We started like a house on fire, and were good throughout the game I thought. Every player in the staring 11 did really well. Saiss got a bit handy with people a few times though, and his first booking came early in the game, making me nervous whenever villa went down that side.
Jonny was great, Doherty had another super match. Donck was very different to Bennett at the back (I'm a big Bennett fan) and it was good to see his variety, and style.
Neves was fucking superb again - that's the fella I remember!
Adama was great for 20 mins, then quiet (he went back to standing and watching) then when he moved, created Villa so many problems.
Scratching my head at some of the Jota/Raul criticism. Looks to me that 85% of their work is good, just the little things aren't quite coming off for them.
Cutrone could have been introduced a bit earlier imo - felt his chasing down style would've caused villa problems.
At the time I thought he was lucky not to get a red. Zero attempt to play the ball and went in to take out Adama. On watching it back on MOTD2 last night, I stand by that and then he made it worse by smirking like a small child to his mates. Wasn't doing that a few seconds later mind...
Agreed, remain of the opinion that should've been a red. However, having seen the Taylor "handball", I now accept it wasn't a penalty, yet in the ground, and after, I was convinced, and incensed it hadn't been given.
Ref for me was off. Thought he had a pretty good first half. 2nd half was poor though.
Disliked his allowing Villa to charge into our players when they were jumping for a header - repeatedly resulting in players landing heavily. That's a cunts trick. Moutinho & Neves seemed to have a couple of tangles that frustrated them too.
Also, I usually have high regard for Dean Smith, but was confused by picking Steer, knowing there was a good chance he wouldn't be able to complete the match. That message to the third choice keeper is that Smith doesn't trust him. Very odd.
