Aston Villa - 1 Southampton - 0 Post match thread

[Percy McCarthy]

He just lumbered round like a big lumbering thing.  Early days, but I wouldn’t expect him to bring much dynamism to the midfield.

I heard on the excellent The Villa Podcast that his average position was behind Ashley Young - who wasn’t exactly bombing on with abandon.

[Percy McCarthy]

Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be alright now Steevie has some extra time on the training pitch with his players…..

I take it you’ve noticed we get worse every time that happens.

Indeed, sarcasm doesn’t translate well across the internet.

It worked on me mate, I just wanted to emphasise your very good point.

[The Edge]

Ok for all those picking apart my comment I say this. Watkins is not a goalscorer. Simple. How many one on one's have we seen him fluff? He had two away at City last season which would of seen us go 3 or 4 nil up against one of the best sides on the planet. I'm aware of inflation so the 40mil Liverpool paid for Salah would be more than that today. But he was still a relatively cheap player in the grand scheme of things and if we are serious about challenging at the top end that's precisely what we should be trying to emulate.

[SamTheMouse]

Watkins' work rate will always make him a worthwhile pick, but Jesus Christ the lad's boots must be made of the same stuff as pinball machine bouncers.

[Brazilian Villain]

Watkins' work rate will always make him a worthwhile pick, but Jesus Christ the lad's boots must be made of the same stuff as pinball machine bouncers.

I like that description!

[Risso]

Toney scored 12 league goals last season, 5 were pens. Ollie scored 11 with 1 pen. I'm not sure it's much of an upgrade.

And how are they doing this season so far?

[PeterWithesShin]

Ok for all those picking apart my comment I say this. Watkins is not a goalscorer. Simple. How many one on one's have we seen him fluff? He had two away at City last season which would of seen us go 3 or 4 nil up against one of the best sides on the planet. I'm aware of inflation so the 40mil Liverpool paid for Salah would be more than that today. But he was still a relatively cheap player inthe scheme of things and if we are serious about challenging at the top end that's precisely what we should be trying to emulate. I can't understand why people are arguing against it.

Again, if it's so easy why isn't everyone in the league doing it?

Salah joined a side in the Champions League for a fee 5 years ago that is still more than we've ever paid for a player. Those are the reasons i'm saying it's not easy. No one is saying they wouldn't like an upgrade on Watkins, but it's not as easy as you are trying to make out.

[PeterWithesShin]

Toney scored 12 league goals last season, 5 were pens. Ollie scored 11 with 1 pen. I'm not sure it's much of an upgrade.

And how are they doing this season so far?

Let's see how they are by season end, Che Adams scored 10 in 17 for club and country at one stage last season, doesn't stop him being mainly shit just because of a good run.

[Risso]

I would say there's quite a gulf between Watkins and Salah in terms of class. I'd love somebody as good as Salah, but an upgrade on Watkins should be possible even if he's not at Salah's level.

[cdbearsfan]

Toney is doing better this season. It's not a very large sample, though. I don't think many are continuing to argue that Watkins is the long-term answer, though I still wouldn't be amazed if he became good again under a better manager. They're both 10-15 goal strikers. If you want to significantly improve on that and get a 20-25 goal striker in the Premier League you need to be buying from among the elite and spending £70 million as a minimum, or get very lucky. You don't get it buying yet another Brentford player.

[PeterWithesShin]

The only players to score more than 15 league goals last season were Kane, Son, Salah, Mane and Ronaldo. That's why it isn't easy.

[LeeB]

It's a close to impossible task to find the player though, despite having the cash that level of player would likely be demanding at least European football. We've got to make more first of what we have.
Ings is not nor never will be the answer, Watkins has his limitations but is a reliable grafter. Only Archer looks to me to have the tools to be the all round proper striker, we should be giving him maximum exposure now.

[ChicagoLion]

Ings looks like he would struggle to keep up with a conga  line in an old folks home.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd rather we stopped gambling on players who might be alright and signed that Juventus bloke Monty recommended. Have forgotten his name but think he's from one of the Balkan countries.

[AlexAlexCropley]

He isn't. He's no significant upgrade and is also a massive twat. We need to be trying to sign people like Lewandowski not shopping around Brentford again.

Ha! Now I know I'm right.