Aston Villa 2-3 Leeds United Post Match Thread

[BC Villain]

Despite us going two ahead I thought they were the better side by some distance with no’s 10, 7 and 47 being particularly impressive. We struggled for energy in midfield and they always had forward passing options whereas we relied on a bit of brilliance which became rarer and rarer. Strangely I thought our best period was the start of the second half before they scored.

The makeshift back four looked exactly that, all three goals were perfectly preventable, Elmos defensive performance was unforgivable for a player of his experience,  Brees more understandable given the lack of faith shown in him beforehand.

A few doubts about Dean as well, we needed more energy in midfield and all three of his subs looked unprepared. Kodja and Bollassie had run out of steam and weren’t tracking back and the obvious sub was Adomah, if he wasn’t fit enough for 20 mins then he shouldn’t have been on the bench. We just looked far too open against their mobility

Much too do in the transfer window, we need new defenders and freshening up in midfield.

Have to say I was a bit disappointed (even if it was a throw away comment) in Deano's pop at Leeds overcelebrating the winner.  When you've come from two down to win away in the last minute, your hardly gonna trot slowly back to the middle to restart the game.

[Tugby Villain]

It is a worrying concept that we might be back in the for want of a better word politics of squad use.  The notion being that we have paid and are paying a lot of money for players so we have to showcase them with game time to enhance their resale value.  If that is happening it should not be, because all the club focus should be on building upward momentum not wheeling and dealing.  Cheque book  bashing strategy is straight out of the Steve Bruce playbook and has got us where we are today.

Having slept on it, yesterday's disaster is just as painful now as it was yesterday afternoon.  Too many old demons rose up again that I thought the arrival of Dean Smith would blow away.  That Leeds game I fear will go down as season defining.  In years to come it will be the Villa game at Christmas on a foul day in front of a full house when we threw away a two goal lead and the 2018/19 season.

Really?! It's all a bit unneccesarily doom and gloom, we've got 23 games still to play and if we carry on as we have been under Smith then we'll make the top 6 (that's just a simple points projection).  I know it's gutting but if we win our next three - which is entirely possible - we'll probably be in the play-offs going into the New Year.  UTV

[amfy]

...although I always time extra time properly, & they celebrated for 1.47, but only 1minute was added on.

When 5 minutes were announced I felt the crowd didn’t know whether to be pleased or alarmed, but there was certainly no major groans & questioning, as if we were ‘hanging on’. At full time the game could have had any result, and I think we have to remember that we were totally in that game despite Leeds being the best side we’ve seen here by some distance and us having some critical injuries down the spine of the team.

It’s a bad result because we were 2 up and because of the way other results have gone, but I still feel that we are moving in a positive direction.

Usually, in recent times, when we mess up in front of a full house it’s in a way that means those extra fans won’t be back for a while, but with the entertainment value yesterday - many of those will be more regular visitors.

[Richard]

I agree amfy as disappointing as yesterday was theres a lot of very melodramatic hogwash on here. Everyone can see where we have improved since Smith came in and where we are still deficient.

It might not be until next season that we see the full force of the new Villa though. Leeds were just too good for us tactically if nothing else and sometimes you have to say fair enough.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Disappointed obviously about yesterday's game, not least because I didn't give us much hope with a bruce inspired back 5, but Deano didn't have much choice. Typical Villa we go 2 up raising hopes but typical Villa we lose to a 95th minute goal. Scapegoating individual players is pointless and counter productive. I'm convinced if we still had bruce we would be fighting relegation. The way he deliberately and calculatingly left our defence is nothing short of disgraceful and unprofessional. His negligence in this cannot be justified by his pathetic mouthpiece alex. Contrastingly the professional Smith has gone about his business very well keeping us in touch with the playoffs, knowing that his repost to bruce will come in the transfer window. Dean knows what he's got to do and I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 4 defenders come in (a first choice lb and possibly a back up lb depending on taylor's injury. A first choice left cb and a back up left cb and possibly a first choice rb) Chester needs to resume his right cb position with axel no better than his back up. Elmo needs to go and perhaps bree needs to be loaned out with hutton back up to a new rb. I would have said rdl could have filled this role but some dickhead loaned him out to australia. Taking the positives from the way Dean has transferred us as an attacking force is what I'm doing this morning, whilst hoping my patience re defensive positions will be rewarded come January. UTV and merry christmas!

