Aston Villa v Palace Post-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

Last season we were on fumes at the end with the injuries and the amount of matches, so not going to use last seasons one to knock him. But this season that excuse doesn't fly with the players he had available. He has run Tielemans and Rogers into the ground though. All he had to do to gee the players up for this was to start Mings and show them we haven't won it since 57 which is atrocious for this club.

That's what I don't really get. We had injuries in winter but since February we'd had about 20 decent players all available yet he only really seems to trust a core of 13/14, certainly in the big games.

I think Garcia was signed for next season but after starting a few in February he's barely played in last two months. Typed too much about Maatsen and Malen, their lack of minutes when actually in form and having very good games is there for all to see.

It's all become a bit O'Neill esque. Rogers should not be starting if it is on the right. Simply dosen't know how to get space and influence games like centrally yet.

[AV82EC]

Also, 70% possession and pretty much did nothing with it. Holy fuck that was awful.

[The Moose]

Well, 56 years and counting. They can fucking count without me. What a shitshow.

[Percy McCarthy]

All awful, except SJM, Bailey and (first half) Ollie. I understand the 'Konsa likes playing with Mings" stat, but he was awful.

They must love playing us. I hope they get absolutely ruined in the final.

For me, to be clear, Konsa is just as culpable as Torres. Neither take control. If Mings hides some of Konsa's weaknesses then that is a problem. I think he does.

I don’t see it like that. Since I started going, there have been numerous centre-back partnerships where one has been powerful and dominant, one a bit more agile and nimble on their feet.

Chris Nichol and Ian Ross then Leighton Phillips; McNaught/Evans, Teale/God, Laursen and whoever he played with, Mings/Konsa. A good partnership DOES hide weaknesses. Neither Pau nor Konsa are dominant, but they have been good with a physical centre-back alongside them.

[ez]

After going out of Europe and then losing to man city I thought there's no way Emery will f**k this game up. How wrong I was. All the talk about the importance of winning trophies sounds hollow right now.

[PaulWinch again]

You can argue with Torres that when he's on form he adds more to our overall play than we lose defensively. When he's not on form then you just lose out defensively.

Yup, but I also think that whilst the stats have some merit it’s not the be all and end all. For instance, anyone who watched the PSG away would have seen a team that played with real defensive discipline against a side playing at an astonishing level, who then scored 3 top class goals. Those goals also were exposed down the right. But for those minded this way - it’s 3 goals, Torres playing.

Just to be clear I’d have played Mings today, and I rate him, but I also appreciate the quality an in form Torres has and what he has done for us. I think some have got to the point of hate watching him for some reason.

[DB]

As last time we played Palace...when he fucks up, he really fucks up.

[brontebilly]

That defence can go fuck itself. Every time we play it we conceded a fucking raft of goals.

I think the only way we can play Torres would be in a 3….hes just not a great defender and that’s his bloody position!!!

His distribution was atrocious too. Twice near end when we were getting a bit of pressure on he put it out of play. Unfathomable decision really to start Torres over Mings today of all days.

Yes and they might be a fair shout, and suggest Pau isn’t in form. That’s fair enough and Mings should have started, but this weird vitriolic narrative towards Pau suggesting he’s a terrible player, hasn’t done anything, is just odd.

Id agree Torres has had many fine games for us, personally I'm not his biggest fan and Konsa has had a very poor season in truth . But I guess people see Mings sitting on the bench for the last two games v Palace and see the four centre backs who played in those games ahead of him getting bullied beyond belief. But it's Emery that needs to take the flack for that decision. Rogers on the right is bullshit too, taking off McGinn again wtf.

[PaulWinch again]

As last time we played Palace...when he fucks up, he really fucks up.

It’s a very specific blind spot against them. Maybe next time try something different.

[rougegorge]

Also, 70% possession and pretty much did nothing with it. Holy fuck that was awful.

Yes, looking back at the stats, it would give the impression we were well on top. So much possession, more shots, 12 corners to 1, but we never looked like winning.

[Nev]

I like the manager but he really needs to show us what he can do in terms of trophies.

And today wasn't just disappointing, it was embarrassing and that isn't good enough but a long, long way.

[Villan82]

Taking McGinn off was the worst decision for me. That man clearly wants to win us a trophy and would give everything to that end.

I am so annoyed with everything at the moment. I mean, that was the one we all wanted.

[SoccerHQ]

I’m 66 now and the wait goes on.

I only turned 36 on Thursday and I'm fearing not seeing us win anything significant now until into my 40s. Today was a big chance and we spectacularly blew it which is concerning considering the standard we've generally shown in the last two years.

[Percy McCarthy]

That defence can go fuck itself. Every time we play it we conceded a fucking raft of goals.

I think the only way we can play Torres would be in a 3….hes just not a great defender and that’s his bloody position!!!

His distribution was atrocious too. Twice near end when we were getting a bit of pressure on he put it out of play. Unfathomable decision really to start Torres over Mings today of all days.

Wow! It’s almost as if you think a defence is better if it concedes fewer goals.

Has this account been hacked? Mods?

[brontebilly]

You can argue with Torres that when he's on form he adds more to our overall play than we lose defensively. When he's not on form then you just lose out defensively.

PL teams know how to get to him though. He has no recovery pace and a liability in any duel. When teams step off he can be a great asset.

The man to the right of him should be taking far more flack though. Bar a brief resurgence lately next to Mings he has played like a pr*ck all season.