Aston Villa 2 Brighton 2 Post Match Thread.

[PaulWinch again]

Defenders needed urgently. 

Err...NO. If you were there last night you would have noticed that It was our attackers and Ollie in particular who were responsible for some abject finishing when found in great positions. If forwards keep fluffing it there is always a chance that opposition will get a lucky break.

Erm nope, if it happened once in a while you might be right, but we regularly concede multiple goals and pretty much never keep clean sheets. If you’re expecting your attack to always score 2 and often to score more than that then you’re never going to keep winning games on a regular basis. Our inability to be defensively solid as a team is definitely the main issue.

[olaftab]

Can’t hold a lead and can't put a game to bed when on top. Their subs, especially Mitoma, changed the game.

Mitoma did nothing of the sort. He was ok but let's not turn him into a some sort of super god. It was  our "can't put the game to bed" as you said that cost us the win.

[olaftab]

But I think we’ve lost something because of it. I’d therefore be tempted to throw Maatsen in for the next two or three games.

Yes, let's break the side that doesn't need fixing whilst we have huge problems in centre and RB positions. .

[darren woolley]

Disappointed I wish we could have seen the game out at 2-1.

[brontebilly]

None of our summer signings started last night which tells it's own story. We all thought having Kamara back would help solve some of our defensive problems. He has played really well in each game yet still we concede 2 or 3 every game. Surely it just has to be Onana and Kamara as a double pivot in front of a back four with Konsa as a centre half alongside Mings.

With Torres now out for a few months, I think Unai’s hand will be forced in regards to Mings and Konsa.
Agree about Onana and Kamara, but God Onana had a poor cameo last night, but do agree with those two in general.
I posted on the Maatsen thread, it seems really strange to suggest this, given Digne has been one of our best performers this season, but when Emery came a large element of the sides structure and attacking thrust was built around the Moreno/Ramsey partnership on the left, with Moreno bombing forwards and overlapping. I think Emery seems to have abandoned to an extent that lop sided defence, i think because of Dignes form. But I think we’ve lost something because of it. I’d therefore be tempted to throw Maatsen in for the next two or three games.

Definitely think it's worth giving Maatsen/Ramsey a go on the left v Leicester. No point having a squad if Emery won't use it over Xmas.

[olaftab]

I agree, it is the way the team is set up and opposing teams have worked us out.

With respect that's  bollox. We absolutely mullered Brighton and with a better finisher could have scored 5 or 6.

[nick harper]

Can’t hold a lead and can't put a game to bed when on top. Their subs, especially Mitoma, changed the game.

Mitoma did nothing of the sort. He was ok but let's not turn him into a some sort of super god. It was  our "can't put the game to bed" as you said that cost us the win.

Agree we had a 20 min spell after half time when we should have got the third but Konsa couldn’t handle Mitoma and that’s where their goal came from. Brighton just kept getting it to him as quickly as possible.

I’m also puzzled by Emerys habit of changing his centre midfield. It seems to completely flatten us and we lose all momentum. Very difficult for both midfielders to get up to speed straight away. I would have left Kamara on.

[Demitri_C]

I agree, it is the way the team is set up and opposing teams have worked us out.

With respect that's  bollox. We absolutely mullered Brighton and with a better finisher could have scored 5 or 6.

5 or 6?? What game was you watching?

We didnt batter them at all. They had chances as well. We missed  chances but they did as well

I also disagree  with you on kippas point. We do need defenders, we are conceding far too many goals and the lack of clean sheets is telling.

[London Villan]

The story of the season is not holding on to leads and letting in early goals.

Fix those and things would be much better.

[Chris Smith]

That is a hugely frustrating result. Especially given how other results have gone in the last 24 hours.

We had the chances to be 3 or 4-1 up before they equalised, and even at the death Ollie skies it right under the posts.  I can't believe he didn't even get a shot away with his left foot when the ref played advantage from the Rogers pull-back booking.  I can't help but wonder if Duran misses those chances?  Maybe he wouldn't be in the position in the first place, who knows.  Either way, Ollie has a goal and an assist and I can't help but think he should have done more tonight.  Perhaps that's harsh.

We had 20 shots and 60% possession.  We should not be drawing games like this.

This echoes the conversation in the pub after the game and it’s our season in microcosm. It’s so easy to point the finger at the manager but he’s not the one missing the chances that would have rendered the other criticisms irrelevant. The match stats have us well ahead on all of the important parts of the game yet still we conspire not to win. It’s just so frustrating and on top of that it looks like Torres is going to be out for a good while.

[aj2k77]

We need a statement win against Leicester, where we score a few and take our chances and don't give the imbeciles at the back a chance to bump in to each other and give the opposition free goals that gift them points.

[andyh]

The way Torres was walked off the pitch and down the tunnel was painful to watch.
It took an age and the bloke was clearly in a lot of pain and discomfort.
It happened to another player last year (I can remember who) and it looked like it nearly killed him getting from the pitch to the tunnel.

Is there no way of transporting an injured player other than a stretcher.
Surely making a player hop / hobble that far on an injury cant be be good for him?

I guess they are too butch to use something like a folding / collapsible wheelchair ?

[Monty]

Honestly, everyone - especially Unai - knows what happened here. We were the better team, but our midfield got tired especially against their subs, and Emery changed it too late.

[Nev]

The way Torres was walked off the pitch and down the tunnel was painful to watch.
It took an age and the bloke was clearly in a lot of pain and discomfort.
It happened to another player last year (I can remember who) and it looked like it nearly killed him getting from the pitch to the tunnel.

Is there no way of transporting an injured player other than a stretcher.
Surely making a player hop / hobble that far on an injury cant be be good for him?

I guess they are too butch to use something like a folding / collapsible wheelchair ?

Exactly what I said at the time and it made me recall:

"Tony! Cascarino! Cascarino in the chair"

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

The story of the season is not holding on to leads and letting in early goals.

Fix those and things would be much better.

We’ve let more late goals in (11 after 75th minute) than anyone in the league, so we’ve got an issue letting in early and late goals, not a great combination.