Match Report: Villa giveth and the ref taketh away

[Olé]

The Gods giveth and the Gods taketh away: in this case Villa gave and the ref took away. At 2pm Grealish and Kodjia were out and suddenly City had scope to control in form opponents - which for the most part they did, until ref Scott Duncan took over.

From what looked a gift, City found that fortune can quickly change to misfortune, the ref turning in an extraordinary display of home officiating. We'd been the more inventive first half and in control, yet ended up chasing a game we were on top in.

Duncan disallowed a perfectly good goal and awarded a penalty for feeble contact,  a foot up for Villa they never looked back on. True El Ghazi caused lots of problems on our right and O'Leary was stunning in goal, but really only the ref separated us.

Aside from City's disallowed goal it was a direct Villa side - quick balls to the wing - who went closest in the first period, but that cannot take away from a well drilled City that like so many of our away games was in control - until the refs intervention.

Given Villa's absences we went attacking from the off and in the 1st minute Eliasson nicked the ball and found space to run on centrally only to drag a shot wide. A set of scrappy Villa corners added up to little but then both sides exchanged huge chances.

After 10 minutes Matty Taylor, back in the side, steered a header wide right at close range after a City break sprung Eliasson on the left. Two minutes later O'Leary had parried an El Ghazi shot after a left wing cross and Adomah headed onto the post.

By now ref Duncan was already starting to show his homely attitude, racing cards out for Pack and then Taylor whilst waving on Villa indiscretions. And on 25 he'd wrongly rule out City's opener, Weimann's looping a near post header in off Eliasson's cross.

City were incensed and rightly so but they continued to press and just two minutes later a quick long ball over the top allowed Diedhiou to control and quickly find room away from his marker to fire off a hurried low shot which was loose and wide.

Again the game swung the other end and on the half hour O'Leary produced a point blank stunning save - his first of several - as once again El Ghazi had room to cross from the left but Hourihane's header was incredibly beaten away by City's keeper .

Before half time a Villa midfielder blatantly handballed in City's half to start an attack and once again ref Duncan was in full on homer mode letting play continue, McGinn winning a free kick on the edge of the box, that Hourihane fired spectacularly wide.

After the restart City again started faster, Hunt breaking into space on the right and a ball over the top getting Weimann clear to force a fierce shot that was deflected for a corner in front of the massed, noisy City fans. Pack headed the corner wide.

By contrast the 39000 Villa fans had been remarkably silent - easily the quietest sell out City may ever be involved in - but they would rally soon enough and the ref again come to their rescue, this time where man of the match O'Leary had stopped them.

First on 50 the young City keeper flapped at an Adomah shot but recovered quickly to again brilliant beat away Hourihane's right footed effort at close range. But it produced a series of corners from which the hosts were given a fortuitous opening.

Out of nothing Hourihane tumbled feebly near Hunt in the box and amazingly, a ref that had shown stunning inconsistency in addressing defensive marshalling at either end (Diedhiou regularly wrestled all over) decided this constituted a clear penalty.

The Villa Park record breaking sponsored silence was rewarded as City's ex loanee Tammy Abraham fired a fortuitous penalty home. Just a minute later and battling City nearly equalised, a high ball over the top finding Weimann clear, only to lash over.

If that highlighted how close the contest was - in sharp contrast to City's previous seasons here - then in truth LJ's brand of solid, fine margin football away from home was already out the window thanks to the ref and finally Villa would find their feet.

After the hour O'Leary saved from McGinn from yet another left wing cross, and then Hourihane headed over off the endless El Ghazi supply. On 65 again El Ghazi found too much space on the left, fed Hourihane who drilled a low shot into the far corner.

By now City were chasing the game while feeble referee Duncan, who'd separated the teams decisively, preened, ran round waving away fouls on City, and yet teared into any opportunity to book or flag City for touching their 'in form' Midlands rivals.

City hit back quickly - no less than they deserved - as we pressed the home back line, Brownhill nodded it over the top, the tireless Diedhiou slashing past the keeper. 2-1 but not quite "game on" as it was the referee not the teams that set the tone.

And that was the problem, City having to chase the game against 12 men, would be too much for us on a good day, let alone one where we seemed to be off target on all our final balls. And so the final minutes were yet more El Ghazi left wing assault.

