Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke City Post Match Thread

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The weather and Stoke sucked the life out the atmosphere.

I agree, filthy day and a disjointed game.

I thought Stoke were organised and their defence was physically strong but we played into their hands with the predictable nature of our game. I take a positive from a point after going behind twice.

Yes me too. I feel more pleased with this point as I thought we were going to lose the way we'd been playing.

[Pat McMahon]

The weather and Stoke sucked the life out the atmosphere.

I agree, filthy day and a disjointed game.

I thought Stoke were organised and their defence was physically strong but we played into their hands with the predictable nature of our game. I take a positive from a point after going behind twice.

They knew that without Jack our threat was down the flanks. They completely won that battle (until Bolasie’s cross) and so nullified us.

I thought Stoke generally played the better football yesterday and were well organised. We barely made their keeper work. Hourihan and Whelan are not mobile enough as a pairing in midfield to play against better teams.

Atmosphere was really poor, and I was in the Holte Upper. Back in the day a 35k plus crowd guaranteed a good atmosphere.

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Did anybody else find the attendance annoying?

36,999? Just wrong.

Whelan and Hourihane were a huge problem. It's what I thought we should go with initially, but I changed my mind and wished Smith had. He got it wrong yesterday.

Either move to 2 up top or bring O'Hare in to find space for himself or others.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Angela start against Leeds although, Smith said Jack should be back.

[Risso]

Did anybody else find the attendance annoying?

36,999? Just wrong.

Whelan and Hourihane were a huge problem. It's what I thought we should go with initially, but I changed my mind and wished Smith had. He got it wrong yesterday.

Either move to 2 up top or bring O'Hare in to find space for himself or others.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Angela start against Leeds although, Smith said Jack should be back.

Yep, it's like when you're putting petrol in the car and it ticks over to £70.01.

[ez]

I went to my first villa game for several years today. I was looking forward to seeing Smith's brand of attacking football but there wasn't much of it going on. Also I  couldn't help noticing how quiet it was for a decent attendance and wondered if this is how it has become while I've been away.

Afraid so. The Lambert years have really sucked the life out of the crowd.

Hogwash

It was exceptionally quiet yesterday. I think everyone was just frozen solid. It felt a little warmer for the periods of the 2nd half when we stood up, & I think the Stoke fans were maybe a little warmer than us due to away fans standing throughout!

The atmosphere at Villa Park has generally really picked up in recent weeks but yesterday was incredibly flat.

I noticed the players trying to rouse the fans a couple of times so they obviously noticed it.

[SoccerHQ]

Did anybody else find the attendance annoying?

36,999? Just wrong.

Whelan and Hourihane were a huge problem. It's what I thought we should go with initially, but I changed my mind and wished Smith had. He got it wrong yesterday.

Either move to 2 up top or bring O'Hare in to find space for himself or others.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Angela start against Leeds although, Smith said Jack should be back.

My fault, my Dad normally comes with me for Saturday 3pm games but far too cold for a 69 year old and he dosen't like driving in the dark either so passed up getting him a ticket on Friday.

Would've been really cool to have an exact 37k attendance, wonder if that's ever happened before. Abroad they tend to round up attendances to nearest thousand.

[tomd2103]

Did anybody else find the attendance annoying?

36,999? Just wrong.

Whelan and Hourihane were a huge problem. It's what I thought we should go with initially, but I changed my mind and wished Smith had. He got it wrong yesterday.

Either move to 2 up top or bring O'Hare in to find space for himself or others.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Angela start against Leeds although, Smith said Jack should be back.

Agree about Whelan and Hourihane together.  It was the same against Blues and it makes us a bit one paced and lacking any real energy in midfield.  I think Dean Smith rates Lansbury and wouldn't be surprised to see him start if Grealish is not available. 

[eamonn]

I wonder how much havoc the attendance played in the Guess The Crowd competition.

[kipeye]

This is a game we would have lost under Bruce-but probably only 1-0.

[manic-road]

I was glad to get home yesterday to dry out and thaw out. We had too many players having an off day yesterday, Elmo and Bolasie especially for me.
Also some of the passing seemed a bit slow paced compared to recent games, beat dirty Leeds please and it will be a great Christmas.

[sickbeggar]

Been viewing this part of the season upto christmas as a massive bye (in the cricketing sense) because well frankly this side won't go up as it is, and there's nothing Smith can do about it till January. Having said that, considering this is still the side Bruce was seriously planning to mount a promotion challenge with, i don't think we can have too many complaints overall. If he gets the right personnel in during January then a play-off place should be assured at least. I just hope there's a bit of money available or barring that, he can move some players on to free up some wages for new arrivals. He's obviously  shown he can polish a turd so far - lets hope he's as good wheeling and dealing in the transfer market.

[john e]

Been viewing this part of the season upto christmas as a massive bye (in the cricketing sense) because well frankly this side won't go up as it is, and there's nothing Smith can do about it till January. Having said that, considering this is still the side Bruce was seriously planning to mount a promotion challenge with, i don't think we can have too many complaints overall. If he gets the right personnel in during January then a play-off place should be assured at least. I just hope there's a bit of money available or barring that, he can move some players on to free up some wages for new arrivals. He's obviously  shown he can polish a turd so far - lets hope he's as good wheeling and dealing in the transfer market.

I don’t rate many of our players as highly as a lot on here
but even with this squad we are capable of the play offs

[darren woolley]

It was freezing yesterday at Villa Park and we got a point so let's beat Leeds next week and everything will be back on track.

[sickbeggar]

mebbe, but i don't think you can seriously expect to go up even via the play-offs with a defence like ours however many you score the other end.

[john e]

mebbe, but i don't think you can seriously expect to go up even via the play-offs with a defence like ours however many you score the other end.

we haven’t lost a game in 7 even with our defence against some of the best teams in the division