Aston Villa 2 Brighton 0 post match thread

[Ads]

Very pleased with this journey back up the M6!

Positives

Felt we pressed the spaces better and were more aggressive off the ball.

Lots of blocks and tackles, really denying them anything in the way of an attempt at goal. I can't recall them having anything resembling a chance 2nd half.

Nice shape about us too.

We do look much better with a bit of space to work in and looked very dangerous on the break.

Mings doing the simple thing and looking good at it. The full backs being very advanced. Targett coping well defensively with Lamperty too. That's the first time our back 4 have played together since August as a 4.

Good goal from Ollie and deserved winners in the end.

Thought the manager did well with subs at the right time too.

Negatives

Nakamba really shows what Dougie brings with his ability on the ball. It's just panic stations. We tried to play out, but without our Brazilian steering wheel (as they'd call it) it's tough.

McGinn played well, but it was him giving it away (again) in the first half that created that back to back chance in the same phase for Brighton.

Ings, we need to find a better way of getting him into games.

Buendia is a funny one. High energy off the ball, lovely through pass and obviously has bags of quality. Just not quite clicking.

Clearly a lot to work on and from. We know we have a good squad, we know its deficient in a couple of areas, but we've just blown some confidence into ourselves which hopefully adds a different sort of consistency to our play.

There was a real grim determination underlying what we did today. Not much of it pretty or coming off all the while, save the last 10, but it showed a level. Bodies on the line, high energy, you'll create a chance never mind score over my dead body. I really liked that from us.

A word on the opposition. Bissouma is a good player, but I felt he was consistently lucky to get away with hacking the man down en route to the ball time and time again.

Potter also demonstrates why I categorically did not want him as a manager. He's Tony Mowbray with a beard.

There cannot be a side more dull to watch. Brighton are utterly tedious in their endless, pedestrian, lateral passes. They create nothing. They have no forward on the pitch and take off their main outlet when they do put one on. They're dire in the final third.

[RamboandBruno]

Interesting comments from Watkins.

“It has been intense & the standards have gone up. That’s no disrespect to Dean Smith but he’s (Gerrard) brought in some new rules & everybody was on it. I’d be here all day if I was to say them all, there’s quite a few."

That is really interesting, disciplinarian then.

[ChicagoLion]

Interesting comments from Watkins.

“It has been intense & the standards have gone up. That’s no disrespect to Dean Smith but he’s (Gerrard) brought in some new rules & everybody was on it. I’d be here all day if I was to say them all, there’s quite a few."

That is really interesting, disciplinarian then.

l don’t they (him and GM ) are here to piss about.

[AV82EC]

Well said Ads, Brighton just have no cutting edge. Possession for the sake of it. Boring, boring Brighton.

[clash city rocker]

Aston fuckin villa I love you...My 92 year old father who is very close to departing this earth. Well you made his day and brought a smile to his face. VTID. Thank you Villa. I fuckin love you.

[SamTheMouse]

Bissouma dozily got caught in possession a couple of times too. Can't see what the fuss is about with him, tbh.

[ChicagoLion]

Well said Ads, Brighton just have no cutting edge. Possession for the sake of it. Boring, boring Brighton.

it’s choreographed low risk football.
But as Ads says, very dull.
There was a point in the second half that we seemed to have run out of ideas and I think they want to frustrate and then pick you off. We went aggressive and went at them and they were undone.

[BC Villain]

Interesting comments from Watkins.

“It has been intense & the standards have gone up. That’s no disrespect to Dean Smith but he’s (Gerrard) brought in some new rules & everybody was on it. I’d be here all day if I was to say them all, there’s quite a few."

That is really interesting, disciplinarian then.

l don’t they (him and GM ) are here to piss about.

Certainly seems to suggest Smith's approach was a little more laid back and relaxed

[Mister E]

Ramsey was excellent, as was McGinn. Konsa and Mings looked very secure. Targett is a superb defender - his timing is very well judged.
Buendia ... ahhhh, Buendia! he WILL be good for us; he has the vision and the movement, even if he looks lightweight under pressure.
Young's involvement made a difference, in terms of decision-making, and his pass for Watkins was sublime.
Nakamba was a bit of a rollercoaster, but he did okay.
Watkins: I'll admit that as the move progressed I was shouting that he should play in AEG; obv. glad he didn't now but his game needs to appreciate the movement around him better.

An interesting and motivating day at VP today.

[Risso]

I thought Targett was very good today, certainly at the defending part.

[Nelly]

Aston fuckin villa I love you...My 92 year old father who is very close to departing this earth. Well you made his day and brought a smile to his face. VTID. Thank you Villa. I fuckin love you.

Wishing you and yours the very best, mate. I'm glad that Villa were able to lift your father with a win - brilliant! UTV.

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting comments from Watkins.

“It has been intense & the standards have gone up. That’s no disrespect to Dean Smith but he’s (Gerrard) brought in some new rules & everybody was on it. I’d be here all day if I was to say them all, there’s quite a few."

That is really interesting, disciplinarian then.

Thing is I think either approach is fine when it’s working, but when it’s not it gets pulled apart. When the approach is relaxed and you’re winning you hear all the stuff like it gives players freedom to express themselves etc. But when you’re struggling people say there isn’t enough discipline. Conversely when you have a disciplined approach and you’re winning people will say it gives the players structure and a clear identity. But when you’re losing you start to hear things like players are banned from having ketchup and it’s made to sound petty.

[Sexual Ealing]

Interesting comments from Watkins.

“It has been intense & the standards have gone up. That’s no disrespect to Dean Smith but he’s (Gerrard) brought in some new rules & everybody was on it. I’d be here all day if I was to say them all, there’s quite a few."

That is really interesting, disciplinarian then.

Thing is I think either approach is fine when it’s working, but when it’s not it gets pulled apart. When the approach is relaxed and you’re winning you hear all the stuff like it gives players freedom to express themselves etc. But when you’re struggling people say there isn’t enough discipline. Conversely when you have a disciplined approach and you’re winning people will say it gives the players structure and a clear identity. But when you’re losing you start to hear things like players are banned from having ketchup and it’s made to sound petty.

Exactly.

I saw Dean's Norwich press conference and he spoke about the importance of the players enjoying training, and I see the value in that.

[Clampy]

Aston fuckin villa I love you...My 92 year old father who is very close to departing this earth. Well you made his day and brought a smile to his face. VTID. Thank you Villa. I fuckin love you.

So sorry to hear that.

[Nunkin1965]

Aston fuckin villa I love you...My 92 year old father who is very close to departing this earth. Well you made his day and brought a smile to his face. VTID. Thank you Villa. I fuckin love you.

Wishing you and yours the very best, mate. I'm glad that Villa were able to lift your father with a win - brilliant! UTV.

Same here.
A really special post.