Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[nigel]

Absolutely magnificent last 30 minutes, when we eventually turned up they couldn't live with us...

You say that, but we obviously turned up in some way otherwise they’d have been out of sight.

Sometimes you have to credit the opponent for pushing us back. When that happens we do have to hold firm, which we’ve been doing.

Chelsea were very good, we just had to soak up the pressure and bide our time. Which we did perfectly.

[nigel]

Though the first half was as poor as I've seen us all season, I don't think enough credit has been given to Konsa and Lindelof, I lost count of the number of times they were clearing balls going into our box and Chelesa for all their dominance didn't create that many chances.

Great to see Ollie back to his and Onana and Sancho were also superb, the last 30 minutes we tore Chelsea apart.

That’s not us being poor, mate, it’s Chelsea being good

[Brend'Watkins]

I assume he means the hand ball by Maatsen. It went to VAR and was dismissed almost immediately.

[Meanwood Villa]

I missed the start of the second half so didn't see the potential pen until MOTD this morning. I must admit I'd have been pissed off if it hadn't been given for us.

[LeeB]

Robbie Mustoe has nailed the masterplan

He's always a good pundit, but yeah, excellent analysis... it's the same with the long shots.

If you think anything this team does is by accident you clearly don't understand Emery as a manager. Total genius.

I was watching on that feed, Mustoe called it at half time when everyone else was crawling up Chelsea's arse.

[Ian.]

There was a time if we went one down we knew we were screwed. Amazing!

[brontebilly]

Robbie Mustoe has nailed the masterplan

Complete twaddle I reckon. The only thing missing from Chelsea's performance in the first 60 mins was the second goal. Back four aside we were simply miles off it, our midfield two and Malen in particular were hopeless. But once we equalised they collapsed completely.

I wasn't complaining about the starting X1 but I thought Buendia and Rogers should have swapped positions.

[Mister E]

I have to say, this back five have played really well, against very credible opposition, at a time when we were definitely missing Torres: Lindelof has defied my expectation of him, and Konsa seems to have matured some more. Maatsen's defending has improved immeasurably, and Cash has become a very accomplished right-back.
We are very lucky that Emery has found a way to secure the back line: with the double-pivot of Kamar and Onana we have a very solid look - lots to be optimistic about. I just hope that we can bring in one or two reinforcements in January to build on the strong platform, without upsetting the balance of the squad by importing any inflated egos.

[ChicagoLion]

Robbie Mustoe has nailed the masterplan

Complete twaddle I reckon. The only thing missing from Chelsea's performance in the first 60 mins was the second goal. Back four aside we were simply miles off it, our midfield two and Malen in particular were hopeless. But once we equalised they collapsed completely.

I wasn't complaining about the starting X1 but I thought Buendia and Rogers should have swapped positions.

I agree on the Buendia/Rogers positions, it just did not work.

[Ger Regan]

Quick shout out to macphee for his bit of timewasting shithousery towards the end. Well earned yellow

[Ads]

For as poor as we were for the first half, and it was bad. Overrun in midfield, Sideshow Bob stepping in to congest and outnumber, pulling wide to stretch etc...I didn't feel we were under too much threat. Maybe it the perspective from being on top of the goal but I didn't feel Martinez made a save of note and the goal was really poor.

Absolutely battered them when the subs came on and 2-1 flattered them.

[cdbearsfan]

I assume he means the hand ball by Maatsen. It went to VAR and was dismissed almost immediately.

I think it was one of those where if he had given it on the pitch it wouldn't have been overturned, so glad common sense prevailed.

[LeeB]

For as poor as we were for the first half, and it was bad. Overrun in midfield, Sideshow Bob stepping in to congest and outnumber, pulling wide to stretch etc...I didn't feel we were under too much threat. Maybe it the perspective from being on top of the goal but I didn't feel Martinez made a save of note and the goal was really poor.

Absolutely battered them when the subs came on and 2-1 flattered them.

Like with Man Utd the other week, feels like when you let your kids get on top in a play fight for a bit and they're throwing everything into it with little or no effect.

[Mister E]

I assume he means the hand ball by Maatsen. It went to VAR and was dismissed almost immediately.

I think it was one of those where if he had given it on the pitch it wouldn't have been overturned, so glad common sense prevailed.

Maatsen's arm was up to fend off Neto. Neto, if he had got to the ball first, almost-certainly would not have been able to do anything with it because of the angle. It was nothing, and anyone claiming they were robbed of a pen are slightly deluded.

[LeeB]

Also, to the genius managers we've faced in the last few weeks, how many videos have you watched where slinging crosses into our box (except from corners it would seem) has any material effect?

It doesn't work, and just because you don't a lot doesn't mean you've played 'well'.