Aston Villa v Man City Post-Match Thread

[eye digress]

That bastard keeps showering us with praise in a clear attempt to make me like him a bit.

Like Fergie with his mind games

Fergie was a patronising ******.

Be that as it may, but cast your mind back to 1st game of 23/24  season (5-1 pummelling at Newcastle), Fergie was asked which team impressed him - who did say ? Yes, Villa and we went on to get CL football for last season.

I took that as a continuation of the mind games, to be honest, as though he couldn’t let it lie!

[eamonn]

 Now you're just being silly

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Other than the win and three points, the real delight was our first half performance. Okay, we a a dodgy first ten minutes but thereafter it was fluid, one touch football with Man City chasing shadows as we added pace to possession. The movement was constant and intelligent, if the through ball wasn't there just keep the ball moving, quick sharp passes, keep looking for options but above all keep it moving. It was brilliant to watch.

We've shown signs previously that we can play some beautiful football but it's always been in short spells rather than a prolonged period like yesterday. It was certainly the best half of the season and what made it better was all the players were comfortable with it. Pep certainly noticed it and was highly impressed given his post match comments, and he wasn't wrong.

I'd love us to score more goals, something we've failed to do so far this season but right now I'll take us winning games, it's a lovely habit to have. Play like we did in the first half and Pep may have a point about us being "a Champions League team, a top, top team".

Yep.  Thought it was very encouraging that we were able to keep possession and get out of tight spaces so easily against a team like that. 

I was shocked but it did demonstrate we can do it. I'd love to see our pass completion stats for the first half. Pretty sure they'd be on another level.