and Westwood and his inability to spot runners or to provide some sort of defensive quality is a huge part of that problem.

Crux of the matter. I don't wish injury on anyone but why the hell is it our better players that get crocked?

[AvFc4eVeR]

Awful first 75 mins, should've been 0-5 by then!

However, a point earned at the end, change of luck also, will take it as long as we beat Barnsley!

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Or how does 2 defeats in 9 this season look?

We all know we haven't been good enough so far but I really don't get why folks don't try and get some enjoyment from us getting a late goal that means something for once rather than still looking to be as negative as possible.

Indeed. If the players and management can use the last 25 minutes drive and belief to good effect, that'll be something to counteract the previous 70 and the Ipswich game.

[ktvillan]

Newcastle did what we've been doing, dominating, wasting chances and then yielding the initiative to the opposition with 20-25 minutes to go.  Kind of the opposite of the Huddersfield game.  Positive to get a draw but worrying signs are continued poor defending, gifting goals, frequently non existent midfield and not having much luck in front of goal - how many times have we hit the woodwork this season?   But more than that RDM doesn't look to have the tactical nous or common sense we need.  I still think we will click if we stop dicking about with 3-5-2 and we can keep Badoom Tish fit.

[PeterWithesShin]

Westwood and Tish looked quite good I thought, Westwood was getting himself and the ball forward a lot quicker second half, and Jedi improved once we had some confidence and I think those as a 3 will be decent. The problem is that it relies too much on Tish and there is very little in the way of backup to cover injuries/loss of form etc.

[paul_e]

Think including Chester in the criticism is harsh, did nothing in particular wrong in the first half other than looking like he wasn't really sure where he was meant to be playing and had a pretty good 2nd half for me.

The main issue was that our shape was terrible, Adomah and Amavi did'n tseem to know how high to push so both were kind of in no man's land between defence and midfield, Chester and Baker were too wide so we looked spread thin. In midfield we had the same issue, we had 3 in there but they were always too far apart so whenever the ball bounced out of a tackle Newcastle were there first.  Ayew again didn't seem to know where he was meant to be playing, looked like it was covering the left when we didn't have the ball but playing 10 when we got it but the running between the 2 meant he was always out of position.

The change at half time helped, Ayew, Amavi and Adomah all looked much more at ease with their positioning but it meant Kodjia was more isolated and it took us a while to work out who was supporting him and start seeing breaks from midfield.  Once it started to click we took control and the last half hour was as good as anything we've put together all season and despite the silly comment from aj earlier on this thread we were definitely deserving of a point and in the end can probably feel a little upset that we didn't push on for all 3.

Now back to the main theme I followed in the match thread, the ref was utter shit. Shelvey got a yellow that could easily have been red and then went through the back of Ayew near the end and stayed on the pitch, poor decision.  He booked Tish for being out-muscled having given Gayle 3-4 free kicks for similar, poor decision.  He spent 10-15 minutes early in the 2nd half giving then free kicks every time they asked and peaked on that one by giving them a free kick for the clash of heads between Yedlin and Ayew which was a truly disgraceful decision. Some teams seem to have the ref favour them when they're at home and they get the slight benefit of the 50/50s which can make a bit of a difference, for some reason they generally go the other way with us and I honestly can't recall the last time we scored an offside goal and the flag doesn't go up, or we got a cheap penalty, or we got 3-4 soft free kicks to slow the game just when we needed a breather.  On the flip side if ever a ref feels like giving out a card or 2 for nonsense reasons we always seem to be top of their list.

[Matt Collins]

Westwood off and we are better

I noticed that. Tshibola showed him up good and proper.

Westwood went off with 10 mins to go including added time, we were on top the last 30 mins.

I wouldn't bother. The narrative is set. Not that I'm a Westwood lover, but Jedinak was way worse than him today

The first hour was so bad it's a massive concern. All the points have been covered

Tshibola was by far the best midfielder and the 433 many of us have wanted to see tried looked loads better

Ayew and kodjia coming off the lines looked really good. I'd play that way again against Barnsley. Baker for elphick if fit

Jedinak's passing made me long for gardner. It was god awful