A'Villan

Wijnaldum and Tammy joining us, with Coutinho. Would be incredible. I can't even entertain the thought because it would be such an instant huge step in propelling us onward and upward from mid table to European placing. 

@TRO I'm not saying the system alone injected, as you say, certain attributes into players. However it certainly encourages it. Look at the development of Hourihane for example, from his showings under Bruce's way of playing (the less said the better), to the way he learned to be a role player in a possession based, short passing system instilled by Smith. His development and integration into that system under Smith even saw him hold his own in a starting role in the PL.

McGinn, for me, is a player we want to keep. He needs to reel it in some right now. However he is better than what we are seeing recently, and even recently he has moments that few can do as he does, and that's if they even have the balls to try.

Whether it's a shot from range, or an audacious pass to play a team mate in, or his notorious bum to shield off opponents attempting to dispossess him, McGinn has a lot of quality. 

If he's not seen as one for our future by Gerrard and the management team then so be it. But I rate him highly and can see why United were rumoured to be interested. 

If its as physical and lacking finesse as our matches with Newcastle and Watford I fear for us. However if we get a chance to show our quality say a half dozen times in the attacking third then I think we will win.

1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said:

There are a number of people here suggesting more width from the two 10's, which I think is probably a good idea - but not possible in our system - they would simply be where the full backs are and in their way.

I think it's our desire to get our fullbacks so high up the pitch that's causing us trouble and we either need to find a way to make it work or ditch it quickly.

This is where I wonder if data analytics may be failing us to some extent.

Just a thought. 

To give some context, most of Ollie's goals last season were tap ins and six yard box finishes, delivery from wide.

Could be getting my wires crossed though.

Be surprised if we get anything but we must push for it and show the cutting edge and quality we've been lacking. 

Looking forward to it and joining VT live for the occasion. 

On 15/02/2022 at 16:56, Demitri_C said:

We totally cocked up by not signing him. Im so disappointed as i think we could have got him. Instead we kept watkins is no where enar as good as tammy is.

Tammy is considerably better than Watkins and Ings. 

However we have Leon Bailey who could be world class.

I love Tammy, complete striker and a team player. He'll go further than he has for sure. And you never know maybe one day that's with us.

I say we stick an 'e' on the end of his name, marinate him in gravy and melted cheese and feed him to the seagulls. 

Sorry..

16 hours ago, VillaJ100 said:

As I said before, i can't believe it isn't standard at every club to have a piss test on one random day after training every week. Bloody hell even every day? Its not hard to wee in a bottle. If you got nothing to hide, no problem

In Australian Rules Football if you claim mental health you are exempt from drug testing.

3 minutes ago, Davkaus said:

As you highlight, he's getting matchtime in the CL, but what an absolutely tragic waste of the final years of the greatest ever. 

I didn't put two and two together to see that he's been there all season. That is sad, still only 34 and clearly still at it.

He's not the greatest of all time for me, but he's certainly equal to anyone else I'd pick for it.

5 minutes ago, Zatman said:

He has not even his double figures yet, on for his worst season since 2008

Only started a dozen games in Ligue 1. 2 goals 7 assists. 5 goals in 5 games in the CL.

I'm looking forward to it. I'll be paying attention to the football and not the politics. 

Should be a great game vs Real Madrid.

I've not seen Messi for PSG yet.

Great against Inter in the cup match.

Nicolò Barella

5 minutes ago, hippo said:

Great post - nailed it

Thanks.

3 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

I misread that first glance

Out of likes but if I had my time again I'd opt for your first take on it.

18 minutes ago, Adman said:

He got it wrong it's:

 There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, 'Fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again.'

 

George Bush said so

"I know how hard it is to put food on your family"

9 minutes ago, Okonokos said:

You have absolutely no idea what kind of fan I am. I'm probably one of the most positive, realistic and patient fans on here and it takes A LOT for me to moan at any Villa player. Feel free to read through my posting history. My patience has run out with Luiz though.

Luiz might technically be a better footballer on the ball than Nakamba, but give me Nakamba protecting the back 4 over Luiz 8 days a week. Luiz offers zero protection. Absolutely none. He's not a defensive midfielder at all. And to honest, I don't really see him offering much going forward either. I'd snap someone's hands off if they offered £30m.

I think we are all frustrated that we've not only stagnated, but even perhaps slightly regressed. However Luiz is, for me, a gifted player with vast potential. Nakamba has been a good answer to tactical shortcomings and played his role well consequently. He's no where near a better player than Dougie. Dougie was destined to be the replacement of Fernandinho at City, until they pulled the trigger and brought in Rodri and Gundogan. And that's why we were fortunate enough to land him.

1 minute ago, MrBlack said:

Yes,  I do.

Combined with the Ings signing, the manager that signed him leaving, and the pressure that's building up after every game he fails to score, or gets shafted by marginal joke VAR decisions, he is probably having a huge mental drain on his life. 

Shows in his frustration during play, which he incorrectly aims at other players. There is a definite psychological burden there, but his physical ability that was shown last season, and most seasons before that is still there.

Hope he gets over it soon or we've got a very expensive paper weight on our hands.

Out of likes but good post, same to @TheStagMan.

Ollie is great at a number of things, I'd like to mention his ability to fend off opponents while keeping the ball at his feet. 

I think Bailey will end up being the better player and would like to see Leon start in the striker role, but I would have Ollie above Ings in the ranks still.

10 minutes ago, VillaParkAvenue said:

Can’t you see it? Gerrard loves winning. By being around him players will also begin to love winning. Finally, players will actually start to win because they now love it so much.

A'Villan loves Monica Bellucci. Long time. 

It will be a long time before the two go hand in hand until A'Villan realises that there's more to it than wanting.

Played well for Roma vs Inter in the cup match recently. Would have him back in a heartbeat.

Nothing some good coaching can't fix.

I feel it's the same with Luiz and our overall predicament in midfield.