Aston Villa v Fulham Post Match Thread

[West Derby Villan]

Just got back, wow. Steve Bruce has simply got us playing like a TEAM, pure and simple. Great response from the players to the new managers instructions. For the first time in ages I feel confident that we are moving in the right direction, what a feeling! Don't look back in anger......is here to stay

[CJ]

Back-to-back wins! 7 points from 9. Not a bad week by Mr Bruce. The difference is tangible - players working hard, playing for the shirt, and playing as a team. Great work by Adomah and finish by Kodjia after their goalie fucked up big style. Should have been 3-0 with Ayew shooting wide after persistence by McCormack to set him up, and the missed header on an open goal after that which made the last few minutes nervy - but the other big difference, we saw the game out. Humble pie for tea for me after my criticisms of Gardner earlier in the season - he was excellent today. We have some very good players and a manager with tactical nous who's got them organised. For all their possession (66%?) Fulham didn't have a single shot on target. Well pleased.

[CJ]

Oh, and the traffic after the game was awful - took me an hour to get from King Edwards to the Expressway. And Westwood is just rubbish - we've played better with him out of the team and his first contribution after coming on was woeful.

[brontebilly]

That's a shocker of a miss from Ayew. Kodija v Wolves missed a similar one. I know most forwards don't pass in that situation but Luis Suarez didn't think twice midweek v City to roll it across v City. That's two certain goals messed up in three games . Maybe given the competition up front the forwards feel as it they have to score to stay in.
Going into the derby with serious momentum now.

[London Villan]

Bruce was even coaching from the touchline. Particularly Baker. Good to see.

[Marton]

From the chances video it looked like Hutton was involved in the few dangers Fulham created.

 On the radio it sounded like both wings was doing fine though, except for a short spell when Kodjia and Ayew switched side.

[rougegorge]

The pace of the first half seemed way too slow and enabled Fulham to play the ball out from the back from the keeper sweeper.

Second half was much better. Gestede was making no impact and isn't the most mobile and we weren't playing with much width anyway, so the substitutions improved the team significantly.

The midfield is still an area for concern as they all have limitations even when playing their best, but overall it looked much more solid though it probably helped that Parker went back and sideways to excess.

We were discussing how Button could come a cropper just before he did; he must have played the ball with his feet as frequently as the outfield players.
Having said that it was a great finish from a tricky cross. Some better finishing thereafter would have calmed the nerves though.

[Matt Collins]

I agree our midfielders all have limitations and that position would be a priority for me to get someone new in

But as they were saying on the villa review podcast, the logical reaction to that weakness is to put three in there. Not two, and sometimes just one.

[Marton]

I agree our midfielders all have limitations and that position would be a priority for me to get someone new in

But as they were saying on the villa review podcast, the logical reaction to that weakness is to put three in there. Not two, and sometimes just one.

Helps if the creative one is named Bacuna instead of Westwood too... The Ball then sometimes follows in the direction of our strikers....

[CJ]

Good point Marton - Bacuna has come in for criticism in the past but he's another one who's playing very well in that midfield role, and not just in an 'anyone but Westwood' way.

[footyskillz]

Only a few weeks ago that would have been a 0-0 or a 1-1 both gutting. Either not finding the net or conceding late on. Last season that would have been a defeat ..now look at us ! Unbeaten at home !  As will be all season ! Can't see anyone taking more than a point from villa park in this league ! And teams are parking bus trying to frustrate.  Villa today like agajnst reading had the fortunate for the win but that's part down to attacking and more positivity.  We have been in unlucky previous with all the wood work in fact very unlucky.  but in the highlights and what seen and heard today different story . Didnty hold on for a win we got wins! I woulf like to see better final balls in and finishing . People saying someone is going to get a spanking h by us soon and It could just be that Mob next week ! Gary Gardner and Nathan baker special mentions again and deserve to start next week . Jedinak is a basic footballer and he may revel next week if game is lively.  Fair play to bacuna today . Oh that winning feeling so lovely watch us go ! Up the villa

[QuintonVilla]

One gripe, I wish the crowd would help lift the team on occasion rather than waiting for the team to do it. Our away support slate other home atmospheres on our travels, yet first half today was silent. The atmosphere at home games has been poor on the whole apart from Rotherham and Huddersfield. Hopefully as the confidence grows on and off the pitch the noise levels will grow also.

[garyfouroaks]

Bloody hell. I am optimistic. Bruce is already delivering what is required in the Championship

[Ads]

I was worried that I'd seen that game a 100 times before, an opposition with no intention of winning the game nicking something.

The key was getting Kodjia up top so we could press with pace. Much like Reading, and every other side in the league, they're not good enough on the ball to beat the press and it eventually cost them.

Brilliant finish and we really should have stuck two more away.

Ten out of ten for their Lambertism of pointless possession in your own final third for possessions sake.

The three man midfield is working. They didn't get the opportunity to run at our back four and Gardner and the impressive Bacuna give us much needed legs.

2 wins on the bounce. We're living in strange times.

[Exeter 77]

Link to  the goal:

https://www.facebook.com/myoldmansaid/videos/1295169837194657/

A comments on that link refers to the goal being similar to Tony Daley's against Everton in 1988 which is exactly what I thought at the time. One of my all tine favourite Villa goals.