nepal_villan

Got this chart from a Price of Football tweet. Other than the top 6 clubs, seems clubs revenues basically corelate to their league position. Shows we have quite the challenge in trying to break-away from the other 14 PL clubs. It will probably require quite a few years of sustained success that positions us to attract bigger commercial partners.  Have to give Spurs credit - they were able to bridge that divide.

8 hours ago, bannedfromHandV said:

Quality cameo, good pressing, perfect cross for an assist, good hold up play and ball control.

If we can just get that out of him consistently there’s a helluva player in there and it’s why I’d be gutted to see him moved on whilst also fully understanding why, should that come to pass.

It’s obvious we need to do something different, not sure Liverpool away is the one to test it out but equally, why not? Start with the same formation and players we ended today with, it might just work! 

We do consistently get that out of him. The problem is he just does not score. But I have no issues giving him minutes if he consistently creates for others. We just need to change our expectations when it comes to his role on the team.

The level of our players is much better than this. Have to presume it is the coaching staff failing to get them to click. 

I've been a critic of his, but tonight he was not the issue and should have at least had one assist

Seeing that he was behind Elmo in the pecking order, doesn't seem like Smith rates him. Think we will sell him and look for alternatives - possibly Kessler.  If we do that, I would re-sign Elmo for 1 more year as emergency cover for the RB/CB positions (essentially our 25th man) in case Kessler finds the step up challenging. 

Something going on in his head. Would rather give our youngsters a go from now until the end of the season.

2 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

We really need a Neto type on the right.

Came here to post the same.  Think summer we need to really get 2 quality attacking players

I'll take the point. 

Really good half. Loved the energy. Traore lacks consistency for me. 

Think Hourihane definitely could help us in certain matches, but then we would need to have a "horses for courses" mentality - which is not really Smith's style. Anyway good to see our loans doing well - will mean we get some value when they transfer out.

Can we please stop it with the "don't change a winning side" nonsense!  Our setup was poor to begin with against this opponent.

Didnt think it was a bad half, but our midfield just cannot seem to create anything. Ramsey is the obvious choice to be replaced 2nd half.

Wish Smith changed it up a little to keep the players hungry. Positive is we have a decent looking bench.

49 minutes ago, thunderball said:

I think Barkley for £20/25m is a great deal for us. He is going through a bad patch but there is a very very good player in there.

Going into the season most of us would be ecstatic to sign him for around £30m+ and after the first few matches maybe even £40m+. Too many question marks now...

This game will tell a lot about where we are as a team. A European level side should comfortably win such matches.

Great result. Good tactical adjustments by Smith.  A bit concerned about our inability to win second balls and hold on to possession. 

Good half.  AEG and Nakamba playing really well. AEG could have easily had one more. Feel Ramsey looks a bit lightweight out there - maybe bring in Samson for him in the 2nd half.  Still frustrating is that we still seem to lose most second and 50/50 balls.

3 hours ago, DCJonah said:

I would still say that even playing poorly, the opposition still have to think about him because of who he is. 

They've been bypassing him and not thinking about him lately.

1 minute ago, Zatman said:

Love his honesty admitted we were shit and said so. Other Villa managers would have said we played brilliant

These games happen 

yes, but it's been about 4-5 recent matches where this is happening.

By no means am I comparing us to Sheffield United - we have way more talent then they ever did, but I feel similar to them at the end of last season and this one, our formula has been found-out by opposing teams. We really need to change things up tactically and in terms of personnel. Smith so far has not shown flexibility.

Lucky to get a point. We are consistently losing second and 50/50 balls. Squad needs rotating.

Teams are tactically better setup for us. We need to adjust accordingly. 

A silver lining in Luiz's under-the-radar performances this year is that it may mean Man City will not take-up his option.

Think we are due a game where we are on the front foot. Feel the Arsenal victory and the one week gap between matches will give us a big lift. We will win this 0-2.  

The marketing impact of keeping Grealish plus the Premier League merit payments which is worth around £3M per place easily justify doubling his wages. Obviously, sensible safeguards need to be in place in case we get relegated, he suffers a long-term injury or a giant meteor hits Birmingham.