handsworthvilla

For me the subs issue had nothing really to do with freshness or personnel. You could argue Trezeguet would've been fresher and brought more energy than Traore, but I'm not sure how much of an impact on the game that would have had. The real reason I was literally shouting at the TV asking for a substitute was for managing the clock and killing Southampton's momentum. It is a tactic which practically every single team at any level uses, and I just couldn't get my head around how Smith doesn't see the value in it. Making a sub takes away about a minute of gameplay (which is never really reflected in added time if you make 3 subs) but it also critically kills the opponents momentum. It is incredibly hard to maintain intensity and attacking pressure if the opposition is dragging their heels making a sub and disrupting the rhythm of the game. Wolves under Nuno are the absolute masters at doing this There is absolutely no way that Smith doesn't know this, as he is obviously a student of the game. So my question would be, why doesn't he see the value in it? From what I know of him he seems a very analytical manager who thinks about all areas of the game. So I would imagine its less that he is oblivious to the value of a substitute, but more that he has an alternative theory about why it might be detrimental to team cohesion or shape or something like that

They're getting a lot of credit for the Liverpool win but in reality it was a complete fluke. Pundits were falling over themselves to call it a masterclass but it was just like the game at Villa Park except they managed to get a penalty on one of the very few occasions that they lumped a ball into Liverpool's box. Klopp was right when he said it was nearly impossible for Liverpool to lose that game based on the run of play We will have a lot of the ball and will have chances. Just have to deal with the long balls and second balls.

Would really like Watkins to get a goal here … its starting to become a bit of a goalless streak, which is never good for strikers

I quite like him to be honest. I would prefer Trez in big games like yesterday where Cash is going to be under pressure. But I do like how unpredictable he is, he is good in one v ones and can deliver a good cross when cutting back in. What he really needs to work on, and I'd be amazed if the coaching staff are not talking to him about this, is what he does when he shifts the ball on to his right side. The option to cut back on the left is not always going to be there, so he needs to get at least competent at standing a cross up with his right foot. El Ghazi is quite good at doing this with his left, he should have a word with him

Its the way he dragged it back to create the angle for the pass that was so impressive. How he has the calmness and poise to do that in the box with 3 players on him is what makes him a special player

Anyone suggesting he should have hoofed it is talking nonsense. I guarantee nobody (including all the pundits and commentators) had heard of that rule before last night … so how on earth would you expect Mings to be aware of it, and to take a split second decision to hoof the ball based on this obscure rule that nobody has ever heard of or seen enforced previously? If we assume that Mings wasn't aware of the rule (like none of us were) then why on earth would you hoof a ball upfield because there is an offside man behind you? That is ridiculous

Looked poor, couldn't sort his feet out on a couple of occasions. Also flicked the ball away a few times when it would have been better to use his body to protect the ball. Will put that down to ring rust more than anything

He had Sterling in his pocket. When Sterling is on the right he likes to fake inside and then go down the line, Targett read it every single time and I don't think he beat him down the line once all game. Blocked a lot of crosses too

It really was a fantastic interview. So refreshing to see a player speak so honestly and candidly, without chucking out a single cliché or prepared line. Especially liked the part where he apologised to Geoff Shreeves because he knew his answer was going to be boring. Never heard him speak before but I think a lot more of him after seeing that. But, nevertheless, he's not on Jack's level. Maddison is a top player, Grealish is, in my opinion, a once in a generation talent which I fear England will end up wasting mainly because he plays for Aston Villa. I've always thought he would be appreciated a lot more by the Spanish if he was one of theirs. It makes me laugh when I see players like Maitland-Niles / Saka / Hudson-Odoi getting called up because they make a handful of decent appearances for a top side … compared to Jack who has had to single-handedly tear through the whole Premier League producing stats comparable to the best players in the world just to get a look in. What a joke

I couldn't stop smiling when he was giving his post match interview to BT. How refreshing it was to see a young lad speaking from the heart, without all the nonsense media training and cliche soundbites. You could've been listening to any random 17 year old villa fan that they picked off the street. He was just genuinely buzzing and emotional about playing for his team and scoring a goal that will change his life. Seemed like such a good lad as well, was quick to mention his team-mates and his Dad rather than focusing on himself. Brilliant stuff

My thoughts echo exactly what Smith said in his post match interview. When I saw it in real time I said "penalty all day" ... it looked like Luiz had got too tight and put his arms round him. So I don't blame Oliver for whistling. My issue is that when you slow it down you can clearly see Pogba trips himself. So why were they so quick to move on? It seems that every time we get a penalty its re-played for about 5 minutes before a decision is made. They didn't even seem interested in checking it yesterday

Arrogant and lazy? Met him have you?

