AZ Alkmaar v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Olneythelonely]

Thought the Martinez stand off thing was weird at the time. But it obviously made them think they needed to close us down more quickly, then we suddenly switched gear and took them apart.

Unai is a bonafide genius. I even think Bouba losing it is part of the plan. Well, not losing it, but holding on for that half a second too long, make them think they have a plan, then funeralling them.

[Monty]

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.

True, our typical goal seems to be that nothing's happening until it all suddenly happens.

[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.

Sorry……it’s been a long day

No need to apologise, we're all allowed an opinion mate!

[Brend'Watkins]

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.

Thought Lengelet has done okay, Carlos less so, a few too close for comfort passes and long ball passing more hopeful than accurate. He did put the striker off for the Kamara fuck up to his credit.

[Astnor]

Some of the best I ve seen for us away this season - Alkmaar supposed to be very good at home in Europe. Lenglet, Carlos , Tielemans and Bailey very good. Even Cash did something right but also makes us problems and disrupts our game as he usually does (I run for cover).

[tomd2103]

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.

Yeah a goal for them and it could get uncomfortable.  These are the kind of games in Europe where we just need to be comfortable shutting teams out from this position.

[RamboandBruno]

Really good performance, however they look like they have a goal in them. Third goal earlyish second half would be nice to kill it off . I would not take Watkins off at 2-0, unless its very late in the game, their defence shits itself every-time it goes near him.

[Toronto Villa]

Dare I say it but the kit looks quite nice. And certainly better not having BK8 on it

[Brend'Watkins]

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

No need to apologise, we're all allowed an opinion mate!

Yep, Emery strives for perfection or demanding as he prefers to call it, we can too.

[AV84]

Dare I say it but the kit looks quite nice. And certainly better not having BK8 on it

I genuinely like it when you see the whole thing, not just the jersey. Dougie even has boots to match. The BK8 would be in white on it, which definitely looks better than the yellow, but tonight's one definitely just looks better in general.

[Martyn Smith]

They've taken that Mijnans donkey off

[Stu]

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.

The typical PTSD of any Villa fan. When they had the ball in the net I thought we were in for a nightmare but then it turns out we caught them offside about 10 yards into our half. Absolutely not used to this kind of controlled team performance at all.

And obviously I still expect AZ to have scored 2 on 55 mins.

[brontebilly]

Very good first half performance. Two cracking goals. Only negative was that Kamara brainfart that we somehow escaped.

[andyh]

Are Alkmaar bringing one of their mascots on….that sub looked about 9.

[pauliewalnuts]

Alkmaar bringing on what looks like an 8 year old.