Aston Villa v Derby County post-match thread

[olaftab]

I never thought, this season, I would be reading posts on here making Whelan MotM and total disappointment expressed over Elphick being injured.

[mallo]

I just can't believe one player can make so much difference - amazing. Great result and on to the rags next!

[olaftab]

I have been critical of both before but I thought Hourihane and Whelan were fantastic yesterday. So you are Dean Smith, do you accommodate SJM next week or leave the team unchanged? The whole team looked balanced and everyone in the right positions, the work ethic and high press were evident- all boxes ticked for me.

SJM should return against Small Heath may be in place of Adomah or El Ghazi to shore up the midfield as it’s going to be a tough battle however you are right about the balance in the team being right so let’s see what Dean would do.

[Lastfootstamper]

The second goal is a thing of beauty. Besides the speed of our play, there was a definite zip to the passing. Nobody seemed afraid of playing a pass with a bit of welly behind it, and likewise nobody seemed fazed about being on the receiving end, players individual games were very good all round.

If it's not been mentioned yet, the official YouTube highlights are up. A full ten minutes of pretty much all Villa.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

I never thought, this season, I would be reading posts on here making Whelan MotM and total disappointment expressed over Elphick being injured.

We'll, it's been a topsy-turvy sort of month, what with a mini-February "heatwave"!

[chrisw1]

One of my many stupid habits is thinking jewellery I wear influences results. Tonight I've taken a photograph of the ring, earrings and watch I wore today to remind me to wear them next week.

It’s madness isn’t it? but at one point in time I remember me eating a kings size mars bar at half time was a vital to us getting a result.  Better than lucky pants though.

[Larry Duff]

You play your best Team.  McGinn is one of the two best Midfielders in this League in my opinion.
Hard to change a winning Team but Deano knows what he should do.
Hard to say to Whelan (MOM maybe) Hourihan, Adomah or El Ghazi after they all played well, that they are out. But for me that is the right decision.

[Larry Duff]

I just might have put this in the wrong thread,  Sorry.

[eamonn]

Lots of empty seats for Jack’s goal. Don’t go for that early half time pint kids.

I think a lot of people missed two goals!

Eejits.

[thick_mike]

One of my many stupid habits is thinking jewellery I wear influences results. Tonight I've taken a photograph of the ring, earrings and watch I wore today to remind me to wear them next week.

It’s madness isn’t it? but at one point in time I remember me eating a kings size mars bar at half time was a vital to us getting a result.  Better than lucky pants though.

77/78 it was a quarter of pineapple rock bought on the way to the match that had to be finished by half time. My teeth were a disaster that year.

1994 it was dad’s Sela Cough sweets from the same paper bag each week. It was like the Turin Shroud by the end of the season.

[Nev]

Lots of empty seats for Jack’s goal. Don’t go for that early half time pint kids.

I think a lot of people missed two goals!

Eejits.

I was an eejit. I had the matter literally in hand when his goal went in.

[hipkiss92]

Lots of empty seats for Jack’s goal. Don’t go for that early half time pint kids.

I think a lot of people missed two goals!

Eejits.

People who sit behind me missed the 3 goals in the Sheffield United game and the 2 before HT yesterday.

[Bad English]

I was amazed at how many people preferred to 'beat the traffic' at the end. I'd want to be there to cheer the team off, preferably with everyone else still there.

[Toronto Villa]

I never thought, this season, I would be reading posts on here making Whelan MotM and total disappointment expressed over Elphick being injured.

It shows that you don't need superstars in this league to make a difference. There are Elphick and Whelan standard players all over this league making a difference. With Whelan used correctly and sparingly with the right compliment of players he has a role to play. I still wouldn't start him next week because the game is just far too important. But could he come in against the right opposition and do a job? Off course. Just not every week or if he's asked to do more than he is capable of player or at his age.

[ChicagoLion]

So who would play DM TV?