Sheff Utd 0-1 Magnificent Aston Villa Post Match Thread

[Havencheese]

Lucky had the day off, melatonin aint my friend. Doesn't matter when the Villa do things like that.

Woke up around 3:30am here, still unable to sleep by the 6:45am kick off while the missus was fast asleep. Match thread didn't make for great reading and I passed out shortly after 8am which was probably somewhere around the 75 min mark. Awoke a few hours later and scrolled through the pages and swore if Sheff U scored I'd just look up the result and get on with the day. My surprise by about page 21 the first magical YESSSSSSSSSSSS! post followed by a few more, maybe a GET IN! followed by a couple more stragglers a minute or two later.

I've been a believer for over a fortnight now, my hopes have been raised just a bit more.

[The Edge]

Anyone else jumping up and down like a kid in their living room when the winner went in? Haven't reacted like that since Young's winner in the cup at Goodison

We don't get Championship matches over here, so are restricted to following text updates. We are an hour ahead of course, so by the time midweek matches finish its as good as 11 o'clock.

Last night, the lad had been following the game up until half-time, but had to stop as it was getting too late for a school night. He secretly whispered to me, 'Dad, let me know if anything happens, I won't go to sleep until its over anyway'. I could hear he was still awake and his mom started going on with 'is he still awake!' After about 88 minutes, I said, 'I'll go and check whether he's asleep'. He was still wide awake. '0-0, mate. Just a few minutes left. A good point. You might as well go to sleep'. 'Alright, Dad'.

I went and got back into bed, watching the minutes tick by, and then received a Whatsapp message 'Boom! Get in!' I refreshed the updates and saw '90' Snodgrass'. Without a word, I got out of bed again, with the wife moaning, 'Where are you going now?' and showed the phone to the lad. He jumped out of bed and for about 10 seconds we hugged and jumped up and down as though we were on the Holte, although all in total silence. He got back into bed with a great big smile on his face, waited until I gave him the all clear for the final whistle, and was asleep within five minutes.

It's great to have a team we can love again!

I had a very similar experience with my son who I started taking to games regularly in the McLeish season. I drag the poor sod 200 miles round trips to VP every two weeks and 10 or so aways every season and all he's seen is misery and decline (with a couple of exceptions, Liverpool have delivered for us). We didn't go last night but watched it on the telly and hugged each other at FT. It was good. Promotion or not, it finally feels like the child abuse has stopped.

I was in France when we played Inter Milan in 94. The only option I had to keep up with the game was 5 live. Sat in my car trying to tune in was really frustrating as it would just crackle into life occasionally. I put my four year old son in the car and drove around trying to get a signal. I caught Houghtons goal and the signal disappeared again. Finally I drove up a hill and it came on clear as a bell just in time for the penalty shootout. When Phil King scored the winner I ran around with my lad on my shoulders like a lunatic to the amusement of some campers nearby. I've told my son about it now he's grown up but he has no recollection sadly. I'll never forget it though. Great memories!

[Percy McCarthy]

we've nearly always worn our home kit at Bramall Lane as far as I can remember. The 0-2 McGrath own goal game, 2-0 Parker brace, Fenton winner in 94. I suppose with the amount of black on this years Blades kit our away tops were out of the question last night.

Did anybody else wake up this morning wondering if last nights great result had actually happened? I often have dreams about Villa and wake up happy or annoyed that we've either won or lost an imaginary game.

 No dreams, but when I wake up the day after a Villa game my first thought is how we got on. That moment not being ruined by some shit result is taking some getting used to after the last few years.

[AV82EC]

As someone said earlier, you put up with years of shit for moments like that, one of your own players curling one into the corner in the last minute to win a game. It was mental in that away end for the next minute so glad I made the effort to go. There’s a video on Twitter of the away end after the goal, I keep looking at it every 5 minutes. Joy just sheer unbridled joy.

[brontebilly]

A great result, maybe the best so far this season. We look great at containing the opposition and general defending, our goalkeeer is superb, but we still aren't consistent with the free flowing attacking football. In a way this was like the Forest away game. Our containment skills and one moment of attacking brilliance was enough to win it on the night, but only really Snodgrass played well of the attacking midfield quartet, I thought Adomahs touch was poor all night, Grealish less arsed and therefore less effective than the last few games and Hourahane anonymous. Again Hogan is going to struggle with that directly behind him. It was the back '6' and ultimately Snodders that won the game, they were all immense.

That was the way I saw it too, though goal aside Snodgrass was relatively anonymous I thought. Grealish played far too deep, possibly as a result of Hourihane particularly not dictating play. But that left a big gap to Hogan who became very isolated.  Sheff United outplayed us in midfield for most of the game and were a lot better than I expected. Great win, our lads battled hard all night and defended well. Snodgrass had the quality at end to give us our biggest win of season.

As an aside I certainly don't agree with having three defensive midfielders on the bench and Green not in the squad. AA's form has tailed off a bit and he was really poor yesterday. Green to start ahead of him v Burton for me. Maybe Bree for Elmo too as suspect last night's game took a lot out of our players.

[Chico Hamilton III]

we've nearly always worn our home kit at Bramall Lane as far as I can remember. The 0-2 McGrath own goal game, 2-0 Parker brace, Fenton winner in 94. I suppose with the amount of black on this years Blades kit our away tops were out of the question last night.

