Villa v Leeds post match thread

[Walmley_Villa]

I thought the firs half was pretty even. They came out of the blocks and then we grew into the game  I really enjoyed it. Second half was all about the first goal and that was that. Cash easily our MOTM.

[ozzjim]

Leeds were incredibly fit, and wanted it more. My wife commented 10 minutes in how lean the Leeds players looked, and how quick they were closing us down. It was very impressive. No way they sustain that over a full season though, they will struggle with many more injuries. Deserved to win last night though.

[Risso]

Even Smith commented on how fit Leeds are.  Well, make our players fitter then.  You can't make a player more skilful, but you can run him harder, so how about trying it?

[OzVilla]

It’s a long season. As impressed as I was with Leeds 2nd half I’ll be amazed if they are still doing that in February. The lockdown was as helpful for them as it was for us.

I’m not too despondent. We had 3 great chances (Grealish x2 and Konsa) before their first goal, score any of those and it’s a different story. We just didn’t take our chances, they did, fair play to them, it happens.

[Fred Crump]

I agree that more running makes you fitter Risso but some players are just more natural athletes than others so will respond better to the training. I think Bielsa chooses natural athletes who suit his style of play and can cope with the brutal physical conditioning that he puts them through.

[kippaxvilla2]

It’s well documented how intense their fitness regime is under Bielsa.  Double sessions same day I think.

[OzVilla]

Even Smith commented on how fit Leeds are.  Well, make our players fitter then.  You can't make a player more skilful, but you can run him harder, so how about trying it?

You’re conveniently forgetting how they blew up the season before last and were well on the way to doing the same when lockdown came. They’ve never kept it up for a season in the championship so I’d be amazed if they did in the Premiership. They are a decent side but they’ll fade playing that style.

[RamboandBruno]

It’s a long season. As impressed as I was with Leeds 2nd half I’ll be amazed if they are still doing that in February. The lockdown was as helpful for them as it was for us.

I’m not too despondent. We had 3 great chances (Grealish x2 and Konsa) before their first goal, score any of those and it’s a different story. We just didn’t take our chances, they did, fair play to them, it happens.

Agree with this. The last two seasons they had a post Xmas slump, one that dragged them into the play offs another they recovered from. If Something similar happens this season, the premier league as we all know from last year, can be brutal. So as well as they played last night and deserved winners as they were, there’s no guarantee Leeds won’t struggle later in the season.
As an aside just watched that Grealish run again, pure class, but he has to play Watkins in at the right moment, there would of still been work to do but he was unmarked.

[DB]

We just were not at it like previous games and against a team like Leeds you are asking for trouble. They need a kick up the arse vs Soton as they and Ings will punish you.

[Risso]

They had 27 shots. I thought we'd said goodbye to those sort of stats, so hopefully yesterday was a one off blip.

[bugdozer]

How much did Gaby's outburst affect their approach? Zero? Lots? Can't help thinking of Pandiani but what effect does an ex-player have compared to a current player making statements? Bugger-all?

[Smithy]

Even Smith commented on how fit Leeds are.  Well, make our players fitter then.  You can't make a player more skilful, but you can run him harder, so how about trying it?

You’re conveniently forgetting how they blew up the season before last and were well on the way to doing the same when lockdown came. They’ve never kept it up for a season in the championship so I’d be amazed if they did in the Premiership. They are a decent side but they’ll fade playing that style.

They'll play 8 fewer league fixtures this season, and have a bigger and they have better squad than last year. I'm not saying they won't run out of steam, but it's definitely less-likely than in previous years.

I was impressed by them, and by Bielsa.  As I said in the match-thread, that sub after 20-odd mins was really ballsy, and was shown to be a great decision.

[Chris Smith]

I thought the firs half was pretty even. They came out of the blocks and then we grew into the game  I really enjoyed it. Second half was all about the first goal and that was that. Cash easily our MOTM.

Pretty much how I saw it. If we had scored first we would have been able to sit and try to pick them off on the break but they did and were then able to exploit the spaces we were leaving. They were absolutely relentless though, I doubt we’ll play another team quite like that all season. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up.

[bugdozer]

I thought the firs half was pretty even. They came out of the blocks and then we grew into the game  I really enjoyed it. Second half was all about the first goal and that was that. Cash easily our MOTM.

Miff?

[Risso]

Even Smith commented on how fit Leeds are.  Well, make our players fitter then.  You can't make a player more skilful, but you can run him harder, so how about trying it?

You’re conveniently forgetting how they blew up the season before last and were well on the way to doing the same when lockdown came. They’ve never kept it up for a season in the championship so I’d be amazed if they did in the Premiership. They are a decent side but they’ll fade playing that style.

They won the last 5 games in a row before lockdown.