Aston Villa - 2 Lille - 1 Post match chit chat

[rob_bridge]

We are the only English team to win in Europe this week.

We beat a competent team with some talented players without hitting the gears.

We look tired as the squad has been stretched due to injuries whilst we had to sell better youngsters to adhere to FFP.

We have hopefully 9 more games to play having played about 10 games more than we usually do.

Try and be a bit more positive - we should finish 5th at worst and maybe win a trophy at last

[ChicagoLion]

Another not quite at it performance.
We look tired and no where near the levels of last year.
It’s not surprising and I am not blaming anyone, it’s just how it is.
That was the strongest team we could put out just like Saturday and it’s not quite good enough.
I did not think Lille were that good, high end championship level at best.

[Richard E]

If Sturm Graz can get a draw there then I’m sure we can, or better.

[olaftab]

Ollie you could tell was fuming in his post match interview too. Thats the correct way to view it for the players and manager.

I hope if he was it was about himself? Twice he shot from poor positions instead of making a pass for an easy tap in for others and twice he missed good chances that he should have tucked away.

[Nev]

"We'd (you'd) have been fucked without the keeper"

This sort of thing has annoyed me for years. When a keeper does a good job it's the only thing keeping you from an inevitable defeat, when in reality he's an excellent performer within the team dynamic. Every team would be fucked without their keeper.....

[ChicagoLion]

"We'd (you'd) have been fucked without the keeper"

This sort of thing has annoyed me for years. When a keeper does a good job it's the only thing keeping you from an inevitable defeat, when in reality he's an excellent performer within the team dynamic. Every team would be fucked without their keeper.....

The worry is that despite him (and it is completely within the laws to have a great keeper) we are still conceding too many.

[SamTheMouse]

Yeah but if he's man of the match, it probably means his teammates weren't doing a very good job.

[algy]

A win by any other name is still a win. We're going to France just needing to avoid defeat.

I think this season has taken it out of us - bad run of injuries coupled with a jump in to the number of games played. One of those things. We'll be better for it in the long run.

[Risso]

Yeah but if he's man of the match, it probably means his teammates weren't doing a very good job.

Exactly. If our defence plays like that against Arsenal it's going to be a cricket score.

[sid1964]

I watched on youtube yesterday, the highlights of the home game against Southampton in our relegation season - which included the Bacuna back pass from inside their half!, we complain about our defending last night, that was a masterclass compared to Lescott and Richards!

I remember that game due to me having a prang in my car as I was parking before the game.

When we won the European Cup, in a few of the rounds, we would win the 2 legged tie by the odd goal - we can do it again!

We have the Manager who knows how to win the tight European games, we will know what to expect from them.

 

[RamboandBruno]

The morning after the night before and in hindsight I understand some people’s disappointment at being close to having a two goal lead and giving a soft one away.
However, I think Lille are a good side and I think going there with any lead is really important. They have to beat us by two clear goals to go through without penalties. Whilst it’ll no doubt be tough over there, im not sure they will be that much better than us. Try not concede early and even better nick one before half time.
It’ll be nervy, but we’re still massively in with a shout. 

[Nev]

Yeah but if he's man of the match, it probably means his teammates weren't doing a very good job.

I agree, but that can be said of some of the greatest keepers that played for the best sides, including Emi when his side won the WC.

Put it this way, had the opposition not created any chances would anyone have said "yeah, you won but you would've been fucked if Watkins didn't score!"

[ChicagoLion]

Yeah but if he's man of the match, it probably means his teammates weren't doing a very good job.

Exactly. If our defence plays like that against Arsenal it's going to be a cricket score.

Already having kittens about Sunday.
Let’s hope we don’t concede too early or it could be embarrassing.
 

[Demitri_C]

Arsenal have had two days extra rest w
This massively annoying on top of us playing thursday, and luiz banned. You know whats happening right...

Villa 3-0 win. That would be typical villa 😂

[Ads]

Yeah but if he's man of the match, it probably means his teammates weren't doing a very good job.

I agree, but that can be said of some of the greatest keepers that played for the best sides, including Emi when his side won the WC.

Put it this way, had the opposition not created any chances would anyone have said "yeah, you won but you would've been fucked if Watkins didn't score!"

Everybody knows who was the keeper for Fergies trophy winning mob. The Kopites trophy winning mob. Everybody knows who Messi and Co needed to win the World Cup, as the flag shagging Lille fans kept reminding us. You will, even as the best, give up chances and the best sides have the best keepers.

We won yesterday, should have won by more. You wouldn't think it mind with the fear on here.