Ratings & Reactions: Villa v Sheff W

[AVTuco]

I bet OBE's story was better than the match itself

 

[chappy]

The last time I saw us win live was against West Ham on the 9th of May 2015. Tom Cleverley scored and I was looking forward to a trip to Wembley three weeks later. We all know what happened after that and recently I've been questioning whether I should jack in actually going to games; not winning away at Wycombe last season was a particular low point. Circumstances have lead to this being my 6th attempt this season (Wednesday away, Preston away, Leeds, Preston and most recently Huddersfield on Tuesday). I walked out of the John Smiths stadium on Tuesday feeling quite responsible for our 3 match winning run coming to an end and already worrying that my curse would strike again today. Can't remember the last time I was this happy to see us win!

On to the game after that self-indulgent drivel...

Concerned to see the same xi after a poor performance midweek but there weren't many other options for SB. I spent most of the first five mins wondering when Lansbury had had a haircut and face transplant like Gardner before it became clear he'd had a late injury.

We started cautiously and Wednesday were finding pockets of space in amongst our defence. Johnstone made a smart save with his feet and it looked like it could be a long afternoon. However, the Owls didn't capitalise on early pressure and we came into the game. 

Kodjia was put through for a sharp chance at the near post and we could've gone ahead if Amavi had put in the kind of cross for Kodjia we know he's capable of a couple of mins later.

Baker had to go off injured (not head!!!) and on came the newly crowned King Of The Holte End, Alan Hutton (Alan Hutton!). In a tactical move that seemed odd at the time, Jedinak slid back into central defence and eventually Hutton played RB with Bree pushing on. The latter had a decent chance at the far post as we grew into the game and started to look the more  threatening.

Alan Hutton (Alan Hutton!) flicked on expertly from a corner but unfortunately nobody was around to convert. In amongst all this Scottish Cafu excitement Wednesday had a goal disallowed, unsure from the other end whether it was for offside or a foul but their players didn't protest.

The visitors were having to counter attack by this point and Amavi got an incredibly unfair yellow card for a super challenge. Alan Hutton (Alan Hutton!) won us a corner by being selfish and shooting when there was a definite better ball on down the line. Duh duh der der der duh Conor Hourihane swung it in and there was 'Jimmy Danger' (anyone know where he got that nickname from?! Noticed the other day it's his Instagram handle) to hear it home, great header but suspect marking.

We managed to get through to the break unscathed despite the ref firstly intercepting a promising break and then allowing them to break with jimmy danger down injured despite having just stopped play when one of theirs went down in much less dangerous circumstances.

The second half had barely begun when the visitors were reduced to ten men. A flying challenge by Sasso and the ref had no hesitation in pulling out the red card. Couldn't tell from my angle whether it was a good decision or not but Carlos Carvalhal clearly disagreed with it and was also dismissed for his seemingly never-ending protests.

Once they went down to ten men we were in total control and fully deserved what turned into a convincing win. Alan Hutton (Alan Hutton!) missed an open goal before setting Jimmy danger through for a great chance which he miscontrolled. This theme continued as Albert (much better than Tuesday night, incidentally) also lost control of the ball when clean through. Our best chance since the goal followed with lovely play from Adomah down the left lead to a shot which Hourihane would admit he should've scored from.

Kodjia was playing the hold up game very well and tormenting their defenders. He got what he deserved with a very well worked second goal after dancing around their keeper to tap into an empty net before being subbed off (correctly, no point him getting injured when the game was won). We came through the last ten mins without alarm to complete a very good win against a team that if we hadn't had such poor Septembers and Januarys we would've been competing with for a play off place. Wednesday were poor today but make no mistake this was a big win to set a precedent for next season.

Johnstone had a good game, best he's been for us since Spurs (admittedly in the face of little threat). Bree and Taylor both with another solid performance. Chester back to his best after that weird spell a few games ago when he decided to 'do a 2012/13 Ciaran Clark'. 

Amavi looked more assured in the forward position than against Huddersfield but I still feel he could do more. He seems like he still feels he can't always bomb on; with Taylor behind him he has that license.

Jedinak was incredible today. Slotted into CB with no fuss and won absolutely everything that came his way, by far the best I've seen from him and I will be throwing a shrimp on the barbie on his behalf tonight. 

Adomah was much better than Tuesday, and looked even better when partnering our man Kodj. Gardner impressed having been thrown in last minute. Hourihane was a bit quiet but in a good way and I can see him being our new Milner (we've waited long enough); great song too which the club have shamelessly adopted for our walk-on music!

Gave MOTM to big Jon for his goals and hold up play when once again seemingly stranded on his own up top at times. 15 goals so far, keep going Jimmy D!

