striker

5 hours ago, OutByEaster? said:

In fairness, he's a physical player - he's a big strong fella with a good engine and enough of a burst to get him away from a player.

His big strength is in his ability to take a ball to feet facing his own backline and get turned around with it so he's facing into the opposition midfield - even with a man on his back. 

I know he’s a physical player but I meant it would be ideal to phase him in against a less physical side.

Good time to start him against Fulham who aren’t overly physical!

2 hours ago, Zatman said:

We should have signed Kalvin Phillips

Judging a footballer on one and a half games having not played for a long time is mind numbing.

Not sure Kamara’s injury will be as big a loss as some might think. His form recently has been patchy at best while I’ve also thought that Villa’s midfield is just too similar with a lack of physicality or pace.

Iroegbunam must be given a chance now and will add that physicality which the Villa midfield is currently missing rather than moving McGinn or Luiz. 
 

Alternatively it might also force Emery into a tactical change how Villa play with Rogers getting more game time? Villa’s midfield needed freshening up anyway so while Kamara’’s injury is unfortunate, it could also add a little boost to Villa in the run in?

28 minutes ago, Leeroy said:

Good and fair article on Unai Emery in my opinion: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/02/11/aston-villa-lose-unai-emery-manchester-united/

 

The bit about our January business is particularly apt: With no disrespect meant to recent recruit Morgan Rogers, it seems unlikely that, but for fiscal restrictions, a Champions League chasing outfit would limit their January business to a Championship acquisition.

 

You could say the same about other clubs I suppose, but given our injuries and small squad it will definitely affect us more than say a Man United or Chelsea. 

Have stated exactly that several times on here yet been slapped with the FFP argument. 

Like most on here got up this morning and felt absolutely sick Villa losing yesterday in the manner they did. Still angry at the substitution of Bailey. Therein lies the difference between Villa and Man U even in the Ferguson period. Manchester bring on subs to try and win the game while Villa do the complete opposite.

I agree that generally McTominay is not seen as an attacker but he has been scoring goals lately and his cameo was to push onto the weak Villa CBs whenever possible. Sadly it worked.

Emery got it wrong yesterday right from the off and compounded that further by settling for the draw when, yet again, Man U went for the win.

Its a mentality issue against Manchester United and Haag exploited it!

Villa desperately need a win to get back on track. Away to Fulham is a tough way to start but the players will have a full week’s rest plus more time for those close to fitness to be ready.

3 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

 

Not the ref’s fault that Villa lost the game. Ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Apart from the first twenty Villa were the better team but failed to take their chances!

Ok so Emery has just said Bailey’s substitution was tactical.

Manager has to take a lot of criticism for that as he was Villa’s main threat.

Concerning the rest of the game apart from the first twenty Villa were the better team but just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.

Playing any other team some of those chances would have been taken but it’s habitual against Man U so it must, must, come down to character and temperament when playing Manchester United even though they are without doubt the worst Utd side in recent history. Villa have still managed to lose twice against them this season but have beaten City and Arsenal. 
 

Noted one or two on here saying that 5th was secure after the Chelsea game. Think again. Villa’s character within the team is shaky at best so with Man U now closing it wouldn’t surprise me to see the slide continue.

Emery looked **** furious post match so it will be up to him to improve the temperament by bringing more winners into the side in the summer.

An out of form Ramsey in from the start does give Villa more pace from midfield but who is gonna look after Casemiro. 
 

Looking at Villa’s back four and possible high line without pace leaves me terribly worried about today.

On 10/02/2024 at 12:28, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Especially after Everton take the lead i'm guessing as well yeah?

Emmm, no.

6 hours ago, Tom13 said:

Over 2000 posts on a forum for a club he doesn't support? Wtf.

I support both Villa and Everton. Stated it many times on here.

Playing a high line with both pacy CBs out will play right into Manchester United’s nippy forwards hands.

With Spurs winning today it’s important that Villa win but I just can’t see it even though I’d love it!

Would also like to see Iroegbunam play to give more strength and pace in midfield to sit on Casemiro and maybe even Rogers instead of Diaby to freshen it up. However, can’t see that either so the damage may be done in the first half before changes are made?

For me much better coming on as an impact sub!

2 hours ago, Jas10 said:

I’ll be interested to see whether you post positively (for a change) when we hit form and blow teams away again…

all I’ve seen is negativity and exaggeration… we are 4th in the PL… how was that achieved? Even when we were doing well, you criticised our better players…

I don’t judge or overreact after a few setbacks or blips… past progress and work has to be taken into account to form a proper opinion… I don’t enjoy losing games but know we can’t win every week and am aware of the limitations in our squad… helps to be reasonable… this is not the time for hysteria…

Whereas I struggled to tolerate the utter shit and dross served up under the Scouse spoofer of a manager we had before…

We have someone who is actually worth his salt this time and he’s proven it repeatedly… 

There’s no point in me repeating all previous points, I doubt you paid much attention.

Anyway, let’s move on…

All the best.

