Aston Villa v Leicester City Post Match Thread

[brontebilly]

There wasn't many mentioning the transfer window when we were deservedly 2-1 up in the first half and playing very well....considering McGinn didn't even get on there wasn't much wrong with our squad depth today. Still Carlos and Traore to come back in.
Bit worried about Ramsey, position doesn't seem to suit on right side but he isn't doing enough anyway. Really poor without the ball too for a fine athlete, rarely wins a tackle or a header. McGinn will come back in there. Bailey as usual lacking conviction. Cash and Digne poor and their careers at Villa Park very much under pressure.
I get why Emery wants to keep Bailey up near Watkins for a bit more goal threat but it leaves us horribly unbalanced at times. Ideal to switch to 4231 for next couple of games.

[PaulWinch again]

There wasn't many mentioning the transfer window when we were deservedly 2-1 up in the first half and playing very well....considering McGinn didn't even get on there wasn't much wrong with our squad depth today. Still Carlos and Traore to come back in.
Bit worried about Ramsey, position doesn't seem to suit on right side but he isn't doing enough anyway. Really poor without the ball too for a fine athlete, rarely wins a tackle or a header. McGinn will come back in there. Bailey as usual lacking conviction. Cash and Digne poor and their careers at Villa Park very much under pressure.
I get why Emery wants to keep Bailey up near Watkins for a bit more goal threat but it leaves us horribly unbalanced at times. Ideal to switch to 4231 for next couple of games.

Well you’re unlikely to complain about bench strength when you’re winning in first half aren’t you? The whole point is to have a range of options to change the game. So the lack of bench strength really becomes relevant in the second half, particularly when you’re losing.

[Mister E]

Buendia, Luiz, Ash Young, Watkins - they all played well today and more than put a shift in.
Kamara - his worst game: maybe the oppo have sussed out whom we play the ball through these days: Lesta were all over him, all the time (this is why I'd love Guendouzi to have joined us - to provide more imagination, intensity and focal points in our midfield).
Digne, Mings, Konsa and Martinez - slowed the game down and were badly caught out at different times during the game.
Ramsey - seemed unsure of what was expected of him and faded badly.
Bailey - dominated by his fullback (on the FB's debut?); did well to set up the first goal for Watkins (via Buendia) but desperately lacking in stature, guile and finishing. Really poor. Why is he not playing on the left, FF?!
Lesta showed resilience and talent, as well as breaking really well (Tete looked very good - very direct).

[RamboandBruno]

There wasn't many mentioning the transfer window when we were deservedly 2-1 up in the first half and playing very well....considering McGinn didn't even get on there wasn't much wrong with our squad depth today. Still Carlos and Traore to come back in.
Bit worried about Ramsey, position doesn't seem to suit on right side but he isn't doing enough anyway. Really poor without the ball too for a fine athlete, rarely wins a tackle or a header. McGinn will come back in there. Bailey as usual lacking conviction. Cash and Digne poor and their careers at Villa Park very much under pressure.
I get why Emery wants to keep Bailey up near Watkins for a bit more goal threat but it leaves us horribly unbalanced at times. Ideal to switch to 4231 for next couple of games.

It was only 10 mins against a tiring side who had the game won, but i thought Duran’s first touch and laying off, of the ball, looked really promising. He looks far more robust than a really flaky Bailey.

[hilts_coolerking]

In depends what the context is. If we are on about reaching top 2 or 3, then yes, total overhaul needed. If we are on about top 6, i really dont think we need 6 or 7 new players, considering we are currently 4 points off 7th. The argument will be that Liverpool and Chelsea will get better, but then Brighton, Fulham, Brentford will probably be worse.
When people say total overhaul, i would ask to achieve what?? We quite clearly have the players, with this manager to be comfortably mid table, so again, i think 2 or 3 quality additions and a bit of luck, with this manager, gets us to the next level above mid table.