He teed up Taylor and Davis, whilst for us, still plugging away in Villa's silent stadium, Fam had a shot blocked after good work by sub Palmer, while fellow sub Baker put a header high and wide from Weimann's reverse. That was as good as it got.

In the final ten minutes now buoyant Villa - you can thank the ref for that - drew save after save from the outstanding O'Leary, thought it barely registered with their still largely silent 39000 supporters. Jedniak, McGinn, and Davis would all go close.

In the end City could have been beaten by more - failing to deal with El Ghazi in both halves and every chance (and there was a lot) came from their left. Yet City has had a season weathering such storms away, it was the ref  that made the real difference.

 

O'Leary 9 Not just his best performance in a City shirt but bar a preference to punch was the best from any keeper since Basso

Hunt 4 Love the guy who was effective against WBA but he rolled the red carpet out for El Ghazi today, we were abused by Villa solely from their constant crosses from the left wing, never once got a grip

Da Silva 7 Not the heights of Tuesday but still worked hard and avoided mistakes or time afforded on the other flank 

Kalas 7 Mostly solid under an awful lot of pressure and movement, was pulled out of position a lot, relished playing teammate Abraham who I thought he made look very average when the ref let him compete

Webster 6 For the most part looked classy running out of defence as per, but he gave it away twice in terrible positions and did not offer much support to stem the flow from Villa's left

Pack 5 Usual stuff from Pack - was in and amongst it when we looked good and able to move the ball, but give him it 25 yards out at speed and he is so slow to work out what he wants to do with it, we invariably went backwards 

Brownhill 6 Had a hand in our goal, always looked like he wanted it even at two down, only criticism like Pack perhaps didn't do enough to disrupt Villa's direct balls from the right, but the ref made it very hard to

Eliasson 6 Some dangerous interventions in the first 15 minutes and had earned his start after Tuesday but compared to that he became quite lightweight at times and desire to cut in and cross with his left a bit too obvious and easy to block

Weimann 6 Had his moments against his old team and he ran in behind them a few times to good effect but part of a front 2 that were all too often off cue in the final exchange ball, albeit he nearly equalised and had a perfectly good goal ruled out  

Taylor 5 Love the culture that exists with loving everything he stands for as a leader and shithouser extraordinaire but it is so obvious he is a league below the players around him in both speed and presence

Diedhiou 6 Touch was off for at least an hour but he kept going and his desire in the final moments was all important if we had a chance of beating the twelve men

 

Baker 5 Gave us the change of shape but didn't add much besides his one attacking header that he flashed wide, and arguably we were even worse last 20 but then the ref had got Villa's tails up

Palmer 6 A number or smart balls over the top or through the backline on the floor, but nothing was coming off and no one was on the same wavelength

Paterson 5 On too late to have any effect 

 

Postscript: my apologies to  Abraham who I wrongly accused on Twitter of diving for the pen - the Villa lower tier oddly dished out first to City fans offers an awful view of the football and was hard to see from the other end who bought the refs affections, nonetheless worth saying Tammy looked often easily bumped off the ball or out of control, perhaps why the referee was so sympathetic all game in a way which he never afforded to Diedhiou at the other end

[CityCiderEd]

Great write up @Olé. I thought Hunt was run ragged by El Ghazi and couldn't believe he kept showing him inside every time he got the ball and was never tight enough. 

Max was superb and MT showed he is much more use as an impact sub than a starter. The early headed chance he missed would have given us the lead our start deserved as they looked shaky at the start

Finally the referee........big team syndrome and totally inept compounded by the most awful penalty decision against us. A homer in every sense of the word.

[And Its Smith]

We scored two perfectly good goals and they scored one.

Perhaps Johnson didn’t get it so wrong

[ciderwithtommy]

“Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season”

 

thats pretty much the level of oddness Villa fans  seem to live by. Other than a wrongfully disallowed goal, and a pen that never was, (which you would be angry were given against the mighty Villa) the game was reffed well!! Glad you cleared that up for us. Winning w/o Grealish and the ref is the challenge you may still need to overcome one day. Couldn’t make up an odder club. 

[Guest Rapax]

Yes, apart from the mountain of chances they created 2nd half and the few we did, there was nothing between the sides.

