Villanbee

If Unai thinks he can make a positive contribution then that's all I need to hear. I'd like to see him back. Perhaps there's a bit of unfinished business for him here.

I feel exactly the same way. Was hoping they would fall short because of the Blindkilde situation. I didn't want Blindkilde to win anything because I believe she let us down. She's so young, she could have got her dream move over the close season but instead jumped ship when we needed her. If City rated her that highly, then they would have come back for her in the close season. Instead she's warmed City's bench for the second half of the season when she could have started routinely for us. She wouldn't have played today for as long as she did if it hadn't been as an injury sub.

Yep. Unbelievably poor from United really, but keep it tight anyway Villa!!!!!

Am I right in thinking Man City need to win by three goals more than Chelsea win by to take the title? They are behind by two in goal difference but also behind in goals scored. Expect an onslaught either way. It won't be dull.

And this is what I've always struggled to understand about the signing of DvD. She was an elite player before she signed for us. Turned down PSG if I recall correctly. It was one of the reasons I felt so excited about this season. I've always suspected she was sold a project, perhaps using the progression of the men's team as an example combined with evidence of the women's team's progression last season (Rachel Daly etc.) to back it up. Instead, she's seen our season limp along, with us scoring 13 points less than the season before with a poor defence in front of her. I wonder if there was a degree of 'I didn't sign up for this,' in her thinking. I wonder if/when the 'Get me out of here,' conversation with the agent took place. Who knows?

Early days yet, of course, but I want to see some intent that we are serious about kicking on next season. Selling DvD after only one season, as well as what happened earlier this season with Blindkilde makes me worry that we aren't serious about breaking into that 'elite' group. Of course, we could see some big signings off the back of the money the sales should bring in. It's going to be interesting . I've said before, though. We're Aston Villa. We shouldn't just make up the numbers any more. The mantra of year on year progression should apply as much to the women's team as the men's. This year has been a disappointment. Liverpool have jumped us and appear to have moved into the top four which has continuously been peddled as a closed shop. We need a bit of that next year. If they can do it, why can't we?

It's going to be interesting. We've retained Corsie now and I presume Patten has time left on her contract. Yet something has to be done about that back line. It's been more leaky than Old Trafford's roof this season.

Told to Believe all week, but we've been absolutely toothless today. Don't care how tired we are, we've played awfully. Embarrassingly so. Admin spent the week writing cheques online that the team couldn't cash.

Absolutely you can blame Leat. That's an absolute shocker. She was miles out of her area and must have known where she was and that she couldn't handle. It wasn't just a handle either, it was a full stretch dive! As deliberate a handball as you will see. These are professional players and that's a ridiculous error of judgement. But you are absolutely right about Corsie. Then again, our defenders have been brilliant all season at passing the ball to the opposition.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. We have the best manager in the league. What a masterclass.

My opinion on Olsen has always been that, as a back up keeper, he's a good squad player. He knows he's not going to play if Emi is available and will spend most of his time on the bench. If you have an out and out number 1 keeper, you need a player that's prepared to do that. I suspect his contribution to the team is broader than what he does on match day, and that having an experienced back-up keeper during training is valuable in itself.

Fair enough. Obviously it's all about opinions but you can't keep defending our poor season on the basis that we've had bad luck. The men's team has had bad luck all season and are pushing for Champions League. A few weeks ago we had to play Lenglet and Chambers in central defence! You can't deny the defence has been a shambles all season. Anna has been a mainstay centre half in a defence that has shipped 35 goals already. Only 2 less than last season with 5 games left to play. For what it's worth, I've always liked Pacheco, but she's also not had the season she had last year and doesn't even seem to be fully in favour with Carla Ward. Subbed off on Sunday. Not started a few. As for an England call up, as much as I like her, she's not even the best left back at the club, never mind for England. As it stands, I don't think our defence is good enough. The amount of goals we've conceded, and the manner of how we've done so backs that up. However, you misunderstand my point. There were no negative comments about Patten or Pacheco in that post. My point was, where's the improvement? They are both 25 (or thereabouts) now. With good coaching they should have improved and they haven't. It's either down to the quality of the player or the quality of the coaching. If the players are good enough... And that is my point. Progression. Can you point to any player who is playing better this season than last?

