"Yeah away from home is alright, but to me it all seems too predictable and slow." Yeah, the passing should be faster, even if it is going round the houses.
Job done. We made the team that trashed the Gunners at the Library look very ordinary on their own turf. That ought to give us encouragement.
Wasn't pretty but nice to have Azza and Sandro back. When it comes down to it Villa didn't offer much, you would have to be a bunch of ****s to lose to that lot.
Another win, another clean sheet and another slightly dodgy performance. Wonder who'll be in the side for the Sheriff game?
"Wonder who'll be in the side for the Sheriff game?" Ade is always first on the sheet for the group away games. But has he already used up his "illness" quota this season ??
I thought we looked pretty solid today throughout happy with the performance and of course the 3 points. Odd Eriksen or Lamela didn't start though.
Not a great first half but we did enough, second half we were definitely better IMO. Deserved the three points. Thought Holtby put a proper shift in, maybe that might be a pattern - away from home against certain teams play Holtby for the workrate around the pitch, play Eriksen at home and when we don't think we need the extra workrate in midfield away from home. Great for Soldado to get off the mark from open play as well. Overall it was a good performance away from home against a team who have caused others some major problems, with or without Benteke. Areas to improve on but much to be happy with as well.
I can't yet see what others see in the Holtby at this level. Key change in this game was to push Paulinho forward thus creating more space for the other midfielders to operate in, which also give support to Soldado. Well done AVB at last in now seems you are beginning to think tactically, whilst on your feet. Now at the end of the day, 'who needs a Bale, when you have a Townsend'. Well played Aston Villa for playing the game with urge and spirit.
It's got to be said that Townsend is emerging as our best player, already. Comparisons with Bale are bound to be made, and deserved so, in my view. So ironic that Bale hasn't had the best of starts with Real.
Massive, massive win. Well done to all at Spurs So pleased for Holtby and Sandro, and how Paulinho can be running about like that in the second half after having played in South Korea and China, fair play and then some to him Big game for Vlad to, we now have some options at CB and LB Leave the likes of Paulinho and JV at home again for Thursday probably Soldado too we need to beat Hull twice, we have the UEFA group under control As for Andros, fantastic he's gone from a £5/10m player to a £30/40m player in a fortnight, Danny boy must be very happy Still don't think we'll get top 4, but apparently our joint best Prem start, and I make it four points up on last season's corresponding games more than anything I want a trophy this season, let's deliver please.
Obviously delighted with the 3 points but I thought we were very dull up until the last 25 minutes or so. We could barely string more than 3 forward passes together and if it weren't for a flukey goal from Andros, it'd been 0-0 going into half time. That said, Andros is becoming a super, super player. I'll give myself a little pat on the back for saying I always believed he could make it here but his rise has been far better than I ever predicted. It's fair to say he is our best attacking player right now, certainly the most exciting and he only looks like he's getting better. He's becoming more team-orientated too, sure he still gets a couple greedy shots away but he's definitely added a more team ethic element over the past few weeks. Sandro back in the side was an absolute joy to watch, he was back to business getting stuck in, something I love seeing from our players. Delighted for Soldado to get his first goal from open play in the league, hopefully that'll bring a bit of confidence back. Lennon returning is another huge bonus. Overall happy with the result as I already said, though if we could just expand that final 25 minutes into the full 90, it'll be a joy to watch. Well done lads
"if it weren't for a flukey goal from Andros" If either of the Spurs players had got onto the perfect cross, then what to talk about. Or perhaps Townsend knew they wouldn't so curled in a perfect far corner shot and their incompetence made it look like an attempted cross.
BS - Holtby must be there or thereabouts for top 'provider' of chances for us this year (all matches). Paulinho may have had the final excellent touch, but it was Holtby's incisive pass that set it up. And still not convinced that he didn't actually dummy for the first. Wasn't a greater performance by any means, but Sandra's return was excellent - and Dembele again looked strong when he came on. Walker also had a really good game and his link up with Townsend was a real plus. One of the top incidents for me was Lennon seeking out revenge against Weiman right at the end and having an old fashioned kick at him after he had taken Townsend out. Quality 70's stuff!! Downsides? Chireches doesn't yet inspire confidence and Lloris has too many iffy moments particularly around his distribution. But a win is a win....
Difference today was definitely depth. Yesterday against Newcastle we didn't even have a striker on the bench! You have players who can come on and change a game as Lennon proved. Lennon, Dembele, Eriksen, Defoe and Lamela to name a few they'd arguably walk in to most sides in the PL.
"Difference today was definitely depth." At the moment it doesn't seem to count for much. But hopefully springtime is where it will decisively show.
I mean Villa were starting to get on top, creating a few half chances, but the introduction of both Dembele and Lennon gave you the composure and cutting edge you needed at that time, especially as Villa started take a few risks. I do agree though, depth is invaluable around the festive period. Plenty of options!
I agree with this. The introduction of Benteke gave them a big boost and our subs seemed to put them back in their box, largely. We're not far off being able to field two good teams when everyone's fit, which I think is what the club were trying to achieve in the summer. One or two additions in January and we should have good depth in every position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qejLSKtg1k Very calm lift over the GK. At least we know Soldado does not suffer loss of technique during a goal drought.
