Merry Christmas all!
I watched most of the Leeds game and I was absolutely livid at the way we threw the game away at the final whistle.
I thought the ref was shocking and seriously wonder how paid officials can get so many calls wrong.
Regardless, I thought Leeds were probably the better side overall.
Did they deserve the win?
I don’t know.
But it is what it is. We’re going to lose some games, simple as that. A 94th minute goal conceded still remains disappointing though.
So gutting that I just didn’t fancy posting anything about it at the time.
That said, I think given our defence, we’re doing quite well.
To keep things in perspective, we gave Leeds a pretty good game. If you accept that they’re looking favourites to win the title at the moment, we have much to look forward to, if Dean Smith can get the right players (read defenders) in.
Surely we have to recall Elphick and then add a decent left back, meaning we will look better?
What’s important, is that I thought the team ran their guts out for the manager and that bodes well.
Our promotion hopes aren’t over for a moment, in my opinion.
Which is why I’m extremely confident that we can beat Swansea.
Squad news and Grealish is out.
Hands up, as much as I thought we wouldn’t miss him, we have.
He definitely adds creativity and we look slightly lacking without him.
Yes, we can still score goals, but we still lack that added clever pass, which Grealish brings at times.
Tuanzebe is out too and that’s probably currently a bigger loss, as he’s really started to look the business recently, in the way he’s played so calmly and without fuss. He also plays out too, something else we lack.
On Swansea’s part there’s still a bit of doubt about Wilfried Bony, who’s still on the recovery trail after an anterior cruciate jobby.
Oli McBurnie and Bersant Celina are available, as is Daniel James. I’ve never heard of any of them.
While we haven’t quite been getting the results we want lately, I’m still optimistic that we can out-score the opposition.
As Smith said, Leeds are probably the best team we’ve played under him.
Hence I don’t see Swansea being so tough.
A nice 2-1 win for us, I reckon.
What we can well do without is yet another draw.
We need the points.
Totally confident on this one.
Hmmm, that’s probably blown it then.
It’s disappointing that Grealish is out again. Without him and Tuanzebe I think we will concede against Swansea. So simply put it will be who scores the most. I think we will concede at least 2 so I will forecast 2-2. Apparently it’s on Sky via the red button. Unfortunately like a numpty I agreed to going out for a Boxing Day meal at 2pm, so I might just be able to watch last half hour at a push.
I don’t know what to think, I just lost my trust in the team to be able to give my verdict on the result. They let me down if not the fans two goal start and giving a 94th minute goal and lost the match.15 points off the top team thats a big ask for a team thats carrying no hope players. I eat sleep my football team but cannot tell lies we are miles away from being a good side, yes better than last year but no sorry only 1 fighter or maybe two in that team the rest get rid.
I disagree Bill.
I think we’re not far off a very good side, but our defence massively lets us down.
It’s important to remember Leeds are a good side and we’ll lose more games before the season’s over.
That, plus Fulham were actually worse off than we currently are at this point last season and look what happened there.
I firmly believe the lads are doing their best and you can’t ask for more than that.
Ok, we might not be good enough overall at this moment,, but you’d expect we’ve already improved one of our weaknesses with Kalinic coming in.
Add a couple more defenders and the rest of the team won’t be wasting time defending, when they’re not good at it.
It’s interesting to note that the consensus from what I’m reading, says we don’t need much, as the attack and midfield is fine. It’s something I agree with.
The fat lady isn’t even warming up yet, let alone singing.
Keep the faith mate. UTV
Trouble is Bill, Bruce and Di Matteo before him gambled on big money signings and loans. Parachute money was used up and when we failed to turn up at Wembley, the key loan players went back to their parent clubs and Terry retired.This season we have the same problems. Tuanzebe, Bolasie and Abraham on loan will be gone and I can see Grealish and maybe even McGinn being snapped up when season is over if promotion doesn’t happen. If we start next season in the championship, we have to hope Smith can build a team without reliance on loan players. Put some faith into the academy or scrap it if we can’t allow any of them game time. After all what is the point in wasting money on them if nothing ever comes from it? I think we all agree that Smiths style of play is a breath of fresh air after last 8 years. I think he has already mentioned that he wants players for the long run and not short term. I expect any new signings in January like the new keeper will be permanent signings or recalls from loans. Smith is planning for the future and not for just this season, and I think the new owners have the same vision which is key. I’m optimistic that we are finally getting things on track.
Being honest, too many years of poor performances still colours my judgement when thinking about the result for the next game. There is no doubt that the quality of our football has improved and their is renewed optimism amongst the fans – three consecutive full houses at home prove that.
