Aston Villa v Liverpool Post Match Thread

[olaftab]

Good performance by villa though. Credit where credit is due

A good performance is out scoring your opponent or keeping your concentration for the entirety of the match. "Switching off" and conceding two goals in 7 minutes at the most important time of the game, resulting in you ending up with zero points isn't what I'd describe as a "good performance".

It was a good effort and nothing more.

This is the hard truth.

[MalcolmP]

Good performance by villa though. Credit where credit is due

A good performance is out scoring your opponent or keeping your concentration for the entirety of the match. "Switching off" and conceding two goals in 7 minutes at the most important time of the game, resulting in you ending up with zero points isn't what I'd describe as a "good performance".

It was a good effort and nothing more.

This is the hard truth.

  just lost to the European Champions only 1 defeat in around 50 premier.league games. IT WAS A GOOD PERFORMANCE - FACT

[Ads]

Do you remember the last time they came to Villa Park? Have you ever suffered a bigger humiliation at home, a performance so devoid of... anything. Well this was the opposite.

Disappointed doesn't cover it. I don't want to be the plucky loser, but there's a tonne of positives to take from that performance against the best side in the country and Europe. They didn't lay a glove on us until the last. If they don't win the league this year, they never will.

The first half we performed better, but even in the second as we tired I didn't feel Heaton was making any wonder saves.

The effort off the ball in our shape, discipline and pressing was excellent. Should have done better in the first minute, missed a free header and of course Connor should have buried it.

I'd like to see their free kick again. I'm not sure why Mane hadn't been booked for several fouls before his disgraceful dive, but it is what it is.

I suppose it typified the difference when we brought on £1.5m Hourihane and they brought on £65m Kieta.

We've thrown away several points in the latter stages against the top 6 sides and its infuriating, but also promising in some respects.

We're a few players shy up top from being a mid table side.

[Sexual Ealing]

Do you remember the last time they came to Villa Park? Have you ever suffered a bigger humiliation at home, a performance so devoid of... anything. Well this was the opposite.

Disappointed doesn't cover it. I don't want to be the plucky loser, but there's a tonne of positives to take from that performance against the best side in the country and Europe. They didn't lay a glove on us until the last. If they don't win the league this year, they never will.

The first half we performed better, but even in the second as we tired I didn't feel Heaton was making any wonder saves.

The effort off the ball in our shape, discipline and pressing was excellent. Should have done better in the first minute, missed a free header and of course Connor should have buried it.

I'd like to see their free kick again. I'm not sure why Mane hadn't been booked for several fouls before his disgraceful dive, but it is what it is.

I suppose it typified the difference when we brought on £1.5m Hourihane and they brought on £65m Kieta.

We've thrown away several points in the latter stages against the top 6 sides and its infuriating, but also promising in some respects.

We're a few players shy up top from being a mid table side.

This looks like a fair summary to me.

[QuintonVilla]

Good effort but same mistakes, naivety, lack of concentration and fitness as we saw at Tottenham and Arsenal. Leading until very late in all three games and took 0 points. Our inability to keep the ball means we are chasing a lot and under a lot of pressure and eventually we tire and that pressure against the top teams will tell.

The positive though is if we play like that against 90% of the league, we'll win. Liverpool as much as I dislike them kept going and they don't know when they're beaten.

Thought the atmosphere was superb from the off and the fans certainly did our bit trying to get them over the line. I know Allez Allez Allez isn't everyone's cup of tea but when all four sides of the ground are singing it it's very impressive and loud.

Liverpool's support was embarrassing. Worst away support I've seen for ages, especially from one of the bigger teams and a sold out away end. Not a peep from them for 87 minutes. Burton made more noise.

[walsall villain]

Gutted. Smith really needs to learn how to make subs that alter tactics rather then just like for like replacements. We never learn.

So who should we have replaced our injured RB with apart from another RB? Who should we have replaced our clearly knackered striker with apart from with a striker?

That seems to be the problem for us. As a promoted team our substitutes aren’t of sufficient quality to see us over the line against the top teams

[Lastfootstamper]

Gutted. Smith really needs to learn how to make subs that alter tactics rather then just like for like replacements. We never learn.

So who should we have replaced our injured RB with apart from another RB? Who should we have replaced our clearly knackered striker with apart from with a striker?

That seems to be the problem for us. As a promoted team our substitutes aren’t of sufficient quality to see us over the line against the top teams

Yup. 6 of our 14 played in the championship last season. All three of our subs did.

[walsall villain]

Gutted. Smith really needs to learn how to make subs that alter tactics rather then just like for like replacements. We never learn.

So who should we have replaced our injured RB with apart from another RB? Who should we have replaced our clearly knackered striker with apart from with a striker?

That seems to be the problem for us. As a promoted team our substitutes aren’t of sufficient quality to see us over the line against the top teams

Yup. 6 of our 14 played in the championship last season. All three of our subs did.

Hopefully we will be in this league long enough to put this right

[OzVilla]

Every now and then sport has a habit of giving you a right kick in the bollocks. This weekend being a fine example.

Fell asleep and missed the game. Not sure I can bring myself to watch it now.

[Lastfootstamper]

I have no doubt. I look at our squad, and I envisage progression, season upon season. As much as I've loved each of them for what they've contributed in the past, Elmo, Hourihane and Kodjia shouldn't be getting anywhere near the pitch for a side that's trying to hold back the onslaught of the reigning European Champions.

[walsall villain]

I think it would be sensible if away fans were all held back at full time on dramatic days like today. It wasn’t good walking past the away end. Upset villa fans and gloating away fans, not a good mix.

[walsall villain]

I have no doubt. I look at our squad, and I envisage progression, season upon season. As much as I've loved each of them for what they've contributed in the past, Elmo, Hourihane and Kodjia shouldn't be getting anywhere near the pitch for a side that's trying to hold back the onslaught of the reigning European Champions.

Spot on

[cdbearsfan]

We pretty much matched the Champions of Europe and would have won if not for the referee who gave them decision after decision in the second half. They're good enough anyway, they shouldn't need to have a cheat like that on their side. Proud of all the Villa players.

[RichardBatchelor]

Not sure. Thought Elmo played well tbh.

“What a stadium, what a club.” Klopp. Fair play that man.

[Luke8]

Having had a bit of time to digest the game, I’m still absolutely gutted. But it does feel like there is the makings of a real team here.

Still improvement to be made obviously, particularly with our composure and concentration in both boxes but so many aspects of the team coming together nicely.

Mings and Engles are building a really good partnership, Marvelous is class, both of the full backs have improved us massively and Luiz, I think, will develop into an excellent player. The front three today worked so hard and have showed that they all have quality (albeit very inconsistent currently). Throw our two best players on top of that are there is a lot to be positive about going forward.

Don’t think it’ll be plain sailing at all, and it’s a tough run of games coming up now, but the small margins in both the last two games (against the best teams in the league) and the improvements we making show we are becoming a proper team in my opinion.