...awful performance. Just never got going and once we 'scored' our 2nd goal they were the team who controlled it and looked like winning. Criminal to give away a 2-0 lead with no real fight. They had 70% posession which tells its own story. We either seemed to sit back and defend or were simply outlassed. Its so frustrating when we keep throwing points away like this - but tbh it should have been all 3 points that we threw away - lucky to get away with 1. I watched the whole game and we were never really in the game despite leading 2-0. Cisses goal was a brilliant first time strike, and the 2nd was a brilliant header into his own net by Warnock. Should have gone on to win the game. But would have taken that before the game, but the events do make it feel like a loss.
Need to put things in perspective: three new signings, including two in the back four. That was a baptism of fire at Villa Park and we did well all things considered. Cissé looks so much better that what we have. They could have been given several penalties for handball decisions. They had a very strong team out. We scored two with Hulse upfront We still have Diakite, Taarabt, Traore and Zamora to come into the side. This side will only grow stronger together under the leadership of MH. We didn't lose any points (even gained) to those below us. Let's put things in perspective! Great point away from home. Also, 2 hours ago most of us would have more than gladly settled for a point.
Villa are an excellent side with a lot of prem experience. A great result with so many of our players missing. Any game that Hulse has to play in shows you how thin our squad still is. A point is a point is a point.
True, cannot disagree with that at all. My worry is that in these games we need to be getting all the points that we can as our last 7 games look daunting.
I Disagree with you judo. We fight our skins out but villa was very good tonight. That N'zogia or what was his name was mom and constant threat to our fighting but shakin defence. It was a good result considered that we were playing without playmaker and without midfield player who could keep ball. Villa runs their lungs out and pass the ball beautifully. We had three new players and Hulse on the pitch and two new players in our defence so it was little shaky still. Once they play more together and Taarabt & Buz are back with Zamora it get lots better trust me. Point away against fine Villa side is not a shame even we lose our lead.
Perfect assessment We could have won had we avoided that Bent goal on the stroke of half time. After that a draw was always going be a good result. Sometimes we just have to aknowledge that our opponents were better. Without the 0-2 lead we would have been hammered as Villa was really fired up for this one.
Ref was on our side inside our penaltybox. Outside of it he was all blue and clarets.........Better that way thought.
Would have taken a draw before the game. Definitely not when we were 2-0 up. Very disappointing the way we were absolutely mullered for the last hour of the match. Still, teams have played better and walked away with nothing. Can't be too critical.
Swarbrick is a W*****! Foul count 3-12, what was that about?! When they had us under their most heavy pressure there were several occasions we should have had free kicks, this could have relieved pressure that we desperately needed and helped us drag the tempo down.
We had Hulse, Ephraim, Balanta, Macheda in our squad and were missing DJ, Bothroyd, HH, Traore, Taarabt, Diakite, Faurlin, Gabbidon and Buz off the top of my head. Take 9 players out of any squad and I bet you any team would be happy with a point at Villa.
Display that Villa played between 30-90 min they would have rule the match against everyother PL teams but maybe manc ,manu and spurs.
Happy with a point, I would have taken that before the game. We will improve as the new players settle in.
If we take a point away from home for the rest of the season that would be 7 points, makes 28 we need 12 points from 24 at home to get to 40, more than possible. Shiimples!!!!
Absolutely spot on, was about to type an identical post having read the first few. People need to get a grip. The only extra i'd add is our 3 new guys are all short of match fitness / practice so give them time! Perspective!! Thanks for saving my fingers
Just back... I can't believe anyone could think we were never in the game. For the first 35 minutes we were the better, more composed team but we sat back too much trying to hold out for half time and it cost us. The second half they attacked well as a team with Bent, Keane, N'Zogbia and Ireland should but the centre-halves and keeper were superb. Mackie had a great chance at 2-1 which would have killed the game to a great extent but no-one played badly imho apart from Macheda who is ****e. We had three debutants today which was never going to make it easy but one played superbly, one got a terrific goal but understandably tired and one looked very rusty but will improve. Moreover, it's about ****ing time we got a point from a game we deserved to lose after throwing so many away after dominating games.
Just to point out....3 weeks ago, we would have lost that game 4-Nil..... 3 weeks ago, I would have rippeed your arm off for a point away at Villa.... I know we were outplayed, but the bigger picture is that we have improved....thats all we can hope for at this stage.....long may it continue...!
