Ratings & Reactions: Villa v Burnley

[The_Rev]

Been home for a couple of hours now and have had a bit of time to collect my thoughts.  Firstly: 

 

That's a game every three (ish) days for five weeks.   In that time we've played Spurs, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, a Bournemouth team who appear to have temporarily turned into Real Madrid and had a very much must win game against Legia.    We've come through it with aplomb.  We've averaged more than two points a game over a brutal looking run of fixtures, won our Conference League group and we've done it while dealing with injuries and suspensions.  This is beyond our wildest dreams stuff considering the bulk of the squad were here under Dean Smith.  

As for today?   Dug deep, won.  I've barely skimmed the thread but I'll agree with the consensus that JJ isn't match fit yet.  Diego Carlos hasn't convinced me at all.  I think we look better when Bailey is coming off the bench but I get you can't really leave him out and keep him happy when he's pulling up trees in terms of end product.    We've definitely lost our shape a bit too, I figure it's because the players who had that consistent run of games together from August to November all knew where each other would be running to and the passing just seemed so crisp and sharp, there have been times where a ball to the outside that would have been on before just isn't there at the moment because players aren't making the same runs.  We've got to deal with other teams being more prepared to face us too, nobody is buying the attempts to bait the press on Martinez anymore, they just stand off and let us have the ball which probably explains why Ollie can't get isolated against their centre half any more.  Teams are really focussed on stopping the ball into Douglas Luiz too, he's often the trigger for an opposition press because they seem terrified to let him have time and space.  Konsa is a total baller, he's been great at right back but I think we need him playing in the middle with Pau and if Matty Cash isn't the main to play at right back then perhaps that's where we strengthen in January.   It's gonna be weird to have a whole week between games, I figure they get a couple of days off and we use the fringe players in the cup against Middlesbrough (I suspect they'll rotate too given they've got a League Cup semi final three days after they play us) and we should see a more familiar looking team against Everton in a couple of weeks. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, ozvillafan said:

Trafford is a great keeper. Possible Olsen replacement?

 

When he leaves Burnley he aint doing it to go sit on the bench somewhere else.   If he's as good as he looks (and it's important to remember he's only turned 21 a few weeks ago and has played just half a season of Premier League football) then the best thing he can do is play regularly at a club who are going to play out from the back.  I can see him at a club like Newcastle when they eventually sack Eddie Howe. 

[MachoFantastico]

The media have to point out that we got lucky today and still be in the title fight, but if that were City they'd be praising them. I'm sick to death of the top six biases in the media. 

[Brumstopdogs]

 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Brumstopdogs

[Hank Scorpio]

5 hours ago, Annoyman said:

"That Konsa yellow is stupid. Grown men should be able to regulate their emotions" is a hell of a take coming from, uh, the VillaTalk match thread

That's irony impaired in the most spectacular way

[mjmooney]

First on MOTD! 

[tinker]

10 minutes ago, Brumstopdogs said:

 

McGinn face, he's a right character that's for sure. 

[thunderball]

51 minutes ago, The_Rev said:

.Konsa is a total baller, he's been great at right back but I think we need him playing in the middle with Pau. 

Konsa has become a key player and the complete defender. Passing and vision not quite as good as Pau, but his all round game and defensive quality is supreme. Our most improved player, and that’s some accolade in this team.

[spiezels]

1 hour ago, sheepyvillian said:

I just want it treated with the respect it deserves. Talk of playing the kids is just ridiculous, imo.

Hol up!?

[sheepyvillian]

Just now, spiezels said:

Hol up!?

I think I may have replied to the wrong comment. It wouldn't be the first time.

[spiezels]

Just now, sheepyvillian said:

I think I may have replied to the wrong comment. It wouldn't be the first time.

Hahaha! The post i replied too in context of what i’d said made even less sense. You’ve really in these moments got to wonder what Gresford would have thought. 

[jim]

Only caught the highlights. Got the win, that is all that counts.

[sheepyvillian]

22 minutes ago, spiezels said:

Hahaha! The post i replied too in context of what i’d said made even less sense. You’ve really in these moments got to wonder what Gresford would have thought. 

Birds of a feather, and all that.

[FLVillan]

Given the injuries/suspension and number of games we've played that was a very decent performance and an even better result.  If Moussa wasn't aiming for Row Z in the north stand second-half we'd have been out of sight by the time they got their second.  Martinez was culpable on that one - shouldn't get beaten at his near post like that, he was cheating over. 

With our history in the Christmas period, a blip was inevitable, but if one away defeat and a home draw was the blip this year, then I'm happier than a pig in 

[Louis]

Well that was a hard watch I must say. I lost count how many times we put it over in the 2nd half.

What I don’t like is kicking towards the North Stand in the 2nd half, but for Burnley, I think it was a tactic making us kick that way because Vincent Kompany definitely knows what the Holte End atmosphere is like when he played for Man City. All they were trying to do was frustrate us because of this reason.

On the other hand, a win is a win and we move onto Boro next Saturday.

[PaulC]

I'm.not sure what kompany was complaining about. Okay the penalty was soft and Duran bought it. The handball through Carlos, it was outside the area so should have been a free kick but not aware that accidental handball to stop a goal scoring opportunity is a red card?

[AVTuco]

I know it's virtually impossible to turn our expectation levels back to September, but thw least we can do now is to appreciate where we are. The rise in expectations is a testimony to our success. 

our team is much thinner in quality compared to our rivals, even Spurs and ManU. I'd call it a small miracle if we manage Top-4 in the end. If we do, we should give Unai and players the biggest of credits.

[tommytenjobs]

Overall reflections on another fruitful 6 hour round trip to the home of football. 

Midfield and forward line are tired. The lack of movement between the lines l, showing for Carlos and Longlet was the reason for slow.build up play. Too static = too rigid. Now that everyone seems to have stopped pressing us, we need to go back to quick passing, quick moves, quickly transferring. This will take some time to adjust to and a rest to help in terms of energy levels / training ground time. 

Duran is so raw its a little embarrassing at times, but he is also unpredictable for the opposition too. Walking card, walking event too. We do need to send him out to play 90mins regularly and bring in someone more ready to impact from bench in a positive only way. 

Ollie, best striker currently in the Premier? All round contribution, leading the line, bringing in others, calmness etc etc. (Haaland being injured or course) 

Top four is in our hands this year, can't see anyone behind us being consistent enough to overcome the points difference as we will keep winning most games at home. Too many key players off to Asia and African for our rivals that we won't suffer from. 

I could even see us squeeking into the title race as we go back to 1 game a week until March, rest up in Jan and get key players back....you never know. 

We miss mings last man pace and brawn on the turn. Longlet, Carlos and Pau will always give away chances in transition. Remember our amazing defence in the second half of last season....mings gives us that ballast and reassurance. Currently, there is no one else who can do that with konsa parked out wide. I think we need to bring him back into cb, drop Carlos, play cash and put up with cash's limitations going forward, in exchange for some clean sheets. 

Kamara and tielemans are big misses in the midfield box to break the lines with passes. Them being out/back may change my point about tiredness and movement above. Perhaps we just miss their eye for both a run and a pass? 

Jan....extra depth at rb, gk, cf loans with experience and we could be onto something seismic.... 

UTV

[KevinRichardsonsMoustache]

12 hours ago, Brumstopdogs said:

 

What? A chance to be topless?!

*Diego Carlos has entered the chat*

[The_Steve]

Cry more

 

[Jas10]

Let’s get those shooting boots back on, wasting so many chances…