Reflections on Conference League

[Simon Page]

I'm gutted about last night.There's a bit of me that thinks football is so geared towards the already rich that our chances of winning the Premier or Champions league haven't really altered despite the obvious strides made. So this pot was a realistic chance to dust down the claret and blue ribbons. But,

I've never been so calm and happy about our squad. This lot are head and shoulders above almost anything I've ever seen and, in all likelihood, will be improved on over coming seasons. Twelve months ago we had an amazing run-in, which always feels great. This year, with a hobble to May, the worst that will happen is a semi-final defeat in Europe and fifth place. Not just better than last year, you have to go back almost three decades for anything comparable. It'll be fine.

[RamboandBruno]

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.

A lot of Villa fans thought we would win the tournament easy. But teams like Lille and Olympiacos have played much more European football than we have over the past 15 years.

We basically spent ten years in the wilderness. I had a sinking feeling when the quarter-final/semi-final draw was made and we drew two tough teams with the first leg of both away.

We will have learned a lot. But as a club we have to stick together and focus on the future.

Emery has shit loads of experience.
I get the fatigue issues.
But expected more tactically from Emery. 
For me he didn’t do enough to try and shake it up. 
Playing Cash in front of Konza was clearly not working. 
Diaby should have been hooked after 15 mins.  Anyone on the bench would have been better. 
So he needs to get creative to get something out of the last 2 games.
You watch we will go and batter Liverpool.

Im not sure its true that anyone on the bench would of better than Diaby or Cash, they were mainly untried kids.
I hope your right about the Liverpool game

[VillaTim]

I'm with Tim on that one, Torres is brilliant with the ball at his feet, and in a confident team with the likes of Kamara fit, he looks world class. The actual defending part of his game is much less strong and when we're up against it, he usually looks ropey as anything.

You just need to look at the Goals A column to see there are some issues .

OK whilst  you’re doing that don’t forget to look at goals for column and Pau contribution to that.

Which is why i said he's great with the ball gets some great moves going , but his defending is much less assured / strong . Which is probably why he isn'y at Real or C115y or Dortmund .

[TonyD]

Will Mings be fit for the start of next season?

[VillaTim]

Will Mings be fit for the start of next season?

Hopefully ready for pre-season games .

[Demitri_C]

One thing that was great to see was the clapping between the fans villa and the greeks at the end of the season. Alot of mutual repsect from both clubs. Alot of videos showing it. Class

Although we lost i was a proud greek last night to see that.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Pau is world class.

Ha! Shake those pom-poms! I'm all for a bit of positivity, especially on days like today but ffs, can we try and keep it just a touch real?
Torres can't get in the Spanish team and it's not like he has much competition. Right now he's lucky he's at a club with so many injuries as his current form is less than convincing. My guess is he's not fully fit which may explain why he's missing games.

Spain have one world class player and it sadly ain't Pau Torres.

[London Villan]

His passing is world class, his defending (all season) certainly isn't.

However, he is vital to how we play, but needs other good footballers in the team, who can accept passes in tight spaces and be aware of the space they can play in.

Kamara, Doug, SJM and Teilemans fit this description.

[VillaTim]

Some cannot accept any criticism of Torres . And i 'd rather not call him Pau , That's like calling Alexander-Arnold "Trent" like he's your mate.

[OCD]

Alexander-Arnold doesn't have Trent on the back of his shirt.

[Toronto Villa]

Fuck me Twitter and other social media is so toxic at times. You can be upset at the result but the kind of horrible shit some post directly at players is unacceptable. If you have any clue of the journey we have been on the past 3 decades then this is such a good time to be a fan of this club. There are some really unappreciative wankers who follow us.

[Olneythelonely]

Some cannot accept any criticism of Torres . And i 'd rather not call him Pau , That's like calling Alexander-Arnold "Trent" like he's your mate.

Or “Cooper”

[Risso]

Torres will be much better with Mings back next to him. Mings is a brilliant defender and a good footballer. Torres is a great footballer, who will hoepfully benefit from having Mings do a lot more of the defensive work next to him.

[Monty]

Torres will be much better with Mings back next to him. Mings is a brilliant defender and a good footballer. Torres is a great footballer, who will hoepfully benefit from having Mings do a lot more of the defensive work next to him.

If we'd had this pairing for the majority of the season I don't think our Champions League status would be in much doubt.

[PaulWinch again]

Some cannot accept any criticism of Torres . And i 'd rather not call him Pau , That's like calling Alexander-Arnold "Trent" like he's your mate.

I think he’s a fantastic player, but he’s been a bit under par of late. He can do great defensive work though.