TRon

It's got to sting a bit hasn't it? Considering Emery was first choice and today we got schooled all over the pitch. There's always a risk playing the way we do with less than blue chip players. We press high trying to create chances, and that leaves us vulnerable to the counter if the likes of Murphy, Willock or Almiron aren't firing the bullets. I guess Howe would argue that we are building an identity, and this is how our team is being set up to play, regardless of who we are up against. Tbf, it's worked pretty well all season against some pretty decent teams. Definitely a learning experience.

Wtf? I wish I knew what this supposed grudge is about. Don't they have any genuine derby rivals or something?

Agree about the back four being a bit ponderous, Villa really exploited it.

Fair play, you must be thrilled watching that though. It was outstanding from Villa, nice football as well.

I don't think anyone was demanding perfection, always thought this was a tough fixture. In the end it wasn't though, it was a rout.

Will take some coming back from tbh. We were outclassed.

We got schooled today. Can't really sugar coat it by calling it a bad day at the office. Soem serious questions were asked and we didn't have the answers.

Bruno getting caught on the ball again. He's had an absolute shocker.

Think there's more to it than that. They've shown that there are some players in our team that really struggle with pace and energy coming at them. Villa have been one of the few teams to really exploit those weaknesses.

They've looked younger, faster and fitter over too many areas of the pitch all game. Some of our lads look like carthorses today.

He's been great today, but can't help wondering how much of that is down to our defenders not being able to cope with his movement.

Getting thrashed.

We have absolutely no control over any area of the pitch today.

He'll need a change of legs by the look of it.

Bruno has been poor as well, but I feel that the whole midfield looks disconnected from the back players, it's all very disjointed. Maybe switch to 4-4-2 like second half against Brentford.

Feels like our lack of pace and athleticism at both full back positions is being exploited by Villa. They are struggling to cope defensively, and then can't offer anything going forward as a result, hence the lack of connect with midfield.

Need to get to half time only 1-0 down tbh.

Then producing fuck all end product.

Feels like they are exploiting our lack of pace in a couple of areas to really stretch the pitch.We aren't really getting close enough to them.

The game's bypassing midfield tbh, the problems are more down the flanks.

We are not getting a grip on this at all, they are playing all around us.

Yeah I expect us to settle down and get a grip soon enough.

Emery has them well set up like.

Ah ok, glad to see he's not holding onto any grudges tbh.