Rightdm00

Sadly fans outside the UK probably have a clearer picture of all 20 clubs in the PL. Given we can watch all 10 matches in full. Then watch them on repeat at our leisure throughout the season. 

I understand the angst over increasing cost for fans. Every franchise/cub goes through this to stay competitive. Winning trophies solves all ills though. A 7th place finish with he off European adventure will not be enough. 

50 minutes ago, DJBOB said:

Think Chelsea would trade Nicolas Jackson for Ollie in a heartbeat. 

I think asking questions about Ollie's finishing is okay.

But it's a very short list of CF's that are ahead of him and a nonexistent list of those we can afford without a major investment.

All this other gash about being the worst finisher and can't link up play and is responsible for us not getting up the field - just baffling to be honest. 

Besides Halaand wouldn't trade Watkins for any other CF in the PL. 

Honestly think we play better when Ollie isn't the main goal provider. I remember last season once he went on his streak we became very dependent on him scoring.  Also, because he was our main outlet it became much easier to frustrate our attack.

If you are game planning for Villa right now you're in a right pickle. The goals are coming from everywhere. Wouldn't want to play us, especially at home. 

His turn and release to send Diaby on goal at 9 minutes in the 1st half was sublime.

Our tactics had him setup so far from goal while in possession. Feels like it nullifies what he can bring when a team is in a low block. He pretty much just recycled the ball left to right. No chance to play an incisive ball or line splitting pass. 

1 minute ago, stewiek2 said:

Such nonsense. We all know Todd Boehly will sweep in with a £500m bid.

Making him the 5th striker Chelsea have signed in that window . 

3 hours ago, Sulberto21 said:

What I want to know is when are Manchester City paying £100m for him? 

£150 million. In 4-5 years when Haaland gets bored and moves to Real he is definitely on their short list.  

It's the new Mings thread. He has 4 assist in 5 games yet all we here is that he hadn't scored yet. The modern game demands so much more of a striker. That's why a natural finisher like Ings can't get a look in. If you are judging him based solely off of goals scored you have it wrong. 

With Torres starting will probably have a couple less clean sheets this season but our scoring is . Already have had 2 three and 1 four goal performances.  Have to take the good with the bad.  

12 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

Who's got 34 assists in a season?

He's on pace for 34. Assisted in 4 out of 5 PL matches so far. 

What's more impressive scoring 15 PL goals in a season or registering 34 assist. Ollie turning into an assist machine was not on anyone's radar for this season I bet. 

Still very rough around the edges but oh my the potential this kid has. He has the size, the determination, and skill to goto the very top. Very happy we are the club that scooped him up before others took notice. 

Emery Time!!!! 

Given he is still recovering from an Achilles tear I appreciate the caution of our medical staff when it comes to Diego. 

1 hour ago, Keener window-cleaner said:

I checked the official site but could find it, but I guess he is still set piece coach? Or does he have other responsibilities now under Emery, I'm not sure.

Would you say that the goals we conceded seemed to be a lack of organisation and instructions or were they more individual errors? Did't think of it myself during the game.

Lack of Tyrone Mings. Ezri and Pau just aren't the aerial duel winning type. 

21 hours ago, Delphinho123 said:

The high line and the defence in general are two huge issues for him. Mings was awesome at it and could recover with his pace and strength even when it failed. Torres doesn’t have that pace and a few fancy passes aside, I’m not quite sure what his defensive attributes are. He’s slow, weak and apparently not great in the air either. They are the three things I’d look for in a centre half before even considering how good they are on the ball.

Maybe I’m a dinosaur and just don’t ‘get it’ but a high line with Torres and Carlos is going to cost us big this season unless we change. 

I’m all for controlling games and building from the back but mistakes at the back are being exposed and we’ve conceded a lot of goals in the first 4 matches. 

I have full faith in Emery to fix it, as long as he isn’t stubborn. He’s been dealt a cruel hand with early injuries to Mings, Moreno and Ramsey and we’re feeling that. Torres at £36m should be able to deputise for Mings but right now, he’s miles off it. 

We just feel unbalanced at the moment. McGinn is far better on the right of midfield and it just seems to throw the team off having to play Bailey on the right or playing this 3-5-2. Again, all for a 3-5-2 formation but it feels cobbled together to mask the deficiencies we have in the back line. We’ll still be able to beat half the teams in the league regardless of system - given the quality we have - but it’s tough being battered by teams we should be more competitive against in Liverpool and Newcastle.

I’m rambling. 

All good stuff here. For me the 3-5-2 is deployed when you need to mask a deficiency in your defense.  For us, it's Pau. We have to give him time to learn the PL so this may not be the last time we see 3 at the back. 

Played well but his weaknesses are on full display when you put someone like Pau next to him. Second time we have tried that pairing agaisnt a good team and been picked apart. Ezri is definite starter on the right but the choice for LCB is wide open right now. 

1 hour ago, TheAuthority said:

Wtf are Manure wearing?

Some truly horrific away kits on display. 

1 minute ago, Rugeley Villa said:

Surely he needs to accept the managers decision but I agree is difficult if you feel like you’re putting a shift in. Just a bad day all round for everyone .

He came off without complaint. No bottles were kicked like a certain someone . 

24 minutes ago, Rugeley Villa said:

Emery took him off for a tactical  reason, not to spite him . We must respect that he knows what he’s doing and that we don’t. 

I agree that was the reason I just struggle to see what tactical change was made. I get Baileys frustration, wasn't good but neither was Watkins or mcginn yet he gets the hook. 

1 hour ago, villan95 said:

Naïve that we're trying to play an idealistic way against everybody. In a match away to a top team you can not be dallying and losing the ball in your own box in the first couple of minutes. Also the high line with no pressure on the ball.

Desperately need someone to fill the energy Buendia brought in the press. Trent in the first half had all the time in the world. 

3 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

To be fair Liverpool also have a squad that cost around 3x ours

Doesn't excuse the lack of effort and fight but of course there's a difference in quality

I didn't see it as a lack of fight. We conceded 4 minutes in off a horror show from Pau. That will drop the shoulders of even the best team.

You can tell this team misses Buendia badly. He's the type of player that always brings 100% no matter the situation. Need someone to fill that role this season. 

13 minutes ago, LondonLax said:

He’s a great manager and we’re lucky to have him but let’s be real, he’s not Klopp or Guardiola. We don’t give those managers enough respect on here. 

Both of those managers have a level of quality that Villa can only dream about. In the end a manager can only do so much. 

Pau please calm down. 

Oh boy Mings is a massive miss.