Unai Emery

[paul_e]

The results will be what they are, but we are now in a great scenario to be relaxed enough about where we are in the table. Villa can go out and implement Emery and the coaches' intended game play and strategy with only a slight degree of suffering to any bad result as overall its not much issue to our league placing.

In many ways, it's a luxurious position, and these remaining games can serve as solid foundations for the players' understanding. It's a great opportunity for that more than results or pushing hard for higher league positions outside a couple more places

My main focus from now until the end of the season will be on how the players perform with possession-based football, the strategies in games, including the playing out from the back and players positional and tactical awareness.
I'm also interested if Watkins scores makes 14 to level or 15+ and then highest premier league goal tally.

So due to my understanding of the bigger picture and remit under Emery.
of course, I still want Villa to win as many games as possible, but because of the way I see it, the scoreline and outcome in matches are largely irrelevant until the start of next season.

It's quite glorious, really!
Just to enjoy the good bits of football and the rest is just part of the process!
Up The Villa!

I agree with almost all of this. I get people want to finish higher in the table but for me that's a result of achieving our other targets anyway and what we really have now is a quarter of the season where we can really focus on what we need to be doing to really push on next season.

A perceived truth on here is that we're miles away from where we want to be but I just don't agree. Under Emery we've won half of our league games and have a goal and point average that would have us in the mix for the European places. We've scored in every match under him and the defence has been decent other than that 3 game run in February.

If we can spend the rest of this season continuing to work on improving in defence and controlling the game (yesterday in the first half was the most assured I've seen us for a long time) I can see us taking another 20-25 points and regardless of what that means in terms of position I'd be really happy with our progress if we end up with 55+ points after the start we had.

That would take us into the summer with around 45 points from 25 games and clear evidence that we're heading in the right direction. Add 3-4 signings of the right quality and bring back a few of the kids and I reckon we'll be ready to really push on.

[tomd2103]

The results will be what they are, but we are now in a great scenario to be relaxed enough about where we are in the table. Villa can go out and implement Emery and the coaches' intended game play and strategy with only a slight degree of suffering to any bad result as overall its not much issue to our league placing.

In many ways, it's a luxurious position, and these remaining games can serve as solid foundations for the players' understanding. It's a great opportunity for that more than results or pushing hard for higher league positions outside a couple more places

My main focus from now until the end of the season will be on how the players perform with possession-based football, the strategies in games, including the playing out from the back and players positional and tactical awareness.
I'm also interested if Watkins scores makes 14 to level or 15+ and then highest premier league goal tally.

So due to my understanding of the bigger picture and remit under Emery.
of course, I still want Villa to win as many games as possible, but because of the way I see it, the scoreline and outcome in matches are largely irrelevant until the start of next season.

It's quite glorious, really!
Just to enjoy the good bits of football and the rest is just part of the process!
Up The Villa!

I agree with almost all of this. I get people want to finish higher in the table but for me that's a result of achieving our other targets anyway and what we really have now is a quarter of the season where we can really focus on what we need to be doing to really push on next season.

A perceived truth on here is that we're miles away from where we want to be but I just don't agree. Under Emery we've won half of our league games and have a goal and point average that would have us in the mix for the European places. We've scored in every match under him and the defence has been decent other than that 3 game run in February.

If we can spend the rest of this season continuing to work on improving in defence and controlling the game (yesterday in the first half was the most assured I've seen us for a long time) I can see us taking another 20-25 points and regardless of what that means in terms of position I'd be really happy with our progress if we end up with 55+ points after the start we had.

That would take us into the summer with around 45 points from 25 games and clear evidence that we're heading in the right direction. Add 3-4 signings of the right quality and bring back a few of the kids and I reckon we'll be ready to really push on.

Agree with this Paul.  If you look at the results since he took over then it clearly points to an upwards trajectory.  Agree that there are a few additions needed in terms of the starting XI and squad depth, but I think there are definitely some positive signs.

What we have seen are the two variations of formation he favours.  One is the version of 4-4-2, with a narrow four across midfield and a and a 'number10', and the other seems to be to play with an out-and-out wide player on the right and a midfield three, with the left side left open for the full-back to move into.

[gpbarr]

The results will be what they are, but we are now in a great scenario to be relaxed enough about where we are in the table. Villa can go out and implement Emery and the coaches' intended game play and strategy with only a slight degree of suffering to any bad result as overall its not much issue to our league placing.

In many ways, it's a luxurious position, and these remaining games can serve as solid foundations for the players' understanding. It's a great opportunity for that more than results or pushing hard for higher league positions outside a couple more places

My main focus from now until the end of the season will be on how the players perform with possession-based football, the strategies in games, including the playing out from the back and players positional and tactical awareness.
I'm also interested if Watkins scores makes 14 to level or 15+ and then highest premier league goal tally.

So due to my understanding of the bigger picture and remit under Emery.
of course, I still want Villa to win as many games as possible, but because of the way I see it, the scoreline and outcome in matches are largely irrelevant until the start of next season.