Big congrats to Bruce for rolling the dice and not bringing on Elphick for Baker. Jedinak filled in expertly and Alan Hutton (Alan Hutton!) played very well, and made the Holte happy in the process. I do like how he seems to have become a cult hero after years of being a "symptom of our demise". I've been very anti Hutton (Alan Hutton!) in the past but the professionalism and determination he has shown this season must be applauded and I'm glad he's getting such recognition from the fans.

I'm going to Wigan next week, hope my new found winning run continues! 

 

 

 

 

 

[pacbuddies]

2 hours ago, NottingVilla said:

Meh, was hoping we would lose to speed up the exit of Bruce.

I am no lover of Steve Bruce but why would you want us to lose?

[briny_ear]

Would love to hear from someone who rated the referee as "poor".

Given he disallowed a Wednesday goal, denied them a big penalty call, sent off a Wednesday player at a key moment in the match and despatched their manager to the stands for good measure, on the face of it he got things spot on.

[Kiwivillan]

Are there decent highlights out yet? Not those awful Sky 5 second jobs but extended

[The Fun Factory]

That was actually quite impressive considering the injury problems and Wednesday place in the league. Kodjia is a beast and Bruce pulled out a crafty sub by bringing Al on instead of Elphick (his days are surely numbered at Villa) and dropping Jed back into defence. Very interesting. Still somewhat bemused that the Owls still ended up with more possession than us even though most of the second half they had 10 men. Still who cares, 3 very decent points.  If we slowly improve to the end of the season and look like we have a plan for 2017/18, then most of us will be happy with that. 

[The Fun Factory]

2 hours ago, Harry said:

One SW fan threw a traffic cone that hit an old guy on the head

Was his name Bill Car?

[terrytini]

Brilliant report OBE I agree with every single word, from the player ratings to the description of the keepers shirt.

I wish I'd enjoyed the game half as much as your report !!

[chrisvilla4]

Alan Hutton. Player of the season. 

[romavillan]

Quote

Inspired by Alan's example, we still couldn't pass...

...is about the best summing up of what it is to be a villa fan I think I have ever read.

[Nigel]

 

1 hour ago, briny_ear said:

Would love to hear from someone who rated the referee as "poor".

Given he disallowed a Wednesday goal, denied them a big penalty call, sent off a Wednesday player at a key moment in the match and despatched their manager to the stands for good measure, on the face of it he got things spot on.

I thought he was poor!

Just because we got a lot of the decisions go our way doesnt change this.

[smg]

4 hours ago, NottingVilla said:

Meh, was hoping we would lose to speed up the exit of Bruce.

Really? 

[PieFacE]

Pretty much echo everyone's thoughts, we played well today. 

 

Disappointed with our fans at one stage of the game today. In the first 10/15 mins, young Bree bombed down the wing and put a cross in which didn't really beat the first man, then the upper Holte started chanting for Hutton?!? 

 

Let's give the kid a chance eh? 

[TRO]

4 hours ago, srsmithusa said:

you have much more confidence in your brother in law than I have in mine.

Well he was a decent player himself, so yeah.

[One For The Road]

8 hours ago, Harry said:

*Shakes head in despair*

Why are people even responding to it? Trolling can only work when people rise to the bait. FWIW I think its hilarious.

[NurembergVillan]

Thanks @OutByEaster? and @chappy  It's hard to follow the game from afar in this league, or get decent reports after the game, so write ups like yours really help the community.

I'm sure I speak for all of VT in thanking you (and the others who bring the game to life for us such as @John) for taking the time.

[Stevo985]

I was impressed yesterday. It wasn't a vintage performance, but given our injuries, and losing Lansbury and Baker so early, I thought Bruce reacted really well and we nullified Wednesday.

They were probably the better team on the ball first half, but we were the team who created all the chances and deserved the leads.

After their red card they rallied a bit but never really looked dangerous.

We were good for the win.

[Stevo985]

12 hours ago, PieFacE said:

Pretty much echo everyone's thoughts, we played well today. 

 

Disappointed with our fans at one stage of the game today. In the first 10/15 mins, young Bree bombed down the wing and put a cross in which didn't really beat the first man, then the upper Holte started chanting for Hutton?!? 

 

Let's give the kid a chance eh? 

The fawning over Hutton is quite amazing.

I think he's playing very well, but the negativity at Villa Park appears to apply to everyone apart from him. He can do no wrong.

[Brumerican]

14 hours ago, Nigel said:

 

I thought he was poor!

Just because we got a lot of the decisions go our way doesnt change this.

Absolutely . Any neutral would have said the ref was garbage. 

[Xela]

3 points agains a top 6 team.

Clean sheet.

2 goals for Kodija.