Aston Villa vs Sheffield United Post-Match

[Baldy]

In total, we wasted about 10 minutes last night trying 'to draw' the opponents on to us so that we could pass out from the back. It should have been obvious early on that this wasn't going to happen.

We need a plan B in such circumstances. All we did was slow the game down to a snails pace which played into Sheffield's hands. Reminiscent of the Forest fiasco which I am sure Wilder studied.

This will not go unnoticed by other managers and we need a Plan B, C or D fast.

A target man up with Watkins, two players hugging the touchline (make pitch bigger), long boots/throws from Martinez etc. Once we get that first goal things will then open up naturally and we can then play our preferred game.

We failed to adapt fast enough last night and paid the price.

There is more than one way to peel a potato.


 

[nick harper]

The Watkins push was a penalty or are 2 handed pushes allowed these days?  If it's the other way round it's a foul 100% of the time.

We were never going to get any decision go our way last night.

Joelinton got away with one in their game v Arsenal when Gordon scored, so that’s not true. That’s not to say I don’t find it baffling that players get away with it.

[ChicagoLion]

I think it's fair to say VAR had a mare last night and not for the first time.

I think we should use the name of the official, rather than saying VAR, which makes it sound like a machine has made the decision.

John Brooks definitely had a mare.

If they send the ref to the screen for the pen he gives it.
It’s a kin lottery with these jokers, clueless or corrupt.

[LukeJames]

Don't think we've really played well since the Man City game so to take 7 out of 9 is a positive in the  circumstances.

[RamboandBruno]

Bit frustrating but not as downbeat as I was last night when I got back. Funny really how both Tielemans and Torres to different levels struggled or at least were perceived to be struggling, in the first couple of months of the season. But they have become integral to our successes over recent weeks.
Both would of unlocked their low block last night.
Lenglet played well last night but he’s just not Torres, so hopefully he’ll be back on boxing day, doesnt sound like Tielemans will be.

I cant be arsed to go on about VAR, it is what it is and we’ve had some go for us this season, the penalty against Palace being a debatable one.

My first thought this morning was nearly every other Villa team ive watched would of lost that 1-0 after  conceding so late, but not this team.

[VillaTim]

the late equaliser is really important for team spirit and momentum

[Clark W Griswold]

I think the one first half was a penalty.

Sheffield did defend well though, loads behind the ball and they got a point, even the top teams have days like that and we kept going even though they scored late.

[Simon Page]

No doubt it's different on Twitter etc., but the collective shrug on here about these VAR calamities are exactly why we won't achieve greatness. If you lot were proper fans, you'd have each made a four-hour YouTube meltdown and owned the internet. Try as we might, we'll never be Arsenal.

We'll get there. And thank Christ we won't make it easy. Well done to one of the proper Uniteds on tactics working. Well done Villa on playing for the full 100 minutes. Well done everyone on a classy response to refereeing bafflement. What a year.

[LeeB]

Most annoying thing last night was getting to my seat, asking the person standing there to please move, then her demanding to know my seat number.

"I don't need to know my number thanks as I've sat there for 4 years"

Fucking day trippers.

[KevinGage]

I think it was right to disallow it. Ramsey was holding the keeper back by one of his arms, which meant he couldn't catch/clear the ball properly, so the ball ended up back with one of our players. I'd have been pissed off it that had been allowed to stand against us. The penalty for the shove seemed far more clear and obvious.

The ball ended up with their player, so in referee speak there was a different phase of play, they then lost the ball and Villa scored. Any foul on the keeper was irrelevant. This was VAR re refereeing the game.

That's how I see it too. How far do you go back?

Agreed.

And if we're disallowing goals for that level of contact now most goals scored from corners should be disallowed.

[Bobby Boy]

Most annoying thing last night was getting to my seat, asking the person standing there to please move, then her demanding to know my seat number.

"I don't need to know my number thanks as I've sat there for 4 years"

Fucking day trippers.

Most of the folk around me are mostly silent all match. Good job for them we've got Emery and not Klopp in charge.

[AV82EC]

Most annoying thing last night was getting to my seat, asking the person standing there to please move, then her demanding to know my seat number.

"I don't need to know my number thanks as I've sat there for 4 years"

Fucking day trippers.

It never ceases to amaze me how people on transport systems and sports and entertainment venues seem utterly incapable of using the alphabet and a numbering system.

[BC Villain]

In total, we wasted about 10 minutes last night trying 'to draw' the opponents on to us so that we could pass out from the back. It should have been obvious early on that this wasn't going to happen.

We need a plan B in such circumstances. All we did was slow the game down to a snails pace which played into Sheffield's hands. Reminiscent of the Forest fiasco which I am sure Wilder studied.

This will not go unnoticed by other managers and we need a Plan B, C or D fast.

A target man up with Watkins, two players hugging the touchline (make pitch bigger), long boots/throws from Martinez etc. Once we get that first goal things will then open up naturally and we can then play our preferred game.

We failed to adapt fast enough last night and paid the price.

There is more than one way to peel a potato.

This.  Wilder was never going to come here and go toe-to-toe.  Both them and Forest have played a defensive game against us and we haven't been able to break them down.  7 points since the Man City win is impressive considering we haven't really played that well since then.  It's the major flaw with Emery's way of playing.  When it works, it's brilliant, but when not, it can become a painful experience.

[amfy]

I don't know if anyone else has said this but 11 points from the last five games is a very good return, had the draws come against Man City and Arsenal I'm sure there would be fewer complaints but they'd both have an extra point. If we're going to have a bad day, better it's against Sheffield United than our direct rivals .

Counterintuitively this is true.

I was feeling exactly the same. It FEELS more disappointing to draw with Sheffield United having beaten Arsenal and Man City but actually it would have BEEN more disappointing to lose/drop points to Arsenal & Man City. That would have meant that we couldn’t compete with the best, but even the best teams drop points, sometimes to those you’d least expect.

Also - counterintuitively - an Arsenal win would keep us 2nd now, but I would rather drop to third and stay closer on points to both of them looking at the longer view.

[andyh]

When things don’t go well or to plan, it’s easy to put it down to missing players.
Lots of people are saying we missed Torres last night.
Personally, I don’t think we did.
Lenglet played very well and had little to do defensively.

I don’t think Messi would have improved our tempo or penetration last night, and Torres wouldn’t have any more impact than Lenglet.