Nottingham Forest 0-1 Aston Villa post match thread

[villan from luton]

I also think when Jack Grealish had his blood transfusion after his liver operation they smuggled in a quart of Mo Farah's.

and a quart of Schwarzenegger's. He's become rather good now at going over only at the right times, but also standing his ground when needed.

I believe we are now seeing Jack taking a more responsible role in the team, but most importantly, handling it.

There was a good article with Jack on the official website the other day and I think he has realised after that injury to make the most of his undoubted talent. Loved his tracking back again today and rarely lost the ball.

[Damo70]

We were the kings of Swindon that day.  Every one of us.

I remember one of the lads who always stood with us on the Holte but had travelled seperately to us bonnet surfing on our car as we were in traffic coming away from the ground. We also tried to flag down a 'Mr Whippy' ice cream van on the motorway on the way home. I obviously remember the scenes trying to get into the ground and the scenes when news of our promotion was confirmed. I also recall getting my maths wrong in all the chaos and being convinced that a draw wasn't enough whatever happened elsewhere.

[SoccerHQ]

Main surprise for me was how negative the match thread was.

You’ve been on this site before right?

Haha I was going to put as a disclaimer that I hadn't contributed fully to a match thread for a few years now for some reason but considering some of the useless seasons we've had in recent times it does surprise me now we're positioning ourselves nicely in this league people seem to go mad whenever we hit a long ball.

Think it's a combination of things but we need to get fully behind the team (and manager) for the run in now as we've got a decent chance of making second.

[Brend'Watkins]

I think Bjork has played himself into the team. What he offers more than Jedinak is a bit of pace and better passing. It’s what we need.

I’m struggling to see what Hourihane now brings to the team. He must be doing something but I think he should be doing more as you hardly know he’s playing at times.

[Nunkin1965]

Main surprise for me was how negative the match thread was.

You’ve been on this site before right?

I was really critical of the team selection last week but in fairness as regarding the League that was a great professional effort by Bruce and the team. Can’t beat a bit of grinding.

And no the match threads are too depressing for me so I give them a miss.

[TonyD]

I love colousis with some black olives, goat cheese and a glass of Retsina

Sausage and egg sandwich with white bread, a dollop of tinned tomatoes and brown sauce, HP naturally.

[Damo70]

I never thought I would ever say this but John Terry is the best player I have seen in a Villa shirt in years.

Have to say I was sceptical when he signed that he would almost go through the motions, but proved me totally wrong and has been brilliant. His winning attitude seems to have rubbed off on some players. Have to say I can imagine him speaking to Jack and telling him to make the most of his ability and his attitude is top notch

Hoped against hope he would do for us what Keegan did as a player at Newcastle in early 80s and got them promoted

We need to do what Newcastle did for Keegan. We should have a whip-round for the farewell helicopter from the centre circle at Villa Park. If we raise enough we could hire Noel Edmunds to fly it.

[paul_e]

Thexse are the sort of games I expected to see lots of when we appointed Bruce and for all the negative things about his approach I'd have accepted 20+ of these and a tense but inevitable run to promotion.  I really hope that we have now turned a corner and we can push on from here, winning well where we can, and winning ugly where we need to.  He does seem to have eventually realised that letting Grealish and Hourihane play 10-15 yards further forward completely changes how we play so maybe it will stick.  What will really show our chances of the top 2 isn't games like this though, it's how we respond to our next defeat, we can't drag everyone deeper to protect the clean sheet as has been his reaction too often, it just doesn't work.

[dicedlam]

I may not be one of Bruce's greatest supporters, but credit where credit's due, he made some rather good timely substitutions today.

[Small Rodent]

I think Bjork has played himself into the team. What he offers more than Jedinak is a bit of pace and better passing. It’s what we need

Is he only now being played in his strongest position?

If so, it's bloody ridiculous.

[tomd2103]

We seem to be developing an ability to grind results out reasonably consistently. Which reminds me of the last time we were at this level under SGT. I look back on that season fondly as I had just left school and it was my first season of going to away games regularly. But for every 'glory game' that sticks in the memory there were a lot of slogs with narrow wins, draws and defeats. On that subject it has probably been mentioned elsewhere but SGT passed away a year ago today.

I did hear “There’s only one Graham Taylor” being chanted today which was good to hear. 

In terms of grinding out results, I think having a solid defence that can keep sheets will be really important for us going forward.  We’ve got enough in the final third to produce moments of quality even when we’re not playing well, so keeping it tight at the back might well be enough to win us games.

[brian green]

And that.  Though HP was never a patch on Flag Sauce made at the Ansell's Brewery.  Aston was the brown sauce capital of the known universe.

[leylandalbion]

I may not be one of Bruce's greatest supporters, but credit where credit's due, he made some rather good timely substitutions today.

The last few games that has seemed to be the case. Almost like he is reading social media prior to making a change

[Brend'Watkins]

I think Bjork has played himself into the team. What he offers more than Jedinak is a bit of pace and better passing. It’s what we need

Is he only now being played in his strongest position?

If so, it's bloody ridiculous.

You do wonder. He looked so natural there, why hasn’t it been considered ever before?

[TonyD]

Jack is becoming the player we all hoped he would.

It’s great ain’t it.  He makes sure that we keep the ball more and it doesn’t  keep  coming back on us.  If only players in front of him could move more and see the angles.   He also needs to pull the trigger more.  For me he’s one of the best English players in the country.   Southgate are you watching?