Stratvillan

This is it for me. We have had such disappointment over the last decade that we could almost see what was coming. This isnt so much doubting Smith as doubting villa. If I'm being honest I probably would have changed manager, but what Smith did post lockdown I think was amazing. If you look at our defence - jesus! My youngest (11), said tonight this must have been like supporting villa when I was young. I was born in 71, so was 11 /12 when we won the league and European cup. I said not quite but we are getting there. We will lose 3/4 in a row this year. But we wont buckle like previously - thank you Dean.

Yes, it's becoming a habit!

Any particular reason, or would that be telling.

10 /11 players got votes for mom. Shows what a well drilled team we've become.

If we think back to last season, enormous improvement.

I'm an ireland fan so ..... I genuinely think the jobs too big for one man. You almost need a media savvy man / front of house, and the one who actually coaches and organises. Clough and taylor Fergie and many Smith and Shakespeare! I'd like England to win a tournament, they have the players, but managers have always been too scared to ignore the media. I hate myself for saying this, but you almost need a Redknapp, who has had his career and has nothing to prove.

Southgate will be gone sooner rather than later. The problem is theres a lot of pundits who believe what they're told. (I think theres a real split now). There was a muppet on Talk Sport (I could stop there), who was arguing that anyone who is playing CL should be automatic starter over someone who isnt. I thought jack was much better in the second half when as southgate said "the players solved the problem". Southgates an excellent example of style over substance, and an example of why England wont win anything.

I agree, you're also seeing Foden looking more vulnerable now that Silva has gone. Grealish has looked good without quality, imagine what he'll turn into with quality around him?

This scapegoating comment is up there with when anyone gives stats, people respond with "I dont need stats I watch football with eyes".its an attempt to discredit arguments without having a counter argument. It's not scapegoating to suggest Targett was out of position. It's a viewpoint.

Superb driving forward.

How good was Barkley! As much as I love Connor......

My electric went down. Anything happened?

This is what should happen, people get pushed down the pecking order when someone better comes in. It's how teams improve. We wont get better by playing the same players until they retire.

Possession stats arent really relevant when the game is won after 15 minutes. We could let them have the ball.

BlackBerry and apple crumble with custard. That's a pud!

Would agree. Still think we need an athletic unit in midfield.

Thought Trez put in a real team performance.

We did what we had to. Early goals and then conceded possession My favourite game is back, guessing who gives Smith poor. 3 people so far, one for each away goal!

Two things, the obsession with Hourihane is a bit worrying. We all agree he needs time /minutes on the pitch in order to develop. Where is he more likely to get that and what is best for him. If he was guaranteed 5 starts and 10 subs appearances for the first team he stays. If we are in for more midfielders, I'd say this wont happen this year and needs to go on loan to a footballing team. I dont think we can make a judgement until the end of the window.

We dont have the squad depth to play two up top. Same team as last week with Traore for Trez. Would like to see ramsey on the bench, but I'm not sure there's a place for him. (Instead of El Ghazi?)

Calm down. He looks useful. Let's see how he plays over a season in the premier league. Hes not even a squad regular.

Think there will be some last minute deals when clubs have to drop prices

Would snap him up. Can't see it happening though.

I wouldn't disagree, but there might be a reason why Hourihane is on set pieces and McGinn isnt. That is an argument for Hourihane surely. To end the discussion I actually think that McGinn is the better footballer, but I think Hourihanes qualities are dismissed too quickly. I think we need to improve on both, if we are to reach top 10.

Whether people rate him or not, and I think we are in 2 camps. I think we can all agree he is not a cdm. I would rate my own tackling as tougher.