Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Post-Match Thread

[Drummond]

The match another damp squib.

But afterwards.... Joy.

[Gareth]

Thought that was two well matched teams cancelling each other out - they are huge physically which we need a little bit more of this summer.  We looked better once Ramsey and Buendia came on

The nonsense around Zaha is everything that is wrong with refereeing in this country…had he been gobbing off at a linesman in the way he was to the ref he would have been booked but that ref didn’t have the respect for himself to actually deal with it.  He should have been booked and then if he continued crying he should have been given a 2nd yellow.  I’m not big on the role model thing for off field stuff but how they behave on the pitch will be reflected by youngsters and not dealing with him tells kids that stropping, screaming and waving your arms is acceptable. 

[Nii Lamptey]

Typical end of season game. I'm not concerned by the fluctuating performances, as personally I think there are little glimmers of something good on the horizon.

Barring a couple of players, this is still Dean Smith's squad, so let's get the summer window and preseason out of the way and then see what happens.

The biggest point for me, is even in the games where we're below par, the effort is still there. That's ALL I want to see... Quality will hopefully come with time. The amount of vitriol aimed at Watkins and Ings at times (both on here and at VP) is astounding - We have two England strikers in our front line?! Form will come, but calling for their heads will do nothing to help this.

People have short memories and should remember the days of Rudy Gestede, Ross McCormack and Jordan Bowery. Be careful what you wish for!

On another point, as much as loved Smith as our manager, we're a much more attractive prospect with Gerrard in charge. It's no surprise we've picked up again since the return of a semi-functioning Nakamba, so I think that whoever they get to fill that vacant DM spot in the summer will dictate where we go. Fix that problem, and I think we'll fly.

On today's performance - Thought McGinn looked lively today, barring a couple of 'Hollywood Bannan' type crossfield balls. Pretty stagnant in the middle until the introduction of Jacob and Buendia. Cash looked done at the end - Think he's the only ever present this season, and always puts in a solid display, so not surprised he's running on empty.

Wifried Zaha (or should that be 'Whining Wilfy'?) - Absolute cock of a player, with ideas very much above his station. Shame they got the equaliser as it would have been nice to send him home packing with nothing.

Onto Thursday... and more importantly SUNDAY!  UTV!

[Brazilian Villain]

Thought the 40th anniversary stuff was over the top, would rather have had the money spent on flags and banners off the price increase on season tickets. Anyone would have thought we'd won it last year

Will just end up in the closet,collecting dust and not very good for the environment either

Left feeling fed up as usual

I heard the post-match meal the European Cup winning team had together was a really sombre affair as, despite enjoying the deserved adulation of a full Villa Park, they realised they'd increased their carbon footprint.

5 courses though so they also left feeling fed up.

[BC Villain]

Disgraceful that Villa have the audacity to celebrate their finest moment in all of our lifetimes.
I'm amazed we didn't start hurling the plastic flag sticks in a Fatima Whitebread stylee at our heroes.

I read somewhere they originally planned for the 82 team to give the current side a guard of honour.  Glad that was kicked into touch.  However thought that was a good idea ought to be potted

[Legion]

Disgraceful that Villa have the audacity to celebrate their finest moment in all of our lifetimes.
I'm amazed we didn't start hurling the plastic flag sticks in a Fatima Whitebread stylee at our heroes.

I read somewhere they originally planned for the 82 team to give the current side a guard of honour.  Glad that was kicked into touch.  However thought that was a good idea ought to be potted

That is correct. Gerrard, to his credit, decided on the opposite.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Absolute tripe

Six Home wins is absolutely unacceptable, awful first half , absolutely dire. Second half was much better but again we fail to get all 3 points on home soil

Thought the 40th anniversary stuff was over the top, would rather have had the money spent on flags and banners off the price increase on season tickets. Anyone would have thought we'd won it last year

Will just end up in the closet,collecting dust and not very good for the environment either

Left feeling fed up as usual

I think you’ve got your paragraphs mixed up. You should have finished with “Absolute tripe” to reflect your post better.

[colin69]

Absolute tripe

Six Home wins is absolutely unacceptable, awful first half , absolutely dire. Second half was much better but again we fail to get all 3 points on home soil

Thought the 40th anniversary stuff was over the top, would rather have had the money spent on flags and banners off the price increase on season tickets. Anyone would have thought we'd won it last year

Will just end up in the closet,collecting dust and not very good for the environment either

Left feeling fed up as usual

Although I realise you’re on the wind up in relation to the 40th Anniversary, I for one had a lump in my throat as these heroes of our club paraded the European Cup at half time. These blokes earned nothing like the players of today and you could see how genuinely happy they were that the club had arranged this. I waved my flag with pride and certainly didn’t feel fed up as I left.

[john e]

Coutinho although not at the top of his form is still a joy to watch for me

it’s the little things the basics if you like, the way he receives the ball controls it swishes and sways around with composure, he might only pass it a short distance but he just does the simple things with class, always looks in complete control of the ball and more often than not will give it to a C&B shirt even when pressured
yes he does get caught out at times but then he’s receiving the ball more than anyone else

I feel a bit sorry for people who just look at the stats on goals and assists and declare he offers nothing, if you can’t enjoy seeing a masterful footballer this might be the wrong sport for you, even if he didn’t pull any trees up today he was still a treat to watch

[Richard E]

I didn’t think it was as bad as some people are suggesting.

Unless you’re five, the world doesn’t have to be a binary divide between things being completely brilliant or completely shit.

We played quite well in parts, not so well in others.

The opposition are a team who are at pretty much exactly the same level as us this season, so a tight game and a draw is not entirely unexpected.

[olaftab]

I didn’t think it was as bad as some people are suggesting.

Unless you’re five, the world doesn’t have to be a binary divide between things being completely brilliant or completely shit.

We played quite well in parts, not so well in others.

The opposition are a team who are at pretty much exactly the same level as us this season, so a tight game and a draw is not entirely unexpected.

Good post. I like your double spacing.

[RamboandBruno]

The match another damp squib.

But afterwards.... Joy.

Great photos!!

Sid looks like he’s deteriorating unfortunately, maybe thats just the photo being deceiving.

[KRS]

According to ITV news we won 1-0. Result!

[LeonW]

Thought the 40th anniversary stuff was over the top, would rather have had the money spent on flags and banners off the price increase on season tickets. Anyone would have thought we'd won it last year

Will just end up in the closet,collecting dust and not very good for the environment either

Left feeling fed up as usual

I heard the post-match meal the European Cup winning team had together was a really sombre affair as, despite enjoying the deserved adulation of a full Villa Park, they realised they'd increased their carbon footprint.

5 courses though so they also left feeling fed up.

And so they should. I thought it was extremely excessive. The money spent today on that event could have been used to bring Jude Bellingham home to join our midfield next season.

[Brazilian Villain]

Great photos!!

Sid looks like he’s deteriorating unfortunately, maybe thats just the photo being deceiving.

Agreed, and sadly I thought exactly the same when I saw Sid.