[Steve67]

I hadn't realised that our game against Swansea is on the telly.  We are still a massive draw but I think we have to change our 'divine right' attitude as I think this is why it hasn't worked out for some of our players at Villa.  The clubs who have been promoted are been better TEAMS than we are at the moment.  We have some fantastic quality but we are way too individual to get promoted at the moment.  Leeds showed us that yesterday.  A good, young, hard working side who outplayed us, much as I hate to say it.  I was surprised rather than expectant when we went 2-0 up, I breathed a sigh of relief when the board went up at half time and it was only one minute added on.  Smith HAS improved us but needs more consistency from the players and also needs one or two replacements.

[dorsetvillian]

 Leeds were the best team we have played by a country mile. They were happy for a point in injury time but got lucky with some dreadful decision making by Elmo. It will be really interesting to see the re shaped defence under Deano. The GK situation is already hopefully! sorted. Two defenders minimum and then a push into the top 6.  Onwards to Swansea on Boxing Day. At least the bridge is now free which saves some money on the trip to Wales.

[andyh]

I hadn't realised that our game against Swansea is on the telly.  We are still a massive draw but I think we have to change our 'divine right' attitude as I think this is why it hasn't worked out for some of our players at Villa.  The clubs who have been promoted are been better TEAMS than we are at the moment.  We have some fantastic quality but we are way too individual to get promoted at the moment.  Leeds showed us that yesterday.  A good, young, hard working side who outplayed us, much as I hate to say it.  I was surprised rather than expectant when we went 2-0 up, I breathed a sigh of relief when the board went up at half time and it was only one minute added on.  Smith HAS improved us but needs more consistency from the players and also needs one or two replacements.

The Boxing Day game is on telly?
What channel, I can’t find it.

[Steve67]

I hadn't realised that our game against Swansea is on the telly.  We are still a massive draw but I think we have to change our 'divine right' attitude as I think this is why it hasn't worked out for some of our players at Villa.  The clubs who have been promoted are been better TEAMS than we are at the moment.  We have some fantastic quality but we are way too individual to get promoted at the moment.  Leeds showed us that yesterday.  A good, young, hard working side who outplayed us, much as I hate to say it.  I was surprised rather than expectant when we went 2-0 up, I breathed a sigh of relief when the board went up at half time and it was only one minute added on.  Smith HAS improved us but needs more consistency from the players and also needs one or two replacements.

The Boxing Day game is on telly?
What channel, I can’t find it.

I am watching SSN now and waiting for it to come back around on the right hand side of the screen.  It was defo on there, whether the red button jobby or actually on properly, I'm not sure.

[andyh]

its on the Red button

[olaftab]

It was all my fault, I was just commenting how Elmo was playing quite well and Leeds hadn’t got any change out of him when he was skinned alive for the first goal. Sorry everybody.

You bar steward. Having done this dreadful deed you better make sure you send me an even more expensive gift than you normally do tomorrow😡

[Pat McMahon]

We were shit. They were good. Kodjia, Elmo, Hutton and El Ghazi were mince. My turncoat nephew roared Villa on all game and then decided he was still a Leeds fan in injury time.

As much as I'd rather sever all three of my testicles than spend any time with them, I thought the Leeds fans made a lot of noise. Having said that, and I hope I'm wrong, but did I hear them singing in support of Tommy Robinson at one point (after we sang for Tammy Abraham)? If so they can obviously fuck back off to the sea.

I was amazed at how subdued the Leeds support was - until they scored. This from an upper Holte perspective.  They sang in the first minute then nothing until the 56th when they got a goal back. After that they made good noise.

[Pat McMahon]

Two thing about defending corners. Nobody on both posts and we dont have players attacking the ball. The new keeper might change this.

I said that yesterday for their first corner. Abraham marking the near post just feels wrong to me. Have him mark and compete v one of their tall players.

[Ads]

I disagree with people criticising Smith for being a bad loser. I'm a fucking terribly bad loser and given he's one of us, it will hurt more.

Show me a good loser and I'll show you the real loser.

[darren woolley]

Disappointed losing especially after being 2-0 up but defensive mistakes cost us and Leeds were very good second half we must put that right on boxing day and get back on track.