WakefieldVillan

SOnly seen the highlights and a 10-minute fan blog which was cracking to watch and see the Villa fans in such joyous mood! A cracking performance by all accounts (particularly second half), I had a sneaky feeling we might get a victory when I saw Mount & Waghorn were out for them, but still a result that sends out a real statement to our promotion rivals. Without harping on about Bruce (who I liked as a person) there is no way we achieve a result (& performance) like this under his reign and the difference between the two managers philosophy and outlook going into games is such stark contrast. Delighted in particular for Nyland to keep a clean sheet with a couple of vital first half saves to boot, Tammy with another goal, midfielders chipping in too, no card for Jack and Bolasie looking sharper with each appearance... Bring on the blues!

Apologies if I have missed it in the thread, but what are the correct lyrics we use in the super John McGinn chant? Is it... We've got McGinn, super John McGinn, I just don't think you'll understand, he's Stevey Bruce's man??, he's better than Zidane, we've got super John McGinn ?? Only seen the highlights, but sounds like he had another good game, looks to be playing further forward and nice to see him grab himself a goal, cracking signing and an absolute steal for the money we paid!

I agree, they knock it about well and good to watch, done a cracking job Wilder, only won one in five though! #wilderout ?

I'd go with the same back 5 again, obviously there are weaknesses that we all know about, but I think having a settled defence would outweigh the possible improvements of changing the full back positions, if that makes sense? With Tammy as our main man up top, I would go for a midfield selection of either; Hourihane Elmo McGinn Grealish Kodjia Or; Whelan Bolasie McGinn Grealish Kodjia Basically I feel if Bolasie starts I would like the insurance of Whelan sitting, over Conor, and for me Adomah just doesn't do it for me (but I think he will start & hope he proves me wrong). Be a tough test this, Huddlestone will sit deep and look to dictate play, we need McGinn to give him no time and space, Jack likewise. Predicting goals, both teams, unfortunately think the Rams will edge it! UTV

And you come to this conclusion after 4 games of Smith's tenure, 2 in which we have won and the other 2 where we could have easily got 4 points out of 6 in what were tricky away games, all this whilst playing much more positive football with players being played in the correct positions and a general good vibe around Villa at the moment that was missing under Bruce? I might be wrong but I think you could just possibly be a WUM!

Looking at our next 6 games and if we are serious for (automatic) promotion I would say that we need 12 points as a minimum; Derby (A) 1 pt (0) Blues (H) 3 pts (1) Forest (H) 3 pts (3) Boro (A) 1 pt (1) West Brom (A) 1 pt (0) Stoke (H) 3 pts (3) Basically win the home games, draw the away matches, with the bonus of a 7-game spell unbeaten and we would be set up brilliantly for the visit of Leeds on the 22nd Dec... Figures in brackets however, are what I think we will muster up, which will probably keep us outside the play off spots prior the January window.

Moving forward we will need two new full backs (or for Bree/De Laet to step up at RB), but I think Smith is right trying to keep the back four (five) settled as much as possible for now. Thought both Taylor and Hutton were 'ok' last night, both better in the second half (when we had our better spell). On a side note, I think Joe Bryan would have been excellent for us playing under Smith.

Extremely happy to start the weekend off with 3 points and hopefully tomorrow a few of the other results go our way. Actually thought we played better against QPR than we did tonight, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me, started well, but could have been level at HT, had a good spell second half where we could have hit 3 or 4 then saw the game out well. Chester MOTM for me, he needed that performance to give him a bit of a lift, ably supported by Tuanzebe who also showed more promise, with Grealish instrumental in both goals. Highlight for me though was listening to Dean Smith honest post match verdict, really refreshing to hear, I think we've got a good one here lads!

