Manchester City vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I think we're a better side with Watkins up front than Rashford, who's an inside forward not a centre forward.

Which is where Rashford played for us initially, with some success as well, assist wise. It would certainly be a signal of intent to play Rashford on the left and Watkins through the middle but Unai obviously thinks it leaves us too open and not in control, not particularly for this game but in general.

[Drummond]

I think we're a better side with Watkins up front than Rashford, who's an inside forward not a centre forward.

We're a better side with Mings, McGinn and Watkins in.  And therein lies the next challenge.  How do you replace these players over the next couple of years and stay with FFP?

Rashford, Ascensio, Disasi, Torres and Onana, as useful as they are, have not proven to be a clear upgrade on what we already have.

Rashford replaced Duran. Asensio replaced Buendia, Disasi replaced Carlos and Onana I suppose replaced Luiz, but in a different way so it's hard to compare.

I'd say that we improved the quality significantly based on what we've seen so far.

[Villa Lew]

Was surprised when Ollie was left out, but should have been given at least 30 mins and also not giving Maatsen, after his superb display on Saturday, any game time was totally baffling.

[Proposition Joe]

We're an infinitely better side when we swing for the fences. We're Bazball, we're a honey badger, we're infinitely better on the front foot going at you. We had a better squad and XI than Man City last night. We didn't play like we believed that.

Absolutely. After PSG at home and then Newcastle I thought we'd finally shake the inferiority complex and have a go like we thought we belonged. But no, it was like our preparation involved the team watching videos of Pep's greatest Man City wins, rather than how to dismantle this season's flaky version.

[Clampy]

I do think a bit of perspective is needed sometimes. At 5-1 down, we nearly turned PSG over in the Champions League quarter final and on Saturday, we battered a decent Newcastle side 4-1 and hit the woodwork 3 times. Last night, we lost by a last minute goal.

[oldhill_avfc]

I think we're a better side with Watkins up front than Rashford, who's an inside forward not a centre forward.

We're a better side with Mings, McGinn and Watkins in.  And therein lies the next challenge.  How do you replace these players over the next couple of years and stay with FFP?

Rashford, Ascensio, Disasi, Torres and Onana, as useful as they are, have not proven to be a clear upgrade on what we already have.

Rashford replaced Duran. Asensio replaced Buendia, Disasi replaced Carlos and Onana I suppose replaced Luiz, but in a different way so it's hard to compare.

I'd say that we improved the quality significantly based on what we've seen so far.

We're kind of agreeing then.  The (expensive) recent signings may have improved the squad, but they're not automatic first choice starters.  If we want to be more certain of future Champions League qualifications then new major signings need to be.

[Paul.S]

I think the fact we are still in with a chance of CL football and in an FA Cup semi final shows we are more than a decent team. Considering we played with a small squad up to January with games every few days also shows this squad have given everything.
Emery has worked wonders keeping us in the hunt and within 2 games of winning a cup. European football nearly guaranteed next season as well. What a fantastic few years we’ve had.

[Smithy]

I think we're a better side with Watkins up front than Rashford, who's an inside forward not a centre forward.

We're a better side with Mings, McGinn and Watkins in.  And therein lies the next challenge.  How do you replace these players over the next couple of years and stay with FFP?

Rashford, Ascensio, Disasi, Torres and Onana, as useful as they are, have not proven to be a clear upgrade on what we already have.

Rashford replaced Duran. Asensio replaced Buendia, Disasi replaced Carlos and Onana I suppose replaced Luiz, but in a different way so it's hard to compare.

I'd say that we improved the quality significantly based on what we've seen so far.

Indeed. It's arguable whether our current first 11 beats last season's first 11, but the squad is quite clearly much stronger now than it was then.

We are able to put out a side now that is capable of beating anyone on any given day.  The next stage of our evolution is ensuring the standard doesn't drop too much when we rotate so we can compete on all fronts, and we're getting close to that, I think.

[VillaTim]

Was surprised when Ollie was left out, but should have been given at least 30 mins and also not giving Maatsen, after his superb display on Saturday, any game time was totally baffling.

Suggests to me Watkins is starting Saturday and Rashford will come off the bench especially if pens are looming

[rob_bridge]

Squad is much better this season. No question

We have had more injuries and being honest Emi, Konsa and Watkins haven't hit the heights of last season despite all making significant contributions.

There is no comparison in quality when it comes to who we faced in Europe this season compared to last season. Plus more games in domestic Cups than last season albeit v similar quality.

Start of season I thought - CL last 16 + Top 6 + SF of one domestic cup would be a very good season.

Top 5 or FA Cup would be a great season.

Top 5 + FA Cup would  be an exceptional one.

[olaftab]

I do think a bit of perspective is needed sometimes. At 5-1 down, we nearly turned PSG over in the Champions League quarter final and on Saturday, we battered a decent Newcastle side 4-1 and hit the woodwork 3 times. Last night, we lost by a last minute goal.

Thanks for this. Sometimes forum needs to be reminded. There is far too much crap being spouted on here about wrong tactics, wrong selection, feeble, passive etc etc.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not sure it’s crap - you can have perspective, but also realise we didn’t really get it right last night.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think we're a better side with Watkins up front than Rashford, who's an inside forward not a centre forward.

Both have their strengths but neither are effective feeding off scraps.

[walsall villain]

Was surprised when Ollie was left out, but should have been given at least 30 mins and also not giving Maatsen, after his superb display on Saturday, any game time was totally baffling.

Watkins never seems as effective when he comes on as sub compared to when he starts. I imagine he will start at Wembley.

[Dave]

He was very good off the bench at Southampton, mind.