Brentford vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[clash city rocker]

I don't know if I'm enjoying my football more or less. For far to many tears we have been...well average at best. Now after 17 games we are 1 point off top. Perhaps it's the villa in me as I'm just waiting for it to implode...if we are still in this position come April I will be a fucking nervous wreck. Unai you are a Saint but you increasing my stress levels.

[AV84]

Just started watching MOTD. Where does Proctor play who was on our bench?

Keeper

Cheers. I’ve never heard of him.

He's only 16. I'd be interested to know why we had him on the bench over so many older players, there's even several other keepers we could have gone with. Is he extremely talented, or is it because his birthday is in a few days and Emery was feeling generous?

[Toronto Villa]

Richard Keyes talking about the Ollie incident. AKA colossal wanker

https://x.com/avfcthereligion/status/1736448890423988680?s=46

[tomd2103]

I don't know if I'm enjoying my football more or less. For far to many tears we have been...well average at best. Now after 17 games we are 1 point off top. Perhaps it's the villa in me as I'm just waiting for it to implode...if we are still in this position come April I will be a fucking nervous wreck. Unai you are a Saint but you increasing my stress levels.

Nah, these last couple of months have been great.  After a decade or so of worrying about what's going on at the bottom of the league, this has been a bit special .  Now, if we're still in this position come April then the nerves will really kick in, but until then just enjoy the ride.

[Smirker]

I agree with Clash. It's harder to enjoy the actual 90 minutes unless it's a Brighton 6-1 kind of game. There's too much as stake and I spend most of the game feeling anxious. Obviously once the whistle goes and the points are in the bag, it's like a huge, footballing orgasm.

[Lsvilla]

Nah I'm with Tom. Embracing every moment. I was lucky enough to be at both Highbury and Rotterdam but was too young to embrace it fully for what it was. 94 and 96 were perfect whilst the FA Cup has been a torture. I am fully bought into this and we have the chance to produce miracles in at least 2 if not 3 competitions. The players seem to believe and I'm certain the manager does so I think the least I can do is join in. Come on you Villa boys !

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm loving it, if you can't enjoy Villa games this past 12 months you're never going to enjoy them.

What I really like is the last 3 wins have all been different. Man City was just outclassing them all game, Arsenal was digging out a backs to the wall, today was a niggly game where we had to be patient and also stand up for ourselves. Outcome, 9 points out of 9.

[Matt C]

I'm loving it, if you can't enjoy Villa games this past 12 months you're never going to enjoy them.

What I really like is the last 3 wins have all been different. Man City was just outclassing them all game, Arsenal was digging out a backs to the wall, today was a niggly game where we had to be patient and also stand up for ourselves. Outcome, 9 points out of 9.

All of this. Soak it in.

We’re third (aka joint 2nd) in the league having won 15 on the bounce at home. Club record.

25 Premier League wins in a calendar year. Club record.

Most successful calendar year ever. Club record.

When we go ahead, we win. Only team in the league to do so.

38 points from 17 Premier League games so far this season, the same number of points earned in the whole of 2011/2012, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015, three more than 2019/2020 (35) and twenty-one more points than 2015/2016 (17)

It’s barely 12 months ago I was thinking we’re getting relegated.

I’m a believer, mate.

[geolex]

How their manager could moan at that red card is ridiculous. Maybe he'll watch it back and change his mind, but it was a shocker.

He can always appeal the decision , though i doubt he will

[PaulWinch again]

I'm loving it, if you can't enjoy Villa games this past 12 months you're never going to enjoy them.

What I really like is the last 3 wins have all been different. Man City was just outclassing them all game, Arsenal was digging out a backs to the wall, today was a niggly game where we had to be patient and also stand up for ourselves. Outcome, 9 points out of 9.

Indeed, doesn’t mean there’s not tension and angst, but bloody hell this is great.

[Martyn Smith]

I'm loving it, if you can't enjoy Villa games this past 12 months you're never going to enjoy them.

What I really like is the last 3 wins have all been different. Man City was just outclassing them all game, Arsenal was digging out a backs to the wall, today was a niggly game where we had to be patient and also stand up for ourselves. Outcome, 9 points out of 9.

Indeed, doesn’t mean there’s not tension and angst, but bloody hell this is great.

No team I've ever seen constantly steamrollers its way to victories. You have to sometimes dig out wins whoever you are. Would we really have it any other way?

I had to sleep off a night shift yesterday afternoon and managed to even avoid the score before MOTD2 (which these days means switching off every device I have), and given that MOTD highlights are never a great indicator of how a game really went, I wonder if it really was as even as they made it out to be. The BBC text stats, again to be fair not a great indicator of reality because they don't indicate the quality and effectiveness of possession, for example, indicate that we bossed it on just about every level

[Risso]

I had to sleep off a night shift yesterday afternoon and managed to even avoid the score before MOTD2 (which these days means switching off every device I have), and given that MOTD highlights are never a great indicator of how a game really went, I wonder if it really was as even as they made it out to be. The BBC text stats, again to be fair not a great indicator of reality because they don't indicate the quality and effectiveness of possession, for example, indicate that we bossed it on just about every level

Before the sending off, it felt a bit similar to Forest away. Most of the possession without ever really looking like scoring. Diaby had another off day, and Ramsey looked 'rusty' to be kind to the lad. Ollie was working hard as ever without getting any decent service and Cash was ineffective out wide. The defence was sound though, and Torres played very well, as did Kamara and McGinn. Bailey was great when he came on and changed the game again.

[London Villan]

We aren't quite right away from home - despite the results. I'm sure Emery will sort it, but we aren't as creative and we are a little vulnerable. If it wasn't for the sending-off (it's hard to say) but would we have won?

[Martyn Smith]

I had to sleep off a night shift yesterday afternoon and managed to even avoid the score before MOTD2 (which these days means switching off every device I have), and given that MOTD highlights are never a great indicator of how a game really went, I wonder if it really was as even as they made it out to be. The BBC text stats, again to be fair not a great indicator of reality because they don't indicate the quality and effectiveness of possession, for example, indicate that we bossed it on just about every level

Before the sending off, it felt a bit similar to Forest away. Most of the possession without ever really looking like scoring. Diaby had another off day, and Ramsey looked 'rusty' to be kind to the lad. Ollie was working hard as ever without getting any decent service and Cash was ineffective out wide. The defence was sound though, and Torres played very well, as did Kamara and McGinn. Bailey was great when he came on and changed the game again.

Even the highlights show Cash getting skinned at least twice. He's a serviceable full back but that is really about it. If we only strengthen one position next month I'd like it to be that

Bailey definitely feels most effective coming on as a game changing sub

[brontebilly]

Did Moreno do enough to put Digne under pressure for his spot? Asleep for their goal but made up for it with the equaliser.