Aston Villa 3-0 Reading Post Match Thread

[PeterWithe]

That we wasted so many crossing opportunities was frustrating, they seeemd to let us have the ball wide and packed the penalty area themselves. With our wingers playing on their ‘weaker’ foot we always checked back before either over hitting the cross or chipping into areas where the defenders were well positioned and ‘set’.

In a Reading team as poor as I’ve seen in our time here, I was impressed by Liam Moore, their number 6. His defensive positioning was mostly excellent.

[tomd2103]

To anyone there how did Kodjia do when he came on?

He looked far sharper than on Saturday. He caused them problems when he dribbled at the full back coming in from left where he replaced Albert. He forced the keeper into his best save of the night at his near post after driving in from the touch line, he also should have done better with a late free header that the keeper saved more comfortably.

He’s obviously a massive talent and will get goals, I’m just not sure his playing style suits his inclusion in our best starting XI.

In the current system I think he would start in one of the wide positions.  That is of course if he can do enough to dislodge Snodgrass or Adomah.

[amfy]

The great thing this time with Kodja is that we have enough options up front for us to be able to ease him back in. We don't only have other good options up front, but goals coming from other parts of the pitch.

Previously, we would have been desperate to get him back in the team and probably risked recurrence of the injury by asking too much too soon. Now we don't have to do that - so fingers crossed we can keep him fit this time and he could really make a difference for us now. Not many teams in this division have an 'impact sub' of that quality.

[Small Rodent]

Every goal was celebrated by all 10 outfield players.

I was talking about the intensity, compared to goals scored before the bad run.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Reading were shocking, I counted they got in our half past the centre circle 3 times in the second half. They look doomed. Strange game in that it was unbelievably so one sided but we can only beat who's in front of us.

Agree with everything else you've posted, PeterWithe, the crossing, Bjork MOTM, Kodja.

[Taylor]

I'm probably clutching at straws but I watched parts of the Fulham game, and the score line flattered them, at one nill Leeds had a gilt edged chance to equalise, only for the ball to bounce off the keeper to a Fulham player who belted it up field and they made it 2 nil. Very frustrating. I think Fulham have to play Millwall and Brentford yet so anything could happen.

As for last nights game, great to see Hogan score, hope it sparks another good run for him. It seems that in all the years I've been watching Villa it is only our keepers that make stupid mistakes that give us grief! I almost wished the scoreline had been nil nil at the time, just to even things up.

[darren woolley]

Happy with the three points but Reading are 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' can see why they have struggled this season.

[Brend'Watkins]

Reading are the poorest team I’ve seen at VP for many a year.  If they don’t put more effort they’ll be dragged into the bottom 3. We really should have put 6 or 7 past them. We had it won after the first goal and played like we were preserving our energy for the coming games. Bjork, some iffy shooting apart was our best player on the night. Hourihane is a confidence player, he was quite poor up until he scored, after which, he got more involved and looked to get the ball forward instead of back. Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque. Taylor’s shot of great velocity in the same half I think went behind him and then out for a throw. Funny as it was It was a truly awful effort.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Before the kick off I was not happy with Hutton and Grabban being left out, but this time Bruce got it right. Good performance and good result. Bjarnson is starting to look decent and suits that role. Not sure about Hogan, but hopefully that goal with be the start of a glut of them for him.

[postal]

Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque.

Great phrase, but surely it's McGrathesque?
 

[VinnieChase84]

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

Was absolutely superb. Class

[Axl Rose]

How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.

[VinnieChase84]

How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.

Honestly don't even remember seeing him

[LeeB]

How did our old mate Bacuna do? I started watching just before our second, and didn't really notice him.

Honestly don't even remember seeing him

That's an improvement then.

[Exeter 77]

Terry’s control of the ball first half was Magrathesque.

Great phrase, but surely it's McGrathesque?
 

If you mean the interception where he flicked it over his own head away from the Reading striker on the volley - I asked straight after he did it whether he had been watching videos of Paul McGrath.