Ratings & Reactions: Burnley v Villa

[Vive_La_Villa]

Just now, switters said:

Very good overall. Burnley had spells in the 2nd where we did look a bit ropey but we showed resilience too.

Not sure we've ever had a team with more quality on the ball than what we have now. Players who want to receive the ball to feet in tight spaces, players across the field all capable of picking passes. Zaniolo looks like will be great addition to that.

Diaby looks a lot like Sadao Mane to me, that mixture of pace, directness but also great linkup play and calm clinical finishing. Think there will be a few clubs in the nominal top 6 kicking themselves for not going for him from the way he has started.

Between Pau and Carlos, the latter looks more assured currently and if we go back to 2, it could be that Carlos-Konsa is the preference initially. Might take Pau a bit longer to get up to speed defensively, though you can see his quality on the ball.

the late changes did seem to disjoint us a bit. Did Emery stick Cash LB purely to stop him making more attempts on the hattrick?!

 

Makes me wonder if it means Digne is off next week. 

[andym]

Overall a very good performance, probably about 10 or so minutes in total where we were on the back foot, but dominated otherwise. The goal we conceded was a accumulation of individual errors after we came out for the second half a little complacent, which is good in a way as that can be fixed. I'd much rather that than conceding because of some major systemic issue.

If we were more clinical and with some better decision making we should have had at least 1 more.

What is very promising is that we look to be creating from multiple areas across the pitch; ball over the top, down the flanks, incisive through ball or working it around the pitch with nice intricate play looking for the opening.

Hopefully someone can work out how many passes there were in the build up to Cash's 2nd, because we seemed to keep it for ages.

[Jas10]

18 minutes ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

As long as we can solidify the defense. Terrified to see Pau against the likes of Nunez and Salah.

They will be terrified… of someone else…

[mjmooney]

I am hereby renaming the 'Cruyff Turn' the 'McGinn Turn'. 

[ozvillafan]

Supremely comfortable, bar a poor start to the 2nd. I like the cut of Zaniolo's jib. McGinn is something else (and my MOTM) and Cash did waaaay better than I expected.

3 things I learned:

• I enjoy listening to Lee Hendrie almost as much as watching him play (was co-commentator on my stream)
• Konsa is a baller
• We can win with Olsen in goal

[PaulC]

Very good performance.  Season looking much better now after the first game. 

[DakotaVilla]

Played very well and kudos to emery for the tactical shift. Diaby, Watkins and Zaniolo with Moreno, Ramsey and Mcginn are going to give team’s absolute nightmares. 
 

Also kudos to Olsen. I was very negative about him potentially playing and he must be aware of the general lack of confidence in him from across the fan base but he did ok today. Yes, there were a few moments but on the whole it was a solid performance and that’s all you want from your Number 2. 

[The_Rev]

 It's clear we miss Mings, I don't think that 15 minute wobble in the second half happens with him (and Martinez) on the pitch.  Torres still needs time to adjust to the Premier League, he's going to get targeted by the opposition a lot in forthcoming games but enough of the negatives, we looked sensational for long periods in the first half, comfortably holding Burnley at arms length and cutting through them at will.  Cash gets the headlines but I felt McGinn was our best player again, he's just brilliant at the moment, he uses the ball so well and he just doesn't make mistakes.  I didn't think he was good enough for a team looking to break the top six of the Premier League but he could probably hold down a spot in a Champions League team on current form. 

[tinker]

Good away performance, we lost our way abit and started gifting them possession but we eventually calmed down and went back to holding onto the ball.

We created some really great chances , given a bit more luck (their keeper was good as well) could have scored more. McGinn was unplayable at times, there is just no answer to him when he's playing like that, I think he's the best premier league midfielder atm. 

Someone is going to get a right thrashing from us if we hit form up front and the wind blows the right way.UTV 

[Talldarkandransome]

15 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

Slight concern that we rely too heavily on him atm… such an important player and transformed by Unai…

I don't think we are relying on him, we have plenty of top performers at the mo, and still not at full strength yet. We look strong 

[VillaChris]

4 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Makes me wonder if it means Digne is off next week. 

Digne is playing at a really good level currently.

He can also fit into both of our formations.

I know he's a real drain on our finances but personally I'd be tempted to hang onto him until January as don't want to be selling him and then his replacement needs months to settle in.

Zaniolo with his style looks an obvious Coutinho replacement so I'd say he's the one to let go of to get us some more flexibility with the wage bill going forward over next 12 months.

[tinker]

4 minutes ago, DakotaVilla said:

Played very well and kudos to emery for the tactical shift. Diaby, Watkins and Zaniolo with Moreno, Ramsey and Mcginn are going to give team’s absolute nightmares. 
 

Also kudos to Olsen. I was very negative about him potentially playing and he must be aware of the general lack of confidence in him from across the fan base but he did ok today. Yes, there were a few moments but on the whole it was a solid performance and that’s all you want from your Number 2. 

