Aston Villa v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar Post-Match Thread

[paul_e]

Some of the comments about Tielemans in the match thread were massively over the top, he had a very good 2nd half other than a couple of poor passes.

In general if we play like that second half all season we'll beat most teams, they barely touched the ball and were just 9 men on the edge of the box throwing themselves into everything and hanging on by their fingernails.

Ref wasn't biased, he was just shit.

Zaniolo needs a goal.

[Dazvillain]

As we all thought…. Not enough quality in starting 11, but 3 changes half time made massive difference…. We’re growing, and more are getting game time
Keep Olsen, Tielmans, Bert, Dendoncker and Lenglet out of Prem starting 11’s and we should be ok

[Scovilla]

Thank fuck. What a relief.. Couldn't watch the gam so followed it on here and all I was often readin was everbody was shit so was very worried. Were the boys that bad?
UTV.

[Somniloquism]

Posted at 21:5621:56

FT: Aston Villa 1-0 Zrinjski Mostar

Villa had 27 shots tonight and they scored the final one.

[JUAN PABLO]

great finish


rubbish slow first half

play your best team first and then when up , take them off

Cash and dougie made a big difference even Bertie made a difference .

thought first half teilemans was worse than dendonker

zaniolo once he get a goal who get proper going (  why not a pen on him)

Bailey was mixed

Lenglet was ok to be fair

We have got Mcginn


happy tonight

[Billy Walker]

A huge positive is Lenglet and Tielemans playing their first really meaningful (winning) ninety minutes and becoming more integrated within the squad. As with Zaniolo, as soon as Tielemans nets his first goal, I think we'll see a really useful player.  Well done Unai and the boys.

[Villa Lew]

Much better 2nd half, well done SJM, fair play to them, great defensive effort.

[Bad English]

Some of the comments about Tielemans in the match thread

It's the match thread though.

[Drummond]

Good win, got stronger and pleased.

I can imagine the match thread, but I'd agree with Paul, Tielemans grew stringer as the game went on and there were some good signs there. I think he needs a run of games to get his eye in fully.

I love the team ethic, I love that they never give in.

[Steve67]

Thank fuck. What a relief.. Couldn't watch the gam so followed it on here and all I was often readin was everbody was shit so was very worried. Were the boys that bad?
UTV.

No they weren't.  It was just a bit frantic as we were desperate for the win.  Mostar worked hard and played with their whole squad behind the ball.  Difficult to break down.

[steamer]

Dreadful first half
All us in the second after bringing on the Subs
You are not playing mugs in Europe, need to start with your best attacking options at home.
But we won and onwards and upwards

[Legion]

Nice routine home win.

[paul_e]

Some of the comments about Tielemans in the match thread

It's the match thread though.

and? You seem to get really worked up if anyone comments on the match thread but it go so bad that someone who wasn't watching had to ask what he'd done when a misplaced pass resulted in 5 people calling him shit, it's just fucking silly when it gets to that.

[VILLA MOLE]

I think we need to start with the strongest team quicker and work it the other way.  These Thursday nights are going to kill me   

[brontebilly]

Brilliant goal by McGinn. He was a long way down Emery's list but I thought Traore had a very lively cameo when he came on. Very good second half performance I thought, Zrinjski defended brilliantly and looked like the goal wasn't going to come. Excellent tactical switch by Emery at half time. Didn't think Tielemans was anywhere near as bad as made out in the match thread, not everything worked out but he kept going anyway.

Martinez 7 - one smart save in first half but could have brought a chair that aside
Konsa 6 - not a RB by any stretch of the imagination, happier in back 3
Carlos 6 - rusty enough first half, missed a shocker of a chance with header
Lenglet 7 - slow start but was much better than in Warsaw, abysmal miss from header
Digne 6 - very good first half, hope not injured
Bailey 6 - better on left, kept at it but lack of self belief is apparent
Donk 4 - not an Emery player, two games in a row hooked at half time doesn't suggest much of a future
Tielemans 6 - poor first half but definitely was better in second, still some unforced mistakes but one cracking ball and kept going
Zaniolo 5 - started well but drifted out of the game quickly enough
Duran 4 - poor again, Emery far from impressed obviously
McGinn 7 - brilliant goal, much prefer him on the right where he can cut in

Both Cash and Luiz stood out a mile when they came in, if either of them get injured we will be in serious trouble. Great assist from Cash. Traore I thought was lively on the right when he came in. Watkins struggles when a defence sits in, quiet enough. Put in one great ball.