Aston Villa v Bournemouth Post-Match Thread

[simon ward 50]

Was expecting a difficult match, but pleasantly surprised to see that we gave Bournemouth the hiding they deserved!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Alas, I fear that United might be part of the fight for 4/5th place.

All 4 of them are behind us.

[eamonn]

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.

Who's the third of your top three? Chelsea? Sunderland?

[PeterWithesShin]

The side that's 3rd surprisingly.

[ChicagoLion]

The side that's 3rd surprisingly.

I agree with your top 3, I do wonder though if Chelsea's lack of rest following their World Club exploits might have an impact as the season progresses.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Unai possibly left the subs a little bit late after we lost the midfield but what a day otherwise. If only we can get Watkins and Rogers operating effectively we will be unstoppable!

I think sometimes the subs are a game of chicken. Today Emery waited to see what the changes the opposition made, then used his subs to counteract them.

I know Bournemouth got the penalty after their three changes, but they barely did anything of note after we’d made our subs.

I was just thinking we'd rode out their attacking, when they got the penalty.

We did seem to struggle to defend their corners to the back post. Something to work on in training.

[rob_bridge]

The side that's 3rd surprisingly.

I agree with your top 3, I do wonder though if Chelsea's lack of rest following their World Club exploits might have an impact as the season progresses.

They'll be ok - buy another 15 players in January

[PeterWithesShin]

Injuries are always the unknown. I think we're very much in the hunt for 4th/5th, but say Konsa and Pau are out for 2 months from tomorrow then i'd switch to us being very much outsiders. Same kind of things applies to most of the hopefuls.

[brontebilly]

Injuries are always the unknown. I think we're very much in the hunt for 4th/5th, but say Konsa and Pau are out for 2 months from tomorrow then i'd switch to us being very much outsiders. Same kind of things applies to most of the hopefuls.

Ollie is key for me, we can't afford for him to continue his dry spell for much longer. Two more goals from outside the box v Bournemouth, three really with Tielemans deflected shot. Still think Ollie will turn it around.

Right back the other real worry, if our backup to Cash is Lindelof then we would be screwed if Cash was injured.

[dcdavecollett]

What you might call a variable game!

We looked a bit slow out of the blocks. I wondered whether their first shot, taken after their two lads had been laid out, would have counted had it not been for Emi's excellent first save?

We then took more or less complete control and thoroughly deserved the HT lead.

The first third of the second half was all them and the only outlet was McGinn, who was severely fouled for his trouble, without punishment. Then followed the Martinez Show x2, after which some really good subs took the game away from Bournemouth -and we could have had even more!

What a game!!

[ADVILLAFAN]

Have told CD he's not allowed back into the country, as Villa doing really well since he's been gone.

Due back today.