Looking forward to this one, hoping a full week of training will help the squad to gel further and hopefully with a bit of luck that has deserted us over the past couple of games, we can get a much needed 3 points. The team selection will be interesting; Does he keep the same (under-performing defence)? Perhaps Bree in for Hutton? Hutton to LB? On current form, I would have Jedinak in for Chester, but he ain't going to drop the skipper. Only Tuanzebe for me in the recent back-line as merited a starting berth. Midfield wise; McGinn & Grealish definite starters, take your pick from the rest, another four of them might be on the bench! Kodjia wide left? Bolasie with his first start? Does he set up with a more "holding midfielder" or really go out all guns blazing?! Lansbury make the squad? Time will tell. Looking forward to seeing O'Hare get up to speed, think he will flourish under Smith in time. Up top; Abraham - Hope he's had plenty of shooting practice this week, that is all. Hoping Davis is close to full fitness, I like him as another option, he may not be a natural finisher, but I think our talented midfielders would benefit from his hold up play in certain matches. I think we will put on a decent show Friday night, 4-1 Villa and a great start to everybody's weekend! UTV

Hard to take that one, we deserved something from the game, at least a point. Schoolboy defending for their goal and some bad finishing as cost us. We are carrying too many players at the moment, but results aside we are playing better football and it's more enjoyable to watch. Grealish MOTM for me, back to something like his best, the number of fouls on him is beyond a joke. The one by Lynch was horrible. Dirty tw@! Abraham was very poor tonight, Taylor likewise! QPR defended like there lives depended on it and fair play to them, but moving forward I prefer the style of football Smith is trying to implement than theirs. I fancy us to smash a few past Bolton! UTV

Cue the meltdown...

Interesting that you think Abraham and Kodjia doesn't work, I think it could do given a bit of a run together, if I remember correctly, Tammy's first goal for us came from good interplay with Kodje. I think as long as Kodjia is putting the effort in, pressing and defending from the front then it would be a decent partnership, all about opinions though... The only 3 names I would have guaranteed on my team sheet though at the moment would be: McGinn (great form, tackles, good energy) Grealish (still our main man, form is temporary) Abraham (main likely source of goals) I bet you could pick 7 or 8 definite starters from the top teams in this league... time tonight for some of the other players to step up UTV

Just like our game against the canaries on Tuesday night, this will not be an easy game, QPR are another team in great form and we are probably playing them at a bad time. Yes, yes.. I know we are ASTON VILLA FC and we should never fear going to Loftus Rd, but the truth of the matter is, we are where we are at the moment and all I am saying is, it won't be easy. I like the look of Luongo who's an intelligent player and Eze will cause us a few problems, they have strengthened well too with the additions of Rangel, Hemed & Wells! That aside, we have enough quality in the squad going forward to cause them a few problems, it is our defence & goalkeeper that is the obvious concern (to every Villa fan!) I genuinely could pick about 20 different team selections for this, which I suppose shows that we have a deep squad, but also tells me that we have several players that need to stake a regular starting spot and have not shown enough in the previous games. Keeper wise, I would stick with Nyland, I think dropping him would do more harm (to him) plus its not like we have a young Spinksy waiting in the wings. I think Smith will stick with the same defence, but I would be tempted to start Elmo at RB as I think he can support the attack from that position better than Hutton and is better on the ball. Taylor would still get my nod at LB based purely on giving us a bit of balance. Midfield - You could make an argument for and against so many of the players why or why they shouldn't be involved, I just wish we could combine the traits of a couple of them to make a Platt and a Taylor! I finally plumped for Jedinak just to give us a bit of aerial prowess and to sit and let the front five cause havoc! Pleased to see Tammy is fit for selection and I'd like to see him closely supported tomorrow with (a firing) Kodge. Nyland Elmo Chester Tuanzebe Taylor Jedinak Grealish McGinn Hourihane Abraham Kodija Subs: Bunn, Bree, Bolasie, Bjarnsson, Lansbury, Hogan, O Hare... Prediction - +3.5 Goals ?

Will reiterate what others are saying, set-pieces aside he is not doing enough, needs to up his game. Was a great opportunity last night for him to stake a claim as a regular starter which for me he didn't grasp. Looks a different player than the one that performed for Barnsley, watched him a number of times when he was plying his trade there and he was so influential, not only with goals and assists but he seemed to get stuck in more. I want to see that Conor, more aggression please.

I don't rate Taylor at all and would definitely be looking for a replacement in January but I didn't think he was that bad tonight, let's put it this way, I have seen him play a lot worse!

