Great second half. I really feared a hiding at half time. Excellent first goal by Watkins and we created the big chance for the equaliser but unfortunately Chucky couldn't convert. I was totally against his appointment but I must say Gerrard got some tune out of our players in the second half against arguably the best team in Europe. Do think we need to lay off the long throws and deep free kicks. Don't think any of them remotely worked. Martinez 7 - maybe a bit harsh blaming him for first with Targett ducking out of way 5 or 6 yards ahead of himCash 7 - gave his all up against Sterling.Konsa 7 - solid as per usual Mings 6 - very poor positioning for second goal, did well apart from thatTargett 5 - tried hard but less said about his effort to block first the betterNakamba 7 - very solid performance from a guy I don't rate muchMcGinn 5 - lost in general midfield play but good crosses and moments around their box, has to move further forward now with Bailey outLuiz 9 - our best player by a long way in both halves. Excellent assist too, good deliveries all night and spiky in tackleBailey 3 - unfortunate injury but rubbish in time he was on, appalling effort to block first goalWatkins 7 - quality goal, tough night at times but kept goingBuendia 5 - lost for about 70 mins but finished very strongly including the brilliant ball to Chucky for our chance Young 7 - very good again when coming inChucky 5 - pace of game was too much for him but could have become a hero with the goal chance Sanson 7 - this lad is a player, will be starting for us soon I thinkThought it somewhat sad that Pep only saw fit to give our former talisman 5 mins tonight at a time that City were under pressure. Thought he stood out even at that. Just another player for them.
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard speaking to BBC Sport: "The performance second half was really good. It maybe deserved that we take something from the game. We lacked a bit of belief at the start of the first half. That is a combination of them having top players and manager. We got a foothold and then conceded. The second goal we could have stopped the game higher up the pitch. The reaction I got, I can't ask for more. I think the fans appreciated that. We have come so closer to getting something from the game."We are playing against a team that have just been to the European Cup final, have world class players and possibly the best manager in the world. We appreciate what we are up against. But to take them to the end that is a real positive. I can't ask for ore effort."We scored a fantastic goal from a set play. Ollie was unplayable at times. Young kid comes on and his big moment comes. Keeper makes a save but he will learn from that. We also has real decent shout for a penalty. I don't understand why the referee didn't look at the screen."On Leon Bailey: "He was starting to look a real threat in training. We will analyse his injury in the coming days. It looks like he will miss at least a couple of games."Article ReactionsLike3 likes3Dislike