PSG v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[nick harper]

I thought we struggled down our right all night mainly because Rogers is not so good going backwards. Mendes and the Georgian lad may well be the best wide combination in European football at the moment and we never had enough cover for Cash and Desasi. Maybe McGinn on the right may have been better and Rogers through the middle, but McGinn covered a lot of ground in that role, so swings and roundabouts maybe.

[caster troy]

I can't help but be disappointed today, it feels like a missed opportunity once we'd gotten to 1-0. We really needed to get through to half time still ahead and I think Rogers switched off for their first goal. Then at 2-1 we had a second opportunity to get to VP only a goal behind and switched off for their third. It seemed to me they deliberately had a ploy with a minute or two to go where they slowed the game down and made it seem like they were happy with the 2-1 but really they were trying to break our concentration for one last move and we fell for it.

We missed having the Ollie from the Bayern game where his hold up play was excellent and helped us to get out. (Not that I would have picked him last night as he has been so off it lately) Too many panicked clearances when players needed to be brave for a second and pick a pass.

The whole team is going to have to drop a 10/10 performance next week if we are to stand a chance.

[AV82EC]

That F365 match report is superb. And yes Rio Ferdinand is an idiot.

Also really good to meet and stand next to the legend that is dorsetvillan from these parts. Hope you get home ok mate.

[jon collett]

Agree with AV82FC's ratings, by and large.

Would emphasise that they were fearful of Rashford, and even though he was a marginal presence, especially in the second half, you could see why. He's a Rolls of a player, a thoroughbred. Was the first time I'd seen him in the flesh, it really struck me.

Onana did us a lot of good when he came on, and instigated the only period of sustained possession we had in the game.

It was unfortunate that, having taken off the specialist RB, Disasi was turned so easily by Kvara and within minutes.

Agree with this. When he was on the ball he looked a level above everybody else and their supporters were worried.

[Hookeysmith]

I have not seen a team press us like they did - they were phenomenal.
Their midfield were like clockwork.

I thought we kept Dembele quite quiet but the Georgian fella and Doue were exceptional. Maybe we have to accept that these are a different level and we did well to do as well as we did.

Thought Rashford was a bit of a let down, he really only goes through the motions when challenging for headers with the CF so think he is better to be a wide player so Ollie being fully fit and full of energy to run at them.

[eye digress]

I have not seen a team press us like they did - they were phenomenal.
Their midfield were like clockwork.

I thought we kept Dembele quite quiet but the Georgian fella and Doue were exceptional. Maybe we have to accept that these are a different level and we did well to do as well as we did.

Thought Rashford was a bit of a let down, he really only goes through the motions when challenging for headers with the CF so think he is better to be a wide player so Ollie being fully fit and full of energy to run at them.

Good point. Rashford looked at his most dangerous whenever advancing up the left, but rarely through the middle and he did not venture to the right.

[Richard]

The issue for Emery is that both Rashford and Ramsey are so much better on the left, but how do you play both?

[Dave]

The issue for Emery is that both Rashford and Ramsey are so much better on the left, but how do you play both?

If Watkins is fit, you probably don't.

[simon ward 50]

The issue for Emery is that both Rashford and Ramsey are so much better on the left, but how do you play both?

If Watkins is fit, you probably don't.

Thought we missed Ollie as he leads our press higher up the pitch! Don't think it would have changed the result but I think tactically it might have been better?

[Villa Lew]

Was absolutely gutted, when the 3rd goal went in and thought we had virtually no hope of winning the tie, but after a nights sleep feeling a tad more positive. If we do it, it'll without doubt be the biggest comeback in our history.

[Sexual Ealing]

Well that was sobering.

[Pete3206]

Rashford gave us a glimpse of what we have to look forward to if we sign him for next season. A couple of runs but, his work rate was woeful. A complete contrast to his team mates who ran their socks off all evening. 

[Dave]

I don't think he was supposed to be busting a gut. He was deliberately hanging on the half-way line in the hope we could get a ball over / through to him.

[AV82EC]

This Rashford was lazy stuff is just tiresome bullshit and totally fails to understand what he’s there to do in this set up. Come on people try and keep up. The days of getting your shorts dirty and putting in a shift are best kept with your memories of rickets, white dog shit and a functioning Health Service.

[VillaTim]

Someone earlier described Rashford as a thoroughbred . Totally agree with this , he is there to get goals and assists.