Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[myf]

Davis v unlucky when he hit the crossbar. Gteen should have had another when he headed back to the keeper

[tomd2103]

How did we line up? Was hourihane the most advanced or was it Onomah and then Lansbury?

Sort of
                                   Whelan
                     Onomah    Hourihane  Green

And Elmo right presumably - so 4141? Sounds a bit adventurous for Bruce!

It was Matt.  Whelan was in a holding role and Onomah and Hourihane looked like they had been given a bit more licence to push on.  Davis holding the ball up so well allowed Hourihane in particular to not only come on to the ball more, but also make runs beyond the ball as well.  It also allowed us to press Norwich a bit further up the pitch and their defence looked very uncomfortable on the ball at times.  All the time, Whelan was just sweeping up behind them and keeping things ticking over. 

It was the formation that gave us the best results last season, but just needed a bit of tinkering with. Definitely something to build on going forward. 

[Matt Collins]

Good stuff

Needs a target man I reckon so interesting how Kodjia fits in

[Mister E]

Davis: a young Benteke! What I liked was his decision-making - he seemed to knwo when to lay the ball off and when to hold it or beat his man. He will be a star if the manager plays him regularly. As you consider the game, think how Gestede would have played that role - nowhere near as well, IMO.
Davis allowed the MF to get more space and Hourihane, Onomah and Green all benefited.
We're finally seeing the Hourihane we thought we'd signed.
Whelan seemed less leggy today.
Lansbury still fails to impress.
Hutton is a liability - the first concession was defo down to him, and he got regularly roasted by the Naaaarrrich winger.

Still not convinced Tattyhead is the right man for manager ...

[KRS]

Didn't see enough of the game to question the defence, but their first was due to Hutton losing his man from a long ball, and it would be harsh to criticise Terry for the second as it was an excellent cross with their man getting in behind...although he might have got a head to it if he was 6 inches taller!

[brontebilly]

Davis v unlucky when he hit the crossbar. Gteen should have had another when he headed back to the keeper

Chester missed a sitter too. Seemed like we ripped them a new one going on the highlights. Hutton relegated to third choice right back would be a positive, could let him go really if someone comes in with a bid. Badly need a mobile centre half option.

Fair play to Bruce, made some big selection calls and keeping faith in Hourihane paid big dividends. Great goal from Andre Green first of many this season.

[Virgil Caine]

Apologies if this has been answered already but who was the last Villa midfielder to score a hat-trick? Surely there has been someone since Gary Shelton

[nigel]

Maybe Davis with Hogan alongside could work as a front two? Haven't seen how Hogan played at Brentford, though.

Hourihane,  played in his correct position seemed to work today

[Dave]

Apologies if this has been answered already but who was the last Villa midfielder to score a hat-trick? Surely there has been someone since Gary Shelton

Scott Sinclair?

[Mister E]

Apologies if this has been answered already but who was the last Villa midfielder to score a hat-trick? Surely there has been someone since Gary Shelton

Carbone.

[auntiesledd]

I heard SB's post match interview & he evidently - and somewhat understandably - hasn't taken too kindly to the pressure he's been under of late. He commented "The nonsense that's been going around is nonsense", which got me wondering whether a double nonsense turns the nonsense into a non-nonsense; or any nonsense that could have been uttered wasn't actually uttered at all: so is nonsense by definition (or is it)? Perhaps one of you Algebra Boffins could simplify his statement via the use of formulae and/or equations? If not, I'll be in a state of perpetual confusion & it may even hamper my ability to enjoy a libation or 3 in a bit. Thanks in advance y'all.

[frank black]

A no nonsense performance

[tomd2103]

Good stuff

Needs a target man I reckon so interesting how Kodjia fits in

Definitely needs a target man and has done for some time.  With that in mind, I would go ahead and get Gallagher in to compete with Davis for that starting place.  Kodjia could then well be an option cutting in from the left.

[SashasGrandad]

Davis was superb - more Peter Withe than Benteke.

But Norwich were crap - their back four looked like they were auditioning for Swan Lake - or what they write on the back of viagra packets - (4 limp dicks).  They looked like they were trying to play like Barcelona but without the skills needed to play it out from the back.

If only our response to conceding a goal when being 2 goals up - was ALWAYS to go down the other end and score another goal - we would all be very happy.  Such a simple idea.

[Matt Collins]

Most defences in his league are pretty shit if you can have the right blend of pace, power and quality