Aston Villa v Man City Post-Match Thread

[Monty]

I couldn't go last night because I was down London for a work away day and Christmas Do. Ended up watching it on my phone with a growing gaggle of of fans of other teams - Arsenal, Liverpool, Palace, Leeds, Particle Thistle - all very pleased, mostly to see Man City lose but also for us.

We were absolutely faultless, I thought this side was playing close to its ceiling (brilliantly) but they smashed through to another level today.

Man City and Liverpool are both weaker than they have been in previous years. Arsenal have been doing just enough without really convincing. You never know do you? Play like that and we have no reason to fear anyone.

Small club.

Ha! Love how you can get all these jokes out of a quarky littly typo.

[RamboandBruno]

I feel drunk. Had the morning off work, been to the Box and still feel drunk. Didn't have any ale. But my mind is swimming.

I cannot comprehend what I've seen. How absolutely flawless we were. My 8 year old thought we were going to do them. I hoped. Hoped. That's all. Didn't fancy it. Seen us get to the cusp so many times and just felt nah, I think we'll come up short.

But then that. What have I witnessed. I don't know what to do with myself.

This is very similar to me, i did have some beer but only 3 pints.
Last night, i was buzzing, adrenalin pumping through my veins, i knew i was off work today so watch MOTD and the first half re run on amazon. Got up early today despite the late night and watched the 2nd half.
I feel a bit emo today, partly over tired, but emo not because we beat man city champions of the universe best ever bla bla. But because we dismantled them in ways I have not see Villa do in 40 odd years of going. Most of the first half we did this , but from about 58 or so mins after they had 10 mins or so of possession, we just came, wave after wave, attack, press, pass, move, attack, press, pass, on and on. At one point there was a 5 min or so period when virtually all our players other than Martinez were in their half, Torres orchestrating from the centre, McGinn biting and harrying, Bailey swerving one way and other. I think that particular period ended with that brilliant save from Edison from Dougie.
There are no guarantees against Arsenal, if Im emotionally drained, God knows how the players feel. But whatever happens, under this man Emery we are absolutely the real deal. This really could happen.

[Risso]

Knackered today. Was out for lunch in Brum, was suitably refreshed, then carried on drinking in town, before having a few more at the game. Got home at 12.30am but then had to spend another hour watching the highlights over and over again.

[jwarry]

That was the best team performance I've seen since that 5-1 vs Liverpool in 1976. The first 45 minutes of that game was on a level I don't think will ever be repeated. But last night, for the full 90 mins we utterly dominated, in every aspect of the game, the best side in Europe.

What I recall about that game was how quiet it was when they went off a half-time.  It was as if there was a stunned silence. Few could believe what they had just seen

I have been trying to think when the last time I saw us play as well as last night and yes it was that 5-1 Liverpool game!

[VillaTim]

my head is still spinning

[Aldridge Villa]

Endeavour and passion on the pitch in cinque with a raucous VP. A night to remember. Roll on Saturday.

[Chris Smith]

Knackered today. Was out for lunch in Brum, was suitably refreshed, then carried on drinking in town, before having a few more at the game. Got home at 12.30am but then had to spend another hour watching the highlights over and over again.

I’m knackered too and I’m meeting a couple of mates at 2:00 for a few pints. One Villa and one Blues so we’ll have fun! Tomorrow is recovery day then it’s all go again for Arsenal.

[simon ward 50]

Watched the match with a couple of Man City fans! To say they were stunned would be an understatement of the highest order.

[London Villan]

The atmosphere was great last night - I do wonder how it compares on TV to other big grounds?

[AV84]

I saw an interview with John Stones from, I think, the Man City media team, done a bit after the match and he sounded devastated. I know it's not just because they lost to us, they've gone 4 games without a win now, something none of them are used to, but something does feel a little different about this slump.

That said I won't be one bit surprised if they don't lose again for the rest of the season and finish 10 points clear at the top.

[john e]

There was a period in the second half, everyone will remember it and I’m sure it’s been mentioned already, but it was sustained pressure every time they tried to come out We took the ball of them and it was just wave after wave of attack It was unbelievable to watch

I didn’t notice it, but my lad said Walker at one point looked up to the heavens hands in the air and basically said what the hell is going on
It was a memorable night, I think there’s plenty more to come

[olaftab]

Don't usually post on the match threads as everything usually gets said but I have to say that, considering the opposition, for us to maintain that level of performance for the whole game was staggering. We looked much fitter, stronger and quicker than them. Absolutely up there with the Liverpool 5-1 from the 70's.

Agreed however in Liverpool 5-1 we rested in the second half😊

[olaftab]

Knackered today. Was out for lunch in Brum, was suitably refreshed, then carried on drinking in town, before having a few more at the game. Got home at 12.30am but then had to spend another hour watching the highlights over and over again.

I’m knackered too and I’m meeting a couple of mates at 2:00 for a few pints. One Villa and one Blues so we’ll have fun! Tomorrow is recovery day then it’s all go again for Arsenal.

You boys are top pros, I have no doubt you will be fit and well for Saturday after your exertions yesterday.

[Nunkin1965]

I feel drunk. Had the morning off work, been to the Box and still feel drunk. Didn't have any ale. But my mind is swimming.

I cannot comprehend what I've seen. How absolutely flawless we were. My 8 year old thought we were going to do them. I hoped. Hoped. That's all. Didn't fancy it. Seen us get to the cusp so many times and just felt nah, I think we'll come up short.

But then that. What have I witnessed. I don't know what to do with myself.

This is very similar to me, i did have some beer but only 3 pints.
Last night, i was buzzing, adrenalin pumping through my veins, i knew i was off work today so watch MOTD and the first half re run on amazon. Got up early today despite the late night and watched the 2nd half.
I feel a bit emo today, partly over tired, but emo not because we beat man city champions of the universe best ever bla bla. But because we dismantled them in ways I have not see Villa do in 40 odd years of going. Most of the first half we did this , but from about 58 or so mins after they had 10 mins or so of possession, we just came, wave after wave, attack, press, pass, move, attack, press, pass, on and on. At one point there was a 5 min or so period when virtually all our players other than Martinez were in their half, Torres orchestrating from the centre, McGinn biting and harrying, Bailey swerving one way and other. I think that particular period ended with that brilliant save from Edison from Dougie.
There are no guarantees against Arsenal, if Im emotionally drained, God knows how the players feel. But whatever happens, under this man Emery we are absolutely the real deal. This really could happen.

Yes just an amazing and incredible experience.
Almost surreal in its content.
The big concern was, after being so good in the first 45, were we going to inevitably conceed, and from 45-55 I though it was just around the corner but we were magnificent for the next 35/40 minutes. Quite magnificent.
That spell when we were camped around the Holte End was a bit of a defining moment for me with City resorting to the tactic we've adopted over so many years of just clearing your lines.
We needed a statement win to attract outside interest and we've got one now. Not that we're concerned about the lack of it.
With this manager in charge he, like all others, will have setbacks, but I think we can say that because of what he's achieving, our Aston Villa are clearly the real deal now.

[usav]

I didn’t notice it, but my lad said Walker at one point looked up to the heavens hands in the air and basically said what the hell is going on
It was a memorable night, I think there’s plenty more to come

The analysis over here pointed out how Walker was totally nullified by Emery's tactics.  Digne was pushed up so high he was basically on Walker most of the night.