Ratings & Reactions: AZ Alkmaar v Villa

[Vive_La_Villa]

Whilst it was a very controlled performance we only had 5 attempts on goal so were very clinical. But then they only had one big chance too from what I can remember.  We should beat them again at home. 

[smg]

1 hour ago, Stevo985 said:

Head to head results count before goal difference in Europe 

Thanks.

[alreadyexists]

24 minutes ago, Tomaszk said:

26th November for next runout?

Hmm not sure yet… I’ve got to use it sparingly. Once I realised it was magic, I’ve only worn it when we really needed a win. So might wait til the knockout phases of the UECL  

[Stevo985]

13 minutes ago, smg said:

Thanks.

It won’t matter once we batter them at Villa Park

[DaveAV1]

11 hours ago, Follyfoot said:

The feeling for me is exactly the same as it felt in 1977, this is not bullshit it is bizarre, the similarity's make me shudder, masacre teams at home, concede but know it is a minor irrelevance. Do you Believe in the Villa....................................  

this for me too!! UTV now and back in the day. Thanks Ron and of course Tony Barton for finishing the job when he needed to. Let’s not forget Vic and the role he played in restoring our pride and bringing back our club to something we recognised as glorious too! The pride of Birmingham, England and finally Europe. We conquered it all and with the Sultan of Unai we may do it again, it certainly feels that way. Dean is possibly our new Vic and the Sultan,Ron and Tony’s love child!!!

[Philosopher]

11 hours ago, romavillan said:

It's going to keep happening, we deliberately take risks at the back to bring the other team out and stretch their shape. Do that often enough and a couple of times you will look really stupid. Risk and reward though, playing that way we're **** awesome for 30+ games.

This is true. But when we're on it we make one or two mistakes at the most, last night I lost count. In the prem we'd have been punished.

I will also add that I expect us to get better at this the more we play and train this way, so the mistakes will be minimised.

[DaveAV1]

Just now, DaveAV1 said:

this for me too!! UTV now and back in the day. Thanks Ron and of course Tony Barton for finishing the job when he needed to. Let’s not forget Vic and the role he played in restoring our pride and bringing back our club to something we recognised as glorious too! The pride of Birmingham, England and finally Europe. We conquered it all and with the Sultan of Unai we may do it again, it certainly feels that way. Dean is possibly our new Vic and the Sultan,Ron and Tony’s love child!!!

P.S. Newcastle play the role of Ipswich the media darlings that fell short when it mattered would you bet against the Sultan?

[DaveAV1]

3 minutes ago, Philosopher said:

This is true. But when we're on it we make one or two mistakes at the most, last night I lost count. In the prem we'd have been punished.

I will also add that I expect us to get better at this the more we play and train this way, so the mistakes will be minimised.

I’ll settle for winning 30 games out of 31!

[Philosopher]

5 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

I’ll settle for winning 30 games out of 31!

We aren't winning 30 out of 31. That's just ridiculous. However 25 wins out of 38 games this season will assure us of champions league football.  

[Annoyman]

I liked how the instant the ball hit the net for his goal, Tielemans was turning round to shout out the quality of McGinn's pass

[S-Platt]

5 minutes ago, Annoyman said:

I liked how the instant the ball hit the net for his goal, Tielemans was turning round to shout out the quality of McGinn's pass

Yeah it seems they are a tight knit group. 

I noticed that Tielemans and Bailey were chuffed with the 4th goal Sunday too which probably gave them the confidence for last night and that sense we belong in this team.

Not forgetting Carlos and Lenglet who contributed too.

It's lovely to see.  Emery the Don.

[StewieGriffin]

Thought we controlled the game well, we never looked too flustered apart from 10 minutes after their goal when we went unexpectedly sloppy. Bailey rolling his socks down has been a masterclass 

AZ were poor, but they're clearly a decent team who had a bad performance. They're probably going to have to win at Villa Park now (as Id expect Legia to win at home against Mostovar, putting them on 9 points) so that'll play into our hands if they leave us space. 

[The Fun Factory]

Excellent result, this gives us real momentum in the group stage now. Complete professional away performance.

Our last away win in a European tie outside of the qualifying rounds since Slavia Prague in 2008?

[Annoyman]

God, I was at that one, still got some Czech kid's Slavia scarf sitting in a drawer somewhere, didn't think it'd be the last one for 15 years

[The Fun Factory]

20 minutes ago, Annoyman said:

God, I was at that one, still got some Czech kid's Slavia scarf sitting in a drawer somewhere, didn't think it'd be the last one for 15 years

That kid is probably in his 30's now! Just to make you feel a bit older mate.

[Pongo Waring]

 

[Follyfoot]

1 hour ago, Annoyman said:

God, I was at that one, still got some Czech kid's Slavia scarf sitting in a drawer somewhere, didn't think it'd be the last one for 15 years

Did he cry when you ripped it from his neck

[TRO]

17 hours ago, sidcow said:

Absolutely. 

I'm convinced it's because there is no prejudice. The ref was just totally fair and called everything as he saw it. 

Every premier league ref seems to favour someone with one eyed decisions all the time.  So refreshing. 

worrying but thought provoking.

[John]

17 hours ago, turnbull said:

Considering their league record this season, that was a very good result indeed. A proper shpanking. 

  Brilliant result, our best win away from home in Europe since 1981 in Berlin? Bailey and Tielemans, let their football do the talking for them last night.  

[TRO]

17 hours ago, TomC said:

I missed most of the first half so I don't feel qualified to give a detailed write up.

One comment...Akmaar were more skilled than Zrinjski but they fared worse. Why? I have to believe that it's because we got an early goal and they had to chase the game.

 

I choose to think it was the suffocating style of Zrinjski in having minimum intention of attacking....They just sat in a low block and stopped us playing.

AZ had a tad more intention of attacking us ( expected at home) than Zrinjski, who was away.

One of our features right now, is playing through the lines, if teams sit deep, we have to be patient....Luton could do the same.