If LJ really takes the hard done by approach into the post mortem of the game, then we're in trouble.

It wasn't a penalty and that's hugely frustrating. The stills posted of Weiman's goal make it look offside. But what I find annoying is in 99 minutes of play, their keeper hasn't made a single save. That's why we lost.

[The Journalist]

I totally understand why fans are frustrated with the referee, but Aston Villa created probably seven or eight really, really good chances.

Adomah and Hourihane both missed what were bordering on sitters before half-time and played through us at will in the second half.

We had plenty of the general play and the disallowed Weimann goal - for which he was level, which is often a tight call when things are moving at pace - was disappointing, but I’m genuinely astounded people think we deserved anything.

[italian dave]

@anotherdayinparadise stop calling us Bristol. We don't call you Aston. 

[Wrongagain]

Just now, The Journalist said:

I totally understand why fans are frustrated with the referee, but Aston Villa created probably seven or eight really, really good chances.

Adomah and Hourihane both missed what were bordering on sitters before half-time and played through us at will in the second half.

We had plenty of the general play and the disallowed Weimann goal - for which he was level, which is often a tight call when things are moving at pace - was disappointing, but I’m genuinely astounded people think we deserved anything.

Every match day there’s at least one team that walks away with 3 points despite having only 20-30% possession, having more chances does not guarantee a win, but yesterday the inept officials cost us, correct result should been 2-1 for us!

[robin_unreliant]

LJ did say they won the game in the first 20 mins of the second half. Which was about right.

First half was pretty even although I thought we looked the more likely. I think the penalty and all the biased yellow cards changed the game. Fouls by City players seemed an automatic yellow while Villa's just got waved on.

Anyone who couldn't see that ref changed the game needs to take a good look at themselves. Once booked a player has to hold back in the tackle and half our team got booked. 

[The Journalist]

2 minutes ago, dave36 said:

Every match day there’s at least one team that walks away with 3 points despite having only 20-30% possession, having more chances does not guarantee a win, but yesterday the inept officials cost us, correct result should been 2-1 for us!

It’s obviously a different game if the Weimann goal isn’t incorrectly disallowed, but we completely lost control - of both the game and our heads - for a large part of the second half.

But, listen, I’m a huge supporter of the head coach and what we’re trying to do as a club when many aren’t, so if we’d sooner concentrate on the officials rather than ourselves to keep things positive that’s fine by me.

[ciderwithtommy]

27 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Until you can somehow grasp that it was the linesman who called the offside goal, not the ref, there is little point debating with you.

So basically, we have "ref gave a disputed penalty" shocker.  It's not the first time it's happened and it won't be the last - It happens every week up and down the country.  

Linesman flags, ref gives it? Still think that’s the rule as far as I am aware, although again I don’t support the mighty villa so I must be wrong. Either way it’s simply a bad call, in a list of bad ones. After the penalty you took control, but had the correct calls been made this game may well have been very different. 

[Son of Fred]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

And your support was very poor,could've heard a mouse fart........do your stands 'double up on Saturdays with the library service???

Never heard a squeek from you until the dodgy pen..

[Dr Balls]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

 The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.

 All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle. 

The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first. 

Your own "one eyed" opinion & "big club" mentality is borne out by these 2 comments alone.

It's very rare, unless you are playing a bunch of thugs, that one side has one "unfair" booking and the other has 6 "fair" ones, plus 2 for the coaches. One thing we have berated our team for over the past few seasons is how soft we seem compared to cynical teams, such as those managed by Warnock. That doesn't change overnight!

And please can we have undeserved penalties when we are missing a few players or can't beat the goalkeeper any other way, "just to balance out" the fact that we aren't winning at home? Penalties should only be given because of the offence committed not because the ref wants to give you a one-on-one from 12 yards out directly in front of the goal to make up for the ones you haven't already taken.

Look, Villa have a budget way bigger than ours, and the players to match, but for most of the season, their team, with a few exceptions (McGinn, Tammy) has been underperforming. They are better with Grealish pulling the strings, but to suggest a "homer" of a referee is due recompense for his absence is frankly bizarre!

P.S. We are CITY. "Bristol"are the egg-chasers who were playing (and beating) Saracens yesterday.

