Aston Villa v Newcastle Post-Match Thread

[olaftab]

We only play well out of a press when Emi and Pau are in combo. I thought Ollie dis very well when long out ball was used in pre season but I guess PL defences are better at dealing with that  method.

[ChicagoLion]

I agree with much of what Percy and Peter Withe have said above.

I think Newcastle’s plan to press our defence and stop us playing out from the back worked well - we really struggled with it. Their kick off directly to our right back corner flag flagged their intent from the off. Going long failed completely as Ollie isn’t a back to goal player and was outmuscled by Burn, sometimes illegally. McGinn was able to make the ball stick but couldn’t do his usual arse roll as effectively as usual.

I thought we showed signs of improvement until the sending off, but we had a few chances to break where our passing was inaccurate or we just couldn’t get the ball under control and I don’t think Pope had to make a single save that merits praise.

Red card was nailed on as Gordon had the legs on Konsa, so he probably saved us a point. So the small highlights for me were the clean sheet, relatively small number of chances for them and the very good debit by Bizot. And all four sections of the ground singing “Premier League corrupt as muck”.

Oh yeah, getting in was a doddle too which was a pleasant surprise.

A key weapon in the game last season was Martinez’s ability to take Newcastle’s midfield out the game with one ball. Bizot did very well but he can’t ping a ball 60 yards straight to Watkins feet.

There was no out ball for him, he gathered and ran to the edge of our box looking for a player but we were lethargic getting into offensive positions.

[danno]

I agree with much of what Percy and Peter Withe have said above.

I think Newcastle’s plan to press our defence and stop us playing out from the back worked well - we really struggled with it. Their kick off directly to our right back corner flag flagged their intent from the off. Going long failed completely as Ollie isn’t a back to goal player and was outmuscled by Burn, sometimes illegally. McGinn was able to make the ball stick but couldn’t do his usual arse roll as effectively as usual.

I thought we showed signs of improvement until the sending off, but we had a few chances to break where our passing was inaccurate or we just couldn’t get the ball under control and I don’t think Pope had to make a single save that merits praise.

Red card was nailed on as Gordon had the legs on Konsa, so he probably saved us a point. So the small highlights for me were the clean sheet, relatively small number of chances for them and the very good debit by Bizot. And all four sections of the ground singing “Premier League corrupt as muck”.

Oh yeah, getting in was a doddle too which was a pleasant surprise.

A key weapon in the game last season was Martinez’s ability to take Newcastle’s midfield out the game with one ball. Bizot did very well but he can’t ping a ball 60 yards straight to Watkins feet.

There was no out ball for him, he gathered and ran to the edge of our box looking for a player but we were lethargic getting into offensive positions.

There aren't obvious passes here either, its about Martinez's ability.

[ChicagoLion]

That’s great danno, I was making the point that we were not trying to get into passable positions or Newcastle were very good at shutting the space down.

[danno]

That’s great danno, I was making the point that we were not trying to get into passable positions or Newcastle were very good at shutting the space down.

It did seem we were very much hoping for McGinn or Rogers to get the better of their fullback. The midfields did cancel each other out.

[Percy McCarthy]

Oh yeah, getting in was a doddle too which was a pleasant surprise.

Yes it was. I was a bit worried about the attendance at first as the queues for the North Stand were virtually non-existent when we got there.

[aj2k77]

There seems to be a very repeatable formula for getting on top of us. I thought we looked lethargic, formulaic and dull.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I was fairly happy with the line up, however I did groan when I saw Malen on the bench.

Our half time stats of zero shots off target, zero shots on target don't make great reading. Even the second half where we had three attempts on target include two straight at the keeper (Watkins and Kamara), both really should have scored. Like you I wanted to see Malen on the right, things happen when he's on the pitch, with Rogers at 10. As it turned out Rogers may as well not been on the pitch, such was his involvement. On a positive, we had zero shots off target.

Hopefully Unai will learn from this experiment.

[Luffbralion]

Positives:

1. I got in immediately without having to buy a new phone.
2. Bizot looked assured throughout and his early save from Elanga was crucial.
3. We didn't concede and managed to preserve Fortress Villa Park.

Negatives:
1. The line up didn't offer any threat. Pushing Youri forward nullified his impact and Rogers had one of his worst games.
2. Some of our passing was abysmal.
3. It looks like the Bartons has gone for good....desperately sad.

[eamonn]

I was fairly happy with the line up, however I did groan when I saw Malen on the bench.

Our half time stats of zero shots off target, zero shots on target don't make great reading. Even the second half where we had three attempts on target include two straight at the keeper (Watkins and Kamara), both really should have scored.

Hmm, dunno about that, they had to quickly shoot with little angle to beat Pope and I wouldn't say they were sitters. The one for me was our only other shot on goal (we didn't even have one shot off-target!) - Kamara's header. A clever striker heads that ball into the ground and to the side to make the goalkeeper work. Bouba did well to win aerial contact but again it was straight at the Pope.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

You're too kind, Eamonn.

[sid1964]

Hopefully Watkins has managed to get out of Dan Burns back pocket by now

Poor game, passing was awful.