Aston Villa vs Newcastle United Post Match Scorchio!

[Clark W Griswold]

The fitness levels have improved dramatically, Buendia in past games would have been finished after sixty minutes but today he was a litttle terrier from go to wo. All credit to Emre he has given us back the dream.

Yes that was one of my observations.

I think a big problem with Villa sides over the years is we never seem to get enough players forward, always a bit conservative. The odd times that we have it’s usually been at the expense of leakages at the other end. I looked at the team and on the face of it, it could appear that it doesn’t look particularly attacking but it didn’t seem to matter because the passing was so accurate and the timing of the runs so good that even without loads forward we were still dangerous and effective. Then there were other times when we did seem to get players forward from midfield and I think it’s the much better fitness levels which enabled this.

[enigma]

Told a Man Utd supporting guy at work that if Emery had been in charge of us since the start of the season we could have been up there with Newcastle and he thought it was hilarious. Tried telling me their squad is so much better than ours. Can't fucking wait to see him now.

We’re up there with Newcastle anyway! If he was in from the start we’d be up there with Arsenal and Man City.

Basically what I said to him. They're only 6 points and three places above us. Not outrageous to think we'd have those extra points at least if we had Emery over Gerrard. I don't look at their squad and think it's any better than ours. Howe has done well to get them where they are.

[Clark W Griswold]

It’s not that good and it’s credit to Howe that they’ve done as well as they have. He got fucked over today by someone even better !

[Goldenballs]

I quite like Howe, seems a decent bloke. He's done an amazing job.

[Risso]

I quite like Howe, seems a decent bloke. He's done an amazing job.

Yes, same here. He’s done a really good job there, he was just unlucky to come up against our unstoppable force today.

Incidentally, was that a different Botman playing today? I was led to believe the real one was quite good!

[curiousorange]

I quite like Howe, seems a decent bloke. He's done an amazing job.

Him and his assistant being in the fourth official's ear all game isn't a great look. And he was damning with faint praise in his post-match today. Kind of feel he could be a bit of a tit given the chance.

[steffo]

Today we didn't just outplay Newcastle. We outclassed them. Let that sink in.

[martyn ellis]

Unai Emery is some kind of tactical genius. Last week, it was edgy as you might expect against a team battling for survival. So we played accordingly, patiently and hit them when we needed to. Not a great watch but a vital win when many teams would have buckled. Contrast with today - fast start, really went for dominance as we knew they had come to win too. Completely different 'look' from last week, but the same result.

[martyn ellis]

Anyone notice that the scoreboard was still showing 2-0 after the disallowed goal and then Ollie scored the one that counted - so they left the scoreboard as it was. 3 minutes between the two 'goals'.

[astonvilla82]

They was one point in the game when Newcastle had a corner, normally everyone is in the penalty area defending, but this one time he stuck two Villa players on the halfway line, causing Newcastle to do the same I thought I like this Emery bloke

[Baldy]

Anyone notice that the scoreboard was still showing 2-0 after the disallowed goal and then Ollie scored the one that counted - so they left the scoreboard as it was. 3 minutes between the two 'goals'.

Was PWS on the scoreboard?

[Rory]

Well, that was something.

First time back at VP since the pandemic, first game since my grandad died, seeing my Nan who's been in hospital, and of all games to grace with my cursed presence I choose the fixture that probably I want to win more than any other. When I think of the Villa, and the family connection going back virtually to it's foundation, and I put that against the Saudi sportswashing project... well, I guess the distinction just feels sharp.

A good time then for Villa to bring out the best performance I've ever seen them put in live. Considering the opposition, league position and form combined, the total domination we managed was almost shocking to see. We had their number everywhere, including the dugout: yes, the middielders battled brillantly, but the preplanned pack-hunting in the press points to great coaching; sure, McGinn made Burns look a rank jabroni punk, but Emery's tactic of using him as a kind of into-feet (or chest) target man was a masterstroke; and obviously, Watkins was a monster on and off the ball, but the way we always always found him in space was a team thing, synchronised movement like a machine.

This happened everywhere - Moreno was immense, Buendia was an utter pest, Luiz elegant work to back it up, Mings channelling Laursen, with Konsa supporting with supercompetence (we have such a great offside trap). Ramsey, God, I love so much how he takes the ball on the half-turn, always ready to roll off some hapless mug. Young, I don't know, there must be a portrait in his attic he doesn't let anyone see. And Emi - when he fell down on the ball late on and the Holte cheered, when he geed them up after a save, when he tapped their striker patronisingly on the head, honestly, I died laughing.

And finally, a word on us - when Villa Park is in full voice it shows you why we're special. All the power and might and glory of a big club with the pride, love and sense of humour of just your neighbourhood team. I know every club is special to those who love it, but seriously - we're a bit special.

Great post, Monty, glad you had such a good game to enjoy!

[walsall villain]

They was one point in the game when Newcastle had a corner, normally everyone is in the penalty area defending, but this one time he stuck two Villa players on the halfway line, causing Newcastle to do the same I thought I like this Emery bloke

Yes it meant their centre backs had to stay back and couldn’t use their height to cause problems. What a win! Can’t think of the last time we played that well at villa park against a top 4 team (when we were allowed in).

[PeterWithesShin]

They was one point in the game when Newcastle had a corner, normally everyone is in the penalty area defending, but this one time he stuck two Villa players on the halfway line, causing Newcastle to do the same I thought I like this Emery bloke

Unai mentioned Newcastle and corners post match, he really does seem to study every detail.

[villadelph]

They was one point in the game when Newcastle had a corner, normally everyone is in the penalty area defending, but this one time he stuck two Villa players on the halfway line, causing Newcastle to do the same I thought I like this Emery bloke

Unai mentioned Newcastle and corners post match, he really does seem to study every detail.

Speaking of corners, how many times did they let us play the short ball down the byline, creating a 3v1? Thought that was really odd.