Anwar El Ghazi - gone to PSV

[Brassneck]

I'm wondering whether this is the type of player who would cut it in the PL?

Certainly, of late, he has looked like he would do so.

I'm wondering whether it might be good business to try to sign him permanently in January?  I notice Lille signed him for 8 million Euros.  Would £6 million secure him?

[Villafirst]

I think the option to buy fee is £4.5M. If so, a bargain....

[eamonn]

How did he do today? Seemed his replacement was the catalyst in us getting anything from the game.

[Richard]

Poor today and played like he thought it was too cold and wet for football !

[willenhall villa]

He’s set himself a higher benchmark after his Albion performance. Yes he wasn’t the best but he did ok. The good thing is the substituation worked.

[SoccerHQ]

Main problem was our passing was too slow in central midfield (Jack a big miss for that) so when him or Yannick got the ball they were being doubled up and that's not easy for any winger.

Last few weeks we've got it to El Ghazi quickly and he's had just the full back to beat.

Crossing from open play and also corners was awful all afternoon.

[XXVilla]

There was a big Jack sized hole in the midfield today and it showed. We were back to Bruce days of not knowing what to do with the ball in this area.

[adrenachrome]

There was a big Jack sized hole in the midfield today and it showed. We were back to Bruce days of not knowing what to do with the ball in this area.

He is the oil in the engine; keeps the play fluid and the opposition on their toes or kicking him.

Welcome my son
Welcome to the machine

[themossman]

Yeah poor today. Trickery without any end product and lost the ball regularly.

[XXVilla]

Poor today and played like he thought it was too cold and wet for football !

Rugby weather. Barcelona would have struggled in that shit.

[themossman]

Today’s conditions were always going to be a leveller for silky players like him. Hopefully he’ll be back with a couple of worldies next week.

[exigo]

He acknowledged his poor performance on twitter.

Not my best game.. but still unbeaten 7 games in a row. Thanks for the support @AVFCOfficial fans! See you next week. 👍

[in exile]

He is the oil in the engine...

The Villa engine?

[wittonwarrior]

There was a big Jack sized hole in the midfield today and it showed. We were back to Bruce days of not knowing what to do with the ball in this area.

You've hit the nail.  El Ghazi if fed is  good, no service poor - simple  as that .  Mind you could say the same about one or two others.

[footyskillz]

I mentioned in Preston post match thread that have him in teal on ball, driving dribbling and shooting playing the Grealish role and in support as an attacking midfielder .

I think he would do well here and that's where Smith needs to deploy him.