Ratings & Reactions: Spurs v Villa

[alreadyexists]

- we played a very good team

- we scored

- they beat us because they were better

- we don’t play a top four side every week

[The Other Mat]

7 minutes ago, Davkaus said:

We did well to keep our shape and keep them away from our goal for large periods, especially in the first half. But even in the first half...Remember Kane's one on one, and his missed header? Once he's in the swing of things, that's two goals right there, he'll have been very disappointed to only score 2 with the chances he got.

And before people start, I'm not getting hysterical, I think we'll be fine this season, and this game was never going to be an indicator of how we're going as a team. I just think 3-1 makes it seem a much closer game than I thought it was.

I didn't think you were being hysterical, but in balance, I don't think 3-1 flattered us. Before Erikson changed the game and the second goal, totally knocked the stuffing out of us. 

[MNVillan]

1 minute ago, useless said:

I think some are overplaying how good Spurs are, but even so they're way ahead of us and today shouldn't haven been a reality check for anyone today's score was always a possibility, they constantly finish in the top four of the Premier league, whilst we have struggled to get promoted from the Championship and even when we did manage it we spent most of that season as a midtable team, until putting together a run of form at the end of the season. On the other hand it's hard not to be disappointed with a Villa defeat, whoever the opposition might be, just have to hope we can put it right in the coming fixtures, one of the good things about being in the championship was if you did lose a game there usually another one in a few days time to get it out of your system.

Fair enough, good post. You are much more level-headed than I am 

It was certainly a reality check for me. In my head I knew this final score was a possibility, and even a probability. But my emotions get the best of me, and I thought we would hang around better than we actually did in the 2nd half.

[bannedfromHandV]

First half we were good, not great but steady, sure they had the better of the ball but when we did get it we looked dangerous.

Second half we were crap, resolute for a lot of it but awful when we did have rare opportunities to play, in fact their goals came from us being tired/slack in possession.

 

[BigJim]

8 minutes ago, alreadyexists said:

- we played a very good team

- we scored

- they beat us because they were better

- we don’t play a top four side every week

+++

- several key players not up to speed yet

 

[screwdriver]

Massive opportunity missed Never had there been a better time to go to spurs and get a result with all their players missing and their summer of discontent.

Apart from elmo dropping his guts in the 1st min First half we were fabulous. Dug in and played some decent football on the break. Trezeguet looked a constant threat. I agree with the guy above me who said that was a turning point when jota come on.

2nd half we were pinned back straight away we needed to bring on luiz for houihane about 65mins when we started to get fatigued.

we retreated to the 18 yard line and couldn't get out, spurs kept turning the screw till they got the goal. the grealish got his pocket picked on the edge of the D. and it was game over.

Engels looked decent, Mings and heaton done a job. Mcginn had fantastic momemnts El gazi dissappeared 2nd half.

Wesley struggled couldn't win the ball or keep the ball with his back to goal. very poor display from him.

[tinker]

Wow , super performance. A few sloppy things cost us but that's part of the learning course. .The whole team performed brilliantly but Engels........dear me what a game he had.

It was most of the players first game in the premier League and against title contenders. Disappointing to lose from a winning position but there was so many positive performances it's hard to be pissed off.

Play like we did today and we have nothing to fear, the results will follow. Hard part will be lifting the players after losing. UTV and how nice it is to back.

On a side note the referring was great compared to the championship, we got so many fouls we wouldn't have last season 

 

[kiltorken]

I actually thought that Wesley was decent today considering the circumstances. He hadn't much to work with in fairness. 

[briny_ear]

I’m glad at least one poster thinks it’s hilarious we lost today. 

Let’s hope they find less to amuse them for the rest of the season.

[GingerCollins29]

A bit of realism is needed here. Don't wanna come on here every week reading comments from people who think we're title contenders.

We played one of the best sides in the league away. We are a newly promoted team with new signings who need time to acclimatise. Games against spurs, city, plop etc are simply bonus games. The gulf in class between them and next weeks opposition are enormous. 

Many criticising wesley and super jack. Poorer games by their standards granted but wesley was 2 or 3 against one at most times with no support. If he plays like that against brighton, bournemouth et al then granted but give the lad a chance - he's played one game!

Jack was effectuvely playing as a DM today. Not his game and did his best. He is an intelligent player and will learn a lot from today. He will run the show against our 'rivals'.

I absolutely trust Smith and ROK and have seen some huge positives. Heaton  engels, mings, trez, mcginn etc. The season starts next weekend for me and it is then we will start to see what we're mafe of. UTFV

[chappy]

A few baffling comments in this thread for me. We held our own against a very good team for 80 odd minutes. Not a very good team like Leeds or Norwich last season but a very good team that got to the champions league final a few months ago.

Disappointing to see a mistake from Jack give them the winning goal but that’s a lesson for him and us to learn quickly - mistakes are punished in this league and we can’t dawdle on the ball.

