Ratings & Reactions: Chelsea v Villa

[OutByEaster?]

A good point away at a very good side, and one we thoroughly deserved. It ebbed and flowed a bit, but there were long periods where we were the better team.

Great to see El Ghazi get yet another one, I thought everyone did well, but for me Konsa was absolutely outstanding and we look excellent at the moment - we've not got much depth and at some point we'll tire, but right now is brilliant.  

I think we're a top half side and what's really promising is that I think we're still in transition.

We rise.

[Johnnyp]

When you are slightly disappointed you haven't taken all 3 points at Chelsea it shows how far we've come. Excellent to a man. Again. Honourable mention to Ramsey. Fantastic cameo. Nearly scored. Watched him in those last 15 minutes when we were out of possession. Positional sense is very mature for his age.

[The_Steve]

Missing Mings against a squad with that quality and depth, we played very well. Yes, it did require sitting back and absorbing the pressure, but the team worked incredibly hard. Martinez rarely tested where he didn't look like he wouldn't save it.

Still more questions about VAR and their make-it-up-as-you-go-along lines, but a point was a fair result.

Kudos to Smith for bringing on Ramsey - who was very unlucky.

McGinn and Luiz were fantastic  today. McGinn was so unlucky not to score.

Konsa was immense! Many crucial blocks and clearances.

Hause missed an important header in the first half but looked composed alongside Konsa.

Targett has exceptional workrate.

Cash was excellent, with the cross for the goal and his defensive work, despite a period of quiet where he got kicked the face. Chelsea were able to overload the left during this leading to their goal, which, to be fair, we mostly addressed in the second half.

Grealish defended and tracked really well today.

Watkins did so much to unsettle their goalkeeper and defense, winning some crucial headers in the final third.

El Ghazi took that goal so cooly. Great finish.

Traore worked very hard in a game which required him to focus more on defensive work (he improved on that in the second half).

For all their quality, Chelsea are a dirty team.

We more than matched them today.

[Robtaylor200]

Have to start believing we are one of the big bots again, But need to add more depth now. 

Trust in Dean and give him some more money 

[Sgl]

McGinn superb but great performance from the team considering the crunch of fixtures and playing with ten men for over a half of football 48 hours ago.

 

Anyone know who this 100 million pound striker wearing the AEG mask is ? He has been unbelievable, I’ve given him stick in the past and if anyone is looking for me, I’ll be in the corner eating my own words with a side serving of humble pie.

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

1 minute ago, SuperTed said:

11 from 15. One goal conceded. Well worth a point today. 

Deano should be getting December manager of the month barring a horror show on Friday. Well Done Villa! 

Friday is January.

 

[bickster]

Considering the performance with ten men against Palce two days ago, I think that was a fantastic result. We were lacking a little spark but games that close together and being down to ten men in the first game will do that to a team

 

Great rsult. McGinn was MOTM for me such a workhorse at both ends of the pitch

[AVTuco]

McGinn was everywhere all game. MotM for me.

Dean could have made some subs earlier because we played two days ago, but we weren't punished, so I'm ok with that.

Emi is awesome, even if he let one in today .

[jacketspuds]

Delighted with a point.

We're 5th with a game in hand on quite a few teams. Fantastic.

[welnik]

Great point away, bring on the redmancs, we'll beat them playing like that!

[Brumstopdogs]

[Wainy316]

Very pleased with that point.  McGinn and Konsa immense.

[HKP90]

DS got a good from me. Tactically outplayed during early exchanges, but good man management to reeducate Traore on his job, and Chelsea got much less traction down our right hand side in second half.

Rest up lads!!

[hong0311]

3W2D for the month. Dean Smith Manager of the Month?

[KillieVillain]

We have improved massively in such a short space of time, we are looking really good and will only improve given the age of team.

[Farlz]

That's a phenomenal point. I genuinely thought we'd just fall off in the second half and Chelsea would pick us apart but that didn't happen at all, incredible determination and mentality from these boys. 

What an absolutely brilliant end to 2020 for this club. 

[turnbull]

I live literally a stone's throw from Barr Beacon school where Jacob Ramsey went to. If that shot had gone in, I'd have ran over the road, pulled my Villa shirt over my head and celebrated in the playground! 

[JB]

Really, really pleased with that. 

The improvements in our fitness, defence and mentality are immense. Dean and the team deserve so much credit. 

Yes, we looked tired but we didn’t stop digging in and could’ve won it. I’m pretty confident that a more well-rested Villa would have.

 

[Rodders]

We played really well against a good side who smashed us last year. We have improved leaps and.bounds. I just love how we will always try and score. The energy was astonishing considering the minimal rest we've had. I know McGinn was astonishing, but I gave Mom to Traore as I've been so impressed by him lately. He was everywhere in the first half and it feels like he's integral to the side.

We could have won it too. Delighted though.

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

Quality, quality point that! We have matured so much, game management and all!