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jedi
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Gerrards goal was real quality i was right behind the goal and we were blowing it out but all in all i didnt think we did that badly. Craig Gardner looked like he is in for a good season where ever he plays and i just had a feeling that this season will bring what we all want even though we lost this one. Remember we didnt loose for ages last season and look were we finished and liverpool lost on the opening day last season and a few other games before they went on a role. I dont think many teams will get much change out of them this season and if your going to lose to a team on the opening day it may aswell be the scousers, better than losing to Sunderland or Man city. |
lfc
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I'm a Liverpool supporter. I could not watch the match yesterday however my friends (LFC supporters as well) said it was a hard fought match. Villa should be proud of their team. You deserve Europe this season. |
Leo
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I just want to say how impressed I was with Stuart Taylor! The guy has been a reserve pretty much all his career and probably will be again by next weekend but what a performance he put in! Can't say I was all that impressed with everyone else, but Liverpool are quality and will always be difficult to beat. I don't think it's a case of us playing poor, more to do with Liverpool making us look poor. We should do okay this season, though after the first games yesterday, the likes of Newcastle and Man City look quality and if we manage to finish above them I would be delighted! |
Ayersy
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Liverpool came to defend, and played some fantastic counter attacking football. Benitez the tactical genius counteract our biggest threat (pace) by defending with 2 banks of 4 on the edge of their own box, not allowing us space to run at the defenders or get in behind them. Gerrard and Carragher were Liverpools best players by a country mile yet again, thy stopped us from playing. Im not a Torres fan and he didnt show me anything i didnt expect. Obviously with a 21 million price tag hes going to be good but not as prolific or as affective as the money spent on him. We still look shakey in the heart of defence, yet i cant put my finger on it. I think NRC could have done a bit more to protect the back 4 seemed like Liverpool had some easy possesion around the edge of our box. Mike Riley Refereed the game pretty well, guess he got a bit excited near the end, dreadful decision for the petrov tackle. |
the aston villan
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it came down to quality oh yes a great dive to con an obvious scouse fan ref total load of b******* same old story cheating refs who aint got the balls to punish cheats well not in a liverpool shirt anyway as the only player to get booked for diving was our own gareth, notice that carragher and gerrard get away with murder as for your sympathy scousers shove em where the sun down shine u aint that much better either 27 million for Torres looks like 26.999,999 to much. As for Taylor two decent saves at fault for the first then flapped at anything that was crossed when he managed to unglue himself from the goaline. |
alextaylor24
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mike riley was terrible. anything 50/50 was given to liverpool and he didnt allow the game to flow. the decision for their freekick was awful. fair enough, they deserved to win but if you dont put your chances away, then tough luck. they didnt need a helping hand from riley. the premiership is a tough league and liverpool should have come thinking we should of been been more clinical but in the end they were just lucky with the decision. we competed in the second half, so dont be to down villa fans. we are looking at an improvement this year!! |
Mobious
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I was at the match yesterday with some friends who are Liverpool fans. They felt they were lucky to get the 2-1 in some ways, although they were slightly frustrated with Torres missing a couple of sitters. One think they noted was how well RC played in the midfield. I also have to say that I thought Ashley Young showed some great skill in the 2nd half and was a constant threat. However here is my biggest gripe. We are missing someone who can tap the ball into the back of the net and we have missed the opportunity with two many players. I think if we had been more proactive in the market we might have had them. |
JimmyVilla
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Yes it came down to quality, and yes they were better than us. still there constant left wing threat and ability to single out our non-rightback craig gardner was so obvious. I'm sorry but to start the season without a recognised right back is criminal. gardner looked lost, no disrespect to him cus that isnt his position; but how long has MON needed not only one, but two right backs?? our tactics were so predictable, john carew the target man. it took me all of 3 minutes to work out if the liverpool defenders waited for the flick ons that are very hard to execute accurately, then we really didnt have that much of a threat up front. I really hope this isnt our game plan for the rest of the season, Carew himself says he prefers it on the floor and this is just my opinion, but i thought we looked much more of a threat without the target man tactic against inter milan. Stil if it wasnt for an own goal and a dodgy decision on a free kick then we would have kept a clean sheet. alot of positives to be taken but i just hope we get something out of newcastle next week else we are guna be chasing heels for a while. |
