Shak

He's offside, surely?

Felt like Miggy had an easy setup for Wilson there? That's game over anyway. Shite performance.

Isak is such quality.

Good news is we're still in it, game should be dead and buried. I expect there'll be changes and a reaction from us in the second half. Think we'll offer a lot more, but Villa aren't just going to let us back into it. Need a bit of luck (we've already had plenty) and to take a chance if it comes our way because we're getting thumped really.

I've started making sarcastic donkey style noises to myself every time Burn is on the ball or charging in clumsily to a tackle. Feels harsh

I mean, Murphy delayed the ball for no good reason at all.

Looks like we've spent 40m on a shit player in the hope that Eddie can work his magic on him

Villa are relentless out of possession, has to be said.

Seems to have swapped Joelinton and Willock, not sure why they started on the opposite sides of the midfield.

Aye, but there's a difference between what is usually one of our best player's having a bad game and a player who is consistently bad staying in the team IMO.

I mean, it's fundamentally ridiculous criticising Howe for almost anything but Burn has been a liability for a while now and I just don't get the logic in him keeping his place every week because the rest of the team make up for how useless he is and get the win.

Goal came from Burn being a big useless donkey on the ball.

Feel like Willock should be on the left on the midfield three and Joelinton the right. Just feel it's a big part of Willock's game working the left flank and cutting inside while it not really important for Joelinton.

I'd guess a winger will be high on our list of priorities this summer. If expect ASM and Gordon to be fighting for that spot in our strongest eleven. Nice pair of options IMO. Joelinton or Willock can play there too. Murphy seems an ideal fifth man to me. Can go out and do a reasonable job starting if needed and is clearly valued as a sub to go on and help see out a game. I'd expect the addition to be a left footed player who plays on the right. Diaby probably the ideal signing but there'll be other options out there if he's out if reach. New man and Almiron first two choices for the spot. Gordon could come over and play that side in a pinch but I think in an ideal world we'll have inverted wingers.

That was immense. High stakes game, couldn't have scripted a wilder ending

Yeah Pedro just makes far too much sense as someone who can play Isak's role in a similar way while also having the versatility to not be strictly a backup CF. Price bracket I expect us to be operating in too, four or five in that 20-40m bracket.

That was class tbf

Kind of delighted for Arsenal, the hypocritical dickheads.

Aye, in a vacuum it's not a big deal but there were a few whispers about him being a bit of a dickhead which makes it slightly more concerning. A huge reason why we're doing so well under Howe is that it seems like our team spirit is absolutely impeccable so even a hint of someone being a bit difficult is more of a worry to me than it usually would be.

Be interesting to see what sort of team we send out for this, especially if ASM is out. I know Eddie doesn't like to change a winning team but we got badly outplayed until there were major changes at HT so I would imagine he'll not start the same 11 again? Wonder if he'll be tempted to start Isak and Wilson together if Maxi is out. Would ask them a lot more questions than our Joelinton and Murphy on the wings plan of attack today.

+78 isn't an inconceivable score tbf.

Think he'll look even better as the CF in a front three once we get wide men who can get in behind and take advantage of the space Isak is creating when he drops deep and pitch in a few goals. Can you imagine him with Diaby and Kvaratskhelia either side of him? (I'd 100% be into spending $200m on just those two this summer btw. Hold like trials for a new LB and CM, get some local lads in )

He's clearly trying to square it to Wilson.

Aye, he's a beast in the middle of the field. Really hope we see a midfield three of Bruno, Joelinton and Willock soon enough. Longstaff has put in a cracking shift the last few months and I'll always be happy enough to see him in the team as he's extremely reliable but the other three are a step above him IMO.