Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread

[Smithy]

There we are. Just looking at the BBC report and we "held off" West Ham.

Honestly, the beeb coverage is staffed by utter simpletons.

Just read it, half annoyed and half what PWS just said

I think people are being a bit unnecessarily precious here and taking things completely out of context.

"Aston Villa continued their fine form under manager Unai Emery by holding off West Ham to move back to the brink of the Premier League's top four.

Other snippets from the report:

An entertaining first half, typical of the free-flowing football Emery has encouraged at Villa Park,

Before Emery's first game in charge, Villa were 16th in the Premier League - one point off the relegation zone. But he steered them to European qualification last season and now they are back within a point of the Champions League places.

That doesn't seem like we're being written off or ignored.

Indeed. I'm starting to worry that we ARE being noticed.  It's taken a while, but I genuinely think other teams/fans are now starting to see us as a "top 6/7" side, rather than one in a bit of temporary form, or still benefitting from an extended new manager bounce.

The next three league games are all very winnable, so we could quite easily be in the top four come the next international break in mid November.   It sounds ridiculous to think like that, but we've literally been in Champions League form since the start of the year.

[danno]

Surprised MOTD2 is on with only one Sunday game. So are we being shown second or third?

45 mins dedicated to Bobby Charlton and next weeks No Classico, then highlights from today.

[tomd2103]

Another great home win.  Thought we were comfortable at 2-0, but then had a shaky period when they got that fortunate goal.  In some ways it helped us a bit though as they pushed on meaning we could hit them on the break.  If there is one marked difference this season, it's the pace we now have in attack.  As a result, Ollie got away and made it 3-1 and it was game over from there.  His and Bailey's finishes were superb.

Don't want to ponder on negatives after such a good win, but Zaniolo's defensive work today was really poor and they targeted the left side during that spell of pressure at 2-1.  Hopefully Ramsey will be back soon as I think we could kick on even more with him in the side.

Great to see Dean Smith back at Villa Park and he got a great reception from the North Stand and Trinity.  Had to laugh after the game when he was standing there with Karen Carney and Sweet Caroline came on.  Needless to say they reacted a bit differently to the bridge of the chorus with Deano having a chuckle, Karen Carney was sucking lemons!

[PaulTheVillan]

I have to say the save from the long range Luiz effort was brilliant, as good a save as you'll see all season. It was going right into the top corner with a load of swerve, but he somehow got a hand to it. Amazing.

I was gobsmacked he got to it

[LeeB]

I love cry-arseing Cockneys when we've just handed their arses to them.

It was funny but in fairness was absolutely spot on.

[eamonn]

Surprised MOTD2 is on with only one Sunday game. So are we being shown second or third?

"You've seen the Villa, now fuck off to bed"

[Somniloquism]

Indeed. I'm starting to worry that we ARE being noticed. 

I don't know, there are some or are not noticing anything as per BBC live chat sent just before the Luiz goal.

Gosh this is a poor game. Misplaced passes, build up play far too slow and few clear cut chances. These teams are where they are for a reason.

Alan

[tomd2103]

Dealt with the bogey team in emphatic style! and to think I was worried about Antonio's physical threat against Torres and Fornels getting his one goal a season!

I was worried about JWP and West Ham corners against our defence?

He didn't have much of an influence on the game at all, but had a few corners and free-kicks when they had their spell of pressure at 2-1.  To be fair, his deliveries are good and really whipped in, but we defended them really well.

[MalcolmP]

I was there, a great atmosphere and a pulsating game. We really look very good!

there was no atmosphere until the first goal went in, very quiet

[Somniloquism]

I have to say the save from the long range Luiz effort was brilliant, as good a save as you'll see all season. It was going right into the top corner with a load of swerve, but he somehow got a hand to it. Amazing.

I was gobsmacked he got to it

That Spammer on Youtube stated Areola had been his MOTM for several matches this season, so whilst not in Martinez category, seems to be a good shot stopper normally.

[Rory]

Indeed. I'm starting to worry that we ARE being noticed. 

I don't know, there are some or are not noticing anything as per BBC live chat sent just before the Luiz goal.

Gosh this is a poor game. Misplaced passes, build up play far too slow and few clear cut chances. These teams are where they are for a reason.

Alan

That probably says more about 'Alan' than anything else, i.e. that he's clueless.

[Clampy]

Fantastic win. Felt a bit uneasy when they pulled one back but it all worked out. Ten goals in our last two home games and two points off the top. This season could get very interesting.

[LeeB]

Indeed. I'm starting to worry that we ARE being noticed. 

I don't know, there are some or are not noticing anything as per BBC live chat sent just before the Luiz goal.

Gosh this is a poor game. Misplaced passes, build up play far too slow and few clear cut chances. These teams are where they are for a reason.

Alan

What kind of c**t starts a sentence with 'gosh'?

[tomd2103]

Fantastic win. Felt a bit uneasy when they pulled one back but it all worked out. Ten goals in our last two home games and two points off the top. This season could get very interesting.

Ollie Watkins' header goes a couple inches to the right against Wolves and we'd be second tonight.

[Risso]

Indeed. I'm starting to worry that we ARE being noticed. 

I don't know, there are some or are not noticing anything as per BBC live chat sent just before the Luiz goal.

Gosh this is a poor game. Misplaced passes, build up play far too slow and few clear cut chances. These teams are where they are for a reason.

Alan

What kind of c**t starts a sentence with 'gosh'?

You'd have to guess at a Tarquin.