Well, this one arguably felt worse than the Everton game for me; there was less pressure on us with City still playing later, and a game that felt like could have been a routine home victory if we were even remotely on our game.
I said this in a previous post, that if we are to blame every single goalless game on the opposition using a low block set up, then we should probably start questioning how we’ve won a single game all season, given that every single team transitions into this, and for me, it is just a new buzz word for playing defensive. That being said, we struggle time and time again against teams who do not drop shape.
I think 95% of people, Villa or not, pretty much banked on us scoring yesterday, including the bookies. Is there any wonder why we did not break the deadlock? Passing around their box all game, having the only player on the edge of the box in a firing position being Ezri Konsa, and playing the same move down the left side with Maatsen ten times on the trot. In other words, it was a set up bound to fail against a side who know how to win football matches.
What also concerns me, as Bradley correctly pointed out, is that Emery seemed unconfident that any player on the bench would be able to change the game, therefore he held off on the attacking substitutions; isn’t it phenomenal how for the last three seasons we’ve went from having a decent squad depth to then an injury crisis in just the space of weeks? Barkley, for me, should have came on – he is a lot more composed on the ball and I actually would have backed him to make more of an impact than Elliot. Taking Sancho off too for me, when he looked like one of the players who could have an impact, was the wrong decision from Unai.
As for the new recruits, Dougie and “Kevin” as Badger seems to really enjoy calling him – haha – I thought they both looked like players who will take a few matches to settle. As for Luiz, I thought we saw aspects of the Luiz that left us, but it will take a few matches to fully see it as he barely stepped foot on the pitch in a red shirt before coming to us. That being said, I do not think we will fully see the same level as what we saw in his first tenure at the club. As for Tammy, I thought his first touch was actually not too bad, and I can see him causing a problem for defenders. He was unlucky with his first big chance and took it quite well I thought, and obviously was unlucky to have his goal chalked off. As for that decision, isn’t it convenient that they went back more than ever when Villa scored? Almost as if they tried their best to disallow the goal. There was no conclusive evidence to suggest it was out, and it certainly wasn’t clear and obvious with a direct impact on the goal.
I thought Brentford were outright cheats to be honest. The antics by Kelleher would’ve saw red if Martinez were to do what he did yesterday. Additionally, we are not a dirty side at all unlike the likes of Newcastle, and it did not warrant their players to go down like they did. However, above all, what summed it up for me, was when we had a penalty claim on Elliot which our players did not even call for nor surround the referee for. Instead, the entire Brentford back line including ones who did not see the challenge on Elliot at all surrounded the referee in numbers saying it was not a penalty, they were just snide, all game. Although, credit to them, they know how to win football matches and that is why they are 7th in the Premier League.
Bournemouth away next week, which I am, again, nervous for, but that is a conversation for another article I suppose. Onwards and upwards (as long as the Premier League allow it), UTV
On yesterday’s game I’ve been thinking about it and 2 things stand out when Rodgers received the ball in space he didn’t control the ball as well as a player of his calibre should and Brentford got the ball 1 pass back then ball over the top of our defence who had all been on front foot to support the attack if Rodgers had control of ball,how many times we’ve seen this happen now Rodgers losing the ball in midfield and opposition score? To many times I think,maybe we should have defence more set for him losing the ball.
2nd point according to var they went back to beginning of attacking phase and disallow goal.
Now if a defender had touched ball any time between Bailey and sancho having a shot that’s end of phase,we’ll the goalkeeper saved sancho shot and it rebounds back to tammy so when tammy hit the ball that’s another phase started according to the rules then they can only go back to check if tammy offside I think.
Anyone got thoughts on both issues be interested
But Rodgers definitely to blame for a few goals conceded by poor control or trying to dribble to far.
I agree Roy – it was another case of VAR just wanting to find a reason to disallow an excellent goal. They’ll justify it by claiming that the GK saving the shot was part of the same phase.