Just to correct you. After the Sheffield game I posted very positively about the performance and in particular Luiz.

Its a shame you’ve chosen just my criticism to comment on but as you say better to move on.

2 hours ago, Jas10 said:

It’s hard to take you seriously when you use terms such as disgust and scandalous… you’re either constantly trolling, trying to provoke reactions or enjoying spouting negativity… almost as if you have some kind of agenda…

I’m not averse to constructive criticism of him or the players (I’ve done it) but he has earned and deserves plenty of support, faith and belief rather than inflammatory or petty remarks or over reactions…

I’m not on board with turning on the manager or players after occasional poor performances and results (especially when several/all factors are taken into  account) when we have a heap of positive ones to reflect on… that doesn’t represent support imo…

Carry on… but if you keep posting exaggerated and excessively negative stuff… don’t be shocked and offended when you’re called out for it.

I’ve no problem being engaged on site. That’s what a forum is for and I’m certainly not offended. If anything you are the one annoyed!

You might feel I’m overreacting or overplaying everything. That’s ok with me too but as far as I can see there’s so much apathy on here which needs to be challenged especially whenever players perform well below standard and when it is challenged posters like you react very badly to it using terms like trolling and so on.

Villa’s drop in form hasn’t just been the Chelsea game but several games now which is worrying. I’m not the only one on site stating that but I may be a bit more blunt than some? I make no apology for that. 

That apathy amongst players and fans alike has maybe also contributed to the term ‘sleeping giant’ which you hear so often attributed to Villa. Roy Keane stated Villa never win anything which is incorrect as Villa have a trophy history but for such a big club Villa haven’t won anything in a very long time and have been relegated!

My anger isn’t based just on the Chelsea game  but over the last 5-6. Emery doesn’t seem to have a plan B when teams press Villa and that is also worrying. 

Villa will again be pressed on Sunday by an improving Man U. I sincerely hope Villa triumph and secure a CL place by the end of the season but to do that both manager and team will have to improve recent form.

5 hours ago, Jas10 said:

Disgusted? I’m regularly disgusted by your comments to be frank…

So he has to be transparent and open to the media? That’s the most important thing?

How do you know he isn’t unhappy/upset and hasn’t criticised or shown his anger to the players in the dressing room or behind the scenes? You know… where it actually matters?

Airing your grievances and making foolish and petulant comments in public and in the media (who twist and exaggerate almost everything) shows a real lack of class and ability… I’m glad he has never done that… he’s way too good for that kind of crap. And what kind of benefit would that bring? It’s the kind of thing that inept and under pressure managers do… no thanks.

Is upsetting and embarrassing the players and destroying team unity and spirit actually something that is worthwhile and helpful? I think not…

How you can accuse him of lacking passion and not being disgusted or appalled by poor performances (how would you know?) is probably typical of the theme of your posts on the main… overly negative and completely unreasonable…

I couldn’t care less about your comments either to be frank. 
 

As clearly stated in my post I don’t know what he has said to the players. My comments were mainly about his post match interviews. 

For example would you call Ferguson inept?

There are times when a manager has to out his team and players for consistently underperforming. That has been evident throughout the history of football.

I also felt his decision not to make changes at half time after such a poor first half was scandalous. He then made two substitutions and waited until the 80th minute to make two more when the game was gone.

You seem to be adverse to anything critical of the manager or players. That’s fine but more than a little naive. 
 

I call it as I see it including Luiz but I won’t stop posting my opinion due to annoying you.

1 hour ago, sheepyvillian said:

If there's a weakness to Luiz, it's a lack of real pace, I mentioned that a long time ago, he's improved no end since then, but tonight that lack of pace was very evident. 

Unfortunately none of Villa’s starting midfield tonight had pace or physicality. Nor did the four at the back. They were absolutely destroyed by Chelsea’s midfield tonight and I feel Man U will do the same.

1 hour ago, imavillan said:

you are right, it was an awful performance but to say ''not one player on the Villa team gave anywhere near 100% is bordering hysteria. It's harsh on Watkins who didn't get much service but still chased many a lost cause. I would also defend Martinez as he could do little for the goals. 

agree it was poor management from Emery, subs should have been made at HT and yes, a performance like that and Manure will turn us over.

and as for the lack of investment in January, have you not heard of FFP?

No-one knows if Villa are close to breaching FFP. Besides Villa did invest but not really in the first team.

No pace in midfield. No movement off the ball and constantly giving the ball away.

I hope Emery doesn’t come out and sugar coat that performance?

That was a **** awful performance. Not one player on the Villa team gave anywhere near 100%.
 

4 subs should have been made at half time rather than two in the 80th minute. Really poor by the manager.

Play that way against Man U and Villa will concede double what they did tonight!

Lack of investment in any real quality in the Jan window is already starting to show.

**** me Diaby  

This is awful from both the players and manager. How can you not make changes after that 1st half.

1 minute ago, MakemineVanilla said:

Too many players having an off day and a one-sided referee.

Emery looks on the verge of tears.

Nothing to do with the ref for **** sake.