Aston Villa 2 Crystal Palace 2. Post Match Thread.

[PeterWithe]

The no 27 who made that tackle, also made 4 fouls on McGinn before that, thought the ref was very lenient, then went mad once he’d showed his first yellow.

[Mark W]

Perhaps I imagined it, but have not seen any comment about the ball ricocheting towards Duran apparently unmarked in the middle of their box in injury time and he completely missed it.  Was it as clearcut as it appeared from the side?

[Percy McCarthy]

I’d be interested to see our average positions - Risso posts them occasionally. I think Torres drifts far too wide, which sometimes works when Konsa and Carlos can shuffle across, but when a traditional RB is playing leaves us with one centre-half defending too much space.

[Meanwood Villa]

Perhaps I imagined it, but have not seen any comment about the ball ricocheting towards Duran apparently unmarked in the middle of their box in injury time and he completely missed it.  Was it as clearcut as it appeared from the side?

I remember that, was waiting for him to lash it in first time but he couldn't control it

[VillaTim]

That's 19 goals conceded now, the 5th worst in the league

[tomd2103]

We are not harrying the opposition midfield enough, we may not always win the ball back, but at least it stops them having the time to choose a killer pass.
This is where we miss Kamara and Onana.

Yeah, that's what was missing yesterday. I know Barkley (who was decent by the way) played that role for Luton but we really could do with Kamara or Onana back in there.

I am hoping to see Kamara and Onana partnered together in midfield at some point, as I think that is potentially our best pairing.  Just think Barkley and Tielemans, although probably better on the ball, isn't quite athletic enough as a partnership in there.

[Bobby Boy]

That's 19 goals conceded now, the 5th worst in the league

Wow, that is bad. 11 games in so would have thought Emery to have already addressed this as a matter of urgency. If we are down on personnel then adapt the system.

[john e]

I don’t think the bad run is a problem with tactics there’s just too many players not playing at their normal levels

I mean there’s the obvious ones Bailey McGinn Rogers, then add to that Torres Tielemans, Cash all underperforming
Then you got the likes of Carlos, Philogene, Buendia, Bogarde who aren’t making a showing and it’s just too many at the same time

[Olneythelonely]

We’ve conceded as many as we’ve scored. That screams mid table. I don’t think that’s where we’ll end up but we need a massive improvement defensively.

[eye digress]

Rogers come off after being hacked down by (what looked from the Trinity like) a pretty horrendous tackle which only earned a yellow. He was down for a time afterwards and limping.

Also, other than a beautiful round the corner pass, he'd been anonymous in the second half, until he won the corner prior to being subbed.

Maybe he'd seen the board...

[Olneythelonely]

The quality of our first goal has been lost in the negativity of the result. Pau’s pass, McGinn’s ball around the corner and Watkins’ touch and finish was a really good bit of football.

A similar thing happened second half but Ollie took too much time.

[nick harper]

Palace had scored 8 in 11 before yesterday. They looked really dangerous going forward yesterday which says more about the issues we have.

Tielemans and Barkley seemed to be playing square to each other, so Emery played without either of them sitting a little deeper, which made the gap to the defence bigger.

Is Sarr the one Gerrard wanted to sign? He is exactly the wide striking option we are missing. He’s quick, direct - very good player.

And once again, a physical centre forward bullies our central defence. We didn’t cope with Mateta all afternoon.

[pauliewalnuts]

We look really vulnerable at corners.

Particularly, our own.

[tomd2103]

I don’t think the bad run is a problem with tactics there’s just too many players not playing at their normal levels

I mean there’s the obvious ones Bailey McGinn Rogers, then add to that Torres Tielemans, Cash all underperforming
Then you got the likes of Carlos, Philogene, Buendia, Bogarde who aren’t making a showing and it’s just too many at the same time

Yep, agree John.  Add in a few injuries and it's just hit a bit of a wall at the moment.

[Rigadon]

More reflections from yesterday and the recent poor form.  We’ve stopped being aggressive without the ball.  Last season in particular we were always up for a scrap when that was required.  That seems to have stopped recently.  Teams are bullying is a bit.  I’m convinced the missing link defensively is Kamara - need him back asap.