[Statesideowl]

We haven't conceded though.

I agree, if Fletcher hadn't gone off and took us out of stride we'd have been leading at the break. Then, who knows?

Fair play to Villa, aside from thuggish stuff they didn't look too bad. I thought they were good for a point, had the game carried on like that Villa looked like the only team to score. A bit of fortune and a composed finish stole 3pts though.

Bannan was forced out of the game, he's a wee man poor lad.

Abdi, Now we know what Watford fans are talking about. Great vision.

Wallace was ok, I agree he's always good for 60 mins. That dive was stupid, I don't want to see that in our game.

Westwood always solid isn't he?

Lees another rock at the back. All in all plenty of positives for a first game. The net worth of Villas team was matched by far less.

[Maddix]

To be fair to Wallace he did get a hand on the back. The pundits would have been saying "he's entitled to go down and its a penalty in their book" if it had been at the other end

[BBB]

Well donr uou lads for beating the vile.

[Imre varadi]

My team for tuesday night is this

Wildsmith
semi
sougou
nuhui
helan
Joao
Buckley




the rest arnt worth risking the end !

[Owlkev71]

Controlled the first half, but were just lacking a bit in the final third. Fair play to Villa for having a go in the 2nd half, but despite the chances they had Westwood only had 1 save to make, while we still created chances of our own. FF finished coolly when presented with the chance and we took the 3 pts. Would have took a point with 5 mins left, but happy with 3 we got.

Westwood 7
Hunt 7
Lees 8
Hutch 7
Pudil 7

Wallace 6
Lee 8
Bannan 6
Abdi 6

FF 8
Fletch 7

Hoops 6
Nuhiu 6
Palme N/A

If Villa play like they did 2nd half they should be thereabouts come the end of the season. As for us, nowt like winning the first game, probably still need 3-4 players, defense and midfield in particular.

Expect the backups for tomorrows game v Cambridge, think I would add Palmer, maybe Melo and some of the young lads we saw in pre-season to Imre's team.

[madsteve]

We're On Our Way!

It shows how much expectations have risen in 12 months that we have just beaten a team relegated from the PL and still a section of fans found things to moan about. How good Villa are is debatable but we need 30 wins for promotion and we have one out of one so need 29 more from 45 matches to reach the Holy Grail.

CC went with a fluid formation which was probably closest to 4231 or 4141 with Fletcher up top and Bannan protecting the defence. We started brightly & dominated the first half although we lost our momentum when Fletcher was forced off with a head injury after a very promising start. The fact that we could bring on Hooper from the bench shows how far we have moved forward since last August.

Abdi also had a promising debut, doing the simple things well & keeping the ball moving. Just when it looked like we would have to settle for a draw, we snatched all three points at the death to maintain our record from last season of winning the most late points. FF took advantage of a poor clearance by the keeper after good pressing by Hooper and finished clinically.

We have the ability to win games by dominating but we can also steal points with players like FF, Hooper & Fletcher, who often only need one chance to win a match.

Westwood - 6 - just routine saves
Hunt - 6 - dangerous going forward but struggled defensively second half
Lees - 7 - goal saving block
Hutchinson - 7 - great positional play
Pudil - 6 - solid, bit tired final quarter
Bannan - 6 - couple of careless passes
Abdi - 7 - linked play nicely
Wallace - 6 - bright start, mixed crosses, ran out of gas
Lee - 8 - ghosted into some good positions
FF - 8 - match winner
Fletcher - 7 - bright start, curtailed by injury
.........................................................
Hooper - 6 - bright, his challenge created goal
Nuhiu - 6 - showed CC's attacking intent
Palmer - 6 - did what was needed

Stat Attack:

Goals: FF - 1

Assists: None

Touches: 65 - Hutchinson, 62 - Abdi, 61 - Lees, FF, 60 - Bannan, 57 - Hunt, 53 - Lee, 50 - Pudil, 46 - Westwood, 35 - Wallace, 24 - Hooper, 20 - Nuhiu, 13 - Fletcher, 6 - Palmer

Tackles: 2 - Hunt, Bannan, 1 - Pudil, Lee, Abdi, Hooper

Interceptions: 6 - Hutchinson, 3 - Lees, Abdi, 2 - Pudil, Bannan, 1 - Hunt, Palmer

