Aston Villa v Celtic Post-Match Thread

[Exeter 77]

Ten minutes of defensive aberrations apart last night was as complete a European performance we've had under Emery. The high of making the last 16 automatically was though tempered for me by the Arsenal bid for Ollie. It just seems a deliberate ploy to unsettle us as a club.

[tomd2103]

Ten minutes of defensive aberrations apart last night was as complete a European performance we've had under Emery. The high of making the last 16 automatically was though tempered for me by the Arsenal bid for Ollie. It just seems a deliberate ploy to unsettle us as a club.

Yep, on reflection a few little errors began creeping in before we had a crazy 5 minutes where we conceded twice out of nowhere really.  The defending was really poor for both and was a case of players switching off.

Apart from that period though, I thought we were pretty dominant and could have scored a few more. 

[Nev]

Mad game and typical of our season really. Injuries, players in odd positions, from frustration at HT to elation at the end.

The club do put on a show on CL nights to be fair and it's been thoroughly enjoyable. The football in all the games has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous, and that's exactly what happened last night, a microcosm of the campaign so far.

The predictions of blood and thunder in Town were way off as many pointed out but as ever, hype and bullshit will always swamp reality. There were plenty of Celtic fans in the pub but if anything it felt quieter than a normal home game. In the ground I only heard their fans at 2-2 and that silly little "singing" section at the front of the Witton looked bizarre. I was looking forward to this game for personal reasons but have to say that there was far more of a buzz for Munich/Bologna and Juventus.

And the best thing? The hope that we take the FA Cup seriously now.

[Nelly]

Thrilled that we're through to the knock-outs of the Champions League, but the manner we did it was incredible. Credit to Celtic for playing their part in a cracking, eventful game, intense game. I have to pinch myself that Villa are making waves at the highest level after so long in purgatory.

Going re-watch the highlights a few times now haha

Great stuff Villa.

[pauliewalnuts]

We had way too much for Celtic.

However gifting them two goals in as many minutes is yet another indictment of our weak mentality, and against a half decent side other than that rubbish, would have probably been fatal.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

The predictions of blood and thunder in Town were way off as many pointed out but as ever, hype and bullshit will always swamp reality. There were plenty of Celtic fans in the pub but if anything it felt quieter than a normal home game. In the ground I only heard their fans at 2-2 and that silly little "singing" section at the front of the Witton looked bizarre. I was looking forward to this game for personal reasons but have to say that there was far more of a buzz for Munich/Bologna and Juventus.

I’d agree with the quiet bit. We were in the power league before and there was hardly anyone in there and it was empty by 7.20. Then  we only really saw any more people until we got to The Social, I thought it was strange.

[lovejoy]

Ten minutes of defensive aberrations apart last night was as complete a European performance we've had under Emery. The high of making the last 16 automatically was though tempered for me by the Arsenal bid for Ollie. It just seems a deliberate ploy to unsettle us as a club.

Yep, on reflection a few little errors began creeping in before we had a crazy 5 minutes where we conceded twice out of nowhere really.  The defending was really poor for both and was a case of players switching off.

Apart from that period though, I thought we were pretty dominant and could have scored a few more. 

Other than their goals they didn't really trouble us.

the chanting is annoying but it comes with the territory, it gives them their identify, the down trodden underdog mentality. I'm not justifying it just trying to see it from their perspective. It does seem a bit out of date now 25 years post Good Friday Agreement.

[The Edge]

Surprised the tabloids haven't gone with "ROGERS ROGERS RODGERS"

Very good 👏🏻

[dave.woodhall]

The predictions of blood and thunder in Town were way off as many pointed out but as ever, hype and bullshit will always swamp reality. There were plenty of Celtic fans in the pub but if anything it felt quieter than a normal home game. In the ground I only heard their fans at 2-2 and that silly little "singing" section at the front of the Witton looked bizarre. I was looking forward to this game for personal reasons but have to say that there was far more of a buzz for Munich/Bologna and Juventus.

I’d agree with the quiet bit. We were in the power league before and there was hardly anyone in there and it was empty by 7.20. Then  we only really saw any more people until we got to The Social, I thought it was strange.

The Welly was quieter than normal, the train was less than packed and outside the ground was pretty much empty. It was strange.

[john2710]

There's no defending the songs from the Celtic fans. Using republican songs is wrong in any context but particularly so in a city with a history of terrorist atrocities. And those singing them know it's hugely offensive.

There were a lot of ambulances heading back towards Aston as we heading out the Bristol road. I hope everyone got home safely.

A special mention to the guy who kept using the term 'fenian c*nt'. If he happens to visit this site, which I doubt, here's the definition for him.

Fenian is considered a derogatory term for Irish Catholics. It's often used in a sectarian context.

As for the game, we made it harder than it should have been. But to finish in the top 8 is a massive achievement.

[Brend'Watkins]

However gifting them two goals in as many minutes is yet another indictment of our weak mentality, and against a half decent side other than that rubbish, would have probably been fatal.

Said the same at the game. We really need to keep on it throughout the 90 minutes because we get too complacent, loose, cocky or whatever at the back when we have a lead. Keep moving the ball quickly and go forward should be our motto. Everyone at the back has a fuck up in them when they start dawdling around if the opposition press. It’s okay to clear the ball if nothing is on.

Celtic are indeed poor as a team. Decent enough in transition, okayish going forward but awful at the back. I can’t remember who it was who said the other day that we’d get 6 but he was spot on. 6-0 wouldn’t have flattered us.

[jon collett]

Suspect the atmosphere depends which side of the ground you were. It was dark and moody and crowded in Witton before and after the game. Celtic were obnoxious and Villa aggressive. police had dogs and batons drawn. One copper told me they had had a nightmare before the game.

Weirdly as I was walking along Brookvale Road. A white van with Israeli flag brandished outside window. Being tailgated by another car constantly hooting it.

[Bully2345]

I think the Cash change affected us first half. I'm not sure we settled until Emery got into them at half time.

At half time, I felt like the easier change would have been Kosta as a straight swap. Bogarde and McGinn struggled in new positions but we improved immeasurably second half.

Will be interesting to see if he goes same again for Saturday or possibly uses Garcia at right back

[The Edge]

Shout out to Tyrone Mings. Our potential opponents in the last 16 are: Sporting, Club Brugge, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund. If he hadn't picked the ball up against Brugge our opponents would be : Celtic, Man City, Real Madrid,Bayern Munich.

[PeterWithe]

I really didn't think they were good going forward, we just gifted them the ball under little pressure and didn't follow off ball runs, thats what led to us being less comfortable than we should have been.