Aston Villa vs Burnley Post Match Thread

[PaulTheVillan]

After sleeping on that I’m feeling more positive. On another day we walk that 4-0.

Let’s keep up that intensity on Sunday and cruise to a comfortable win.

[Brend'Watkins]

We’d have taken 4 points from our last two games a week ago and as we’ve been saying for many a week now “we were due a draw”.

[Eckybloke]

I think last season we lose that but this season we didn’t even look close to conceding, other than that one header. The fact we’re all a bit underwhelmed shows how far the expectations have risen but we are still a team in transition.

I worry that had we had our shooting boots on we’d now be staring at two or three key injuries because of those cynical lumps. 🤣

[Dave P]

Just read that we have had the most clean sheets (6) of any side in the league so far this season. Given the issues of last season that is a real turnaround.

We're keeping clean sheets and creating plenty of chances.  A real improvement.  Another window or two of shopping for quality and we'll be absolutely fine.

[andyh]

We’d have taken 4 points from our last two games a week ago and as we’ve been saying for many a week now “we were due a draw”.

True.
Had we drawn against the dogheads and won last night we’d be in the same situation points wise but probably jumping for joy.

[Duncan Shaw]

It was a frustrating watch but still enjoyable.  Thought El Ghazi played well bar his finishing, Jack should shoot more and we need as has been said to try and get to the byline more. 

Traore is a concern, I cannot see where the decision to by him, let alone for how much we paid, came about because he just doesn't look all that at all to me!

As for the replacements for the established first teamers - Hause was excellent, Nakamba perfectly fine but Elmo's delivery (which I presume gives him the nod) was awful all night.  Be good to have Duggie and Cashy back on Sunday and hopefully Barkley too.

We are a work in progress though, and for me, that progress is doing more than OK!!

[Ads]

We’d have taken 4 points from our last two games a week ago and as we’ve been saying for many a week now “we were due a draw”.

True.
Had we drawn against the dogheads and won last night we’d be in the same situation points wise but probably jumping for joy.

And on balance taking a point away from the Dingles by beating them works out better.

Just frustrating mind, but while we're used to watching us huff and puff, at least we created an avalanche of chances.

[WRVilla]

A frustrating result given the way the game went but it was encouraging to see players come in to the side and do well. Finishing aside, I think Anwar had a good game and Hause was solid. Traore I’m not convinced by but there is a good player in there somewhere.

We’ve been robbed so many times at the end of games like that and I was convinced Burnley would score from a set piece toward the end but thankfully we held them off.

Finally, Burnley. What a team of thugs. Particularly Mee who seems to get more protection from refs than the players he’s trying to injure and that left back of theirs who seemed to commit about 300 fouls and didn’t get booked all game. Shithouses.

[robbo1874]

No comments on the match. Checked the score and couldn’t be arsed watching it. I knew we’d draw this one. Disappointing but at least we got a point and no major injuries, which was a concern after playing Burnley last season there. Batter the Albion and we’ll be fine.

[chrisw1]

Lots of positives but it's just frustrating we're letting so many points go from very winnable games.  I think we may come to regret these missed opportunities later in the season, particularly when the fixtures turn on the run it.

[Sexual Ealing]

It was a frustrating watch but still enjoyable. 

On reflection, I agree. I'd so much rather see us tearing into the opposition and repeatedly fluffing our lines at the last than the years' worth of meek, terrified hoofball that we went through over the last decade. Not too often, mind.

[olaftab]

Just read that we have had the most clean sheets (6) of any side in the league so far this season. Given the issues of last season that is a real turnaround.

But you do know that Mings is the worst centre half in the League?

[fbriai]

I thought we were fine last night. Certainly never looked like losing and on another night could easily have won at a canter. Not bad with 5 first-team regulars out. I thought El Ghazi had his best game for us for a long while and was probably a bit too keen to score, given he is apparently technically the best shooter in training. Wish Traore hadn't taken that extra touch though. I was shouting 'hit it, it's on your left foot!' at the telly. Why he took one more touch I don't know, he could have just slammed it.

We look a good side though. We've taken the game to nearly everyone we've played. Signs are looking really good, I reckon.

[eamonn]

Just checked and we're actually a point better off after 11 games than in two of the MON 6th placed seasons which surprised me so we're doing o.k I'd suggest.

Just been an odd season and that will continue for a few more months I think.

Worth bearing in mind that we've yet to play most of the "super seven" (Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Yanited plus Everton who on their day are good). Ironically we have beaten the other three of that lot (Liverpool, Leicester, Arsenal) so maybe those games will yield points.

I was worried by Mee's cynical body check on Jack last night, considering the chest (lung?) injury that kept him out for a couple of months before. Thankfully he bounced straight back up. You only see that sort of foul from cloggers and lower league teams now, thankfully.

[eamonn]

Just read that we have had the most clean sheets (6) of any side in the league so far this season. Given the issues of last season that is a real turnaround.

But you do know that Mings is the worst centre half in the League?

He still does something stupid and casual in every game. Last night, up for a corner in the first half, he tried to trap the ball nonchalantly on the edge of Burnley's box, messed-up and they broke and probably should have scored. It's really annoying how often he tries to show-off with an extra touch.