Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds Post match grumble

[Pat McMahon]

The positives for me today were Cash, Barkley and to some extent Sancho, who I have never rated but has improved of late.

We were very ponderous in the first half and we looked much better when we played with more tempo after Barkley played centre midfield. We are still hesitant at times and don’t get our crosses and shots away quickly enough - their keeper barely had to make a save.

I presume Mings played to help negate Calvert Lewin as he caused loads of problems against Torres and Konsa last season, and he was the best forward on the pitch today. He gave Konsa more problems than anybody I can think of this season other than Mateta.

Spoke to a good number of Leeds fans today and they were all very friendly and amenable.

[eamonn]

The camera panned to Youri during the second half, chatting to his mate. Good to know he's at the games. Darren Bent went to Brent shopping centre when he was out.

[Percy McCarthy]

Did we play well vs Brighton? Or were we fortunate?

All four home performances  were poor. We got out of jail vs brighton lets not sugar coat it.

We were not fortunate v Brighton as we scored one more than them in normal time. That's how football is played and games won.
I suggest you adjust your parameters, its a long season and it's League football played over 9 months. As I said we have lost 3 of the best midfielders in England, possibly Europe with injuries and that was bound to take it's toll.

Yet imagine we had the injuries spurs have had? We cant keep using 3 injuries as a excuse for these poor performances.  We went newcastle  and played well without those three players and won. So why have we become shit at home lately.

Disagree.Just because  you win a  game at home doesnt mean you were not fortunate  to win that game. We were average in that game and struggled to  create anything like today for large parts of the game. It wasnt a deserved victory  at all (not that im complaining ill take those all day) but the point is you cant get away playing this poorly and expect to get results

To answer  your question my expectations  at start of season were midtable so naturally  happy of course we sit 3rd. But we have put us in a fantastic  position  to get 3rd why blow it without showing any passion on fight? There has been very little of that in the last 5 games at home

Jesus, the memory on you.

Maybe you should take notes.

Seems you have forgotten the start of the season.

Maybe you should take some notes too.

I only got as far as you forgetting who played at Newcastle (fresh from you forgetting we qualified for the Champions League)). After that I gave up.

[eye digress]

It’s the xG gods coming for their payment

Was just thinking exactly the same, reflecting on how our last 2 goals have been scruffy 6-yard box grubunters!

[Baldy]

It's not just us, all the top side ares struggling against lesser opposition, Chelsea - Arsenal this week. It's difficult to play against a low defence and the more you press it leaves gaps for them to counter attack. If you were to pick players on form Lendelof would be first pick, I can't remember one game where he has been poor and this is the time to pick fighters not the Baileys of this world. I will give Watkins credit for the effort second half, although completely out of form at least he kept at it. I would play Lindelof in midfield, Sancho on the wing and give Tammy and Watkins a half to see if it produces results.

That's the most flustrating thing. When Leicester won the Premier League in 2015-2016 none of the 'Big 6' were firing on all cylinders.

I'm convinced, if we had our full midfield to pick from we would win the league this season.

Alas, shit happens.

[Percy McCarthy]

It's not just us, all the top side ares struggling against lesser opposition, Chelsea - Arsenal this week. It's difficult to play against a low defence and the more you press it leaves gaps for them to counter attack. If you were to pick players on form Lendelof would be first pick, I can't remember one game where he has been poor and this is the time to pick fighters not the Baileys of this world. I will give Watkins credit for the effort second half, although completely out of form at least he kept at it. I would play Lindelof in midfield, Sancho on the wing and give Tammy and Watkins a half to see if it produces results.

That's the most flustrating thing. When Leicester won the Premier League in 2015-2016 none of the 'Big 6' were firing on all cylinders.

I'm convinced, if we had our full midfield to pick from we would win the league this season.

Alas, shit happens.

Agreed.

[Clampy]

Again, no lack of effort but we're missing that extra bit of quality the three missing midfielders bring. Throw in the likes of Buendia and Watkins not being at it. Still, it was a deserved point i think.

[Chris Smith]

Onana has gotten off lightly btw. Anybody else notice how half-arsed he looked today?

If it was only today. He's been going through the motions since returning from injury.

I get the impression that he’s playing under instruction so as not to risk injury. One more absentee in central midfield would just about finish our ambitions.

[Meanwood Villa]

Onana has gotten off lightly btw. Anybody else notice how half-arsed he looked today?

If it was only today. He's been going through the motions since returning from injury.

I get the impression that he’s playing under instruction so as not to risk injury. One more absentee in central midfield would just about finish our ambitions.

Strange old situation if true. Is a half arsed Onana better than no Onana?

[Gareth]

Easy to say on hindsight but the team just wasn’t right yesterday, there is no way Bailey or Buendia get anywhere near any other matchday squad in top 6.

For me the big selection issue was not playing Torres, lost count in first half of how many times Ollie span the centre halves and started running and each time either Konsa or Mings looked but lacked the conviction to put a ball over the top or into a channel.  I get the criticisms of Ollie but yesterday wasn’t one of those performances.  Our best front 3 is 3 out of Ollie, Tammy, Rogers and Sancho….time to stop trying to get performances out of Bailey & Buendia

[Chris Smith]

Some of this is on Unai.

Torres has to start.  Barkley has to start.  Watkins needs to be dropped and Buendia should be on the bench at best.

I think Mings played due to the threat of Calvert-Lewin. He’s very strong in the air and even Tyrone struggled with him yesterday.

[Clampy]

Also,  the lads in front of us who go downstairs on 38 mins (now named the 38 Boys) again went down on 38 mins and for the second time this season didn't come back.

[The Edge]

He picked the wrong team.

Indeed. All very predictable plus too many forgetting why we have such a great home record and just expecting us to win without the hard work and urgency.

This time last year he could pick Kamara, Mcginn, Tielemans, Rashford and Asensio. It's hardly fair on Unai to say he picked the wrong team when you look at his options.

[oldhill_avfc]

Maybe we need to adjust our style of play and formation.

Buendia has been poor of late - Onana and Luiz dont feed him the type of balls he was doing well with earlier in the season.  If you couple that with Watkins and Bailey/Sancho offering very little in terms of goals and assists, if men’s the whole of the attack is relying on Rogers.

FWIW I’d go with more of 4 3 3 - Watkins to the left, Tammy in the middle, Rogers wherever he wants.

Put an extra body in midfield.  Probably not Barkley as he won’t last the 90, so maybe Lindeloff.  Solid 4 at the back.  Torres instead of Mings if fit.

[eamonn]

He picked the wrong team.

Indeed. All very predictable plus too many forgetting why we have such a great home record and just expecting us to win without the hard work and urgency.

This time last year he could pick Kamara, Mcginn, Tielemans, Rashford and Asensio. It's hardly fair on Unai to say he picked the wrong team when you look at his options.

Ramsey too. Imagine us with all those players now.