Aston Villa v Reading Post-Match Thread

[The Edge]

The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.

Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.

All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same

The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.

Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO. 

[Clampy]

The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.

Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.

All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same

The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.

Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO. 

Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.

[brian green]

For me the jury is still out on Bruce.  I want him to stay and I want him to come good.  But wanting things does not mean they will happen. If we can bolt ourselves on to an upward curve of improvement that is as much as we can hope for, all things considered.

However, I would be being less than honest if I did not say days like yesterday and Burton raise in me, maybe not you, the ghosts of past slides.  Soft goals still haunt us, inneffective midfield still haunts us, weak players in key positions still haunts us, proven players with other clubs coming g to us and under performing still haunts us, managerial dourness still haunts us.  Like I say, it troubles me but maybe not others.

[Steve67]

Brian, you articulate exactly how I feel. Great post.

[olaftab]

That's never a penalty the diving shit house.

Looking directly down from Upper North I thought it was nailed on penalty. Bacuna's pull unbalanced him as he chased the ball. There was no need for our man to do that as he was going away from goal.

[The Edge]

The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.

Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.

All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same

The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.

Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO. 

Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.

If this team were to be playing in the premier league this season how many games do you think we would win?

[olaftab]

Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.

It's a moot point. Standard of players in this League is far inferior so drifting around 12th to 14th  in Championship after spending nearly £80M is worrying.

[SoccerHQ]

People have been saying what a great run we were on. However, I would say that whilst we have had a couple of poor runs and a couple of good ones, I personally haven't seen much difference in our overall performances. I'm begining to have serious doubts about SB. Says all the right things in post match interviews but does sod all about it in the next match. First thing he needs to do is play two up front. Also, get Amavi, Bacuna and Adomah out of the team as they seem to contribute very little.
In all, I would be surprised if we win any of our remaining matches and, without a more positive attacking attitude can see us being mid table again next season.

Completely agree - a few wins against some of the other mid table also rans has been papering over the cracks . The football is appalling - pedestrian tempo or hoofball - with sod all else.
When was the last time we dominated a game ?
I think Bruce should be given the summer to fully get his own players in , but the football needs to improve .

Most of the side are his players now....Johnstone was the keeper selected when it was decided Gollini wasn't apparently up to it, Taylor, Hourihane, Lansbury and Hogan all January signings and will be key players next season and even the ones he's inherited like Kodjia and Baker and Chester have had good seasons on the whole.

I would say another 4 signings in the summer but any more and to me it's just posturing and spending for the sake of it (equivalent of firing off nuclear missiles to show off!)

What we need is to have a good pre season in which we drill into the squad the mentality to come from losing a game to actually win a game. Yesterday was yet another game in this season which we lose when we concede first. Not good enough if we want automatic promotion next season.

[SoccerHQ]

That's never a penalty the diving shit house.

Right infront of me. As soon as Bacuna put his hand on the back of the Reading player you're asking for trouble although I agree Kelly went down very easily. It was a shame as it was our corner and Bacuna had done very well to cut out the clearance on the halfway line and then to sum the day up he just fell over straight after.

It balanced out the Derby Darren Bent non award anyway.

What was a little embarrassing was that was nowhere near Reading's strongest team, they rested the likes of McClearly and Kermogrant who are key players. My Dad was asking me who that Mendes guy was and I had no idea. Turns up he's been playing mainly for their under 23s this season and yesterday was one of his first games this season.

Bit worrying when their reserve side is knocking the ball around VP with ease as they were.

[The Edge]

Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.

It's a moot point. Standard of players in this League is far inferior so drifting around 12th to 14th  in Championship after spending nearly £80M is worrying.

Exactly

[SoccerHQ]

The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.

Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.

All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same

The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.

Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO. 

It's difficult to say as we're not playing opposition teams with players like Zlatan and Hazard in it anymore.

Given the Reading reserve forward make our usually solid back 4 look like a pub defence yesterday it's fair to say we'd probably do well to win 3 prem games with this team bar the likes of Kodjia and Chester.

At least what we've done recently is go on a run of wins for the first time since 2010, not conceding and generally looking like we have some momentum at long last.

We need to start the season like that and things will then be more comfortable even if there would be still be some weaknesses in the team.

[Jimbo]

I think we still have one or two attitude problems. Sloppiness is the result of complacency, which along with good old arrogance, has been the story of our fall. Go into the game against Small Heath with any trace of that attitude, and we'll have a very rude awakening. We can't afford not to be vigilant.

[Clampy]

The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.

Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.

All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same

The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.

Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO. 

Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.

If this team were to be playing in the premier league this season how many games do you think we would win?

More than three I would think. It is a better more organised side than the utter shambles of last season. We didnt have a 19 goal striker for a start.

[Virgil Caine]

In the Kingdom of the Bland Villa players have ruled majestically over the last 5 to 7 years. I look back on some of the teams we have put out and the amount of complete dross that has come and gone is staggering. Whether or not this is a malaise that other teams suffer from is open to question but generally the lack of touch, skill, passion, hard work and basic footballing ability of those wearing a Villa shirt is staggering. It may be that the fear of losing rather than the optimism of winning has stifled any free flowing expansive football but basic excitement has been at a premium for too long at Villa Park. For the first time in many years I walked out of the ground yesterday without caring about the result.Reading were OK, nothing more and yet, as in most matches this season, we struggled to put three decent passes together. 

[andyh]

We are a million miles away from the teams at the top of this division.
I think automatic  promotion next season, with this squad, is unlikely.

As unlikely as it is, there will still be massive expectation and that will add even more pressure on a fragile team.
Will they cope?