Sorry chaps, I was going to write a preview, where I was going to predict a 3-1 win. I got that wrong, but wasn’t far off.
Anyway, the reason I didn’t do it is because I was actually researching which streams are currently okay to use and time just passed me by.
Talk about a game of two halves!
Quite simply, we destroyed Luton in that first half and the result was never in doubt.
And then, we allowed Luton back into it so much in the second half, that for a good period it looked like they were going to win the game.
I’ll never understand how that can happen, but it does.
The question is did Luton massively improve their game or did we relax?
I personally think it’s the latter and again, I think it’s a mental problem.
Overconfidence? No, I don’t think so, because I don’t think Emery would allow that. Much more like changing down a gear and taking it easier, in only giving 90%, imo.
And we all know if you want to win, you have to be at 100 or 110%, as Sir Ron used to say.
It could, of course, just be that the lads are generally not able to keep up a 100% performance over 90 minutes and it’s not an argument I would discount.
Certainly when we bought our last three subs on, they all improved us in my opinion.
I’d also point out how Liverpool seem to be blooding 19 year olds left, right and centre, all to good effect.
Is that possibly the way forward? and if so, why aren’t we doing it more?
OK, we got Tim on, but it’s hardly the same thing.
What of the game then?
Well, the first half was great.
Luton didn’t seem to care about Watkins and he was just a nightmare for them.
Bailey looked dangerous again, Martinez did what he does and McGinn ran the show again.
In fact, I couldn’t criticise anyone.
I felt Ramsey was a big miss when he went off and I’m concerned about him, as he’s beginning to look seriously injury prone. Hopefully he won’t be out for weeks again, but I’m sure he and the club will just be hoping that this is just an injury prone season and he comes back good next time.
The second half?
Hmm, I’m not sure how to describe it.
I think we sat back, personally, although whenever this happens the debate is that the opposition massively improved. I don’t accept that at all.
How can you go from totally dominating a game to being inferior?
I know it’s a funny old game, but it’s pushing it, for me.
Regardless, even if Luton were the better side for half an hour, we held out and looked better after Digne, Diaby and Zanilo came on, where we went to dominate the last 10 minutes or so.
Indeed, Diaby put the ball in for Digne to score, so you could say the subs were inspired, albeit the pretty obvious choices.
The big downside to this game was the atrocious defending again, but I don’t suppose there’s much we can do about that until Pau is fully fit and can team up with Konza to provide that previously formidable pairing again.
It’s a win, where 3 points against a struggling team was sorely needed.
Next up is Spurs at home. How big is that?
We have the chance of going 8 points above them and I think….
Ah, that’s for next week.
Well done today Villa, as much as I’d prefer you make it easier to watch!
UTV!
Comments
79 responses to “Luton 2 – 3 Villa; That had me worrying!”
Got it on now BumBum new players in then ..
No Bailey, no McGinn he’s got the Spurs match in his thoughts then . Rogers in and it’s going to be a tough one for us .
I think it shows faith in the squad. We always have options on the bench…
Liverpool one up already which is good for the possible 5th place CL spot.
A tight game. Either team could stab a goal. Not many refereeing decisions going our way. A bit like the Premier League really…
Just look at Tielemans attitude in the game , don’t look to see throw in walks as if he doesn’t care, his attitude all wrong in the game .
I think he’s just one of those laid back players, Bill. When he sees a killer ball he’s straight on to it…Watch him score the winner now!!! 😁
To be fair to Bill, Tielemans does usually look as if he’s just discovered someone’s shaved his cat…
Villa playing 6-3-1 and slowing it to Ajax pace. No point in tearing about – we have a proper game on Sunday. Unai should tell the rest just because they can’t spell/pronounce Iroegbunam does not mean they ignore him. It was the same when he has come on in the league – nobody passes to him.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I would call that first half as passive but it was worse than that. We miss McGinn in midfield and unusually Konsa has been really poor IMO.
We are playing like a pub team. Get Bailey on. Diaby is shit.