markphr
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I think MON is right to concentrate on speed (Gabby etc) and power (Carew etc) because we can't get quality but surely someone needs to be tighter to Carew? We are crying out for a finisher like Defoe. Forget fancy formations we are not good enough - 442 is as attacking as you can afford to be against the top four. One of your midfielders can be a winger another can play the advanced creative role (Petrov or Berger). Yesterday was a strategic disaster. Too many attacking players playing with defensive duties. Too many defensive players getting into attacking positions. Personally I think the Petrov free kick was correctly given, the point is though it should'nt have been him sitting in that central position in front of the back four. |
the aston villan
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Quality laugh they were crap aswell as for us we have gone from a good passing side against milan to the new wimbledon overnight |
markphr
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Oh and the "aston villan" everything you just said is crap. Stop making pathetic excuses, I love Barry to bits but his diving is inexcusable, I didn't see another like that in the game. The ref was poor but I didn't see him make any major mistakes its just a matter of opinion. Anyone who has played the game knows that whether it was a foul or not, Petrov's challenge was poor and deserved what it got. Carragher snuffed out Gabby by and large and Gerrard was world class. It IS about quality mate! |
bass2001
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well the proof is in the pudding, and i hope those people that could see no wrong in villa now wake up and smell the coffee! liverpool were champions league finalist last year and have spent 47m we fought relegation and have spent about 8m! that for me says it all. how many of you would have been happy after the last game of last season if you were told the starting line up for the first day of this season???? we have not improved enough and others around us have! we have money to spend so there is no excuse for starting with one goal keeper in the squad and no proper right back! questions have to be asked!!!! |
Mick
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Liverpool are an appalling side. I can't believe they still go on about that Istanbul final when they clearly were gifted the game. Liverpool's football is negative, defensive and based on set pieces. Valdano was right about Liverpool, wave a piece of crap at Anfield and the scousers will tell you it's a work of art. It's not. It's a piece of crap. Still, Villa lost because they're not good enough. We need at least 4 quality players or this is gonna be another average season. And I'm sick of average seasons. |
Woodinho
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It did come down to quality... and we had none! I dont know about anyone else but I'm not bothered about losing to an ambitious club like liverpool (who I watched with envious eyes!), but I just wish we could have made a game of it! At least got into the final third and done something! We were lucky to even get the pen - we didnt exactly force the handball did we! Also, with an already depleted squad what's with playing sick players? I'm still waiting for MON to prove me wrong! |
YokohamaVila
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Everyone needs to just calm down. It's only the first game of the season and we lost by a 'single' goal to the 'second' best team in Europe. Let's just see what happens from now until the end of the month, both in terms of who we bring in and the games against Newcastle and Fulham. Then I think we will be better able to judge our current situation and potential for this season. |
the aston villan
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markphr so u didn't see carragher diving when we were attacking and gerrard didnt dive for the free kick can i ask were you there or were u at molineux |
the aston villan
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bass2001 well said 3 months we have had to sort these problem areas out and we wait until now come on villa fans stand up and be counted u maybe happy to put up with medriocrity but i aint |
the aston villan
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Woodinho why watch with envy thay aint that good they were poor as much as we were but on the whole there aint that much between the sides apart from they had 12 men on the field |
taglor
