Post match positivity (Arsenal H)

[Beard82]

Emery said Villa have changed their build up this season. I think they’ve tweaked from back three in possession to two CBs & the two CMs very central & deep (one often between the CBs) Rogers can then arrive in the pockets left & drive (as he did superbly today)

That would make sense, given our recruitment but it does mean we need a new right back.

[Nelly]

I thought they probably shaded it in terms of controlling the game, but we obviously had quite a few good chances. Watkins should have had two without being in the game. I am so grateful to finally have a Villa team that will give a damn good account of ourselves. How many times have we just rolled over for Arsenal in years gone by.

Some excellent stuff from our guys today - Rogers, Bailey, Tielemens. I thought it was a great game. We're going to have a really memorable season, I feel.

[Percy McCarthy]

I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward. 

Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat.  Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.

Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.

I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan. 

After Kosta came on, it seemed to me that nobody passed to him for about 30 minutes. Either he wasn't in the right positions or they don't fully trust him yet.

Yes, I thought that as well. I think that is often the case with young players. Happened with Rogers in his first couple of Euro appearances. They soon learned.

[passport1]

Always disappointing  to lose the first home game of the season,however with this manager and squad of players that will be a rarety.  Onwards and upwards we will go.

[CT Villan]

If Watkins scores either of his sitters, we win. He seems about two weeks behind the rest of the team, just hope this doesn't knock his confidence.

First-half we executed Unai's plan brilliantly and Arsenal were jolly lucky to go in level at HT. Second-half as soon as we stopped pressing they were the better team.

[Tuscans]

I love the gaffers interviews afterwards. So reasonable, sensible and respectful. Top bloke we have.

[London Villan]

Kosta was pushed high and it seemed to be a decision not to involve him with the passing out from the back. Sensible decision.

[Beard82]

I thought our midfield looked very good - I think our fullbacks didn’t contribute enough when for how much they were going forward. 

Rogers looked very good and Bailey put a shift in and was a threat.  Ollie and emi showed why so often they are the difference in us winning and losing.

Olly looked like Kane at the euros - a bit of a shadow of himself - hopefully it’s just rustiness rather than a nagging injury.

I am interested to see how Beundia gets mixed back in - I am wondering if the other guy from juve will go out on loan. 

After Kosta came on, it seemed to me that nobody passed to him for about 30 minutes. Either he wasn't in the right positions or they don't fully trust him yet.

Yes - it might be a bit of both - him and Bailey with there pace could be brilliant but I thought a couple of times he ran “with” Bailey rather than there being any idea of how the two would link up - when Ramsey and moreno did it on the left the season before last they looked great.  I think he’ll do the same with Maatasen

[Monty]

Kosta was pushed high and it seemed to be a decision not to involve him with the passing out from the back. Sensible decision.

Was a mix for me, I think this is true but they also didn't want to pass to him in situations where he might be under too much pressure. Which is also totally fine, he's young and Arsenal are so dangerous when they win the ball high up.

[London Villan]

100% they pushed him high so he didn't have to get involved in the passing from the back. Makes total sense.

He did ok too.

[Risso]

It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.

[Beard82]

One thing - and area of positivity - is it does feel like we’re build a unai team for the next 4-5 years. 

[Beard82]

It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.

I think those were when Kosta didn’t do what Bailey wanted - I think Kosta either didn’t take up a good position - or Bailey wanted him to run into a space that might have created more space for him (Bailey) in the end he just kind of felt like he was there.

[Meanwood Villa]

It wasn't just the defence, it was everybody, eg Bailey when he was crowded out by two defenders.

Yeah I thought that was very noticeable early in the second half. Later, Bailey had possession of it for ages and did really well to keep hold of it  then played a hospital pass to Ned when he finally released it.

[Grande Pablo]

That's probably on a par with the Newcastle 5-1 last season.  We are better than being defined by one game, so we move on again (copyright Mr P Lambert).