nepal_villan

4 minutes ago, ozvillafan said:

If only we had a manager at the helm who has set the club record for such a run.....

I agree with you - a run at a time when other clubs are faltering could see us grab a European place. Anything can happen this season, though I'm not going to be disappointed with a top 10 finish.

As a Villa supporter I'd be very happy with a top 10 finish. As a Grealish fan, I'm desperate for Europe. 

Kind of feel bad for Fulham as they are playing decent, they just can't turn their draws into victories.

If we can go on a little run - similar to what West Ham just did before losing to Liverpool - we will be well positioned for one of the European places, possibly even the UCL spots as no one seems to want to grab those.

Just can't get myself to pull for Leeds - no matter who they play.

1 hour ago, mjmooney said:

I bet he couldn't name a West Ham player. Classic 'pretends to like football' type. 

He does quite a few skits with footballers and clubs. Would be surprised if he is not a genuine fan.

Imagine his numbers if he took free kicks and penalties. Probably another 4-5  assists and goals combined.  

1 hour ago, DaveAV1 said:

I agree that nobody is above criticism and said that in the post but you’ve just picked out a small part of what I said. I sometimes agree and sometimes disagree, that’s the nature of a place like this. However some of the criticism last night was at the very least OTT and in my opinion borderline abusive. Words like shithouse, disgraceful, muppet etc. There are people who can’t wait for Dean to fail, posters who we rarely see this season who’s vitriol has been bubbling up waiting for a chance to surface. They couldn’t wait any longer and a hard fought away victory against a very good team wasn’t going to stop them last night. 

Dean Smith isn’t perfect and I’m sure he works everyday to improve himself and the team but I believe a small minority of posters in here have an agenda that for me is at the very least strange. 

Agree that is over the top. Presume most of those comments were in the match and reaction threads where emotions tend to be very raw.

2 hours ago, DaveAV1 said:

I can only think that some of you are either trolls or have a totally entrenched view of our manager that you care more about being right than you do about Aston Villa. Keyboard warriors or more accurately keyboard cowards. 

Sorry mate, but I find this type of comment exhausting as well - as I always see posts like this by some when criticism is levelled at a player or coach. By definition a forum will have opinions - not all will be positive and glowing. Smith and substitutions is an issue that has long been discussed here, on social media and podcasts. It's obviously a topic of debate. Except for a tiny minority who think only the likes of Antonio Conte should be coaching Aston Villa, feel the great majority are very supportive of Smith. That does not mean he is perfect and cannot improve.

That makes up for a few games where crap decisions went against us. Think we are owed one more.

Smith lack of subs is killing me.  

Just now, Jono62 said:

He's just like Martin O'Neill. Same team, same subs.

Was thinking this during the Southampton match.

Smith's stubbornness in not using substitutes is extremely frustrating. Probably bad for squad management as well. A major weakness in his management.

Just now, sparrow1988 said:

Kelly the only one fighting our corner (talking sense) regarding the pen incident.

Looked like a Pen to me. We would be livid if it was not given to us.

really want to see what Smith does second half. Hope he uses substitutes to change the tactics around, which he doesn't have a penchant for doing.

5 hours ago, VillaChris said:

Think today was good example of lacking some really good options off the bench to scare teams.

 I don't think the issue is the players on the bench, but more Smith failing to use substitutions tactically. Can't recall a single time a substitute changed the complexion of a game for us this season.  Yet El Ghazi, Trez, Hause, Nakamba, etc. have all played well when they've been given a chance - so it's clearly not the lack of quality on the bench.  Look at Burnley, they turned the game around by bringing on the likes of Cork and Vydra - far from world beaters.

Send him out on loan! What can we possibly expect him to do with 5 minutes here and there??!!

This team is such a joy to watch.  Let's put this game to bed early second half.

We are at full strength, no excuses. Really need to get a result here if we plan to challenge for Europe.

With Sanson joining the club, hoping the midfield really step it up today.

Can definitely see an Elmo extension given his versatility and nationality. Also given his age he probably is not desperate for playing time.

Think we are getting carried away. Yes - we have a solid starting XI, but I think only 4-5 of our players are Champions League level - Grealish, Martinez, Luiz and possibly Konsa and Watkins. 

1 minute ago, turvontour said:

All these morons saying but what about the second goal. They do realise that the handball and penalty doesnt happen if the first goal is disallowed. 

We could have lost, drawn or won. We'll never know.

Exactly. Flow of the game would have been completely different.  Same with the GLT in the Sheffield United game that supposedly saved us from relegation.

They also said that Watkins goal was fine because Shar was not impeded by Watkins when touching the ball.  So does that mean that if Shar left the cross alone, it would have been an offside?  That makes no sense to me, as it would basically encourage a defender to back-off if he thinks there is an offside.

Anyway - I thought Watkins was onside because he was behind the ball when it was crossed.

This type of stuff will happen occasionally. Just have to live with it. One of Spurs' top defensive prospects in their academy decided to go to MLS last year and has since been signed by Bologna.

Club probably sees a lot of potential in Gemma but feel she needs an experienced hand in the short-term.  

4 minutes ago, samjp26 said:

As much as I love Trez he isn't as good as Traore, but his workrate IMO has made Traore realise he has to work for his position in the team. Our entire team is absolutely up for it tonight though

Trez fits in well against clubs in the top-half. Traore the clubs in the bottom-half. 

If we win, is it credited to Dean Smith or whoever is leading us on the touchline?