Fair enough.  My point really is that we ALWAYS seem to be these 2 or 3 players short and there always seem to be excuses for us not getting them.

[Footy-Vill]

In terms of the general point about an overhaul of players, this comes up everytime we lose. Its highly unlikely we’ll have an overhaul, its more like we need 2 or 3 players of quality in key positions, one CB, one midfielder, one forward.

I hate to single you out because lots of people say it but I don't think in recent seasons we've ever been 2 or 3 players away from having the squad we need.  In fact, I'd say that if we were to lose just one player - Martinez - we'd be in trouble.

In depends what the context is. If we are on about reaching top 2 or 3, then yes, total overhaul needed. If we are on about top 6, i really dont think we need 6 or 7 new players, considering we are currently 4 points off 7th. The argument will be that Liverpool and Chelsea will get better, but then Brighton, Fulham, Brentford will probably be worse.
When people say total overhaul, i would ask to achieve what?? We quite clearly have the players, with this manager to be comfortably mid table, so again, i think 2 or 3 quality additions and a bot of luck, with this manager, gets us to the next kevel above mid table. 

This is a long term project and a patience to the approach under Emery is required.
Building from the back is a non-negotiable under Emery.
Players like Cash and McGinn, who were supported by former manager Gerrard, will be among those who clearly are struggling to adapt. Some may feel surprised if they don't make the starting line up. However, as I watched them as footballers, I realise that they are not the best fit and may even be sold out as certainly neither have much preference to be in the team under Unai.
By the end of the season, several here of our players will have reached a crossroads.
I would truthfully add Goalkeeper Martinez's strength is in his handling, not his footwork and he too is at risk.

These 3 players to me in particular are going to wonder how much they want to change the way they play or see the game when they could all think they could be at other clubs who will utilise their undoubted abilities but with Emery the fit isn't there.
Cash and McGinn certainly are players who wouldn't surprise me at all at being phased out as they are very old school British players rather than footy intelligence players.

In time I see all 3 being replaced for the different characteristics that Emery has talked about and needs to carry out his footballing beliefs.

[brontebilly]

There wasn't many mentioning the transfer window when we were deservedly 2-1 up in the first half and playing very well....considering McGinn didn't even get on there wasn't much wrong with our squad depth today. Still Carlos and Traore to come back in.
Bit worried about Ramsey, position doesn't seem to suit on right side but he isn't doing enough anyway. Really poor without the ball too for a fine athlete, rarely wins a tackle or a header. McGinn will come back in there. Bailey as usual lacking conviction. Cash and Digne poor and their careers at Villa Park very much under pressure.
I get why Emery wants to keep Bailey up near Watkins for a bit more goal threat but it leaves us horribly unbalanced at times. Ideal to switch to 4231 for next couple of games.

Well you’re unlikely to complain about bench strength when you’re winning in first half aren’t you? The whole point is to have a range of options to change the game. So the lack of bench strength really becomes relevant in the second half, particularly when you’re losing.

We had plenty of options on the bench today including two recent signings. Not the reason we lost.

[Paul.S]

Yep this idea that we’re going to fix all our issues in the summer is pie in the sky.

if we only get a couple in then there’s no chance. A total revamp is needed with quite a few out as well as in. We must improve defensively, out wide and upfront. If we do then there’s a chance we’ll improve and challenge for 6th/7th. It’ll cost and we’ll soon see how ambitious we really are.

Do that though and we'll get endless comments about it needing months to gel.

What we must do this summer is sign a good quality FB (will have to be RB given we might not be able to shift Digne and Moreno has just signed), enough so one of Konsa/Mings isn't a regular starter next season and also same for midfield and someone like McGinn. And of course someone who's reliable in final third given how wildly inconsistent Bailey and Watkins are even from half to half.

At least Buendia is getting there. He was good today and really should've had much more than one assist so he's getting there in Emery's system which is a big positive.

