May-Z

Back in my training year I was paired with a lad who ended up being a dick. A proper annoying dick who I grew to loathe with a passion. I didn't let him know that though and I don't think he cottoned on. We had to get a busy bus together so often sat next to each other. One day I was texting my missus about how much of a nob he was and how it was funny that he was moaning about other being annoying for the same reasons that made him insufferable. WelI, at least I thought it was to my missus...I sent it straight to his number instead. He looked at me, I looked at him, then he got up and move to the other end of the bus. Awkward last couple of months training after that...but probably for the best.

It would just open up an Kang of worms.

Same thing he did at Newcastle before Howe...

This isn't one everyone must do, but it was a great experience for a Villa fan... I signed up to do the big sleep out at Villa Park with Shaun Teale. We slept as a group in the Trinity Stand concourse to raise money for charity. It was one of the first ones, so not much interest and a small group. We were given stadium tours that were more off-beat than the usual which was nice, especially with Shaun Teale adding his stories as well. But the best but was getting up in the morning and sitting in the stand watching the sun rise over the Villa Park pitch*. Awesome. (*It was actually being dug up for some new undersoil heating but let's not take away from the moment)

Benteke's debut was a short cameo against Swansea where he looked a beast, bullied defenders and scored by lobbing the keeper and touching home with a deft touch. Surely you didn't think that then?

8/10. WB

Gallagher would be a great for our midfield...however, the money he'd cost would be too much to make it a reality.

Do you know what, if West Ham are linked to a striker for big bucks then I'd rather leave him alone. Their best striker over the last few years has been an aging RB that somehow turned into a CF for a season or two in Antonio. Their list of failed strikers and the money they used to get them is a joke.

Thought he may have been useful against Leeds to help close out the half. We did well without having that option really.

Yep. +1 on Benteke. I think we forget, but he was genuinely phenomenal for us. All sorts of goals, many created from nothing, and plenty that you'd wonder how he'd scored them. I'm not quite sure an exact Benteke replica would suit an Emery team, but it would be one hell of an entertaining ride to see if they did!

I keep falling into the same trap of thinking if a defender is told to stay back, it's to be defensive. But... It is still important to be very good with the ball. Our play will develop to be about passing out from the back and keeping the ball as we move through the pitch. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think Hayden may be better with the ball than Cash already. Ashley Young's pass to Kamara for our breakaway against Leeds shows the difference in being able to stay back, but to use the ball well whilst in that position.

Bigger surface area with the higher toe count though. Might up their chances.

I think our general rule should try and be 'beat the teams from us down, and not lose to the ones immediately ahead. Out problems over the past few seasons have stemmed from not taking a decent haul from the bottom of the table teams. This year we took two pints from Bournemouth, Palace, Leeds away, and Forest. Maybe you can even put West Ham in that list too after how shit they have been this year. That's a lot of points missed out on. It's was the same under Smith and Gerrard and makes it hard to build up a decent final total as you have to beat the top six to make up for it. I think Emery will sort out the issues that see us missing these opportunities as frequently.

Tbf, they usually beat us whether they're shit hot or in awful form when we go down there.

This is ultimately where a lot of problems come from...players go down from a touch...not from force that actually makes them go down. See Ashley Young at Leeds goal for example. It's common place that they are just given, and even the players know it's bullshit but just accept it. What I will say though, is at least Oliver was consistent in the fact he was willing to say 'not enough' for both that and the penalty shout. However, he application of it at all other times was shiiiite.

They always facking do! Emi Martinez pulls off one of the saves of the season...all the comms can talk about is how brilliant Leeds' build up was.

Mings is also one who goes long more often...so they could direct attention towards Konsa. It worked for them for the majority....shame they're shit at defending when it comes to other parts of the game.

This is why I am happy with the performances we've seen so far. I think we can see it as sustainable. This isn't just a run of games where we always sit back and we've nicked things 1-0. We've been dogged, structured, brave...but also had multiple moments of real quality throughout every single game. Our defending is better, and our scoring has rocketed. Tonight wasn't pretty...and Leeds felt on top...but we scored two, looked as if we could've had a couple more, and kept Leeds' best efforts out. This could be a pattern for a long run of games and not really be threatened imo.

Bit unfair. It's definitely on Young for the goal. Tucked too far inside and then tried to win a free kick. Watch the reply and Sanson has busted a gut across a 40 yard sprint to even catch up with Gnonto and press. He actually got into a really good position after that and I don't know how he managed to come of second best - that was poor - but I don't think too much can be put on him for Young's mistake.

Found it difficult against what Leeds were doing with their press. Did enough to be part of the game and contribute. He'll be more effective against other teams. He makes a good pair with Kamara.

For years we have had players that if we could splice them together would be ideal. Think Watkins/Ings this season. Kamara is actually what you get when you have the complete package. As good as Barry with his passing and as good as it gets when it comes to interceptions/blocks. He's superb.

He really did act like a winger at times in the second half with his runs and positioning. It'll be such a good asset to have pace and width on that side as well as what Bailey offers on the right. I can see lots of chances being made in the same way that Watkins nudged the ball off to Ramsey for his goal against Norwich last year. Moreno will eat that up and drive into space. Beautiful.

He needs to calm down a bit. Can't go around celebrating like a maniac like that.

I actually think Leeds did a really good job tactically today. They knew we'd pass it out so put three high to press and filled the midfield to pick the passes into there or pick up the knockdowns from the defenders. Kamara is absolutely shit hot, so he looked good, but every else was taken out of the game. However, when we made space, we used it well and attacked well. It was a scrap, but we won that scrap. In the past we would have rolled over.