Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea post match thread

[ChicagoLion]

I am not defending  Gerrard but that performance was not down to him, until the ridiculous substitutes in the second half.

[Steve67]

Despite the pressure in the first half, we do not move the ball quickly enough.  Once Chelsea made their changes, they choked the midfield and once we went two down, we had nothing left in the tank.

[Clampy]

The fact that our best player was probably a 37 year old full back we thought had retired at the end of last season says it all really

My mate asked me today who my man of the match was and I said Ashley. I don't think anyone played that badly apart from the front two.

[PeterWithesShin]

I am not defending  Gerrard but that performance was not down to him, until the ridiculous substitutes in the second half.

I agree. We played well despite him. And as soon as he started trying to manage it all went to shit.



/openspopcorn

[Oklahoma]

Alarm went off a 5.45am. I sat in silence for the entirety of the game, unimpressive once more. 

He talks a good game, but so do I. He’s supposed to be making a difference, he’s not.

I’m bored watching us ‘play’.

[JUAN PABLO]

I thought Bailey had a good game and looked dangerous throughout.

agree

[Pat McMahon]

Mason Mount hadn’t scored a league goal yet this season. Welcome to Villa Park, please enjoy your stay.

I have an irrational dislike of Mount ever since he was Southgate’s pet when Grealish was playing out of his skin this time two years ago. I had a feeling he’d score today.

Just back home in London and too fed up to read the thread before this page. We actually played well between the two goals but a team short on confidence can’t be giving away howlers like that. I haven’t seen any footage yet, but once their midfielder had got behind Ramsey we were in trouble and Mings’ header was worthy of Heskey For the second I don’t know if there was a deflection or if Eli’s positioning was poor.

Our profligacy in front of goal is worrying - we spend several games hardly creating anything and when we do we merrily fluff our lines. A team which can’t score is always vulnerable and today was a less harsh rerun of the Spurs game last season.

This feels like the last days of a flailing manager. The Holte was far from full by the final whistle but a good minority were singing for Gerard’ to go - a chant started by Chelsea fans. If we lose at Fulham I think he’s toast.

[ChicagoLion]

I thought Bailey had a good game and looked dangerous throughout.

agree

And he took him off, when he was our only attacker causing them problems

[Pat McMahon]

PS from my seat 90 metres away I thought Chilwell deserved a red

[brontebilly]

I am not defending  Gerrard but that performance was not down to him, until the ridiculous substitutes in the second half.

The team and formation he picked worked out well, front 3 up against their 3 centre backs. We exposed both their wide CBs all first half. Midfield three were very dominant, thankfully at least playing McGinn and Ramsey . Im trying to recall all our chances but Bailey and Ings misses in the first half were sitters really. Incredible save from Ramsey too. Might be missing another one or two.

Miles better than against Forest anyway. Dont think Chelsea are up to much this season on the evidence of today. Sterling, selfish as always, but unlucky for two goals. Mount was lively and Gallagher did well when he came on. But they were really poor in midfield, at the back and Auba was Gabby-esque up front with his lack of effort.

[Ian.]

PS from my seat 90 metres away I thought Chilwell deserved a red

Most definitely. His foot was up and he was late and reckless.

[Risso]

I thought Bailey had a good game and looked dangerous throughout.

agree

And he took him off, when he was our only attacker causing them problems

Apparently that was on the advice of the medical team.

[Exeter 77]

PS from my seat 90 metres away I thought Chilwell deserved a red

You weren't the only one. Awful tackle, late, high and with a full set of studs.

[Des Little]

PS from my seat 90 metres away I thought Chilwell deserved a red

He probably did, but it wouldn’t have had any bearing on the result, and that’s the sad truth of where we are at right now.

[itmustbe_it is!]

Small beans, I know, but what exactly was the point in buying Dendoncker? Getting him in is like when councils start digging up the roads in March so they don't get less for their budget the next fiscal year.

He looks like he’d be more suited to a donkey jacket and a hi-vis vest.

or harnessed to a plough