Lille vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Crown Hill]

Really easy that. Lots of time and space and we managed it well without ever being threatened. Should have been two nil and put to bed.

Small hold back after, but treated to McGinn doing sprints with a coach. Absolutely brilliant to have his big arse back.

Some grief with the police before the game for the right hand side of the away end, with stewards blocking off a small gate at the top of the stairs. Unnecessary given your tickets had been checked outside twice. French police waded in with batons and gas.

(I said left, I meant right.)

I didnt see the trouble but they blocked those gates at the top of the stairs to make sure people go in the right section. So they let me through one of those gates to get to 21. The stairs led to two sections.

There was no need for those gates to exist.

They were to separate the sections. Hence the ticket check.

A few of ours seemed to be struggling with the stronger beer. I don’t know if that contributed. By the end of the game things were a lot more sober with no alcohol on sale. 

[Ads]

I know, but it was Villa both sides. They created a needless bottle neck at the top of the stairs as they were so concerned about getting you on the left or right, but not apparently standing in the gangways or the stairs. Obviously they needed to he CS gassed though.

[TheToffnar]

Thought it was a classic Emery performance. Sharp in defense, pretty clean midfield game and tactically astute overall. Forward players let us down a bit, but it was a real comfort to see that level of composure from the team in general given how pathetic some of our efforts have been the last few weeks.

I'd have been relatively happy with a 0-0, so pretty ecstatic with a win.

[PaulWinch again]

I’ve said it on here already, but worth reiterating, Pau is so important to the structure of the side. We weren’t perfect by any means, and we don’t always perform when he does play, but our chances of putting in a coherent display go up a lot with him there. The defensive line is stronger, and the ability to play out of the back improves across all the players at the back.