I don’t think either Mings or Konsa are good enough for Emery’s style of passing it out from the back. I can see both being replaced for that reason.
Bailey needs to have a very good end to the season otherwise he’ll either end up being sold or warming the bench. Then there’s the goalscorer we are crying out for. We may keep 1 or 2 of them but I can’t see any of them being automatic starters as they are now. He may want to bolster the centre of midfield as well. These are, for me issues that stand out a mile that we need to sort. We may have to wait a few windows but just a couple in during the summer won’t be enough.

[robleflaneur]

Leicester have used the transfer window well,strengthened an awful defence and the right winger was good.Their midfield is brilliant.Why praise Leicester ? Because for long intervals we outplayed them with some superb football,especially from Luiz,Buendia and at times Kamara..and then there were those incredible cock ups from Kamara and then I despair at Bailey's efforts.
Our transfer window ?Well,the cameo from Duran was excellent.

[Risso]

What did he do that was excellent? Can't say I really noticed him, apart from taking ages to get up after a foul.

[SoccerHQ]

Yep this idea that we’re going to fix all our issues in the summer is pie in the sky.

if we only get a couple in then there’s no chance. A total revamp is needed with quite a few out as well as in. We must improve defensively, out wide and upfront. If we do then there’s a chance we’ll improve and challenge for 6th/7th. It’ll cost and we’ll soon see how ambitious we really are.

Do that though and we'll get endless comments about it needing months to gel.

What we must do this summer is sign a good quality FB (will have to be RB given we might not be able to shift Digne and Moreno has just signed), enough so one of Konsa/Mings isn't a regular starter next season and also same for midfield and someone like McGinn. And of course someone who's reliable in final third given how wildly inconsistent Bailey and Watkins are even from half to half.

At least Buendia is getting there. He was good today and really should've had much more than one assist so he's getting there in Emery's system which is a big positive.

I don’t think either Mings or Konsa are good enough for Emery’s style of passing it out from the back. I can see both being replaced for that reason.
Bailey needs to have a very good end to the season otherwise he’ll either end up being sold or warming the bench. Then there’s the goalscorer we are crying out for. We may keep 1 or 2 of them but I can’t see any of them being automatic starters as they are now. He may want to bolster the centre of midfield as well. These are, for me issues that stand out a mile that we need to sort. We may have to wait a few windows but just a couple in during the summer won’t be enough.

People always say that though and due to most of our new signings immediately getting injured we then go back to the established players.

Mings has plenty of flaws but he at least talks constantly so no good signing CBs who don't speak and so we concede goals from short corners that knocked us out of the cup as one example when a talking CB would've noticed that and told Ollie to get out quicker.

Guendouzi potential signing does at least have feel of upgrade on McGinn after four years.

Given the lack of activity in this window I'm expecting a pretty good final third upgrade on Watkins aswell.

[Footy-Vill]

Yep this idea that we’re going to fix all our issues in the summer is pie in the sky.

if we only get a couple in then there’s no chance. A total revamp is needed with quite a few out as well as in. We must improve defensively, out wide and upfront. If we do then there’s a chance we’ll improve and challenge for 6th/7th. It’ll cost and we’ll soon see how ambitious we really are.

Do that though and we'll get endless comments about it needing months to gel.

What we must do this summer is sign a good quality FB (will have to be RB given we might not be able to shift Digne and Moreno has just signed), enough so one of Konsa/Mings isn't a regular starter next season and also same for midfield and someone like McGinn. And of course someone who's reliable in final third given how wildly inconsistent Bailey and Watkins are even from half to half.

At least Buendia is getting there. He was good today and really should've had much more than one assist so he's getting there in Emery's system which is a big positive.

I don’t think either Mings or Konsa are good enough for Emery’s style of passing it out from the back. I can see both being replaced for that reason.
Bailey needs to have a very good end to the season otherwise he’ll either end up being sold or warming the bench. Then there’s the goalscorer we are crying out for. We may keep 1 or 2 of them but I can’t see any of them being automatic starters as they are now. He may want to bolster the centre of midfield as well. These are, for me issues that stand out a mile that we need to sort. We may have to wait a few windows but just a couple in during the summer won’t be enough.