Would that be the same Diaby who put the perfect ball through to Digne for Saturday’s winner????
With McGinn and Bailey on, hopefully that will change things up…
I meant he was shit tonight IMO!
Missed the first half – having turned it on it seems we’ve drawn yet another hopeless referee!
How was that a yellow card against Zaniolo – just ridiculous!
Then their defender leads with his arm against Watkins and the referee gives nothing!
Is it a European wide anti Villa thing 🙂
What did zip just say about the ref and Villa?
This ref is effing abysmal. Neither of Konsa’s bookings were yellow cards. The second HE was the one fouled!!!!
Another stupid, ignorant and anti Villa referee.
And I’ve lost my stream.
Fuming
Bein5
Thanks Bum Bum – couldn’t find it before game ended.
Well job done but why are we feted to suffer a series of diabolically rubbish referees?
I despair!
Ref made Michael Oliver look competent. Thank goodness the old system no longer applies where we get the same officials for both legs. Everything wrong: throws the wrong way; corners when the ball had not gone over the line; Yellows for no contact but no Yellow for fist in the face, the only consistency being the home bias.
I can’t see it being much of a game in the return leg – Ajax will repeat the spoiling tactics.
The ref should hang his head in shame – to be compared negatively with Oliver is like comparing Putin with Trump!
Well done Villa!
Obvious Emery is focusing on Spurs match with starting 11. Younger players got more experience. When our stronger team was on the pitch I felt we were getting on top. Obviously Konsa sending off (joke decision) meant draw was a good result.
Hopefully energy in the bank to use in Spurs . I hope Torres is OK, but based on past subs of him I am not hopeful.
Referee was awful. I think Konsa’s slow reaction cost him his second yellow. I have no complaints about that. We would be screaming for a red if it was up their end. The yellow for Zaniolo was a joke and means he misses second leg. Also the hand against Watkins should have been a yellow. Overall not a bad result but Ajax aren’t a good team and we made them look better than they are.
Next up Spurs which is much more important.
‘The referee was awful’ – worse than that he has unfairly disadvantaged us in the second leg.
Better watch out for who we get at VP as they will probably have been briefed to work against us – am I becoming a conspiracy theorist?
You must be becoming a conspiracy theorist Hitchens, because you mentioned Trump and Putin in a football blog!
🙂
According to reports, Torres’ substitution last night was planned, Emery claiming it was in order to see him back into games. Does that sound like he’s not 100% fit or am I reading too much into it?
Hopefully he’ll be starting Sunday and Thursday.
I wasn’t able to watch the match but it sounds as if it was another masterclass by Emery. Keep it compact and low key away and then do the business at home. I saw him do the same thing with Sevilla.
So we rested some of our first eleven so they’ll be fresh against Spuds on Sunday and then we can give our all against Ajax and hopefully get into the quarters. BTW Ajax didn’t win a single away game in Europe this year so I’m betting that Emery will be fairly confident.
I guess that being in Europe is all about managing the minutes and just about doing enough in some games. I’ve certainly seen Man City do this often enough.
So, onwards and upward. COYL
Anyone know who the referee on our game ? I bet it’s that bleeding Michael Oliver again . I’m saying that as he’s not officiated I think in any games today so it leaves him as a contender.
I bloody hope he’s not . Arsenal just scored.
Chris Kavanagh
Is it 3 CB’s and 2 wingbacks today? Emery is clearly concerned about Spurs attacking threat. Let’s hope it’s not a case of too many cooks!
I have a bad feeling about today’s game. It might take a couple more seasons under Emery to start believing after decades of misery.
The bench is almost as important as the team and its good to see Carlos and Duran are both fit enough to be subs. Not so good that Ramsay is not. As usual no particular reason for a forecast that says we win other than we are good enough to beat anyone at home.
Holte , dead right weak defensive team left and right as for McGinn red card was right . McGinn was angry and it shows in his tackling. I blame other player’s not for filling their effort into days game .
The commentators just said the same as me