Reflections on Conference League

[Mellin]

Down to our last 11 senior players, some playing out of position, all mentally exhausted. It’s the alertness of thought, and sharpness of passing that has deserted us. It’s the definition of hitting the wall.

It’s genuinely perplexing to me that intelligent people can’t see this.

Amen.

[pauliewalnuts]

It doesn't always happen for you. Nobody expected Atalanta to get past Liverpool, for a start.

My accumulator at the start of the season was Man City, Liverpool and us to win the three competitions, but in the end, we were the only ones to reach a semi final even.

It was not a great performance tonight, we passed them to death but didn't do the business in the final third.

In the last 15 years I've seen countless games where we barely had 20% of the ball and couldn't string two passes together. That at least wasn't the case tonight.

Fatigue has caught up with us, an we're almost certainly likely to just get over the line in the league, but this tie, combined with the shit luck of the first leg, and a switch off inside ten minutes tonight for their goal, all those things combined to make it too much for us.

[kippaxvilla2]

It was not to be.

What was the question?

[pauliewalnuts]

It was not to be.

What was the question?

Was it to be?

[Paul.S]

I’ve done 3 aways and have had a fantastic time and some great memories. Here’s to at least 4 more next season.

[wince]

Down to our last 11 senior players, some playing out of position, all mentally exhausted. It’s the alertness of thought, and sharpness of passing that has deserted us. It’s the definition of hitting the wall.

It’s genuinely perplexing to me that intelligent people can’t see this.

Some sense there Perce.

[AGRIPPA]

One thing to point out from my perspective, because this seems to come up a lot, it is both possible to be delighted with what Emery has done, and be fully aware how far we’ve come - we’re on the cusp of the Champions League. But simultaneously not be impressed with our level in the two legs of this semi-final. We are very short of options, but with the players on the pitch the level should have been better. We didn’t actually look like we had a plan, not saying that is the case (I’m sure it wasn’t) but it’s how it looked. We were favourites to win the Conference League, so this is a failure for me. Hopefully we’ll complete our overachievement in the league.

On balance, I'd say that's fair.

The better teams find a way.

When you say favourites you mean the bookie’s favourites….that won’t have been the case “ abroad”….for proof look at the UK odds for England then look farther afield….👍

[stubbsyandy]

Well I’m proud of them and Unai, we have a future not just a past.
No excuse we were beaten by a very decent team, but come on! What a season!

[Monty]

Down to our last 11 senior players, some playing out of position, all mentally exhausted. It’s the alertness of thought, and sharpness of passing that has deserted us. It’s the definition of hitting the wall.

It’s genuinely perplexing to me that intelligent people can’t see this.

I know, it's just so obvious.

[SoccerHQ]

Would rather win the League cup.

[Nev]

You either hate Villa for not winning a trophy or love them because they have before and might again.

[Pat McMahon]

They played against us how we played for lots of Unais reign, they let us have the ball, kept their shape and discipline and watched us get frustrated and then rush things.

We looked well short of ideas in the final third and their keeper had little to do, despite us dominating possession, just looked again like we were running on fumes. First goal was disappointing as it came again against the run of play at the worst possible time, and was preventable. Second goal was a shocker, Sunday League stuff.

So disappointed that we won’t get so good a chance of silverware, they eased through without really looking that good. That we couldn’t raise ourselves to make a game of that is really worrying, even accounting for injuries we should have had too much but didnt really lay a glove on them.

I’m pretty much thinking the same as you PW, though I actually think they do look good, round pegs in round holes with a clear game plan. Not stellar, but certainly effective, and they were the better team over 180 minutes.

[Taylor]

Still proud to be Villa. Out played and there are reasons for that. Hard of to Olimpyakos they were the better team.

There was very little to be proud of in those two legs. We were shocking tonight, and they looked like they'd given up.

Oh please, just give over.

Your one post tonight isn't on the match thread, it's to have a go at me. Exactly the same last match. Probably best you just put me on ignore, I really don't need a weird stalker in my life, cheers. Baby Reindeer.

I rarely post on match threads because I’m watching the game. But thanks for the advice. I will ignore your mindless  drivel from now on.

Sent from my iphone

Well played. Sorry Risso. Don’t really want an argument. Just pissed off is all.

[PaulWinch again]

One thing to point out from my perspective, because this seems to come up a lot, it is both possible to be delighted with what Emery has done, and be fully aware how far we’ve come - we’re on the cusp of the Champions League. But simultaneously not be impressed with our level in the two legs of this semi-final. We are very short of options, but with the players on the pitch the level should have been better. We didn’t actually look like we had a plan, not saying that is the case (I’m sure it wasn’t) but it’s how it looked. We were favourites to win the Conference League, so this is a failure for me. Hopefully we’ll complete our overachievement in the league.

On balance, I'd say that's fair.

The better teams find a way.

When you say favourites you mean the bookie’s favourites….that won’t have been the case “ abroad”….for proof look at the UK odds for England then look farther afield….👍

I suspect we were favourites outside of just the bookies, but yeah I accept that won’t have been universal. But either way, it’s still falling short not to win the tournament. It’s disappointing, again it doesn’t mean Unai hasn’t done a fantastic job. He clearly has and has moved us on unbelievably quickly, but we should have won this.

[Villan82]

Down to our last 11 senior players, some playing out of position, all mentally exhausted. It’s the alertness of thought, and sharpness of passing that has deserted us. It’s the definition of hitting the wall.

It’s genuinely perplexing to me that intelligent people can’t see this.

Some sense there Perce.

Bang on.