Aston Villa v Ajax - Post-Match Thread

[Legion]

Unai said there’s a fair chance of Ollie being ok for Sunday

In 2025.

[eamonn]

Pleasing, can't remember a game where we scored four with such cracking finishes.

White Hart Lane, April 2000.

[pablo_picasso]

Hoping Watkins is more precaution than anything

Wish it was but no. Watching the discussion in out tech area about 3 yards away I would say that it’s serious but not broken bone.

Bailey said in an interview after the game on TNT that its a "bad, open cut".

So it's serious in the sense that he will probably need stitches & cuts aren't nice in areas that move, like knees, but not as serious as a knee ligament injury.

[Clampy]

It was odd, it didnt feel like we were playing Ajax. They were pretty poor but we did we what we had to do and could have  scored more.

[eamonn]

Interesting that the ref didn't play the added on time in the second half. I know that in a knockout competition the losing team can agree to not play it. I guess Hendo gave the ref the signal

Really?! Never heard of that. Sensible I suppose but when your team is winning and blooding some young/fringe players, you're probably happy to keep playing.

[eamonn]

This reporter on TNT, jesus.

Sounded "the spit" of Darren Bent! Was sure it was Benty last week until a young beaming fella showed himself.
He over-elaborates on each of his questions like a giddy fan, bless him.

[rougegorge]

Interesting that the ref didn't play the added on time in the second half. I know that in a knockout competition the losing team can agree to not play it. I guess Hendo gave the ref the signal

Yes in reality that was absurd. He played 11 seconds rather than about 11 minutes. In the first half there was bizarrely only 5 minutes as well. Wish the ref had done that last Sunday and we'd have only lost 2-0.

That aside, hopefully Diaby picked up some much needed confidence after a much improved display and whislt Duran is not near Ollie's level, he used his strengths well tonight.

[VillaTim]

Good honest little win and good to get a reaction after Sunday's horrors. But let's be honest Ajax are on a level with your Blackburn Rovers of this world. But you still have to put them away and the lads did that.

[Dave]

But let's be honest Ajax are on a level with your Blackburn Rovers of this world.

Of this world Ian.

[Clampy]

At least Duran and Diaby scoring will keep Coopers Injury quiet for a while.

[Goldenballs]

Interesting that the ref didn't play the added on time in the second half. I know that in a knockout competition the losing team can agree to not play it. I guess Hendo gave the ref the signal

Really?! Never heard of that. Sensible I suppose but when your team is winning and blooding some young/fringe players, you're probably happy to keep playing.

I didn't know that was a thing either.

A very enjoyable evening, Duran is good fun, Henderson getting some stick was good.

[Toronto Villa]

I’d like to see us dictate the play a bit more. There was no reason to give them the majority of possession at Villa Park early on. It turned out well in the end because they are not very good but against a better side it could cost us. Job done in the end but initially we made it more difficult than it needed to be.

[Nev]

I was fearful tonight, a loss could've seen the season take a dive so credit to all for getting a nice hefty win.

No credit whatsoever to the person forcing the announcer to introduce the team with nicknames like Pau "wow " Torres. Serves me right for taking my seat slightly early.

[The Edge]

Hoping Watkins is more precaution than anything

Wish it was but no. Watching the discussion in out tech area about 3 yards away I would say that it’s serious but not broken bone.

I thought Duran was an absolute handful. Hopefully Ollie isn't out for long but sometimes out of adversity sometimes good out it when you least expect it.

[Matt C]

Routine 4-0 European wins are something I will happily get used to. Great to see Diaby looking more like it, Luiz & McGinn bossing the midfield, plenty of positives and hopefully Watkins is OK.

An aside but the refereeing in this competition is utterly bizarre.