roonst83

Very tough game coming up. They smacked us at their place last year and are always a tough opponent. On the back of what I've seen today at the sty I'd throw Davis in and replace Kodjia for Hogan if he's injured. We need to be set up more positively and play on the front foot more. What was lacking today was a plan for when we had the ball going forwards. We lacked ideas or creativity and Kodjia, Adomah and Snodgrass were too easily handled. That's why I think playing two up top helps us as Davis is a handful up top and, unlike Kodjia, can take a hoofed ball down and bring others into play. Kodjia, in my opinion, is far better playing with/behind Davis as when he's not the prime focus he can play with more freedom, can't be as easily marked out of the game and can influence our attacking play more. Not sure if Jedi is ready for a start but he should feature at some point and I'd bring Taylor back for Hutton. Need more from Houihane as he was completely lost and vacant against blues, same goes for Onomah, although with the latter I think that's largely due to the ball being hoofed over his head and him not being in his best natural position. We need to get something on Wednesday night to keep us in the mix. If we play like we did for the first 60 mins today then we'll get well beaten. Play like we did in the last half hour then we have a chance.

Thought he was utter shite today. Kept giving the ball away and was on his arse more than his feet. Stood up to the physical side of the game well enough but I want so much more quality from him.

Am I the only one who thought he got smacked at the end of the video? Could be wrong but someone was approaching him and then there's some words said before the video end abruptly. Whilst there's nothing technically wrong with what the guy is doing (singing songs so can't get arrested etc) he is deliberately stirring things which is likely to cause trouble. Rightly or wrongly, there is a realistic potential for infighting violence, especially given the fixture and the fact he's walking through their supporters.

Fulham were my top before the start of the season to go automatically with Wolves. I'm sticking to it. Good side who play good football. Can see a very difficult afternoon for us. Prove me wrong Bruce/Villa.

I worry about that too. Bruce has his excuse for using three at the ready (Taylor's suspension) if he wants to use three at the back. But we should be trying to change as little as possible from our shape and system. So its straight swap for LB for me. Keep what's working well for us and be positive. The only shitter is we have no suitable replacement for Taylor, but making big changes to the shape is a bad idea, especially as the players won't have any time to work on new positioning and game styles after returning from the international break.

Must say, this I agree with.

First of all I'm really really happy with the win. Was nervous about this game as I felt it was vital we get three points ahead of the break to keep us in the mix. Was a poor performance by us which wasn't helped by the fact Bolton had the ball in the air for the whole game. We struggled to break them down and looked sluggish all game. We couldn't get any momentum in our attacking play and continually played the ball sideways but behind the man receiving it. This continually stunted any progressive forward play and slowed everything down. We had decent passages of play at times but couldn't really muster up a sustained period of domination on our opponent. They made it difficult for us but we looked slow to receive the ball and would invite pressure on ourselves. That said, and despite U.S. Struggling to break Bolton down, we should've won more easily and had a couple of decent chances. Someone mentioned above this is the first game lately that we had more possession and that was probably why we were stifled in breaking down a stubborn opposition as they were happy to sit behind the ball. They posed little threat and our back line defended solidly. Thought Whelan was very poor first half and Hourihane struggled to get himself into the game. Kodjia, just before winning the pen should have easily put us one up by squaring the ball to Adomah for a simple tap in but his selfishness (which hasn't been apparent of late) took over and he decided he wanted the glory. Fair play for him winning the pen and tucking it away. Davis was out of the game today. We've kept the same team for the past four games and the confidence is there as is the familiarity of our players knowing where each other are. It's no coincidence this is the case when we stick to a side and a system that is working. Snodgrass really is a work horse for us, and reminds me of Milner through his positivity, his commitment and his work rate. Chuffed with the win in what was a very difficult afternoon for us. Defended really well deep into injury time and saw it out. Am so so gutted losing Taylor for the next few games and two crucial derbies as it totally upsets our balance and forces us to change our personnel. Buggar. Looked rash and wasn't surprised at a red. Takes the shine off the win for me but hope RDL can fill in adequately. I don't expect much (anything) at Wolves away so it was imperative we got the win today so I'm pleased with that. Hope we can march on after the break and become a sustainable force at the top end of the league.

