Well, well, that was a turn up for the books wasn’t it?
I’d predicted a 1-0 win and I did have a bit of a feeling, but I don’t think I can honestly say I expected it.
So how pleasant was it, that we actually came away with all the points?
From a ground where we have a really poor record too.
I find myself wondering if we were good or Palace were poor and while I know many of you don’t like it if I say I thought the opposition were poor, I have to say I partly think they were.
But let me hasten to add that while I didn’t think much of them, a lot of that was because we made them look poor.
We’ve discussed, or at least given passing mention, to the new manager bounce and I think there was definitely some of that.
Yet I also felt there’s more to it than just that. The players looked to me like they’re playing with a purpose. Either Gerrard and his crew have immediately worked wonders or Dean Smith and his team had just massively run out of ideas and more probably, quite simply, motivation.
Which again suggests it was the right time for the club and the manager to part company.
We’ll know better after more time, but I’m guessing that’s how things are.
There was a lot to commend today and some very good performances.
My man of the match?
Tyrone Mings, who I thought was immense.
Erm yep. Make the most of that, because if he performs poorly, I’ll be quick to give him pelters again. Seriously, he was good though.
There were also other noticeably good performances.
Martinez goes pretty much without saying. Yes, he had a couple of dodgy games, but he was back to his usual self and just inspires confidence.
Matski Cashki was superb and worked his guts out against Zaha, who is one dirty, snakey footballer.
Targett also played well and of course, got the first goal.
Konsa was his usual not noticeable self and apart from one bit of a mix up with Cash, where we could have got an own goal, he just got on with his job. I’d love to see him get a cap, but he just doesn’t get noticed does he?
The consummate Rolls Royce defender.
Nakamba and here’s one for the haters, who it seems are legion. I thought he was immense in his blocking and passing today. He did make one sloppy pass and the haters pounced upon it, but it all seems so unfair to me. Hardly put a foot wrong and some fans need to open their eyes to what he brings, imo.
McGinn had another cracker. He worked his guts out and of course culminated things with a lovely placed effort for our second goal. It’s great to see he’s back on fire.
Bailey was one of the weaker performances today. Some stuff came off, but he also came across as lightweight at times. Hopefully he’ll get better and better.
Young was a surprise starter for me, but he played really well. The ultimate pro, who has surprised me in his effectiveness and of course, he hit the bar from a free.
Ramsey played well too and while I’m not convinced about the number of daft fouls he commits, he is now beginning to justify his starting position. He’s added an edge to his game and it’s a bit nasty. I like it and all he needs to do is find the balance.
And then the fly in the ointment.
Quite possibly my favourite player, Ollie Watkins. I thought he was mostly awful today and he doesn’t look like he could finish his breakfast. His touch is abysmal and the only good thing I can say about him is that he retains the effort. He had three shouts for a penalty today, but I wasn’t convinced by any of them. He looks like he’s lacking sharpness and I’d say he needs to be rested for a few games, because he looks mentally tired to me.
What does that say about Ings though, if he gets dropped before Ollie?
I’d say Watkins is more effective in trying to get involved at least.
Luiz’s Red card?
I thought it was at first sight, but watching the replay, no, it wasn’t. VAR worked well this time.
It was put to me that the ref was very unfair towards us, but I’m not so sure. I will concede that some tackles were let off without punishment. But then I just think Palace are much more professional in how they commit their fouls. That might sound daft, but I’m sure some clubs actually coach how to commit fouls that are on the edge, so to speak.
Certainly a few of our players were clattered on multiple occasions. McGinn, Young and Watkins were all roughly tackled off the top of my head, yet when we commit one, it’s more likely to be an absolute shocker, which is always going to get punished.
Not that we’re a dirty side.
But Palace definitely are and I never realised it before. I suspect that’s down to the Viera type of coaching they’re getting.
Can we expect a bit of that from Stevie G too? I’d expect so and while I’d never have liked the idea previously, I’m now coming round to the thought that you have to do everything to gain an edge.
The days of the honourables winning anything are well and truly gone, sadly.
So it’s six out of six and I think we’ll need them as we face a tough few games coming up.
Then again, who’d bet against us getting something out of our next three games, where it looked impossible just over a week ago?
I just love the fact that for now at least, the gloom, doom and despondency has gone.
Jingle bells, jingle bells…….
UTV!
Superb win and I’m a well happy bunny 🙂
Good win and some really good defending – back to the post Project Restart solidity at the back.
Interestingly, only 37% possession again but like last week more shots at goal and more on target than Palace. Once again they had a lot of the ball but never really hurt us. I think it was something like the 80th minute before they managed a shot on target.
If I have a moan it’s Bailey – holds onto the ball too long and doesn’t appear to see the simple pass which might have opened up the defence. AEG comes on and almost immediately slots a lovely, simple ball into McGinn’s feet and 2-0, game over.
