Okay, so I have to be careful what I say here.
It’s just too easy to have an over-emotional reaction to a loss like this, after all.
But, I can’t get away from the fact that we were horrendously bad today.
So bad that I can’t point the finger at any one player, because as a side, we were just so,so poor.
I’ve seen fans calling McGinn and Watkins, as per usual, but I have to ask what they did that was so wrong?
The worst single player, if I really have to pick one was Digne. He honestly looked like he was on drugs or something today and it was like he didn’t know what planet he was on, let alone which part of the pitch.
Yet, in fairness, he’s been okay before today and I find myself wondering how he suddenly has looked so poor today.
But the same applies to many other players too. McGinn looks a shadow of his former self.
Ramsey is just none-existent and shouldn’t even be starting, in my opinion.
But apart from Buendia in the first half, the whole midfield lookes so, so lightweight, so it’s not just one player.
And because the midfield is so lightweight, it seems to have fed through to the defence too.
We look like we’ve never played together at the back and I’m perplexed how we have managed to go from looking extremely organised to just well, words fail me.
Again, I have to be careful I don’t say something I regret.
But, I said from the off that Gerrard was not the right choice for Aston Villa.
Am I calling for his head?
No, not yet.
Because I believe if he does go, it will be weeks away.
Purslow will support him as long as he possibly can, which is probably a good idea, because if Gerrard does get sacked, Purslow will “resign”, in my opinion.
We are not getting a point from our next three games, so it’s just a matter of things taking their natural course.
But there is no doubt that the total dissarray that we saw today cannot continue.
Sorry to say, but the story I always saw panning out is happening right now.
Another classy cameo from Archer.
No way should we be loaning him out and is Watkins time at Villa running out?
Did you notice when he was subbed how he almost dissed Bailey who gave him a real ‘look’.
All is not well in the Kingdom of etc.
I noticed that too Hitch. Got no problem with players being annoyed at being subbed but things don’t look too harmonious.
Watkins getting worse every game he plays ,hes not involved like he used to be just waiting for the ball and not finding it. Shame Archer not getting play time if Baileys goal hadn’t gone in Archer was there to score. I’m glad for the win but still concerned over our playing style he needs to get Archer on the pitch more often for me.
To be fair, Ollie’s got 3 goal involvement in 3 games. Having said that, I think Archer should have started against Bolton. In fact, I’d have given him the number 9 shirt and told him he’s first choice striker, starting him in every game.
Hopefully last night’s win will boost player confidence.
I really thought McGinn was off the pace and out of sorts. GS should look at taking him out the starting line up against West Ham. McGinn used to be one of my favourites but I now am starting to wonder about him. For Scotland he plays more forward, but we have Buendia and Coutinho in these roles. Therefore, his potentially favoured position is not up for grabs.
When it comes to tackling he often goes straight in to commit a foul. Far too often if he feels he is loosing the tackle he takes a fall in the hope of gaining a free kick. Positionally, when he looses the ball it is often in places that give the opposition an immediate overlap. Further, his passing is sub standard. Last night 72% accuracy.
Currently we seem to be dominated by the opposition in the midfield. Is there a need for a large imposing midfielder? We do seem a bit fragile In physical presence.
Is it time for SG to shuffle to pack and bring in Nakamba / Iroegbunam and move Kamara into McGinn’s role or buy a new player? I am not opposed to a new player as in nailed on starting 11 we have only added Kamara, all others are back up or injured.
I wouldn’t criticise SG for nearly as much as he gets slated for on here. More of then than not it isn’t players failing to do a task that is different from the usual – it is the failure of players in the right slot to perform consistently at the level they sometimes reach.
But, SG has made an error in giving McGinn the armband. He may be the star of the dressing room and BMH, but out on the pitch he just isn’t as good as the majority of midfielders in the EPL that he clashes with. Being captain has not improved him either. Everything you write Sid is correct. JM is either out of form or has reach the level of his incompetence.
