Aston Villa v Arsenal Match Thread

[Risso]

It's good that we're 1-0 up, but otherwise another disappointing performance.  The midfield just isn't right and McGinn and Barkley are poor again.

[Deano's Mullet]

https://youtu.be/KCXL-cyBkow

Here’s the goal for those who’ve not seen it

[kippaxvilla2]

I’m not watching it so am reliant on this thread.  However, what I do know is that Barkley needs to come off and stay on.

[Ads]

Don't think we've kept the ball well. Nakamba lacks quality and Barkley is anonymous. That said, we ought to be two up as we're the only side to create anything in a game of few chances.

Arsenal are very pretty in front of you, but they've created nothing. I don't accept the hanging on comments at all.

I'd bring Dougie on for Nakamba.

Grealish getting he usual total lack of protection with Bellerin fouling him with impunity. Arsenal appear to be allowed to climb all over us too.

Should be 2 up.

[Mister E]

think SJM has been fine, Nakamba and Barkley no where near the pace of the game. If Smith does not sort this, we know how this goes.

Yes. Nakamba started well but now looks a liability. Barkley's passing has been shocking and his lack of press-ability hinders the team.
I hope for - but don't think I'll see - a double substitution at half-time, with Luiz and Sanson or Ramsey coming on.

[Bobby Boy]

Barkley has been neat and tidy for the most part but the game is largely passing him by.

He has got to be more of a presence, needs to be much more assertive.

[Proposition Joe]

Hanging on? They've created nothing.

This is true, but the more they dominate the game, the more likely they'll somehow create something. I'd prefer us to stop more attacks in the middle of the park rather than letting them get so close to our box.

El ghazi <-> Ross, play him on the left and Jack in the middle?

[Hookeysmith]

I think nakamba doing ok  but worry about his booking.

Obvious weak link is barclay but he did create our 2nd chance for Bert.

I would bring him off, trezon and jack into number 10 position

[wolfman999]

Can’t quite work out how we’re picking up cards for things they aren’t even getting called as fouls,

[SoccerHQ]

Most important thing is we scored first as we're good in that situation.

Average game and probably least amount of touches Jack has had in a game this season.

Bit worried by Arsenal getting through our midfield too easily, Nakamba just isn't good enough at watching play developing so think we need to sub smartly second half rather than just waiting until 80th minute as doubt it will be long before they throw on Aubameyang and Odegaard.

[Keeno]

Don't think we've kept the ball well. Nakamba lacks quality and Barkley is anonymous. That said, we ought to be two up as we're the only side to create anything in a game of few chances.

Arsenal are very pretty in front of you, but they've created nothing. I don't accept the hanging on comments at all.

I'd bring Dougie on for Nakamba.

Grealish getting he usual total lack of protection with Bellerin fouling him with impunity. Arsenal appear to be allowed to climb all over us too.

Should be 2 up.

Yeah this is fair. We've taken one of our two good chances and deserve the lead. We're defending confidently, and have given them a lot of non-threatening possession.

Don't think we're hanging on at all. But would be good to see Luiz (or Jack into the middle) as a change to get us a little more ball in the second half.

Think there's definitely a second goal on the break for us here - Traore seems to have the beating of their defenders, Gabriel in particular.

[Rudy65]

Grealish needs to come more central or over to the right

We look v flat

Bring the new man on. We need some fresh impetus

They look dangerous

[paul_e]

Ref has made some strange decisions, the nakamba booking was totally unnecessary, the handball against Traore was completely wrong and he seems to think pushes in the back are completely fair game.

[Bad English]

Sanson d'amour (ra da da da da)
Play encore
In Villa Park (ra da da da da)
Scores and more
Sanson d'amour (ra da da da da)
Je t'adore
Each time you score (ra da da da da)
Sanson, Sanson d'amour

[Mister E]

Arsenal are very pretty in front of you, but they've created nothing. I don't accept the hanging on comments at all.

Arsenal were building a lot of pressure on us, either in open play or from free kicks, and they have goalscorers in their team.
I think we need to be more assertive, and that starts with not giving the frigging ball away every time we have it.