Aston Villa v Bournemouth Post Match Thread.

[Brend'Watkins]

Deeply frustrating.

The game was neither physical or niggly, yet the ref gave us 7 yellow cards for 12 fouls conceded. Ridiculous.

The ref was unbelievably shit. Started his authoritarian stance from the off., then forgot about it once a 2nd Yellow should be administered. He’s not the reason why we couldn’t see out a victory though. FFS, it was the Gerrard years all over again with its utter naivety.

[tomd2103]

Seeing the highlights on MOTD, I'm still not convinced that ball was fully out before McGinn's goal and I don't know how the VAR can make a definitive decision without goaline technology.  That said, seeing their two penalty shouts, I think we were a bit fortunate as I don't think either would have been overturned if they'd been given.

[eamonn]

If that stat is true - 7 bookings from our 12 fouls, something is wrong - either the ref being shite or us being brain-dead.

[Accent Guy]

Seeing the highlights on MOTD, I'm still not convinced that ball was fully out before McGinn's goal and I don't know how the VAR can make a definitive decision without goaline technology.  That said, seeing their two penalty shouts, I think we were a bit fortunate as I don't think either would have berm overturned if they'd been given.

The ball was clearly out. Not even contentious.

[Legion]

Seeing the highlights on MOTD, I'm still not convinced that ball was fully out before McGinn's goal and I don't know how the VAR can make a definitive decision without goaline technology.  That said, seeing their two penalty shouts, I think we were a bit fortunate as I don't think either would have berm overturned if they'd been given.

It was.

[tomd2103]

Seeing the highlights on MOTD, I'm still not convinced that ball was fully out before McGinn's goal and I don't know how the VAR can make a definitive decision without goaline technology.  That said, seeing their two penalty shouts, I think we were a bit fortunate as I don't think either would have berm overturned if they'd been given.

It was.

Only seen the angle shown on MOTD.  Was there another angle shown?

[Skerra]

Someone near me showed me the still of the ball on his phone. The ball was just out of play so correct decision to overturn our goal. Also, just watched match of the day and, as I thought, in real time, Cash tripped their player and should have been a penalty. Watching the Bailey incident, regarding handball, that decision could have gone either way. Had the ref given it as handball, I don’t think var would have over turned it.

[Chico Hamilton III]

It was over the line. Inter Milan over the line.

[Clampy]

We were a kick away from three points. Bit odd taking McGinn off especially when Onana had already gone off. Need to win games like that if we want Champions League football again.

[Pat McMahon]

As many have doubtless said, really frustrating to concede so late, that almost felt like a loss.

I thought we weren’t quite on top of our game in the final third and should have been more ruthless, both in chances created and finishing. I also think we shouldn’t have just decided to shell it long in the last 10 minutes and should have kept possession and not commit so many men forward. We also gave away a cluster of late free kicks in a similar position which allowed them to set their sights on us, partly because Cash and Bailey aren’t as tight defensively as Cash and McGinn. Partly also because we lost a few 50:50 challenges high up the pitch.

Obviously I trust Emery and the coaching staff but for really late free kicks when defending a lead I’d prefer our defensive line to be 5 metres deeper so we’re not running towards our own goal.

Finally, 13 yellow cards in a fairly benign game is madness.

[Keeno]

Hmm. Hope this doesn’t become a pattern otherwise we won’t finish in the top four this season. Maybe some strengthening in January?

Last season, second half of the season in isolation, we finished ninth. That was with our paper thin squad running on empty. That’s where we’ll improve this time. We’ll be fine I reckon, and anyway, fifth will get Champions League.

This is my view as well. We’re basically going at the exact same pace we were this time last year, and in a good league position relative to our rivals. We were on a red hot run last year form and results wise, so to be at pace with that is impressive. The improvement on our points total will come in the second half of the year - that’s where the squad depth will show.

Today was frustrating and was ultimately down to missed chances, but despite that results around us have been kind, and if Liverpool win today we’ll be third outright. Positive is that we are much harder to beat this year than last, only one loss in all comps and it’s nearly November.

Rest most of the key players in the week and let’s have people fresh for the Spurs game - excited for that one.

[Rory]

Not that he was to blame for the result, but from the stats quoted, that ref needs sectioning. He's more card-happy than Clintons.

[PaulWinch again]

I think the ball was out, and frankly we’ve had a pretty key “ball over the line call” go our way in the last few years, so can’t really grumble. We should have won anyway, it was a lack of control at the end that cost us.

[ROBBO]

We were the better team but we should not have conceded in that manner. The only path for them was by free kick or corner, all Cash needed to do was keep the player running wide, the foul is typical of the way he plays the game. What stood out for me was the lack of pace down our flanks, Bailey for me seems to be running at half pace. It's no disaster but Emery will see what we see and the rebuild is not yet finished. More pace please.

[Monty]

I thought Cash was pretty lucky not to give away that penalty, whatever decision the referee gave wasn't going to be overturned and it went our way, but he just dived in like a crazy man yet again. Teams know to attack him rather than Digne or Maatsen.