This ^

So frustrating... No, not Jack... (Ok maybe a little Jack) But how teams single him out week in week out, with persistent fouling but never enough to see them down to 10 men and for us to gain a real advantage. Jack's form hasn't reached the standards he has set last season but he has been played in different positions and in poor team performances, he will come good again

I must have watched a different game to the majority on here, either that or I am easily pleased. Look I hate seeing us get beat, like we all do, but anyone that thought tonight was going to be anything but a tough encounter needs a reality check. Norwich are one of the form teams in the league, coming back off a decent victory at Forest, they've had a couple of years under Farke and have a system and style that was similar to what we are tryingto emulate, but Dean's had around 10 days with the team and getting his methods across. What I saw tonight was a team that started on the front foot as Saturday, tried to play out from the back, actually kept possession from throw in's, far less hoofballs.. yes it didn't all come off, yes we made mistakes but for me where in the right hands with Smith. Equaliser was bad goalkeeping but we look vulnerable at all set plays something that needs addressing big time, second goal Chester has cost us and looked shaky all night. The injuries went against us, I think in hindsight he would maybe have gone put on Kodija, but I think he maybe thought Hogan would defend better from the front (much like Tammy did in first half) but Hogan was poor. Think the second goal knocked all stuffing out my of us, but I hope we can keep pressing and looking to play moving forward. Positives; Tuanzebe looked very good tonight. Taylor is an improvement on the old Taylor. Tammy worked tirelessly. Whelan was neat & tidy. Negatives; Chester; looked knackered after 20 mins, Hogan; lost every 50/50, tammy's injury, El Ghazi; was poor (but not going to write him off after a few matches), Adomah; just doesn't do it for me, yet we somehow look more solid when he plays. Verdict.. I don't think our players are as good as some of us think, yet the league isn't great overall and if we can stay there or thereabouts ?to the play offs by January then look to strengthen in certain areas we will be ok UTV

Norwich are a decent side mate, they've shown that tonight, Farke has been there 2 years and had time to put his style across. We are trying to develop a new style, it's going to take a bit of time, but for a bit of dodgy goalkeeping and Chester caught ball watching we haven't done too badly IMO. A Bruce team loses this comfortably

Talk about over reactions on this thread. It's going to take time lads, but I am more than happy with what I have seen Saturday and tonight. Keep the faith

Heart says; Norwich 1 v 2 Villa (Can't see us not conceding, especially from a set piece) Head says; Norwich 3 v 1 Villa

Cheers pal, born and raised in Wakefield, followed Villa since I was 4 (37 years ago) apparently it was the colours I went for (but too young to remember!)

If I was offered a point now, I would probably take it, but hopefully we can start like we did yesterday, on the front-foot and with a positive attitude, we may be able to sneak all three points. McGinn suspended is a big blow, I think Hourihane will come in and I would be tempted to freshen up a bit more with 3 games in 6 days. I'd go; Nyland Hutton Chester Tuanzebe Taylor Grealish Whelan Hourihane Elmo Abraham Kodija

Had a nice day out with my old man, who I found out was 77 not 76, sorry dad... I also found out his pension was going into his account on Monday (3 times, during the day ?), it was a struggle walking up the Upper Trinity steps for him, but he got there in the end! On to the football... Was slightly deflated with the starting line up, did seem a bit 'bruce-esque' but was prepared to see how it panned out! Thought we started the game on the front foot, pressed higher, got the goal - great cross from Elmo & nice header from Tammy. Had other moments where we could (& should) have got the second but for the final ball letting us down. Second half I thought they shaded it to be honest, though having said that Jack and Tammy had a couple of chances & Adomah dragged one wide when he should have made the keeper at least work for it. One nil is always a dangerous scoreline and but for Nyland we managed to see it out (thankfully!) Thought the subs were all the correct ones to make and were positive but actually had an adverse affect on us, in particular Bolasie who looked disinterested?! McGinn MOTM for me, closely followed by Nyland. Was a little disappointed in the atmosphere, sounded great at kick off and in last minutes but for such a big crowd it seemed a bit flat (it's one of the reasons I prefer the away games!) Missed our train home due to the queues at the train station and nearly got hit by a smoke bomb from the Swansea Neanderthals passing us on the coaches (who even does things like this with old people /kids around?!) ? Dropped my dad off at 9.15pm and last thing he said was... "who we got next?!" UTV

Just ordered 2 tickets in the upper trinity for me and my dad, been contemplating it all week (he's 76 & it will be a long day for him so wasn't sure) but I'm totally buzzing for it now, he used to take me when I was younger and I thought I may regret one day not returning the offer and spending the time with him! ? UTV!