Crystal Palace v Aston Villa post match thread

[Pat McMahon]

I thought both yellows for Trez were bookings. Not saying the ref wasn't shite but those were 2 of the few things I think he got right.

That was my take too. Definitely the most obvious yellows of the game.

I agree we need to shore up our defence away from home - the wide players have not been good enough either defensively or going forward.

On a non playing level I would make a song and dance about bringing in a recently retired referee to advise and instruct us over the next fortnight. A way of showing we take this seriously and we are doing our best to adapt our play to referees’ interpretation of the laws of the game.

By the way, if you can see a straight line between the ease with which Friend handed out cards so easily in the first half and the way in which Billings (?) for Bournemouth went on a one man fouling campaign 2 weeks ago with only one yellow then you are a better man than me.

[ROBBO]

I don't want to see Grealish around our own penalty box his strength is putting defenders under pressure. Do not understand why DS can't see this if we need to play an extra midfielder and drop one of the wingers then do it, Jack proved the point in the last minute when we should have equalised if not for the cheating git in charge.

[wittonwarrior]

The bottom line from Saturday is that we huffed and puffed and didn't really deserve anything result wise.  Not made easier by the referee who seemed to have a field day with his cards.

i think the goal should have stood and why did the ref blow up if he was not going to give a penalty?

In hindsight a red card was always on the books come half time and Deano himself should have made substitutions to cover the probability.

Not our best day but we gave 110% so no calling off me.

[adrenachrome]

[KRS]

I missed the second half but listened to the first in the car, and said that we need to hold out till half time to regroup, and it was obvious we were going to have a player sent off the way Friend was dishing out the bookings...almost as if he wanted to issue a red card and was edging his bets. Still fucking fuming. ******.

[darren woolley]

That Ref is definitely not our Friend he cost us a point.

[Mister E]

Wasn't he the VAR official for our Spuds away game? The one who could not see Winks pulling McGinn back in the second half?

I think the main lessons from the first 4 games are:
- there are no easy games: B'mouth and CP have proved that point
- we need to toughen up a little: I'd like to see Marvelous and Luiz as two holding MF
- we need to look after the ball a whole lot better than we currently do
- this is not a time to panic!

[ktvillan]

Re the petition we are privileged in this country to have the right of protest.  Why not use it.  If anyone thinks it's small time, fuck them.  It's not just Villa fans, Friend's latest shambles has been almost universally condemned across the board from fans of other teams to broadcasters, journalists, former players and former referees. 

[ChicagoLion]

Re the petition we are privileged in this country to have the right of protest.  Why not use it.  If anyone thinks it's small time, fuck them.  It's not just Villa fans, Friend's latest shambles has been almost universally condemned across the board from fans of other teams to broadcasters, journalists, former players and former referees.

Agreed, the more pressure that’s put on. The cheating c**** the better.

[Rico]

Just watched the extended highlights again on YouTube. The level of incompetence from Kevin Friend is astounding. Seriously there should be some sort of investigation into his performance. The only word I can come up with is corrupt.

[Dogtanian]

Unfortunately the FA is too preoccupied with protecting its own reputation and trying to convince everyone it is infallible rather than engaging with the fans who are effectively its customers and being open and transparent.

[JUAN PABLO]

The ref and Trez cost us a point.

[OzVilla]

In fairness our defending for their goal was awful.

[themossman]

Jack in Garth Crooks' team of the week, apparently as a vehicle for another justified dig at incompetent halfwit Friend. Gratifying to see it getting proper airtime. The more I see it the more I think it's not just a run of the mill ref error. It's genuinely so bad as to appear corrupt. Not that I think it is but the fact that one could make the argument says it all:

Jack Grealish: I don't normally select players on the losing side but on this occasion I must make an exception. Jack Grealish not only gave a captain's performance against Crystal Palace but was robbed of the part he played in providing Villa with what would have been an impressive and justified equaliser.

Kevin Friend's shocking decision to disallow Henri Lansbury's 96th-minute goal after Grealish's brilliant run ranks among the worst decisions I've seen in years. What Friend didn't see (and I did) was Grealish get bumped by Wilfried Zaha as he entered the box, which propelled Grealish to the ground. You actually see Zaha, with hand raised, appeal to the referee to say no penalty. This was truly an outrageous decision.

[OzVilla]

I agree, I think (hope) that this is the straw that breaks the camels back where shite referees are concerned such has been the universal condemnation from the pundits.

 If Friend has any decency he’ll be on the phone to Dean Smith this morning to apologise and admit his error.

He needs to be given an extended break. I’m still fecking seething tbh.