Agree 100%.

Agree. This is the "biggest" fight that either of them can expect. With the rise of people like AJ in the heavyweight division it makes an absolute mockery over the fuss drawn up about these pair. Saying that, I was one of those who bought the fight to watch Haye will have to respect Bellew more this time but if he avoids an injury I'd expect him to be able to get past him for the win. Cue the SkySports w*nkfest, social media bashing and ridiculous press conferences. Cant stand Bellew, can't stand Hearn and i think Haye can eb quite entertaining. Last big payday for both.

That's excellent.

I was very pleased when we signed him and yesterday reminded me why. Whilst he doesn't look near match fit yet (unsurprisingly) he does however give everything he has for the team. As someone mentioned above he chases back any lost cause and gets stuck in. He's got a great brain and has a great delivery too. He's a very positive player and I'm sure he'll be a very good option for us going forwards. Green isn't the final article yet and, whilst he can show glimpses of excitement in his play, I think Snodgrass is a much more reliable option. (But happy to have both to mix up). We'll see the best of Snodgrass when he's fully fit but we've got a decent player there and one who is out to try his hardest and give his all for us. His experience will benefit us too.

We need a reaction. But 'Boro are a good side who are high on confidence and will be coming to VP to take all three points. Bruce's Brentford post match comments essentially admit he made mistakes in his selection and in-game decisions (quelle surprise) so he'll be scratching his head for his selection for Tuesday. Worried about out this one. A win seems highly unlikely as I think Bruce knows the potential severity a loss would do for his tenure so will go typically defensive and thus starving our forwards of any service and have us camped in our own, half giving the possession to the opposition again. The best managers get a reaction and are positive with their selection and approach when the chips are down. Remains to be seen if Bruce can ever be the manager for us. I doubt he can based on what I've seen but live in hope. Big game for us and for Bruce.

Agree.

Best Villatalk thread since the one where someone shagged their auntie.

Exactly what I'm sat here thinking. Penalty miss was a shocker too.

Agree

Agree on this.

Whilst home support should be favourable for a team, this can very quickly work the opposite way when the chips are down at VP. If (when) we go a goal behind the atmosphere can turn poisonous. Bruce wont know his team, will be desperate to not lose and when the inevitable happens and we go a goal down we may as well all go home as our manager has no way of getting us back into a game. Can't see us winning as I've seen no signs of any improvement from a team managed by Bruce. Im still trying to get last night out of my system as I have barely seen a more inept performance or game plan in all my 33 years as a villa fan. This is all starting to feel all too familiar and the atmosphere around the club at the moment reminds me of tow years ago in our relegation season.

He's a utility man who cannot be utilised.

He was simply non-existent.

And at least with RDM it was clear we had a game plan; albeit one that only lasted 45 mins but for the first half of most of the games underneath his tenure we smashed teams to pieces and created a hat full of opportunities. Our lack of midfield meant we were soft and allowed too much pressure onto our defence. But we played some excellent stuff at times under RDM. With Bruce you could see from his very first game just how dour we suddenly became. Yes we got a draw (and we're lucky to get that) but it was the most thoughtless and dire performance from a Villa side. He's way out of his depth and as much as I'm craving stability it has to be with the right man in charge. We have the players to be very competitive in this league but we have a manager with no ability to apply a style of play to suit those players (which he bought). He has to go; whether now or in a week, or a month he needs to go because there's no signs he can get anything from this team.

Agree 100%

The physio has had more minutes on the pitch than most due to the amount of injuries we've acrued.

I said the same before Colchester.

Spot on.