striker

Great for club and manager so he can continue to build his own dynasty while interested parties now know they'll have to pay a fortune to prise him away.

Have to admit I had more than a little trepidation when he was announced as Villa manager due to opinions from Arsenal supporters. However, I'm very glad to say I was very wrong about him.

Fantastic manager!

Didn’t see the game but it’s a fantastic result for Villa when you consider the games against Arsenal and Lille. 

Fatigue is the main opposition here rather than Bournemouth but it will make a big difference if Villa can get the win which I feel they will do.

Bloody hell I don’t think my ticker could take much more of that.

Probably one of the worst performances this season but Martinez got the lads through.

Luiz has been shit all game and that miss compounds that.

Probably the worst I’ve seen Villa pass the ball all season and tried their best to hand Lille the tie in the last few minutes. I mean what the **** are the players doing.

Lille are now there for the taking of Villa stop sleep walking through the game?

17 hours ago, ozvillafan said:

I'm not a fan of Carlos...

... but in a sea of outstanding Villa performances, he's my MOTM. Thought he was excellent today.

I think he’s got his match fitness back and pace I didn’t know he had.

One other point I wish to make is that Luiz is absolutely revered on here but Villa didn’t miss him yesterday. Villa had more physicality and pace in the middle through his absence.

MASTER CLASS BY EMERY AND CARLOS!!!

Up your arses Arsenal.

I’m a real hater of the high line Emery plays as it leaves the team wide open for the through ball to runners from midfield particularly a team like Arsenal but Villa have done well so far.

Carlos has been imperious at the back having now reached full match fitness again while Martinez’s save was world class.

Going forward Villa hold a threat but Watkins needs to work on his first touch as his hold up play is so frustratingly poor at times! Villa won’t have the ball much in the second half so it’s important that Watkins holds it better. He was very unlucky hitting the inside of the post however!

Emery’s tactics are working so far. It’s like an away European performance which will stand Villa in good stead for the return leg against Lille who aren’t as good as Arsenal.

Fancy Villa to get something today if Emery doesn’t rest players and if Konsa plays in the middle.

Konsa offers much more at CB than at FB!

12 hours ago, stewiek2 said:

Has we not had Arsenal on Sunday we'd had carried on getting at them. We've a game on Sunday. They don't play til the second leg next week. Our squad is depleted. We simply have to pick our battles and reserve energy. I the Don we trust. 

Nonsense! Emery was livid on the touch line.

You can’t switch off like that against decent sides as they’ll hurt you.

Emery also subbed several players to rest them.

Will Villa never learn?

Got the second goal and again took the foot of the gas.

How many times did Villa get into Lille’s box after the second goal excluding corners? I counted zilch. No wonder Emery was losing it.

Rather than go for the killer third goal Villa withdrew and finally conceded which might make all the difference in Lille.

I’m absolutely fuming so will post nothing further!

Villa are easing off again after getting the second goal and Emery is going ape shit!!

I can certainly see Villa scoring several in the second leg.

Pretty even first half with both teams looking dangerous on the break.

If Watkins first touch had been better then he could have had a hat trick in the first half.

Conversely Lile could have scored a few too so all to play for.

Just watched the PSG V Barca game. Fantastic extra quick football!

With the greatest respect Villa aren’t ready for that standard of football yet.

I thought FFP rules were going to be changed in the summer as too many clubs are struggling to stay within the boundaries set?

Just think Villa have to learn to win two halves of football. 
 

Will need to get something at Arsenal with Spurs winning and I think Villa will, more so than against Liverpool.

2 minutes ago, Zero7 said:

Playing konsa at RB and not in the center next. To pay is costing us. 9 minutes of madness 

Pretty much the above. Since Emery moved Konsa to RB Villa have been conceding too many goals.

For me has weakened both the centre and right of defence. Villa get no benefit at all with Konsa at RB.

Actually could be the decision that costs Villa that fourth place? Here’s an idea. Play your best players available in their best positions!

Villa have a very weak mentality. Shown it all season when needing to win yet still find themselves in fourth although dropping two points from two up really opens the door for Spurs who now have two games in hand.

Konsa simply has to be returned to CB to partner either Torres or Carlos.

I’d also consider dropping one of the wingers for an extra midfielder to make it harder for teams to play through Villa!

2 minutes ago, Zatman said:

No Kalvin Phillips

Exactly right!

1 minute ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

Would help if Luiz wasn’t so out of form at the moment.

He isn’t out of form. One good game in every 5-6. Been the same all last and this season. 

Ramsey is out for the season according to Emery which is another blow but EMI, Watkins and McGinn back will be welcome.

Tough game tomorrow though and it was bad tempered at Brentford so Villa will need to be on it from the start!

7 hours ago, tinker said:

Their competing with man City for the title, we're competing against Spurs and Manure for top 5. 

What difference does that make? Wherever you are at this point in the season points and goal difference are more important than performances!

6 minutes ago, duke313 said:

All Arsenal did is park the bus with their £600m squad, what a genius pepinho Arteta is.  If only Emery had the vision of Arteta to take one of the most expensively assembled squads in world football and conjure up a performance that resulted in 2 shots the entire game.

They got the draw while Villa conceded 4. If you are happy with that then good luck.