Bit of a random one for me. 2003 League Cup quarter final at home to Chelsea. Was my first season going without my Dad and with my school mates instead. Stood at the back of the holte in the freezing cold for an under the lights game. Chelsea had just got the Roman money so had a few stars and were starting to rise. I remember Angel scored an absolute cracker in the first half, then Chelsea equalised. Then late on Gavin McCann scored the scrappiest goal late on in front of the Holte to give us the win. The Holte went absolutely mental I remember being pretty drunk walking back chanting "we're going to Wembley" with my mates and thousands of others. Just a great feeling. I kept the newspaper report of the game on my bedroom wall for years Of course we didn't end up going to Wembley, got knocked out in the semi's by Bolton. But nevertheless a great memory

I don't know if I'm getting carried away here as its only 14 games into his career, but I said to my mate the other day whilst watching the Chelsea game, I think he's the best keeper I've ever seen at Villa. He even looks the part - big, strong and athletic. My first full season of supporting was the league cup in 1995/96 … so there is a fair bit of competition. But I can't ever remember feeling this confident about our keeper. Closest I can remember is Friedel for a couple of years, but he did throw in the odd howler every now and then.

Wow. Have the Dutch really fallen that far back that they are relying on Babel these days? I'm out of touch with international football but that really does surprise me, I would've though they would have other options. In that case AEG may well have a shot … Babel has failed twice in the PL

I agree. I think he would have counter-acted Chilwell much better the other day

Not been happy with Traore's performances? Genuine question

I'd put Mings and Barkley straight back in for this big game. Hause and Traore to drop to the bench. No reflection on their performances but seems a good opportunity to use the squad

Yep ... pleased to say I completely misjudged his character. I can see why he seems like a popular lad in the dressing room now.

I doubt he will ever take another one again. He's missed four of his last six. Unfortunately taking a penalty is more likely to harm his confidence than boost it

Was interesting to listen to him in his post match interview. He came across exactly the opposite to what I expected. Seemed humble, self-aware and critical, and had a determination to improve. Obviously I'm reaching here because it was a minute long interview but that's what I picked up. Suppose it shows how you can't be quick to judge people without knowing their character. From his body language and just general persona I got the impression he would be a bit of a sulky prima donna - but I think I got that very wrong

Very believable. At one point in the second half at 1-0 I genuinely think Mings and Hause could have passed the ball between each other for 10 minutes without receiving any pressure. WBA made no attempt at all to come out and try to get the ball. To be fair to Allardyce when he switched to 3-4-2 they had more bodies in our half … but then we predictably just hit them on the counter with the space they left for Jack / Traore. But yeah usually during a PL game you'd expect a team to have at least one half chance to talk about , they had literally 0 chances

Agree that a footballer using both feet with a similar effectiveness is extremely rare. Santi Cazorla was probably the best example I've seen - I've never seen another player take a free kick with their weaker foot and score. He was genuinely two footed. That being said, most decent wingers these days have the ability to "stand" a cross up with their weaker foot. Its a useful skill then playing as an inverted winger, you can take the defender down the line and then stand a ball up to the back post. It doesn't take as much technique or skill as whipping a cross. You also get some strikers these days who can shoot pretty effectively with their weak foot (Kane, Son are both very strong on their lefts) You are right about Salah by the way, he is very one-footed. He got put through against Spurs the other day on his right and his technique was awful, completely scuffed the shot.

Serious drop off in quality when you take 2-3 players out of our starting line up. I'm not sure how many other PL teams have such a big drop in quality between starting 11 and the bench. Nevertheless, time for Nakamba, Traore and AEG to make their cases. I'm a lot less confident after seeing the line up, but still will be disappointed if we don't win

Totally agree with this line up. Not convinced by Nakamba at all so Conor for me. Looks like Trez won't make it so swap Traore in.