‘Genital grinder’ posted this on the match thread and good to have a report from someone who was there and not from the OS.
Results now do not matter of course and people have to remember this is all prep work for the season in a months time.
I just got back from the game.
The game itself was played like an end of season game or even a pre-season friendly…because that’s it all it bloody was!!!!! League of Ireland teams are not that bad, I was very surprised Bohs were so well beaten by TNS, plus, they’re half way into their season and a lot fitter. And despite all that Villa pretty much dominated from start to finish.
As for the players, Ashley was lively all game, Gabby was OK, Downing was alright in the centre but crosses weren’t great, Lichaj made one great run forward, very pacy, Carew made a difference when he came on, Albrighton should probably be our right-winger this season and Bannan also looks like a promising player, the rest were average/solid.
It’s all about getting up to fitness and that’s all it was, anyone moaning and complaining about this result is being ridiculous.
A few signings, and give the likes of Bannan, Albrighton and the others a chance, and we’ll be fine.
Aston Villa News 24/7
So question. Because Albrighton did well, we should be playing him, when he did well in the friendly. But shouldn’t be concerned because half the players didn’t do well during the friendlies? I mean, should we take it seriously and really look at Albrighton? Or do we not take it seriously and not totally care if the team played alright, though dominated? You can’t have it both ways.
good point Andrew !
from what I have read there is no real problem as such, general play was good just at both ends sloppy mistakes, the kind that can be smoothed out during pre season
as for Albrighton you may know I am totally convinced by the lad, he is the only player to have started all the games and played most of the minutes.
This is probably very significant.
should be ok your having a laugh arent you we will be llucky to finish in the top half next season
Typical nonsense reaction to a nonsense game. I bet you’re the kind who thinks we’ll win the league if we win a friendly 8-0. Who cares what the score was?. It’s not about results, it’s about getting match fit. No more, no less.
The only thing that worries me is hearing that Downing was playing in the centre. I sincerely hope this was just a case of accomodating other players, and not indicative of a permanent switch.
Andrew
I not saying Albrighton should be in the first-team just based on todays performance, everytime I’ve seen him he’s impressed me, therefore I think he’s a good player and should be given a chance. As for the “unimpressive”,just because they didn’t perform too well today (Gabby, Downing etc.) we already know that they’re decent players.
For me friendlies are just a good excuse to look at the likes of Albrighton, Bannan, Clark etc., I wouldn’t be worried about the result or the performances from the 1st teamers, they’ve just got back.
Albrighton is quality and last pre season he was outstanding in the peace cup every game but will he get played??? I don’t think so… He need to be loaned out like bannan he needs playing experience
Why are people obsessed with Albrighton? He has looked shite and like a little boy lost every time he has played a “real” game. Its all well and good playing well for the reserves, Ridgewell used to look like Beckenbauer playing for the stiffs and look how shit he turned out to be.
which ‘real’ games ?
the few minutes he played against Liverpool he put over one cracking cross
the few minutes before injury against Brighton when he tore them apart
don;t you think he needs more than to prove himself or not ?
that obviously means he can make it then, one cross and he is the answer to all our prayers.
tore brighton apart, thats some achievement. He should be captain then
what it means is he has some quality when crossing and what it means is that he should be given a greater chance to show it
I don’t think Albrighton should start. But in the 60th or 70th, I would rather replace Downing with Albrighton than replace, for example, Carew with Heskey. Albrighton should certainly see time off the bench.
Juan Pablo Anus, may I suggest you drop the Juan Pablo part of your name and just use Anus as it seems to me that that is exactly what you are
Some of these comments are bordering on the sublime imo.
Ian, I’ll speak to you.
Albrighton is the kid on the right going forward mate, I totally agree.
He can’t track back yet in the way that others do though, so as much as I don’t mind Cuellar at RB, if we play the kid, we need more to help in the right side of our half.
I’m not sure of the solution, but it won’t be Perov.
He’s not mobile enough.
Ireland keeps springing to mind.
As for what we do in pre-season, Dan at AVcentral made a good point.
We had a great pre-season last year.
But lost at home to Wigan, first game.
To all you flappers, stop worrying
to be honest Badger I think that this season every match will have an over reaction either way
albrighton needs games but he is needed for the squad at the moment so no loan, the missed chance was last season, no idea why we did not let him go for 6 months, did Lichaj well.
Ireland is such the obvious one it screams out, Dunne could not have been more open about him
as for results this was poor but it is not about that, it is about building up for 40 odd games
previous seasons actually MON got it spot on the frst ten games we have always done well
I believe Dunne has a partly alterior motive when it comes to Ireland, they are obviously good friends from Man Sheiky days. I agree with wanting to see him in a Villa shirt but i think that Dunne wants him to get his head sorted under O’Neill and come out of his self imposed international exile and flourish for both club and country.
PS game today didnt matter, it was just for fitness. Our top defender wasnt there, ginga ninja Collins was back home in Brum
Badger, good to see you’re still out there mate.
I can’t understand the negativity to some on Albrighton, he hasn’t had chance to prove himself properly either way. I have seen him more than most I suspect even if it is at a lower level and I honestly think he is the best crosser we have at the club. He has deficiencies elsewhere in his game but as far as getting forward wide at pace and whipping the ball in at pace he is better than Ash.
Obviously the result is disappointing but we lose to Walsall nearly every preseason and then finish top 6. Going to be tough this year and I think we will be 5th to 8th. If you look at the opposition now we can play ok, Lpool and Everton could finsih above us and we are 8th. This will be disappointing but I can’t honestly say it would be a suprise
Lets see what the rest of the transfer window brings
Hey up Sid
I don’t need to be converted mate, I think he’s our best crosser too.
As you say, better than Ash, especially whilst running full pelt, imo.
If we aren’t going to start putting the likes of Albrighton into the side what’s the point in having a (successful) youth/reserve side?. Some people get themselves all excited about signing other sides young stars but the same folks don’t want our own to get their chance!. It’s fucking laughable!