Aston Villa 3-0 Everton post match thread

[cdbearsfan]

They were full backs who got forward, just as they often do when we play four at the back, just as Cash scored when we had switched to four at the back.

[TonyD]

Great to see we have a good number of options and formations available.

Going to be an interesting season.   

[RamboandBruno]

I thought Nakamba did a more than decent job after he came on.

Nakamba was excellent today. Ramsey’s progression is clear - he’s looking better on and off the ball.

Ramsey is clearly a good athlete and turns with the ball very well but I didn't think he was great yesterday. Took the wrong option with the ball a lot including that great chance when 2 up. Thought Luiz misplaced a lot of passes too, despite one that mattered for the first goal. I'm not a Nakamba fan but he did well, no doubt about it. I like having a midfield three though, good balance to it.

Deano made an interesting comment post game in that he didn't switch to a back 4 when Bailey came up, just that they noticed Targett was playing very high up the pitch and thought it would be better to get a more natural wide option on there. Surprised Benitez didn't spot that and move Gray over there as I don't think running back to his own goal will be Baileys forte.

I've been an advocate of trying 352 on occasion but I don't think we looked suited to it yesterday. I thought Gray (who was excellent) and Rondon (in the first half) caused our back 3 a lot more problems than they should have. Tuanzebe was like an unnecessary spare man for most of the game. Targett was lost at LWB and the front two played as individuals, poorly in Watkins case. With four decent wide options on the bench it makes no sense to play wing backs for home games.

This is quite a sobering anslysis, but despite the fact im still on a high, in the cold light of day I find myself agreeing with a lot of it.
I think Ramsey and Luiz did ok for most of the game and they were trying through balls most of which didnt come off, but they were trying and Luizs pass for Cash’s goal was sublime. I would be inclined to let Ramsey off with the miss as he essentially made the chance himself (and we were already 2-0 up).
I thought Ings played really well yesterday and Watkins had a bit of an off day, but kept at it as he does. The press from both of them near the end when they Mina in sheer panic was superb and maybe a glimpse of whats to come.

In terms of the formation, i think Smith has used it the last two games, partly to match up to the same formation as the opposition and partly to accommodate  Ings and Watkins. I dont believe he’ll choose it every week and we did look like we were struggling to break Everton down, although the players and wing backs in particular had only had a couple of games at it, so need time to get used to it i guess. For a start im presuming Tuanzebe can’t play against his parent club next Saturday, i cant see him shoehorning Hause into a 3 just to maintain the same formation. So i think we’ll go to a 433 against man u, if Baileys fit, very exciting to think of a 3 of him, Watkins and Ings.

Be interesting to see what we do in the cup at Chelsea on Wednesday, id like us to play a string side to at least have a go at getting through. So many options now, very exciting times

[cdbearsfan]

Well, we have one formation that we never score when playing, so I'll be happy if we ditch that option, thanks.

[Monty]

Many neutral arbiters who were at the game seem to agree we were still playing it when we scored three, so *shrug*.

[ChicagoLion]

One problem with the system is that the creativity has to come from the full backs, the crossing and final passes from Cash and Target were not great, I would much rather see Buendia, Bailey or Traore in the attacking situations than full backs.

[simboy]

One problem with the system is that the creativity has to come from the full backs, the crossing and final passes from Cash and Target were not great, I would much rather see Buendia, Bailey or Traore in the attacking situations than full backs.

Did you not see the ball from Ings and the one from Luiz yesterday?

[kipeye]

You think Bailey was playing left back? Yeah, okay mate. It was 0-0 with hardly any chances with five at the back. Battered them senseless with four at the back.

Get Bailey in and start with four at the back next game, please.

It wasn’t 5 at the back, though, mate. It was always a 3-5-2 formation
Cash and Targett were pushing so high they could hardly be called full backs today.

Cash certainly didn’t change what he was doing when Bailey came on, so, as Dean said, it remained 3-5-2. Likewise when Young replaced Bailey.

I get you don’t like the 3 centre halves, but, for me, with the right personnel it’s a really flexible formation.

It was neither three nor five at the back. We had four defenders on the pitch. Cash, Tuanzebe, Konsa and Mings. None of them were playing in midfield.

The game I saw Cash was playing in midfield-or wingback if you prefer.

[kipeye]

One problem with the system is that the creativity has to come from the full backs, the crossing and final passes from Cash and Target were not great, I would much rather see Buendia, Bailey or Traore in the attacking situations than full backs.

Agreed. Very poor final ball.This was really the biggest disappointment up to the goal.

[cdbearsfan]

Many neutral arbiters who were at the game seem to agree we were still playing it when we scored three, so *shrug*.

Many neutral arbiters listen to Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust neutral arbiters.

[Monty]

Many neutral arbiters who were at the game seem to agree we were still playing it when we scored three, so *shrug*.

Many neutral arbiters listen to Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust neutral arbiters.

When renaming the North Stand we should send a powerful political message, like 'free the paedos'.

[cdbearsfan]

I'll tell you what, that crack is really moreish.

[nigel]

They were full backs who got forward, just as they often do when we play four at the back, just as Cash scored when we had switched to four at the back.

Ok
If you say so, it obviously was. 🙄🤯

[LeeB]

They were full backs who got forward, just as they often do when we play four at the back, just as Cash scored when we had switched to four at the back.

Ok
If you say so, it obviously was. 🙄🤯

He is of course correct, you do realise this don't you?

I'm going to be magnanimous, and say the 3 centre backs allowed us to create the artistry later on that a proper formation allowed. You've got to build a ditch before you can build a palace so, you know.

[Percy McCarthy]

They were full backs who got forward, just as they often do when we play four at the back, just as Cash scored when we had switched to four at the back.

Ok
If you say so, it obviously was. 🙄🤯

He is of course correct, you do realise this don't you?

I'm going to be magnanimous, and say the 3 centre backs allowed us to create the artistry later on that a proper formation allowed. You've got to build a ditch before you can build a palace so, you know.

I disagree with LeeB. It feels strange.