Chelsea vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread EFL 3rd Round.

[Risso]

Deano 8 - ballsy selection but fully vindicated. Seeing Tuchel throw on likes of Lukaku and Mount while we brought on kids was brilliant.

Well it's obviously not *fully* vindicated or we'd be in the next round.

[brontebilly]

Disappointed we didn't have more experience on the bench, but can't fault the players at all and great experience for the youngsters.

I do blame Smith for putting Nakamba in the 5 penalty takers. Did anyone think he would score?

Nakamba played very well but I have to say I was stunned to see him taking one. Ball striking not his strength. Archer after scoring surely would have been a better bet.

[TonyD]

Anyhow.
We are going to give them a game on Saturday. 

[Exeter 77]

Tonight showed our improved squad depth as well as the quality emerging from our academy. Also I couldn't help but think Cameron Archer has gone from failing to get a chance off the bench at Solihull Moors to scoring against the European champions and making royalty jump off their seat in less than six months. Hopefully he will be emblematic to our trajectory this season.

[Nunkin1965]

Great effort from the team and so pleased that Archer got his goal.
Some real positives from tonight and valuable experience for the younger members of the squad.

[manic-road]

Posted from other thread!

Steer 7 - some fine saves, never lets us down
Cash 8 - I've been critical of him in the past but he was brilliant tonight and great assist
Tuanzebe 7 - lost Tuchel a bit for the goal but that aside was very good, he's a fine defender at RCB
Hause 8 - A warrior, especially when Lukaku came on. Never lets us down and a warrior in the air.
Young 6 - lots of critical comments on match thread but I thought he did well v CHO. Not great with the ball though.
Nakamba 8 - excellent performance, surprising me of late
Sanson 7/Chucky 6 - Sanson was very impressive before injury, Chucky took a while to settle but made a few nice runs
Buendia 6 - did ok, missed a big chance but grafted hard. Bit of work to make our first X1
Traore 7 - fitness coming along nicely, surprised to see him come off to be honest so hope not injury related
AEG 7 - poor in first half bit seemed to grow a pair at half time and battled far harder in second half. Always gets into good positions, decent chance missed
Archer 8 - missed two big chances but a truly brilliant header. Good movement throughout

Deano 8 - ballsy selection but fully vindicated. Seeing Tuchel throw on likes of Lukaku and Mount while we brought on kids was brilliant.

I thought Tuchel was on the bench with his coaching staff and subs?

[olaftab]

Proud of the team that played tonight however with a slightly different selection we would have won this in the 90 minutes. And surely the young boys Chukwuemeka or Archer would have been a better choice than Nakamba.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

In the longer term, maybe a good call to keep the kids away from the penalties. Their confidence building is just as vital as building their skills and experience.

[Legion]

Playing devil's advocate, if Ings or Watkins had been on the bench then Cam might not have been on the pitch to score the equaliser.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Think the fact we were shooting penalties towards the home fans didn’t help too. But maybe that’s just making an excuse.

Wasn't Ashley raging when the ref did the toss-up for ends? I think he did a best of three,bizarrely

[brontebilly]

Strong effort. Hope the injuries aren’t bad.

Great Archer scored and the youngsters looked promising.

Think we got the balance of the bench wrong. It may not have made a difference, but Ollie or Ings coming on would have been good.

If they were...its likely Archer may have been withdrawn before his goal. I'd have liked Watkins on the bench as I think he needs the minutes but those 90 mins tonight will have brought Archer on hugely.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

Think the fact we were shooting penalties towards the home fans didn’t help too. But maybe that’s just making an excuse.

Wasn't Ashley raging when the ref did the toss-up for ends? I think he did a best of three,bizarrely

I thought it looked fishy.

[olaftab]

Deano 8 - ballsy selection but fully vindicated.

Plucky performance yes but how was the selection fully vindicated? We are out of the cup.

[Legion]

In the longer term, maybe a good call to keep the kids away from the penalties. Their confidence building is just as vital as building their skills and experience.

Agreed. I think it was the correct decision.

[DrGonzo]

Sanson was hopefully just a concussion sub?!  I watched the game with no sound..  He looked good whilst on the pitch.  Archer could have had a hat trick and if the first had gone in he probably would have, a coming of age performance.  The timing and the pace of his runs were superb, a prospect for sure.  The back up CB's were sound, by and large, and even Nakamba performed better than I expected.  Chucky did ok.  El Ghazi did what he does.  Traore looked on the verge of being a very useful addition....  It's positive despite the doomsayers worst predictions...  "disgrace", "if we are still in it a half time it will be the best I expect" ... from memory, sorry for misquoting you Monty.  Happy in defeat...