Villarocker

That's why we shouldn't have loaned out Guilbert.

Best keeper for us for decades. Brilliant and totally honest, which I love. He's got a winning attitude that can only be good for our club. I oity the players in front of him when they have an off day. Signing of the summer.

That was my thought tonight. He struggled to control the ball and then, when he did, he often gave it away. So, don't then go trying lots of fancy flicks, just get hold of the ball and make sure you find a Villa player, if only to keep hold of possession. Not performed since his goal v Southampton. I'd rather see Jack play there and put El Ghazi back where he was netting from.

I thought he did well when he came on against Arsenal. He gave Cash plenty of much needed protection after they put Saka down the same wing as Pepe.

I thought he had another poor game today. I wasn't surprised to see him start but, after the last two performances I'd be happy if he was replaced.

I thought he was brilliant today. I was bricking it, thinking that second yellow may come but, he was foot perfect afterwards and played brilliantly.

That's sensationalism. Barkley has been back for how many weeks? It was only a week ago that his goal was the winning goal vs Southampton. McGinn was better than Luiz the other night. Better in the position. His alternative would be Sanson and its probably too big a game to change two out of the central three. Traore wide right makes sense as El Ghazi was shocking there on Wednesday. I think we may see El Ghazi wide left and Jack in place of Barkley if Ross has a poor first half but, other than that it is was it is.

West Ham were physical against us last night without being dirty. They just got tight and gave us no time on the ball. We weren't at the races and kept giving them the ball cheaply. If we'd had more energy we'd have played it around them and found the spaces.

Well said. He was terrible first half but he wasn't alone in that. Also, he rarely performs well on the right. But, no need to go after him. He's earnt a bad game after how he's done previously this season.

Deano can't watch that and tell himself that changes aren't needed. Traore is a class up from El Ghazi in my opinion so he should start vs Arsenal. Trezeguet maybe could start wide right to give Cash some cover. Maybe put Jack in Barkley's position and Nakamba in for Luiz. For the record, I believe changes are needed because of tiredness. They put a lot in against Southampton, it was bound to leave a mark on them.

He should have moved centrally or wide right after 20 to 30 minutes of tonight's game. It was clear for all to see what was happening. Barkley was having a stinker and should have been hooked at half time and maybe given El Ghazi a bit of time to see how he did at left wing.

Watkins has played well but he has learnt a harsh lesson tonight that when he doesn't protect the ball well enough centrally it can be dangerous. But, McGinn and Luiz have been really poor tonight. It's a shame that Emi's brainfart cost us a grandstand finish although, we didn't deserve it.

Next game, he must drop Barkley, Luiz and El Ghazi from this starting lineup. Bring in Bertie, Sanson and Nakamba.

He has to take Barkley off - he's had a shocker tonight.

Glad to see the change so soon. It had to happen because El Ghazi was a total passenger.

I don't think Deano will change it at half time. He'll let them know they haven't been at it enough and assess for 15 minutes. I think the first change will be El Ghazi going off and Bertie coming on. Next change will be Barkley for Trez with Grealish going in the middle.

I noticed one passage of play where Cash had the ball and was just praying for someone to pass it to inside. Barkley was stood still. Cash ended up going back to Konsa then he went back to Emi. To me, Barkley looks knackered. Maybe he's played too much too soon after coming back and needs a break.

Just thought exactly this ^^ El Ghazi has been garbage in that half and given the ball away way too many times. I would definitely swap him for Bertie if he's fit. Why did it take until 40 minutes for Jack and El Ghazi to swap wings? They have clearly doubled up on Jack and he's had no joy down the left. El Ghazi has been playing well on the left in previous games so they should have switched much earlier. Barkley has also been guilty of giving the ball away far too much. There was one great through-ball from Jack that Watkins was running on to but Barkley intercepted it and lost it. He's had a poor half. For me, the best two Villa players have been Watkins and Martinez. Konsa, Luiz, Cash and Targett have each given the ball away in dangerous positions. McGinn had been quiet by his standards. Maybe this is a game for Trez and Bertie with Jack playing behind Watkins?

I have been critical of him on a few occasions this season but, my God, this guy gets involved in a game of football. I mean, is he actually our right back? Has anyone else noticed how often he's involved in the play from the centre of our goal to the left side? The "handball" was going inside the left-hand post. There was one where he dived in at the left-hand post to block a shot to go out for a corner. Then, with the skirmish when Emi made that save and McGinn fell jn front of the ball, it was Matty that cleared it off the line and it was again towards the left-hand side of the goal. With Cash playing it is like having a third centre back. He's a very impressive defender. He's also very brave and throws himself in front of shots. Sometimes it means he's not able to get out to the wide position to stop crosses etc but that's where having an athletic wide man comes in. Someone who can get back and help out there. Brilliant performance from him last night and, together with the other four around him, they were a mountain that couldn't be conquered.

VAR = Villa Are Ruthless. That's because this season's signings didn't need time to fit in. They either had PL experience or were top players frkm the Championship but UK players so didn't have to settle into a new country. Emi has been the best of those signings in my opinion. He's a giant. He is constantly talking to them and can kick it left or right and usually with a lot of precision. His handling is usually brilliant and he's brave as anything. Without doubt, we mugged Arsenal. Great game tonight from the big man.

Personally, I'd have liked to have seen a change or two tonight with about 15-20 minutes to go. We looked tired jn parts. For the West Ham game, I'd like him to give Traore and Barkley a rest, maybe Dougie as well. But, I can't see it happening. Deano likes continuity. If it works then who are we to argue.

I don't think it is hatred. Surely a player's performance can be questioned without being classed it as hatred? I love him. But, for me, if there's an error to be made he's the most likely to do it. He's a man mountain and when on his game he's phenomenal. I just don't think he hits his top standard regularly enough. Look at how consistent Konsa and Targett have been this season. They have hardly put a foot wrong all season. My criticism isn't just about Mings either. Cash, although I'm a huge fan, is also guilty of not getting close enough to block crosses coming in. It's clear and obvious that other teams see that too, hence they target that side of our defence.

Mings never got anywhere near goalside of Vydra so that was pointless. He passed him on and he shouldn't have done. Konsa was between the cross and Vydra.