Aston Villa v Arsenal Post Match Thread

[TaxDodger]

It's said that 5 from 9 subs benefits the teams with stronger squads, but it also allows Villa to carry someone like Lansbury as a designated time-wasting sub.

Hope to see him come on around 90+4 again on Sunday

I'm not sure I'd take being one goal away from relegation going into stoppage time on Sunday! I had about six heart attacks last night. Arsenal and Everton both need to go 2-0 up early on.

[KevinGage]

Now, to have a fucking heart attack.

I spent the whole of the game feeling physically sick.

Couldn't watch.

Might give Sunday the swerve n'all.

[PaulTheVillan]

Last night was one of those nights where everything comes together. Tactics, effort, application etc.

We'll need a repeat on Sunday. I'm confident we'll be safe.

[simboy]

We played well last night. There was an adaptation of shape to negate the opposition, changing from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-4-1 to a 4-4-2 as the game progressed. Whilst I have seen Smith do that before I don’t think it’s been as effective.

Great performances from Luiz, Konsa, Gilbert, and the rest. Even Targett had a good game and he’s the one who’s usually hopelessly out of position.

On the comparison with the 15/16 season. I have to say the game against Manure saw the worst performance I have seen since then from a far better team. After that penalty we never looked like as a team we wanted to compete. It could have gone two ways from there. We could have limped off into the championship without a real wimper or we could fight back.

I was thinking back to the 88/89 season. Perhaps this season more accurately mirrors that one.

A manager under pressure, a rising star who was probably off if we got relegated, a defence which always seemed susceptible. But we showed grit and determination even though we were not the best team in the league.

We almost died on our feet trying to get over the line. I remember a nervy win over Luton and newcastle which about saved our season, but last day nerves against Coventry. Can’t remember who we lost to the week before.

I do hope it’s the same outcome on Sunday.

[JUAN PABLO]

another thing , always thought that lineswoman was excellent , that bloody free kick she gave on Targett , I was thinking ffs this is it

[LeeB]

It's said that 5 from 9 subs benefits the teams with stronger squads, but it also allows Villa to carry someone like Lansbury as a designated time-wasting sub.

Hope to see him come on around 90+4 again on Sunday

Admit it, nobody thought they’d see Lansbury again did they?

Was speaking to a big Forest fan at work yesterday, he couldn't believe we'd had him on the bench.

[villabear]

Apologies if anyone has already posted this. Cmon we we all like this weren’t we?

This is so good. Oh and check out the dogs face.

https://twitter.com/thestandsofvp/status/1285732784083017729?s=21

[KevinGage]

I was thinking back to the 88/89 season. Perhaps this season more accurately mirrors that one.

A manager under pressure, a rising star who was probably off if we got relegated, a defence which always seemed susceptible. But we showed grit and determination even though we were not the best team in the league.

We almost died on our feet trying to get over the line. I remember a nervy win over Luton and newcastle which about saved our season, but last day nerves against Coventry. Can’t remember who we lost to the week before.

I do hope it’s the same outcome on Sunday.

Indeed.  We had a reasonable start that season, had plenty of goals in us and never really looked in trouble until the second half of the campaign when McInally's goal's dried up.

15/16 we were effectively gone by the Watford home defeat in November/Dec.

If we can just stay up this year I reckon we'll be fine medium to long term.

[ROBBO]

Anybody worried about our keeper?

[mattjpa]

Reading the comments, im surprised how many fans who love the Villa enough to be active members on a Villa fan site chose not to watch the game last night. As uncomfortable as it was, the emotions watching a game like that stirs up are why everyone got into football in the first place no? There is always a chance of a performance like that, or the play-off semi or the league cup semi. Don't get me wrong, I could barely watch injury time and came up with some ridiculous system of pausing tv for a minute and watching a minute at a time on fast forward to get me through it but bloody hell, that was up there with the best ive seen.
This isnt a criticism BTW so please dont take offence, just an observation of the notion of having access/ability to watch the Villa in such an important game and choosing not to (for what ever reason), is completely and totally alien to me. Im glad my wife wasnt in labour last night or I would be spending a shit tonne on flowers this morning....

[hilts_coolerking]

I'm a far bigger cricket fan than I am football but I couldn't watch the super over in the World Cup final last year, or the final overs of Stokes's stand with Jack Leach.

[RamboandBruno]

We played well last night. There was an adaptation of shape to negate the opposition, changing from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-4-1 to a 4-4-2 as the game progressed. Whilst I have seen Smith do that before I don’t think it’s been as effective.

Great performances from Luiz, Konsa, Gilbert, and the rest. Even Targett had a good game and he’s the one who’s usually hopelessly out of position.

On the comparison with the 15/16 season. I have to say the game against Manure saw the worst performance I have seen since then from a far better team. After that penalty we never looked like as a team we wanted to compete. It could have gone two ways from there. We could have limped off into the championship without a real wimper or we could fight back.

I was thinking back to the 88/89 season. Perhaps this season more accurately mirrors that one.

A manager under pressure, a rising star who was probably off if we got relegated, a defence which always seemed susceptible. But we showed grit and determination even though we were not the best team in the league.

We almost died on our feet trying to get over the line. I remember a nervy win over Luton and newcastle which about saved our season, but last day nerves against Coventry. Can’t remember who we lost to the week before.

I do hope it’s the same outcome on Sunday.

That’s a really good summary and I think your right 88/89 is a far better comparison. Would love it if Sunday wasn’t actually nerve shredding but Cruz control, never likely to happen with the villa.
Interesting getting the perspective of fans of other teams. I’ve had work mates message me today that are Derby, Wimbledon and even Liverpool, who all thought it was a great game in which villa were superb for 94 minutes.

[KevinGage]

In my case I pulled this stunt for the play off final last year and Everton away recently, as well as last night. So I'm taking one for the team.

[Chris Smith]

We have a WhatsApp group for our family season ticket holders and I posted at the final whistle “imagine being in a packed Villa Park right now”. Probably the first time since the restart I felt properly engaged with a game. Even my other half who is, at best, indifferent to football was shouting for the ref to blow the final whistle.

The manager and players got pretty much everything spot on last night and a similar level of performance and commitment is essential on Sunday.

[Small Rodent]

Great goal by Trez. A bullet.

Davis miss was a very difficult shot to take being pushed wide by the defender.

I'd keep Reina for next season.