The goalkeeper is where it all begins.
Do you believe Martinez is a good fit for this style of play? What do you say about him considering that you wanted to mention Konsa and Mings as well but where are you on the role of the goalkeeper?

Mings and Konsa have both expressed a willingness to learn and, at the very least, appear open and receptive.
There are centre backs with superior possession skills out there than both of them, but now that we have a top coach, everyone has a chance to grow.

[Luffbralion]

On a lighter note, did anyone see that clown from Leicester getting turfed out of the Bartons. His refrain on departure was "Champions of England...you'll never sing that".  Bless.

[Paul.S]

Yep this idea that we’re going to fix all our issues in the summer is pie in the sky.

if we only get a couple in then there’s no chance. A total revamp is needed with quite a few out as well as in. We must improve defensively, out wide and upfront. If we do then there’s a chance we’ll improve and challenge for 6th/7th. It’ll cost and we’ll soon see how ambitious we really are.

Do that though and we'll get endless comments about it needing months to gel.

What we must do this summer is sign a good quality FB (will have to be RB given we might not be able to shift Digne and Moreno has just signed), enough so one of Konsa/Mings isn't a regular starter next season and also same for midfield and someone like McGinn. And of course someone who's reliable in final third given how wildly inconsistent Bailey and Watkins are even from half to half.

At least Buendia is getting there. He was good today and really should've had much more than one assist so he's getting there in Emery's system which is a big positive.

I don’t think either Mings or Konsa are good enough for Emery’s style of passing it out from the back. I can see both being replaced for that reason.
Bailey needs to have a very good end to the season otherwise he’ll either end up being sold or warming the bench. Then there’s the goalscorer we are crying out for. We may keep 1 or 2 of them but I can’t see any of them being automatic starters as they are now. He may want to bolster the centre of midfield as well. These are, for me issues that stand out a mile that we need to sort. We may have to wait a few windows but just a couple in during the summer won’t be enough.

People always say that though and due to most of our new signings immediately getting injured we then go back to the established players.

Mings has plenty of flaws but he at least talks constantly so no good signing CBs who don't speak and so we concede goals from short corners that knocked us out of the cup as one example when a talking CB would've noticed that and told Ollie to get out quicker.

Guendouzi potential signing does at least have feel of upgrade on McGinn after four years.

Given the lack of activity in this window I'm expecting a pretty good final third upgrade on Watkins aswell.

Too many mistakes at the back over the last few seasons for me. Today, the midfield was mostly to blame but if we are truly looking to move on then we’ve got to address it and I think we will. We also give the ball away too much, it’s got better under Emery but add that extra quality and that will really improve us. Still very confident Emery will have us in the top half next season and with the added quality who knows. It’s time this club was in Europe again.

[Vegas]

Leicester have used the transfer window well,strengthened an awful defence and the right winger was good.Their midfield is brilliant.Why praise Leicester ? Because for long intervals we outplayed them with some superb football,especially from Luiz,Buendia and at times Kamara..and then there were those incredible cock ups from Kamara and then I despair at Bailey's efforts.
Our transfer window ?Well,the cameo from Duran was excellent.

I pretty much agree with that. We had many more chances than them. They had 4 goals, 1 break, 1 quality cross and 2 defensive cock ups, plus one or two others. Far too many of course, but on another day they could have scored one and we wouldn’t be having the conversation. We could have scored 4 or 5.

Kamara had a poor day but I think they’re the first side to really work out how we play out, and they have a bit of space to our centre backs but closed Kamara with 2 players every time.

Bailey is a worry. So often runs straight at the defender, and doesn’t look up. Does just enough to keep good place but we could get so much more out of that position.