Fenerbahçe v Aston Villa post-match thread

[CT Villan]

Just watched the game...Bizot was MOTM, but Buendia was not far behind. Mings, Lindelof and Cash were also outstanding. Glad to see Onana back as Bogarde is scary with the ball at his feet. Watkins was poor.

[RamboandBruno]

Don’t know about anyone else, but I got the feeling if Sancho had had more game time, he would have scored more than one tonight. He’d have been a second quicker which would have made all the difference. Of course, he’s got to earn it.

But Maybe we need to play him into form. I haven’t checked but it feels like we’ve spent more time hoping Guessand makes it.
Maybe we’ve been backing the wrong one..?

Sancho was mostly useless apart from his goal. 

I only saw the second half but that was my conclusion too. My Bulgarian colleague was surprised at how weak he is, and the reaction he generated in me.

Its the wrong analysis to be honest. Im not a fan really, but credit where its due, he was really decent in the first half and first 10 of the second. We were under pressure then for 20 mins when him, Rogers and Beundia were replaced.

[Holte Antipode]

Watching highlights back today (NZ time) made me start to wonder:

Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?

I realise one Turkish swallow doesn't make a whole summer but, unless injuries dictate, no need to ever see Konsa, Bogarde, Disasi etc mis-deployed as makeshift RB again!

[jwarry]

Lads look happy headed back to the changing rooms.

https://x.com/avfcofficial/status/2014434895859482798?s=46

Yeah, Youri looked in good spirits too despite the kerfuffle.

Thats because he’s just found out he’s Unai’s son

[Garyth]

Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?

A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.

On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷‍♂️

[London Villan]

Our back 6 in the last 10 minutes was interesting too. Double full backs, close out the game.

[Mister E]

For those bemoaning the poor conversion in front of goal, 2 or 3 of those Fenerbahçe defenders threw themselves into last-gasp blocks; Watkins' header from a first-half corner was scraped off the line by a defender. We gave their goal a serious examination. Furthermore, we played with assuredness at the back, with Mings and Lindelof coming in and Cash and Digne playing very well - it was very impressive; backed up so competently by Bizot. Tielemans had a super game, and Rogers and Buendia both played really well (although the latter faded somewhat). Watkins did what he does best which is giving the opposition defence no space or time, and I thought that bringing Garcia and Maatsen on as wingers was really impressive for the final 20 minutes of the game.
Even Sancho made a useful contribution - not just the goal but in other areas of the pitch: weird to say, he could have had a hat-trick.
We're definitely not missing Mad Jhon.

Massive kudos to Emery.

[Ger Regan]

Are we finally in the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?

A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.

On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷‍♂️

Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there

[andyh]

Of course their defenders threw themselves at everything, it’s their job.
Our job is to be better than them and convert one or two if the many, many chances we created.

[Clampy]

We most definitely should have scored more than we did  but they did defend well when they had too.

[London Villan]

We doubled up with both full backs. Garcia and Maatsen were both protecting the full backs.

[Mister E]

Are we finally n the fabled position of having 2 reliable players for each position across defence?
- Ty back in business after a significant lay off, so good to see
- Andres G starting to step up finally (to be fair, he's hardly played)
- Bizot giving Emi a serious run for his starting jersey?

A good point - Garcia would be the only one of those 10 players I'd raise an eyebrow at if I saw his name in a starting lineup. And, as you say, that might just be lack of opportunities to show what he offers.
On the other hand, given how things have been going recently, it also wouldn't completely shock me if in Feb any two of them weren't at the club any more 🤷‍♂️

Didnt garcia play further up, with bogarde going to right back? Thought bogarde was exposed a couple of times there but presumably unai trust him more than garcia there

Bogarde went to RB, with Garcia in front of him.
Given the circumstsances, where we were defending a 1 goal lead, it was smart of Emery to play both Garcia and Maatsen ahead of their fullbacks, both being both defensively-minded and good on the ball down the wing

[The Man With A Stick]

How much did we get for Duran?  Daylight bloody robbery, that's what that was.

[PaulWinch again]

How much did we get for Duran?  Daylight bloody robbery, that's what that was.

It wasn’t - it’s more a reflection of his choices. He has everything to be a top striker, but he needs the right coaching (and to listen).

[London Villan]

How do Turkish teams deal with PSR? Duran, Asensio and edersen must be on close to £1m a week combined?