Ratings & Reactions: Villa v Arsenal

[Indigo]

Can tell Smith & co. decided to go back to basics a little bit after how easily we've been played through in the last couple of games and it paid off. Bit fortunate with the goal but the persistence of Traore and Ollie made it happen and to be honest we had the more clear cut chances overall.

Mings was absolutely brilliant today. All of Emi, McGinn, Watkins, Cash, Targett were worthy of MOTM on a normal day but that's up there with the best I've ever seen Mings play, the guy was dominant.

[SuperTed]

2 minutes ago, bannedfromHandV said:

Great result but I didn’t love the performance, we had zero control.

Bizarrely though we created 3 or 4 really good opportunities to score a second goal.

Solid across the back but I’ve gone for Watkins for MotM, the guy is a machine.

Think it suits us more when we’re the underdog and can counter the way we like! 

[villalad21]

As much as i've criticized him.

Mings was immense. My MOTM

[Eligius]

Fantastic result and much needed after the West Ham game, the back four were outstanding today especially Mings.

[villa4europe]

2 minutes ago, bannedfromHandV said:

Great result but I didn’t love the performance, we had zero control.

Didn't we? 

Or did we concede possession in order to stay compact and challenge arsenal to do something vs our very good defence whilst trying to hit them on the counter? 

Which worked... 

[CardiffGreens]

Some interesting stats on Google's match report:

First league double over Arsenal since 92-93

First time we've won three in a row in the league against Arsenal without conceding since 1920-22

Best points haul after 21 games (35) since the 36 in the 09-10 season. And as we know, it's also the same total as all of last season.

 

[Cosmik Debris]

1 minute ago, tomav84 said:

absolutely buzzing. had a bad feeling about this one, would've taken a draw. so many brilliant performances. mings, targett, cash, mcginn back to his best too. brilliant lads!

barkley can do one...fully on board the 'drop ross' bandwagon now

I totally agree Barkley should be dropped but I still think there is more to come from him. I take his anger at coming off was directed at himself as he knows he can do better. 
 

Ramsey again looked assured in his place 

[ender4]

Mings, Cash and Martinez all great.  Hard to choose a MOTM between them..

[Villa87]

Back 5 phenomenal. I said we would win if McGinn had a good game and I thought he was excellent. My MOTM - Watkins. Unbelievable work rate and ability. 

[nick76]

Hard fought win, you have to love it!

They had about 20 quality attackers on at the end and our defence was solid.  

Shout out to Watkins for some of his tracking back.

Thought Mings was awesome.

 

 

 

Scared to see what the criticism is now because Dean did subs early, did rotation and beat a really good in-form team at home.  Even took Barkley off.  Moto won’t be happy that Grealish wasn’t in the middle but I can’t think of anything else.  Will now start reading reactions.

[Brumstopdogs]

We won a game in February - get in!

[Lord Willard]

Good solid week to work on chemistry and tactics with a good rest. 

[sne]

This was a pretty in form Arsenal side as well (not counting the double red card result against Wolves where they actually played pretty well).

As expected they won the midfield but we also managed 8 shots on goal against their kinda flimsy defense. Nice to see Martinez back to his usual self as well.

Midfield can do much better when on form.

[BleedClaretAndBlue]

Watkins MOTM again for me. He’s the epitome of what Dean wants from this team. Never stops running and chases everything. Does anyone else notice how he wins absolutely everything in the air when its pumped long. 4 in his last 5, 10 now in the PL. Top top player I absolutely love him and knew this was what we were getting.

Mings’ best game this season, got the BT MOTM, excellent and didnt do what you thought @Robtaylor200you superstitious so and so! Matty Cash was top drawer today too.

McGinn much improved, Emi dependable as ever; getting over his howlers quickly. 11 clean sheets now.

Plenty of good efforts second half and defended well too. Marvelous came in and did his job. All round good day. Bouncebackability proved again UTV

[Sulberto21]

Trezequet clattered someone within 5 minutes of coming on. Didn't even give them a free kick. Brilliant to watch. 

[The_Steve]

Arsenal had 3 shots on target, including that Xhaka set piece. We contained them very well.

[Talldarkandransome]

2 minutes ago, The_Steve said:

I counted so many fouls not given, which really benefited Arsenal in the turnovers.

Xhaka is totally allowed to karate kick Jack though.

He carded him for it but you can tell he didn't want to 

[KillieVillain]

Get in there, great win  after disappointing performance midweek , Mings motm ,Cash & Watkins not far behind , equalled last season's points tally already ,massive credit to Smith & coaching team .  UTV

[Denaldinho]

Solid win and 11 clean sheets is not bad at all. 

[Gompedyret]

3 minutes ago, osmark86 said:

shoutout for SJM performance. he worked his bollocks off this game and did very well!

Loved his performance today, much improved. Favorite moment was when he took the ball away from an arse player and just thundered through a small ocean of arsenal players midfield before he was eventuelly manhandled into the ground.