Topic: ASTON VILLA - Mingy and Moaning Moobs

[paulrazor]

Got to give them credit - far fetched to say title contenders which posters have summarized well but deserve their position at the moment.

As for yesterdays game, I don't recall anyone running City ragged except us in some of our games over the past few years.

I watched replay after our game yesterday (kind of fast forward, finishing game in 50 mins) and only noted Villa attacks. Looking up the sstats now for the game, they out shot 22-2 and 6-0 corners. They basically Citied City.

Haaland had a good chance in the 11th minute or so, saved well and the eventual rebound (after a cross I think) was also saved

they were the only shots all night

[PaulF]

Then Spurs were in the title race few weeks ago as well then?

Absolutely they were!

And on game week 1 I think even united were in the title race.
I'm very much of the mindset that you are in the race, until you are out.

[tonysleft]

They are incredible. I would love to have Ollie Watkins at United, he's been solid for them for years and is adding great assist numbers to his game under Emery. Mad to think how far they've come from where they were under Gerrard. I've never seen a Pep team beaten like that.

[Four Four Three]

They are incredible. I would love to have Ollie Watkins at United, he's been solid for them for years and is adding great assist numbers to his game under Emery. Mad to think how far they've come from where they were under Gerrard. I've never seen a Pep team beaten like that.

We've done it a few times

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

They are incredible. I would love to have Ollie Watkins at United, he's been solid for them for years and is adding great assist numbers to his game under Emery.

You'd only go and break him.

[newterp]

We've done it a few times

He meant he'd never seen a team do that that he could admit to.

[Vegeta]

I think Villa will lose to both City and Arsenal i've just not been impressed with Villa this season when they have faced the top sides in the league.

Got that well wrong can't remember the last time a team had two impressive victories like that in a week, I don't know if they are title contenders but they have a massive opportunity to make the top four as the teams behind them are either too banged up or simply not good enough.

[Knight]

Got that well wrong can't remember the last time a team had two impressive victories like that in a week, I don't know if they are title contenders but they have a massive opportunity to make the top four as the teams behind them are either too banged up or simply not good enough.

Title contenders is extremely fanciful but top 4 isn’t. None of Spurs, Chelsea, Man Utd or Newcastle are looking very clever.

[spider-neil]

They are in a good moment now but it will be interesting to see how they cope with the league and Europe deep into the season. I see Villa (Emery) and Leverkusen as big obstacles for UEFA. 

[Snusmumriken]

They are in a good moment now but it will be interesting to see how they cope with the league and Europe deep into the season. I see Villa (Emery) and Leverkusen as big obstacles for UEFA.

They’re in Conference League though, so no obstacle for us 

[spider-neil]

They’re in Conference League though, so no obstacle for us 

Ha!
That's a relief. Emery is awesome in Europe.

[Phineus]

Picking up Kamara on a free transfer was brilliant business, very good player.

Monchi and Emery and sizeable financial backing, they’re in for a good few years you’d imagine. Wouldn’t put it past them winning conference league and maybe Europa over next 2-3 years.

[thejbs]

I’d much rather Villa and Emery in the top 4 than spurs, Utd, Chelsea or the Saudis.

[thaddeus]

I'm quite pleased we don't play them again soon because their four narrow midfielders against our frequently vacant central midfield - or the lone CDM begging for support - seems like it would end badly for us.  I can't remember, did they set up the same way when we breezed past them at A field?

[spider-neil]

I'm quite pleased we don't play them again soon because their four narrow midfielders against our frequently vacant central midfield - or the lone CDM begging for support - seems like it would end badly for us.  I can't remember, did they set up the same way when we breezed past them at A field?

The home game against Villa is arguably our easiest game so far this season. I do agree that I'm glad the away game is months off.

[disgraced cake]

There was something really strange about that Villa game I thought. I expected what might have been one of our toughest matches of the season and they were complete rubbish. Like they didn't want to be there for the most part. We played well though and the early goal helped.

Interesting to see what they can do though. Got to be favourites for the Conference League as every English team playing in it should be. If there's 5 places going to the Champions League they can definitely get it, home form should do a lot of the heavy lifting. Emery/Monchi is a very interesting set up. If they can take something at City and Arsenal then happy days.

[Zee_26]

I remember them sitting very deep against us, and also being very passive in defence. It was the complete opposite of how Emery has approached games against us before where he pushed his team way up the field and went very aggressive early on. I suppose when he's tried that it's usually ended badly for him as we were able to easily counter with our speed on transitions.

[Zimagic]

I remember them sitting very deep against us, and also being very passive in defence. It was the complete opposite of how Emery has approached games against us before where he pushed his team way up the field and went very aggressive early on. I suppose when he's tried that it's usually ended badly for him as we were able to easily counter with our speed on transitions.

Well, that's how you beat us, isn't it? Sit deep, defend well, hit on the break, hope we key-stone-Cops it. Give us any sort of space and we'll generally have a field day.

