Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa post match thread

[ktvillan]

Great battling performance.
It was our turn to benefit from VAR. it’s taken long enough.

The pitch officials denied both, VAR just didn't over rule them. Without VAR same result so no benefit for us really.

Very good point

[J]

I know some of you on here do individual player ratings.
Never do them myself.

Martinez. Perfect 10.

Hmmm - he dropped one and was lucky to get away with it.

Definitely dropped it, definitely not a foul. Great performance nonetheless.

[tomd2103]

Good result and back up to 8th with a game or two in hand on the teams above, so a good evening.  Some really good moments going forward again and another very good goal.

Our failure to see the game out on Wednesday was really disappointing and it looked like tonight that we hadn't learnt any lessons from it.  Barkley and Traore faded out of the game as the second half went on and we just kept trying to force things towards the end and giving the ball away in dangerous areas.  That meant extra pressure on defenders, wHo do slip up from time to time.  It might be naivety from coaching staff and players, but it's the equivalent of boxer still looking for a tear up in the final rounds of a fight when they are well ahead on points. 

As for the offside, it is a load of rubbish, but we have been on the end of too many decisions like that to have too much sympathy. 

[Risso]

Why doesn’t the Sky interviewer just say “Villa were fucking shit weren’t they?”

[CT]

The decisions may have gone our way but it still shows how farcical VAR is.

This. I’d have been fuming if those had been the other way round tonight. VAR is shite, it’s just happened to be in our favour tonight.

Great three points, massive shift.

[john2710]

We were a bit lucky, but deserve some luck. As for the penalty, Martinez would have saved it anyway.

Some if them look very tired.

[Risso]

The offsides are bollocks, but arguably the same for everybody so you know, tough.

[ChicagoLion]

I don't think it was a pen.  The ball obviously deflected upwards before it reached where his hand was, and the only camera angle where the ball is clearly seen to strike something, was the one where it hit his stomach (cause of the upwards deflection).  It was a bit like watching the 3rd umpire in cricket.

you would be going nuts if that was against us

[robbo1874]

That was a tense 2nd half. Southampton always looked like they’d nick a goal towards the end. Thank god for VAR!

Some of our passing in the first half was sublime, but very little goal threat up to when we did actually score and what a move that was. Martinez probably man if the match for me, close 2nd Grealish. They all put a shift in though, yet again.

Battling performance.

[villadelph]

The decisions may have gone our way but it still shows how farcical VAR is.

This. I’d have been fuming if those had been the other way round tonight. VAR is shite, it’s just happened to be in our favour tonight.

Great three points, massive shift.

When Ollie had his goal ruled out again West Ham for the new offside rule I almost tossed my television out the window.

It was about time we got one in our favor.

[PaulTheVillan]

Tough game. Great win. VAR didn’t help us tonight. The rules helped us.

[olaftab]

That was a tense 2nd half. Southampton always looked like they’d nick a goal towards the end. Thank god for VAR!

The Assistant Ref has given it offside VAR only confirmed it.

[DB]

We were not shit, but came away with the points against a good side. Whereas last match we played really well but nothing to show for it. It happens.

[TonyD]

We should be on 35 points and a game in hand had we tucked up Burnley at HT. 

[brontebilly]

Dick Turpin esque result really. One of the worst performances of the season but the players were in no way helped by Smith's inaction once again. Traore was absolutely hopeless and should have been gone after less than an hour. Lots of players running on empty with 15mins to go but Smith waits until 95th minute to make his first change. Our midfield really struggled throughout and completely reliant on Jack for inspiration. We were miles better against Burnley but got nothing.

Lots of talk about the need to strengthen the squad in certain positions but no point doing that if Smith isn't going to rotate or use his subs properly.

Martinez 7 - couple of great saves but got very lucky with that parry at the end that he put up in the air. Slower off line today and not as composed with ball at his feet
Cash 8 - very lucky early on but kicked two off the line in the second half
Konsa 7 - composed as ever
Mings 7 - for large parts our best player but played Adams onside for that shot in second half, poor clearance let to Redmond's chance
Targett 7 - very strong second half after a struggle early on
Luiz 6 - better second half after a very slow first half. Not in great form
McGinn 5 - made one great block but off the pace generally and his passing was very poor
Traore 4 - very poor, no idea how he lasted past 60 mins. Passenger and a liability at times
Barks 6 - dreadful first half until the goal, better after the break but needed hooking 10-15mins before the end.
Jack 8 - our best player again and that's a bit of a worry. Great assist
Watkins 7 - lively first half with excellent movement, quieter after break

Smith 4 - inability to use his subs very nearly cost us.