Abject Villa v Chelsea post match thread.

[Dogtanian]

I think we were badly let down last night.

I can accept being beaten, but we were cowardly at home. An absolutely shameful showing.

[Martyn Smith]

Just read Emery’s after match comments. Think he was watching a completely different match to me!!

I do think we were better after 0-3, like we were against Newcastle, but it was too little, too late

That is down to the opposition sitting back and feeling like the game was won. Chelsea could have scored a couple more last night if they'd have been arsed

Yeah true 'nuff. Even though we were more lively and coherent after 0-3 they still looked like they could add a couple more if they wished

[Exeter 77]

Their third was a great goal from a free kick which shouldn't have been given but Chelsea didn't have to do anything spector the first two. It was a case of drawing our full backs forward and playing the ball into the space behind them in order to pull our centre backs wide which left their midfielders loads of space in the penalty area.

[Rigadon]

Was Carlos or Cash to blame for the first? I don’t want to watch it back but it appeared to me that Carlos was very reluctant or slow to get wide and engage the player before the cross came in, later he got away with a poor foul on the half way line but then still held onto the ball and gave the ref grief to get a yellow. He gave the ball away a lot as well but he wasn’t alone in that last night. There was a lot of competition last night but he was one of the worst performers.

It was Kamara losing the ball in midfield (which happened countless times) that was the problem.  The defending afterwards was shite too, but the catalyst was Kamara, who seems to have an absolute shocker now and again.

[simboy]

Villa were poor last night. Lowlights included how poorly the back 4 as a collective played. We didn’t catch them off side once. It was all so out of sync. From that the midfield decided to have a night off with Dougie trying to get off the pitch when the subs were being made. Why, when the game is over at 3-0 Unai didn’t take off Luiz who may have been suffering from whatever ailment he had on Saturday I do not know.

Emery said in his press conference that only one team over a season can win the cup but a number can get in to Europe, specifically the champions league. If that reflects a priority for this squad before the game it has to be our aim for the season now. 

Please let’s not get battered by another mid table mediocre side on Sunday.

[Dick Edwards]

Emery said in his press conference that only one team over a season can win the cup but a number can get in to Europe, specifically the champions league. If that reflects a priority for this squad before the game it has to be our aim for the season now. 

If Unai had shared those thoughts on priorities with the players beforehand it's baffling as to why he'd select his strongest possible team with a massive league game coming up this weekend.

[Flamingo Lane]

Perhaps what is now most worrying is that whilst we know that last night's midfield can collectively improve significantly upon last night's showing, playing against reasonably decent opposition, it's equally clear that the back four can't.

[Rigadon]

Chelsea aren't your usual mid-table fodder.  They are packed full with international players who cost a billion pounds to assemble. They've been extremely hit and miss this year, but when they've been more hit they've gone toe to toe with the best teams in the league.  The problem isn't that we were beaten by Chelsea.  Same with Newcastle.  The problem is that we've been so far off it for our last two home games it'\s been unbelievable.  The injuries are the main problem and we desperately need some luck now with that.   We are going into an absolutely crucial period of the season, and I'm trying to avoid hyperbole here, but our history/future.  If we miss out on CL this season, I can't honestly see us ever getting into the fucking competition again. 

Man Utd won't be a bit average forever, and neither will Chelsea.  It's this year or bust for this version of the Villa, and another version might not come along again in a hurry. 

[lovejoy]

The early season start and European adventures are catching up with our thin/injured squad.

i think we should cut them some slack its been a great season regardless.

Some perspective.

[steamer]

Genuine question, why is the centre portion, the blue seats middle of the Trinity almost empty of spectators , when we have sold out ?

Aren't these hospitality seats, where those in boxes can sit if they wish?

Thanks

[Rigadon]

The early season start and European adventures are catching up with our thin/injured squad.

i think we should cut them some slack its been a great season regardless.

Some perspective.

No, sorry but no.  I won't see 6th or lower as a good season now, even with a win in the conference league (which we are the most obvious favourites to win).  I honestly don't care how that makes me sound.  We are the only big club in the land not to have played in the top competition (in the modern era).  We have to put that to bed. 

[steamer]

After our little flurry, the one commentator said, Chelsea have weathered the storm, the other replied, more like a shower.
He could of been referring to us and our general performance.

[PeterWithesShin]

Any side that has to start both their 4th and 5th choice CBs is going to see a drop off. Midfield needs to step up and last night they didn't, they were shit. Next 4 games are Man U (h), Fulham (a), Forest (h) and Luton (a). Plenty of points to be had there, it's up to the manger, coaches and players to get them.

[VillaTim]

Genuine question, why is the centre portion, the blue seats middle of the Trinity almost empty of spectators , when we have sold out ?

Those are the corporate seats - 1982 Restaurant / 1982 Lounge / Heineken Lounge etc . Looks like take up on tickets last night was poor or those in there didn't bother coming back out for the 2nd half and stayed inside in the warm watching the TV and drinking.

[PaulWinch again]

The early season start and European adventures are catching up with our thin/injured squad.

i think we should cut them some slack its been a great season regardless.

Some perspective.

Where we end up will determine whether it’s a great season - first half was exceptionally good, but if we completely fall away it won’t be good.