Post match thread. Villa 1 Leicester City 2

[Mister E]

We’ve done really well this season. Whatever happens between now and May, we know we’ve made tons of progress and have a platform for further success next season. We also know that today’s opponents are on a fantastic run of games, particularly away from home.

For me, today’s game was lost in Smith’s selection: I argued beforehand for a less open set-up, one where we fielded 4 MF, with Traore and Watkins upfront running the lines. I believe that – had we done so – we’d not have been so loose early on in the game.

Looking at the Guardian website stats, we matched Leicester pretty much in all aspects other than shots on target; but we failed to defend effectively and individual errors led to our defeat. Our ball retention was awful first half and we did not do the basics very well at all.

Barkley is not a great player, and Elmo lacks the sharpness to deal with rising stars like Barnes. AEG continues to be frustrating – he clearly has talent but his contribution to a game is too low for this league. Trez was shown up when he came on. I don’t want to appear too critical but I also think Luiz is deteriorating as the season progresses.

The positives: Targett has developed into an excellent player – his cross for Traore was sublime. Mings played well today, and I thought McGinn did alright after a slow start. Ramsey brought real energy and simplicity into our game and Morgan looks very tidy.

I would love to see Ramsey starting ahead of Barkley – frankly, he deserves to – and I’d be interested in resting Luiz in favour of Sanson; but I suspect Nakamba is seen as the like-for-like with Luiz.

The big challenge to Smith is to find variety on our play and to be more attuned to the particular needs of each individual game.

[aj2k77]

Triple swap of Sanson, Ramsey and Trezeguet for the next game. Luiz, El Ghazi and Barkley out.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Disappointed bad first half better second I managed to chuck my phone at the wall in the first half now that's going to cost me.

Before mobiles it was a case of walk in the house at 6pm on saturday and kick the cat. Billy McNeill nearly got reported to the RSPCA

[Astnor]

First half midfield and attack did look unsure and didnt get going cause they their leader wasnt there. Second half they did show they could play and be Aston Villa without Grealish - that was good to see.
Leicester are a good team at the momnet.

[brontebilly]

I'm still seething after that performance today, with players and management. It was a great opportunity to address some recent poor performances against a team who had played in Europe on Thursday. Missing Jack so the perfect time for some of the under performing players to step out of his shadow. Big show of faith shown by Smith in the likes of Barkley and Luiz.

But all the old failings were there, right from the team selection, to the same laziness in midfield, the timing of the substitutions, the same lazy like for like change, more petulance from Barkley, never really turning the screw on Leicester until late on.

We are in danger of falling away badly I feel based on recent performances and the absence of our one true quality player.

[Mister E]

I'm still seething after that performance today, with players and management. It was a great opportunity to address some recent poor performances against a team who had played in Europe on Thursday. Missing Jack so the perfect time for some of the under performing players to step out of his shadow. Big show of faith shown by Smith in the likes of Barkley and Luiz.
But all the old failings were there, right from the team selection, to the same laziness in midfield, the timing of the substitutions, the same lazy like for like change, more petulance from Barkley, never really turning the screw on Leicester until late on.
We are in danger of falling away badly I feel based on recent performances and the absence of our one true quality player.

We’ve done really well this season. Whatever happens between now and May, we know we’ve made tons of progress and have a platform for further success next season. We also know that today’s opponents are on a fantastic run of games, particularly away from home.
It's not all bad.

[berneboy]

I really don't want Barkley near the team again. He doesn't need a boot up the bottom, he needs kicking back to Chelsea - where he will never play. He's shocking. Such a poor attitude says to other players that it's ok to not bother.

[wittonwarrior]

After Drinkwater we should have been more cautious  what we take off Chelsea. 

[CT Villan]

But Barkley was great in his first few games. I wonder if he has been told we can't afford to buy him, so he's no longer playing for a move.

[Legion]

Then he shouldn't be starting.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it’s more likely he’s struggled to get back to full fitness after his injury.

[Skerra]

I think he looked good first couple of matches. Since then, plus injury, he has done nothing.
The petulance is to show Dean that he is not happy so needs to be picked for the next match.
When we play Leeds, I think Dean ought to send him to play Sheffield. I doubt he would catch on, not the brightest thing out there. Plus, tell Chelsea, if they pay us £40 million just to keep him here, we may give it some consideration.

[Nunkin1965]

I'm still seething after that performance today, with players and management. It was a great opportunity to address some recent poor performances against a team who had played in Europe on Thursday. Missing Jack so the perfect time for some of the under performing players to step out of his shadow. Big show of faith shown by Smith in the likes of Barkley and Luiz.
But all the old failings were there, right from the team selection, to the same laziness in midfield, the timing of the substitutions, the same lazy like for like change, more petulance from Barkley, never really turning the screw on Leicester until late on.
We are in danger of falling away badly I feel based on recent performances and the absence of our one true quality player.

We’ve done really well this season. Whatever happens between now and May, we know we’ve made tons of progress and have a platform for further success next season. We also know that today’s opponents are on a fantastic run of games, particularly away from home.
It's not all bad.

This was always going to happen.
Expectations have been raised with the sides performances and there will be a backlash if levels aren't maintained.
But we've made impressive progress and the summer will see big squad improvements so I'm staying positive even though we've dipped a bit.

We went i to todays game without two of our star performers and with the squad we've got it was always going to be a tough game.

[robbo1874]

For some reason Barkley is not the player he was at the start of the season. Pure speculation but I do wonder whether following the Sanson signing  he has geen told he will not be signed in the summer? Whatever  the reason he should not be starting at the moment.

why would you tell a loan player he’s not being signed permanently at this stage of the season? Doesn’t make sense to me. He does need dropping though. Aside from his header a few games back, he’s done little to warrant selection and you can’t chuck hissy fits when you’re hooked if you’re not performing. Smith sort of covered a bit for him when he kicked the drinks bottles recently, but unless as some have suggested there is a contract clause that he plays if fit ( I don’t think there is), he needs to be sidelined for a few matches.

[Gareth]

He was out for 8 weeks not 8 months....surely should be back to fitness after half a dozen games & 2 weeks of only 1 game a week....if we are sticking to 433 then Barkley should only play as part of the front 3, doesn’t work hard enough to be in the midfield 3 for me