ozvillafan

To be fair to Dwight Yorke, he's both played at the very highest level and in the A-league. He's giving an honest assessment - and it's hard to argue. So Dwight has left his mid-table club to join another mid-table club, who themselves are taking a fresh perspective on things by replacing a former player turned manager.... .. with a former player turned manager

I'm a bit of a fan, but no - it's no mistake. Emery is now the 3rd manager to overlook Sanson. I think Sanson is capable - but I also think Fred Guilbert is capable. Perhaps, like Fred, there is more to this than ability.

Juan Pablo Angel's son is probably a good shout then. Hard to play in your father's shadow, though.

So if Emi went off injured they could flip a coin to see which keeper could replace him

I really enjoyed that. We aren't at our peak yet, but I loved the way we played our football considering we were away. We were patient and slow in our own half to start off, simply settling into the game and retaining possession. When the ball moved into the opposition half the tempo changed, more movement, crisp passing to feet and some lovely one-touch stuff. Not quite the end product we wanted, as the final ball isn't quite there and our shooting was always straight at Bazunu. We had more of the ball away from home than the home team. Let that sink in for a minute: When was the last time we did that? Excellent stuff. Onwards and upwards

Me too - but in a Villa shirt

Villareal?

I'd label the biggest disappointment under Emery as Bailey. But, like Buendia, I can only see him getting better as the team learns and executes Emery-ball

Yep - he had a great track record of diving for them.

The socceroos - because I'm Australian Celtic - because Ange Postecoglou is Australian Wests Tigers (NRL club) - because they used to be the Balmain Tigers, and there are only 2 kinds of people: Those who were born in Balmain and those who wish they were.

Safe. Preferred the gas lamp one - at least it stood out among other clubs.

Whether Ings was a good purchase or the right fit for us is the wrong question. Whether we should "cash in" while we can ( due to high age, high wages) rather than wait is also the wrong question. The right question is: What other team in this league would sell their top scorer to an opposition team that is below them and struggling? Answer: None. And neither should we

If we sell there are always bargains to be had in the lesser european leagues that can lead the line. You know, like Wesley or Samatta.... .. and if Watkins gets a long term injury, I'm sure we'll be fine, right? Yeah - no thanks. We need to hold on to Ings.

Aye. Needs moar ManUre

Things I like about this transfer: He is very highly rated and sought after by other clubs He's only 19 He's Columbian, and we have fond memories of forwards from there He's over 6 foot He's going to learn from one of the best in Unai Emery Things I don't like about this transfer: that's it.

Looks like a few of them know the final score judging by the number of fingers they are holding up

I'd suggest the reasoning is so you approach every game the same. That is, if you are the away team, driving to Villa Park, getting on the coach, going to the hotel (presumably overnight in this case), sharing some meals together then getting on the coach to the ground is what you'd have to do. So we are taking the "away" out of the teams preparation for each match: You always have the same pre-game routine. They say winning is a habit - I think this is part of that.

He won't. He'll scrape past them based on a "few moments of magic" from his superior squad.

Aye - was a strange call that one. The original foul is Reid (I think it is) stepping on Trippier. Trippier then follows through and catches him - but the original foul is in Newcastles favour. Justice done, even if the penalty call for double touch on a slip is harsh (but fair, imo).

Finding it very hard to feel sorry about them suffering from an "offside goal". I still remember the Mings incident where they somehow justified an offside player - by a good 10 yards - was somehow not offside and they scored from it. Sucks when you're on the other end, dunnit?

.. just as there will be a few on here who are disappointed when he does. Not mentioning any names, mind

2 things in his interview": He's quick He likes to get to the byline. So if you are wondering how to play against a low block, you have 3 choices: Try to play through, try to play over or try to play around. You simply cannot do the last unless you get to the byline. By doing that, all the low block participants are no longer facing the ball in front of them. They are either facing their own goal or facing sideways. Now you can run into the spaces, since you are less likely to be tracked - ready to get onto a cross/cutback. Really looking forward to watching him play.