Aston Villa v Fulham Post-Match Thread

[Clampy]

A comfortable enough win and good to see us bounce back after last week.
Shame about their goal though. The ref was a bit rubbish wasn't he?

[AV84]

Scotland have already qualified for the Euros, haven't they? I wonder if they'd use these 2 games to try out some new players and give McGinn a bit of a rest for us.

[Ads]

So dominant in the first half. Moving the ball well, controlling the tempo, pinging passes about with ease and creating chances. McGinn and Tielemans our stand out players. Diaby should have scored, as should have Cash


Fulham's only contribution was to get away with endless tactical fouls. They were absolutely garbage.

I'm not sure if it was fatigue or mentally switching off,as 2nd half was very poor. No intensity off the ball, sloppy and static on it and for reasons that are beyond me, we knocked it long all half and gave it away so cheaply as a result.

A stupid sloppy goal, a stupid chance to give up when they hit the post and generally really sloppy stuff. Fulham didn't deserve anything, but it was a massive drop off.

Brilliant counter attack for the 3rd, not sure how we didn't score 4th and bang, 13 league wins in a row, incredible.

Felt we missed some direct running and that is what Moreno and JJ bring. Digne checks back a lot for me when there's space to exploit and I'm looking forward to having another way of playing with the pace and physical presence of the aforementioned.

Exciting times; a genuine gap between the top 5 and the rest.

[Percy McCarthy]

McGinn the best midfielder in the league right now for me.  He's immense.

He was fantastic today. Gave his mates the kick up the arse they needed every time it went flat.

[SaddVillan]

A comfortable enough win and good to see us bounce back after last week.
Shame about their goal though. The ref was a bit rubbish wasn't he?

Aren't they all?
17 fouls and 4 bookings for Fulham
2 for dissent, but only 2 for foul play - one of which was in the 96th minute - almost an afterthought?

Konsa booked for time-wasting and Ollie "thug" Watkins fir a foul.

The ref's failure to sanction them was pathetic.

[Stu82]

Marvellous meatball.
Best performance of season.

[Nii Lamptey]

McGinn and Tielemans joint MotM for me….
13 home wins in a row. Great birthday eve present.
Moreno and Ramsey to come back in too!
Villa for the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa Conference treble anyone? 👀

[rougegorge]

The ref let them foul too much without any deterrent until later, although like most teams, they do it in rotation. In the end they did get 5 yellows. The early offside flagging from the assistants when players were near the centre line also contrasted sharply with the usual late ones when players were even more offside.

I agree with others that McGinn was outstanding and really drove us on. The piece of play where he got past two defenders on the goal line before Ollie missed a sitter, summed up his game today.

It was a really good first half followed by an average second half, but compared to a year ago, this is outstanding.

[brontebilly]

Very flat second half and surprised Emery didn't run the bench. Bailey made a big impression though. Fulham at least gave it a go second half. McGinn was like prime Roy Keane today, incredible performance. Cash very good too I thought. Bit meh apart from that but on we go

Martinez 7 - could have sat on a chair in first half but a fine save at start of second
Cash 8 - did the defensive basics very well. Got back brilliantly to bail out Tielemans in first half.
Konsa 6 - strong first half but off it second half and should have done far better for their goal
Torres 6 - like Konsa fine first half but dropped off a lot second half
Digne 6 - Wilson caused a lot of bother until McGinn switched over.
Kamara 6 - another one who dropped off a lot second half and looked gassed in truth
Luiz 7 - Fulham pressed him at every opportunity but still produced the quality to set Tielemans away. Quieter second half but still won a lot of second balls
McGinn - unbelievable from the off, cracking goal, great play for the third, mugged off Paulinha throughout, he's getting 10
Tielemans 6 - great ball for the first but thought he was struggling before then. Didn't give Digne much support in the second and needed McGinn switched over
Diaby 5 - should have scored early on but quiet again apart from that and no surprise hooked early
Watkins 6 - Thought Bassey bossed him today, still scored though and missed an absolute howler

Bailey 8 - enigma wrapped in a riddle, brilliant assist and very lively upon his introduction

[Villafirst]

I think we tired second half so not as comfortable as could have been.  Fulham pressed better second half and also made runs from deeper. Still some lovely football McGinn and Tielemans stood out for me 

Yes, Villa did look a bit jaded in the second-half. I was surprised that UE didn't make more substitutions, especially after a tough game last Thursday night. First-half, Villa played some great football. McGinn, Cash and Tielemans really stood out.

[TonyD]

Scotland have already qualified for the Euros, haven't they? I wonder if they'd use these 2 games to try out some new players and give McGinn a bit of a rest for us.

He could do with getting the “flu”. 

[Jon Crofts]

Fulham and Palace both from the same mould, offered absolutely nothing.

[Toronto Villa]

Fulham and Palace both from the same mould, offered absolutely nothing.

You can now see the divide between the top sides and the rest. We used to be one of them not long ago. Offering almost nothing at all going to places where the opponent expected us to lose.

[ChicagoLion]

The concern is that we are beginning to look tired.
Not sure this squad can keep playing the way we want to play for a season.

[AV84]

Scotland have already qualified for the Euros, haven't they? I wonder if they'd use these 2 games to try out some new players and give McGinn a bit of a rest for us.

He could do with getting the “flu”.

Or a "toe infection "