I didn’t really see the Elliott incident but, similarly, I don’t recall it being reported that VAR was checking for a possible penalty but then we haven’t been awarded one all season.
On a slightly different tack I’ve been checking a couple of regulations.
On transfers, we can’t make another loan signing (only allowed two at any one time – Elliott and Luiz) so that pretty much rules out anyone else coming in today.
On Europa squad – we can have a maximum of 21 List A players (as we can’t satisfy the ‘home trained players reg’ which would have given us a further four places max). We can add three new players but cannot exceed 21 so three have to drop out – Kamara, Guessand and Malen and three in will be Bailey, Luiz and Abraham. Fortunately Bogarde classes as a List B player as do all of our U21’s / U18’s. Allyson won’t play in Europe this season.
Should have added – Barkley misses out. Not in the original List A he came in when Mings was injured but has to drop out once Mings is fit to play. This substitution isn’t allowed after R6 of the League phase.
I thought Luiz stood out and did well considering the lack of game time he’s had and I think he’ll be a decent replacement for Youri. Abrahams had a decent first touch but I felt like Ollie’s pressing missing – as was evidenced in the first half how much our midfield was overrun. I really felt like we missed his game and would like to see Tammy and Ollie given a run in the same team with Ollie dropping a little deeper. Leon Bailey for me is the most frustrating Villa player in all my years (over 38) in supporting Villa. We all know what he’s capable of but he just won’t show it regularly. During the season he did well, the one thing that stood out to me was his willingness to involve teammates – but far too often he sees the glory shot and goes for it when there’s a better option and he did that at one point yesterday and I was pulling my hair out. His decision making contributes to his lack of end product imo.
I also thought Pau had a rough game and seems to have lost his earlier season form. I feel like we’d be better dropping him in favour of Linedlof for a few games.
Sancho while busy still just lacks that end product to his game and I really want him to find form but I’m just not sure it’s coming. And totally agree that Ross should have come on. I thought Bogarde wasn’t at the races yesterday and the game called for some physical dominance and Ross would have offered that over Bogarde. By the second half it didn’t matter – we had the game by the scruff – it was just our end product that was lacking.
We can dominate teams on possession but cannot be productive if they are remotely defensive – it is a recipe that loses games that should be, on paper, won and unfortunately it will not slide if we want to compete at the top.
Ye massive blow yesterday we now have a week off to put things right if we don’t finish champions league it will be an absolute travesty as we have a great squad and have spent fuck all,if we do get champions league and this squad basically stays together I think we can win the league next season
To be honest, I think most current success should be attributed to Unai – this squad is not even top 5 without him and that is me being honest.
Great post by the way alfie
Appreciate it Little8, shame it wasn’t the best game to wrtie up on. Up The Villa.
Roy, that’s an interesting point about the phase. I’m really not sure what the rules are there.
What annoyed me about the game was the amount of times the ball was put in and there was nobody there. It’s a good point Alfie. Another thing is we’re overly reliant on wonder shots from distance and breaking teams down really needs to be worked on.
The goal being ruled out has really wound me up. That one measly point could cost us everything at the end of the season.
Yeah, it isn’t good enough relying on long shots and to be honest I can completely see where the xG hawks are coming from sometimes.
Just looking to see if we had signed anyone then realises we’re not all allowed to silly me
UTMV
Window now closed.
Window closed – does anyone want to add any thoughts? Bog standard for me, nothing spectacular but we filled gaps in positions that were needed – can’t really ask for much more with our current PSR situation.
We bought in positions we really had too. Neither Luiz or Bailey would have come back if it wasn’t for injuries, imo.
We just needed legs. Again.
Not one quality signing, imo. And no, Kevin isn’t that to me, as much as I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t do sentiment, I’m afraid.
Totally hindered in everything we try and do,
And if I’m frustrated, I can’t begin to imagine how Emery and the owners feel.
Tammy is replacement for Malen, with approximately 7 million difference to boost the coffers.
Luiz is replacement for Tielemans.
