Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion Match Thread - Playoff SF 1st leg

[saint13]

Johansen doing a superb job on him it must be said. That said it's a dreadful error that handed them their goal. They look piss weak on the right side too where Phillips is having a shocker and Holgate is booked.
[/quote]

He is...though Jack is playing into his hands by dropping so deep.

Albion are surprisingly solid at the back and it is set up for them perfectly on the break.

Adomah has offered nothing...I've got to say I don't rate him and I never have.

He has go to turn to JK to try and offer something different.

Still a long way to go & I still fancy us over 2 legs.

[auntiesledd]

I'd snap anybody's hand off for a draw tbh. Far too many sloppy performances from our lot today - and we don't seem to have the first idea as to how to break them down. We need Jack (or somebody) to take this game by the scruff of the neck & play through their well-drilled defence. It's been all too easy for 'em so far.

[PeterWithesShin]

We need to move the ball quicker, that's the way to open up a side playing defensively.

[Ducksworthy]

The "twelfth man" sounds like a group of spectators at a gala in Stechford Baths.

I’ve always found this at Villa Park - I can only count a handful of times I’ve ever found the atmosphere truly excellent (I should point out I’m not yet in my 30s) as opposed to away games where a shit atmosphere is the exception rather than the rule.

[Steve67]

I think we may need to gamble here and bring a second forward on.  Perhaps Davis to get in amongst the Albion centre backs.  We look void of ideas at the moment and haven't stretched a really well drilled Albion side.  the second leg will be more open unless Albion piss this with us making more stupid fucking errors. Our movement off the ball has to be better too.

[JUAN PABLO]

conor for whelan
kod for AA

[brontebilly]

Think Hourihane will have to come on at break, need his goal threat from midfield on asap. Whelan not exactly providing much cover against their counter attacks so is obvious one to make way. AA offering zilch and having a footballer as poor as Taylor getting so much possession isn't going to worry them. Not sure on our other options in those positions though.

I'd change shape slightly too. Sit McGinn next to Whelo/Hourihane for a bit and drop Jack right up near Abraham. See if that worries them a bit for a while. Otherwise going to have to get Davis (my preference) or Kodjia on circa 60 min Mark.

[Damo70]

We have had 70% possession. We have been the better team but have lacked a cutting edge. Plus the small point of giving them a goal start. Adomah has been anonymous.

[taylorsworkrate]

For all our possession, we haven't remotely looked like scoring.

I don't think it will be long before we see a change of formation.

[SoccerHQ]

Strange sort of feeling after 45 mins. We clearly had the most attacking intent but less chances and could be 3 down if it wasn’t for decent clearance and a stunning steer save

West Brom sort of team that can have 40% possesion yet still create good chances with their front two really pressing and chasing the long balls.

It is Matt Phillips first start since early March so hopefully he'll tire and they'll re jig their midfield around 70 minutes.

Holgate on a yellow is something we really need to attack, would get Kodjia on as I've said.

Losing this wouldn't be clever at all. There is still time.

[aj2k77]

This team have come back so many times this season, we can do it again, let's not start calling the same players that won 10 in a row ****** and rubbish because we've conceded a sloppy goal.

We aren't being outplayed, we aren't disorganised, we aren't lacking effort.

Back the boys.

[Duncan Shaw]

Up early watching in a beach bar in Barbados....please don't ruin the last day of my honeymoon Villa!!!  Just no cutting edge...get hot lips on.

[itmustbe_it is!]

Our 4 wide players are a quartet of c***s, but it's been like that for much of the season. Absolutely fuck all coming in from wide, Albion know they're shit and know they can afford to give them space rather than others so yes, they've done their homework.

Not sure we are watching same game , el ghazi is causing them plenty of trouble

[itmustbe_it is!]

This team have come back so many times this season, we can do it again, let's not start calling the same players that won 10 in a row c***s and rubbish because we've conceded a sloppy goal.

We aren't being outplayed, we aren't disorganised, we aren't lacking effort.

Back the boys.

This for me

[four fornicholl]

Rocket from Smith required.