Good Morning Everyone. It's Friday 11th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Villa cruise past clueless Leeds Aston Villa cruised past clueless Leeds last night, with little more than a wimper from the hosts, as their losing streak extended to six games. With two points, and two places separating Leeds from a one way ticket back to the Championship, there was little to suggest that Marsch's men were any better than the likes of Norwich and Watford. At times, the football from Leeds was more reminiscent of an U9's game, with ten players chasing the ball around the pitch. Even with possession, bad decisions and wayward passing cost them, as an average Villa team were made to look like World beaters. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half. Digne cross evaded Ollie Watkins, but with no Leeds defenders within 20 feet, Villa were allowed the luxury of not just recovering the ball and picking out Coutinho on the edge of the box. His effort struck Struijk, and deflected over Meslier to open the scoring. Villa continued to carve out opportunities; only acrobatic dives from Meslier saved Leeds from further first half punishment. Jesse Marsch bought on Gelhardt for Rodrigo at half-time, as the Whites enjoyed a rare spell of possession, and even an effort at goal, which sailed harmlessly into the Upper tier of the South Stand. Steven Gerrard's team soon retook control, and added a second on 65 minutes. Matty Cash found himself in acres of space. He sidestepped Firpo's desperate attempt to retrieve the ball, and picked his spot. Eight minutes later, fellow defender Callum Chambers got in on the act. His first time effort from the edge of the area rocketed past a flat-footed Meslier. This was not the home debut Marsch was expecting from his squad, and with games running out fast, can he turn things around in time? please log in to view this image Firpo out for season Junior Firpo's season could be over after he was stretchered off, and knee put in a brace after colliding with Emiliano Buendía during the closing stages of last night's match. It is thought that that 25yo has suffered an MCL injury (a tear to the medial collateral ligament). please log in to view this image Elland Road crowd turn hostile on Radrizzani The die hard Elland Road crowd finally turned hostile as Leeds were humbled by an average Villa side! Let's be honest, Leeds fans are one of the most faithful, and committed in the Country. They have supported their team through thick and thin, home and away, and have stayed loyal to their team, even when having to witness the drivel served up to them this season. Everyone has their breaking point, and signs of discontent from the crowd grew stronger as the game progressed last night. Many left in their droves after Callum Chambers' World class effort killed the game off with twenty minutes remaining. For those who remained, tempers boiled over, as thousands turned their attention to the Director's box, where temperatures to near boiling point. please log in to view this image Odds slashed for relegated. Leading bookmakers Bet365 have shortened Leeds odds of relegation to 11/8, the same as Burnley. This is the first time this season Leeds have found themselves as one of the favoured clubs to go down, but after their recent form, and the performance they put together last night, nobody can blame them. Leeds are two points, and two places above the bottom three, and have played three games more than Everton and two more than Burnley. The Whites have conceded 21 goals in the last five games, scoring twice in response. Norwich 1/50 and Norwich 1/10 are odds on to be playing Championship football next season, and if the bookmakers are right, its a toss up between Burnley and Leeds for the final relegation place. Everton are 3/1 for the drop. please log in to view this image
Morning all Depressing sums it all up, not just the defeat. I feel like I was living in a dream the last three years and somebody has rudely awakened me
tough night, but need to face facts ... Villa have gelled now under SG and they're doing damage, drilled Saints 4-0 before us, so confident and flying ... they also worked hard for the full 90, something they lacked earlier in the season we desperately need KP and Phillips back in the team, but more importantly we must beat Norwich to get back on track ... it's been a very difficult season, very difficult, need to get behind the team and be the difference Buendia flew into Firpo, no action taken ... the injury curse seems to have no intention of quitting just yet, you really can't make this up
Worst home performance of the season last night by a country mile. The ER faithful who would have supported Bielsa to the bitter end are now on the point of turning. Absolutely crazy decision by Radrizani (and the board) because going down is one thing, but going down with the club in total disarray will ruin everything that was painstakingly built during the previous 3 seasons.
Morning everyone. I was at the game last night, I've never witnessed our fans be so quiet and dejected, especially when the second and third went in, we always get behind our team vocally when the chips are down, but it felt like our hearts had been ripped out, it was sickening, it felt like we were already relegated, I can't see where a win is coming from, that performance was utter garbage, a clueless gutless pile of ****. Norwich will do us on Sunday, the fans will turning on the board. I predict a riot. And Firpo is ****ing ****e
Shocking from the players, not good enough and can’t be bothered. Not listening to JM tactics and shouldn’t have gotten rid of Bielsa. At times it was carnage with Bielsa but at least we knew we’d always create some changes but we’ve lost that and still conceding. Let’s be honest that could’ve been 5 or 6 last night. Still square pegs in round holes but maybe it’s that square pegs in round holes is all we’ve got that’s good enough which is why 2 managers have done it. People asking for Gelhardt to play, he got 45 minutes and didn’t look any better than what we’ve been playing. I think he’ll be a player but for people to be calling out for a 19 year old to be our saviour the last few weeks shows what a state we’re in. I fear we’re in big big trouble and if last night is the players trying then we’re doomed. Can’t buy a goal. Don’t win Sunday and we’re down. Crowd and players will be low on confidence, could get messy.
I didn't see the game last night, thank god. I'll try and say something positive. Every time we've played really well we've followed it up with a disastrous performance. That doesn't mean that we will play well on Sunday but surely we won't be as bad as it sounded last night.
Ok there were two positive things from last night. 1) We switched to a mix of zonal and man marking on corners and it was a resounding success. 2) Bamford played 30 mins and looked a classy player. Not much I know, but there you have it.
Err, the fact when it went 0-3 the whole stadium was chanting his name (again). Epic fail from wakey (again).
I'm one of those who questioned his appointment. He has no experience of PL football. His team also have no experience of the PL. He was successful with a team that win the double pretty much every year in a poor league. In the dire position we find ourselves it is an incredibly risky appointment. It's exactly why teams fearing relegation turn to antiques like Woy and Allardyce. We're fighting for our future and I just don't see JM being the one to turn it around. Gerrard watched us against Leicester and picked holes in the system. We don't have the players to play like Citeh do. Add to all of that we cannot find a player with a pass, everyone seems rushed in possession, and we can't hit a barn door. I'm absolutely gutted but I think we're fkd. Norwich will beat us on Sunday.
Listen I was gutted Bielsa was sacked, he may of saved us he might not have. But we are where we are, we have a new man in and he may not be right for the club, but I'm not an expert and I'll support him and the team no matter where we end up, but I'll say it one more time, the comments by posters after a game and a half was pathetic. If we go down then have a whinge, I do agree though, that if we lose to norwich even I will fear the worst.
I don't know about Bielsa Radz/Orta but i lay the blame of our collapse this season firmly at the feet of ----------------------------------Alioski, havn't put in a decent performance since he left and as for the solid spirit and togetherness of the team, that went with him to. ALIOSKI
Getting rid of Alioski was the right call. He wasn't good enough and was the obvious weak link last season. The problem was getting a sub standard replacement in Firpo.
