BigJim

25 minutes ago, MotoMkali said:

5/21 in the FA Cup.

1/22 in the league Cup. 

3 of the 5 at home.

I just spent a really depressing 20 minutes trawling through our last 20 years' FA cup results. Absolutely abysmal record.

1 hour ago, messi11 said:

I've heard Villa are moving hard for Otavio Edmilson da Silva Monteiro.

Really hope you're wrong. The very VERY last thing we need is another lightweight playmaker.

10 minutes ago, BleedClaretAndBlue said:

His chance creation was top for the whole PL wasnt it in 19/20? That for the side that finished rock bottom too. Was clear of Gresford in that respect

5th in the table I just looked up, behind De Bruyne, TAA, Pascal Gross, and  .......... Lucas DIgne

2 hours ago, avfc1982am said:

No I wouldn't just yet. I'd give him more minutes for sure but we need a bit more experience in that midfield with Kamara. I'd play Luiz or Sanson alongside Kamara. When we defend they sit in and when we have possession one supports and one sits. That's what I'd do. Although I care about DL running his contract down I wouldn't cut my nose to spite my face because he is more than likely the best partner for Kamara having played the role on his own for 3 years. 

I don't think Sanson really has the physical attributes, he's more an 8, as Luiz is.  I don't think Luiz has done a stellar job in the 6 role either, he doesn't have much pace and is clumsy in the challenge.  Tim is a more powerful presence altogether, and although obviously short on experience I think he would grow into the role very quickly.

Then we have Chambers as a possible option, he's said to have played the position with distinction while on loan.

2 hours ago, avfc1982am said:

Play with 2x 6's, Buendia in front of them, Coutinho inside left, Bailey inside right and a striker. Job done. No more he's shit, no more Buendia isn't in the team. Our two best players are on the pitch so no more shit Villa.  

OK. Do you think we could pair Tim with Bouba?   I suggest that because 1) I like Tim and 2) Luis doesn't want to play as a 6, is probably running down his contract, and  I don't think he has a future here.

3 hours ago, AVTuco said:

Ings is still a good PL level striker. How he never scores for us, I don't understand. 

If he never scores for us, how on earth do you draw this conclusion?

53 minutes ago, lexicon said:

I've emailed them - villatvsupport@streamamg.com

Got an auto-reply, waiting for a real response.

That's odd. I got an undeliverable response from the same email.

I also mailed web.support@avfc.co.uk but no response so far.

Anyone got any other addresses to complain to?

Good luck to him getting PL minutes at Chelski  - foolish boy.

6 hours ago, HalfTimePost said:

Great news. Confirms we won't be buying another Striker though. But great for Archer, really hope he takes his chances when they come...and with Watk Ings form, the chances will come.

Yeah, suggests to me that we've been trying to get one in but couldn't get a suitable deal done. 

It's a bit of a gamble by SG... hope he has the guts to give him plenty of minutes and Cam can do the business when called on.

32 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

this makes about as much sense as a riddle.

Not sure how he needs to "understand if there is a chance to leave on a free".

I mean.....you run your contract down....simples.......

 

 

Yes and I reckon that's what he'll do.

Doesn't suit us obviously. I'd be inclined to bench him or leave him out of the matchday squad altogether if he doesn't sign a new contract and we can't sell him this window. He's not exactly been pulling up any trees in preseason.

It's a really tough decision on who to include in the starting XI. Buendia and Coutinho both capable of magic, but both can be wasteful. Both are a bit lightweight in the challenge so I can't see both in the team regularly.

Coutinho is capable of producing  more magic, and Buendia is slightly more wasteful.  On the other hand, Buendia wins on workrate and ball recovery.

Then we have attitude.  Buendia has been very patient, hasn't sulked when left out, and has produced great performances as sub.  I suspect  Coutinho would not react well to being left on the bench regularly.

Conclusion?   I think I would tend to start Buendía in the tougher games away from home where more workrate is required.  Start with Coutinho at home, and start both at home to lower level opposition.

2 minutes ago, Farlz said:

First half a shambles. Second half much better. 

It was nothing to do with having a meltdown over a pre season game, we could have lost today and I wouldn't have battered an eyelid. What annoyed me is seeing the exact same persistent mistakes that we all saw last season, whether that's lineup or just a general gameplan. OBE summed it up perfectly in the match thread if Gerrard thought that was his strongest team (going by pre match comments, you'd assume so) then that's a big problem. 

Hopefully we'll see the likes of Bailey, Buendia and Luiz starting going forward but if I'm completely honest, I very highly doubt this will be the case and we'll be back asking these same questions yet again. 

Nice fish pun!

...sorry. I agree with your conclusion.

Don't want to knock him as he's looked a Rolls Royce player, but he needs to cut out the diving to try to buy a foul when he thinks he's going to lose the ball.

What's Elmo doing out there? Thought he was a free agent?

26 minutes ago, villaglint said:

They usually put the full replay up shortly after don’t they?
 

Was hoping to be watching it now with a beer after a long day or boring house work. 

Yeah, me too, it's very poor, don't know what they are playing at

3 hours ago, AndyM3000 said:

Most likely wants to wait and see who the club sign. If another 2 CMs come in it's pretty clear he won't get any game time at all this season.

Could also be a bit of the boot on the other foot, i.e. club saying we need to get someone else in because if Carney leaves we will be too light.

"keen to have  deals done before the players return for pre-season"

How many times have we heard this spouted in the summer windows?

We've done well with our pre-window business while everyone else was apparently asleep, but I'll be surprised if we get many others in  early.

People saying Brighton didn't threaten at all, but I thought they got far too many really good balls into our box, second half especially. Mings and Konsa dealt with them well in the main but there were will always be chances if you let so many balls come in. Most notably the free header that Wellbeck missed. We need to be a bit better at cutting out that sort of supply.

On 18/12/2021 at 12:15, briny_ear said:

They’ve had three longish term appointments. Bobby Robson was with them for 13 years, George Burley for 8 and Mick McCarthy for 6. As you say, In the past four years it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped for them.

Don't forget Sir Alf! 55-63

Poor today by his recent standards, and very lucky (again) not to throw the game for us with that near penalty.

As I keep saying, the man's a liability. I think Sanson will edge him out of the starting lineups in the near future.

Thought he was more fired up, sharper today than previous times I have seen him, where he has looked a little too laid back. 

Gerrard definitely working wonders by the look of that first half at least. Some really splendid passing and movement.

I was worried by his subs though. Was JJ injured or did he just run out of steam?

I thought Dougie was a very lucky boy, could easily understand why the ref gave the red immediately. I've said it before, he's a liability in the tackle.

Then Anwar didn't do too badly, at least for the goal, but was his usual wasteful self on other occasions.

Just read somewhere that he won't be available for Brighton, having "picked up a knock" during a trip home to France.  

Bumped his knee getting off the train? Strained his back lifting his suitcase?

This is far beyond a joke now.

Have to say I'm surprised by some of the comments.   I thought it was an excellent performance, he certainly impressed me and I was definitely in the unimpressed camp when the appointment was announced. I begin to see where TRO is coming from.

I was worried when we sold Jack that we would be struggling this season. Now I think if there's anybody that can turn us around with the players we have, Gerrard can do it.