Aston Villa v Man City, a referee and two linesmen Post Match Thread

[itbrvilla]

I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0.  And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it.  Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do.  BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out.  They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?

I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often.  That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.

At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.

I think everyone was pretty much fearing the worst when it went 2-0.  And for a little while afterwards, it did look like the game might become a damage limitation exercise, but credit where it's due, we took our chance and at 2-1 we were always in it.  Yes, they have a LOT of the ball - that was always going to be the case - they had more of the ball away at Real Madrid - it's what they do.  BUT an awful lot of their possession was spent passing side to side thirty yards out until someone like Kyle Walker has a pop from miles out.  They had over 20 shots, yes, but how many clear-cut chances? How many big saves did Nyland have to make? I think they had one more shot on target than us?

I thought the pressing from us as the game went on in the second half was mostly very good, even forcing City to put in into row Z on a few occasions - something you don't see them doing very often.  That said, the pressing and big Wembley pitch meant we were absolutely knackered by 95 mins. If we'd got the equaliser, you never know, obviously, but we looked dead on our feet.

At the end of the day, the record books will record us losing another Wembley final, but if Dean can somehow get them to work like that for the next 11 games, there is room for optimism, especially with McGinn getting close to a return.

Isn't Wembley the same size as Villa Park?

[London Villan]

Most premier league pitches are the same size as wembley.

[TopDeck113]

When they scored their second I was fearing the worst.  That we were still in with a chance up until the final whistle is a minor victory of sorts.  They're a far, far better team than us (I just laughed when they made their substitution - that's the depth of their squad) and you'd expect them to beat us nine times out of ten, but we weren't disgraced and put on a reasonable show. 

One cup final down, twelve to play.  What we can't afford to do now is spend the rest of March moping and bemoaning a linesman's incorrect call. 

[AsTallAsLions]

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

[dave.woodhall]

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken to says you are.

[jwarry]

As someone mentioned the Blue Moon forum earlier I thought I’d have a look. OMG, is that what money does to die hard fans! They have become so high up there own arse they have just conveniently wiped the years and years of mediocrity from their psyche. Apparently Grealish is small fish in a small pond......

[Drummond]

I thought they all did pretty well today and I liked Luiz. He played up the pitch and I thought that suited him.

[GarTomas]

As someone mentioned the Blue Moon forum earlier I thought I’d have a look. OMG, is that what money does to die hard fans! They have become so high up there own arse they have just conveniently wiped the years and years of mediocrity from their psyche. Apparently Grealish is small fish in a small pond......

As sung many a time by the lnspiral Carpets

“So this is how it feels to be City,
This is how it feels to be small,
This is how it feels when your passport is back in the draw “

[mcgrath_85]

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken to says you are.

Ah, well that’s settled that then. 😂

[mcgrath_85]

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken to says you are.

Ah, well that’s settled that then. 😂

[AsTallAsLions]

Good bloody effort. I thought Douglas was great.

Now carry on that level into the rest of the season, don’t let it drop.

Douglas was great? He was awful mate.

Yeah, if not for Targett's comedy first half I'd say he was our worst performer out there.

And you'd be wrong.

My eyes and common sense tell me that I'm not, David, but thanks all the same.

Everyone I've spoken to says you are.

You mean, you and your pals who agree with everything you say regardless?

Hard not to be reaffirmed in an echo chamber isn't it.

[achilles]

I think the PL is too physical for Luiz, he is obviously a good player but he needs too much time on the ball. He will go abroad and make a good career for himself.

[PaulWinch again]

I thought he was good, my eyes told me that. Fine to disagree of course, but that’s my view.

[TheMalandro]

I think the PL is too physical for Luiz, he is obviously a good player but he needs too much time on the ball. He will go abroad and make a good career for himself.

Or he'll adjust.

I think he'll thrive in a decent team.

[Risso]

Luiz wasn’t awful but by no means was he good. Gave the ball away cheaply a few times. The midfield remains the reason we’ll be relegated, it’s just not fit for purpose.