I’m stunned.
The first half sounded superb and Tony Morley suggested that the first half was the best we’d played for around two years. Indeed, it sounded like even Westwood, Gabby and Hutton were playing really well and Johnstone hardly touched the ball.
At one stage, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if we were 4-0 up; we were that impressive.
So what happened?
We went in two up at half time and things should have been very comfortable.
Nothing changed when the teams came back on and we retained the same 4-1-4-1 that seemed the best balanced we’ve been in a long time.
Yet we still managed to let them back into it and this surely has to be a mental thing?
Steve Bruce, who I don’t see got it wrong today, even though I feared for us from the off when I saw the line-up, must quite simply be pulling his hair out.
I predicted a 0-0 today and I’d have taken that.
But to have played so well in the first half and still end up drawing?
That’s a massive 2 points dropped, whichever way you look at it.
There are plus points in that we showed that we can do it.
But we have to show more resilience if we’re going to get to the play-offs.
Lansbury looked ok and that’s another plus.
Along with us retaining our home record.
Oh, we got two goals too.
But I’m still massively disappointed.
Comments
974 responses to “Villa 2 – 2 Preston; We threw that away”
****uodate****
My guy says are you ready for the next announcement?
I certainly am I’m glued
Blimey, another one?
Chupa Akpo on loan?
Or another left field one? I must admit, I prefer it when they come out of the blue.
It’s hard to write articles saying we’ve signed them, when we know it’s been in the bag for days.
There you go!
There you go what?
Bjarnson in the bag…like I said earlier
Bjarnsen vilkominn UTV
Bjarnason
Very good Giddy…..didnt know you could speak Chinese mate 🙂
😀 bilingual mate
Yes just seen a photo of him with the Villa shirt. Welcome Thor!
Where’s hourihane??? I bet his fucking agent is playing hardball
Hourihane….stayed with RM last night and apparently the fecking gates are not working again……Thats me saying that and NOT my guy lol 🙂
Lol 😁 you never know
I hope he’s as good as previous Scandinavians over past years to Don the claret and blue UTV we seem to be blessed with them
Bar enckleman
lol 🙂
Lol x 2 🙂
I see a snodgrass bid has been accepted by Burnley will this now open the door for ashley Barnes??
Anyway while you’re all waiting for news on Hourihane I hope you’re all practising your Icelandic ‘Thunder Clap’ celebration!
First thing we have to do his get his hair cut, i thought it was a woman. I know, you dont care how he looks, im not having some scuffy looking player looking like that. ( my sence of humour lads).
@Bill
Just had a look at a photo of the 82 team. Lot of big barnets there alright but a lot of big hearts too. From what I saw of Bjarnason in the Euros he definitely seems to fit the bill when it comes to that.
Lansbury could join him in the chair aswell
Sense.
At last we are starting to assemble a mid field which can play football – just need Hourihane in now and we haven’t spent a fortune.
Whys hourihane taking sooo long???? Yes I am one impatient fucker
Dr Tony tweeted 99%+50% going on??? WTF I’m lost
Perhaps Hourihane was 50% and Bjarnason 95% – it’s just we assumed it differently based on the available gossip?
No this tweet came after welcoming bjarnason
Oh OK Giddy – I was thinking of the older one.
Having looked at Akpom’s record, I’m not sure I understand this one.
I know he’s only young, but his senior level record is 3 goals in about 57 games (all under Bruce at Hull).
Tbf, his record at U-21 and younger is much better though.
Is an upcoming 1 in 19 goalscorer what we need right now?
Then again Bruce knows him and we’ve tried the proven goalscorer route, I suppose.
Oh, according to Wiki, we’ve already got him 🙂
All that said, if we get Hourihane I think we’ll be on our 25 man squad limit.
Maybe that’s why we have to go with a kid?
Not been much talk of players leaving, has there?
‘if we get hourihane?’ you sound a little sceptical badger, I’ve got a bad feeling about this one even more now
Not sceptical at all Giddy.
Very confident actually.
It’s not confirmed though, that’s why I said “if”.
According to Sky we paid a grand total of £3.15m for Bree and Bjarnason – if true that sounds like pretty good work.
Are these players any good never heard of them till recently
There better than the rabble we’ve presently got
That’s not saying much is it
I’d never heard of David Platt, Andy Gray or Benteke (amongst others)……and they didnt turn out to be too bad!!
Those players are few and far between. And as always if they are by good they will go and sit on the bench at city
Rubbish….Mahrez, Vardy, Mane, Tadich, Gidman, des Bremner….i coukd go on all night
I’m on about villa players. Gidman bremner etc was a different age. Other than Dwight Yorke and McGrath of course how many other great deals have we had since the 90s onwards
I’m sceptical it’s taking too long imo
Very good work.
The Gestede money will have practically covered all our business, even with Hourihane and that’s good, given we’ll have improved the squad big time.
But, what happened to the money Xia said was available?
Hmm.
I suppose still early days there’s 6 days left bjarnason came out of nowhere so we might yet again be surprised
The Doc put up a load of dosh in the summer and wasted most if it so might still have a lot more but wants to see some value for money mow.
Which would be eminently sensible.
So why come out with the statement?
Maybe the Doc thought that was the sort of money Bruce would expect?
Giddy, just seen the 99% and 50% comment by Xia.
That’ll be 99% Hourihane and probably Akpom, imo.
***** update from my guy*****
Barnsley have Matt James signed up fom Leicester which should expedite the Hourihane move! It seems that this was one of the main problems. Agent is now happy with his part of the deal.
I predict already next 4 fixtures 12 points get in there UTV
Ha ha no chance Giddy
Nice one Langford.
Hitch, I’d be very happy if that were the case.
But I doubt Bruce wouldn’t want to spend money if it was available.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining with the way things have gone.
It just seems odd and has left Xia open to an accusation of blowing his own trumpet.
Of course, the window isn’t closed yet and there might be a big signing to come.
Badger- Bruce has never generally spent big money on transfers and what we’re seeing is very much in keeping with his transfer dealings particularly outside the premier league. For instance in his 4.5 years as manager of Hull he only spent £89m on 29 players of which he spent about half on 6 players. If Hull sell Snodgrass to Burnley, 3 of those 6 will have been sold for a total of £32m with a profit on every one!
As I said a canny operator.
@H60
Was about to make the same point but you made it first and much better 🙂
Think what Bruce could of done with the 54 mil spent by RDM hmmm makes you wonder
A sound reply Hitch.
I don’t want to go into it too much, as I’m going to do a window review.
But suffice to say, I think it’s brilliant business up to now.
Unlless I’m very mistaken, Xia has made previous reference to FFP compliance – Villa could be sailing close to the limits after RDM’s spending in the summer.
Guess that would be another reason why Gestede was moved-on, and why the club now need to get shot of McCormack at almost any price.