Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke City Post Match Thread

[Legion]

Yes, it was cold. And very, very wet.

[CJ]

Horrible weather. Started off brightly but then we were below average for the rest of the first half. Defensive frailties continue to dog us - Hutton was at fault for their first and Elmo for their second. Thought Bolasie and El Ghazi had a poor day at the office. And we missed Jack in the middle big time - would have liked to see Callum O'Hare given a shot there rather than circulating Hourihane and McGinn, and Whelan offers very little other than recycling the ball. But playing below par and still scoring 2 against a pretty decent Stoke squad can't be sniffed at, and a point apiece was probably a fair result. Maybe it would all have been different if Ince had been given a deserved second yellow for an outrageous dive, but, as we know all too well in this division, the officiating is inconsistent at best and generally poor. With other results going against us I think we're a safe bet for the playoffs but feel automatic promotion is slipping away

[Legion]

Highlights

[adrenachrome]

Horrible weather. Started off brightly but then we were below average for the rest of the first half. Defensive frailties continue to dog us - Hutton was at fault for their first and Elmo for their second. Thought Bolasie and El Ghazi had a poor day at the office. And we missed Jack in the middle big time - would have liked to see Callum O'Hare given a shot there rather than circulating Hourihane and McGinn, and Whelan offers very little other than recycling the ball. But playing below par and still scoring 2 against a pretty decent Stoke squad can't be sniffed at, and a point apiece was probably a fair result. Maybe it would all have been different if Ince had been given a deserved second yellow for an outrageous dive, but, as we know all too well in this division, the officiating is inconsistent at best and generally poor. With other results going against us I think we're a safe bet for the playoffs but feel automatic promotion is slipping away

Very good summary, I would say,  although some paragraphs would have made it even better.

The old dialectic of form and content.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm not sure how scoring at least 2 for the 7th game in a row is an inconsistent attack tbh.

On paper I agree but today we created very little.

Worth remembering Stoke have a very good squad at this level. Slow start but they are 9 unbeaten and are probably as much contenders for top 6 as we are.

[Small Rodent]

I think we need some perspective.  Stoke have still got a very decent squad and were PL last season.  At the start of this run I wouldn’t have given us much hope of many points.  But with arguably one match left in the very difficult run we are still only three points off the play offs with some very winnable games in January and February and with a better defence and keeper. 

The McCartney two thumbs up for you!

[SoccerHQ]

I don't think Grealish will be back next week, listening to Dean's post match interview but Jedi, BB and Angela will be.  We will need more creativity in the centre of the park to beat Leeds.  Hourihane and Whelan ain't it.  We need to purchase a player in that area in January imo.

From that I'd put Bjarni in. We've seen he can get in box and get goals so think he's the best bet of that lot available if Jack isn't available.

[adrenachrome]

I'm not sure how scoring at least 2 for the 7th game in a row is an inconsistent attack tbh.

On paper I agree but today we created very little.

Worth remembering Stoke have a very good squad at this level. Slow start but they are 9 unbeaten and are probably as much contenders for top 6 as we are.

Agreed. They are a very good team at this level.

In fact, there are quite a few decent teams, and people banging on about the division being  shite are barking at the moon if you ask me.

[Mister E]

We got lucky in the end to get a draw. Whelan is such a poor player and he neither offers anything to help the defence or anything at all in attack. A meaningless, useless bog standard footballer. And our defence is just shit, but then we all knew that. Full backs both had poor games.

Anyway thank fuck for Kodjia today. Disappointing result

This sums it up.
Fullbacks were poor, Whelan and Hourihane together create awful lethargy, and neither winger were really in their game today.
The journey back oooop north was effing ‘orrible after a hideous day’s weather.

[sirlordbaltimore]

Highlights

Looks like another Hutton masterclass i've missed this afternoon 

[CT]

Just back after a horrendous journey home. Really pleased with a battling point as I thought we were bang average today.

Set pieces were awful, the two wingers were poor, although at least one didn't spend the game moaning at team mates for not serving everything up on a plate for him. Stoke used the width really well and got in behind us for fun.

We looked a bit lost without Jack and for me, CH really flatters to deceive.

Today was the sort of game I thought Scott Hogan would thrive as a central attacking striker so I was a bit disappointed Dean Smith only gave him 7 minutes plus added time. Then, as Scott trotted around without breaking sweat, I could completely understand why DS chose to leave it so late!

So, with all that, to battle back twice and gain a point against a side from the PL last season, at least shows we won't roll over for anyone.

[achilles]

Highlights

Looks like another Hutton masterclass i've missed this afternoon 

Give it a bloody rest!

[CT]

Highlights

Looks like another Hutton masterclass i've missed this afternoon 

Give it a bloody rest!

Exactly. I mean, the guy who played at RB today was just fantastic wasn't he? Did a great job of leaving McClean free for most of the game and then giving away a ridiculous penalty.

[adrenachrome]

Highlights

Looks like another Hutton masterclass i've missed this afternoon 

Jesus Fucking Wept.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Highlights

Looks like another Hutton masterclass i've missed this afternoon 

Jesus Fucking Wept.

Hutton was at fault on at least 4 occasions, one of which lead to their goal so yes, Jesus is probably shedding a tear right now.