Aston Villa v Brentford Post-Match Thread

[RussellC]

With played with more intensity and a a greater tempo than we have done for ages. The acid test will be whether Bruce can get us to do the same against Reading on Saturday, as that was what often let us down last season.

[nrg72]

I thought we were really unlucky and there were largely good displays all over the pitch. What cost us was poor delivery into the box on a plan 'B' (other than crossing) for scoring goals. Still not as stable as we could be at the back but they generally score goals against most teams and had we got 4, which, with our overall play wouldn't have been flattering, it wouldn't have mattered. I thought Grealish and McGinn were really good. Have seen some comments saying Grealish had an off nightand really don't agree. McGinn's tenacity as well as his quality both really stand out and those two, with Whelan doing well as well, controlled the centre of the park until late on. Elmo back to right back next game with Tuanzebe back into the middle please.

[darren woolley]

I thought that was one our best games we have played since the Wolves game really good to watch if we play like that every game we will win more than we lose.

[oldhill_avfc]

Very encouraging performance.

The negatives:

Adomah in the first half had 6 opportunities in behind or one on one with their full back and put in woeful deliveries.

Green was worse.

Elmo delayed his crosses too often and the over all.open play delivery was poor, which is why we didn't hurt Brentford.

We tired after 70 minutes and it allowed them opportunities. The 2nd goal was a direct consequence of Elmo pressing out of position and leaving Tuanzebe with two. Elmo has to track to centre to allow Chester to cover, but he didn't have the legs so our shape was lost.


The Positives;

We had a lot of the ball and in dangerous areas too. Better delivery would see that territorial dominance lead to a good hiding for the opposition; it's probably why we've signed two wingers.

We worked exceptional hard off the ball, epitomized by SJM, the victim of an outrageous snide stamp.

We passed the ball in one and two touches and moved well.

Whelan. Yes Whelan. The guy can pass, pass it forwards and at tempo.


We deserved at least a point and have set a benchmark for effort.

Better delivery will benefit us and with some additional pace to counter or stretch teritorially, I think we'll challenge.

(Apologies for selective quote)

We played well last night; in fact very well in patches but failed to make it tell and for me Ads summary above highlights some of the reasons.

With 4-1-4-1 our wide players play a more or less as traditional wingers which is all well and good provided they can provide telling crosses and then there's someone in the right place to stick it in the back of the net.

The general standard of crossing from both wingers was poor along with the commitment from the attacking midfielders to hit the box (and Grealish who I think is generally excellent needs to shoulder some of the blame for this).  Kodija's positional sense for crosses is also lacking - he loiters in the middle or back post when he should be attacking the near post. 

Away from home the situation is worse because the midfield sit deeper generally (and Admomah in particular is woeful at holding onto the ball to allow them to get forward), so we loose possession easily and are the on the backfoot once gain.

For me Hourihane has to play even if we don't change the formation.  For the record I think we'd be far better off as 4-2-3-1, with the '2' being normal midfielders rather than being there just to protect the defence and play more possession and through the middle - I think in the long term this will be Grealish's best position too.

[villabear]

Stripey fan at work “ watched the game last night, I tell you who’s overrated - Grealish”

FFS

I hate the Albion

[cdward]

As good as it was, there is still that nagging doubt in the back of my mind.
We all remember what happened after the Wolves result, we went on to perform well below that standard and it ultimately cost us.

Still a good start to the season, unbeaten and hopefully we will have learnt from that Wolves game.

It's the Villa, if anybody thought this season or division was a walk in the park, they obviously haven't watched us often enough.
UTV

[Nunkin1965]

I thought we were very good last night overall.
The big test is Saturday because we’ve gained some momentum and we need to back it up.
Something we failed to do a lot last season.

[badluckeric(gates)]

Some right miserable gits on here. Best we’ve played for ages

Spot on

[Drummond]

Some right miserable gits on here. Best we’ve played for ages

Spot on

I agree, it is the best we've played in ages, but isn't that the point? If we can play like that,, why don't we? It's sporadic and we get by scraping wins elsewhere.

I want us to play like that most of the time instead of the timid, safety-first approach we normally take. It's time to let the shackles off and go for it. We should have done better last night results-wise.

No more excuses.

[sirlordbaltimore]

I agree, it is the best we've played in ages, but isn't that the point? If we can play like that,, why don't we?

We did.

[GarTomas]

Some right miserable gits on here. Best we’ve played for ages

Spot on

I agree, it is the best we've played in ages, but isn't that the point? If we can play like that,, why don't we? It's sporadic and we get by scraping wins elsewhere.

I want us to play like that most of the time instead of the timid, safety-first approach we normally take. It's time to let the shackles off and go for it. We should have done better last night results-wise.

No more excuses.

Our possession of the ball was better but creation of chances wasn’t great.

The first half goal was good individual work from Kodjia after some excellent team pressing (which we did well for an hour before tiring). The second goal a last minute winner from a set piece.

For all our pressure we didn’t force their keeper into many saves if any. Brentford on the other hand despite being described by many as ordinary forces 2/3 really good saves from Nyland.

Yes the performance was better but the standard has been so low an improvement is hardly setting the world alight.

We don’t seem to have any discernible style to our attacking; it’s all very one paced and still seems to be reliant on someone conjuring a bit of quality. Over a season that just doesn’t cut it for me.

[PeterWithesShin]

As well as doing the stamp, anyone else notice him seemingly deliberately slapping Hutton in the face after scoring their second?

[GarTomas]

As well as doing the stamp, anyone else notice him seemingly deliberately slapping Hutton in the face after scoring their second?

One of those players who if in your team you love; if he’s part of the opposition you detest.

See Snodgrass, R and Terry, J for other examples (for different reasons!)

[maigrait]

As well as doing the stamp, anyone else notice him seemingly deliberately slapping Hutton in the face after scoring their second?

The Cad..

and no. The stamp was enough to brand him as a tool for the rest of his life.

[Jon Crofts]

On the bright side having McGinn in the side gives the opposition someone else to stamp on other than Grealish.