Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham Post match thread

[olaftab]

That was a bloody good game from 2 good teams. Fulham are the best we’ve played at home this season but we were worthy winners.
Well done!

Agreed.

[VillaAlways]

Fantastic result I was absolutely convinced we would bounce back and we did.UTV

[tomd2103]

Just got back in after being at the game earlier and have to say I enjoyed that game today.  Fulham took some massive risks at time playing out from the back, but they were a threat going forward, so that was a good win really.  It's put us in the play off spots now, so hopefully we can kick on from here.

As for us, not massively different from many of the other home games this season really.  Still look more comfortable attacking on the break rather than building through the phases and again had to endure a nervy last ten minutes due to dropping a bit too deep.  Thought the defence was pretty solid today and Hutton did well playing out of position at left back.  I thought Hourihane, Adomah and Onomah had good games, whereas Whelan and Snodgrass were a bit off the pace.  Kodjia looked a bit sharper today, but still looks like he's got a bit of a way to go.

Just a quick note, but I still can't quite understand why Bruce brings everyone back to defend set pieces.  When we clear the ball, it just comes straight back because there is no one up there to challenge for it.  It ends up putting us under pressure, particularly towards the end of games.

It's been explained dozens of times on here but here goes again - the basic idea behind it is to deny space in the box.

It doesn't though because you have players outside the box, on the post etc.  Also, by having at least one player up, it means that at least two of their players need to stay back.  When Davis plays or if there is a big striker in a side, I can understand bringing them back as they can offer a presence, but there isn't really a need to bring every single player back (Adomah for example could stay up).  The bloke who sits next to me goes mad about it and I could see his point today.  When we were clearing the ball, it was just going straight back to them and allowing them to attack again and not allowing us to push out. 

[saunders_heroes]

Johnstone is the best keeper we’ve had in years. I really hope we can sign him up permanent, and I pray we sign him up before Man Utd realise what a bloody talent they have on their hands.

[Meanwood Villa]

I thought first half they edged. They certainly looked better on the ball than us. After the goal on stroke of half time I really thought we were screwed but fair play we bossed them for first 20 mins of half. After that it was usual panic stations sit deep but we held on again so fair play. UTV

[tomd2103]

Good win. You'd think Fulham will improve as the season goes on and they'll be a major threat to the top 6 at the end of the season just like last year.

Way I see it our home form will get us top 6. Our away form will decide whether we make top 2 so up to the manager and players to be more positive on the road as the reward will be great.

Wolves are a cut above at this level, didn't play that great today yet were 3-0 up against a very decent PNE team. That second automatic spot is very much up for grabs though. We've been mediocre for large chunks of the year and we're only what 4-5 points off 2nd?

I'm not sure, as they took a lot of risks playing out at the back which on another day could have cost them.  When they got out, they were a threat in attack and I thought they also picked up when Cairney came on for them.  I liked the way he came on, took the armband and started dictating in midfield.  Looks a good player. 

[SoccerHQ]

Good win. You'd think Fulham will improve as the season goes on and they'll be a major threat to the top 6 at the end of the season just like last year.

Way I see it our home form will get us top 6. Our away form will decide whether we make top 2 so up to the manager and players to be more positive on the road as the reward will be great.

Wolves are a cut above at this level, didn't play that great today yet were 3-0 up against a very decent PNE team. That second automatic spot is very much up for grabs though. We've been mediocre for large chunks of the year and we're only what 4-5 points off 2nd?

I'm not sure, as they took a lot of risks playing out at the back which on another day could have cost them.  When they got out, they were a threat in attack and I thought they also picked up when Cairney came on for them.  I liked the way he came on, took the armband and started dictating in midfield.  Looks a good player. 

They barely crossed the halfway line at VP last season yet still comfortably finished play offs.

They're a good team at this level. Like a fair few lack that 20 goal a season striker to get automatic promotion. They'll be in the mix for play offs though.

[CT]

Great to actually enjoy a game and win it too!