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I got blasted for being negative about my criticisms of villa this summer and so many people backed villa to win, I hope you have woken up now we are very average, the players we didn't sign got points for teams yetserday, santa cruz, gordon, smith and man city's panic buys didn't do badly did they? Our 1 signing yesterday was average and this is with all our players available! If we don't invest quite heavily this month there is no way in hell we are getting into europe as the other teams in our position have taken that step forward and are going to leave us trailing. If Laursen is so injury prone why not just get rid of him and buy someone reliable? ps petrov was gash, so for all the MON is holding out for the right players he hasn't exactly bought the best anyway. As for it was only one goal well yes it was 1 goal and that was the difference between 3 points and 0. Harsh I know but I am being realistic, just think of the players Liverpool didn't even play. |
the aston villan
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taglor at last someone who sees it the same someone who has the b******* to say it. It aint negativity its realism and sorry guys but its about time u all woke up and smelt the morning coffee. I dont even think you can even call it being fickle it aint i care and by the sound of it so does taglor. I'm sure you all do but please show it show the passion dont hide behind the crowd speak up its the only way to stop Villa standing still. |
alwaysvilla
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i was there yesterday and i have to agree with taglor and aston villan we were distinctly average.1 change from the side of last season isnt good.Look at the teams that came up sunderland beat spurs and derby drew .We need quality players in ASAP!!! or its gonna be 12th-15th position for us.I know its the first game and it was liverpool but no game is gonna be easy so if we wanna progress lets get some players in |
markphr
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Aston Villan yes Gerrard did dive but it was what the challenge deserved. Petrov put his foot out and left it hanging - nowadays like it or not the definition of a dive has changed. As far as the pros and refs are concerned, contact is secondary to intention. It doesn't matter if you win the ball (I think Bouma won it against Pennant for the booking). |
the_flabster
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I watched the match thinking we could either sneak a win or possibly a draw but i thought we would lose. In the first half Liverpool were well on top and deserved their goal (and possibly a couple more) but just what was Laursen doing? Second half we came out fighting and i was impressed with a few players. Carew was always a threat even though he did very little with the balls he was given at least he was winning them and if we can put someone to play off him then they can pick up the knock downs. Young looked very good second half. Taking on defenders putting decent balls into the box. The defense for Villa wasnt too good but not half as bad as i was expecting. Taylor also had a decent game although i thought the first goal was partly his fault. Second goal he couldnt do anything about. I think we should have got the draw. We didnt deserve it by the way we played as Liverpool should have been about three goals to the good by half time but thats their fault for missing those chances. The free kick leading upto the goal was not a free kick. Petrov got a touch on the ball and Gerrard just tried to make it look worse. Most people agree it wasnt a foul (MOTD said so aswell) and that we should have got the draw. But thats football and that piece of unluckyness (is that a word?) will balance itself out. yes there is alot of negatives but also some positives. MON needs to get buying though as if we get more than 2/3 injurys we are going to be in trouble. |
taglor
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Thanks guys, the last thing I want to do is be negative for the sake of it, as a footy fan I will always find something to moan about, but I'm only being realistic and I'm sure we will sign new players it's just that without them I'm not going to say we will get into europe just because I really want them to. Like I have said before we pay for all of their wages and without the fans they wouldn't all be the rich men they are, so the least I want is to challenge to win, not progress slowly over 5 years, why? I have waited over a decade already and paid a lot of money with what in return? For all their big talk and little dvd the time now is to put their money where their mouth is and invest enough to show that they are serious about challenging and to do that you need damn sight better signings than Marlon Harewood. |
smylhr
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i think it was better in the long run to lose as it highlights our weaknesses and reduces expectation. it most importantly gives us something to aim for and will give martin a good kick up the backside to sign the right players. utv |
VijayD
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Yesterday was very disappointing, we lack quality and cannot compare to teams like Liverpool. What makes it worse is that we are told we have the money so why havent we made the quality signings?? We have less than 3 weeks now, i hope MON sorts it out, but im not very hopeful, i only expect a few mediocre players to come in, Newcastle and Man City looked class yesterday, they are in a very similar situation to us , the difference that their respective managers have made the quality signings and its show, WAKE UP LERNER AND MON! |