[Stortz]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

Fair play to Villa fans imo. It must be a hard job to be more hubristic and detestable than Leeds, and yet they manage it with such aplomb.

How lucky we are that they should consort with us lower league types.

They are surely the most arrogant, self entitled fans in the country

'Bristol' ffs. How about you **** off?

[steveybadger]

Wasn't there so not going to comment on the accuracy of either report, but this did make me smile:

''It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men''

It's an interesting take on deserving luck. Perhaps City didn't deserve this as they haven't had parachute payments / much smaller wage bill / aren't as close to Spaghetti Junction etc.....

[italian dave]

2 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Elmohamady:  "Villa Park rocking as usual"
El Ghazi:  @avfcofficial fans were as always fantastic.
Abraham:  @AVFCOfficial support was once again!
Aston Villa Official: Our biggest crowd of the season. You more than played your part.
Pathetic, bitter Bristol fan:   "Your support was poor"

Oh no, you've got us there. You've found some entirely neutral views on the support! And I don't think anyone has said your support was poor; 41000 is hard to argue with. Just quiet. And until you scored I thought it was. It's always going to be opinions, but if you thought yesterday was noisy then I hate to think what Villa Park is like on a quiet day in front of 30,000.

[Major Isewater]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

Nice one centurion .

[Stortz]

1 minute ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - You are one eyed and you throw in the "big club" template for good measure.

We beat you fair and square.  We were the better team and even if we hadn't been awarded the penalty, we would have scored eventually.  get over it and stop bleating like a baby, blaming the ref, the EFL and everyone else for your own little team/little budget shortcomings.

I always admire the way that, win or lose, Villa fans are still giant *****.

If you don't like what Bristol City fans write on a Bristol City forum, then off you ****.

You live in Birmingham mate, wind your neck in.

[ciderwithtommy]

19 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - You are one eyed and you throw in the "big club" template for good measure.

We beat you fair and square.  We were the better team and even if we hadn't been awarded the penalty, we would have scored eventually.  get over it and stop bleating like a baby, blaming the ref, the EFL and everyone else for your own little team/little budget shortcomings.

How on earth can you say that with a straight face, fair and square? Look at your first post, you are Villa personified - odd. No one knows what would have happened had the pen not been given.

[Beni71]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

I wasn’t at the game but reviewing the match statistics you deserved to win. That said reading match reports it sounds like the officials made some big calls that influenced the result (disallowed goal and ruling out a goal for offside) and have distracted from the Villa performance.

If you call us Bristol you will Bristol city fans backs up. The same way if we called you Birmingham it would get Villa fans back up. 

You have a good manager in Dean Smith. He plays good football and given the quality and money you have spent on the squad anything less than a playoff place would be under achieving. That said spending money doesn’t always guarantee you the rewards. As you well know.

Would be interested in the financial implications if you don’t make promotion this season? Would you be at risk of FFP.

[daored]

21 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - You are one eyed and you throw in the "big club" template for good measure.

We beat you fair and square.  We were the better team and even if we hadn't been awarded the penalty, we would have scored eventually.  get over it and stop bleating like a baby, blaming the ref, the EFL and everyone else for your own little team/little budget shortcomings.

Hopefully you won’t go up and FFP will catch up with you. Then you can whine about budgets 

[Lew-T]

I’m still yet to meet a Villa fan who isn’t an arrogant dognonce.

Hopefully that’ll change one day..

[sh1t_ref_again]

1 hour ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half

sums up how myopic your opinion is, I had the advantage of watching the stream, you must have had someone shouting in your ear, because up until the ref handed you the game with one of the most farcical decisions i have ever seen, you could not hear the ville at all.

[bakes]

Poor old villa my heart bleeds for them needed the ref to gift them a penalty just because they had a couple of players out to even up the game what a belter

[RedRaw]

17 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

 We were the better team and even if we hadn't been awarded the penalty, we would have scored eventually.  get over it and stop bleating like a baby, blaming the ref, the EFL and everyone else for your own little team/little budget shortcomings.

“ looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men”

What an absolute belter you are. so you deserved the penalty decision based on you having players out and having to play a midweek game....ffs, the more I read it the more astounded I am by your stupidity.

you then clearly go into “we are villa” mode with the quoted post....”we would have scored eventually” “ your own little team/little budget shortcomings.”

