Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Nastylee]

Have read somewhere that it was a hamstring. If so we won't see him again until the World Cup.

Link?

Someone on VT stating Bruce has said something. TBF, it looked like a hammy. Fingers crossed it is a tweak but Tuesday could come too soon.

[fredm]

It’s an excellent result but I think we could have made it more comfortable if we’d have picked the odd pass instead of just booting the ball as far away as possible.

Agree 100%. Was shouting at the telly for them to hold the bloody ball and pass it to a team mate instead of just leathering it upfield straight to an opponent so that it came straight back. Felt sorry for Grabban and Kodjia as I can hardly remember a decent ball played in to them all match.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bruce said "hamstring by the looks of it"

[Richard E]

Had to laugh at Pulis complaining about wasting time by Johnstone when we had all those towelling moments.

I don't know how he has the audacity! It was three Villa pantomime villains for the price of one tonight - Tiny Penis, Bottler Downing and Traore.

[brontebilly]

I felt pretty comfortable watching the game. I am surprised they didn't start Bamford as after a few barren years he has scored a few this season. The possession was pretty much 60/40 in the home team's favour which is probably the norm.

Think Fabio will come in at right back and Bamford will start on Tuesday. Thought Besic was their best player today and Fabio caused us problems down the right when he came on. Aside from that, they were poor really but tie still very much alive.

Bit worried about Bree coming in to be honest. Hasn't convinced me at all in his appearances to date.

[Lizz]

Just read the Beeb report, Pulis has said "I don't think anybody could say we deserved to lose the game". Newsflash, lots of people can say it.

[Matt Collins]

At the start of the season we thought we had a ridiculous number of right backs

Now it’s either Bjarnason or Bree on Tuesday and, if we get to the final, then too

That’s the main risk for Tuesday in my view

I’d probably play Bjarnason. Bree really gives me the heeby jeeebies

[Pat McMahon]

Great stat.  Villa have conceded the fewest goals out of all the divisions in the last 15 minutes of games this season.

I was convinced Sky were going to jinx us by broadcasting that stat but thankfully not.

It came up on the screen that Chico and I were watching in a pub in Greenwich ( during the game I think)witharound a dozen Villa fans

[PeterWithesShin]

IIRC the point was we had loads of RB but not much at LB, as has been proved by keep playing the right backs at LB as Taylor is a bit bobbins.

[footyskillz]

A great and solid team performance.
Boro tend to have goals occur in first 15 mins of matches that happened
Villa score headers that happened!
Villa rarely concede goals late in from 75 mins. Only once away from home!

I'll post up home stats by Tuesday thread.

Regards over all performance really 'enjoyed' the 1st half and the 2nd half was comfortable in main though concerning with defensive change.

Johnstone held out strong as did the defence who dealt superbly with things.

Hutton was immense and Jedinak really did his job so very well

Brilliant by Chessie and JT. JT looked injured at one point but carried on so hope he OK for home leg.

Unfortunately from my view can't be said about Jimmy dodger who came on.
Didn't even offer anything apart from one held up play and then lost it nearly resulting in goal.

Was frustrating as he didn't close down, lead from front, defend from front or do much running at all.

Yes granted was isolated but his attempts at closing down didn't exist and quite frankly was putting strain on team.

I fully supportive of him but Hogan busying himself around pitch would have been better 

I guess was wrong time of match on this occasion for him to come on. I think building him up again is good as we all know Jk is a class act but having not scored may be affecting his confidence.

Bruce quite right about him only coming back into things after suffering from a very serious injury

That said villa and grealish bosses things so so classy. I particularly his continued intelligence on the ball.

There can be alot of positive from result despite the pressure and territory conceded 2nd half the organisation and defence was super.

Great result. Well played Bruce.
Well played villa and fans.

[PaulWinch again]

Adama remains the one that worries me, people can say he’s all show but he was a big threat tonight and he’s contributed to 14 of their goals this year. I think he’s a big talent, still raw but gettin better.

[Dominic22]

Great atmosphere a great win...For those that have traveled there today by car. I have never seem so many speed camera vans both on the way up on the A19 then they had changed sides for the way back to catch you again...

[Matt Collins]

Yeah I’m still quite nervous and think there’s a good chance that Boro will score, possibly first

Adama against Bree doesn’t bear thinking about; but presumably Hutton wil follow him like glue

Interesting whether he plays Whelan or Jedinak. Whelan will be fresh, but Jedinak was SO good today he must be tempted to keep him

[Sexual Ealing]

Does glue follow things?

[JD]

Very professional and good win. Now finish them off at Villa Park. 4-1 will do