Did anybody else wake up this morning wondering if last nights great result had actually happened? I often have dreams about Villa and wake up happy or annoyed that we've either won or lost an imaginary game.

 No dreams, but when I wake up the day after a Villa game my first thought is how we got on. That moment not being ruined by some shit result is taking some getting used to after the last few years.

Hope has finally returned and it's fantastic

[Ads]

I can't wait till Saturday's game.

[Risso]

I can't wait till Saturday's game.

Me either, going to try and make it along.  Glory-hunting twat that I am.

[footyskillz]

Having watched match now in full courtesy of a recording  have to say I saw a performance that was full of effort. Its another 1 nil away win and quality told. Simply these results and underlying performances are showing right attitude and results to make promotion automatic.

What I enjoyed seeing was the hard work of hogan who had few touches in the match but was constantly let down with the wrong balls mainly by elmo. That said in the last minute elmo makes fantastic move to free up Snodgrass super strike winner.

I also liked BB in middle much more than Hourihane yesterday. I found Elmo Hourihane and AA perhaps resting on laurels as they are seemingly certain starters and aren't performing overall 90 mins. That is some harsh however with a good squad the other non starters can push. Likes of green and Lansbury to be involved against Burton.

Very impressed with SJ again though would like him not to have to make as many saves.
Chessie and JT are promo winning centre backs.
Hutts fair play to his endeavour.

All in all continue to roll along nicely. I do very much like Grealish and how he manipulates the ball and opposition play. His next step is to manipulate play more and some final touches. The Sheffield u had no idea how to play him. That lad is unplayable at times.

Scenes at end joyful. I'm glad we could all enjoy that victory
Up the villa. 

[footyskillz]

I can't wait till Saturday's game.

Me either, going to try and make it along.  Glory-hunting twat that I am.

I think too the players will know there is an expectation and the sheer quality should see a win with a few goals. Burton aren't so hot and doing all they can to stay afloat I admire and respect them like I'm sure villa will and they shown a lot of other clubs in lower leagues what can be achieved. Outside of this match I wish them well to stay up and grow the club but I can't help thinking they in part don't have resources too.
Anyway makes interesting match as they will want to compete. Up the villa and as I say hope we can all keep enjoying this winning feeling. For me I once don't want to get carried away with coming for wolves but like snoddy said taking each match and that's wise. But oh what a winning feeling!! Enjoy rest of week villa support forever!! Yeaa

[footyskillz]

As someone said earlier, you put up with years of shit for moments like that, one of your own players curling one into the corner in the last minute to win a game. It was mental in that away end for the next minute so glad I made the effort to go. There’s a video on Twitter of the away end after the goal, I keep looking at it every 5 minutes. Joy just sheer unbridled joy.

Thank you. This is what going to matches is about. I am an observer that a goer but I have same feeling  and enjoyed reading this comment to see the inside feel of those amazing support. Well played and credit to your club support and sharing this.

[villan from luton]

A great result, maybe the best so far this season. We look great at containing the opposition and general defending, our goalkeeer is superb, but we still aren't consistent with the free flowing attacking football. In a way this was like the Forest away game. Our containment skills and one moment of attacking brilliance was enough to win it on the night, but only really Snodgrass played well of the attacking midfield quartet, I thought Adomahs touch was poor all night, Grealish less arsed and therefore less effective than the last few games and Hourahane anonymous. Again Hogan is going to struggle with that directly behind him. It was the back '6' and ultimately Snodders that won the game, they were all immense.

Really cannot agree that Grealish was less arsed, he worked his nuts off for the team

[Toronto Villa]

Grealish was less arsed? Blimey. That’s the last thing I’d have said about his display last night.

[dorsetvillian]

I watched the first half on the laptop with my lad. Broadband went down at halftime, so listened to the commentary on Talksport 2. On 90mins my lads' girlfriend arrived to pick him up (he lives at hers). At that moment the goal went in, the lad and I went mental jumping around the living room. Everyone in our very small Dorset Village must have heard the screams, the cat was certainly scared shitless and the girlfriend looked very bemused! My son hasn't taken her to a game yet, so she has no idea what it all means to both of us.  A great result and so pleased for those that travelled.

[chrisw1]

I thought Sheffield were very good, certainly the better team and were unlucky with the result.

Tactically we struggled with their formation and at times it was back to the wall stuff.

I thought Adomah and Hourihane were very poor which left us light in midfield.

On the positive side Johnston was excellent, his save to low to his right when he scooped it up was outstanding.  Most his other saves you would expect him to make, but some were still sharp.

I thought Snodgrass was excellent in the first half, he is such a battler and a great team player.  He then went very quiet in the second until he scored and showed what a match winner he can be.  Jack was always dangerous and Barny pretty solid.  Hogan was pretty isolated but worked hard.

I've got mixed feelings about the defence.  Individually they all did some very good stuff and in particular Terry and Chester looked good.  But we have to reconcile that with several good chances that on another day could have been 2 goals or more. 

I thought it was a really odd bench with so many defensive players.  Davis could have worked harder when he came on and I was dissapointed with his lack of urgency in closing people down in the last few minutes. Would it hurt him to bust a gut and sprint occasionally?

But all in all delighted we found a way to win.  The team spirit looks excellent and I am enjoying the good run.  I still think we'll have a wobble soon, but hopefully we'll have enough to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.