KillingJoke
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I am in utter agreement with all that is being said here. A loss is necessary to identify weakness and dampen expectations. The squad needs to put on some weight. The players need to aquire some sense of confidence and quickly too. I however would like to mention how a fifty million pound spending spree at anfield could only give liverpool one goal against a lacklustre Villa side. It was Torres i feared the least, his titanic price tag looming over each mistake he made. Eventualy it was Gerard, who is undoubtedley one of Englands finest, to make it their victory and i cannot feel bitter that we fell prey to a player of that caliber. Laursen was unfortunate but my sympathy's are with him. Young looked dangerous. Barry was supreme. I really need to believe it can happen for us and this loss hasn't convinced me that we are european canditates. But we played champions league winners and gave them the win by the narrowest of margins. Liverpool with their riches are pursuing all the silver of the land and then some. We happen to be aspiring to much less in the short term. So with that in mind i think the game has probably worried the liverpudlians more than it has us. They scored once, we scored once, both clubs with senior players. The rest is down to s**t luck. I personaly believe Liverpool under performed, Aston Villa played as expected, leaving us to hope that perhaps there is more to come, victory and gold and all football associated honours. Perhaps there is more to come. Perhaps there isn't. |
jobiemcd
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I was dissappointed with yesterday we weren,t great but liverpool weren't exactly flying either.... Our weaknesses were exposed yesterday one good thing which I think would have proved alot of people wrong yesterday was Gardner I for one thought he had a good game and it shows he has the ability to play no matter the position he could well develop into a great player he steppe up and was counted.... A few new faces to put pressure on the lads in allready we have a good core and need some quality signings to add to that..... Maybe Petrov needs some competition in there as he hasn't played to the ability we seen of him with celtic and that will wake him up |
Mapka
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Lets all repeat this summer's mantra. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. 6 defenders, one of those is a kid and no right back, but that'll do to start the season. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. MO'N confessed the squad was too small to cope with a Premiership season. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. 5 Out: McCann (33 apps); Davis(31); Angel(27); Ridgewell (25); Hughes(23) Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. 2 In: Reo-Coker & Harewood. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. That's one way of improving the situation. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. MO'N needs to decide does he want value for money (then shop abroad). Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Or does he want premiership experience (then pay for it). Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Only 19 days left of the transfer window. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Do you think the players are still thinking this mantra? Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Remember Randy didn't hire MO'N, Doug did. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Do you think Randy is still thinking this mantra? Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Hopefully he's thinking, why doesn't MO'N spend my money like the other managers Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. I bet he's thinking, if we get relegated I'm off. Trust in MO'N, he knows what he's doing, keep the faith. Sorry, I can't keep this inane mantra up. It doesn't matter how many times I say it or read it, I just don't believe it. I would like to think this weekend Randy has sat down with MO'N and asked him to clarify his lack of urgency and success in the transfer market. Get him to prove that his reputation is to be believed. Please don't quote Celtic at me, any muppet can coach them or Rangers. May I remind you that Strachan, Souness and Walter Smith came nowhere near success in the Premiership, but have won everything in Scotland. Even if MO'N actually uses this week off to buy several players (though they won't be panic buys) I still can't see us finishing in the top 10 let alone challenging for a UEFA Cup place. No, we are at the start of a very long and hard relegation battle, which if happens will cost MO'N his job, even if we survive. I know I'm going to get ridiculed, lambasted and moaned at, but I don't care. A year ago I believed like the rest of you that this was the dawn of a bright new era, but this summer has just been one let-down after another. New chairman, new board, new manager, new money, bright future equals same old s**t. PS I've just watched Arsenal v Fulham and Davis was he old excellent self. Shame his face didn't fit. Maybe MO'N is a brilliant coach, but I don't think he's a good manager. |
taglor
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Mapka I agree with you, and Ridgewell is playing well for Blues at moment setting up 1 goal. |
