Youri Tielemans

[pauliewalnuts]

Last night's stats.

Touches: 117 (1st)
Passes Attempted: 107 (1st)
Passes Completed: 89 (2nd)
Progressive Passes: 14 (1st)
Passes into opp box: 3 (2nd)
Shot Creating Actions: 8 (1st)
Carries: 80 (1st)
Aerials won: 2 (2nd)
Aerials won%: 100% (1st)

On balance, he also lost possession something like 25 times too, which is the bit that stands out of course, when we're assessing a new player.

He was trying a lot, and perhaps too hard, to make things happen. Probably makes him a direct replacement for Buendia.

If we have a player who is perhaps trying too hard, it is Zaniolo, not Tielemans.

[London Villan]

The very obvious giving the ball away in dangerous positions almost cost us again last night - a bit like Olsen - the mistakes can prove very costly and are very obvious, therefore despite doing a lot right, it's what defines his appearances.

[brontebilly]

The very obvious giving the ball away in dangerous positions almost cost us again last night - a bit like Olsen - the mistakes can prove very costly and are very obvious, therefore despite doing a lot right, it's what defines his appearances.

That back heel was poor and could have cost us against a better team. But if we are on about almosts then that was a cracking ball into Watkins who nodded onto Lenglet who had to score. Also a very good shot with his left that the keeper made a good save from. I'm not that worried about the missed passes to be honest, he has the technical ability to do it. Luiz in comparison is playing with huge confidence so his passing is a lot snappier and direct. Tielemans is capable of the same, in the first half especially his play was far too safe.

More importantly I thought he seemed a bit lighter on his feet in the second half. Granted it's against limited opponents but it's a start. That 96min will stand to him.

[Chris Smith]

I think his second half improvement was possibly due to not having to babysit Dendoncker who was slowing to the game to a snails pace every time he touched the ball. Playing with Doug while also having better movement in front of him he looked a much better player.

[London Villan]

Doug is the heartbeat of this team.

[john e]

Doug is the heartbeat of this team.

He’s good enough to play in any team in the world without looking out of place
Just hope we can put him on the stage he deserves

[Risso]

I think/hope we've seen the last of Dendoncker, he was absolutely hopeless, and slower than continental drift.

[paul_e]

When Dendoncker signed I was a lot less pissed off than most and I thought he played well when called on last season mostly (1 or 2 very poor performances aside). This season however he looks, probably as expected, like a guy who missed pre-season and just isn't anywhere near fit enough to be playing and his form has nosedived because of it.

[john e]

Someone said Dendonker was a space filler and that’s about it for me
I actually can’t believe he’s got all those caps for a talented Belgian side, I just can’t get my head around that when I see him play

[Risso]

When Dendoncker signed I was a lot less pissed off than most and I thought he played well when called on last season mostly (1 or 2 very poor performances aside). This season however he looks, probably as expected, like a guy who missed pre-season and just isn't anywhere near fit enough to be playing and his form has nosedived because of it.

Agreed, he played his part when called upon, especially in the Newcastle game. But I don't think you can have the complete and utter lack of pace that he's got and be a success in the long term. Even somebody with decent passing needs some sort of pace at this level. He looks unfit and also well aware that his face doesn't fit any more. That moustache is rubbish as well.

[London Villan]

It's beginning to become obvious that a few players are way below what we need in this squad. Dendonkar, Olsen, Chambers (at right back).

[nick harper]

Dendonker missed most of pre-season so not surprising he looks laboured and off the pace. He will have a part to play this season. It’s not that long ago he was being eulogised for his performance v Newcastle.

As for Tielemans, I thought he got better as the game progressed. A few sloppy passes, but he never hid and I thought he was the one driving us on and looking for those key passes to open them up. He’ll get better as he gets more confident. Villa Park is not the most forgiving place when new players make slow starts.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

I thought Tielemans had his best game for us last night. He should press on from there. Or not.

I heard the commentator mention Dendonker once.

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought Tielemans had his best game for us last night. He should press on from there. Or not.

I heard the commentator mention Dendonker once.

When he's confident and there's movement I like how he always tries to look for the forward pass. Maybe he's trying too hard? There's a good player in there, to me he just doesn't look sharp enough. But that could be said about a few others first half last night.

[chrisw1]

The jury's still out for me.  Too many final balls go astray.

But with that said I was very pleased with his work rate last night and it was great to see him so pumped up and celebrating with the Holte at the end.  That's exactly what he needs, getting the crowd onside will help his confidence grow.

I'm still sceptical, but a bit more hopeful than I was.