Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa Play Off Final Post Match Thread

[OzVilla]

I don’t think even Arsenal dominated us in the 2015 cup final like Fulham did in the first 30 mins  yesterday. And we allied them to do this. Just go please Bruce.

Poor as we were in the 1st half yesterday i don't think i've ever seen before, or am ever likely to see again, a team chase quite as many shadows as we did that day against Arsenal.  Fulham were the better side no doubt but against Arsenal it was like watching a decent Sunday men's side play the local Primary School team.

[footyskillz]

It’s becoming a familiar scenario for me. A day which starts with excitement and high spirits from fans that starts to unravel once the ref starts the game. We had an absolutely and utter twat sitting behind us. Screaming obscenities at the Villa all match despite having his young boy with him. He saved his most vile rants for Grealish who he wanted taking off as he ‘hadn’t turned up’. I daren’t challenge these idiots at my age. Mind you, I met some very committed Norwegian Villa fans before the match, they were a credit to the club.

Yes ahh that chap shouting obscenities sounds like William. He does get vociferous during a match. Something about high expectations as a royal Prince!

[Jon Crofts]

Just got home, still a bit too angry to post sensibly, tomorrow can wait. Referee, what a c*** though eh?

Not to mention his Assistant. Stamping on Jack, right under his eyes and the twat did nothing. As much as I admired Fredericks, I really hope his balls fall off, twice.

Didn't really see it but heard about it after from Madrid fans in the pub after, all said a straight red.

If you'd seen it, and knowing you, you'd have been on the pitch to rip his head off. That was another major disappointment today, how we as a team let them get away with it. See how Fulham reacted to Jack's late 'challenge'.

Happened on the opposite side of the field to us but just seen a gif someone posted, disgusting that nobody saw it.

[Walmley_Villa]

Better team won. We were too predictable and Grabban on his own up front doesn't work against decent sides. Bruce's sides typically need the first goal and we didn't get it. Better second half but should have got Onamah and Kodja on sooner. Bringing Hogan on was pointless and his missed header proved again he isn't good enough.
Grateful to Bruce in many ways this season but time for Dean Smith and some new ideas please.

[manic-road]

I didn't go yesterday full of confidence but so disappointed with the first half, a game of such importance and we didn't turn up. Well done to the Villa fans who created a great atmosphere around Wembley for hours before the game.

[QuintonVilla]

We would ruin Dean Smith's career. This job is far too big for him at the moment. We need to look further afield like Wolves and Fulham. Let's get someone in who gets results by playing decent football, fed up of dinosaurs at our club who think the only way to get results is to grind them out.

[PROVERBS1966]

Woke up today and have never I recall felt this bad. When their goal went in a feeling of doom descended around me. Not one corner. Got what we deserved.

[avfcpg]

I'm clutching at straws but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. We finished 4th and don't deserve to go up playing "don't lose" football. At last Bruce won't be in the Prem wasting money to pretty much play that kind of negative football. Yes we'll lose players but there is still more than enough players and kids in there for a decent manager to get a tune out of them.

He can't possibly stay, he just can't. The next appointment is going to be absolutely huge.

[brian green]

The fact that we scored one goal in all three play off games says a lot.  In the four consecutive finals we have lost at Wembley, if you accept yesterday as a final tie, we have scored one goal.  0-1 Chelsea, 1-2 Manure, 0-(fill in a number) Arse and 0-1 Mighty Fulham.  We can't score goals against decent opposition in big games.

On the subject of scoring goals, everybody was shouting for Kodjia yesterday as Grabban played like a poor man's Savo, let us not forget that this erstwhile saviour of our bacon defied the Villa doctors and got crocked for a season  in the ACN.  Had he respected the club that pays his very substantial wages and picks up the equally expensive tab for the medical treatment that keeps him in the game, he could have scored the goals in the 2017/18 season that won us automatic promotion.  His contribution to the campaign just concluded so in gloriously has been a big fat zero.

[dorsetvillian]

Gutted. Like many have said it feels worse the next morning. I saw so many in tears as I walked out both young and old.

I've always disliked the safety first approach by Bruce and yesterday it did for him. First half was pathetic. The second half we pushed further up the pitch and suddenly Fulham were on the back foot, so why not from the beginning???  We didn't mange the last 20 mins against 10 men and once Hogan came on I knew that was it.

However, yet again at Wembley, the ref has made a criminal decision not to send off a Fulham player for the stamp on Jack in the first half. If that happens we go on and win the game.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce walks its been a hard season for him. Let's get a manager who plays football on the floor and on the front foot.

[andyh]

I'm clutching at straws but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. We finished 4th and don't deserve to go up playing "don't lose" football. At last Bruce won't be in the Prem wasting money to pretty much play that kind of negative football. Yes we'll lose players but there is still more than enough players and kids in there for a decent manager to get a tune out of them.

He can't possibly stay, he just can't. The next appointment is going to be absolutely huge.

This where I am as well.
As disappointed as I am with the result and the fact we are staying down, I was not looking forward to seeing us going to Arsenal, UTD, Man City etc and many other places and playing the type of football to try and just not get walloped.
It’s been bad enough watching it in this division.

It’s now time to freshen up the squad and freshen up the management.

BUT, we have just got to ensure Jack gives us another year and build a team around him.
For me, the thought that yesterday’s result has cost us losing Jack is worse than not going up.

[pauliewalnuts]

Bruce conceded the first half with that incredibly defensive set up.

Much better in the second half, but he waited way to long to make a change. Onomah for Hourihane should have been made at half time, at the very latest.

Though the second half was better, it was all very huff and puff. We looked like a team with zero pace, which is what we are.

There were some absolute fucking twats around us, screaming obscenities at the other end of the ground for the whole match, in the case of the brainless fucking gibbon on front of us and screaming abuse at Bruce in the case of the pissed twat behind us.

[Phil from the upper holte]

First half killed us. Subs should have been made at half  time. Jedi was the wrong choice we were set up like we were defending a lead

[Clampy]

The fact that we scored one goal in all three play off games says a lot.  In the four consecutive finals we have lost at Wembley, if you accept yesterday as a final tie, we have scored one goal.  0-1 Chelsea, 1-2 Manure, 0-(fill in a number) Arse and 0-1 Mighty Fulham.  We can't score goals against decent opposition in big games.

On the subject of scoring goals, everybody was shouting for Kodjia yesterday as Grabban played like a poor man's Savo, let us not forget that this erstwhile saviour of our bacon defied the Villa doctors and got crocked for a season  in the ACN.  Had he respected the club that pays his very substantial wages and picks up the equally expensive tab for the medical treatment that keeps him in the game, he could have scored the goals in the 2017/18 season that won us automatic promotion.  His contribution to the campaign just concluded so in gloriously has been a big fat zero.

Brian, regarding Kodjia, he didnt have too much choice about going to the ACN. He was called up and he had to go. It's a bit harsh and a tad churlish to bring that up. We didnt go up because overall we didnt deserve too.

[clash city rocker]

It's the end of another chapter in the history of Aston Villa. Let''s hope the start of the next chapter is about planning ahead and getting in a manager, coaches and scouting system that believe in playing football....yes the beautiful game.