Aston Villa vs Watford Sir Graham Taylor Memorial Game

[pauliewalnuts]

Their number 33 was one of the biggest footballers I've ever seen.

[brian green]

In the Middle Ages he would have been Ye Giant of Wat's Ford.

[tomd2103]

Their number 33 was one of the biggest footballers I've ever seen.

I thought they were a big side in general.  They were certainly more physical and athletic than us in a number of areas.  I know  Deeney was in the stands not on the pitch, but they didn't seem to have anything up front.

[kippaxvilla2]

What was the attendance in the end anyone?

[saunders_heroes]

What was the attendance in the end anyone?

Around 10k I think? A bit peed off I couldn't make it today, Taylor is a Villa legend in my eyes and I hope we did him proud.

[ozzjim]

I think we are a target man and wide player from top 2 still.  Snodgrass and Crouch into this squad and we would be flying.

[Chris Harte]

What was the attendance in the end anyone?

Around 10k I think? A bit peed off I couldn't make it today, Taylor is a Villa legend in my eyes and I hope we did him proud.

10,900.

[Steve67]

We REALLY need Kodjia back don't we? Toothless without him.  I don't think we will concede many goals but will have lots of finger nail biting games this season unless we put sides to bed.

[QuintonVilla]

Lack of goals will cost us this season. We'll have one of the top 3 defences in the league but there is a real lack of goals in that squad. Bruce's style of play doesn't help either, so cautious.
Even if we are around the play offs we will bore our way there with 1-0 wins. Zero chance of seeing exciting football and us scoring 3 or 4 goals in a game.

[walsall villain]

Lack of goals will cost us this season. We'll have one of the top 3 defences in the league but there is a real lack of goals in that squad. Bruce's style of play doesn't help either, so cautious.
Even if we are around the play offs we will bore our way there with 1-0 wins. Zero chance of seeing exciting football and us scoring 3 or 4 goals in a game.

That's my fear too. We don't appear to have tried to address this but have made us more solid. Plenty of low scoring games and draws I reckon.

[SoccerHQ]

We've got plenty of nous about us now at the back. Say what you like about John Terry but the man can defend and also play when the need arises. He'll probably have the odd poor game in the championship but sure he'll have many more when he has his cigar out given the general attacking standard I saw last year.

Whelan can read the danger like Jedinak but he has a bit more ability and range of passing. Will still be a role for Jedi but he'll be in and out and in any case isn't an option currently due to injury so he'll be eased back in the squad.

We have little trouble at the back imo bar I'd like to see Bree given a run particularly with plenty of experience to his left so they can guide him with positioning etc. Would like to see a little more quality from the FBs as Hutton dosen't have it and Taylor is more a safety first full back.

We have plenty of issues in the final third. Again Hogan struggling to get in a game. Why are some on here so convinced he's going to get 15-20? I'd like to see it but he's just too isolated in games for me.

[brian green]

If Hogan can get the ball delivered into the box hard and low he will get 25 goals.  If he gets the ball dropping from the sky with ice on it he will get none

[Toronto Villa]

Their number 33 was one of the biggest footballers I've ever seen.

I was rather hoping to see a clash between him and Samba. Of course it would require the stream to be working

[rougegorge]

I know it was a pre-season friendly and maybe I'm being pessimistic but I didn't see anything there today that would make me confident of a strong promotion challenge.

Having a tight defence will obviously help,  but the midfield still lacks pace and creativity and without Kodjia we look fairly toothless. Still waiting for any of Bruce's January signings to convince me.

I just hope the players live up to the (somewhat cringeworthy) sound bite mantra of 'passion pride and purpose' displayed at the club shop.

[olaftab]

What was the attendance in the end anyone?

I would say about 15% less than the start with pauliewalnut and his sort leaving early according to you know who😟