Aston Villa 2-1 Blackburn Rovers Post Match Thread

[tomd2103]

Whelan looks like he's relishing finally playing for a team that play proper football.

Certainly playing his best football since he has been with us.  Always a bit sceptical when players start doing that just a couple of months before they are out of contract!!

[olaftab]

Yesterday reminded me of Ipswich when we were coasting and a soft goal suddenly had us hanging on for the last 10 minutes.

In the opening 20 we were as good as I have seen us this season. We should have won the game by half time. Our failure to cement our lead meant we were never home and dry though. Once we had the second I was hoping we would push on but I think the players switched off. Blackburn got more possession and slowly had more territory too, though truth be told Steer had almost no saves to make. I think we need to put sides to the sword when we are on top as this could cost us in the run in.

Standouts for me were McGinn and Mings, and the continued renaissance of Whelan, Elmo and Taylor. I thought Grealish was good at times but didn’t dominate the game. Green had a few good moments but seems to lack confidence and back himself.

I was in the upper Trinity yesterday near the halfway line so had a cracking view. Atmosphere was decent but because of the configuration of the stands a lot of noise from the Holte washes away from the pitch.

They were guilty of thinking that's it the game is won after the second. I can't blame the fans for thinking that after all Bburn had done nothing to worry us but yes players should be more professional about it. They  did the same v Forest after the 5th. That goal was over celebrated  with players possibly thinking they are down to 10 so surely this is the winner.

Green rapidly needs to improve his anticipation. There were a few instances when he got caught out particularly one where McGinn won the ball turned around and played it over to the right but Green was too slow on to it and couldn't manage to keep it in. I like his tricks though.

[Hookeysmith]

Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous  Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.

Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! 

I've spoke to her several times pre game and she is as charming as she is gorgeous. Definately a villa fan as her dad is as well.

[BC54 VFC]

Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous  Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.

Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! 

Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.

I'm only an adopted Salopian though!   Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.

[Ian.]

Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous  Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.

I didn't realise she was a Villa fan, I thought she was a Bristol City girl. If this is the case, then I love her too. She's perfect.

I read that earlier on and read it as Michael Owen.

[DesBremner]

Whelan looks like he's relishing finally playing for a team that play proper football.

Certainly playing his best football since he has been with us.  Always a bit sceptical when players start doing that just a couple of months before they are out of contract!!

Lee Hendrie Syndrome

[Sexual Ealing]

Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous  Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.

Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! 

Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.

I'm only an adopted Salopian though!   Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.

As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.

[darren woolley]

Great win and another three points so pleased for us I got back from the game with flu like symptoms but it was worth it.

[Rodders]

Two observations from me.
1. At times the atmosphere was incredible. The best for quite some time.
2. I looked behind me to see who was doing the Sky reports to discover it was the gorgeous  Michelle Owen ❤️ who was only about 10 rows back. I’m in love.

Yes she is gorgeous but she's from Church Stretton, Shropshire, so hands off! 

Yes we know you guys shack up with cousins in that part of the Country.

I'm only an adopted Salopian though!   Born in Handsworth Wood and proud of it.

As a dyed-in-the-wool export from England's largest landlocked county, I say back off of our wenches.

Ratlinghope dweller here and I therefore claim superior rights over the lot of you

[waringpongo]

Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer

[Rodders]

Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer

Being within walking distance of The Bridges wasn't a deciding factor in buying the house at all, honest!

[waringpongo]

I think you've cracked it there. Perfect spot.

[Border villan]

Ratlinghope has a great pub and lovely beer

Pronounced “ratchap” by the locals and the real name of the pub was the Horseshoes but always known as The Bridges because of its location.

[Rodders]

It's a funny one, that. Some claim that Ratchup was an invention of the Post Office in the thirties, but I have a copy of a c17th map showing the spelling as Ratchope. Bridges is a curiosity, too, a hamlet in its own right but within the very spread out village that is Ratlinghope.

Anyway, back to football!

[tomd2103]

I tend to normally sit in the lower North Stand, but was in the upper Holte on Saturday.  What really was apparent from up there, was just how better we could be with two modern style full-back capable of attacking really well. 

There were a number of times where Taylor in particular had a lot of space in front of him, but hadn't got the pace to really drive forward into it.  Both full-backs also found themselves one-on-one in attacking situations at times, but didn't even attempt to beat heir man and just turned back. 

I don't think either Taylor or Elmohamady had particularly bad games on Saturday (and the latter is OK at getting forward), but I just think that two of the more modern type full-backs could really add something to the team going forward.