It’s not that often these days, where I can’t take my eyes off the game to go to the toilet or get myself a beer, but this was definitely one of those days.
I said in the preview that I thought Liverpool would get at least 2 goals and that part proved correct, but what I didn’t expect was such a resolute all-round performance from the Villa.
Make no mistake, there will be a few non-Villa fans saying we really aren’t that bad a side.
Ok, if I hold my hands up, I’ll say Pool were overall the better side.
But we defended so well for long periods that if we’d drawn, I don’t think it would have been undeserved.
You can’t knock Liverpool, because I got the feeling that it wasn’t going to be their day, given the chances that they created, but ultimately put well over the bar. But the fact that they came back from being a goal down with a few minutes to go, says it all. It’s the sign of a top team.
But while we lost, which was no disgrace against one of the best sides in Europe, I saw plenty to be pleased about.
While I think we missed Grealish, who I think would have found a few more gaps today, his not playing wasn’t the end of the world.
Dean Smith played well in using our wide players to stop theirs playing.
El Ghazi played well, as did Targett, but it was Trezuguet who gets the MOTM for me.
He gave Lovren a torrid time, got the goal, was close to getting a second and just worked his socks off. A brilliant performance.
If I have to moan, it would be because we constantly gave the ball away, every time we tried to clear it.
That said, Liverpool’s movement is excellent and they just put you under the cosh, which I guess makes defenders a bit panicky, but it’s something that bugs me whoever we play.
I still don’t know what to think about Wesley, but I’m afraid my opinion of him goes down a little with every game.
Is it the way we play that doesn’t suit him?
He just never seems to be where it matters for my liking.
Which is where I’d have liked Kodjia to have come on earlier. I just think his quicker (albeit sometimes clumsy) feet might have suited this game better.
And then there’s VAR, which I thought was disgraceful today.
Ok, both decisions went our way, but they were so close it shouldn’t have been used at all, if the aim is to correct obvious mistakes. As I said in the previous replies, both goals looked ok to me and if the ref got it wrong, it would be understandable.
I just don’t think the way VAR breaks the game up is justified with such close decisions and I don’t want things computerised for everything that isn’t an obviously good goal.
It’s supposed to be about CLEAR and OBVIOUS errors and that’s not what it’s being used for, imo.
Anyway, enough of that.
I’m proud of our lads today, simple as.
We’ll be okay, I’m sure of that, after today’s showing.
totally agree with holte pointing out southgates double standards regarding barkley. in astatement southgate mentions the six players he thinks are better than grealish. i cant believe that he thinks the six he said are better. i have watched the dross england served up against second rate countries. sancho has been ineffective last few games i watched of england. lets be honest we could pick 11 posters of here and beat the dross we faced.
when we play france and germany countries who actually play decent football. southgate will see how feeble his team is. ok playing against the smaller nations where you have loads of ball and no challenges . but against the bigger nations england will only see 30% of the ball. also i seen massive holes in england against the qualifying teams, when we lose the ball they are wide open for the counter. if this isnt addressed we will get creamed against the best.
imo we havent made great leaps under southgate , he has brought in youth which is good.but i see real qualities in the english game just southgate wants to play football which is pretty but ineffective against the best.
Couldn’t put it better Nath, that what I’m saying , Southgate hasn’t yet met a descent side, all our friendly games have been to boost his ego, we will get thumping Mark my words.