Magnificent Aston Villa vs The (Not Very) Great Unwashed Post-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

Unlike them if the boot was on the other foot, I feel no need to gloat or give it the big 'un. They are arguably the worst Small Heath team I have ever seen along with the team of the late eighties and early nineties. Even Terry Coopers Triton Showers of shit vintage gave us a better couple of games in the cup in the BFR days. Our second goal was fanastic, which set me thinking about our best goals against them. I thought of Allan Evans in 1980 and Gary Cahill's  at The Holte. Plus peter Withe's at the Holte in 1983 for a bit of comedy value. If my memory serves me right the two goals by Gage and Gray at their place in the league cup in 1988 were decent.

On the same note, try and think of one of their efforts that was cleanly struck, never mind pleasing on the eye. I can only think of Forsell's equaliser when Gabby won it late at their place.

The rest have been a selection of mis-kicks, rebounds and keeper howlers.

I said the exact same to a couple of mates right after the game. Everyone of their wins against us benefited from some kind of defensive error or stroke of luck, they rarely ever produce any kind of skill or great football. They’re just a bunch of hoofers and fighters and it’s all they’ve ever been.

Dunn scored a good goal in 2004. They outplayed us that day. Last league win against us of course.

I agree with the last sentence though. Some clubs are unsuited to actual flair players and they're one of them. Hence Jota looking like a little boy lost playing for them.

[amfy]

Not read the whole thing as still in the pub but ......the way we played, going 2nd, 7 wins in a row - the fact that it was against them was merely the icing on the cake!

why do I have to have work tomorrow? Could celebrate for days!

[Richard E]

Cotterill gave an honest summing up, said they deserved nothing from the game and that the occasion got to some of his younger players.

Dave yes I listened to that in the car on the way back. Really impressed with that guy. However did you hear the next caller, a blose, ranting on about how Cotterill is not good enough to manage their club and finished with "he should be in charge of a club like Nuneaton" . Deluded is not the word....

He IS in charge of a club like Nuneaton!

[LeeB]

They've moved onto "they'll come straight back down" already.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ah Terry Cooper and his insistence it was offside.

There's a circus in the town...

Huh, how?

Dean Saunders in 1993. Cooper and Jimmy Greaves had no idea what the offside rule was.

[CJ]

Fantastic afternoon. Great atmosphere in the Upper Holte, two cracking goals at the Holte end, gulf in class apparent all day, Jack ran the show, but special mention for Jedinak protecting the centre backs. Could have been different if Gallagher had scored instead of hitting the post after Terry stumbled just before half time, but we still would have won, we were just by far the better team and couldn't really tell what Bloose's game plan was. They lost, got wet, and had a man sent off. If Carlsberg did local derbies.....

[LeeB]

Cotterill gave an honest summing up, said they deserved nothing from the game and that the occasion got to some of his younger players.

Dave yes I listened to that in the car on the way back. Really impressed with that guy. However did you hear the next caller, a blose, ranting on about how Cotterill is not good enough to manage their club and finished with "he should be in charge of a club like Nuneaton" . Deluded is not the word....

He IS in charge of a club like Nuneaton!

Ha!

[rougegorge]

We played really well from start to finish. Apart from JT's blip we were well on top and that was as dominant in terms of play and chances as we were against Bristol City, if not more so.
Hourihane was the only one who was below par, and then he scored a belter just as I was highlighting his shortcomings in the game to the people sat around us.
Jedinak had a great game and although Bjarnason probably felt hard done by, it proved a good decision. It was very noticeable that he left the field well ahead of the others whilst they celebrated - poor form.

[SoccerHQ]

Ah Terry Cooper and his insistence it was offside.

There's a circus in the town...

Huh, how?

Dean Saunders in 1993. Cooper and Jimmy Greaves had no idea what the offside rule was.

There's a youtube of that on Villaboy's channel.

I watched that and spent a couple of minutes chuckling afterwards. Gary Newbon was brilliant at provoking him.

[Zouch Villa]

Great afternoon at Villa Park. What I really like about this team is that they have the quality to play some really nice football, but also the steel to not be bullied out of possession. Jack is developing into the talisman player we’ve all hoped he could be.

However, biggest positive for me today was the atmosphere, and capacity crowd. Hopefully shows what this club means to it’s fans and that we will respond when given sufficient cause. Upper Holte was absolutely rocking after the goals and at full time. Will live on as one of my favourite Villa memories for quite some time.

[PeterWithesShin]

That's comfortably the worst sha side i've seen since the 13-0 season. All the more amusing as back in August and early September loads most of them were convinced they were better than us, 'Arry was a genius, they had a fantastic strike force and were serious promotion contenders.

[andyh]

A lovely routine win against the Rags, what a great day.
One thing that  REALLY stands out is the way the players are looking out for each other. Quite a few times I have seen senior players checking on Jack, and being protective of him, Hourihane in particular.  I love that.

Well done you Villa boys.

[KevinGage]

and couldn't really tell what Bloose's game plan was...

Their plan seemed to be to target our right side when Elmo pushed up and exploit the gaps in behind. And they were getting a fair bit of joy out of it too, at one stage, with that winger with a daft name and daft haircut causing us a bit of bother.

On more than one occasion, they were getting breakaways that last season seemed to result in a goal against. Three with that winger, and then when Terry slipped.

And like Percy, when we got close to the hour mark with no advantage despite our overall dominance, you do wonder.

Previously, we have been the sort of side that needs an early goal to settle us.   

But now we look confident that we have goals in us regardless. 60th minute, 90th minute - it doesn't matter.  We'll find a way eventually.

[kippaxvilla2]

Ah Terry Cooper and his insistence it was offside.

There's a circus in the town...

Not to mention Alan Parry saying how harsh Tait’s sending off was.

[frank black]

That was nice