chrisliver
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Villa were hard done by the last goal. To say that they deserved a draw however would be due more to liverpool inept play and wasted chances in the last third ( not forgetting some good saves by Villa's keeper) Pool seemed to be more attacking-minded but it created gaps in front of the last four. Carragher and co could not cope well when pool lost the ball in the middle with Gerrard out of position and Alonso with too much room to cover. Pennant was almost non-existent in helping Finnan marshal Young and he did very little to convince the right-side midfield position berth is his. Pool's attack is still not clicking well enough though they showed some glimpses of it. Villa has to really revved up their play because if they do meet a team that does not waste chances like Pool, the game would have been over by the 1st half. The only promising players they have is Young and Barry and that would not do. They do have good attitude but that might not be enough. Good luck Villa But you do have a good manager. |
lanceley12
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We need good centre backs. Mellberg isn't good enough. Too slow and clumsy on the ball! Ridgewell wasn't good enough either. Would have been decent back up tho! Curtis Davies would be perfect! p.s. Gardner at right back was great yesterday! |
Dizzy Mugs
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That freekick given to Gerrard was a little weak, but hey, that's football for you!! Not suprised most fans of the game are demanding video technology for refs. Didn't see as much of Gabi as i thought we would, he didn't seem to get his usual pacey runs down to the bi-line, that should change at Newcastle though. |
Dizzy Mugs
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To everyone that has slagged off Villa on this topic: Either be supportive of the team (like a fan should be!) or go to Small Heath and watch some very entertaining fans dance around as they're bored of the s**t Blues produce. |
Villa_Rules
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DAMNNNNNNN some people are acting like we been relegated or the world has ended....Its only ONE game against a class side Me personaly was just glad to see a game off football Shame about the scoreline yes but its only ONE game Dont whinge to much theres pleanty more games to come.... |
bwykes_771
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nice headline! true for 1st half but not second.we were better in second period and were rewarded with barrys goal,but shocking decision from ref gave stevie g the chance and he took it.gerard was best player in first half but riley shaded it second.will he get demoted for that shambolic performance? |
somersetvilla
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Ive placed 2 bets this season....first villa to go down..as i have every year for the last 5....plus MON to be gone by xmas...i hope they dont come off,,but if they do i will have something to look forward to..and i mite not kill myself.. on the match yesterday..well to put it bluntly we were crap..didnt seem to have much idea..only started hitting carew after we scored..ash was good..so was barry and gardiner...gabby did he play...petrov well..if weve now got lots of quality in our small squad.why was someone else not playing.. taylor thanks for keeping the score down.. i have been saying for a few weeks that we are gonna struggle..i know its only one game,but my guess is .we will still be pointless after the newcastle game. then i wonder if MON will have even more of a problem getting more players in,,me thinks so. I would love to be wrong . well done to the villa fans in the north stand lower..have been looking forward to that,,i thought just like the old days..villa giving it some noise...but alas they didnt make any.infact if it wernt for a few shirts,you would have thought they were all neutrals. think the worrying starts here.. |
Woodinho
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Every villa fan knows that MON is after Curtis Davies... and that our current defence is gash... so why the hell dosen't he just stop piddling around and give West Brom the money they want for him! At least we'd actually have the player in time for the next couple of games! Which without new recruits I can see us losing! Instead I bet we'll be haggling again and no doubt MON will be held in negotiations for weeks therefore eating up the rest of his time till the transfer deadline and we'll probably end up with just CD or no one at all! We need players NOW Martin and holding out for bargains is not the way forward! I'm not saying pay 20mil for one man, but just accept the going rate and get us some new faces before its too late! PLEEEEEAAASE!!!!! |
merlin1
