Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers Post-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

It was anything but a routine win today.

Blackburn played very well for an hour...much better than I thought they would be given they're bottom 3.

We were actually on top when they scored.

I thought the penalty was harsh but seeing It on the highlights it is a foul.

Kodjia's got an interesting method. He makes it so obvious which side he'll hit it from his run up but he hits it with so much power and in the corner....he would give me heart failure in a shoot out in the play offs though!

First half our formation didn't work at all. McCormack doesn't convince me at all leading the line and Jack just can't get involved enough in the game playing centrally imo...he's much better nominally wide but with licence to drift infield. He had good games in the premier league playing this role.

What a great ball from Jedi for the second...reminded me of the ones Barry used to play beyond the fullback.

Just important to get another 3 points....we are slowly creeping up the table and was much needed as Brighton away will be our toughest game of the season by a long way.

When was actually the last time we won a league game after falling behind?

Today was everything Forest at home should've been. The funny thing is I reckon RDM would've still been here if we'd won that day.

[nodge]

Oh and this pressurizing their defenders in their own half instead of letting them walk to the halfway line, what a great idea! They tend to shit themselves and make mistakes, a bit like us for the last god knows how many years.  Except try to keep doing it for the last 5-10 minutes of the game.

[remy]

Just got back after celebrating with a few drinks.

When the team was announced I was a bit worried that the 2 instead of 3 in our middle could be overrun until I saw Westwood wasn't one of the 2. Adomah back was also a massive plus.

Dreadful first half with boos really ringing loudly until the savvy bloke next to me suggested that this was a Bruce master plan. Considering the talent at our disposal - they're not up to speed fitness wise. They'll come out the blocks 2nd half.

Sure enough!

Gollini - Really grown in confidence but was rooted to the spot for their goal. Fine stops from their attacks, overall good.

Hutton - Solid at the back, got forward loads of times but his limitation on crossing or playing a decent final ball is so frustrating. Definitely need an upgrade.

Baker - Rock solid and won most of the headers. No worry or shakiness, is keeping Elphick out.

Chester - Like his defensive partner, solid.

Amavi - Gets into oceans of space and bombs forward. Nailed some cool defensive headers too.

Jedinak - He is MOM1 for me. Headers, Inteceptions, Tackles, Pass for the winner. Hail to King Leonidas!!!

Gardener - Buzzed around and really doesn't want to give the shirt up - just the attitude we need.

Adomah - Bags of energy and I thought him and Hutton linked up great to give Rovers problems.

Grealish - Picked up the ball, dodged the swarm of black shirts and offered a threat. Fantastic run to win the pen.

Kodija - MOM2 - Over the last 5 years I haven't had much desire to have a player's name in on my replica shirt - I'd have this guy's like a shot. Great performances, wonderful goals, will fire us back to the Prem. Ah shit....he's gone for a month come Jan

McCormack - Tried hard and was a couple of efforts close but needs a goal to boost his confidence.

Gabby - WTF - I'm firmly in the jettison his ass camp. However the club needs to be ruthless now after having the piss taken by similar wankers of his ilk. That is use them for the fleeting moments of distraction for the opposition but not take them seriously as a long term. I'm amazed at some sections singing his name.

Westwood - Helped shore the middle up.

Elphick - Shored the back up but didn't have time for a bigger impact.

Came from behind to win.

5 games unbeaten.

Only side to remain unbeaten at home.

Let the good times roll.....

[SoccerHQ]

After we made them change their shape at the end of the first half I thought our full backs, Hutton in particular, took up much better starting positions.

They were a good 20 yards further up and gave good chance from an overlap, Adomah and Hutton wore them down for instance.

Much better intensity, less touches on the ball before moving it on and a collective press.

Kodjia is an excellent player. I love watching him.

Their goal came against the run of play, but again it had a familiarity to it. Our response wasn't. he first time we've come from behind to win in the league since Leicester in December 2014.

A pleasing result.

Ah just seen your post Ads...Leicester it was. I thought Norwich in March 2014 so was a bit off.

[Matt C]

December '14 or as it's also known, 'too long'.

[pauliewalnuts]

Pleased as I am, I notice that the further we climb from the bottom of the table, the slower our upward progress, even with three points.

I agree, have been thinking the same thing. Thought we'd have climbed much more than we have today, was surprised when I checked. It's a fucking battle this league, and you really need a Newcastle style run.

[SoccerHQ]

We need to keep on beating a few around us...we play Leeds twice in the next 6 weeks and they somehow are in the last play off spot now....I swear when I looked at the table 3 weeks back they were below us!

[PeterWithesShin]

We won 1 of the first 11, we've still only won 4 out of 16. It's obvious it would take more than a few games to start moving into the top 10.

[PeterWithesShin]

We need to keep on beating a few around us...we play Leeds twice in the next 6 weeks and they somehow are in the last play off spot now....I swear when I looked at the table 3 weeks back they were below us!

Leeds have taken 22 points from their last 10 games, a run which has seen them climb from 22nd place to sixth in under two months.

[PaulWinch again]

It's fairly obvious, but we just need to keep winning and our league position will take care of itself.

[Caiphus]

If Bruce can keep up this rate of points we should end up on 87 by the end of the season. I think we've got some improvement to come though so who knows how quickly we can gain on everyone ahead of us. After Brighton in two weeks we've got get winnable games until the end of the year.

[Ozzjim]

Pleased as I am, I notice that the further we climb from the bottom of the table, the slower our upward progress, even with three points.

I agree, have been thinking the same thing. Thought we'd have climbed much more than we have today, was surprised when I checked. It's a fucking battle this league, and you really need a Newcastle style run.

When Bruce took over we were 10 off the play offs, then after the Reading win we were only 6. I was sure 7 from 9 after that would have 3 points off and in the top half, but not to be.

11 from the next 5 and we will be within a couple of points of it though I reckon now.

[pbavfckuwait]

Life in the championship, could not get any sort of feed even for radio, so stuck with match thread and sky updates, drove me ffing mad, but another 3 points, still alot of work to be done, but after the last so many years a win is a win.
As long as we keep moving in the right direction and nice to see a manager can have an influence down at B6

[mr underhill]

Had a great view of both goals - definite penalty and a simply brilliant piece of skill from Kodjia for the second. He's our new talisman. Blackburn surprised me for most of the game but what is evident is that Bruce has instilled belief and resilience - at no point did I think we were going to loose.

[oldtimernow]

Had a great view of both goals - definite penalty and a simply brilliant piece of skill from Kodjia for the second. He's our new talisman. Blackburn surprised me for most of the game but what is evident is that Bruce has instilled belief and resilience - at no point did I think we were going to loose.

How long has it been since you(we ) felt like that?