Bazmonkey

Decision making poor in middle and final third Playing in to danger Forcing the pass Look tired and sloppy now

Was just about to say...we give too much width...allowing space behind the fullback...this is the result...silly challenge

Spot on....been saying this for two years....last year he had grealish in front of him so that took a couple of players away from him. If you look back at most of our goals conceded....they come from the wings...not necessarily crosses....but allowing the oppo wingers free time and space to run in to the box. IMO I dont think he is good enough...played in a poor Southampton team...then Fulham....better than Taylor...yes...but a new LB would be high on my list after a CDM

Im sorry but who are Villa, a team in its third year back in the prem, survived by skin of our teeth, last year.....played for 18 games. I think a few need to really think about what they saying, turning their nose ups at some of the names mentioned, I'm sorry, but we are not as big as we think we are, its alright having money and a nice ground, it doesnt mean anything. Its shame it didn't workout for Smith, but please, look at his record, its poor, reliant on Grealish and a pot of money, no plan A or B. But, he has been let down by some players, simple basics he cannot effect. Its also been a funny summer so you could argue this season was always going to be difficult. Either way, its a new chapter and must back the new manager regardless of who it is.

Bailey does all the hard work only for mcginn to have a brain fart...again

Apart from the hoof from ward prowse there's nothing freak about that the goal. Maybe if our players moved...gambled on 2nd balls and had a bit of quality they would score a few freak goals. Armstrong made that goal work for him.

One goal in 29...always going to him. Didn't think 2 mins

Armstrong to score

I wouldn't say they have gone to shite, they were never really that good, last year they still made the same mistakes, same style of play, same bad positioning, only difference this year is Martinez is not bang on it keeping the ball out the net.

Can definitely see why he couldn't see through the traffic. But this also highlights a major concern for me thats been happening foe a while...look at that shape. 7 players in front of ball all out of position...Ive said before Target plays Centre Half and here the proof....bit off topic Trying to see anything through this mess is always going to hard.

Teams were walking through us last year, but as the stats say Martinez was better, there have definitely been some goals conceded where you think, he would have saved that last year. We sit back so bad its shocking, I have lost count on how many villa players are in the box when we concede.....Rice's goal last night, clear example, 7 inc the keeper and he didnt hit it that far out, we have centre half's in the 6 yard box...midfielders on the edge...this kills us as well as the second ball retention.....even more so...going forward...the only thing is to hoof it to watkins....lose it...repeat

Said this many times. I'm all for dipping in to the championship for players, but when you have a team full of them which player already in the squad is going to make them better....no of them....additionally....how are they expected to compete in the prem.....they wont....we have too many players effectively 'learning their trade' Need balance of good premiership players, experience. Even those with prem experience are not good enough take Targett...played in a poor Southampton side....fulham....is he really going to improve us ...no...this can be said for many of our current squad. The recruitment......the tactical awareness of Smith......the quality of players we have.....the loss of grealish = what we have seen this calendar year and before. Smith did get us promoted but so would any manager with the money spent and grealish. He is a likeable guy...a fan...and i thank him for what he has done...but those asking for more time...he deserves it....so far during these past 11 months what have seen to show you that...next game...he can motivate the team and get a result....im intrigued to know.

spot on...been saying this for a while....both full backs do this but at least cash as a bit of pace to get out...eventually. He's positional sense is poor.....starts at centre back. As for blaming Baily....maybe if target was set right before.... it would have forced the player to play it backwards...bit like when we get the ball in the final third...we are always forced back. Poor player.....never rated him

Poor player Cant defend Cant attack One of the main reasons we concede alot

Championship manager Championship players Championship team Championship performance

No grealish No party

Good see 6 outfield players behind the ball and still conceded. Story of out defending this year. Did say martinez kept us in games last year...not the quality of defending

Targett again....out of position....slow to close. Poor player

Ward prowse is definitely a player that would fit in nicely 4 plus 1 would be a a traditional 4 in the middle and no10 say...but the two in the middle would have to be very disciplined if the other two were 'wingers' But do we have the personal to play that...not sure

I'm saying for us with the players we have...we need to play 5...now the question is do we go with a 3 and 2 out and out wingers or 4 plus 1. I think we have too many like for.like players in forward positions....mainly wingers. We don't have many midfielders...out an out midfielders and that could be our downfall. Off top of my head Martinez Cash konsa mings target Luiz sanson Bailey mcginn watkins Ings The other problem is shoe Horning in ings and Watkins. If playing two one needs to play wide and give us that width

Does 532 work...no Will 433 work...no Simple answer is the same issues with either formation will remain...we just get over run in midfield...we don't have good enough midfielders to play in a three. You play 5 at the back to allow wing backs to bomb on...right...targett is im a left back I will stay at left back...problem 1...problem 2...ball needs to stick in the middle to allow wing backs to get in front....problem 2....if the midfield to get the ball...inevitable they will give it away...mcginn...10 yard pass on...tries a 30 yard arse pick it up..two passes...3rd goal...wing back out of position...problem 3. Same would happen with a three. Our ball retention...basics....and design making is our downfall...regardless of the shape and personal until this is addressed the same things will happen every week

As much as the formation needs resolving quick thats up to Smith However, we seem to have a number of players that struggle with basics...passing...moving....finding space. We are very reactive rather than pro active...never win a second ball on our or oppo box..never force players in to mistakes or press. Smith is without grealish this year so it will take a bit of time...he gave the oppo something to think about which at this level is crucial...arsenal were not worried one bit tonight...even when we looked better

Doesn't matter about the formation or tactics if you can't do the BASICS

Yet again 7 players in the 6 yard box and they still can't clear it

Why is it when we play we look like we play with 8 men...and the oppo look like they have 15