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NEGATIVES: ML(own goal aside) looked shakey and has no understanding with Mellberg. NRC looked like a small kid in a playground, trying to get his ball back from the bigger boys! GA & AY didn't start to penetrate the scouse defence till injury time (too late) and service up to injury time was non-existent! SP showed little in terms of attacking football and looked quite frankly unfit! MON dont think was positive enough with his changes and when he did change it was long overdue! POSITIVES: CG playing out of position i thought played well under the circumstances. ST made some good saves and helped us keep the score down. JC looked dangerous when he got the service (in injury time!) WB looked solid (why did MON take him off?) GB only player who looked comfortable on the ball! Not to take anything away from Liverpool who were clearly the better team we didn't deserve the win or the draw for that matter but once we had a point within our grasp we should have shut down but yet again we always prove most vulnerable after we score. This needs to be addressed sooner rather than later and think the answer lies in the transfer market somewhere. MON has to figure out what that answer is quickly! |
taglor
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Yeah sorry Dizzy Mugs, I shouldn't slag them off or try to have a critical opinion, Instead I am just so happy that we lost and really happy they gave a drab performance with an obvious lack of class and think it was a really great result |
the_flabster
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Woodinho it may not be as simple as just pay West Brom the £8M they want for Davis. Spurs have been after him for a long time and if we make a bid then that will alert them. I know they didnt have a great start to the season either but they have a much bigger squad with more quality. MON definatly needs to get a good 4/5 more players in but with CD i think he has to be careful and try not to make it too public before he signs on the dotted line (if he does go for him)as Spurs will then come in for him. They have apprently said that they will not start a bidding war with us but if both clubs go in for him they will probably both bid the same. In that case i think Spurs would get him. MON needs to get some players in and fast. Bouma looked good and apart from a few dodgy crosses was good linking up with Young. Laursen didnt look comfortable at all. Mellberg i thought was ok, he can play alot better than that though. Gardener was decent considering. I think we need at least 3 more defenders and possibly 1/2 midfielders to add some competition into the squad and for cover just incase injurys come thick and fast. |
Nick123
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It comes down to a poor referee and Stevie G diving for free kick that never was, petrov touched the ball! mind you it was a good goal in the end. we need more signings !!!!! |
griffiths
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I WISH YOU LOT WILL STOP MOANIN THT WE LOST, AND THT WE SHOULD GET RID OF O'NEIL. SO WOT IF HE HASN'T GOT MANY TARGETS IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW, HE KNOWS THAT AND HE'S GOING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. WE'VE LOST one GAME AGAINST A TOP SIDE, WHO ARE LOOKING TO WIN THE TITLE, WE ARE LOOKING TO GET IN EUROPE, BUT WE NEED US FANS TO BACK US. WE WILL GET THERE I HAVE FAITH IF YOU HAVN'T VILLA TIL I DIE, AND EUROPE HERE WE COME! |
Ayersy
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We were playing Liverpool, and we werent expected to win. Im pretty sure most of the teams in the premiership wont come anywhere near as close as we did to gettin something out of Liverpool. The decision for the freekick was awful, whatever anyone says. Petrov actually kicked the ball away before Gerrard ran into his leg. If anything it was a late challenge by Gerrard on Petrov. Poor referee. Non of us are blind to whats going on people we are just trying to be a bit more positive. You girls coming on here saying how s**t we were n how MON has screwed up isnt going to solve anything. Benitez just got his tactics perfect, defended deep and got men behind the ball, completely smothered our pace in attack. NRC was very good. |
Woodinho
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Ayersy, "NRC was very good"???? okay then mate so was Petrov then!  Also no need to call people little names ("girls") like we are back in the playground just people have a different opinion to yours, thats what this forum is for! As paying season ticket holders we are entitled to say whatever we like, and the general feeling is that we would have had a better chance against Liverpool with healthy players and a natural right back... which all boils down to the fact that MON has struggled and got his priorities wrong in the transfer market this summer! Simple! |
Ayersy
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why does everyone think we are gonna struggle after losing the first game of the season to Liverpool, a top european club? They werent particulalry better than us, Benitez just got it tactically perfect, no need to slit te wrists just yet boys. |
griffiths
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mick yh, but i'm goin to skegness so it ain't exactly europe!!!! come it was 1 game, the seasons early!!! |
Daanie
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I know he was only on briefly, but I thought Babel was brilliant. Cut us up like a hot knife through butter. Ag well, first gane jitters out of system, Europe here we come.... |
Nigel-not-Reo
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Mapka, nothing personal, please come back on this forum after 31st August and apologise for being fickle  |
Top_6_Villa
