Man Utd vs Aston Villa post-match thread

[brontebilly]

As soon as Carlos put that misplaced pass into the middle I knew that was our defeat there and then. It’s mot the first time he’s done as such. He’s the weak link as good as he is at other aspects of the game. If he doesn’t do that we can frustrate them for most of the 2nd half. We didn’t have the opportunity to do that once they got their tails up.

His passing is nowhere near as good as he thinks it is. Thought we were already under serious pressure at that point of the game, couldn't keep the ball past 3 or 4 passes. Nothing direct sticking either with Watkins.

[Paul.S]

We don’t have as talented players as most top teams. Emery had just got them performing out of their skins. Watching Liverpool b Arsenal the other night, it was so obvious our players aren’t as good as either of their teams. The fact that we are almost on a par , point wise, with them, is down to Emery.

Just imagine what he could achieve if he is allowed to strengthen in January or the summer.

We are a right back and centre forward away from being title contenders.

I’d agree with most of this. Emery knows we aren’t yet up to challenging and he’s worked miracles with this squad. A few injuries throws the team out of kilt and what comes in isn’t good enough. January, as you say, is vital for the season but I don’t think it makes us title contenders whatever happens.

[Beard82]

We are not title contenders. We have massively overachieved this year.
If we can get CL qualification, that will be an incredible achievement and gives us solid building blocks for the next phase.

This is how I see it

[JUAN PABLO]

And Hoijland scored , so farkin predictable

and Ally McCoist wanking off about it after

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Watkins and Diaby partnership seems to have disappeared a big part of why it’s not clicking up front.

I'd hardly call it a partnership. Neither seem to have an impact during most of the game. At least Watkins can call in his goals.

[Villafirst]

What happened to Digne?

[AV82EC]

Watkins was OK for the first half as the ball was sticking to him when it was played forwards and we made real progress through him but he utterly disappeared in the second half as we fell apart like a cheap suit.

[LukeJames]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we really should have gone 4-3-3 second half with Bailey and Diaby out wide and tightened up the middle. Emery doesn't seem to like this formation though.

[AV82EC]

Yep we beat the press easily first half but they tweaked it we didn’t and kept losing the ball in dangerous areas from then on in.

[Brazilian Villain]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we really should have gone 4-3-3 second half with Bailey and Diaby out wide and tightened up the middle. Emery doesn't seem to like this formation though.

As is often the case whether it's investing or football, 'Hindsight is risk-free and its rewards are commensurate'.

[Pat McMahon]

Sometimes, just sometimes things conspire. It's an awful place for us to go,  the number of unexpected and bizarre occurrences is somewhat beyond belief over the years. Players that never score, score, unexpected comebacks and ridiculous scorelines. But we are still OK, still a good side, let's not panic because I'm sure the Manager isn't 

I agree with this.

It's been a poor couple of matches, but we're THIRD in the league.

There's a bit of getting of a grip that would help tonight. It's not going to be a linear, uninterrupted march to glory, there will be ups and downs, great results and shit ones (a week and a bit ago we were beating Arsenal and Man City in 4 days).

From next week we have a chance to strengthen the squad, too, so let's see what happens. I am sure we'll be trying to do something, else we wouldn't have bothered hiring Monchi.

Agree with all this (plus I've just poured myself a very large Havana Club 7YO and coke). Don't worry, it's going to be a great 2024.

I’m on industrial measures of sloe gin Gary. Slainte

[VillaTim]

Sometimes, just sometimes things conspire. It's an awful place for us to go,  the number of unexpected and bizarre occurrences is somewhat beyond belief over the years. Players that never score, score, unexpected comebacks and ridiculous scorelines. But we are still OK, still a good side, let's not panic because I'm sure the Manager isn't 

I agree with this.

It's been a poor couple of matches, but we're THIRD in the league.

There's a bit of getting of a grip that would help tonight. It's not going to be a linear, uninterrupted march to glory, there will be ups and downs, great results and shit ones (a week and a bit ago we were beating Arsenal and Man City in 4 days).

From next week we have a chance to strengthen the squad, too, so let's see what happens. I am sure we'll be trying to do something, else we wouldn't have bothered hiring Monchi.

Agree with all this (plus I've just poured myself a very large Havana Club 7YO and coke). Don't worry, it's going to be a great 2024.

I’m on industrial measures of sloe gin Gary. Slainte

Is it slow gin as acknowledgement to that 2nd half masterclass

[brontebilly]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we really should have gone 4-3-3 second half with Bailey and Diaby out wide and tightened up the middle. Emery doesn't seem to like this formation though.

I'd like to see it more often when we are chasing game. Bringing on Duran is wasting a sub. Ramsey offering very little since his return from injury too in midfield.

[pelty]

Called it at half-time:

“Manure still favourites while it’s only two. Need another goal for the draw.“

How can we be two up and continually hit on the break?

Because Emery insists on playing the high line when up by two. Makes no sense.

[aldridgeboy]

We were poor. Extremely poor second half. Players that have been amazing all season were poor. We have no credible plan b for Watkins. Carlos was poor, Dougie was very poor.

But they have all been incredible all season. They’re due a bad game I guess , it’s just a shame it was all at the same time.

But we’re third. At Christmas.  I’ll take that all day long.