Arsenal v Aston Villa Post Match Thread

[Three Spires Villa]

Not had time to read thru the thread but two observations - the Beeb now reports assists under the goalscorers on their website. Why isn't Targett acknowledged for the first goal? It's left blank, is it because the goal was an OG? Shit reasoning if so.

And second, while I admire the impudence of it, Jack clearly barged their player (Tierney?) for the last goal, to make sure he wouldn't make a challenge. If that was against us, I'd be shouting for a free kick. Not VARable but I'm surprised Atkinson missed it.

Absolutely not, they were shoulder-to-shoulder, that's always been part of the game. I moan about refs missing stuff quite often but that's pushes and shoves, my 2nd peeve, after 'he got the ball', is the little 2 hand push in the back as a player jumps meaning he's moving in the air and either can't make a header or can't direct it. It's a clear foul and yet you see them almost every game because refs have let it go for years.

100% agree about Grealish. It was shoulder to shoulder which is a totally legitimate thing to do. Not Jack's fault that he's built like a tank or that Tarquin looked like he exists on a diet of Fois Gras.

apparently he is a vegan

I’m a vegan, have been for about three years and I need to go on a diet!

[passport1]

A great team performance. Everyone performed superbly and very similarly to the first four games worked their socks off. Keep that level of discipline added to the undoubted ability and we are going to have some fun this season.

[Hockley Lion]

Great result, great team performance, clean sheet, and no egos. Some spellbinding play. Particularly liked the pass, pass, pass round the statuesque defence. Brilliant!

Lovely to see the lads smiles.

UTV!

[Toronto Villa]

I have rewatched the game looking out for a piece of skill that Jack did that went uncommented on.
On about 84 mins the ball is deep in our half, it’s played into Jack who has 2 Arsenal players on him, plus 1 just in front.
He takes 2 steps towards our goal, stops, turns and breaks away taking 3 players out of the game.

It’s wonderful, superb, beautiful stuff that just comes so naturally to him we just accept it.

The kid is a fucking genius.

https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1325782188516896768

That was filthy. Piss taking, confidence, arrogance and sublime skill rolled into one. I challenge anyone to find in English football today that would even think to do that let alone pull it off as effortlessly as he did.

[dave shelley]

Just been debating SJM's disallowed goal on Sky Sports, ex ref Dermott Gallagher has said correct decision, he thinks as Barkley interfered with Leno's vision, the fact that the goalie wouldn't have saved the shot is irrelevant. Bonkers

Dermott Gallagher is a little fucking creep. He hardly ever criticises the officials unless it's something so blatantly wrong  that a blind man on a galloping horse would see it. He obviously enjoys still being a part of the referees clique and he doesn't want to jeopardise that.

Sorry Edge, Dermott Gallagher is a gentleman, I know because I've been in his company and have been linesman for him when he refereed Worcester City on the Southern League.  He takes his refereeing very seriously and is extremely helpful to junior referees.  He's as far from creepy as you can get.  I respect you're right to that opinion although I think you are wrong.

[Des Little]

I’ll apologise now and say my opinion differs with yours, Dave. Gallagher is Mike Riley’s puppet/stool pigeon, and I have never once seen him adopt a practical common sense view if it is seen to compromise his peers or the referees union, regardless of the circumstances. He should be a politician.

[dave shelley]

No opinion necessary Des, it's your opinion as it is the Edge's.  You will never get a high-profile referee come out and critisise another high-profile referee, it just isn't done, I only do it because I'm seventy-two and it ain't going to hamper my career. 

[Gerrin]

Not had time to read thru the thread but two observations - the Beeb now reports assists under the goalscorers on their website. Why isn't Targett acknowledged for the first goal? It's left blank, is it because the goal was an OG? Shit reasoning if so.

And second, while I admire the impudence of it, Jack clearly barged their player (Tierney?) for the last goal, to make sure he wouldn't make a challenge. If that was against us, I'd be shouting for a free kick. Not VARable but I'm surprised Atkinson missed it.

Absolutely not, they were shoulder-to-shoulder, that's always been part of the game. I moan about refs missing stuff quite often but that's pushes and shoves, my 2nd peeve, after 'he got the ball', is the little 2 hand push in the back as a player jumps meaning he's moving in the air and either can't make a header or can't direct it. It's a clear foul and yet you see them almost every game because refs have let it go for years.

Totally correct. What Jack did was very reminiscent of Gazza in his prime. He always used his arms and upper body strength to get rid of opponents. Jack seems to be staying on his feet much more this season.

[Toronto Villa]

Behind the scenes. Always a good watch

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1325868256108961797?s=21

[PeterWithesShin]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cov0bmfO_w

[The Edge]

Just been debating SJM's disallowed goal on Sky Sports, ex ref Dermott Gallagher has said correct decision, he thinks as Barkley interfered with Leno's vision, the fact that the goalie wouldn't have saved the shot is irrelevant. Bonkers

Dermott Gallagher is a little fucking creep. He hardly ever criticises the officials unless it's something so blatantly wrong  that a blind man on a galloping horse would see it. He obviously enjoys still being a part of the referees clique and he doesn't want to jeopardise that.

Sorry Edge, Dermott Gallagher is a gentleman, I know because I've been in his company and have been linesman for him when he refereed Worcester City on the Southern League.  He takes his refereeing very seriously and is extremely helpful to junior referees.  He's as far from creepy as you can get.  I respect you're right to that opinion although I think you are wrong.

Fair enough i'll apologise for calling Mr Gallagher an effing creep. Let me explain what i meant.  I'm saying that every time i've seen  or heard him comment on controversial refereeing decisions he continually backs the officials. Even when everyone else in the football fraternity agrees that they got it wrong. I don't know him and i take on board your comments about him but i do think he is part of the whole problem we face with VAR. Refs and ex refs are covering each others backs.

[BC54 VFC]

Not had time to read thru the thread but two observations - the Beeb now reports assists under the goalscorers on their website. Why isn't Targett acknowledged for the first goal? It's left blank, is it because the goal was an OG? Shit reasoning if so.

And second, while I admire the impudence of it, Jack clearly barged their player (Tierney?) for the last goal, to make sure he wouldn't make a challenge. If that was against us, I'd be shouting for a free kick. Not VARable but I'm surprised Atkinson missed it.

A shoulder charge whilst the ball is within playing distance of both players is legal.

[Lastfootstamper]

Not going to say where, but I've heard Andy Townsend discussing our game. He was speaking about the body language of the arsenal players throughout the game. Compare that to the attitude of our lot when McGinn's got chalked off, it didn't get them down, they had a look of, "well, these things happen. Let's get another one". Positive bunch.

[RamboandBruno]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cov0bmfO_w

That was definitely us!!!

[Lastfootstamper]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cov0bmfO_w

That's good, but...
https://twitter.com/mrjimmyhessel/status/1325577198728851456?s=19