Simmons

Decent game. The kit looks great. We were pretty good in the first half, Palace were all over us in the second. I like what they're trying to do - attacking full backs, Sanchez dropping to cover when they're moving forward.

Gabby's got to be benched. He just doesn't offer anything any more. His chance in the first half summed up his last couple of seasons - still some pace to get there, feeble effort on goal. His finishing is poor, his crossing is poor, his heading doesn't seem what it once was and although still quick doesn't have the same pace to burn that he used to.

Great to see Grealish back, looked great. I quite liked the midfield three for this game - Sanchez was excellent and Westwood good in the first half. Amavi was good and unlucky to lose the ball for the second goal. Defence overall decent. Not convinced that Gestede is going to be able to carry things upfront. Traore = unit. All muscle and directness.

Take Gabby out and start Traore and/or Gil. There are promising signs and you get the feeling Sherwood is seeing what we see and will sort it.

 

Just had it update through Steam. Now my Villa team play with black numbers. It's annoying.

 

Yeah, just came on here to moan about that. It's bothering me much more than it should.

 

Has this happened to everyone's game with the Villa home shirts - long-running saves and new starts alike?

Anybody got a clue why/if there's a fix/where the best place to report it to SI is? I'm assuming just the patch feedback thread but I wanted to check if it was all or just some of us...

Unofficial Aston Villa update.

 

If it ruins your game, gives you a virus or anything else, don't blame me

Thanks Andy! Will be on it asap...

 

 

Andy, how is the update coming along?

Where is best to upload it to?

Mediafire?

 

Andy - have you had chance to upload this somewhere yet? Holding off on starting a game for now... Would be massively appreciated if you're still up for sharing it. Thanks!

Just look through all of them in the lower Holte. Singles available in L1 and L8, pairs available in L7. Be hard pushed to find more than two together unless they open up another block.

£10 tickets now in L2 if anyone's interested.

How good was Guzan?

I was almost as nervous at the end as I would have been if it had been a 'real' European semi-final.

Guzan 9 - Outstanding. Not much chance with the penalty. "No goal for you"...

Lichaj 7 - Solid.

Cuellar 8 - Thought he looked much better.

Davies ? - Not on for long. Worryingly it looks like the shoulder problem again. This competition looks like it could prove quite costly for us in terms of injuries.

Shorey 7 - Decent game.

Albrighton 8 - I really like the look of him. Pacey, direct, aggressive. Early crosses at pace.

Sidwell 7 - Looks quite up for it. Good footwork for the goal.

Reo-Coker 7 - Energetic and gives more balance to midfield. Still not a great passer and no surprise that he gave the penalty away.

Young 6 - I wish Ashley would have a look at the way Albrighton plays. Should have done better with the chance that led to Heskey's sending off.

Heskey 7 - Decent finish. Can only assume something really unpleasant was said to make him react like that.

Carew 7 - A decent header just past the post. Looked so strong in possession though.

Subs

Clark 8 - Thought he had a great game. Forget he was playing for a while. I think that is a real compliment for a defender.

Herd - Looked hungry. Crunching early tackle he got booked for.

Weimann - Didn't have much to do except chase the defenders when down to 10 men.

Lowry - Didn't see much of him.

Bannan - Seemed to be bought on for some energy to chase the game down. Didn't get much of the ball but was effective defensively.

I know it's only a friendly but MON must be delighted to have put one over on Porto.

On tonight's evidence:

Start Guzan ahead of Friedel.

I love Petrov and think he was outstanding last season but the midfield looks much better if we are just playing 2 central midfielders with NRC and Sidwell.

Downing has probably been bought to try and give Ashley a kick up the arse. He seems to have lost his way a little bit.

The kids just might be alright. I would prefer to see Albrighton given a chance on the right ahead of any of our other options. Clark looked good too.

I know it's only a friendly but don't you think it looks a lot more positive? We've got Gabby, Milner and the Evil One to come back too. I would rather see some of the kids given a chance this year than average players bought for inflated prices. How many of you would rather see Bentley in for £10m than Albrighton coming through? Bent for £14m instead of Delfouneso? Upson for £10m instead of Clarke having a chance?

I'm all for bringing in top, top players, but I don't think it is very likely. I know it's all very Wenger of me but I would be much more excited about developing the kids.

Anyway. Bring on the final. Nice.