Aston Villa v Southampton Post Match Thread

[brontebilly]

The result papers over some pretty considerable cracks.

Those cracks are canyons. We were a disorganised rabble today when the game was competitive.

[jcsutv]

Any idea why Southampton are allowed to wear white shorts?

[Three Spires Villa]

For me we are building. The squad is better than last season, not great but better. Personally I don’t think Dean Smith will take Villa to where I want us, ie, regular in Europe and a couple of trophy’s, but he could be the manager to take us forward and then a better manger takes us on. I was unhappy with Dean at times last season, but I am prepared to give him time. We still have lots to do, and he certainly deserves this season.

[edgysatsuma89]

I'd be bloody delighted.

Definitely. I'd be aiming for 10 more points than last year.

After spending what 70m in the summer on transfer fees alone ?

45 points could get us 11th or 12th.

Top half would be pretty good. It's still very possible as long as we get out of this developing malaise pretty quickly.

That's pretty much what I was thinking SHQ. 11-14th. I just think our expectations have been heightened but the last 2 games show us that it will still be a slog in parts.

[Meanwood Villa]

I threw in the towel at 0-4 and went shopping. Pleased to hear the lads didn't.

[Grande Pablo]

I called out 'why is McGinn marking the big number 4', then my stream froze...

The collective movement of the team back & forth seems to have disappeared.  We defended & attached as a team until half time vs Leeds, from which point it seems the midfield has largely disappeared, creating acres of space.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

This season gets ever stranger,
The top 3 teams in the table have conceded more goals than the bottom 3.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Any idea why Southampton are allowed to wear white shorts?

We said this.Bearing in mind we have a light blue change home short for this eventuality.

[amfy]

No doubt we’ll hear form smith that he laid into them at half time.
If that’s the case, maybe it’d help if he installed the same fight and attitude before the game starts.

I’ve seen one where he says he didn’t want to change anything, but the players did, so he let them. This worries me a bit.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

On paper, I think our first eleven is better than Leeds and Southampton.

I agree, who would you take from saints or leeds? I doubt anyone would want walcott? Ings from Saints, maybe Kalvin Phillips from Leeds. Ward Prowse has always been anonymous unless there's a dead ball, an english version of  hourihane. But both teams full of no name players who just follow their instructions and run all day.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

After the Leeds game I wasn't expecting that. The least I hoped for was a more closely fought game but for 60 minutes we pretty much failed to turn up again. Admittedly, Southampton like Leeds play with a sense of purpose, so it shouldn't be too much of a shock but why are we struggling again with the basics? Dean can say what he wants but he needs to face facts that teams are punishing us and we seem to have no answer.

Arsenal next. Joy.

[Big Ming]

Matt Targett is extremely careless in keeping hold of the football.

[darren woolley]

Bad first half better second.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Bad first half better second.

Problem is D, the game was over by the time we turned up.

[Big Ming]

On paper, I think our first eleven is better than Leeds and Southampton.

Anyone disagree?

Unfortunate that the game is not played on paper.

Second game running that we have not been 'at it' from the first whistle. After a nice break and a full week at Bodymoor.  Second game running that we have been tactically poor.