[ScottScott]

I remember them sitting very deep against us, and also being very passive in defence. It was the complete opposite of how Emery has approached games against us before where he pushed his team way up the field and went very aggressive early on. I suppose when he's tried that it's usually ended badly for him as we were able to easily counter with our speed on transitions.

They didn't sit deep. It was mental. Didn't sit and defend as teams tend to do and then they didn't press us at all either. Was this half arsed set up where we were able to just play around them and over them at will. The Nunez goal being a perfect example of how simple it was

Their home form will get them top 6, their away form will stop any chance of finishing top 3. Emery has done a wonderful job so far though

[Craig S]

The home game against Villa is arguably our easiest game so far this season. I do agree that I'm glad the away game is months off.

It is our last away game. We need them to be playing for nothing by then, either guaranteed CL or well out of it.

[tubby]

It's so far away and so much could happen in the meantime.  I'm not sure that this form they're currently in will appear again this season and I expect they'll start to fall away a bit over the busy Christmas period.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

It is our last away game. We need them to be playing for nothing by then, either guaranteed CL or well out of it.

We play them on the 11th/12th May.

The Europa League and Conference League semi final second legs will be on May 9th. You'd fancy us both to be playing in that, but it should be something that favours us, especially if they are out of the running for anything else.

[Studgotelli]

They need about 37-40 points from 22 games to finish top 4 imo, equates to about 11/12 wins out of 22, I think they’ll be ok.

[trinityroad]

I am really enjoying this.

[Tokyoite]

I’ve been more impressed with them than Brighton of last year I think. Would love them being back in the CL instead of Saudi.

[Vegeta]

best team to watch in the league nobody plays a better brand of football than Villa at the moment.

[paulrazor]

I havent seen it but seemingly there was a big reaction to Ollie Watkins celebration

I mean some prick in the stand is probably abusing him and his family all game, calling him every name under the sun but yeah Watkins is wrong for celebrating a goal

Good for him I say

[Walshy nMe®]

Same, there was nothing to it either.

[trinityroad]

best team to watch in the league nobody plays a better brand of football than Villa at the moment.

Makes my day reading stuff like this honestly.

And yes the Watkins thing was because someone behind the Brentford goal was giving him abuse all game, Watkins doesn't usually respond like that so I did think someone might have upset him. He ran into the goal and pointed at the fan and that was it really.

[The G in Gerrard]

Would rather these lot won it if we didn't.

[trinityroad]

Would rather these lot won it if we didn't.

Do you genuinely think we can?

[Cusamano]

Do you genuinely think we can?

I think squad depth might be an issue

if you can do a leicester and play the same 11 week in and week out then definitely in with a shout

[The G in Gerrard]

Do you genuinely think we can?

I'd be very surprised if you get through the season without injuries which will hinder yourselves. You are heavily reliant on Watkins in particular staying fit.

[Redsnappa]

I'd be very surprised if you get through the season without injuries which will hinder yourselves. You are heavily reliant on Watkins in particular staying fit.

McGinn too. Absolutely vital to Villa’s midfield.

[GinKop]

Do you genuinely think we can?

It's a weird season with City already dropping so many points.

Crazier things have happened and I think you're a better side than the Leicester team that won it with a more tactically astute coach.

[Qston]

Do you genuinely think we can?

In with as much of a shout as Us, Arsenal and City.

Emery has done a cracking job. Solid team with goals. As others have said, injuries could undo you. Your bench is a bit short on quality in comparison to us and Arsenal.

City will put a proper run together at some point, they just will and then it's about teams matching them.

[Crosby Nick]

I think squad depth might be an issue

if you can do a leicester and play the same 11 week in and week out then definitely in with a shout

They should go far in Europe too though so surely won’t be able to play their strongest 11/14 players each week. Although they seem to have done a decent job so far.

Could well be top at Christmas if we draw with Arsenal! Is Kamara banned for three games? Saw the first one is t’Blades but does he miss any bigger ones?

[redgriffin73]

They should go far in Europe too though so surely won’t be able to play their strongest 11/14 players each week. Although they seem to have done a decent job so far.

Could well be top at Christmas if we draw with Arsenal! Is Kamara banned for three games? Saw the first one is t’Blades but does he miss any bigger ones?

Does Old Trafford on Boxing Day count?

[Crosby Nick]

Does Old Trafford on Boxing Day count?

Not that we can talk now, but probably not. Crikey, come on Yahnahted!

[YNWA.A]

In with as much of a shout as Us, Arsenal and City.

Emery has done a cracking job. Solid team with goals. As others have said, injuries could undo you. Your bench is a bit short on quality in comparison to us and Arsenal.

City will put a proper run together at some point, they just will and then it's about teams matching them.

They are having a good start to the season but they need a miracle for this to happen. They dont have enough quality in depth or experience to do so. Other sides in recent years have had great starts and not challenged (Leicester u der Rodgers)

City are still the favorites. They will get De Bruyne and Holland back next month. Arsenal Id slightly give an edge over us due to their midfield balance (if Rice stays fit) but they will need more from Martinelli and Jesus in the final third.

If we can get our forwards to click more, especially while Mo is away, we will match them.