Bailey is replacement for McGinn on the right.
The only actual signings made were Alysson and Madjo. Both Duran style buys with eyes on huge profits in the short-meduim term.
Basically, we’re treading water with a straightjacket on.
I’d say we’re treading water with a life jacket on.
A week’s break should allow time for Tammy and Luiz to get up to speed.
Bournemouth is a must win to avoid jeopardising our Top Five hopes – Man Utd have Spurs at home, Chelsea have Wolves away, and Liverpool have Man City at home, which they will win.
That being said, we’ll win Saturday because we always bounce back, especially away from home.
Alfie, Bournemouth have been through a lengthy bad patch before Christmas, with many games without a win. They’ve now very much turned a corner and are bang in form. It’s the worst time to be playing them and everyone will need to put a performance in if we want 3 points. There are no easy games!
Think Chelsea are gonna get something out of this game.
Nope! 🙂
Haha – they played the perfect game plan in the first half.
“Some funds may have been available if Rory Wilson was keen on a move to Germany. The Athletic has revealed that Villa accepted an offer from Hoffenheim for the promising young striker, a loan with the option to buy for around €7 million (£6m). As Wilson is yet to break into the senior team, Villa were happy to let him go.”
And that, in a nutshell, sums up the state we’re in. We’re right on the limit. Again.
It’s a total joke when we have two Billionaires happy to spend.
Wilson has an attitude problem. Believe he’s turned Hoffenheim down because they didn’t pay him enough.
Not enough or not as much as he gets at the Villa?
There’s a big difference. I don’t think anyone would want to take a wage drop.
Anyway, what’s your source for saying that?
Apparently, we’re still talking to Liverpool about Elliot.
It’s quite straightforward to my mind. Either drop the buy clause or he isn’t going to play more than a game or two for the rest of the season.
That makes no sense all round, as we might be able to use his legs, it’s better for the player to be playing and it’s better for Pool, as if he doesn’t play, his value is just falling.
Okay, we might have to give them a million or so to drop it, but I really don’t think it’ll be much because we plain and simply can’t afford any more under the rules.
This clause really shows you how much we panicked to sign him, which has been the story of Villa in the closing days of the transfer window for years now – always a panic buy to please the fans!
I say, forget us mugs and listen to the man at the helm.
Nothing to do with us fans, imo and all about what the DOF thinks. It’s why Monchi got the bullet.
It was a signing nobody particularly wanted. And most importantly, Emery.
Badger, I agree with you – in fact Emery as much as admitted it – ‘he (Elliott) was a Monchi signing’ which confirmed Emery was not in favour.
However, I believe Emery is pragmatic and if he’s convinced about Elliott and it’s a position we need to cover he would change his stance. I’m convinced the real reason is Buendia’s return to form which sees us well covered and Elliott a luxury we can’t afford.
The destruction of our midfield has forced Emery’s hand and if he can’t get ‘Pool to play ‘nice’ might have to lay Elliott beyond the 10 games then potentially sign him and sell him in the summer?
Would be really cool if Man City hammered Newcastle before we played them in the FA cup. Its all in the mind don’t you know. Currently 3-0 and 5-0 over the two legs
Seen that, turned it over as it’s now a pointless watch, albeit it was before the game anyway.
BFR – I see your point about form, but we’ve always had to double up on Semenyo, we don’t have that burden this time which allows us more freedom, plus we won there last year.
We generally bounce back with away wins. All that being said, if we don’t win, United will catch us 100%.
Just seen someone say Rogers leaving could be similar to Coutinho and Liverpool, where they use the funds to win the title.
No thanks, I’ve seen the way we spend big money, either made of glass or flop.
200 million. 4 top-world class players from the continent. Well-researched. All due diligence completed and no ifs or buts. Why not? Doesn’t someone get handsomely paid for this?
*and Harry Wilson for free. Please.
Well for a start nobody is going to pay 200 million for him, and then above all I just am never confident in our big money players?