Inwas very impressed by Engels and Mings in partnership and Heaton made some great saves. I also thought Taylor had a good game having been less than impressed to see his name on the teamsheet!

We really struggled once Trezeguet was replaced by Jota. I assume it was a fitness based sub but we lost all our threat on the counter. I thought Trez was very good today and with a bit more composure could’ve had a debut goal. Jota is a player for games when we are going to see more of the ball, not away at the top 6 sides. El Ghazi was also quiet second half but again I think he’ll come into his own against the lesser teams (of which there are 13+!)

A few people calling out Hourihane - I wouldn’t choose him to play as our DM (and I’m sure Douglas will replace him when he’s fully integrated in training) but I thought he did a decent enough job today given the opposition. I noticed him out of position a few times but on the whole he wasn’t massacred like I feared!

Wesley needs to get up to speed with the physicality of the league and what defenders are allowed to do to you. Looked like he was expecting more protection from the ref today. On that note, I wasn’t impressed with the referee, seemed like he was desperate to keep Spurs fans happy in their new stadium.

A note on our goal - absolutely brilliant from SJM; the initial header followed by the dummy (intentional?!) and calm finish. Shame Trez couldn’t show such composure in front of goal!

3-1 was a fair result based on the stats but not based on the performance and the way the game played out. Saw enough tonight to say that we’ll be fine this season, just need to tighten up on a few things. We won’t be pushed as hard in all our games. Looking forward to Bournemouth next week, hope VP is rocking - I expect it to be!

[leemond2008]

I'm usually really pessimistic when it comes to the Villa but I am genuinely surprised by some of the reactions here.

Massive positives from that for me.

Mings and Engels (Mingles) were superb as was Heaton

Trezeguet looked good in the first half, I think the pace of the game caught up with him but that will come

I thought Hourihane played well defensively in the first half and I am one of his biggest critics

Taylor played alright which is a massive improvement for him

Wesley looked out of his depth but come on that was a baptism of fire for the whole team, I was fully expecting him to struggle today, completely different level to what he is used to playing at

 

When Jack took too long on the ball and gave them the goal they were always going to come at us in a big way but for 70 minutes we defended like heroes, don't forget we were playing champions league finalists here, there will be much easier games and there will be teams who come away from Spurs a lot worse off than we have today.

 

I'm confident that we have nothing to worry about on that performance, when the rest of the new signings are integrated into the team we will only keep on improving

[villa89]

A lot of people on here not understanding the gap between the top six clubs and the rest of the premier league. Its huge. 

Edited August 10, 2019 by villa89

[kiltorken]

2 minutes ago, GingerCollins29 said:

A bit of realism is needed here. Don't wanna come on here every week reading comments from people who think we're title contenders.

We played one of the best sides in the league away. We are a newly promoted team with new signings who need time to acclimatise. Games against spurs, city, plop etc are simply bonus games. The gulf in class between them and next weeks opposition are enormous. 

Many criticising wesley and super jack. Poorer games by their standards granted but wesley was 2 or 3 against one at most times with no support. If he plays like that against brighton, bournemouth et al then granted but give the lad a chance - he's played one game!

Jack was effectuvely playing as a DM today. Not his game and did his best. He is an intelligent player and will learn a lot from today. He will run the show against our 'rivals'.

I absolutely trust Smith and ROK and have seen some huge positives. Heaton  engels, mings, trez, mcginn etc. The season starts next weekend for me and it is then we will start to see what we're mafe of. UTFV

Spot on

[GingerCollins29]

For balance...

How the f*** have we lost that?? Smith has wasted all our money on rubbish. If we cant beat f*****g spuds away how are we supposed to finish in the top 4??? May as well accept we are going down. Smith out

[PaulC]

Did well first half but we were poor in the second. Just conceded too much ground. Subs were poor. Reality check I guess. 

[kiltorken]

Just now, GingerCollins29 said:

For balance...

How the f*** have we lost that?? Smith has wasted all our money on rubbish. If we cant beat f*****g spuds away how are we supposed to finish in the top 4??? May as well accept we are going down. Smith out

Spot on

[Stockport_Villain]

After watching Norwich last night I was afraid. However, after that 90 minutes where I was for 70 mins dreaming of taking 3 points, i’m very much looking forward to this season. I don’t think we’ll finish top half but we won’t be far away. Then time to push on. 

[Villaphan04]

I think our defense looked quite good. Don't think we will have to worry much about them (and we still have a couple other options at the back. Hopefully Guilbert can slide in nicely at the RB slot and Targett at LB.

Might have a few problems up front tho (still thought we should've brought in another striker + winger)

[terrytini]

Very very pleased with that.

Trezuget is going to terrify most teams.

not deanos faukt Jota didn’t repeat his preseason form. 

Mings and Taylor excellent