Aston Villa

Definitive Player Ratings

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Good morning.

Immediate thoughts from me are that Aston Villa are not only not very good at playing football but actually looking a bit broken. I never thought Downing or Young were exceptional players but the stock of both has undeniably improved since leaving the depressing slow motion quicksand of Villa Park.

I remember writing of Villa a long time ago that they were a bit of a nothingy outfit. A ghost ship occasionally bumping into other sides lifting the odd point off of unsuspecting souls. What a fitting home for J****.

So you can only play the lot in front of you.  And boy did we play. Spurs flew out the traps and it was only the early stretch of the second half they braked a little to mop up Aston Villa’s half hearted attempt at joining in.

Tactically we probably benefited from Alex McLeish being in need of some really expensive psychiatric treatment. Arry’s insistence to pollute the game with Defoe sent me into a fit of rage that petered out the more times I kept looking at the score. The Dutchman wasn’t done and once he was replaced with a goal hanger we were a man down.

7 Had zip to do for the most part. Important to remember that his one save was not only very very good, but had it gone in, and you can suspend your disbelief, may have inspired more from them.

 7 His best showing yet. No mucking about and looked every bit like an integral part of the team. More please, young man.

 9 He’s a weapon. No nonsense and determined. If he was a private eye, he’d be Frank Cannon. Everytime he struck the ball by head or hoof there was a boooooooooooooooof! type noise wheeze out of it.

8 Those new multi-directional ballbearing housings are working a treat. Talismanic is an over used word in football. Not here. Christ knows how good he’d be if he fully fit.

7 Don’tcha wish your left back was A&E, Don’tcha? Don’tcha? Assured performance from a man who arrived on an invisible motorcycle and probably left under Manu’s armpit.

 6 Our weakest link. Given the opposition we were due a far superior performance. This isn’t harsh, we’re on our best run since 1837 according to the bloke on the telly last night. We need players right now who are going to add value.

 8 Worth approximately 17 times what we paid for him. He rarely lets anyone down. The fight, the spirit in him shames so many. One of the best buys in my lifetime.

 9 A Champions League performance which got better and better the longer the game went on. His passing really was quite exemplary.

 8 He was very busy boy. Really very close to scoring. Made endless lovely contributions and was just off getting his toe around the ball and taking what I’m sure would have been a memorable goal.

 8 In his element and looking far far fitter than he has in long time. His mix of determination and inventiveness is a pleasure. A real ‘can do’ attitude. Top man.

  9 I’m charmed by him. His work ethic and talent are a joy to behold. Absolutely loving him stroll off with his arms around the officials. Oh yes and that goal was a triffic piece of skill. Anyone who doubts him isn’t in their right mind.

minus 4 Neopolitan swordsman was irritating. Like television set on honeymoon. Unnecessary.

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62 comments

  • Seattlefootball says:

    Great as always, the only thing was VDV asked to get pulled about 5 minutes before he was. Those of us sitting behind the goal in the second half were bummed when we the gesture.

  • dancingbarber says:

    Yet another magnificent performance. Total class from everyone involved (I’ll get to JD in a moment).

    Harry’s coaching skills so often derided on here are finally creating a great team.

    “Run about a bit”
    “Get after them”
    “Don’t give the ball away”
    “Play for 90 minutes”

    It was all being followed to the letter. Aston Villa didn’t get a look in because whenever they tried, just like McCavity, the ball wasn’t there.

    I have to say I wasn’t that bothered about signing PNB but what a difference he makes and it rubs off. Ade chasing back like a sprinter, wow.

    Kaboul you might like to meet him down the pub, but you sure don’t want to meet him on the pitch.

    VDV and Modric are world class playmakers.

    I know what you mean about Defoe. I don’t really mind him saving VDV’s hamstrings from unnecessary exertions, but ,yeah, he’s trying too hard and failing.

    I’m going to lie down now and dream………

  • kwakspur says:

    I would disagree slightly with your ratings

    Fridel 7
    Walker 7
    Kaboul 9
    King 8
    BAE 8
    Lennon 8
    Parker 8
    Modric 9
    Bale 9
    VDV 8
    Ade 9

    Lennon created the 1st chance of the game & if it had been converted that wouldve changed the game for him.
    Not that Im being hard on Ade, he’s played really well the last few weeks, even though he’s not been 100% fit & not scored til last night.
    If this game had been @ the start of the season he wouldve finished off atleast 4.

    I feel like a team is gonna get a Wigan 9-1 from us soon. We created so many chances.

    I hope we contiue our run on Sat. against the kind of team that used to cause us problems.
    Bring on WBA

    COYS

  • toddspur says:

    Ratings pretty accurate; like many though I thought Azza did ok; 7.5 for me

    Nice to see you warming to the best right back in the country HH; so what if he shagged Madame De H; alls fair in love and war….an all that :daumen:

  • toddspur says:

    We have the fear factor

    Thats why taxi for alex set out his stall; trouble is he didnt change it when they went 1-0 down; baffoon. Amazingly he didnt change at 2-0; complete cock

    • Billy Legit says:

      Just had a quick nosey around a Villa forum (sorry H-H), and they are going potty about last night’s so-called performance.

      Mcleish is in deep doo-doo!

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