Clearances: 16 - Hutchinson, 11 - Lees, 8 - Pudil, 4 - Hunt, 3 - Abdi, Hooper, 2 - Westwood, Bannan, 1 - Lee, FF, Nuhiu, Palmer

Attempts: 7 - FF, 3 - Pudil, 1 - Hunt, Lees, Bannan, Abdi, Fletcher, Nuhiu, Hooper

Attempts On Target: 3 - FF, 1 - Lees, Pudil, Hooper

Key Passes: 3 - Abdi, 2 - Pudil, Lee, Bannan, 1 - Hutchinson, Wallace, FF

Dribbles: 4 - FF, 2 - Hunt, Lee, Bannan, 1 - Abdi, Hooper

Dispossessed: 4 - Nuhiu, 2 - Wallace, Hooper, 1 - Lees, Lee, FF

Bad Control: 6 - FF, 2 - Hunt, Lee, Bannan, Fletcher

Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 9 - Wallace (2), 4 - Pudil (2), FF (1), 3 - Lee (3), 2 - Hunt (0), Bannan (1), Nuhiu (0), 1 - Palmer (0)

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

95% - Hutchinson (41), 93% - Abdi (43), 91% - Lee (34), 89% - Fletcher (9), 87% - Bannan (46), Hooper (15), 82% - Wallace (22), FF (33), 81% - Lees (41), 80% - Nuhiu (5), 78% - Pudil (23), 71% - Hunt (24), 67% - Palmer (3), 46% - Westwood (37)

We again showed our ability to win a tight match. The movement off the ball, particularly from Lee, Abdi, FF & Hooper was for me the difference. CC went for the win even when Villa were getting on top and that attitude will help us get where we want to be.

29 more wins & we are promoted.

---

Would also add that the atmosphere was good although that is hardly surprising in an opening match against a team that has dropped out of the PL. The band kept the tunes flowing & the North Stand boys were magnificent. Let's hope we can continue this atmosphere when it really counts when we play Wigan & Bristol City because that is probably when fan support will be more important.

[Statesideowl]

In the past year, we've beaten Newcastle, Arsenal and now Villa.

A few seasons ago we'd have won none of those games. It is a testament to progress

[Statesideowl]

An interesting perspective from the other side. A Villa fans blog.

http://www.myoldmansaid.com/the-villa-in...wednesday/


It is arguable that Hutchinson should have seen red yesterday. But, by the same standard so should Gardener. The ref gave too many soft yellows in the first half, I'm glad he showed a bit more reserve in the second because he was in danger of losing it. Hutchinson's initial booking for 'Short pulling' was soft and set a precedent, the ref needed to be consistent with that level of discipline from then on. Or, he needed to realize it was harsh and not book the next one. Which still means he unfairly booked a player. Which could be why he let the possible red go? Or simply did not see it.

[madsteve]

An interesting perspective from the other side. A Villa fans blog.

http://www.myoldmansaid.com/the-villa-in...wednesday/


It is arguable that Hutchinson should have seen red yesterday. But, by the same standard so should Gardener. The ref gave too many soft yellows in the first half, I'm glad he showed a bit more reserve in the second because he was in danger of losing it. Hutchinson's initial booking for 'Short pulling' was soft and set a precedent, the ref needed to be consistent with that level of discipline from then on. Or, he needed to realize it was harsh and not book the next one. Which still means he unfairly booked a player. Which could be why he let the possible red go? Or simply did not see it.

The instructions to referees this season give some areas for discretion but other areas for no discretion. Shirt pulling is a mandatory yellow card so presumably short pulling is the same. Visual dissent is also a mandatory yellow card now. This means that referees have to manage & restrict other yellow cards to avoid multiple double yellows late on in games.

[Statesideowl]

Rules like that are going to impact the game quite heavily, we're going to have to keep players like Hutch clam, one full blooded tackle from him is a straight red for many refs. Fessi waving his hands about after getting chopped down can be interpreted as dissent I suppose under that rule?

In all honesty that can't be easy for Officials to keep on top of. At the end of the day though they should know what needs booking and what should be let go.