Agree, both teams were poor going forward. Your defence wasn't bad and Richards seem to have been the best player on the pitch. But your midfield and forwards were utterly c.rap.
Didn't understand either sherwood decision to sub Sinclair when he looked like the only one who tried to make things happen.
Who were bought to replace Delph and Cleverley? They were big miss yesterday. Although what happened to that young lads? Still drunk on holiday?

when you look at the difference in quality of both teams, I mean Man Utd brought on Herrera and Schweinsteiger lol

Villa are a team in transition, and about time..they will take time to gel, we shouldnt be going into this season thinking we are going to beat teams like Utd, City, Chelsea etc, it would be nice obvs but we have to be realistic, they are not our rivals.

The next stage in Villas development is to compete and beat teams like Everton, Swansea, Stoke etc.

I do feel we are better/or will be better than the teams expected to finish in the bottom 5/6 so its these mid table teams we have to catch up on, anywhere between 8th to 14th this season will be good, after the years of dross we have put up with.

Amavi, Sinclair, Veretout looked good last night, Gueye, Gestede a bit iffy,,Richards and Clark look like they could be a good partnership.

This season will have a lot of ups and downs but I for one am looking forward to it, at least we have players we can get excited about rather than the sheite we have had previously

I had you down for a draw so that's my w'end bets b-ggered .

This United side reminds me of a better and more entertaining Spain of 2010 or Barcelona of 2011. We have a similar although slightly better and more entertaining possession style but what Spain and Barcelona lacked in forwards, we have arguably the best forward of the last decade in Wayne Rooney, who pulled the strings all night last night and can see him winning us the treble pretty much single handedly. Last night was a stroll in the park for what is looking like the best United side of the last 30 years.

Villa looked strong, fast and keen. Good signs.

But they also looked a bit lacking in ideas.

I dont think you need another forward. You seem to be short of the sort of player who can stop play and 'put their foot on the ball'. A Hoddle/Waddle/Riquelme sort of player.

comment by TUX (U5315)
posted 19 minutes ago
I had you down for a draw so that's my w'end bets b-ggered.
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Anything left?

comment by The Midland 20 (U12697)
posted 20 minutes ago
Villa looked strong, fast and keen. Good signs.

But they also looked a bit lacking in ideas.

I dont think you need another forward. You seem to be short of the sort of player who can stop play and 'put their foot on the ball'. A Hoddle/Waddle/Riquelme sort of player.




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I'd agree with that, albeit only from watching one game.

Tom Huddlestone wouldn't do bad in the middle to calm things down and set the pace a bit.

we dont need Huddlestone

we still have gill, grealish and traore to come back, they are expected to be the creative spark, so hopefully they will provide that. Rudy must start games now,

I still think we need another forward. Gabby now is just an impact player & derby day slayer. I was surprised Sinclair went off as he looked our most creative player.

I though Amavi, Gueye & Richards were good. Westwood also keeps the ball ticking over.

Please no Huddlestone 😠

from what I see we need to play a No.10 if Gestede plays, he will win a good percentage of high balls but if there is no one there behind him or it will turn out to be wasteful.

Veretout, Gueye, Westwood all sit too deep for me and there is nothing in the gap between them and Gestede, so I would personally only play two from three and Grealish/Gill/Ayew behind the big man

yh fan i agree. I think veretout is meant to be that player but he doesn't seem match fit as of yet and may take time to adjust to the league.

Am not sure if he is really, I do like the look of him tho

Uniteds goal was nailed on absolutely no ambition from Sherwood other than to stay in the game, why not try and take the lead ,Richards was supposed to marshall the defence he didn't ,Sinclair was supposed to create chances he can barely control the ball

Depay I thought wouild have been better after all the money spent on him, no better than Sinclair

@'Depays'. . . .''Anything left?''. Yeah bud, a tenner on Pal 4-2 Ars at 100/1. It'll never happen but i couldn't resist

Agree with all the above (except belmont's comment). I thought it was a good game. The defence and midfields of both teams played well, very well in fact, to the point that both attacks had hardly a chance. Full marks to Januzzi for taking his chance when it came, though even there he was lucky; if Clark hadn't been so quick to intercept it would have gone straight to Guzan.

At the moment I think Sinclair fades a bit after 60 minutes, which is why he gets taken off. We're badly missing Gil and Grealish, who could make that difference in the final third. Gestede keeps defences occupied but nobody on the field took advantage, Gabby and Ayew were way too far back.

Early days. I'm optimistic about the way this very new team is playing. We will be better with Gil, Grealish and/or Traore playing (although we could have played Cole, who wasn't even on the bench). But we need that bite up front; Gestede may help but can't do it on his own, Ayew at his best seems more of an AM to me, Gabby is too limited, and Kozak seems out of favour. Get a new striker, or stick Jerrard Sellars on the bench.

----Westwood--Veretout----
S.Sinclair - Ayew - Grealish
------------Gestede-----------

on last night I wouldnt mind seeing this of some sort

My guess is that when Gil and Grealish come back then initially it'll be from the bench. Likewise when Traore is introduced.

Against Palace I'd play the same team as last night except Gestede instead of Gabby (some hope). Then bring on Kozak for Gestede and one or more of Gil/Grealish/Traore.

I thought Villa defended well and we did you put you under a lot of pressure in last 30 minutes of both halves.

don't forget about ade leading the line