MackHaakon

Delighted, welcome ! 

Only watched the second half, but despite losing there were a few positives I thought. Some nice rythm and tempo at times, chemisty between players seemed a bit better,

Gil has vision and natural talent on the ball - that is obvious. He was able to find his teammates on several occasions with intelligent and well tuned passes. Loved watching him and looking forward to more of that.

Sanchez was great. Got a real presence about him. Strong physically and calm on the ball. Almost functions as our playmaker now as well, although I'm not sure that's the plan or just happens because the rest of the midfielders are low on confidence and ability.

Bearded Baker.

Benteke will come good - soon. He is a top top player but needs to focus on the team and stay positive in order to unleash the beast within.

Still worried about relegation.

We are way way behind Everton in terms of confidence and chemistry. There's just too much hesitation in the final third to create good chances. 

On the positive side:

- Benteke and Vlaar both back and are going to give us a boost

- We have midfielders capable of passing the ball (but not effective in creating chances)

- Hutton, solid defensively, contributing going forward

I somehow want to blame MON

Really hope the home crowd will stick with the team throughout the game. There will probably be patches where we (for reasons we all know about) will struggle with possesion and creativity, hell we might even concede a goal or two. But if Villa Park really treat this as the cup final it is, the players will feel the energy and vitalise them. As fans, I think we can play a vital role tomorrow (except those of us watching it on TV or on a crap stream:))

UTV!!!

Worried. Fans will expect the team to attack, be positive and create chances. What they most probably will see is Southampton running the show completely, and edgy Villa players play the long ball to Holt and Gabby. Recipy for toxic atmosphere.

- Lack of spending in quality players

- Key players are injury-prone (Vlaar, Delph, Gabby, Benteke)

- Manager who overrates the effectiveness of the target man/ quick wingman combo. 

- Players who lack ability at this level, to the extent that the long ball approach is often the only way to get the ball forward

- Home crowd with expectation of decent football from their team which is very rarely met. Disappointed fans + nervous players = lack of fluidity and creativity = bad spiral

Stoke much better than us in every way, congrats to them for a superb game.

We didn't create a single chance in the 2nd half. I can't think of any team in the league who is capable of that at home.

Two very even teams in terms of  quality, can't see us breaking them down in the last 45. We seem to be utter shit when we're not the perfect version of ourselves - no middle ground..

The problem with this club is clearly complex, and much of it is probably rooted in economy - both our own and that of our rivals in the PL.

1. Quality of players. We can't afford very good players. This has led us into having to fight to avoid relegation. This again affects the type of football we play, as players are less confident, buckle to some degree under the pressure, can't play relaxed, and hence can't perform at their best. Supporters start booing and it's all just a very bad spiral.

2. Tactic. I think Lambert has understood what the rest of us has understood; that our front three (when on form) represents the only consistent attacking threat we can offer. But our playing approach is so direct that our central midfield never get the "feel" of the game. If you don't routinely build play through your midfield they will eventually not look for poisitons, make the runs etc. And when they suddenly have the ball they will outside their comfort zone. Very bad habits form. Which makes it even worse as our defence-midfield link gets very Westwoodificated and predictable.

What we need is a manager who has the courage to let his players play with creativity and freedom. If these group of players are not good enough to do that now, they will only get worse playing like we are now. 

We must be the least creative team in the league. We need to expand our ideas beyond that of kicking a long ball up to Benteke with Weimann and Gabby running behind.

Fully deserved loss.

Benteke is better with ball to his feet. Lumping a high ball to an isolated striker will only bring pressure right back on.

We're just not interested in playing the game at times, which is very disappointing and not good for the long term development.

Ridiculous game.

Pretty even game, fabtastic 3 points.

Think it would be more of a disaster if he wasn't fit for Everton on saturday

I agree that in away games in general he seems vital to our game plan.

However, at home he is one of very few people in the team who can actually get past a defender while keeping control of the ball. Without him I suspect we'll see even more of the hoofing.

Hopefully fit for Everton.

Gabby out is a disaster.

He is the Vlaar of our forward line. Or something.

Well the Championship IS a step up from buying League 1/2 players.

Players get confidence when the team has the ball, which leads to sustained pressure, which often leads to clearances from the other team, yet more ball and more confidence. Which is why the idiotic hoof tactic imo is the most devastating tactic there is - for the team applying it.

The Belgian beast is back.

Great to see this - but as others have said - it'll be even greater when this isn't newsworthy.

we go again

Come on lads, don't give up!

YES!

Well we could always unleash Bowery

Helenius!

Damn , deflected shot 0-1

Gardner on the bench

Let him play please!