Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds Post match grumble

[Rudy Can't Fail]

At home, against poor opposition like Leeds, we’ve got to be braver. I’d have no problem going with Ollie Watkins, Tammy Abraham, and Jadon Sancho, with Morgan Rogers roaming in behind. Leon Bailey just left behind.

You can be as brave as you want but you still need to supply the ball to the forwards. I said prematch we needed another body in midfield to counter Leeds energy and pressing and so it showed. Their 5-4-1 switched to a 3-5-2 with the ball and we had little in reply. They were highly organised and further deduced the space for us by playing such a high line and at times went man for man marking. First half they were anything but 'poor opposition' and as others have pointed out, their form's more than decent.

We created almost nothing other than a couple of decent shots from Buendia, one hitting the post for an offside Watkins to tap in. Buendia is getting some stick on here but he was one of few that showed any energy but I struggled to understand what his role was, a left sided 10, a left winger, dropping back to cover Maatsen's attacking play and Rogers coming over to occupy the same space? All of the above.

Bailey however was no surprise though Sanchos was and immediately had an impact even if his final ball needs some serious work. Great to see Matty Cash actually crossing a ball, who'd have thought, just a shame Leeds' three centre halves dealt with them comfortably. Those claiming Torres should have started, I suspect DCL would have just switched his attention from Konsa to Torres.

I can take a draw if we learn from yesterday. Nothing less than 3 points now against the Dingles though. Until we get SJM and Youri back, the team now should pretty much pick itself.

[Mister E]

Really poor selection and it cost us.
Mings starting. Why? Not sure we ought to be changing our centre half pairing that achieved Champions League football to try and nullify DLC. He attacked Konsa anyway. Given we spent the overwhelming majority of the game in possession, it was impossible to progress the ball out from the left or through the lines. Leeds doing what everybody does and puts a box four to block the middle. Fine, when you have Torres that can thread it anyway, but a big problem when you can shepherd Mings to play a square ball and throttle Maatsen.
Bailey and Buendia wide were awful. Both lightweight, not capable of a cross and utterly excruciating to watch first half.
Barkley much better for us second when he come on. He has vision to thread a ball, which suited Sancho, who was in turn infinitely more of a threat. He would wither take a man on, put a cross in or bring Cash on the overlap.
We should have committed two up top much sooner.
Really poor first half and that is down to the selection. 4 points from the last 4 home games is not good enough.

Yes, agree with this, and I'd add that Onana needs to be making a much bigger impact than he usually does. He doesn't look like a £50m player right now. As someone else said, either play him further up the pitch or off the bench. I think I'd be playing Barkley and Luiz as the MF pivot.

[JUAN PABLO]

Yet another worrying performance, enough so we should have won the game, if Ollie hadn't given away a needless free kick, which led to their goal and re our disallowed goal, Ollie was half asleep, could easily have avoided being offside, if he had been quicker coming out.

Agree.

Disapointed in Onana too , really thought he could control the midfield and help us out with the players out , but lately he has been meh.

not going to mention Bailey , just odd he started in front of Sancho .

barkley looked good.

[LeonW]

We need more variety in our attack. We are far too reliant on Rodgers and Maatsen to create something.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

We need more variety in our attack. We are far too reliant on Rodgers and Maatsen to create something.

I’d throw Cash in there as well, the difference when he was out for those few games really showed how important he’s been and what an impressive season he’s had so far.

[PeterWithe]

A bit of a re run of so many recent home games, we control the pace but that pace is too slow to trouble teams who are well organised, athletic and aggressive. A lot of the times we create our 2 or three chances, score one and win. Recently we dont, and let them in. Perhaps at home we need to commit more players forward quicker, score an early one and knacker the opps boring games plan.

I get that going the game is very expensive and the club now treats us as consumers, but we the crowd need to be more patient and calmer, and more supportive. The tension in the crowd was palpable and unnecessary given our over performance and league position.

Anyone else go toward Witton Station afterward, I have never seen Manor Rd through Brookvale Rd so crowded, you really could not move. There was no obvious reason for it other than, possibly, every single Leeds fan coming by coach. Strange.

[LeonW]

We need more variety in our attack. We are far too reliant on Rodgers and Maatsen to create something.

I’d throw Cash in there as well, the difference when he was out for those few games really showed how important he’s been and what an impressive season he’s had so far.

Agreed. I’ve not always been his biggest fan, but Cash has been excellent this season.

[TheToffnar]

Taken me a few days to get over this one. Felt sorry for my Uncle who was sat next to me all game and had to deal with my overly explicit frustrations. I nearly leapt over the barrier of the upper DE when Watkins froze up for his chance. Didn't calm down until I saw the replay after the game where it shows a slightly better angle of why he struggled to hit it.

Thought we where really, really poor for such long stretches. Team selection didn't help and I think that put's pay to Bailey ever being favored again. Yes, they stuck two on him more often then not, but he was absolutely appalling even with space.

Another dry performance from Luiz. He looks an excellent option off the bench to see a game out, but lacks any of the creativity needed to gain the front foot. Hopefully just a fitness issue. Onana poor again, clearly needs a strong presence to play off for him to do his best work.

Dibu showing again why we'll be all the worse off when he's gone. He's probably saved us 4 point from the past 2 league games.
Thought everyone else beside Sancho and Tammy where bang average, which speaks volumes. Buendia getting too much criticism as per seeing as he was the only one bothering to make things happen.

[brontebilly]

I'd agree on Buendia, he was reasonable enough. Cracking shot that hit the post and kept trying to do the right thing. Rogers only got going when he moved out to the left. Struggling to make an impact at 10 of late.

[TheToffnar]

I'd agree on Buendia, he was reasonable enough. Cracking shot that hit the post and kept trying to do the right thing. Rogers only got going when he moved out to the left. Struggling to make an impact at 10 of late.

He get's completely crowded out the game in the center against weaker sides who don't trust one man on him. If it where me I'd bench Buendia on Friday for Barkley (who I also thought was excellent) and stick Rogers on the left. They'll shit themselves trying to keep him out and it would allow the front line a hair more space.

[andyh]

Yet another worrying performance, enough so we should have won the game, if Ollie hadn't given away a needless free kick, which led to their goal and re our disallowed goal, Ollie was half asleep, could easily have avoided being offside, if he had been quicker coming out.

Agree on the Ollie analysis.
His reaction to things happening around him has dropped off noticeably in the last few weeks. He is slow to react, if he reacts at all.
I go back to the game at Bournemouth. A cross came into the box that would be meat and drink to a CF and yet he just stood and watched it go past him. Thats when I first noticed it, and there have been a number of those type of incidents since.
Is it a concentration thing ? Is he injured ? Who knows.

[TheToffnar]

It's both, but there's also a lot of confirmation bias from the fans with regards his errors. For every bad bit of positional play or a lack of concentration, there's 3 or 4 great runs in behind that aren't spotted by the midfield and a lot of tracking back. He had to do the latter at least 3 times on Saturday to cover for Baileys pathetic lack of effort.