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i dont know what else everyone expected with the p**s poor job MON has done.. who on earth would sign just 2 players get rid f loads and have a s**t defense and no real quality that we were wall prommised. im surprised we didnt get hammered |
stevewhk
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Not the end of the world to lose to Liverpool. There were positives - Taylor did well, GB was class as ever, CG showed he is maturing and JC showed touches. What struck me having watched several games over the weekend was how many new boys did well. Martin Petrov, Elano, Bianchi, Kapo, Pizarro, not to mention our own (once) Steven Davis. None of these guys would have cost us a crazy pile of money (nothing for SD and Pizarro) and it seems to me MONs much discussed style of buying only what he knows well has its limits. True, one or two of these guys wouldn't have considered Villa and also true that some may yet go on to be rejects by season's end but I'd be happy to hear us linked with one or two pedigree names outside of the British leagues once in a while. Prices are reasonable and it may be worth a punt on a couple - assuming there's any left on offer now that the season has started. A further point - I like to see all the young British talent at Villa but it has its dangers too. England U21 (and full squad too perhaps) games in particular are going to add to the fixture load for a thin squad. Those extra new faces are urgently needed . . . |
Villavon
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The difference was quality. We can't buy the quality eg GERRARD the big teams have for obvious reasons at the moment. I'm glad BABEL didn't start for POOL otherwise the scoreline may have been wider. I thought NRC, BARRY and GARDNER showed real commitment. We allowed them to counter too easily without pressuring them. I still believe MON is right in biding his time until he can buy the best quality, even if that takes all year. I'd rather finish 16th but left with the squad I want to progress the team. This season is going to be very experimental until MON has completed his squad. |
tuffy85
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lots of expectation is almost always certain to end in disappointment whether it came in the fifth game or the first. laverpool were better than us but they still relied on one of our players to put them ahead and then an absolute piece of genius from stevie g to put us away. if we struggle against the likes w.ham, city, blackburn then id be worried but not against the finalists of the c. league |
Jacko33
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taglor and aston villan - agree with your comments but lets all calm down a bit... im dissapointed as anyone that we didnt get players like elano, martin petrov, smithy etc etc but there are 3 weeks to go, lets judge o'neil when window is closed. Agree with previous poster - we had too much of a "target man" focus, when against Inter we just bloody well played football! Ashley young and gabby need to be either side of carew in a 4-3-3 changing to 4-5-1. Young looked lost in his floating role and we were always exposed on the wings. Why did MON change things from Inter Milan??? On a positive note Gardner looked good at right-back even tho he was always targeted and I believe he could be moulded into the role as a decent utility man back up. We are close to being a good side - I believe that |
Mick
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People, I'm not sure this whole "Villa are not good enough" concept is yet clear to a few on here. The unhappiness comes as a result of promises (yet) not kept, 18 days from the closing of the transfer market we still have a total of 9 players who have left and 3 as new signings. One of which is probably not going to contribute in a decisive manner to the alleged Villa revival - and the other being a loan. Yeah, Liverpool were better than us - Liverpool have more quality etc.: you almost seem resigned to accept that certain clubs are always going to be superior. Then you have the "Benitez got it right tactically" brigade. No he bloody didn`t. He won the game thanks to a free-kick and an own goal. The concept you never-say-die optimists need to start absorbing a little is that expectations at this club have changed - no one expected Eto'o or Sneijder (who incidentally's on his way to Madrid today) to sign this summer but many - understandably - expected MON to have at least a few more players in place at this stage, to have managed to find a right back in 3 months of search, to have managed to pinpoint a keeper who could come in as permanent number 1 - not a loan signing - and perhaps also a central defender and a few more. MON in that aspect has failed and disappointed, because the time was there aplenty and the money is allegedly there too. I like MON, I think he's a great guy, an excellent motivator and a decent manager: but I like AVFC more and I expected better things. Liverpool could afford to leave people like Mascherano home for the Villa game, we had a midfielder at right back and - on MON admission - 2 players (Carew & Laursen) playing despite being ill on the eve of the game. That is the defining difference between the 2 clubs, not Benitez tactical know how. Better squads, better players, better scouts and background staff. Better ambition too, by the look of it. Things may turn around and MON will finally sign those 3 (at least) players we still need but at this stage - as things stand - Lerner and MON have a lot to prove to the fans, because this squad is not good enough, because they had months to identify targets and because - I repeat - VILLA NEED QUALITY BRITISH AND EUROPEAN SCOUTS. Please put that child-like optimism aside for a moment and look at things in the cold light of the day, "average" and "enough" are not the Villa key words anymore. |
