Aston Villa v Bournemouth Post-Match Thread

[Baldy]

Top performance important win

Just think if we hadn’t have totally fucked up the summer transfer window we might have been in with a title shout

If Arsenal do what they normally do, I reckon we are in with a title shout.

Not if Man City do what they often do

We beat them recently. Be positive.

[AV82EC]

Anyone talking of winning the league is certifiably insane. We just don’t (yet) have the cojones or mentality to win at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Etihad in the same season. It’s all the more bizarre when you consider our record in London at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and White Hart Lane. Still after a very good win yesterday I’m upbeat on our chances of top 4.

[LeeB]

Anyone talking of winning the league is certifiably insane. We just don’t (yet) have the cojones or mentality to win at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Etihad in the same season. It’s all the more bizarre when you consider our record in London at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and White Hart Lane. Still after a very good win yesterday I’m upbeat on our chances of top 4.

And it's likely to be top 5 again judging by the European results so far.

[AV82EC]

Yep the coefficient is working well for the PL currently. All 6 CL clubs contributing then us and Palace with only really Forest not pulling up trees.

[PeterWithesShin]

4th is the realistic highest position imo, I can't see us, or anyone else, catching the top 3. Most likely a battle between us, Spurs and Liverpool for the 2 other spots with a few other clubs keeping a keen eye on us three.

[eye digress]

Alas, I fear that United might be part of the fight for 4/5th place. We're well positioned to have a good go, as we have been the last two seasons.

We could also be "part of the title conversation" if we can get back on a run between now and the first Arsenal game, even if only temporarily.

[PaulWinch again]

There is absolutely no way we’re in the title picture - if we qualified for Champions League that would be tremendous.

[LeeB]

Alas, I fear that United might be part of the fight for 4/5th place. We're well positioned to have a good go, as we have been the last two seasons.

We could also be "part of the title conversation" if we can get back on a run between now and the first Arsenal game, even if only temporarily.

I don't sweat Man Utd, no way are they finishing above us.

[eye digress]

Neither do I, and yet… every time I look, Cash always plays the ball a bit short, Emi always takes out their donkey, the ref always blows the whistle prematurely…

[Dante Lavelli]

Chelsea are probably three bad results away from self-destruct.  Their manager isn't universally popular and half the squad must be on the edge of mutiny given how bloated it is.

[Dave]

F365's winners of the weekend

Aston Villa

An emphatic response to a difficult afternoon against Liverpool, above whom they have leapt in the Premier League table.

Emi Martinez was the perfect pantomime villain to epitomise the “madness” of their approach at Anfield, then part of the inspiration behind a stirring win against a similar style of team a week later.

His penalty save – and prior stops – helped invigorate Villa and give them a far more stable foundation upon which to build. Unai Emery righted some tactical wrongs in terms of passing out and nullifying an opponent’s strength instead of playing to them. And the Emi Buendia redemption arc and Donyell Malen goalscoring streak continues apace.

Villa kindly gave everyone a month-long head start but do appear to be very much back. They are in the form of title contenders if not the position.

[not3bad]

Loved watching this yesterday. You can tell Villa were up for it right from the start and that Bournemouth were going to have problems containing us. Some moments of liquid football and again, the players showing how comfortable they are on the ball. It's a pity the international break has come along to interrupt our flow but I head Emi Buendia has been picked for Argentina which is richly deserved. Now Buendia and Tielemans are back and Bogarde is coming through what a squad we have from a midfield viewpoint.

[lovejoy]

Neither of the Emis are in the squad are they?

[rob_bridge]

Loved watching this yesterday. You can tell Villa were up for it right from the start and that Bournemouth were going to have problems containing us. Some moments of liquid football and again, the players showing how comfortable they are on the ball. It's a pity the international break has come along to interrupt our flow but I head Emi Buendia has been picked for Argentina which is richly deserved. Now Buendia and Tielemans are back and Bogarde is coming through what a squad we have from a midfield viewpoint.

I said earlier midfield 3 and Buendia more advanced were absolutely brilliant yesterday. When Bogarde was ovelooked for Onana v Suprs I thought it harsh. What do I know.

[Somniloquism]

Neither of the Emis are in the squad are they?

Buendia has today because several others are missing for various reasons.