Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

We'll do them at their place.

[DeKuip]

When we got to 2-2, I thought we’d win 4 or 5 but we have really lost any kind of solidity defending for a long time. Weird really as it was a real strength in Unai’s first 12 months.

I thought they were very average, no better than Legia, and we’d have beaten them easily earlier in the season.

Lots of comments on the ref I agree with, but the one that really got me was in the first half when we were breaking down the right and he called it back to give free kick for us in our half and wagged his finger at their player without booking him.

Yeah, I lost my shit at that one...

We’d have ended up turning and playing it back there anyway.

[Demitri_C]

Just seen mcginns post match interview he openly admits they have  been poor in last few european games. I really hope that loss is a rocket up their backsides because if we play that shit again olympiakos will embarass us further over there

[TelfordVilla]

This is why I said a month or so back  that we don't want to be playing Olympiacos. The desire for a Greek team to be playing in a final in Athens is huge. We just have to hope they get nervous and blow it. The crowd will be manic inside and outside the stadium.

[kippaxvilla2]

Put konsa back at right back, drop cash who cannot defend and put pau and Carlos in the middle.  It’s gone to shit since Arsenal away defensive wise at least.

[Somniloquism]

I know we won the penalty in the end last night because of the foul, but didn't the ref wave play on after the defender practictly caught it with both hands and his thighs right before the foul? I was screaming for hand ball.

My stream started buffering around this point, so I didn't see any replays. I even missed the penalty. It resumed and the ball was in play and the core was still 2-4.

There were two handballs and a foul, it was take your pick which one to award it for.

Did I see the ref wave play on though?

No, I think he pretty well awarded it straight away.

The ref did the cross arms action to signal no penalty for the hand balls then he blew up for penalty when Duran went over. We’ll never know if he or VAR would have awarded a penalty for the hand balls.

Ha! I thought so, I can go back to shouting fucking twat at him again!

This is the link on a refs blog covering the appointments and how they did. The ones who posted it thought it was soft for the foul from the angles but he definitely indicated no for the handballs.

https://streamin.me/v/73ce809f#google_vignette

[Richard]

Put konsa back at right back, drop cash who cannot defend and put pau and Carlos in the middle.  It’s gone to shit since Arsenal away defensive wise at least.

Yes it's a little strange that Carlos who was magnificent at Arsenal has not started since I believe?

[The Edge]

When we got to 2-2, I thought we’d win 4 or 5 but we have really lost any kind of solidity defending for a long time. Weird really as it was a real strength in Unai’s first 12 months.

I thought they were very average, no better than Legia, and we’d have beaten them easily earlier in the season.

Lots of comments on the ref I agree with, but the one that really got me was in the first half when we were breaking down the right and he called it back to give free kick for us in our half and wagged his finger at their player without booking him.

Yeah, I lost my shit at that one...

Me too. Abysmal refereeing.

[brontebilly]

Put konsa back at right back, drop cash who cannot defend and put pau and Carlos in the middle.  It’s gone to shit since Arsenal away defensive wise at least.

Yes it's a little strange that Carlos who was magnificent at Arsenal has not started since I believe?

A bit...but then he came on v Chelsea and had a cameo from hell. Konsa is dreadful at RB, his display there in Amsterdam was shocking. Cash can be a very important player for us in Greece and we need to keep faith in him.

Constantly changing CB partnerships is part of the problem. Luiz and McGinn are struggling badly in front of them too. In any case we will have to play a very attacking team in Greece. Maybe Rogers will drop out but will have to include both Bailey and Diaby. Maybe even Moreno if he's fit again.

[tomd2103]

This is why I said a month or so back  that we don't want to be playing Olympiacos. The desire for a Greek team to be playing in a final in Athens is huge. We just have to hope they get nervous and blow it. The crowd will be manic inside and outside the stadium.

I must admit that I thought the result against the Israeli team when the lost 1-4 at home and then won 1-6 was a little strange.

[Paul.S]

What last night proved was the quality we’ll need to bring in to compete in whatever competition we are in next season.
We haven’t really played well in Europe at all this season and the ease in how Olympiacos and Lille the round before carved us open is worrying.
I’m sure the club are working on this but it’ll need some real upgrades to allow us to compete.

[The Edge]

What last night proved was the quality we’ll need to bring in to compete in whatever competition we are in next season.
We haven’t really played well in Europe at all this season and the ease in how Olympiacos and Lille the round before carved us open is worrying.
I’m sure the club are working on this but it’ll need some real upgrades to allow us to compete.

Starting with 2/3 top notch full backs and a back up keeper that can step into Emi's boot's seamlessly.

[Cliftonville Villlain]

It's been a great season for us but we are now running on fumes, some more so than others, with Luiz and Diaby particularly struggling. We can do this lot in Greece but some players now are just taking up space. This weekend should nail down the Champions League spot so there's no reason why we shouldn't just throw caution to the wind and just go at them from the first minute. We get the first goal we'll end up going through. Of that I have no doubt.

[PaulWinch again]

We’ve got to be mentally better. We looked edgy and nervous, I think it almost got built up too much.

[PaulWinch again]

Only real positive is away goals is no longer a thing. If that were the case I think we’d be finished, as it is we have a small chance if we turn up and perform.

I think the pressure got to us a bit, and hopefully Olympiacos experience something similar at home.