It's quite glorious, really!
Just to enjoy the good bits of football and the rest is just part of the process!
Up The Villa!

I agree with almost all of this. I get people want to finish higher in the table but for me that's a result of achieving our other targets anyway and what we really have now is a quarter of the season where we can really focus on what we need to be doing to really push on next season.

A perceived truth on here is that we're miles away from where we want to be but I just don't agree. Under Emery we've won half of our league games and have a goal and point average that would have us in the mix for the European places. We've scored in every match under him and the defence has been decent other than that 3 game run in February.

If we can spend the rest of this season continuing to work on improving in defence and controlling the game (yesterday in the first half was the most assured I've seen us for a long time) I can see us taking another 20-25 points and regardless of what that means in terms of position I'd be really happy with our progress if we end up with 55+ points after the start we had.

That would take us into the summer with around 45 points from 25 games and clear evidence that we're heading in the right direction. Add 3-4 signings of the right quality and bring back a few of the kids and I reckon we'll be ready to really push on.

Agree with this Paul.  If you look at the results since he took over then it clearly points to an upwards trajectory.  Agree that there are a few additions needed in terms of the starting XI and squad depth, but I think there are definitely some positive signs.

What we have seen are the two variations of formation he favours.  One is the version of 4-4-2, with a narrow four across midfield and a and a 'number10', and the other seems to be to play with an out-and-out wide player on the right and a midfield three, with the left side left open for the full-back to move into.

Bang on the money. It’s been far, far too long since I last felt so relaxed and confident about the process and potential. You can never predict too confidently in this game but with the right additions this summer, retaining the right young crop currently out on loan, and 3/4 months of continued calibration to football, I’m pretty confident we will be serious contenders for a European place next season.

[Clark W Griswold]

It is a fair point but just bear in mind the higher we finish in the table, i reckon the better the players we could attract in the summer if they can see the methods are working already. Plus it's only my daughters second game on Saturday, her first was Stevenage so i do really hope we beat Bournemouth!

[paul_e]

It is a fair point but just bear in mind the higher we finish in the table, i reckon the better the players we could attract in the summer if they can see the methods are working already. Plus it's only my daughters second game on Saturday, her first was Stevenage so i do really hope we beat Bournemouth!

I agree, my point really is that worrying about how we play and getting those basics right should be the goal and the league placing will improve as a consequence of that (hopefully). We'd be wrong to go the other way and not use this time to embed the style of play, even if there may be a small chance doing so gives us a 1-2 place short-term boost.

[Chris Smith]

I agree with Paul. The improvement in performance is clear, even if it’s been incremental rather than an instant impact, but for the rest of this season it’s about sticking to the plan so by the time we start again inAugust it’s fully embedded.

[tomd2103]

It is a fair point but just bear in mind the higher we finish in the table, i reckon the better the players we could attract in the summer if they can see the methods are working already. Plus it's only my daughters second game on Saturday, her first was Stevenage so i do really hope we beat Bournemouth!

Think this a key point.  I'm sure we'll be a much more attractive proposition to potential signings if we can have a strong finish to the season and finish in the top half.

[eamonn]

I agree with Paul. The improvement in performance is clear, even if it’s been incremental rather than an instant impact, but for the rest of this season it’s about sticking to the plan so by the time we start again inAugust it’s fully embedded.

Instant enough to beat Manchester United at home for the first time since you were a young fella!

[Chris Smith]

I agree with Paul. The improvement in performance is clear, even if it’s been incremental rather than an instant impact, but for the rest of this season it’s about sticking to the plan so by the time we start again inAugust it’s fully embedded.

Instant enough to beat Manchester United at home for the first time since you were a young fella!

True, but we also managed to lose to Stevenage a couple of months later causing this place to blow a gasket.

[Risso]

I agree with Paul. The improvement in performance is clear, even if it’s been incremental rather than an instant impact, but for the rest of this season it’s about sticking to the plan so by the time we start again inAugust it’s fully embedded.

Instant enough to beat Manchester United at home for the first time since you were a young fella!

True, but we also managed to lose to Stevenage a couple of months later causing this place to blow a gasket.

That defeat still pisses me off!

[olaftab]

Stevenage defeat will piss me off till I die. Unai is stained with that and nothing can correct it. 

[eamonn]

Stevenage defeat will piss me off till I die. Unai is stained with that and nothing can correct it. 

What if he wins ya a cup double next season? Go on, have a heart.

[Toronto Villa]

Stevenage defeat will piss me off till I die. Unai is stained with that and nothing can correct it. 

he sent out a team against a league 2 side more than capable of winning the game and the team fucked up.

[Risso]

Stevenage defeat will piss me off till I die. Unai is stained with that and nothing can correct it. 

he sent out a team against a league 2 side more than capable of winning the game and the team fucked up.

A team with Robin Olsen in it stands a good chance of losing any game of football.

[PaulWinch again]

It’s annoying defeat, but I can see Emery clearly has a good and developing plan. A misstep or two early on shouldn’t define him.