woodyo
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WHAT THE HELL WAS MON TALKING ABOUT, 'WE'RE A YOUNG TEAM (FAIR ENOUGH), WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN, AND WE NEED TO DO IT SOON' IT'S HE'S BLOODY FAULT WE HAVEN'T STRENGHTEND HE'S MESSED ABOUT SINCE MAY AND WE ARE WORSE OFF NOW THAN WE WERE AT THE END OF LAST SEASON. HE'S THE PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT, HE'S THE REASON WE HAD A YOUNG MIDFIELDER AT RIGHT BACK, IT'S TOUGH ENOUGH FOR ANY KID TO COME INTO THE PREM PLAYING IN HIS STRONGEST POSITION, BUT NO, OUR ILLUSTIOUS MANAGER DECIDES TO MAKE HIM A VERY VUNERABLE RIGHT BACK. I'M NOT BLAMING C.G, I THOUGHT HE HAD A GOOD GAME, BUT I THINK HE'D BE BETTER PLAYING IN THE CENTRE OF MIDFIELD IN PLACE OF 'SILLYSTAN' PETROV, WHOSE PASSING IS WOEFULL AT BEST, NOT TO MENTION IT TAKES HIM LONGER TO TURN ROUND THAN THE No6 BUS, AND THIS IS OUR PLAYMAKER, WHERE WAS BERGER? THE SORT OF CLASS PLAYER THAT NEEDS TO FACE THE TOP TEAMS, I THINK MON WOULD PLAY PETROV IF HE TURNED UP WITH LEG IRONS, HE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND QUICK. GB DID OK, BUT HE IS BETTER WIDE LEFT, AGAIN, TOO SLOW FOR A CENTRE MIDFIELDER. ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR ME, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WONT AGREE, BUT ABGONLAHOR HAS MAJOR LIMITATIONS, YES HE'S VERY QUICK, BUT SO IS LINFORD CHRISTIE, UNFORTUNATLET FOR US HE HAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF SKILL AS LINFORD. HIS 1ST TOUCH IS TERRIBLE, HIS READING OF THE GAME IS NON-EXISTANT, HE HAS NO SKILL OR TRICKERY, HE'S JUST QUICK, IN FACT IF HE HADN'T GOT THAT PACE I DOUBT THAT HE WOULD BE A PREM FOOTBALLER, CHAMPIONSHIP AT BEST. SURLEY LUKE MOORE IS THE BEST OPTION ALONGSIDE BIG JOHN. HE OOZES CLASS, HIS MOVEMENT HURTS TEAMS & GIVES US BETTER ATTACKING OPTIONS, HE'S ALMOST AS QUICK AS G.A BUT HIS SUPERIOR FOOTBALLING BRAIN MAKES HIM QUICKER AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT HE'LL CONVERT MORE CHANCES, SO C'MON O'NIEL GIVE HIM THE STARTING ROLL HE DESERVES, OR HE'LL BE ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL BE LOOKING TO PLY HIS TALENTS AT ANOTHER CLUB. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE I THOUGHT TAYLOR WAS SUPERB ON SATURDAY, APART FROM A COUPLE OF CROSSES, HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE ON THE LOSINS SIDE. I AM NOW LOOKING FOR MON'S NEW SIGNINGS THIS WEEK, OR WILL IT BE THE WEEK AFTER, OR JANUARY OR NEXT SUMMER WHO KNOWS, I DON'T AND I DON'T THINK HE DOES, BECAUSE IF HE DID THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE ALREADY. |
Holte1970
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I think Taylor is spot on about us being average. However lets be realistic in where the Villa are. The team starts with the regime. Ellis has gone and we have a new owner. For the first time in donkey year's we have a chance to become something more than average. However, it does take time to build a team. MON needs the space. Let's get real - the players that Man Utd, Liverpool, and Chelsea have purchased this close season would not have come to the Villa. Even if we had paid more on the transfer fees and more on salaries for those same players - they still would not have come. Look at what the ex - Wigan manager said last year. He could not "buy" players into the club because they were Wigan. Now, the Villa have more pulling power than Wigan but the same principle applies when you look at the Torres of this world - until we get into Europe - forget that class of player. This brings me nicely onto Harewood. He chose the Villa and not Wigan. He would have played for Wigan at number 9 on Saturday but he is was on the Villa bench. MON will continue to bring in players who should produce more quality in the team or strengthen the squad. This next "batch" of players should produce a plave in Europe. Then the next "batch" should take us on again. It is progression and it will take time. Remember also the Everton's and the Newcastle's are doing exactly the same thing. Taylor talks about a decade - I can talk about 3 decades. This is the best opportunity the Villa have had since winning the League and the European Cup. Let's give MON and RL a chance. UTV |
Dizzy Mugs
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The situation with Davies was said that Baggies rejected both Villa's and Spurs bid for him and then never told us what price would be 'acceptable' to them (personally £8mn. is £4mn. too much for a championship player) So basically they want to keep a player who is reluctant to play because they don't think £8mn. is acceptable! We got a £3.5mn offer from Levante for Mellberg and Ollie is twice as experienced and reliable as Davies, Tony Mowbray reeeeaally needs to check up on how to value players. |