WakefieldVillan

Not for me. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Since Jack was given captaincy our record as been impeccable, his performances have been top notch (as has Mings). As for last night, he played well in a good team performance, he ain't going to run games for 90 minutes like he did in the Championship but he can (and will) make a positive impact. As others have alluded to, it's nice to see we have other "match winners" in our squad now.

MOTM - Wesley, big, strong, athletic, scored one played a huge part in the second, bullied their centre halves all game. Closely followed by Mings / Engels / Jota and the 12th man - The Holte. The atmosphere was electric. Our fans deserved that. I thought we rode our luck at times and on another day that might have gone against us but so relieved to get our first win and hopefully we can push on now and have the belief that we can compete at this level, because at times tonight, we played some lovely one / two touch stuff and both goals were tremendous bits of interchange / quick thinking / clever play. Love it. We may lose more than we win this season, but I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's f@#!/# great to have a really likeable squad again. UTV

I agree with every bit of that until the very last digit! Hope I am wrong though! Come on you Villa boys!

No problem with the 1-year contract extension, he has been a steady performer throughout his tenure here and his performances over the 10-game winning streak culminating with our play off success and a decent AFCON, I would say he has earned it. I must say I might have had a total different outlook back in December 2018 after his performances against Stoke and Leeds! Funny how things can change eh?

This is why I was hugely disappointed we didn't sign Benrahma. I am not writing off El Ghazi and I think Jota can still give us something different in wide areas, but Benrahma would have give us that extra bit of depth to our flanks.

I think 100% of us fans hope we can beat them and I firmly believe that the players and management staff will go with the intention of winning this game and hope to do so, they definitely won't be writing it off and neither are we. I feel that the ones that would take a point now are just wanting us to get off the mark in this league and build from there, confidence is a massive thing in football and 3 defeats on the spin might sow seeds of doubt into a few of the players.

I'd take a point too if I was offered it right now - I just think it is vital to get a point on the board because otherwise any confidence will take a real hit. I was hoping for 4 points from this and the Bournemouth game but even then I wasn't taking anything for granted, it's a tough league and we may need a few weeks to get used it. I have a feeling we will lose 1-2 but I really hope I am wrong, whatever happens we need to cut out the individual mistakes and at least let the Toffees earn the victory. I'd consider Jota for El Ghazi and Targett for Taylor, but failing that I don't think we need to start changing formations just yet (and I am a fan of a 4-2-3-1), also Grealish stays centrally for me, more chance of influencing the game and he's our key man.

I'm totally with you on this one Terry, I thought at the time of reading dontdoitdoug's post "was I watching a different game?" And I've had to just watch the 10 minutes again and I concur your thoughts exactly.. the only 40 yard taking ball I saw was from Engels not Luiz. Dont get me wrong, I have high hopes for him and think (hope) he will do extremely well for us but he wasn't that good on Saturday at all.

What about Bjarnsson?

I had sky sports on in the background and wasn't paying much attention but then glanced at the TV and noticed a rather dashing claret and blue tie and thought this guy knows his stuff... Then the penny dropped and I caught a fair bit of the interview and even my other half was engrossed with what he had to say and how he eloquently speaks.. Loved the bit about 'wanting to compete' and not making up the numbers and calling out what a "great club," we are.. I know it's just words at the end of the day, but I can really warm to the guy and he really does come across that he knows what he's doing and is proud to be working for us... What a complete turnaround from last year, and hopefully it's just the start of this 'great club' returning back to the very top.. where it belongs!

