Villarocker

It wasn't a faultless display from the lads but please remember we were playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Yes, this isn't an elite Chelsea of old but, it is still Chelsea away with many expensive international players in their side.

I have no doubt that Unai will make us a real force but we are still less than a year into his management of us. To expect us to go there and roll them over easily is getting ahead of ourselves a little bit. 

We needed Emi and the defence at times but, that's why you have a keeper and defence. They performed well for us and have us a platform to go win the game. Remember, their keeper made a few really good saves and the score could have looked a lot more impressive if it wasn't for him.

We may struggle against Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs and Man Utd but there's nobody else to fear in this league. And, I'm sure when right at it we can give those other six a real game too. 

3 minutes ago, The_Steve said:

He could have broken Digne's ankle today. It's a red card every time.

Absolutely! No mention of the fact he had both feet off the ground going into that challenge either. 

That ref was disgraceful. I cannot believe he even developed balls enough to change that yellow to a red. He was appallingly bad. 

We did well. They still carry a lot of quality and we could have had more if it wasn't for their keeper. 

1 minute ago, Steero113 said:

Meanwhile, on the BBC

Must be a Chelsea fan, like the ends commentating. 

Notice how Chelsea are blocking off Torres from receiving the ball whenever any of our back line have the ball. They are stopping him taking the ball forward out of defence. 

Just now, StefanAVFC said:

What a bizarre half of officiating. There weren’t even late flags at times, just no flags. Bizarre inconsistency on fouls and then a situation where a foul is given to Chelsea, yellow to Digne and a VAR check for a red on the player Digne apparently fouled

This! ^^^^

What a fecking joke that ref is. His team are just as bad!

So many fouls against Villa and they go un-punished. 

Zaniolo looks great and unlucky not to have scored, so to Digne. However, they're leaving us open down that side and we're lucky to have escaped that half without conceding. 

Feel sorry for Diaby as he makes such brilliant runs and nobody sees them. Last week both Zaniolo and Bailey were guilty of ignoring him and today Watkins did the same. He's on a different wavelength. When it clicks he'll score loads. 

Lenglet hasn't had a bad game. 

1 minute ago, Indigo said:

Fun stuff so far, think it's notable how unathletic this team is at the back and in midfield, which makes them much easier to get at in situations like the second goal where they're getting nowhere near the loose ball and Legia have gone from back to front in a matter of seconds.

Kamara has been worryingly off form so far this season. Been poor so far here.

Somethin isn't right with Kamara. Maybe feeling threatened for his place by Tielemans and not reacting well to it? 

Not sure what it is but he's not the same player as last season, thus far. 

McGinn has hardly been involved so something needs to change. 

Should have scored two but got the runaround from Eze all game. 

He's a threat going forward, that's for sure. 

Captain material? 

Anyway, why did nobody else think sooner to let the man who scores from corners take the penalties?

Turning into a fantastic player. 

Like plenty of others, yesterday's performance reminded me of Benteke. I think that we need to get over big Chris and just enjoy big Jhon. 

We've got Duran, Jhon Jader Duran. 

He's the best striker in the land. 

He's Unai's man, Colombian. 

We've got Jhon Jader Duran. 

1 hour ago, Enda said:

Should have taken his goal first time

 

 

I think a more confident player would. 

But, we all know Leon has confidence issues. I think that he needs to stop reading social media and listening to critics (like me) and just do his thing because there is no doubt he is a talented player. I love seeing him score and smiling. 

I love this guy. I love the fact he came here to play a certain way and no matter what he does it. Gives the ball away and still keeps trying to do it Unai's way. 

Our league is the best in the world for a reason. He's used to a slower pace and having more time on the ball. Once he gets used to this league he's going to be the best defender in it. His passing sets him apart from everyone else. 

What a player, Moussa is. Fantastic ability, willing runner. Right now, he's too talented for those around him. Yesterday, Zaniolo should have played him in and then Bailey should've done the same. You see his frustrations with his teammates but, hopefully, the link-ups will come and then we'll see him scoring loads. His off-the-shoulder runs and brilliant. 

His work rate is unquestionable. His mentality is right. He's just unlucky a lot but, he's just not a natural goalscorer. If he was he would score bucket loads. Crosses flash across the 6 yard box and he's nowhere near them. His first touch is often not good enough. A lot of strikers score plenty of goals because their first touch puts them into the right position to get their shot off. 

For all the above, we need Ollie. Personally, I really think we would benefit from playing a natural striker and having Ollie playing wide left, where Zaniolo was yesterday. 

He was fantastic today. I think it's now time for Ezri to stand up and be the leading voice at the back with Mings on the sidelines. 

47 minutes ago, avfc1982am said:

I still think he's an inverted forward and not an out and out CF. Been anonymous in the first 4 PL games. I'd been inclined to try Zaniolo as point man with Watkins and Diaby either side at times. 

Good shout! 

58 minutes ago, AshVilla said:

Not signing another experienced striker to push him is a big mistake.

This is the key. He knows he's up against a complete rookie in Duran and his only other competition (Archer) has gone out of the door.

My only real criticism of our management team is that they didn't get Danjuma in. He's a unit, has experience of the league and, they managed him before. He would've really pushed Watkins. 

Just now, DCJonah said:

I don't get the decision. The game was over, there were worse players and we've knocked his confidence and caused an unnecessary issue. 

He was crap. 

He's simply not doing enough to warrant a place at our club. I'm sure he's got ability but he looks like bambi on ice when he gets the ball far too often (first touch today) and you just cannot carry passengers if you want to be a successful team. 

He always looks low on confidence and any he had will be completely destroyed after being subbed today. But, who's fault is that? He was the one who couldn't control a ball. He couldn't chase back. He let a clear goalscoring chance go by when he allowed a ball to go across him. 

He needs to either grow a pair or look elsewhere where the pressure isn't too much for him. 

Villa fans singing God save the King to wind the scousers up

3 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

Feel a bit sorry for Diaby out there. Not much more he can do. 

He's been OK. Watkins and Bailey looked like they thought they were still playing Hibs. 

Time to drop Ollie and give him the kick up the arse he needs.