Plenty of time to reflect on the game on the way home, most of which has been covered on here (A13 closed again for hedge trimming, litter picking , maintenance, whatever) BUT if Villa win ECL and also qualify for CL does that leave other openings for European places? Apologies if this has already ...

So much of our transfer business hinges on whether David Moyes chooses to leave the club. Assuming he does, the club will, undoubtedly, go full Steidten ahead, with a significant shift in the age profile of players and a lesser reliance on those who have previously featured in the PL. I would expec...

If we finish 8th or 9th, we'll probably miss out on Europe and have the chance to re-spend the Kretinsky investment without having to worry about numbers for a european squad.

westham,eggyandchips wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 7:36 pm I wonder what Villa fans thought when the heard they were getting Emery?

After Gerrard they'd have taken Dick Emery.

EastleighHammer16 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:29 pm Don't feel like they ever really run us riot last night tbh.

They'd had the grand total of three shots with 15 minutes to go.

The ref was very helpful for them during that second half.

Player indiscipline cost the manager three of his usual starters for half the tie. We also have a player who has become greatly feted yet picks and chooses when he is in the mood to take it seriously. We've spent a lot of time correcting the 2022 summer window, the push for 'value' and the push to c...

Looked more like a team tonight with no one being carried or accommodated. Ball retention was much improved compared to the first leg even though they tried to press quite intensely at times. Our intensity was much better as well. Always gets brought back to the manager, but sometimes its the player...

An excellent performance.

Players need to be commended on their attitude, work-rate, diligence, and the manager for how he had them playing.

Mightymouse1 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:40 am “Do your own research”

Fetch....

That’s clearly an opinion and not what the stats say… 75% passing accuracy (name an attacking midfielder with better) More possession won in the final third than all bar 3 other players in the PL 11 big chances created (17th in PL) 2.4 tackles per game 0 errors leading to a goal all season It's not...

In bullet points: - he works hard (tracks back far more than the likes of Benrahma ever did and I liked him too) - breaks up play high up the pitch AND holds onto it - rarely (v rarely) loses possession without winning a free kick (couldn’t give a monkeys if he throws himself to the ground on occas...

Bonkers. It’s like you want to argue that football was better in the 70s when it was all kick and run. Football changes and goes in cycles - a high press requires players like Emerson and Paqueta Explain what Paqueta offers in terms of a high press. Tell me how quick, diligent and professional he i...

Mightymouse1 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 11:52 pm Not sure we can blame Lucas for two seasons before he joined… all I’m saying is that we’re **** without him since we signed him. And anyone who things otherwise doesn’t understand football

Putting that together means you felt we were **** tonight and the two seasons before he joined. You sure?

I’m honestly not bothered if we get decent bunce for him in the summer. I’d be more than happy if it meant Bowen and Kudus stayed. Honestly think tonight showed where he does often get far too relied on and when he’s not at the races, that proves divisive. Like a better version of Anderson under Pe...

Mightymouse1 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 11:42 pm No. A variable of 0.6 goals to 1.6 goals per game is more than the variable you’re suggesting. Paqueta has played 26 of our 33 league games.

Start counting from four years ago, should be about half and half with and without him.....

BoleynInsider wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 11:39 pm Nope, the stats that claim that we’ve won more games with him in the team than without.

Go on then, start counting....two seasons before he got here, and two years since he came.

Look, I hate relying on stats and the rise of xG and all that nonsense but this season we have an average of 1.6 goals per game when he plays, 0.6 when he doesn’t. Variables don’t change that sort of difference very much. And my observation is that he’s a ****ing mile clear in terms of football int...

I may be misreading this and one or two other posts but are we at a point where people are questioning Paqueta’s influence on the team? Even if we can’t see it from observation, the stats alone suggest we are a completely different team without him (a much worse one) And What stats? One that claim ...

Yet they never pressed like that two years ago. Or ever really. I had actually accepted the notion that our players weren’t physically capable of it. Thats clearly not the case. Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Kudus...weren't here. Okay Rice for Alvarez is a fair swap....but the conveyor belt of Fornals, Vla...