Aston Villa v Arsenal Post Match Thread

[JD]

For those of us who have been on this place for a good while, and been through some fucking miserable weeks and post match threads, this really feels rather brilliant doesn’t it?

Quite right. It’s been a rollercoaster since the M’ON days - but for those here before - even the O’Leary days. The appointments of McLeish, Gerrard, DiMatteo.

We have suffered, we witnessed the lows of relegation, the season where we only won 3 games. The near misses such as Fulham in the play off final. The confusion of trying to work out how to follow Villa matches in the Championship.

The highs of winning the play off final, surviving relegation in the last day of the season, pushing to mid table, losing Grealish and having to rebuild. The sadness and the emotion of saying goodbye to Dean Smith… the excitement of Emery.

And throughout all of this, we have been here - and many on H&V throughout this. Sharing in these moments.

This might be another summit in the rollercoaster of being a Villa fan - but it’s that humbleness that we developed throughout the last few seasons that makes this all the sweeter.

The last year has been one hell of a ride - just watching “the awakening” when people started picking up on our form as being potentially Champions League.

I don’t know where this goes, but I am going to enjoy this ride. We are back, we have suffered and it makes these moments all the sweeter.

Up the Villa!!!

Brilliant post Chris.

There have been some dark days, but things are brilliant now. I love Villa.

[WarszaVillan]

Now if we could get Cascarino in January...

[Proposition Joe]

Are we safe from relegation yet ...😁

Mathematically, not yet I don't think. But this is the first Prem season since the O'Neill days where the thought hasn't crossed my mind.

[pablo_picasso]

Arsenal fans are salty little brats after a defeat.

They are just pricks all round tbh...

[Clampy]

Are we safe from relegation yet ...😁

One game at a time. 😀

Great stuff. We looked out on our arse but what a fucking effort that was. That in some ways was more satisfying than Wednesday.

[Proposition Joe]

Now if we could get Cascarino in January...

I heard it was Sheringham we were actually after, but somehow ended up with "the other one". Casc should have buried that header vs Inter at the San Siro, still remember that to this day.

[brontebilly]

There's something oddly satisfying winning an ugly game playing ugly. Just pure grit second half and a big impact off the bench. Some fairly old school tackles and I thought Arsenal's forwards didn't fancy it as a result. Centre backs were excellent, Digne very good on Saka and McGinn a warrior. Rode our luck for sure a few times but we will take it.
Martinez 6 - very mixed second half, should have sent Cash & Havertz into ER when that last ball went in. Think he gets a bit ratty against Arsenal.
Konsa 4 - started ok but couldn't cope with Martinelli due to fatigue
Carlos 8 - I was ending his PL career after Bournemouth...solid out tonight
Torres 8 - very impressive with and without ball
Digne 8 - dealt with Saka really well, some turnaround this season
Kamara 4 - similar to Konsa really, barely got a kick second half until getting hooked
Luiz 6 - very quiet first half with Odegaard stuck to him. Improved a lot in second but that was an idiotic yellow for a suspension
Bailey 6 - cracking assist but didn't return from break
Tielemans 4 - couldn't get into the game at all and no surprise when he was hooked early
Watkins 5 - tried hard but very little change from Arsenal CBs

Cash, Moreno and Diaby were all very lively. Looking forward to seeing Moreno starting v Brentford. Excellent pass from Diaby to Watkins for a decent chance. Donk got stuck in but passing a big struggle...Ramsey a bit meh again but finished ok

[Baldy]

Villa defense immense. Team running on fumes but showed their character in buckets. So proud of this bunch.

For the first time in years, I got a prediction right and the scorer!!! 

Thank you Villa.

[Somniloquism]

The Luiz challenge. Seen them given, seen them not given. Glad it was the latter.

Handball, definitive hand ball, he wouldn't have scored if he hadn't have knocked if back first, then forward second. Nketiah might have but by then it was too late.

[brontebilly]

Now if we could get Cascarino in January...

We do need competition for Watkins...not sure about big Cas though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Arsenal can have no complaints, they were extremely lucky to be playing us with our lads all knackered. Against a fit Villa side it would have been a cricket score. Never doubted we'd see the game out even with one of the worst referees we've seen in ages.

[Somniloquism]

Now if we could get Cascarino in January...

I heard it was Sheringham we were actually after, but somehow ended up with "the other one". Casc should have buried that header vs Inter at the San Siro, still remember that to this day.

Not sure if we were after Sheringham, but he was probably a big reason Cascarino was such a good goal scorer for Millwall at the time.

[Chap]

Thought the same. Fairly relaxed after 75 mins, thought they had lost their shape a bit and were playing hopeful passes.

[Clark W Griswold]

Magnificent against Man City, Resiliant tonight.

6 points, superb. I'd have certainly taken 2 or 3 beforehand. Feels a bit like xmas 89 vs Man Utd and Arsenal.

[rob_bridge]

Tarquins played v team with lowest squad quality in the league a day before we beat the biggest Financial Dopers since Franco.

They can fuck off.

What is Artetas opinion again on handball  He seemed to be forthright at out giving it. And then not.

Billy big noises - type of fucker in old days would be bolting down  the road if you and your mates happened across bother.