I think you’re being a bit harsh on Ollie. Thought he was slightly unlucky with some turns and moves he tried. He also seemed to have two or three men around him when he got the ball in the final third – Viera having done his homework after last week.
All in all a good win and lots of confidence for the game against Citeh.
UTV
You may be right about Watkins. I’ll keep more of an eye on him.
But if you look, his first touch is really poor and has been for a while.
I really think it’s mental fatigue, but it’s costing us, imo.
You’re right about Bailey too. I think that’s how he is. A greedy get, who’s trying to create his own chances. Again it’s about the balance isn’t it?
Nowt wrong with wanting to do it yourself and there’s been a lot of times over the last couple of years, where I wanted players to just shoot instead of laying it off.
Fair points Badger but it was like Bailey wanted to beat the whole defence and kept going back for more – and mainly in wide positions. There were opportunities for him to pass a ball inside and move which would have opened up more opportunities.
Not once did I see evidence of his alleged speed on the ball.
Not convinced at £30m but it’s early days.
Don’t forget he’s not fully fit Hitch. That’s massively important to speed merchants.
Hitch, don’t forget a lot of players take time to adjust when they get to the Premier League simply because they’re in shock at the speed of the game.
I hope Bailey comes good. Seemsnlikeba good lad with a great work ethics.
In the middle of some shite on FB atyhe moment for daring to say all of the above…..so far I ain’t a villa fan…I’m a Bluenose and also a Palace fan…oh yeah it’s also the 1st match I have ever watched…ha ha ha…bring it on as I know whose talking the truth…No wondertheres always fights in the Villa end with morons following us.
Haha, Facebook?
I can’t be doing with it and don’t even maintain the site’s link to it anymore.
Sadly full of kids and scammers from what I’ve seen of it and not my barrow at all.
Not sure who the Nakambe ‘haters’ are (or why?) but the B’Ham Mail have given him a glowing review & made him MOTM.
Oh, they’re there, trust me. Usually the same mob who wanted Smith shot for treason too. Watkins is the latest, but they do have a point there lately.
Yep, Naka could easily have got a MOTM off me too. As could Cash.
But I feel it’s only fair that if I dish loads out in slagging Mings, so he deserves the plaudits if he does well.
Just call me Mr neutral 🙂
It’s why I often don’t agree that the ref was utter dogpoo.
Oh, there’s even a group that think Luiz is total rubbish and practically can’t even kick the ball.
It is strange how some can get there hooks into a player and not even consider any good things they do.
Much like those Facebookers, by the sound of it; totally one-eyed.
Totally f***** up more like, Badger. Toxic people who, even when indoors, manage to contaminate society with their twisted and negative perspectives on everything.All the players you mentioned are black btw. Is that a coincidence? Such is the sense of dread these people create, I even though twice about posting this comment. :/
UTV
Fair comment but we love our players for their efforts not the colour of their skin.
Love is blind as they say. Who is the guy we call God at VP again?
Can’t believe today’s result! Again looking forward to the midweek game. Citeh aren’t at their best. We could do them!
MOTD in half an hour! Whoooo!!!!
Really impressed with today’s performance. Every player put a shift in and the most notable difference for me is our play is so much quicker. Lots of simple pass and move and a lot less hoofball.
I’m beginning to look forward to Citeh on Wednesday now rather than dreading it a couple of weeks ago. Bring on the prodigal son! 🥳
Do you know, I’ve just been looking at the table and when you consider we’ve just lost five on the trot and are still in 11th, it really goes to show how poor the standard is.
The disturbing thing is I think the standard is falling more and more every year.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a middling team from the 80’s to play a middling team now?
I wonder who’d win?
Of course we’d have to give the 80’s team a good while beforehand so they could get their heads around today’s team falling on the floor all the time 🙂
What did I say the other day ! They now go for athlete type player rather than football’s, that’s why Him I’ll not name will spend more time on his arse than kick a ball. Shame that as I love skill with a ball . As for the game yesterday I see no faults only it will get better in time. Question? Will Him that abandon Villa Park and sits on bench ,will he be allowed to participate in Wednesday’s game..
I reckon we ought to try and get that Haaland from Dortmund.
He’s only got 50 goals in 50 games and 14 in 11 this season!
Wow.
We’re not getting Haaland oh dear have you seen his market value he is way to big for us, it was last year where he was coming through, he’s one of the best players in the world now I am sorry to say it! 😀
Good win, annoyed we conceded at the end would have liked two clean sheets and I am sure the defence and Emi Martinez would have too, was still scared at 2-0 as I know what we’re capable of doing lol and their goal didn’t help, Guehi 90+5.