Thought we did ok last night. I watched a rerun as I was driving home while match was on. I’ve seen us lose loads of these ties so nice not to cock it up.
The problem is the same as it’s always been, trying to play square pegs in round holes.
For me, I feel the answer is quite simple, abandon the 4-3-3 which simply does not work and leaves us way to exposed in vital areas.
Go back to 4-2-3-1 and play Kamara and Nakamba in DM, our win ratio is far higher with Nakamba in the team, those stats shouldn’t be ignored.
Play Ings up top who is our best striker, he relies on service like any other striker so find your best three attacking midfielders to provide that.
For me I would actually play Watkins right wing, his two assists against Everton shows that he may be better suited there.
Buendia in the number 10 role.
Bailey/Coutinho left wing.
Luiz and Mcginn on the bench. Luiz is a good option in the number 10 as sub. Mcginn as cover for the DM position.
Guest – I’m sort of with you in so far as I don’t think Watkins is suited to playing in a system with two strikers (or in modern parlance – two number nines). Looking at Archer’s cameo, I think he is.
I suggested that Watkins time at the Villa might be up. Unless he can convert to the role Sarr was going to play then I don’t see a future for him.
But if Gerrard was prepared to pay £25m for Sarr then it seems he doesn’t rate Watkins so talk of Archer going out on loan is confusing.
I’m not convinced that Gerrard has a clear understanding of what he’s trying to achieve?
A confused Villa fan 🙂
Gainful employment at L4 0TH
(:
?
Sorry mate you’ve completely lost me – L4 oTH?
It’s probably my age and the bottle of excellent wine I drank at lunchtime 🙂
Is that something to do with the post code for Anfield?
Maybe I’m not so dumb as I thought 🙂
“Gerrard has a clear understanding of what he’s trying to achieve?”
Yes mate it’s the postcode for Anfield.
😁
Our £421.64m expensively assembled squad have just put an EFL League One £9.29m side to the sword.
Let’s not get too carried away.
Too right.
We’ll get battered by West Ham unless Gerrard actually comes up with any kind of tactical nous. Which is highly unlikely.
That’s the thing RSS. Some fans will think we have turned the corner by knocking out mighty Bolton. Fact is SG put out a strong team. Apart from Young coming in at RB and Chambers at CB (which is an improvement on Konsa IMO) the team wasn’t a bunch of players not used to playing together at all.
West Ham is the real test. They are struggling at the moment but usually do well against Villa. What’s the betting we are the team to turn things round for them? That’s what Villa do historically speaking. If we lose then I’m certain we will end up with 3 points from a possible 18 and probably bottom of the league.
If that ends up happening then Purslow, Gerrard and his motley crew should sod off back to Merseyside.
“Purslow, Gerrard and his motley crew should sod off back to Merseyside.”
Amen to that Holte.
It’s being said 3 signings are being rubber stamped but! 3 are going out on loan Archer is one of them Nakamber also . This is a right bemusement to me , anyone heard anything? It’s mind destroying to see youngsters being manipulated and going nowhere.
Nakamba? When he’s just back from injury?
Villa’s form nosedived when Nakamba got injured. Gerrard’s decision making is haphazard at best, f****** crazy at worst. That’s another reason he’s lost his players. I hope the owners realise the club is now driftwood and the only way to get it back on course is to change manager. Pochettino in. Before someone else snaps him up.
Hey Bill reckon if he changed his name by deed poll to Camarillo Arqueiro he’d be in with a shout?
This is an interesting one – albeit being reported by HITC.
Left footed CB Senegalese international Diallo with PSG is said to favour a move to Villa. PSG paid £30m for him a couple of years ago and it’s reported he’s now available for around €9m.
Suggested he’s a better option than Bednarek as he’s less error prone.
The report says he’s turned down a move to Spurs presumably because he wants more guarantees of playing time with the WC on the horizon.
