Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Post-Match Thread

[kippaxvilla2]

Regarding the squad I do think it’s very decent.  But I would challenge anyone to do as well as  we have without our first choice change centre half, our first choice left back for much of the season, our first choice left sided midfielder for most of the season, our first choice change number ten for all of the season.   The list goes on.  All of them fit we have a decent squad.  You cant legislate for so many injuries at the same time.

Let’s take tonight.  Mings coming on at any stage would’ve bought a calmness to everyone despite that useless fcuker in goal.

[kippaxvilla2]

And by the way I know you can’t foresee these things but Dougie would ordinarily have waited his turn from suspension had Tielemans not got injured. 

[coreyfeldman]

Gutted

Biggest issue was in the middle of the park but considering both kamara and youri are out we had no options there at all and both doug and sjm looked fucked tonight for whatever reason. We were bullied there, they won all the second balls they punted up and so often both those two were the wrong side of the ball.
We had no luck at all, denied a clear penalty which was a critical point in the match and the 4th crushed us in all honesty.
The step down from pau to lenglet is dramatic, digne needs a rest and cash does affect things positively but defensively isn't the smartest.

The refs in this competition have been a joke, trying to stamp their mark on the game with big gestures and having little to no control on the game.

Olympiacos have an excellent coach it has to be said, and he did a number on us tonight.

[kippaxvilla2]

Further by the way I saw a report that said we are definitely targeting CL ahead of the conference so on that basis you can see why pau and Diego were rested.  Both will play Sunday I reckon as we will do an Arsenal on Brighton or at least attempt to.

[john2710]

I don't think we played that badly but we looked nervous or hesitant from the start.  A 2-4 scoreline flatters them. Everything that could go their way did & where it didn't the ref ignored it.

The penalty miss is crucial, a 1 goal deficit & we have a good chance, but 2 goals seems too much given our inability to keep clean sheets.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Gutted

Biggest issue was in the middle of the park but considering both kamara and youri are out we had no options there at all and both doug and sjm looked fucked tonight for whatever reason. We were bullied there, they won all the second balls they punted up and so often both those two were the wrong side of the ball.
We had no luck at all, denied a clear penalty which was a critical point in the match and the 4th crushed us in all honesty.
The step down from pau to lenglet is dramatic, digne needs a rest and cash does affect things positively but defensively isn't the smartest.

The refs in this competition have been a joke, trying to stamp their mark on the game with big gestures and having little to no control on the game.

Olympiacos have an excellent coach it has to be said, and he did a number on us tonight.

Nailed it, Corey. Not sure and don't really care about the ref tonight, I've seen far worse this season watching the Villa. Everything else, spot on.

[itbrvilla]

I don't think we played that badly but we looked nervous or hesitant from the start.  A 2-4 scoreline flatters them. Everything that could go their way did & where it didn't the ref ignored it.

The penalty miss is crucial, a 1 goal deficit & we have a good chance, but 2 goals seems too much given our inability to keep clean sheets.

Gifting shit goals seams to be our default recently.
.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Talking of goals, our two were both exceptional, shame they were wasted on tonight.

[john e]

All i'll say is this season i've seen Newcastle, Man Utd and Spurs players all dancing away at the end of the game in front of their fans celebrating as if they'd won the World Cup
they all thought they would catch us, they all went to early, we are above all of them in the league

i saw the same tonight, dancing away celebrating they think they are through already,

its a tough ask but we can do it
not without Torres or Martinez though, without that pair weve got zero chance, with them i will still believe

[TonyD]

Score first in Athens and we are right back in this. 

[john2710]

I've watched Bailey's goal several times & I can't see anything that looks like a foul.

We haven't played that well in any of our European games & tended to do just enough with a bit of luck. We had no luck tonight & it cost us.

[mrfuse]

So it's all to play for still.

[Monty]

And on the plus side, all the "Champions League qualification is more important" crowd will be thrilled with how this evening has gone.

Not really necessary, no?

Why? The more important thing is more likely now than it was two hours ago. We're a bit closer to the thing that matters.

'Thrilled' was a touch on the snarky side, man. I, on balance, think CL qualification is probably more important, and this game had me actively laughing with despair. Bit much to say I was 'thrilled'.

[kippaxvilla2]

I think so.  Do you want to bet against us?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think so.  Do you want to bet against us?

Sums up tonight. Straight at the keeper.