It is so clear that we just needed a manager who can get us well organised and I said that after watching Wolves play Everton because their new manager has come in and done a real job for them down the road…
Europe is still on the cards but I said I would take a 12th place at the start of the season as we’re in that kind of transition point where we are beginning to adjust to the loss of Joe Prealish.
Bring on Man City, it is so funny to see them faking his injury so he doesn’t play haha it’s embarrassing how he can’t handle it but then again I suspect something similar went on with Danny Ings and Southampton.
We can win our next 5 if we try even Man City, a Gerrard team is capable of doing anything wink wink…
Sound delusional but get behind the boys and we can get something!
I was joking about Haaland 🙂
His value on transfermarkt is £135 mill, but I’ll bet you wouldn’t get him for that.
Blimey, he’s only 21 too!
Nice to see all the optimism that’s flowing through the fans now. I like it.
Van Bronkhurst becomes the eighth consecutive Rangers manager to win his first game.
Hmm, I’m sure that suggests something.
I think its shows the strength of the league in reality. For example if Villa were put in to the Scottish Prem we would likely be joint favourites along with Celtic and Rangers to win it so when you compare that to the English Prem and to win the league we are what 500-1 or something it shows the gulf in class and how much harder it is to make strides. Great win on Saturday. here are my thoughts FWIW.
1. Tactically we look so much better under Gerrard. Pre game and in game. The players clearly know their roles and seem to be enjoying the battles. You can see since he’s come in Gerrard’s number one focus has been on defending first and foremost. We look so compact and solid again. Ok Wednesday will be more of a gauge but its a free hit and not much pressure as we will be expected to lose. Brighton and Palace are likely to be around us come the end of the season and they’re the matches we need to be winning so job well done for Gerrard so far.
2. Watkins – Needs to work on his close ball control and maybe thinking/moving the ball a bit quicker at times. Lost count of how many times he lost possession at the weekend. Credit to him though his effort is always 110% and he’s not one to shy away from pressure. He will come alive again. We also dont have anyone else who offers more of a threat.
3. Mings – Wow, what a difference a manager can make. Totally dominant in both games so far and seems to have re-found that confidence again. Long may that continue.
4. The Midfield – all of them have worked their socks off so far. Nakamba looks a world class DM at the minute, was all over the pitch and hopefully will only get better with consistent game time. The communication is back and they all seem on the same wavelength again, closer together, quicker passing. We just need someone to take control at times and keep the ball when were under pressure (i.e. he who shall not be named) we still get a bit panicky at times, but we cant solve everything in 2 weeks.
Sorry for the long post, but all in all a great weekend and lots of positives to take. It’s definitely looking like the right move at the right time to part with Deano. UTV
Nakamba has often showed touches of defensive brilliance over the last couple of seasons, but he also used to give away a lot of posession at times as well – usually when he was trying to pass forward.
That part of his game seems a lot better under Gerrard – don’t know whether it’s a ‘confidence’ thing, but perhaps it is: no matter how well he played for DS, it seemed that he would always get dropped for the next game if someone else was back to fitness. Maybe just needed to be told that if he’s playing well then he’s going to be picked?
I’m no expert on these things but Gerrard has talked about the importance of ‘distances’. On MoTD they talked about how the midfield were closer together.
It may be that Nakamba now has someone to roll the ball to without having to overplay it. Simple things?
Having said that he was outstanding on Saturday and it was a close call between him and McGinn for MoM.
Long may it continue.
Good summary, Adam.
It is odd how suddenly we’re passing to feet and at speed.
It makes you wonder why it wasn’t happening previously?
Is it really just a confidence thing?
The latest rumour is that We’re after Joe Gomez and Mings is going to Newcastle.
Haha, seriously, who makes this rubbish up?
Everyone’s going to Newcastle according to the media.
As if Citeh need any help, Mike Dean is ref Wednesday and Kevin Friend is on VAR.
So now playing against 13!
Is Mike Dean actually Jasper Carrot ?
Suppose he can’t really be, ‘coz he’s rumoured to be a Liverpool fan, & that might -just possibly – work in our favour for once…
Just watched The Holy Trinity’s show following the Palace Game.
Made some really good points / observations – worth a watch on You Tube.
Don’t forget the Citeh game is on Amazon Prime Wednesday!
This is very encouraging;
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/11/30/im-hearing-rio-ferdinand-shares-behind-the-scenes-insight-on-gerrards-training-at-villa/
I read that Badger; has a ring of truth to it and a really positive message from the players.
It also underscores Beales reputation on the training ground.
The last Holy Trinity show made, what I thought, was an excellent point about Villa losing their identity both on and off the pitch when ‘He who shall not be named’ left the club’. He went on to say that the avuncular Smith was not able to fill that gap whereas Gerrard arriving has filled the void giving Villa that new identity to build around.
OK he’s not a Villa man but he has already projected the club back into the limelight on and off the field.
Long may it continue.