srsmithusa

so, if emery was showing the owners that we were too thin beneath the starters, (which assumes that wouldn't simply trust his expertise to say so) and simultaneously giving marginal folks a chance to prove themselves, or make themselves marketable....  does that mean the Konsa, Luis, and McGinn, are all available for a decent offer?   I exclude Ollie on the theory that he was there to get a chance at 20.

i think one, maybe (Dougie)  but certainly not all three.   

(and I don't buy the "he had to start somebody in those spots and there was no-one else.  there were kids on the bench and kids at home that could have been on the field.)   bottom line, i don't buy that he's trying to prove something to the owners.  I do think, diego, lenlet, chambers, diaby, duran, as all as good as gone.  (Maybe Digne)

I was on the fence about Diego Carlos before this match, but he showed less interest and fight than a player can be permitted, ever.  Get rid.

I was on the Olsen ain't good enough train before this match, but he made some very nice saves and came out strong to collect several times.  and was angry and frustrated, yelling at his defense with the passion they lacked.  i'll put him back on undecided.

I see potential in Duran, but he can develop it somewhere else.  watkins needs a new partner up front.

i see huge potential in Diaby, but i think he will have a greater career in a league that plays more open and flowing ball (spain or Italy)

I gave emery my first poor.  there were two goals for this team, get ollie a goal, and entertain.  Emery clearly gave up on both.

Voting in June.  Klopp has said he would scrap it.   I would keep it for everything except offside

the flag staying down already has created needless injuries to players

the flag staying doen has already created corner kicks when a free kick to defense was correct

prrsonally i think it depends too much on tge frane speed and when the video is stopped   Also, hangails off are the intent of the rule   Neither are shirt sleeves or hair length   The intent is to prevent forwards camping with the GK eliminating a midfield a d making the game a continuous punt and hope affair   

Penalties, goals, cards or instances when any of those three were not given but should have been, stay under review.   When there is a clear and obvious error, those calls should be changed.  Those are match changing calls.  
 

the other option is to permit no VAR interference unless the captain requests it.  Then anything can be reviewed.  But the team can only request 3 reviews per match.  .  

so, i normally take a fairly positive view of our players and get frustrated with those who call them useless or talentless or out-classed or not worthy to wear the shirt, etc.   but nwo that we are going to europe, get rid of all the bottlers !!!!!!

We need some UPGRADES !

i can sort of understand those that hate cheering for shitty,  but not me.  I want nothing as much as i want what's best to advance villa.  So if spuds were playing hitler, mao, black bart and their best friends, I would be happily supporting the axis of evil.

so come on whoever is playing tottenham today !!!!  

the foul on ederson so bad they won't show a replay, but he stays in the game.

7 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

I went into this one with one eye on tomorrow and a little bit noncommittal, get it over with so we can concentrate on Citeh beating Spurs.

That didn't last.

The own goal put a dent in things but it was pretty obvious almost immediately that we were in no mood to lie down and let them walk all over us - I thought our performance was excellent, we passed the ball well, we were committed, we had a plan and we cut them open time and time again - their second goal after our equaliser seemed against the run of play and then when we missed the ridiculous Carlos chance and the reasonable Diaby chance there was perhaps the potential for heads to drop.

Going two-one down gave us another opportunity to do that, VAR did it's madness and the referee decided that Liverpool players were unf***ingbookable and still we kept coming, kept playing the ball around them, kept getting in behind - Bailey was brilliant at times, McGinn worked his socks off and though I'm sure he'll be getting plenty of criticism I thought Diaby showed real strength of character to keep coming back and keep trying to make things happen - at times we were almost unplayable going forward, a real display of athleticism and mental strength..

And three-one down.

Sometimes you need something different.

Cometh the hour, cometh the bonkers high energy South American superhulk of destiny.

Bang.

Bang.

The place was absolutely rocking, it was incredibly loud, it was aggressive, determined, positive and willing us to get another - if Diaby's shot that was well saved had gone in, I think you'd have heard us from mars. As it was the atmosphere was as good as it's been all season, and more than that, the crowd stuck with the players after the OG, and again when we were 3-1 down - it was loyalty and determination and an energy that was reflected in the performance we got. There's a really good feeling around the place and you could see the connection when the players came back out after the game - and the love for the manager when he stood, arms raised in front of the Holte End - he looked very much at home and I don't think I've ever seen a Villa Park crowd that adore a manager more.

