Aston Villa vs Everton post-match thread

[ChicagoLion]

Just home. Listened to a few Villa podcasts on the way and the 'bottle job' narrative came up. To me this was not the case today, just the problems of poor summer recruitment, PSR issues and a  number of key injuries finally swung the balance against us today. We didn't play to the level we can, but still did enough to win. Unai has done a miracle with a strong 11 and 4-5 decent subs each game. We had neither today and it was just a game too far.  Hopefully a  few signings, some positive injury news by the end of the month and we can go again.

Yes, we need to look at the overall picture instead of the usual knee jerk reactions. That's our first defeat at home in god knows how long and it happened with 3 first choice midfielders out and we still could have won. We're all disappointed because of the opportunity the other results gave us but its not the end of the world. Let's just hope for good news on the injury front and some activity on the transfer market.

It feels a bit typical Villa though, get to the edge of greatness then throw ourselves off the cliff.
My mate texted me to say that was a bit Spursy and he is a Spurs fan.

[The Edge]

We were down to the bare bones of a staring 11 yesterday, despite the media denial of all things Villa. Replacing McGinn with Guessand was always going to weaken us further. Personally I'd have replaced McGinn with Digne and moved Maatsen forward on the left and adjusted Buendia to the right. It wouldn't have been any less effective than Guessand's spectating role. It also wouldn't have convinced Martinez to catch the ball from a weak shot, but that's a whole different issue.

Our staring 11 plus 40,000 fans and all the Villa staff were staring at that ref when the Everton player blatantly pushed Rogers in the back. Fat lot of good it did. Fucking Mr Magoo refereeing our game two weeks running is not fair.

[Ian.]

Yesterday was just one of those days when nothing went for us. Players off form, injuries, mistakes, refereeing decisions on Rogers (yet again). We did enough to win but it wasn’t to be.

[ChicagoLion]

We were down to the bare bones of a staring 11 yesterday, despite the media denial of all things Villa. Replacing McGinn with Guessand was always going to weaken us further. Personally I'd have replaced McGinn with Digne and moved Maatsen forward on the left and adjusted Buendia to the right. It wouldn't have been any less effective than Guessand's spectating role. It also wouldn't have convinced Martinez to catch the ball from a weak shot, but that's a whole different issue.

Our staring 11 plus 40,000 fans and all the Villa staff were staring at that ref when the Everton player blatantly pushed Rogers in the back. Fat lot of good it did. Fucking Mr Magoo refereeing our game two weeks running is not fair.

It was a shocking decision, I think that should have been a second yellow, that’s probably why he bottled it.

[Drummond]

They all had a bad day at the same time. Back to it on Sunday please

[AV82EC]

Yesterday was just one of those days when nothing went for us. Players off form, injuries, mistakes, refereeing decisions on Rogers (yet again). We did enough to win but it wasn’t to be.

After a night of reflection this is where I’m at as well. A bit of credit to Everton as well came with a game plan and executed it well.

I’ve not seen Pau/Konsa that uncomfortable for a while as well, thought Barry gave them all sorts of problems.

[Brend'Watkins]

Play Mings and put Pau into midfield for now. It’s not ideal but it would improve us I think.

[brontebilly]

Play Mings and put Pau into midfield for now. It’s not ideal but it would improve us I think.

That's crazy talk. The same Pau Torres that can't run or tackle. The same for the other suggestion, Maatsen in midfield ahead of Digne. That was a disaster when we tried Cash there, Maatsen is best running from deep.

Simply put but we need players in asap. If that means paying a bit over the odds then so be it. Cover for McGinn and Watkins urgently required.

[Monty]

'Can't run or tackle', Christ almighty he had a bad game and now he's an invalid.

We had a bad day. A bad day that leaves us third in the league.

[aj2k77]

Pau in midfield with Bogarde would be a disaster. We just really need to get some business done this week.

[caster troy]

It was probably a game for Mings to deal with Barry, but you can't just chuck him in after giving him no minutes post-injury. You could just tell McGinn going off sucked the life out of us, particulary having to replace him with that lump Guessand. We'd started so poorly I'd have been tempted to bring Mings on instead and gone 352/343 especially with Barry causing problems.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Play Mings and put Pau into midfield for now. It’s not ideal but it would improve us I think.

The same for the other suggestion, Maatsen in midfield ahead of Digne. That was a disaster when we tried Cash there,

1/10 rating for this bro and that's being generous!
Cash has never played in front of Digne!
We didn't have many choices yesterday to replace McGinn. Digne's experience and a tinkering of tactics may have been a bit better than the ineffective Guessand.