Bazmonkey

I'd say it's the players....same players under Smith...no different. I think its easy to blame the manager because he already has a stigma attached. I've said it for a couple of seasons....some of the players are similar and simply not good enough...good for 14th...not for top half

If luiz amd targett are the solutions then the problems are more severe than we think.

Unless I'm wrong I've luiz on 63...xhaka 62 hardly a difference...but like I say...little 5 yarders can easily hide in stats. No agenda...ive got numerous examples of him not showing when needed both in attack amd defence can't up load them due to the size apparently. Like I said don't rate him that highly as others..just like others are made to be a scape goat...when really is one actually better than the other...its all opinions at the end of day.

Where are those stats. Be interested to see them. Sorry making 5 yard sideways passes and having a touch of the ball can be a misleading stat...especially in final third when the ball is going sideways all the time. If you watch the game again you will see where we need a pass...or a show in our own half.....he is no where to be seen...especially of goal kicks. At one point we had a throw on the half way line and he just stood there behind odergaard. Look at party amd xhaka...offered all over the pitch and moved after. Just dont get what he does...pops up.jow.and then in game...but imo just hides in the middle of it all.

I'm struggling to see after a few of these comments what he actually did today... he was ball shy...offered nothing...stood next to.odergaard all game....at times hid behind him. One of the main reasons we can't get out of our half and end up going to the full.backs. Really struggle to see what he brings 90% of the time

Another half where it looks like the oppo have an extra player and we look like we are one short. Going to be a long 45 at this rate

I'm in my 40's and I dont call it the Doug Ellis stand...not because of any animosity towards Doug, I havent got any.....I started watching the Villa in the 80's it was the Witton Lane stand......so to me it will always be and called the Witton Lane stand...I do get some funny looks when I say it ha ha

I think the metric is the stats as a whole. Shots on goal...goals conceded....pass completion....possession....a lot of stats I would say put us in the bottom 6. Will we win games...yes....Will we lose games...yes....thats a mid table team. hearing its Smith's fault....its Gerrards fault...it was a bad appointment and hearing how great our players are is a bit blinkered by some.....some have shown good parts at times but most are rare

I'll give you the squad is better but then compared to the 2019 it's not hard....but then 300 million should return something better As for all those winners....why can't we pass more than 10 yards...defend the box with more defenders than attackers...amass more than 30% possession in game....test the keeper more than once in a game??? Smith amd Garrard have made a mistakes but when players can't the basics it's not their fault...some players are held a lot better than they really are just because they play for us....just saying

But are they....I have read this many times....two managers now and still the same mistakes. Yes...both Smith and Gerrard have made mistakes but its with the same players. I think we need to realise that just because we have spent money doesn't mean these players are actually that good. Yes we will have good spells in games...even poor teams do but I'm sorry to say....some of these players are not as good as we think they are

yes....but 100 odd games and who have learned from......no one...learning on the job....same mistakes each week...who is giving help to these players....wheres the guidance coming from in training.....who is helping Alf Garnett word for example....or Mcginn on positional awareness....Ramsay.....Luiz......this is the problem....Ill give you Young and how he can help the attack minded players we have...but Chambers......been a bench warmer most his career......how is he going to improve us....can one of the other players go to him for guidance????? .can he do a job..yes....but long term...squad player at best

I think there is mixture of both Gerrard getting things wrong and the some of the players not good enough, either way something does need to change. The main problem Villa have had for a number of years now, including under Smith is everything or everyone is learning on the job. Gerrard...in experience....learning on the job. Players....championship....lower league teams...all learning on the job. With the exception of Ings and Coutinho...we have a squad with little premiership experience and importantly who are the new players going to learn from.....no one. This is a key area the board have dismissed in recruitment.......yes buy new.....young players....and build them...but not a squad. We are always catching up with other team having new players every summer.....learning the league......and IMO too many like for like. Midfield has always been an issue for me and it has not been addressed but until we get basics right....we could have a world class player in the team and look distinctively average....which we do.

In response to this and a couple of comments similar. I dont think SG has the lost the dressing room. IMO...From what I originally said...i think after the 1st half against Newcastle, add in a coupe of other performances a few players have called each other out, which I think they should!

Heard from someone close to club....so im taking it with a pinch of salt, but I believe it Apparently it went off in the dressing room at Newcastle at half time. A lot of finger pointing by the players and management, bit of unrest at the moment, which might explain why we have been poor past few games. SG knows some players are not good enough, hence a lot of the youth have been brought in to have a look at, some 'senior' players not pulling their weight. In house game yesterday...mixed the squad up....experience and kids....bailey was the standout. Dont shoot the messenger

midfield three needs to be a midfield five. 2 holding...better balance across the pitch.

My bad....it didn't show the picture I'm on about. Here he is no man's land...just backing off...this allowed the forward inside for the shot

I could post this in most chats but mings is the victim of poor defensive positioning. He is not the only one...there are others...but we seem to have two centre halves that don't want to defend. Hear me out...yes they will get blocks in...maybe a pass interception but positional both of them just sit back and let the full backs do the work...how many times did we see target making a last ditch tackle non the penalty spot with mings and konsa sitting on the 6 yard line....pretty much every game. The defensive situation is our weakness..this is a prime example...two players going to same attacker....two CB's one ball watching and the other two late to the party

I've always got the impression from him that he is happy in a away to be here but it was kind of forced on him with the city situation. Adding the to the fact...he has been here a few seasons now and still don't know what position he plays....he isn't a CDM but will he get a chance to play more advanced Yes he has a good touch...can find a pass...and brings a bit of bite in the middle...but I have never been that impressed with him that ive thought....wow...he played well today...almost a solid 7....does what he has to do. If we can get 35 plus for him...id take that...more so if there if its likely he doesn't want to sign a new deal

peter withe is obvious because it was the European cup final. But I'd go with this one.....I was at the back of the holte that game.....the whole ground was rocking...atmosphere...night game against a big team....cracking goal...despite going out on away goals...what a game...what a night

i thought it was a 18 month loan????????

Already hating it....adding why would he want to join the villa...championship three years ago. 1. Most of the league have a had a stint in the championship 2. Unless you are city liverpool or Chelsea everyone else is just making the numbers. 3. We are actually a big club...bigger than some of the clubs who have been given big club status. I've switched it off already

Yet again....out of opposition ..drawn in to the middle for their second ball watching.

Me too. Not good enough for where we want to be. Played in poor Southampton team and Fulham team...not going to improve. Poor positioning sense...and it kills us...allows to many crosses amd space to be attacked by wingers.

The thing is then poor elements are in defending which they should be good at. I could argue crossing should be not as good but both suffered in basic defending...the main one positioning. Every team we play stick 5 in the middle and exploit the space we give them...better positioning by cash and that first pass by Chelsea is back...not forward amd thus resulting in a rash tackle