Aston Villa 3-0 Everton post match thread

[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.

I disagree with LeeB. It feels strange.

That feeling is your soul being ripped from you, as you've joined the heathen ranks.

[cdbearsfan]

Not Percy. I thought we could trust him. ☹

[N'ZMAV]

We didn't change formation. Mings wasn't at left back, but the wing backs pushed on a lot higher second half.

My initial thought was Bailey would go to make a ye olde 442, but we didn't. Not that we did much defending after he came on, but there was a brief occasion where he tracked into cover and proceeded ro beat his man too.

Smith confirmed this; he said Targett was playing so high that it would benefit us to play Bailey down the left.

[cdbearsfan]

Did he scratch his chin while saying that?

[LeeB]

Not Percy. I thought we could trust him. ☹

I know mate, troubling times.

[andyh]

Some late thoughts on yesterday’s game.

Firstly, Villa Park  full was absolutely majestic. Not only did it look beautiful, it sounded superb.
There is no better place in football when the the place is rocking that that.

I thought Dougie looked back to his best. He gave the ball away a couple of times and mis-controlled a couple but on the whole he was mobile, combative and kept things ticking over.

Have Martinez back was a huge boost, he just oozes confidence and class.

I’m still not convinced with trying to shoehorn Ings and Ollie into the same team. They aren’t a ‘partnership’ although one may develop, but I just think they are crowding out the striker position.

Overall a very good day and there is a decent squad developing. It’s now down to Smith to find the best team and formation from it.

[Steve67]

What was the attendance please?

A joy to watch.

[andyh]

What was the attendance please?

A joy to watch.

41,888 I think

[Steve67]

What was the attendance please?

A joy to watch.

41,888 I think

Many thanks Andy.

[Chris Smith]

Our formation didn’t change, theirs did. They seemed to pretty much retreat into midfield after Rondon went off which meant that for the last half an hour the wing backs had hardly ant defending to do. A team with good wide players can force the formation to become negative as you end up with a permanent back 5 but this clearly didn’t happen yesterday.

[PeterWithe]

Myself and Fingers; of this parish, were discussing the formation at some length and decided that we hadn’t got a clue; I hope that helps?

Great that so many names are being thrown into the hat for MOM, close between Mings and Ramsey for me.

Thought it was a Southgateesq performance, solid, functional and a little dull for an hour; then let the shackles off.

My first game back and I absolutely loved it

[PeterWithe]

Less enjoyable was my daughter head butting me when we scored the first. Quite painful now that the adrenaline has worn off.

[LukeJames]

Edit... Wrong Thread

[Dave]

Reckon Everton fans are in for a rough couple of years.

I was reading through one of their forums after the game yesterday and they seem to have neatly divided themselves into half who hate Benitez and everything about him, and half who think he's a good manager for their current situation.

It's like a pitched battle which is going to see them yelling at each other all the time, regardless of how the team does.

The team meanwhile will always finish between 7th-11th, so nowhere near good enough to win over those that hate him, and nowhere near bad enough to warrant getting rid of him.

Could be worse obviously, but they're basically just in for a few years everyone shouting at everyone else, with no room for nuance.

[PeterWithe]

An Everton fan outside was telling ‘us’ that we were the ‘worst fans in the world’ which was a bit rich as after the third the away end was so sparsely populated in looked like SHA has been playing

Strange lot Everton, turn up in big numbers but don’t make much of a noise and don’t seem to really enjoy the day.