Chelsea v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[brontebilly]

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.

Watching it back this morning, Enzo will be disappointed to put that shot wide early in the game when given far too much space. Martinez did make one good save from Pedro. McGinn saved a tap in and the penalty shout with Maatsen was probably 50/50. Goal was piss poor, Martinez far too soft and he was terrible again for another cross later in the game that we were lucky to get away with. Our back 4 did incredibly well to keep us in the game with no protection in front of them and Martinez jumpy behind them.

[andyh]

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'.

One of the most noticeable things about the way we play. We make very, very few crosses into the box.
I’m sure I read somewhere that Unai believes crosses are wasted passes.

[Monty]

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.

That was my feeling honestly. We absolutely failed at the 'getting out' bit of the gameplan, but when the pundits afterwards were banging on about how they should've been 3-4 up, how they should've taken their chances, I was thinking...what chances? The Fernandez shot is the only one that should've been on target, and even that looked to be covered by Emi to me.

They absolutely dominated us in the midfield, but then Emery made the changes and we were the motor in the engine of the game.They scored a lucky goal they earned with a good delivery, we scored a lucky goal we earned with a good move and throughball. Actually we deconstructed their goal like an insufferable restaurant, scoring with a bit of make-your-own-luck and then a set-piece.

We just looked more grown-up out there, more mature, with more belief, more knowhow. We've gone Thanos-mode, inevitable, for eleven games now. We'd be 16th in the league on comeback wins alone, and we keep doing it with different heroes depending on the game, Watkins AND Malen, Buendia AND Onana and even Sancho (!), but the common denominator is the manager, the best in the world, about whom I note the likes of Mustoe and Jamie Redknapp are talking about with barely disguised awe, like he's literally Dumbledore.

[aj2k77]

Personally I think corners are out of control now and it's either the wild west allowed or no one can breathe on each other depending on what ref you get. It's a bit shit.

[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.

That was my feeling honestly. We absolutely failed at the 'getting out' bit of the gameplan, but when the pundits afterwards were banging on about how they should've been 3-4 up, how they should've taken their chances, I was thinking...what chances? The Fernandez shot is the only one that should've been on target, and even that looked to be covered by Emi to me.

They absolutely dominated us in the midfield, but then Emery made the changes and we were the motor in the engine of the game.They scored a lucky goal they earned with a good delivery, we scored a lucky goal we earned with a good move and throughball. Actually we deconstructed their goal like an insufferable restaurant, scoring with a bit of make-your-own-luck and then a set-piece.

We just looked more grown-up out there, more mature, with more belief, more knowhow. We've gone Thanos-mode, inevitable, for eleven games now. We'd be 16th in the league on comeback wins alone, and we keep doing it with different heroes depending on the game, Watkins AND Malen, Buendia AND Onana and even Sancho (!), but the common denominator is the manager, the best in the world, about whom I note the likes of Mustoe and Jamie Redknapp are talking about with barely disguised awe, like he's literally Dumbledore.

There was for years, despite the occasional close run game where we huffed and puffed a bit harder, a feeling when playing Mourinho's Chelsea or Wenger's Arsenal for example that we weren't really even playing the same sport.

It feels that way with us now with us coming up against these 'bright young thing' managers that are just hopelessly out of their depth against Unai.

[brontebilly]

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'.

One of the most noticeable things about the way we play. We make very, very few crosses into the box.
I’m sure I read somewhere that Unai believes crosses are wasted passes.

Could have done with Maatsen crossing that one in the second half rather than taking on the shot!

[LeeB]

We do cross, but it's usually from inside the box after we've worked a way in behind, none of this Diego Dalot wafting endless balls into Emi's hands bollocks.

[Sexual Ealing]

I think the lad from Villa on Tour is trying to grow a moustache. There is something singularly undignified about seeing someone trying to grow facial hair. Unless it turns up every morning fully formed like it does with me, it's not for you.

[PeterWithesShin]

A mention has to be made for SJM cutting out that cross at the back post, if he doesn't do that our run probably ends.

[olaftab]

There was for years, despite the occasional close run game where we huffed and puffed a bit harder, a feeling when playing Mourinho's Chelsea or Wenger's Arsenal for example that we weren't really even playing the same sport.

It feels that way with us now with us coming up against these 'bright young thing' managers that are just hopelessly out of their depth against Unai.

That's it Lee. That's how I felt in our last two wins against manu and Chelsea. These two a bit like us in the past decent teams, made huge effort and controlled the game for large periods but ultimately succumbed to the more astute and competent set of tactics and players. Got lot of often patronising praise but ended up with fuck all.

[olaftab]

I think the lad from Villa on Tour is trying to grow a moustache. There is something singularly undignified about seeing someone trying to grow facial hair. Unless it turns up every morning fully formed like it does with me, it's not for you.

Yes SE I often laugh at these unfortunate masses. They are obviously not blessed, full of testosterone, like you and me

[LeeB]

I think the lad from Villa on Tour is trying to grow a moustache. There is something singularly undignified about seeing someone trying to grow facial hair. Unless it turns up every morning fully formed like it does with me, it's not for you.

As someone further along the evolutionary scale than yourself I can only agree, falls into the same shame filled path of pretending theres enough hair still on the top of your head to compose a 'style'

[Sexual Ealing]

I think the lad from Villa on Tour is trying to grow a moustache. There is something singularly undignified about seeing someone trying to grow facial hair. Unless it turns up every morning fully formed like it does with me, it's not for you.

As someone further along the evolutionary scale than yourself I can only agree, falls into the same shame filled path of pretending theres enough hair still on the top of your head to compose a 'style'

Steady Lee. There are real human feelings behind these posts.

[LeeB]

There's always a place for honest dialogue.

[Crown Hill]

Maybe the child in me but this does make me laugh!

https://x.com/stokeyyg2/status/2005226152991072542?s=46&t=1A7xfLJNUgdI6215TY6YlA