Aston Villa v Bologna Post-Match Thread

[Crown Hill]

McGinn seemed to work out the ref’s character and told the other players to back off from hassling him.

The Bologna fans were making noise they were just drowned out by the rest of the ground.

Sad the Santiago sarcastic chants only happened in the away match!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Oh what a night..... 

Losing 2-0 at Blackburn, then drawing home and away to Wolves is hardly something to sing about. Mercer out.

[Dave P]

Forest will be more tricky, but they are where they are for a good reason. 

And that reason is Palace being demoted.  Not that I would have wanted to play Palace btw

[Dave]

Forest will be more tricky, but they are where they are for a good reason. 

And that reason is Palace being demoted.  Not that I would have wanted to play Palace btw

Think he means that Forest are 16th in the league for a reason, not that they're in a European semi-final for a reason.

[cdbearsfan]

Tottenham were 17th last year and won the cup...

I'd say that a large part of "the reason" why Forest are so low is because they haven't had Wood for most of the season, but they do now.

[PaulWinch again]

Tottenham were 17th last year and won the cup...

I'd say that a large part of "the reason" why Forest are so low is because they haven't had Wood for most of the season, but they do now.

Not entirely convinced on that. Wood was exceptionally good last year, but had he been fit I’d be astounded if he’d repeated what he did last year. Obviously can’t prove that, but i strongly suspect.

[VILLA MOLE]

The Ref was a bit weird early on. At one point he got right in Konza's face

That was crackers, I thought he was going to drop the nut on him.

Ye he started quite fussy then seemed to calm down and let things go abit more

[cdbearsfan]

Tottenham were 17th last year and won the cup...

I'd say that a large part of "the reason" why Forest are so low is because they haven't had Wood for most of the season, but they do now.

Not entirely convinced on that. Wood was exceptionally good last year, but had he been fit I’d be astounded if he’d repeated what he did last year. Obviously can’t prove that, but i strongly suspect.

No, I doubt they would have been challenging for Europe if he had stayed fit, like last season. But I doubt they would be fighting for their lives, either.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

There were many fantastic performances but a special mention to Matty Cash. After the first leg he must of had a few sleepless nights and also the threat of another yellow card hanging over his head.

Jonathon Rowe was the obvious threat but between Matty, Unai, McGinn and Konsa he never got a sniff. The supply line to him was reduced, space limited and when he did get the ball we doubled up. Our positional sense, awareness and discipline was perfect.

Matty had him in his pocket all night. Poor Rowe, probably didn't sleep well last night. 

I heard the reason for the poorer performance was he was missing the full back who plays behind him and overlaps creating space and openings. I'd still have him over Bailey, Sancho and if they want to do a swap deal for Guessand I won't stand in the way.

Great team performance, highlight was the brilliant work between Rogers and Buendia for the first goal. Liquid football.

[olaftab]

But he's injured again. Rotten Wood.

[aj2k77]

Tottenham were 17th last year and won the cup...

I'd say that a large part of "the reason" why Forest are so low is because they haven't had Wood for most of the season, but they do now.

Not entirely convinced on that. Wood was exceptionally good last year, but had he been fit I’d be astounded if he’d repeated what he did last year. Obviously can’t prove that, but i strongly suspect.

34 year old coming back from a long injury, I don't think they'll see the best of him again but just to remove any jinx I might have placed on us he'll definitely score against us but not be as influential.

[olaftab]

Would have preferred Porto but bring on Nottingham Forest.

Ain't right to play a European away game somewhere you can get to for 8 quid on National Express

It sounds wrong, it feels wrong and it is wrong.

[London Villan]

He went off injured last night apparently.

[Rigadon]

Forest will be more tricky, but they are where they are for a good reason. 

And that reason is Palace being demoted.  Not that I would have wanted to play Palace btw

Think he means that Forest are 16th in the league for a reason, not that they're in a European semi-final for a reason.

Yeah, was referring to their PL position, but it wasn't absolutely clear in my post so can see how it was confusing!  I think, on current form,  they are probably better than their current league position, but not be much.  They don't have the same pace or dynamics up front compared to last season, but being more of a domestic fixture just adds a bit of an e-factor to it all, a bit like a derby game (which this isn't).

[LeeB]

Forest will be more tricky, but they are where they are for a good reason. 

And that reason is Palace being demoted.  Not that I would have wanted to play Palace btw

Think he means that Forest are 16th in the league for a reason, not that they're in a European semi-final for a reason.

Yeah, was referring to their PL position, but it wasn't absolutely clear in my post so can see how it was confusing!  I think, on current form,  they are probably better than their current league position, but not be much.  They don't have the same pace or dynamics up front compared to last season, but being more of a domestic fixture just adds a bit of an e-factor to it all, a bit like a derby game (which this isn't).

I think they are whereabouits they should be and last season was a bit of an outlier for them, Nuno with his fairly unique set up and Wood having a gloden year.