Aston Villa v Arsenal Post Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Haven't seen much of that kind of chat to be honest. Most of the stuff I've seen has been about them having a lot of the ball but not really creating a lot, and that we defended brilliantly. Tony Adams said that, despite Arsenal losing, he 'loved' the performance, and Phil Neville said it was the best performance he's seen all year - which tells you something about how he thinks about football, but defensively speaking he's not far off.

It really was a defending masterclass. Having played Legia, a trip to Bournemouth and Man City in a week and all three games requiring 90+ minutes full effort, it was no real surprise we weren't at our best yesterday. Or put another way, if we'd played Arsenal instead of Man City on Wednesday we'd have smashed them. Yesterday was simply one game too many yet we still managed to get the three points. The defence were magnificent and even on that rare occasion you manage to beat them there's still Emi Martinez to get past.

[Somniloquism]

I do think it's a weird rule that if an attacker accidently handles the ball when scoring the goal is automatically ruled out, but if the defender accidently handles then there's no penalty. And that is in general rather than to do with yesterday.

They did have it with defenders doing it equals penalty, but removed that rule because it went against some of the top 6 it led to attackers deliberately trying to play the ball of defenders arms. If the ref had decided Havertz had accidently handled it, but Nketiah had put the ball in, the goal would have stood as 'accidental' is only for the goal scorer, not the other attacker who didn't score. That was part of the reason why it wasn't called handball in the Newcastle / Arsenal game they also complain about, and are probably using to complain about this one about as well.

[dorsetvillian]

 I haven't seen mentioned but 'Nev' from H&V was in imperious form yesterday in the Upper Holte. He was like a teenager, out of his seat most of the game, pitch perfect renditions of all the old favourites and a masterful manic swirling of his cap to encourage the rest of us to get behind those in claret and blue. Uni would be proud...

[TonyD]

I’m knackered after the last 2 games. 
God knows how the players must be feeling. 

[SamTheMouse]

There was one moment yesterday where someone, can't recall who, played a pass towards Torres that didn't have enough legs on it.

Not only did he sprint forward and get to it first, he played an inch-perfect first-time pass out to Diaby on the wing.

He's top drawer.

[Mellin]

Having digested the 3 points and our position in the table, I'm now seriously enjoying how fucking MENTAL the Arsenal fanbase is. ArsenalMania is in complete meltdown over a correct decision.

I've always enjoyed turning them over, but this one is extra, extra special.

[RamboandBruno]

There was one moment yesterday where someone, can't recall who, played a pass towards Torres that didn't have enough legs on it.

Not only did he sprint forward and get to it first, he played an inch-perfect first-time pass out to Diaby on the wing.

He's top drawer.

I thought he was our best player yesterday but he’s been brilliant for ages now. I don’t really think Ive seen a defender like him, his passing is just outrageously good.

[dave shelley]

What is the vlog that has the four or five blokes sitting around ranting about how the world and hs dog is against Arsenal?  I'll bet that is funny if it still exists.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

There was one moment yesterday where someone, can't recall who, played a pass towards Torres that didn't have enough legs on it.

There were more than a few passes like that yesterday, a clear sign the lads were knackered. What they lacked in technique they made up with pure grit and determination. Arsenal sent their full strength team and still couldn't get a result. Let them cry.

[TonyD]

Zani didn’t play a minute in the last 2 games.   

[VillaTim]

What is the vlog that has the four or five blokes sitting around ranting about how the world and hs dog is against Arsenal?  I'll bet that is funny if it still exists.

Arsenal Fan TV . Chaired by a fat bloke surrounded by gammons

[dave shelley]

What is the vlog that has the four or five blokes sitting around ranting about how the world and hs dog is against Arsenal?  I'll bet that is funny if it still exists.

Arsenal Fan TV . Chaired by a fat bloke surrounded by gammons

Ta.  Going in for a peep now.

[amfy]

I do think it's a weird rule that if an attacker accidently handles the ball when scoring the goal is automatically ruled out, but if the defender accidently handles then there's no penalty. And that is in general rather than to do with yesterday.

They did have it with defenders doing it equals penalty, but removed that rule because it went against some of the top 6 it led to attackers deliberately trying to play the ball of defenders arms. If the ref had decided Havertz had accidently handled it, but Nketiah had put the ball in, the goal would have stood as 'accidental' is only for the goal scorer, not the other attacker who didn't score. That was part of the reason why it wasn't called handball in the Newcastle / Arsenal game they also complain about, and are probably using to complain about this one about as well.

OK I might not have this right but I thought it worked the same both ways. An accidental handball won’t be given as a handball unless it directly affects the scoring of a goal.
So an accidental handball by an attacker leading directly to a goal (like yesterday) is handball & an accidental handball by a defending player which directly stopped the ball going in the net would be given as handball (penalty).

My worry yesterday was that they could have said that Havertz first ‘accidental’ handball was not a directly leading to the goal, and that Cash’s ‘accidental’ handball did directly stop the ball going in. & that could have led to a penalty.
I actually think both of these are accidental not leading to goal, but Havertz 2nd ‘accidental’ handball does direct the ball straight to his foot where he can put it in the net - disallowed.

[paul_e]

There was one moment yesterday where someone, can't recall who, played a pass towards Torres that didn't have enough legs on it.

Not only did he sprint forward and get to it first, he played an inch-perfect first-time pass out to Diaby on the wing.

He's top drawer.

I thought he was our best player yesterday but he’s been brilliant for ages now. I don’t really think Ive seen a defender like him, his passing is just outrageously good.

Me too, he's become a real leader in the team as well, always talking and organising things. There are many central defenders that you look at and think that if need be he could become a top drawer box2box midfielder..

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I was on the bus back and a bloke was reading out Arteta’s post match comments for us to laugh at. I sat there thinking “what penalty shout?” Then when I saw it later on motd I couldn’t believe Ian Wright with a straight face saying he thought it was a penalty.

That would have been softer than the marshmallow man’s bed pillows.

Same mate, not seen anything on the TV and can’t remember a penalty shout and the handball looked obvious to me.