Spurs 3 Aston Villa 1 post match thread.

[PeterWithesShin]

That sums up the level we need to get too. Don’t blame jack he had no outlet. Going to b hit and miss all round

I blame him completely for the second, no outlet then clear it.

[taylorsworkrate]

I'd be interested to know if it was Jack doing it or a tactic from DS that he was so deep so often. I think he's wasted when he does that and we lose a lot going forward.

That's why we need Luiz or Nakamba in that DM position. With Conor there just isn't enough protection for Jack to be further up the pitch, particularly against quality teams like Tottenham.

[Matt C]

Lots to be positive about, lots of lessons to learn. Still think we’ll be OK.

[Villa Lew]

We lost to a quality side, but disappointed that we created nothing in the 2nd half, until SJM's chance at the end. Mings, Engels, Heaton were superb and SJM in the first half. Jack was poor today, but have no doubt he will come good in this league.

[Smirker]

Lots to be positive about, lots of lessons to learn. Still think we’ll be OK.

Of course. We will be fine.

[Lastfootstamper]

Disappointing. Maybe it was for our greater good, a game against the likes of these first up. Playing with 7 players from last season and a 2 goal loss to the CL finalists, not exactly our worst result ever. Goalkeeper looks like a very good buy, and I thought all the back four did okay. They weren't helped by having nothing in front of them. Second half, our midfield and forwards were far too spread out. Lessons learned today about the speed of thought and deed required at this level, hopefully.

[colin69]

Grealish was fine until their second goal. To say he won’t come good is just being hysterical.

Maybe, maybe not.

Some of the debutants looked far more composed to me.

[Uknowthescore]

One of the hardest games we will have all season, didn’t think we played too bad. The real test is Bournemouth at home next week which is more our level.
Slightly concerned about striking options but we shall see. UTV

[Axl Rose]

Disappointing in the end, but I thought we did ok. More positives than negatives.

Smith didn't look happy during the second half, and rightly so. Need to get players further up and around Wesley.

Bit more belief Villa, and be smarter with the ball. On to the next game.

[Villafirst]

We'll find our feet when these players bed in. Plenty to come with Nakamba and Douglas. What happened to Guilbert? Only worry for me is lack of forward options.

[Dazvillain]

After 90 mins I don’t feel it’s right to criticise anyone at all. I can see why selections were made. I almost think that there may be a case for a different style and starting 11 home and away.
Whatever is chosen it’s a learning curve for all at AVFC every week. Dean isn’t the sort of coach that will allow the same mistakes or poorer performances from individuals week in week out.
I trust him as much as the owners for the long haul.
I think we’ll be ok over the season , but it certainly isn’t championship style !!

Lastly, as well as Heaton, I thought we had McGrath and Laursen in front of him and those 3 were awesome

[paul_e]

I don't agree with the comments that Jack was poor. I think he had a good hour but then, like everyone else, the chasing shadows just wore him down, the mistakes in the last 10-15 mins were of someone who was fucked, not because he isn't good enough. Jota and Kdojia came on and should've been trying to get on the ball and push them deeper, but neither of them got up to the pace of the game and we really needed the breathing space of the ball not coming back so quickly.

[JUAN PABLO]

Douglas looked good for his cameo

[phantom limb]

Disappointing but a tough game to start with, hopefully we can learn from some of the mistakes that we made late on. You don’t get the time in this league.

[Toronto Villa]

Here’s what I am sure of. Is unlike other managers we have had where we will play the same way again next week, Dean Smith and staff will analyze the heck out of this and play a very different game vs Bournemouth. Also the players will learn from it. They’ll be told to watch how fast Spurs closed us down and that’s the level of intensity we will need to compete at this level. There won’t be any “we go again” or need to roll up our sleeves or we will there or thereabouts nonsense. The response will be measured and tactical.