Heaton Elmo Engels Mings Targett Hourihane Grealish McGinn El Ghazi Wesley Trezeguet Subs; Steer, Konsa, Taylor, Luiz, Jota, Kodjia, Davis Basically the same team that started against Spurs but Targett coming in for Taylor as it should be a game we try to play on the front-foot and we should have a lot more possession than we did at Spurs. I think it's important to keep the back 5 settled as much as possible. I thought Luiz looked off the pace when he came on and might need a bit more "easing in" time, Jota and Kodge were poor when they came on (in albeit difficult circumstances) therefore I don't think they are the right choices. Naming the subs is just as hard as naming the first eleven with the likes of Lansbury, Chester (inj?), Nakamba, Guilbert, Hause not in the 18 above. Won't be easy (no games will be this season) but I think we might nick this 2-1 with the 12th man behind the deciding factor UTV

At the end of the day Taylor playing well on Saturday (which most agree with) can only be a good thing as at least it puts pressure on Targett (and Hause) to perform when they are selected. In an ideal world we would have two unbelievable left backs and Taylor would have left this summer, but we haven't and he's here so let's just hope when he is selected he can perform as capable as Saturday. Taylor would obviously be disappointed if he didn't start on Saturday, but I think even he would see the reasoning behind a decision to play a player, in Targett, who is much better going forward.

Agree. Yet people were screaming for Luiz to start today. For me that 3rd goal highlighted just why he didn't. That's not a dig at Luiz as such (all 3 subs were ineffective in difficult circumstances) but he didn't look match fit (understandably) Hopefully moving forward him or Nakamba will step up to the plate. Conor today was pretty much like many of our team, decent first half, not at the races in the second.

Was surprisingly relaxed when I heard about him starting today, I thought going with the most settled back 4 in this match was the way to go (& I am definitely not a Taylor fan) - but today, he played very well and fair play to him. Defended well and distribution was fine. I think Smith keeps players in the side if they are playing well and by that token he should start against Bournemouth and I think he will. However... Not dismissing Bournemouth (I dont think we can dismiss any team in this league) but, at home, I'd like to think we would set up to be on the front foot and if that's the case Targett would be better suited, so will be interesting to see who gets the nod. But today, well done Neil

Was a tough debut for him and he took a fair bit of criticism in the match thread. I didn't think he was too bad, he was obviously isolated and lost out physically at times, but I think he will be a handful for defenders of the 'so called lesser sides'.

Obviously disappointing that he dwelt on the ball for the goal but I'm sure he will learn from that, I think he just didn't want to give the ball straight back to Spurs (which was happening most of the second half) but you can't get away with it at this level. I don't think it was a foul and Jack's reaction for me said it all. That aside I thought first half he played quite well but ran out of steam along with most of them.

I said prior to kick off I would take a positive performance and a close defeat, we were playing the Champions League finalists after all - I think we got that and we should all be proud of the lads today. It is disappointing where the goals came from us giving the ball away, but by that point our lads had put in such a shift that they just didn't have the legs to see it out. Eriksson coming on no doubt lifted them, but until there first I thought we could possibly nick it. As long as we play with that effort, vigour, passion for the rest of the season we will be just fine and for once we have a team that is just so LIKEABLE. Thought the subs offered little, tough game for them to get into and there is obvious work to be done on and off the ball but overall there were plenty of positives, Heaton, Trezeguet at times, Mings,Taylor and Engels who I voted MOTM all played well. Think if our supporters stick with these guys the only way is up. UTV

Yet, he's been faultless.

Correct.. looks like he's today's fall guy

Apart from the two conceded headed chances at the start and end of the half that was an absolutely cracking first half performance. There is still a long way to go and I wouldn't be surprised to see us still lose this because they have individuals that can hurt us but we couldn't have asked for a better first 45 minutes back in the big time. Some of the posts after the team were announced were ridiculous, let's get behind the boys and the manager (he knows a LOT more than all of us)! Come on you Villa boys !

This

Probably going to get shot down for this but maybe Smith feels that a more settled back 4 is the way to go in this one and to be honest I can see why, and I'm definitely not a fan of Taylor. I can also see why Jota is on the bench. If this was a home game vs Norwich fair enough I'd be perplexed too but I am with him on this one. UTV

Congratulations I actually think we do need something - another winger and a striker. I'm praying for Benrahma and <insert decent striker> For me that would represent an absolutely perfect summer window.

All for this, please be true - then #welcomebenrahma

He certainly put it away with aplomb and for that and the reasons you mention he would be my first choice. That said, it was one of those slow casual run ups (not quite a stutter) which personally I am not a fan of. I was never totally convinced with Tammy to be honest. This would be my pick too