I was mad they'd equalised because I felt they didn't deserve to be level at half time. They didn't look nearly as flowing as I thought they would, although 3 was a constant threat on the left. I thought we pressed well and stopped them from putting too much together. I'd whisper it quietly, but we looked like a team today.

Albert was MOTM by a mile for me today.

Get Sam Johnstone signed up in January or whenever we can too.

I knew we'd win on my birthday! 😀

[Percy McCarthy]

Just got back in after being at the game earlier and have to say I enjoyed that game today.  Fulham took some massive risks at time playing out from the back, but they were a threat going forward, so that was a good win really.  It's put us in the play off spots now, so hopefully we can kick on from here.

As for us, not massively different from many of the other home games this season really.  Still look more comfortable attacking on the break rather than building through the phases and again had to endure a nervy last ten minutes due to dropping a bit too deep.  Thought the defence was pretty solid today and Hutton did well playing out of position at left back.  I thought Hourihane, Adomah and Onomah had good games, whereas Whelan and Snodgrass were a bit off the pace.  Kodjia looked a bit sharper today, but still looks like he's got a bit of a way to go.

Just a quick note, but I still can't quite understand why Bruce brings everyone back to defend set pieces.  When we clear the ball, it just comes straight back because there is no one up there to challenge for it.  It ends up putting us under pressure, particularly towards the end of games.

It's been explained dozens of times on here but here goes again - the basic idea behind it is to deny space in the box.

It doesn't though because you have players outside the box, on the post etc.  Also, by having at least one player up, it means that at least two of their players need to stay back.  When Davis plays or if there is a big striker in a side, I can understand bringing them back as they can offer a presence, but there isn't really a need to bring every single player back (Adomah for example could stay up).  The bloke who sits next to me goes mad about it and I could see his point today.  When we were clearing the ball, it was just going straight back to them and allowing them to attack again and not allowing us to push out.

It does if everyone's in the box. And the attacking team leaves players back even when the defending team bring everyone back.

[adrenachrome]

A win, and an entertaining game. You can't ask for more than that.

[oldhill_avfc]

Good performance on the whole.

For me onamah was MOM by some distance and I thought houriane also did well.

I'm still far from convinced about playing both Snodgrass and Albert, and I know I'm in the minority here, but I thought both were poor today.

Odamah scored with his first useful touch of the game and yes he supplied a cross from which de last should have scored but he wasted far far too many opportunities either side of these contributions.

I still feel the balance of the team would be better served by two up front with one wide player and a more balanced midfield.


On the plus side were on the the up and there's still plenty of scope for improvement.

[Skerra]

Like most others I really enjoyed the match today. Think we look so much better when we close down teams and attack quickly as we did today. So much better to get the fans excited as well. Does my head in as well with this bringing everyone back for corners. It's obvious the ball is going to come straight back plus, if we leave one up, opponents will keep two back. So glad Fulham won the toss as well as I detest this new thinking that, if we win the toss, we kick towards the Holte first. Off with their heads I say!!!

[Deano's Mullet]

Just got back in. Thought Adomah and Hourihane in particular were excellent, Kodjia did ok but needs to realise he can pass to someone in a claret and blue shirt once in a while, the defence was solid and Terry's celebration was a bit provocative but then they had been baiting him. On the Fulham fans, after the final there were some well bitter ones outside the ground and on the train after. One group coming down Witton Lane were baiting an older Villa fan that we were shit to the point that it nearly came to blows, and then there were two on the New Street-Euston trying to bait me by telling me we were shit and nothing special and that Terry deserved executing for the way he baited them. Bless.

[SoccerHQ]

How many did Fulham bring, 100? That was pretty much what they used to bring him in their mid table prem days.

[PeterWithe]

MOM was neck and neck between Albert and Josh the spurs lad, Terry was excellent as well.

If you were a Fulham fan you’d think you should have got a draw but overall I thought we just shaded it, they had a lot of the ball and got in some great positions but we were sound defensively and held a great shape.

I cant mind anyone talking about the penno we should have had second half when their lad rugby tackled Kodja. Well done the Villa.