I also agree that, on the face of it, strengthening a couple of defensive positions will be a major boost. With Tuanzebe’s injury, surely we have to recall Elphick and Clark as I think both will prosper under Smith – and if we can play Bree at 19(?) out of position at CB then we can play Clark.
Grealish is a big miss as has, imho, been Adomah. Our results when Adomah doesn’t play are worse than when he does – particularly defensively as he’s excellent at covering the full back.
Hope Abraham is fit to start as he took a knock against Leeds and we win today but it won’t be easy. Another groove in the back side for me as I predict a score draw.
UTV, COYL
i wouldn’t worry about the result against leeds, they where a good compact team. truthfully they were the better side and we gave it a good go. i see fans upset that we lost so late, that is down to our team not settling for a draw, but going for the win, which left us stretched at the back.
iam not worried about grealish out i more worried about tuanzebe out. he has been simply brilliant since smith put his faith in him. he steps out of defence with the ball into midfield and rarely loses ball when hes out of his defensive position, with his pace we can press high and not worry about the ball in behind. against leeds they almost got in every attack when our press faded second half.
against swansea i can see their being a positive reaction from villa, that late goal will hurt the players more than fans,cause they played it and they will want to put that right in the very next game.
p/s i personally would like us to display better game management, when 2 nil up against leeds we had to work leeds more, but we just continued to try scoring number three,start of second half was same we went for them, when in hindsight maybe working them with sessions of keep ball side to side. thats what little teams did to leeds at wembley and we managed that game 3 nil.
not seen much of swansea this year, so guessing i will go 1 3 to villa
lmao Brian Little team not little teams.
just to expand, leeds where chasing the game 2 nil down. they were pressing and taking risks to try to get back into it . we should have played more conservatively. yeah you can try to catch them on break. but you should stay compact, try to work leeds who where hunting the ball in packs any ways,do not allow leeds to get one back at all costs, as i remember thinking during the game, if leeds get one they will win this bloody thing.
this was what i would have tried to do, but smith is not that type of manager, keegan springs to mind, he probably knew the players couldnt play that way and he probably weighed out that going for three goals, was the better safer tactic,
merry hang over boxing day
Ok so I’m depressed, I think with that showing we should be, on a lighter note my wonderful daughter got me a Amazon Eco just set it up and ask if Villa would win today, the ruddy thing said she car’n’t answer that, what good them things if they don’t know. Result not a clue.
Cheer up Bill – despite the loss, Villa are playing enjoyable, attacking football and putting a smile on our faces.
Have a great day mate and here’s to a win in Wales.
Disappointing result after 2-0 up. Yes, Leeds looked dangerous but we allowed them to play. They harried, we didn’t. Cool and calm is good; slow to and slow on the ball isn’t. Thought we had a defence coach – we certainly don’t have a defence without Tuanz. The thing is, Leeds may or may not be good enough to stay up assuming promotion – if we can’t beat them from that position at home then no way will we.
Swansea make 6 changes;
https://www.swanseacity.com/news/attacking-trio-return-among-six-changes
El Ghazi starts;
Ørjan Nyland
5 James Chester
21 Alan Hutton
27 Ahmed Eissa El Mohamady Abdel Fattah
16 James Bree
6 Glenn Whelan
14 Conor Hourihane
11 Yannick Bolasie
7 John McGinn
22 Anwar El Ghazi
18 Tammy Abraham
Substitutes
17 Keinan Davis 31 Mark Bunn 9 Scott Hogan 39 Dominic Revan 37 Albert Adomah 26 Jonathan Kodjia 20 Birkir Bjarnason
Full of hope now, We have Bree, Elmo, Whelan we have a wonderful chance, woooosh I’ve just seen a pig flying past. Our father tho in heaven .
i feel it in my waters we got this today 🙂 swansea look like they have their own problems . but we are in town and that means beating us might kick start their season. so we have to take the game seriously. boxing day always throws up crazy results hope we are not one of them
Swansea are passing us to death and we’re chasing shadows.
We’re having to work really hard to try and get the ball.
We look pedestrian and sloppy at the moment. We need to pick up the pace a bit.
I’m not liking the look of this, even though it’s early.
Has Steve Bruce taken charge for this game? We are aimlessly lumping it forwards.
Agreed DS, it’s awful.
Long ball out, followed by a pass back to the goalie when we can’t keep it.
Tammy nods down and McGinn bladders it point blank.
Great save.
That’s more like it!
Whelan booked 10 men soon you see, yes two good chances McGinn and Hutton.
Elmo having a shocker again today
Yes, he looks well out of form.
Whelan crap too, but then it’s hard to credit anyone with playing well so far
Bolasie not looking great either, imo.