AZ Alkmaar v Aston Villa Match Thread

[The Edge]

I'd settle for a shut up shop no goals second half but I doubt Unai will.

[pauliewalnuts]

What's notable with Lenglet and Carlos rather than Konsa and Pau is that playing it around at the back from the keeper, which we're pretty much used to by now, looks just that little bit more ropey and nerve-wracking.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

total domination

[SaddVillan]

They're beginning to look unhappy - especially their centre forward.

[AV84]

I like that kit a lot. *runs away*

[Garyth]

Ideal would be an early 3rd in the second half, then look to sub players who will start on the weekend?

[Keeno]

Its even better watching this dominance with Savage sounding miserable at how good we are on co-comms.

Perfect. I'd like to see Duran for Watkins quite early second half, keep him fresh.

[andyh]

What a strange half.
Collectively, as a team we have been excellent and controlled the game.
Individually, we have been poor. Every player has misplaced simple passes, missed some tackles and lost their runners.
The 2 centre halves and Cash are not in synch with massive gaps between them.

But we are winning, away, in Europe. It’ll do.

[SamTheMouse]

What a strange half.
Collectively, as a team we have been excellent and controlled the game.
Individually, we have been poor. Every player has misplaced simple passes, missed some tackles and lost their runners.
The 2 centre halves and Cash are not in synch with massive gaps between them.

But we are winning, away, in Europe. It’ll do.

Blimey, you're a hard taskmaster! I think they've all played really well.

[Nev]

We look comfortable enough but my natural feeling is that it's not quite over yet.

I just love Emery making clowns out of us whenever we question a players ability and place in the side. Ace.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

What's notable with Lenglet and Carlos rather than Konsa and Pau is that playing it around at the back from the keeper, which we're pretty much used to by now, looks just that little bit more ropey and nerve-wracking.

It's our only possible weakness, other than that we're lethal. We don't seem to have a typical Villa goal, instead we magically conjure them up from no where. Maybe that is the typical Villa goal.

[andyh]

What a strange half.
Collectively, as a team we have been excellent and controlled the game.
Individually, we have been poor. Every player has misplaced simple passes, missed some tackles and lost their runners.
The 2 centre halves and Cash are not in synch with massive gaps between them.

But we are winning, away, in Europe. It’ll do.

Blimey, you're a hard taskmaster! I think they've all played really well.

Sorry……it’s been a long day

[The Edge]

Its even better watching this dominance with Savage sounding miserable at how good we are on co-comms.

Perfect. I'd like to see Duran for Watkins quite early second half, keep him fresh.

When I heard it was Savage (again!) I shuddered but I think he can't help himself but to keep heaping praise on this Villa team. Music to my ears.

[Weedy]

From the BBC web feed:
"18:25 Post update
AZ Alkmaar 0-2 Aston Villa

Villa's fans have not shut up!

They're out-singing the 18,500 home supporters.

Jubilant scenes in the away end after a dominant performance by their team."

[Garyth]

What a strange half.
Collectively, as a team we have been excellent and controlled the game.
Individually, we have been poor. Every player has misplaced simple passes, missed some tackles and lost their runners.
The 2 centre halves and Cash are not in synch with massive gaps between them.

We’re playing an elaborate game of chicken with their aggressive press - when it works we look ace, but every player has to pass/control perfectly as they have so little time