Re this season, my point is, and has always been, the plan has to be year-on-year progression. You can measure it by points if you like, rather than league position, but we're a shadow of last year's team. Yes, last season we lost a good few against the top teams but we also beat Man City at home and Arsenal away. In fact, we beat City twice because we beat them in the cup too. This season, injuries have been an issue but it's not like we were playing really well when these players were fit. Our squad depth is better than last year too. Last year we had injuries and we beat Arsenal without Kenza Dali who was in terrific form at the time. Talk about the run of tough fixtures at the beginning of the season doesn't wash with me. All teams have to be played and it should have balanced out with easier fixtures later on. Last season we played Man City on day one and beat them. We've gone backwards and other teams have gone forward (especially Liverpool who look like breaking into the supposed closed shop of the top 4). That cannot be acceptable. Most of our players in their mid twenties (Mayling, Pacheco, Patten and Lehmann) don't look to be progressing (putting it mildly) whilst age is probably catching up on the others. Dali hasn't been as good as last season and our defence looks like they've never played together at times. I think it all needs a reset over the close season.

Agree about Blindkilde. She's barely kicked a ball for them. Unused sub over the weekend. Eligible for 5 games. Hasn't started any. Unused sub in 3. Brought on at 90 mins and 79 minutes in her other two. Interesting to see how the rest of the season pans out.

Hey ho. I was happy with the first half, but the second half was just relentless from Arsenal and we had no answer. It's going to be an interesting close season. Big changes needed or we're just wasting our time. Liverpool have shown that the top 4 is not a closed shop, despite what others say.

Yep. Disappointing really. We've ridden our luck, but it's always annoying to see defenders out jumped like that for their second. If we strengthen anywhere it has to be in defence first and foremost. We need a quality centre half. Patten, Corsie and Turner just aren't good enough. For someone of her experience that was shocking from Corsie for their third. Just standing there waving her hands. Kick the ball away if the whistle doesn't sound.

Another poor turnover. How many goals have we given away like that this season?

I think we're playing really well so far. Got a game plan and sticking to it. For all Arsenal's possession in our half, Leat hasn't had too much to do. Makes a huge difference having Daly in midfield. Is there a more complete player in the women's game? She can play anywhere to such a high standard. She'll probably have a go between the sticks before the season is out! Great through ball from Nobbs for the goal. Let's hope we can see this out.

Embarrassing. I'm turning it off now. They just don't have a clue what they are doing. Such a shame.

What can be said that hasn't been said over and over again this season?

I think you've hit the nail on the head with that last bit. I've always believed that unless the long term goal is to compete, within a set period of time, with your Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City then it's all a bit pointless. I don't want us to be the WSL version of Crystal Palace! Last season was exciting. I felt we were building something for the future. Like the men's team. That's why the regression this year has been so disappointing. I know we had a good run recently, but it was all against other poor teams. The run has ended as soon as we've come up against a decent side. And, let's be honest, we've been given a hiding Looking at the defence especially, are the players just not good enough? Because if they are good enough, then it has to be the coaching under scrutiny. Carla is not the only coach at the club.

Liverpool looked much more organised than us. They defended well when they needed to and did the basics well. Coaching. And not just at the back. Look at their first goal from the free kick. My main concern is that our major defensive issues haven't been addressed. All season, we've been a shambles at the back. Our injuries didn't really affect our back line today.

In fairness, it was a beautiful goal. He just caught it in that sweet spot in his stride. And they always look so good when they go in off the bar like that. Still think City will win.

Have to see it again, because one camera doesn't help. But it looked like Pacheco was tracking back through the middle with no Liverpool player around her whilst the wider Liverpool player was unmarked and scored. Did I miss anything? Well taken goal but again basic defence errors?

One back. Good, well-earned penalty. We look decent going forward, even without Daly, but often the final ball is lacking. I think attack has to be our best form of defence!