AVTuco

Pass the ball to Tonev lads! We want a screamer!

Delph is the only one who holds the ball going forward.

Tonev!

We need a free kick at 20 yards. Leandro will put it in for a 0-1 victory.

Our best players are our full backs.

Helenius is not on the bench.

Gabby the only one who can score today.

I really like Helenius over Kozak.

Bring on Tonev to entertain us.

Luna is so enjoyable to watch.

This backwards passing is out of hand. Vlaar and Clark don't even think of doing anything else except pass to Guzan.

Helenius?

Barkov scored for Florida as the youngest player ever (modern era) in his first game! Thomas played well in goal aswell, hope he continues.

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!

I think rb or wing back is his position.

Don't think he's technically good enough to play further up the pitch but with his athleticism he can defend well and run at players when attacking.

Although I don't think he's technically great his set pieces seem decent.

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.

He has been great for us, but  I am getting increasingly annoyed that all media basically can only identify 1 player with Villa, which is Benteke, and do not talk about anyone else. Its just lazy journalism. Gabby has been great for us since the turn of the year as well and barely gets a mention. Its like 'martin o'neils aston villa' all over again. Unless we look like we are going down or pushing for Europe, Villa does not exist in the hacks simple minds. Don't get me wrong he has been brilliant for us but the next month we have to prove to all that we are more than just one really good player.

 

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!

I think rb or wing back is his position.

Don't think he's technically good enough to play further up the pitch but with his athleticism he can defend well and run at players when attacking.

Although I don't think he's technically great his set pieces seem decent.

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

Ha ha , he did.

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.

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...

Glad he played well enough today and hopefully proof that another striker was needed at the end of the window. I know many thought a midfielder was the priority but Benteke was always going to miss matches and someone was needed to carry the burden and lead the line. He'll do just fine this season.

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.