Gompedyret

Somehow Saturday feels like an eternity to wait for. The recent spell with frequent matches have really spoilt us.

As I said in the match reaction thread, it's very possible that Watkins never will be as predatorially prolific as Harry Kane or as spectacular as Traore. However, his energy and work rate and willingness to run the channels and set up others means that during a season he will contribute to a sizable bunch of goals scored by the team, in more or less subtle ways. It's easy to be fond of Ollie Watkins. The player, at least!

Lots of players deserve praise today. Of all the excellent performances, I'd mention three: Tyrone Mings. He was pretty much back to his best today, just clean, simple intelligent defence play not trying to be unnecessarily "clever". Watkins. It's just so easy to love this fella. He might not be as deadly as a Harry Kane or as spectacular as a Traore, but he runs the channels, harasses everyone, always trying to set up or execute any goal chances, keepinmg their defenders at bay. In the course of a season, his work rate will have gotten us a bunch of extra goals, both directly and in more subtle ways. So happy to have him on the team. Martinez. So chuffed for him. Excellent performance, and it must be such a good feeling for his new team to have a double over his old team, with two clean sheets as well. Obligatory extra mention of Jack Grealish. Even on a "quiet day" for him, he has quite a few absolutely vital moments for the team and his overview gets better and better. Continuing like this, he will simply become the ultimate creator of chances in the football business. UTV!!!!

Loved his performance today, much improved. Favorite moment was when he took the ball away from an arse player and just thundered through a small ocean of arsenal players midfield before he was eventuelly manhandled into the ground.

For all the Arse huffing and puffing smartness and our perceived weaknesses, we have been the most dnageropus team out there by a wide margin. Hopefully we will winn, and when we do, it will be well and truly deserved.

Another chapter in the "Aston Villa causes another team's manager to quit or get fired" saga.

My gran would have had an easy answer to this one. "So, how many points did you get in your previous five matches? There you are, sweetie."

Pretty much the only thing I miss seeing from him at this stage.

Jizz being interviewed after the match: "This was really hard, but we totally spanked them in the end."

The players on the bench are plenty rested anyway, that's a false logic. Just because we managed to clinch a win doesn't mean that the question of subs isn't very relevant to pose.

Winning a game and keeping clean sheets is well and good, but it feels a bit dirty to win like this. I don't understand why the rules are practiced the way they are, particularly when it comes to offside. Also, subs before 95 minutes are played is usually a good thing in a high pressure game in the midst of a period littered with frequent matches. Would be nice to have Smith answeer the question about subs on telly.

PHEW!!!

Any subs warming up? I can't see anyone.

I'd consider substituting some players, no matter what you guys say.

Southampton seems shell shocked. Let's exploit this!!

We are kind of the Burnley of this match. Hopefully I'll feel like that when the match is done too.

"General final third threat". Would love to have that on my CV.

Wouldn't mind a shithouse goal to top it off, though. Variation is the key to happiness etc.

Give pope an extra portion of whatever popes like to snack on. He's earned it.

Indeed! Just, every single attack we have is completely satisfying to watch panning out, even if it doesn't always end in goals.

OK, Aston Villa is full of Grealishes tonight. Such a joy to watch, just next level!

What a move! Incredible stuff from Greeelish

That's nothing less than art. Incredibly efficient football!

Traore and McGinn has been close to invisible so far.

Agreed, he showed really good signs. It is only one match and it was against Newcastle, so he might still be solidly found out by better teams. Though on the other side, he can only play against the team in front of him, and after a long absence he should be allowed for some rustiness as much as someone like Ross Barkley. He will need to repeat and further improve, but stats so far indicate a damn promising future for him, I'd say.