A crazy game, two good sides, loads of good football, loads of drama, an appalling referee who could quite easily have booked seven or eight Liverpool players and left having booked one. chances missed left right and centre, the dangers of the offside trap, the idiocy of VAR and it's make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach, the peculiar feeling afterwards that despite the adrenaline rush of the finish we should really have won it and a night where we're a point nearer the holy grail of Champions league football. My throat hurts and my legs are still shaking. Football.

Spurs now need to win in order to force us into needing at least a draw at Palace - here's hoping they don't get one and that we can celebrate tomorrow the achievements of today.

Up the f***ing Villa!

 

Oh and hello Adidas, I think you'll like it here.

 

strongly agree about diaby.  he frustrates with decisions, but he is in the right place moving with needed quickness over and over again.  his head doesn't drop.  he just keeps getting in the right place and using his speed to go again.  i'm not sure how to turn that into the devastating instrument it could be.  but I think it's a mistake to write him off.

4 minutes ago, sheepyvillian said:

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if you actually posted one with Emery taking a piss.

link, please.

Duran was inspirational as he often is.  I just have a hard time giving man of the match to someone who only played 20% of it.  I gave it to mcginn, not a lot to show for his effort, honestly, but he worked hoard, took several hard hits late (Dished out at least one to be fair) but was strong an positive throughout the entire match.   If MOTM meant man of the moment, that would be different.

22 minutes ago, The_Steve said:

Still can't believe Unai got booked. The passion was next level.

wait !  Unai got booked?  When?  for what?

27 minutes ago, ROTTERDAM1982 said:

I thought we played well tonight, and deserved at least a point.

Shoot me if you like, but I actually like Pau and Torres at the back.

Positives...attitude, fight, desire, can't coach that

Bailey and Diaby kept going

Tielemans was very good

Watkins always a handful

I would be absolutely amazed if we don't get Top 4 now, be really interesting to see what Unai does

UTV

just to be clear, you like Pau and Torres at that back? 

putting the elbow toward the opponents head is a 'natural position now"  ?

3 minutes ago, LondonLax said:

The referee has been fine. We’ve caused our own problems unfortunately.

i don't agree that he's been fine, but i completely agree that we have caused our own problems, not him.

2 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

Want Ollie to get to 20

you might have to wait until Sunday

9 minutes ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

Still confused as to why Baileys so mad at Watkins. He should’ve left it for Diaby?

i can't be sure, but my guess is that watkins criticized him for playing it when he was offside rather than letting diaby take it.  It cost Ollie his 20th.  my guess is that bailey is mad that he was (rightfully) blamed for costing us a goal on the play.  That's 98% conjecture, but it's the only thing that makes sense to me.

umm, Mr. Martinez, are you OK?

3 minutes ago, YLN said:

Has this changed or have I always been wrong?

it's been the way i describe since the 80's at least.

4 minutes ago, YLN said:

But was he not offside before that? 

I'm so confused. In the build up. The second assist. He was offside then no? 

he was in an offside position, yes.  but it doesn't matter.  it only matters if he is an an offside position when the ball is LAST played by a teammate.

Doug looked pissed, or depressed or focused on his walk into the stadium and out of the tunnel.  i hope it was focused

"youri tielemans close, zaniolo close, moreno close."  -  Unai on OS.  I hope they all three make it and play.  But i fear he's just talking hopefully and keeping liverplop off balance.  We need fresh legs desperately and i'm clutching for other options.  Kellyman?  Monroe?  kessler hayden?  Tim?

based on playing time, it seems that Tim might be closer to ready than the others.  Maybe a three man mid-field with one advanced?  it would give luis and/or mcginn the freedom to push forward more.

i just fear that the same tired 22 legs are going to get the same flat performance and results we have seen too much lately.

Just now, GlobalVillan said:

On the night when we can qualify for the CL, in our final home match of an amazing season, you would throw the game? 

This thread has officially lost the plot.

I just dont think its throwing the game to let a fee that are too tired to be effective be replaced by skilled and motivated players that were on the bench and played in greece.   I would rather be more sure of 4th and think palace is the much greater likelihood of a win.  
 

you can disagree, thate quire reasonable.  but i think you mischaracterized my thinking 

I cant see spurs beating city. And i cant us losing to palace.   I might start a couple kids v pool to give a few some rest.  And i would be worrying about the summer when we need to upgrade several positions and build depth.   

the quickness and energy of the kids show excactly what our problem has been.

finally the kids.

1 minute ago, Davkaus said:

I can only assume anyone who thinks that was clearly offside was watching Torres but not Konsa.

it was me and i looked at the wrong time.