Aston Villa (A) 4/1: Build-Up & Match Thread

[Alan]

There was a point in the first half where he killed a long ball dead with a beautiful touch on the top of his foot, then played a no look pass with the outside of his boot, meant for Bueno straight out of play. Neatly summed him up.

He's a shit Dimitar Berbatov.

 

[NicholasG1973]

Thought Podence played really well against Man U

Really? Fair enough, amazing how we all see things differently.

I thought he was absolute garbage.

 

[1986]

Slightly off topic .

Can I ask people their views on this habit now of defenders ( clearly on instruction ) , who defend in the penalty area with their two arms behind their back , in a clear attempt to avoid forwards striking the ball deliberately at their arm in an effort to win a penalty , or just in general to avoid the possible contact however it occurs .
You see it a lot more these days , it was very obvious in the World Cup for instance . It came back to me on Saturday when watching Gomes defending against Rashford - for his goal .
Surely this unbalances a defender and prevents them from defending as well as they might ?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

David Luiz spent years doing it. It's rubbish defending.

 

[darlowolf64]

It would have been fine if Toti was defending a cross but he wasn't. He should have just defended the goal and they wouldn't have scored. It was a pathetic attempted block

 

[WsWolf]

There was a point in the first half where he killed a long ball dead with a beautiful touch on the top of his foot, then played a no look pass with the outside of his boot, meant for Bueno straight out of play. Neatly summed him up.

I laugh now but that infuriated me at the time. Im all for players being expressive and elaborate but just doing it for the sake of looking flash winds me up.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

If Podence learned to keep the tricks and flicks for occasions when the net gain outweighs the risk he’d be a much better player. Too often he opts for a back heel or flick when a straightforward pass would be a far better option.

 

[Johnny75]

If Podence learned to keep the tricks and flicks for occasions when the net gain outweighs the risk he’d be a much better player. Too often he opts for a back heel or flick when a straightforward pass would be a far better option.

That frustrates me the most. His decision making is atrocious but he clearly has all the tools to be a fantastic player.

 

[Tredman]

That frustrates me the most. His decision making is atrocious but he clearly has all the tools to be a fantastic player.

Sounds familiar

 

[Johnny75]

Sounds familiar

Amazing that we've bought 2 players with exactly that profile.

That's statistical profiling at it's worst right there.

 

[Lupo]

I laugh now but that infuriated me at the time. Im all for players being expressive and elaborate but just doing it for the sake of looking flash winds me up.

I was longing for Anthony to spin round on the spot several times before putting the ball out for a goal kick again

 

[WsWolf]

I was longing for Anthony to spin round on the spot several times before putting the ball out for a goal kick again

I actually remarked he was basically a btec Podence whilst watching him the weekend. Was waiting for him to bang one in from 30 yards after.

 

[WsWolf]

Win tonight and we are out of the relegation zone. No pressure lads.

 

[Lycan]

Win tonight and we are out of the relegation zone. No pressure lads.

Big opportunity for us with Leeds/WHU and Soton/Forest playing each other tonight as well. 6 points out of the first 9 with the whole of Jan left to strengthen key areas would be a brilliant start for Julen.

 

[WsWolf]

Big opportunity for us with Leeds/WHU and Soton/Forest playing each other tonight as well. 6 points out of the first 9 with the whole of Jan left to strengthen key areas would be a brilliant start for Julen.

Definitely. The optics would be really helpful for convincing any signings we are looking at aswell, massive game for me tonight.

 

[Jinky]

Agreed, massive game. Maybe it's the Bruno Lage-syndrome hanging on, but I think we'll get beat. Three points would be absolutely huge, though. From a mental perspective of getting out of the bottom three when some people had already written us off pre-world cup, it would really shift the momentum in our favour. Especially as some of the other sides (Hi Everton) surely can't get any worse.

I'm hoping for a Cunha debut goal.

 

[Quirkafleeg]

Any inkling to whom the injured player is at all. We have a shit load of ITK's somebody must know.

 

[Keef]

My #ITK says it’s the player who won’t play tonight because he’s injured

 

[BillyDee]

My #itk says Neto unlikely to be involved this evening.

 

[sycophantia]

Any inkling to whom the injured player is at all. We have a shit load of ITK's somebody must know.

There was loads of rumours (speculation) last night, take your pick from RAN, Jonny, Costa, Neves, Cunha. Oh and apparently Sa has re-injured his wrist so it's him.
Personally I'm gunna wait till 6.45.