handsworthvilla

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

2 hours ago, KenjiOgiwara said:

Quiet game by him to be fair, but the pass he had to McGinn when McGinn really should have scored was immense. 3 players on him and he held it exactly long enough to find that space.

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

31 minutes ago, KevinRichardsonsMoustache said:

Have to say, while I don't think Maddison is half the player Jack is, I really enjoyed his post match interview after the Chelsea game. He was more articulate than half the pundits.

 

Jack would be even more frightening if he possessed the same ability to reflect on his actions. Just seemed like JM was a little more mature in his attitude. 

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

7 hours ago, Spoony said:

There has to be a CB within our price range who brings the same amount of “leadership” (stamping? Getting sent off? Being arrogant and lazy?) and who is better than Mings. 

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. 

29 minutes ago, StefanAVFC said:

I have a close Dutch mate. He basically said that the only person in his way is Babel, but the coach likes him.

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 

9 hours ago, villalad21 said:

I'd rather have Trez in the team still.

He gives the team more balance.

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

4 hours ago, villalad21 said:

Really wish he would get back soon

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

8 hours ago, Adam2003 said:

Every interview he ever does he’s a class act. Including right after the playoff final when he said he loved the club and was desperate to move here. He’s just seen as sulky by the fanbase sometimes because he’s quiet and has a bit of a ‘resting bitch face’.

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

5 minutes ago, PaulC said:

I really really wanted him to take the penalty yesterday. The game was won and it would have boosted his confidence 

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

6 hours ago, Shomin Geki said:

Just seen on Match of the Day that West Brom had an XG of 0.05!  Surely one of the lowest ever.

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 

19 hours ago, useless said:

This thing of him being one footed is over played, most footballers massively favor one foot, you hardly ever see Salah use his right foot, or Mane use his left and their must be countless other examples too numerous to list. A footballer that can use both feet effectively is rare, and even then that skill alone doesn't make them a better player than another player that only uses one foot.

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

3 hours ago, WakefieldVillan said:

Hope we don't take these lightly, their current form isn't too bad with 8 points from their last 5. We know they aren't going to out-football us but they will be compact and just sit in and hope to hit us on the break or from any set pieces around our box.  They have decent attackers in Wood and Rodriguez who need to be handled and I think the battle of those two with Konsa & Mings will be key to which way this one goes. We defend well, with no stupid lapses then we more than have enough creativity in forward areas to secure 3 points.

If Barkley is fit, I would go with the following side;

                  Martinez

Elmo    Konsa    Mings    Targett 

          McGinn  Hourihane

                    Barkley

Trez            Watkins        Grealish

 

Think Trez will just give us a bit more defensively than Traore, think Elmo works better with Trez than Guilbert (though I can see arguments for Fred starting for his energy levels).

I would play Hourihane over Nakamba / Ramsey and have him and McGinn sitting a bit deeper but hopefully controlling the midfield from minute 1. Barkley doing what he does, roaming around and linking with Jack & Ollie.

If our attitude is on a par with how it was at Molineux then we will win this, anything less and we will be left feeling frustrated at VP again.

Prediction 3-1 - Watkins 2, Barkley - Wood.

UTV 

 

 

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.