Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa post match thread

[Clampy]

In my point of view have to agree, SJM and Dougie not quite at the races at present..

They've both played nearly every game and there are going to be occasions where they have a dip in form. McGinn plays deeper than he's used to which might explain why he's not as combative (for want of a better word) as we're used to seeing him. They both put a massive shift in tonight though, they all did.

[brontebilly]

How can Grealish being our best player be a worry?

We are becoming increasingly reliant on him again. For counter attacks, for creating chances , for even keeping the ball.

I really disagree with you.  We have plenty of players who we now rely on.  Lots of attacking intent from all over the pitch.  He is our best player that is agreed but we have others to cause the opposition problems these days.

Don't think many of them are stepping up at the moment. Not sure what is gone wrong with McGinn but his form is so inconsistent. Luiz hasn't really been at his best all season. Smith failing to rotate or use his subs properly isn't helping matters at all, MON esque really. 

The regular negativity after a win is starting to get a bit stale. It's almost as if you enjoy the attention it brings. Odd.

The resident virtue signaller is up late tonight!

[Exeter 77]

We played better at West Ham and Burnley and got nothing so it was good to grind out a result.

[villabear]

This is no way a criticism so don’t all jump in but anyone else think Martinez’ kicking looked a bit weak tonight? Could get much distance on anything played back to him. I might just ask Alan Smith as he’s got all the answers where we’re concerned. Villa fan my arse.

[rougegorge]

After Wednesday, there were a few 'play worse than that and win' comments, and tonight was definitely one.

The defence did very well to keep a clean sheet but we had some luck to hold on.

Although we won, I didn't really get Smith's game management with the almost total lack of substitutions when we needed fresh legs to tighten the game. Traore should have been subbed well before the end and Luiz has struggled the last few games.

However we've lost a couple when we should have won comfortably, so it was a big plus to win, especially after turning in some terrible recent performances down there.

[robbo1874]

How can Grealish being our best player be a worry?

We are becoming increasingly reliant on him again. For counter attacks, for creating chances , for even keeping the ball.

I really disagree with you.  We have plenty of players who we now rely on.  Lots of attacking intent from all over the pitch.  He is our best player that is agreed but we have others to cause the opposition problems these days.

I think this may also go some way to accounting for how some people Think McGinn is a bit off it at the moment. Last season him and Jack were probably our stand out players. This season we’ve got better players in the side than the ones they’ve replaced and some of the others have improved significantly.

I also think the huge improvement over last season means the standards we judge by are a lot higher. A few have said it was a poor performance. I don’t think it was. If we’d had that result and performance there last season, it would have probably ranked as one of the best, certainly in the pre-lockdown part of it.

We battled, played some really nice football at times and took one of our few clear cut chances and also got a bit of overdue luck against what I thought was a very good Southampton side.

[curiousorange]

My only thinking regarding the subs or lack thereof was a reluctance to meddle with the balance of the team in a game where we were constantly challenged. Other than that I'm baffled.

[brontebilly]

My only thinking regarding the subs or lack thereof was a reluctance to meddle with the balance of the team in a game where we were constantly challenged. Other than that I'm baffled.

Smiths in game management remains very average. Subs made far too late v Burnley but it was like he doubled down tonight by refusing to make any until the 95th min. Nakamba, Trez and AEG particularly have all played well for us recently so it isn't as if he didn't have options. If nothing else it would have killed the clock a bit.

[Legion]

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

*raises eyebrow*

Just watched the MotD highlights. Martinez was outstanding as was Grealish. Don't see where or why the criticism is warranted. The praise for Grealish was effusive.

[caster troy]

Jamie Carragher sounded like a closet Villa fan after the game. Always thought he was a top bloke.

He gets major points for being the first pundit I’ve seen acknowledge that our recruitment last season wasn’t actually bad and is now paying dividends.

[pelty]

Good win, though not our best day. I just have to state that the difference between Targett this year and last is indescribable. Fair play to him because nothing gets by him these days and his awareness has improved greatly.

Emi great again and Jack had a nice game. Worried about McGinn and Luiz as they have not looked great of late. Still do not fully understand Traore. Too much of a passenger for me even though he gets goals at times.

Thrilled for the three points but hope we can turn it up a notch in the next match.

[Ian.]

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

*raises eyebrow*

Just watched the MotD highlights. Martinez was outstanding as was Grealish. Don't see where or why the criticism is warranted. The praise for Grealish was effusive.

Me neither, someone earlier actually rated Smith a 4, what’s all that about? Ok a sub might have helped, it might not of. We won so who’s right and who’s wrong.

They are a good side and we went there and won and you could argue we could have scored more.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

About time we had a smash and grab win. We've had some terrible luck this month, tonight made up for some of it. I'm a bit concerned Ollie, Dougie, SJM and Barkley all look a bit leggy.

[Ian.]

I’d say Dougie is definitely, Barkley too but he’s been injured. I thought Ollie ran his bollocks off all night to be fair to him.

Who do we know had Covid other than Taggart?

[enigma]

Jamie Carragher sounded like a closet Villa fan after the game. Always thought he was a top bloke.

He's changed his tune. A few months back he was saying Grealish wasn't good enough for the top teams.