Aston Villa 3-0 Reading Post Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

Only two pages within an hour of the final whistle....

Comfortable enough win. Think we'd have won that by a couple regardless of the sending off as Hogan missed that sitter at 0-0 when it was still 11 each I think.

Liked SB mixing things up tonight and  rotating properly, Bjarni was excellent even before his goal although his shooting did become very wild after the opener.

Tempo was good from the start. Even more frustrating when you think back to the QPR game and how flat things were.

Was right behind the dug out tonight. SB's reaction to Taylor shooting at the corner flag was worth the admission alone.

Just feels a bit of a missed opportunity given the last few weeks but never mind. We need to get going again for the play offs and tonight was a good start.

[andyh]

Not even a training game tempo by the end.
Special mention to Whelan who managed to slow down a slow game.

Really happy for Hogan who works so hard but gets so few chances. He earned and deserved his goal.

Playoffs here we come.

[tomd2103]

As others have said, very comfortable evening after the first goal went in (and what a goal!). I thought Reading were the poorest side I've seen at Villa Park all season, even when they had 11 on the pitch. 

Thought Bjarnason had a good game to compliment his goal even though he was given acres of space when he had the ball.  One of the real positives for me was how threatening Kodjia looked when he came on (did everything but score) and I thought Onomah did well when he came on as well. 

[walsall villain]

As others have said, very comfortable evening after the first goal went in (and what a goal!). I thought Reading were the poorest side I've seen at Villa Park all season, even when they had 11 on the pitch. 

Thought Bjarnason had a good game to compliment his goal even though he was given acres of space when he had the ball.  One of the real positives for me was how threatening Kodjia looked when he came on (did everything but score) and I thought Onomah did well when he came on as well. 

Agree with all of this. Reading didn’t get close to us all night. Such a contrast to the approach QPR took.

[CJ]

Well that was nice. Reading were poor with 11 men on the pitch and when they went down to 10 it was only a matter of time before we scored and put them to the sword. Mannone was the difference between 3 goals and a hatful - haven't seen the shots/on target stats yet but we certainly kept him busy. Good to see Kodjia getting a good run out, and he was unlucky not to score. Thor MOTM for me, not just for a cracking goal but his energy and link up play were excellent all night. Oh, and their away kit was awful- looked like a bunch of stewards

[pauliewalnuts]

Very professionally done by us.

Reading were godawful. They didn't seem to be trying.

Their 90 travelling fans must be upset

[pauliewalnuts]

BTW I thought the state of the pitch made it heavier going than it needed to be for us tonight. We passed it around very well, but I couldn't help but think this side could use the high quality pitch we have been used to for decades.

[SoccerHQ]

It is pretty poor on having a close up view tonight.

I presume we're ripping it up this summer?

[PeterWithesShin]

Pitch was due to be replaced last summer and same day KW had meeting with Tony and brought it up. We won pitch of the year from EFL. So it was decided to give it another season.

Contracts have been signed for a replacement Desso pitch to go down this summer.

[pauliewalnuts]

Apparently so. It was mentioned in the minutes of the SCG meeting the other week.

[olaftab]

We would have won this game even with 11 on their side however it was quite frustrating in the first half as time after time our final ball and lack of bodies the box let us down. Once Barny had weaved his magic it was as comfortable a second half as you could wish for. Well done all.

[SoccerHQ]

BTW that over the shoulder clearence from Terry in the first half was superb.

[olaftab]

I thought Ahmed Elmohammady was very good tonight and MOTM for me.

[saunders_heroes]

Most one sided game I think I’ve seen all season. Bjarnason man of the match for me, and a cracking goal as well.
The dream of top 2 is still on, albeit a long shot. Wolves to beat Cardiff Friday then we beat Norwich then send Cardiff packing next Tuesday night. Oh and hope Fulham slip up.
Piece of cake...

[rougegorge]

Like a few have said already, Reading were offering nothing before they went down to 10 and they offered even less with 10 and didn't make it hard for us at all. We should have scored a few more but it was good to get a comfortable win and some more playing time for Kodjia. Given the unpredictable nature of the play offs, his own unpredictability may prove invaluable.