Emery went ballistic when Olsen started launching the ball up front, he stopped it. 

[Ghost]

Really good performance overall. A slight period of nervousness after the break, when they scored but I think the most pleasing thing for me was the resilience to see that period out, get the goal to restore the 2 goal cushion and then re-assert our control back on the game. Cash, Diego, Luiz, Kamara all superb, but McGinn MOTM for me. 

[mjmooney]

[The_Rev]

14 minutes ago, Ouchmefoot said:

Zaniolo should have passed to Ollie in for a tap in

 

Agreed, but it's one of those where I completely get why he shot.  Two minutes into his debut, game is (probably) already won and he's clean through on goal?  Should have squared it, but I forgive him. 

 

On a wider point, towards the end of last season it felt like a bit too much was going through Watkins. It was great watching him score so frequently but we were in danger of becoming one dimensional. Stop Watkins and you stop Villa. Bringing in players like Zaniolo and Diaby should give the opposition a lot more to think about as we've got a few players in the squad who will be aiming for double figures this season. 

[Philosopher]

Always in control. We look like one of the best teams in the league.

Burnley are a good little side and will be alright this season.

Diaby was my man of the match, unplayable at times, high quality goal and assist. 9

Cash might have got my man of the match had he kept playing as he is supposed to instead of hunting for the hattrick. Can't blame him, but we might have had 4 or 5 otherwise. 8.5

McGinn was so composed, which isn't something I'm used to saying about him. His throughballs, and abilty to retain possession and break their press was vital to a complete team performance. 8

Digne's performances in the last 3 games means Moreno has a job to get back in the team. I make that his 5th assist in 4 games. 8

Watkins got a good assist tonight, should've had a goal too, but his work in the build up and his running off the ball kept the Burnley defence on the back foot throughout. 7

Kamara really got stuck in today, and his distribution was good.  7

Luiz didn't control things as well as he can, but a solid shift nonetheless. 6

Carlos was the pick of the back 3 mopped everything up, strong as an ox. 7

Pau's ball playing is very assured, gradually getting up to speed. Got done for their goal though. 6

Konsa was beaten by Koleioso a couple of times, and he won't have been happy about that. His ball playing is much improved. 6

Olsen was solid played one dodgy pass to Kamara, had no chance on the goal. Otherwise decent distribution, and a couple of decent saves. Looked a more reliable no 2 keeper than has been. 6

Zaniolo linked up well, looks hungry and eager to do well. If he can stay fit he'll be very good for us.

There is a confidence and assuredness about this team that makes me feel we can win something this season. We have few weaknesses and many strings to our bow. We are good defensively but have goals a plenty. I'm as excited as I could be again after what was a very deflating defeat on the opening day.

My concerns about the defense and our ability to adapt in the absence of Mings was valid, but fortunately none of the teams we subsequently faced could really threaten us This is mainly due to their lack of quality, but the team has been very organised and the midfield has protected the defence really well. This has bought us time to get Pau and Carlos up to speed. The real test is awaiting us at Anfield next week.

[fruitvilla]

22 minutes ago, Ouchmefoot said:

Zaniolo should have passed to Ollie in for a tap in

I thought Ollie might have been a little off-side at that point.

[AVFC_Hitz]

McGinnadine Zidane. He's been given some sort of secret plan by King Unai and now he's....masterful.

[Jas10]

8 minutes ago, catanzaro said:

I know what you mean but I’m hoping that JJ will be the one that takes up the challenge of taking SJM’s spot in the team.. when he’s fit..

Different players, different attributes, different roles…

McGinn brings so much that is essential but goes unnoticed… he is selfless, dedicated, aggressive, tenacious… his energy and drive is a massive asset to this team… most of all, Unai has transformed him into a top class, composed player who is absolutely vital… beyond those qualities, he is so much better in possession and on the ball now and, most of all, in the pass… creates so much for us now… he’s pretty much the complete midfielder, just needs to add more goals to his game…

What a difference having a top class manager and coach makes… incredible.

John fights and bleeds for this club… like I said before… he is the heartbeat, aided by others such as Luiz (who is pure class)…

Never thought I would speak/write about him in such glowing terms after his time under the Scouse clown… will always regret and feel apologetic about criticising him then… most of us didn’t realise quite how much one man was responsible for so much damage… 

We need to reduce the reliance on John though and ensure the other players are as focussed and driven and have some of the same battling qualities… we always have to be up for the fight as well as bringing that panache and composure…

God I love how we pass that ball around now… thank Unai…

[RicRic]

Right John Mcginn was incredibly frightening i have no words MOTM for me despite Cash grabbing two goals… everything he did was superb, Diaby looks proper … Luiz is so bloody silky on the ball tremendous quality between him and Bouba… Zaniolo showed a bit of magic with the nutmeg but was not on the telepathic levels this team currently has … doesn’t look to be as sharp but of course in due time he should click … i swear every player just knows where each player is without thinking about it… excellent win this would have been nice at Anfield next week UTV