Thought he played well and looked to be driving at players a lot more.
Should have got an assist had Haaland not fluffed it. Incredibly powerful header though. would have taken Areola's head off.
It's an interesting thought experiment that I hadn't considered. Like 'forced celebrity breeding; on Alan Partridge.
Thinking about it, beyond observing some actual coaching, I think this is what JT was for. Let DS & co do the coaching and the man management. Let JT be there as a sort of totem.
In only 1 match last season did we have higher possession stats than we did here, and we didn't win that one either.
This one was 65.6%
Last season's was 71.3% in a 1-1 home draw with Burnley.
Maybe Gerrard could use his evident ability to attract quality to Villa by turning up at Pochettino's House and leave knowing that he's helped the club a great deal.
It's not just about this season though.
He was deeply unconvincing last year too - but now has zero excuses and seems to be making matters worse with both his on and off field decision making.
Look, if we smash Everton playing free flowing football maybe he earns a stay of execution, but I just don't see it. It's the same mistakes over and over again.
Thinking about what you said, it almost feels like a Gerrard & Smith combo would work amazingly well. Gerrard attracts the players, Dean Smith does the man management, Beale/Critchley does the tactical training. Yes, i'm kind of talking nonsense, but just imagine.
We could bring about £90m worth of signings on from the bench plus one of the best young strikers this club has had for a while but without any cohesive plan that suits the personnel you persist with Stevie then whats the point. More often than not in the time since Gerrard took charge, we’ve had far too many Watford (h), Newcastle (a) type of noshows. I think picking people in form should be a given for any manager of a football team, if you dont it can be detrimental within the dressing room. Buendia, Chambers & Douglas should all be starting in that environment and type of opening game imo
Really disappointing to have to start from behind after a semi decent preseason, i thought 3-0 win like most, never change Villa. Remember feeling similar when Pompey came up and we had them first game and we got done on sky in that yellow away kit; at least they had a Teddy Sheringham and a few top pros in that side.
Big week for Neil Critchley. Get us looking a hell of a lot sharper than that please