No idea – any views amongst the more enlightened ?
Another player on the way down, by the sound of it, to me Hitch.
I know someone said that Cameron Archer shouldn’t be loaned out and a few days ago I’d have agreed.
Now I think he definitely to to be loaned out and should not stay at the Villa this season.
Why?
Because he will not get the minutes he needs. 10 mins last night, in a Carabou cup tie is proof of that.
This “young player conveyor” is just the usual bollocks that comes out of the Villa and Gerrard is too scared to play the kids, imo, same as any Villa manger who can’t get us playing properly.
Do yourself a favour Cameron and get the hell away from Villa this season if you want to improve your game, imo.
As for last night’s performance, it changes nothing for me.
Confidence might have been temporarily boosted, but as soon as we face a decent side in a struggling West Ham, normal service will be resumed.
I have no faith whatsoever.
Completely agree Badger.
No point in not sending Archer out on loan if he can only manage 10 minutes in a league cup game.
Keeping hold of him and not giving him minutes will only hamper his progress.
Ffs man u away in the cup tough tie
Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo is the subject of summer interest from Aston Villa, according to reports in France.
The 26-year-old has struggled for regular game time in the last couple of seasons and has been an unused substitute in all four of the French giant’s games so far this campaign. He played a total of 16 games in all competitions last season.
He could therefore move on this summer as he looks for more pitch time. According to Le Parisen, Villa are one of the clubs showing an interest in the defender, although they could face competition from other unnamed Premier League sides.
READ MORE: Aston Villa transfer theory shared after ‘surprising’ update
READ MORE: Louie Barry, Wesley, Finn Azaz – How Aston Villa loanees are getting on
It is said that the centre-half could be available for a price of around €10 million (£8.4m) in the final week of the transfer window. Talks are yet to take place between the two clubs but PSG are reportedly not looking to hold the player back if a potential move comes about.
Jordan Amavi – Morgan Sanson – Robert Pires – Didier Six
to name a few.
We don’t seem to have much success with French players so maybe it’s for the best we swerve this one Bill?
Mathieu Berson. My personal fave.
Man Ure away in 3rd round. What a surprise 😒
Yet another example of how ‘lucky’ we are as a club!
Beatable Hitch, I think most are not surprised at that draw I wasn’t, had to smile to see Grealish value in todays market has dropped dramatically that as well didn’t suprise me . But not finding a replacement and lack of use in the reserves does..
If anyone’s booking a train home for that, don’t forget to allow for an extra half hour for VAR checks to disallow any Villa goals.
Badger and friends
I have just realised the word that sums up Villa at present – squandered.
Why? We have squandered:
* having one of our own as manager – Dean Smith
* having one of our own as manager – Jack Grealish
* £100m in the sale of Grealish. None of the replacements have yet delivered as expected.
* team spirit on the ego of our current manager
* long term plan of brining through young hungry players for one’s near end of careers.
* stability- Targett & Mings thrown under the bus
Unfortunately all of this will impact on the immense goodwill of the fans. I really don’t want to see us go back to the toxicity that marred the previous decade. NSWE do you really have the right Chief Executive and Manager in place?
Here here Sid
On a different topic, if you haven’t already seen the cgi images of the new north stand and club shop it’s worth a look.
It’s all very nice, but they could of released that after the window instead of using it to change topic of conversation away from the mess SG has got us in.
Badger
Interesting point Villa net spend this summer £7.4m
In:
Coutinho £17m
Carlos £26m
Olsen £3m
Total: £46m
Out:
Targett £15m
Trezeguet £3.6m
Chukwuemeka £20
Total: £38.6m
Does this mean NSWE have concerns and are turning off the tap for SG? Although approximately 5 days in transfer window to go.
No problem, the policy was to promote youth, but they’ve been sent out of loan. What’s going on?
I said midweek that I wondered if someone had blocked the Sarr transfer Sid.
It wouldn’t surprise me if that was true.