Newcastle v Villa Post Match Thread

[Brazilian Villain]

More an observation than an 'excuse' but I suspect that if we had played Newcastle first then Leeds we'd probably have got 4 points from the 2 games. However those are the breaks when it comes to the fixtures.

[fredm]

Did I hear it correctly that the ref has been in charge for the last 3 Villa away matches? Surely something should be said about this? It cannot be right as things get spilled over from one match to the next. Also how come Newcastle had committed 21 free kicks yet had few yellow cards whereas a Villa player seemed to pick up a card after every foul.

[Sexual Ealing]

Was talking to my old man after the Leeds game, and said I'd sell Watkins, Luiz and McGinn if the rumoured bids came in. He reckoned he'd keep Watkins but would sell Cash as well.

Seen a few posters in the thread list those four, and all four have linked with moves out. Can't help feeling that if we raked in £32m for Luiz (Spurs were linked), £40m for McGinn (Man Utd linked), £35m for Watkins (Arsenal linked) and £25m for Cash (Atletico linked) that we could buy  players that make a more rounded team for the £133m it raked it. For sure we could get a better striker, centre back, right back and the elusive DM.

I also think that Davis would fit this system better than either Watkins or Ings, and Archer would be a better option to come on too.

100% agree with your first sentence.

[ROBBO]

We looked a tired side from the off and looking at how poorly Leeds played in their game (you would think they had just met each other) then the midweek game did for both sides. Changes should have been made and that's down to management. Watkins is not a natural centre forward he has no hold up ability which for me is a vital part of the position, he tries and runs hard but needs a spell on the bench. Ings may be no better but deserves a chance. Why did we re-sign Hause? and then not use him, instead put a player in who couldn't get a gig at Arsenal. As for Sanson, i can only conclude he is on the outer which is a pity because i thought he looked promising. It was the ideal game where we could and should have rested players.

[Clampy]

Did I hear it correctly that the ref has been in charge for the last 3 Villa away matches? Surely something should be said about this? It cannot be right as things get spilled over from one match to the next. Also how come Newcastle had committed 21 free kicks yet had few yellow cards whereas a Villa player seemed to pick up a card after every foul.

I thought the ref was abysmal.

[Ian.]

I thought one of Ollie’s strong points last season while he was in form was his ability to hold the ball up. An in form Ollie Watkins is a very good loan striker. His mojo has left him, this season he’s been a shadow of himself.

[ROBBO]

I thought one of Ollie’s strong points last season while he was in form was his ability to hold the ball up. An in form Ollie Watkins is a very good loan striker. His mojo has left him, this season he’s been a shadow of himself.

Last season is last season, the opposition are marking him tighter, the coaches should be working on this in training.

[SamTheMouse]

It's a pity that Cameron Archer has gone out on loan because it would be an ideal opportunity to give him some Premier League game time.

We're not going to make Europe and we're not going down so it would've been a great time to play him.

Watkins has been truly awful for weeks with Ings not much better.

Incidentally can someone, anyone explain what Luiz brings to the party? Genuinely can't see it.

I actually think Davis would work well in our system. He may not get many goals himself, but he could hold it up and bring others into play. None of our other strikers can do this.

I think you've got a point there.

[SamTheMouse]

We looked a tired side from the off and looking at how poorly Leeds played in their game (you would think they had just met each other) then the midweek game did for both sides. Changes should have been made and that's down to management. Watkins is not a natural centre forward he has no hold up ability which for me is a vital part of the position, he tries and runs hard but needs a spell on the bench. Ings may be no better but deserves a chance. Why did we re-sign Hause? and then not use him, instead put a player in who couldn't get a gig at Arsenal. As for Sanson, i can only conclude he is on the outer which is a pity because i thought he looked promising. It was the ideal game where we could and should have rested players.

I would guess Chambers was preferred to Hause because he's right-footed.

[Legion]

I don't. Davis has had plenty of opportunities over the years. Just not good enough at this level. Pleased to see him doing well in the Championship.

[Steve67]

Watkins, when he gets the ball, seems to be taking an age to make the right decision.  He doesn't hold the ball up well enough either at the moment, or press like he did last season.  He looks a shadow of himself.  The VAR goal was marginal but happens far too often to Watkins.  He was really poor today.

[Meanwood Villa]

I don't. Davis has had plenty of opportunities over the years. Just not good enough at this level. Pleased to see him doing well in the Championship.

Agreed. Keinan Davis has never been and will never be the answer.

[Meanwood Villa]

I understand a lot of the "burn it all down" posts after a performance like that. Hell, I'm on the verge of writing off Digne after four games. In reality though we are stuck with this squad for the remainder of this season and the majority of them will still be around next season too. Everyone talks about clear outs but in reality they never happen that quickly. Gerrard needs to make it work with who he's got. He has shown glimpses of it and talks a good game but I sincerely hope we don't drift to the end of this season. If we do I think that makes summer recruitment that bit harder.

[Drummond]

I do wonder if the mid season pre-season thing just pushed the players too hard. Instead of coming back fresh and ready, they are knackered. The stats were through the roof against Leeds according to Gerrard, which means picking the same players again made no sense.

I guess it may work for fitness in the longer term, and I hope it does, but we look tired and that's when the sloppiness happens.

[Risso]

Most of them had just had the best part of three weeks off.