Can anyone honestly say we look like we'll improve on our final position last season? Too early to tell but I just don't see much evidence of a consistently effective way of playing. Far too disjointed and careless with the ball. The moments of skill and winning-space that a player in a Villa shirt does provide are rarely anticipated by a team-mate. If Everton are going to be lucky to avoid relegation, shouldn't we be wiping the floor with them instead of clinging-on?
Positives: the 3 points, Kamara was a class above, Ings doing what Ings does, JJ much improved on last week, Mings showed why we missed him last week, Buendia showed why he should be starting. Negatives: Gerrard’s selection, Coutinho a passenger. Watkins in front of goal, Diego’s injury.Onwards, but had Buendia been on the pitch instead Coutinho, we would have won that game much more comfortably. How many chances is Coutinho going to get - either Gerrard has to find a way to get them both on the pitch or the talk about form/competition is nonsense when it comes to his star signing.
Quote from: Jon Crofts on August 13, 2022, 03:25:17 PMThey were sharper after Dele Alli came on but didn’t deserve that goal, made for a very nervy last 10. How Steven can leave Emi out now is beyond me.I'd completely forgotten Dele Alli existed.
They were sharper after Dele Alli came on but didn’t deserve that goal, made for a very nervy last 10. How Steven can leave Emi out now is beyond me.
Quote from: DB on August 13, 2022, 05:25:12 PMbuild up / entrance music is too loud.Yup, this isn’t the US of A. Turn it in and let the atmosphere build.
build up / entrance music is too loud.
Thats better. Though the last 10 minutes was the most Villa thing ever.Scores on the doorsMartinez - 8 not a huge amount to do but stood up well in those last few minutes with some key saves and time wasting.Cash - 6 got forward well but caught a couple of times late onCarlos - 7 very solid doesn't waste possession up until his late injuryMings - 8.5 MoTM - superbDigne - 5 thought our poorest performer defensively today though did get in some good attacking positionsKamara - 8 wow this guy gives us something we've missed for years, very impressedRamsey - 7 started well faded out of the game then sprang to life second half, good ball carryingMcGinn - 7 ran himself ragged but his delivery into the box with time and space left a lot to be desired but better passing than the last few times Ive seen himCoutinho - 7 - he does slow us down a bit but other than one misplaced pass he was tidy efficient and skilful on the ball.Watkins - 7 - 2 assists, ran himself into the ground and whilst he's struggling in front of goal the workrate was phenomenal, he ran Tarkowski and Coady ragged.Ings - 7 - goal good link up play and much betterSubs Buendia - 8 - game changer from the bench absolutely brilliant and great goalChambers/Konsa/Young - 6 did what they needed to get us over the lineBailey - 6 nice little cameo shame we couldn't have used his pace a bit more.Gerrard - 7 set up was constructive, good subs (though a bit confused at the end) which goes to show if you have strength on your bench use it for the last 30 minutes it can change games. Its not quite clicking yet but I think with more fine tuning this team will grow and be more competitive. Fans - 8 pretty good support today.Overall, a good first home performance and something to build on for next week.Oh and after 15 years of Smart Motorway Roadworks on the M6 from West Mids up to the North West, they've finally finished!! Hallelujah....
Good that.