Aston Villa 1-4 West Ham Post match debacle.

[cdbearsfan]

Maybe. I can't remember what he put, to be fair.

[Ads]

He's been generous there. We look like Stoke going forwards with long ball after long ball out the back. We also look as solid as a wet wheatabix and leak chances and consequently goals for fun.

[Allan C]

I honestly can’t fathom some of the comments on here. Once again, maybe I was watching a different match. We even started the game with a long punt upfield for a throw in to them. Throughout the match, I never thought we looked anything like winning it. Too sloppy with passes, not very much passion from the players. I could go on. I love the Villa but, can’t seem to buy those claret and blue tinted glasses anywhere.

Our passing has been poor all season, too many times we’re either passing to the opposition or out of play. McGinns unforced pass against Arsenal culminating in their third was possibly the worst example of it. That for me is the difference from last season

[Allan C]

I tell you what, I'm becoming more convinced on Rice. I didn't think much of him before but he's a top player isn't he?

Soucek for me, they’ve probably got the most hardworking midfield in PL  they have exactly what we haven’t got

[sickbeggar]

I tell you what, I'm becoming more convinced on Rice. I didn't think much of him before but he's a top player isn't he?

Soucek for me, they’ve probably got the most hardworking midfield in PL  they have exactly what we haven’t got

yep Soucek and Rice are quality. No contest with our lot.

[PaulTheVillan]

I tell you what, I'm becoming more convinced on Rice. I didn't think much of him before but he's a top player isn't he?

Soucek for me, they’ve probably got the most hardworking midfield in PL  they have exactly what we haven’t got

yep Soucek and Rice are quality. No contest with our lot.

They have it all. Composure, work rate and know when to put a foot in. Not sure we have anyone who can do all three.

[sickbeggar]

yeah and when you consider they play in that there 4-2-3-1 formation. Smith should have put some of that Buendia/Ings money elsewhere

[exigo]

Thanks to the trains being screwed at Euston, I spent nine hours in total to get to and from Villa Park yesterday. Over two hours to get out of Moor Street, surrounded by 'appy 'ammers all the way back home to London. Horrendous day from start to finish.

[PeterWithe]

No complaints, the best team won.

Thought Emi could have done better for both the first half goals. The equalizer was totally against the run of play, the only contribution of the whole game by Emi2. When you think that front 3 cost us £100m you can see how much confidence is shot, Bailey looked well off the pace and was playing far too deep and narrow, Buendia just looked lost.

A strange game in that the team and certain players looked decent in snatches and awful in other parts, Hause kept Antonio very quiet but ,and he was one of many, looked very ponderous with the ball. The performace lacked zip.

Maybe when you look at a midfield 3 of Young, McGinn and Marv you question the recruitment but they all did well in individual patches, Young showed for the ball into feet in areas the other two didnt, McGinn did some decent defensive covering and Marv showed a bit of much needed energy in the second half despite him treating the ball like it was radioactive.

Overall it was difficult to see what we were trying to do and we looked like we lacked managerial direction, players werent committing to following the leading guy into the press so we were easily played round. We didnt get wide fast enough and committ the full backs forward enough. Cant have too many complaints about the red card although he probably wouldnt have got it last weekend. Didnt see enough of the potential red for them. Thought we played with a lot of heart between the second and third goals.

I reckon that mad 10 mins against Wolves has shot our self belief

[Pete3206]

Hard and difficult choices ahead for the owners.

[Footy-Vill]

I tell you what, I'm becoming more convinced on Rice. I didn't think much of him before but he's a top player isn't he?

Soucek for me, they’ve probably got the most hardworking midfield in PL  they have exactly what we haven’t got

yep Soucek and Rice are quality. No contest with our lot.

But Smith isn't interested in big men in midfield he prefers technicians or at least not overly fussed on big units in the midfield with prowess in the air.
Doesn't tie in at the moment with way we are playing with these longer throws and things and wonder what happened to the strategy that Purlsow and he had with everything

[Mister E]

I tell you what, I'm becoming more convinced on Rice. I didn't think much of him before but he's a top player isn't he?

Soucek for me, they’ve probably got the most hardworking midfield in PL  they have exactly what we haven’t got

yep Soucek and Rice are quality. No contest with our lot.

But Smith isn't interested in big men in midfield he prefers technicians or at least not overly fussed on big units in the midfield with prowess in the air.

Rice and Soucek are both technicians - as you call them - so the 2 (being technically good and being big) are not mutually exclusive.

[Footy-Vill]

Jorginho or Rice?
Only one is a technician in my eyes.

Busquets or Soucek ?
Only one is a technician in my eyes.

[PaulWinch again]

Hard and difficult choices ahead for the owners.

I don’t think they are really. Not pleasant yes, but if you look at this calendar year the choice is very obvious.

[VinnieChase84]

Rice is a superb player and everything our midfield lacks in one body