Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion Match Thread

[RichardBatchelor]

Not been at all impressed with Watkins this season. Ings' arrival seems to have broken him.

And Ings hasn't been any better either.

He was great last season. There cannot be any revisionism about that.

I share your view on Watkins but I think Ings has been OK. Watkins one-second delay to everything I just cannot explain.

Because he isn’t as good as we all think imho.

[villadelph]

Not been at all impressed with Watkins this season. Ings' arrival seems to have broken him.

And Ings hasn't been any better either.

I share your view on Watkins but I think Ings has been OK. Watkins one-second delay to everything I just cannot explain.

He hasn’t used his pace to his advantage once today, and his ability/decision making on the ball has been poor.. can’t have that when he’s expected to be on the wing. Ramsey has been adopting the responsibility as a result.

The energy from the outset was good but we need more in the final third. Buendia just can’t seem to get it in gear, no idea what’s going on there.

Still a winnable game. The introduction of Bailey could see a big shift in attacking intent.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Really poor so far. Buendia has been dreadful.

As has Ollie and Ings. We're useless down the left, poor down the right and with one or two exceptions, not doing much through the middle. That said, the defence looks better, Targett is having to earn his corn but he's a better defender than wing back, Tyrone and Konsa look pretty comfortable and Cash is Cash. Midfield three led by SJM are doing okay. If Ramsey can get more involved and SJM has a second half like the first we may get something from this.

Bailey needs to come on, replacing Emi B or Watkins who should only be played central. Overall, there's a hell of a lot of coaching that needs doing.

[tomd2103]

Buendia not in the game, tempo too high for him.

scrappy, even and hectic.

Keeps drifting into central areas when we have got the ball, leaving us with no advanced wide option on the right. 

Thought we started brightly, but regressed as the half went on.

[Monty]

Intrigued to find out everyone thinks we're doing terribly. Brighton can keep the ball against anyone, and they've mostly done that in unthreatening areas. McGinn's been awesome, Ramsey and Buendia up and down but better than recently, and overall we look like we're passing it around with more zip, there aren't any long throws or rubbish punts into the channels, and we're pressing with more cohesion and energy. No it's not perfect, but Gerrard's had a couple of days with them and they look better already.

[ozzjim]

Buendia had moments of looking ok. Ings just looks slow, lumbering and not very useful to me. I know he's a finisher, but he's fucked with the balance of everything, and buggered up Watkins, who was our shining light so often last season.

[ez]

It's very much a Dean Smith villa performance. We'll be better with some different coaching.

[Villa Lew]

I would think Bailey will be on soon and hopefully Sanson.

[ozzjim]

I think McGinn will be where Buendia is once a Jan window is closed.

[Demitri_C]

Started well first ten then went back to dean smith style football again.

Slow with the ball and not aggressive enough

[brontebilly]

Hopefully that 45 is enough to convince Gerrard that it's not worth persevering with Watkins/Ings. We all came to that conclusion weeks back under Smith. Gerrard seemed to be having a long chat with Bailey just before half time so will be on shortly surely.

We need a change anyway, Brighton totally on top last 20 mins.

[aj2k77]

The panic buy of Ings has really fucked our pattern up. Get Ollie up front, Bailey out wide. You can't push your top scorer and arguably 3rd best player last season out of position to accommodate a poor transfer. Ings should be on the bench, deputising for Ollie as and when needed or coming on to impact games if were behind. Thanks Smith for your disjointed transfers in the Summer.

[BoVillan esq]

Come on Villa, lets get these 3 points sorted, give Stevie a good start, lets do it.

[ozzjim]

Moder has had 4 fouls that could all have been booked.

[Chris_Jephcott]

Looking sharp again at the start of this half.