ChesterDad

I make you absolutely right - that was a really difficult skill to execute and given how we were frantically trying to get back in the game, he could have been forgiven if he had rushed the strike and sent it high into the holte - type of goal that Stanley Victor would have scored imo. Hopefully a lot more to follow

I totally agree with you - I feel he will be a regular starter and important asset to the team

I really like him too and feel that once he gets a chance at a few games in a row, he will be difficult to replace - it’s just when this chance will come. He is essentially waiting on an injury or suspension for this to come about.

You are absolutely correct - plus there is JJ and longer term Emi to bring into the equation, he simply has to step up to the mark on a consistent basis over a longer period of time, if he wants to be starting games or getting more minutes. Hopefully the goals return thus far will boost his confidence - but I can’t see how he will force his way into our starting 11 on a regular basis. Maybe the cups will provide this opportunity for him, just can’t see it in the prem though

Well I have to be honest - I haven’t ever read it. I don’t rate him very highly tbh but I wouldn’t call him our worst ever player either.

Has anyone really said this? I don’t recall seeing anyone saying he is the worse player ever ? I am not convinced he will be anywhere near the starting line up, when everyone is up to fitness and settled to be truthful with you. But yesterday he scored and that’s a good thing for both him and us, and I’ll be happy if he continues to come off the bench and snatch late goals

Totally agree - and I think it’s hard to say with certainty that he would not have started the season. personally I think he would have enjoyed a good season for us

Just yay

I think he will come into his own. Right now it’s not easy to see who he replaces, but the moment someone gets injured or suspended - I think he comes in and grabs the shirt. Although we have only seen him in snapshots of what he can do - Personally I like what I have seen and wish him well.

Kevin Drinkell oh my days !

The man is ridiculous !!

Bert is probably the most naturally gifted player that I have ever seen in a Villa shirt. He is ridiculous, enigmatic, inconsistent, mesmerising, entertaining, skilful, elegant and so much more, rolled into one. I really hope that he will get more minutes this season as I love to watch him. He gets his fair amount of stick - which surprises me somewhat - especially when others appear to get more of a free pass, but perhaps this is football? I just want him around for as long as he can be, so that I can enjoy the genius that he is - still can’t stop smiling at what he did to De Bruyne at City or his goal at the baggies

Sticks - boy did he take some abuse, but through sheer hard work and some ridiculous Callaghan shenanigans - he turned it around and fair play to him for this.

Let’s hope so - I think he is a really important player for us + Digne has proved himself to be a more than capable player in this position. So much so that I don’t think it’s a given that he will automatically dropped.

Agreed - there is an argument that you make your own luck in football, but against both N’castle and Liverpool we had zero luck whatsoever imo

These stats would not surprise in the slightest - this little magician could wreak havoc as a second striker imo

I think my previous posts make it very clear where I stand on Bailey - although I don’t really have a comment about today. I knew that he would be subbed off and this is not intended as a criticism in any way - just don’t think it was a game that was suited to him at all. As some others have already said - I too don’t think that he will be any where near the starting 11, as soon as JJ returns and Zaniolo settles, which is not far off, and looking longer term, when Emi is back - I think his route to the starting 11 is even more unlikely.

I don’t think he knows what is best 11 is yet and who can blame him, given our injuries and incomings ? I think it’s a given that Zaniolo will be a starter, JJ is still to come back along with Moreno and I personally feel that Tielemans is going to have a bigger role to play, than what we have seen so far. Today is disappointing for so many reasons - but I am still very optimistic for this season

I think he will - he already looks a first pick to me. I think our team is still far from settled and will probably take a few more games, before our best 11 becomes fully clear imo

See my reply to @lexicon - same applies

Look if you can’t see how that works I’m sorry. I don’t want to have a keyboard spat with you Lexicon - We are all villans at the end of the day. I am not a fan - you are and that’s ok. Let’s see how this pans out. If I end up with egg on my face, that will mean something good is happening for Villa. For now on this particular topic with you I’m out

I am referring to his overall game - you can have 3 stinkers in a row and still pull out those stats - You seem to have the view that all is now ok with Bailey ? For me he still has to show so much more to his overall game. You think not - that’s ok. As I have just said - personally I do not believe he will remain in the starting line up for too much longer - you probably do. Time will tell.

No not at all - but you can forget about me saying something for the sake of it. He has been dreadful for us in his time here, do you hand on heart think something different to this? As for his current form it’s ok, nothing amazing.This is my opinion - not saying I am right, it’s just my opinion. If he turns it around here and starts to perform like a £30 mill footballer that he is then I have absolutely no doubts he will rightly get the plaudits - myself included. But you can’t expect me to say that I think he is a good footballer, because based on what I have witnessed thus far - he is not. Imo. I might well be completely wrong here and will hold up my hand if so - I don’t think he will remain in the starting line up once everyone is fit and settled - but again it’s just my view

With regards to future performances absolutely yes - no correlation whatsoever. Present performances - this is debatable, personally I do not think he has played particularly well - better than his previous levels agreed. You clearly think he is playing well and this is what makes football the great debate

Let’s have it right Lexicon - even yourself as one of his staunchest supporters on VT - would have to agree, that his overall time in a Villa shirt has been pretty poor. The criticism has not been disproportionate to his performances, would you not agree this much?