AVTuco

Our lads seem to be bonding and coming together as a team, which I like very much. So, I'm cautiously optimistic. A draw would not be too shabby either.

We should enter into some mini league just so we could play Tonev in games where he doesn't hurt us. I want to see the Atomic Strike!

Strange that with limited technical ability one can strike a set piece like that? I do think he has technical ability, but hitting a dead ball is not the same as being technically good enough to play a position. I think he will be good enough tbh. Just pointing it out. If striking a set piece was the marker for being a great footballer, I would be playing top level myself I see your point, and Big John's. My comment was not sarcastic. I do find it a little abnormal that his technical ability to take a set piece and his technical ability in his position don't go together. Usually they do. At least I think so. Is Bacuna nervous when he plays, does he not trust himself with the ball after his first disastrous outing? I think he is very good at RB too, not so much going forward.

it isnt benteke's fault the whole media concentrate on him. If Benteke wasn't so brilliant it wouldn't be a problem. It's not the beasts fault that he is world class is it? I don't think that's what he meant at all.

Good game for Nathan yesterday. After last season's misery it's great to see him and Clark to do so well. We have real competition in central defense, even without Jores!

Strange that with limited technical ability one can strike a set piece like that?

Ha ha , he did.

I agree 100% You can see he loves playing for Villa and the supporters. You look at him and think he's a 32 year old veteran who shouldn't be making the mistakes he makes, but remember he's just a kid, really. I think he'll improve by leaps and bounds. Yes, exactly, with his beard and all...

I agree with you HH. The only question I have is that why did he bring in Helenius and not a midfielder? He is not the same player as Benteke or Kozak, but still. I guess it could be down to timing, Helenius was available early and other teams were interested in him aswell. Lambert wanted to make sure he got someone good enough to cover for Benteke or his replacement and acquired him. Then Benteke decided to stay and Kozak became available later.

No one else thought Antonio was MotM?

A win like this every now and then is so important. Feels sooooo goood.

I have been critizicing him a little, but I have to say it was a very good game from big Ron today.

It will be a volatile ride watching Luna this season. He can be brilliant at times and then the worst left back ever. But I agree with the sentiment here: something about this guy makes you like him. And I think it's his heart. He gives his everything and loves doing it. I believe in him, he will be a very good defender one day.

Thought Luna was great. Atleast on the second half his speed was needed against Nasri and Navas. Don't remember anything about the first half.

Why in this game then?

Andiiiiiiiiii

Bacuna! How bad is he now???????

Why are you guys on Bacuna's case so much? He's not been any worse than our other "players".

I can't believe some here think it's ok to play like this just because it's Man City. Can't understand that thinking. We might just forfeit then. Just put up a fight guys. Don't play scared. Try to create something.

Ok, that's it then.

Well done Milner!

Thread looks overly pessimistic. I would play the team Outbyeaster suggests, maybe put Bennet in for Luna. City will attack, that should play to our strenghts. We're definitely not favourites, but I think we have an outside chance. It's not going to be pretty though.

Don't care about Europe. The money would be ok though.

Hope for Bennett to be in. And Sylla.

Wrote him off a month ago. Copy here what KSV said.