You tried to be neutral then slipped fully into ex-prem, billy big bollocks mode....the reason why most fans despise clubs like yours. You deserve each other....now **** off

[ciderwithtommy]

4 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

You are very childish and typical of a small club mentality.

Nobody claims we have a divine right to the PL - That is just something that is invented on here by idiots like you because it adds value to their silly claims.

I have an opinion, just like you do.  Quite why you think I can't voice it just because you don't like it, further demonstrates your small thinking mentality.

As for your pathetic insults, save them for someone who gives a flying one eh?

For me you are a perfect villa fan. So confused, having read your posts it goes from penalty and goal ruled out were unfair, to we win fair and square, all in 20 minutes.  No idea why I am even replying if I’m honest, other than to clarify I hope you don’t go up, and FFP comes home to roost ASAP. 

[Red Army 75]

Really hope these ***** don’t go up . Since there time in the championship they’ve lacked respect. Horrible club 

[Stortz]

3 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

You are very childish and typical of a small club mentality.

Nobody claims we have a divine right to the PL - That is just something that is invented on here by idiots like you because it adds value to their silly claims.

I have an opinion, just like you do.  Quite why you think I can't voice it just because you don't like it, further demonstrates your small thinking mentality.

As for your pathetic insults, save them for someone who gives a flying one eh?

You are able to voice an opinion, and by the same token I am able to proffer mine; that you are a typically arrogant, self entitled Villa *****.

Your fans are hated all over the country exactly because of the way you're comporting yourself now.

Please, please **** off.

[italian dave]

34 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Like your bitter fans views are neutral. 

Don't think I said they were. But you do realise you're on a City fans forum, do you?

[italian dave]

2 minutes ago, Red Army 75 said:

Really hope these ***** don’t go up . Since there time in the championship they’ve lacked respect. Horrible club 

I hope they do (unless we do!). Very happy to not have to go there again next year.

[handsofclay]

5 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

FFP is tight although not as severe as many daydreamers on here seem to think.  If we go down, Grealish will almost certainly be sold which will on it's own get rid of any FFP issues.  Our new owners have been in constant contact with the EFL to ensure that we remain within the constraints of FFP.

Contrary to silly claims on here about David v Goliath yesterday, we fielded 3 loanees, a GK who cost nothing, a RB who cost £1 million, a left back who was given to us along with some money in a player plus cash swap, a midfield that cost around £5 million and a winger who was part of a swap deal for Adama Traore.

You still think there's a chance Villa will be relegated? Must admit I can't see it myself. Which is a worry as maybe my lack of sight will propel me onto the shortlist to ref Villa's next home game!

[italian dave]

5 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I have not once mentioned "we are bigger than you" and would not be so crass as to do so.

However, it seems a favourite pass time on here to be little old Bristol, punching above their weight while all and sundry plot against them.

It is you who dish out all the "prem billy big bollocks" nonsense purely because you think it enhances your pathetic arguments.

"Two nil, on your big day out......" 

Seriously, there can't be many clubs still revelling quite so evidently in something that happened in 1982.

[RedRaw]

5 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I have not once mentioned "we are bigger than you" and would not be so crass as to do so.

However, it seems a favourite pass time on here to be little old Bristol, punching above their weight while all and sundry plot against them.

It is you who dish out all the "prem billy big bollocks" nonsense purely because you think it enhances your pathetic arguments.

Rather than suggesting people can’t read properly, go back over your own posts and tell me you haven’t been giving out the typical ex-prem/“your small club” mentality.

the fact you can’t see it just adds to your total arrogance and lack of class

[Stortz]

3 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I like being hated all over the country.

Better to be hated than to be ignored.  It makes winning games so much sweeter to know so many no marks are upset by it.

Well done you.

You still live in Birmingham though, you poor bastard.

Unlucky!

[Lew-T]

7 minutes ago, italian dave said:

"Two nil, on your big day out......" 

Seriously, there can't be many clubs still revelling quite so evidently in something that happened in 1982.

I couldn’t wait to get back from that slum yesterday.

[Guest Rapax]

What's wrong with Birmingham?

My dog whistle alarm always goes off when people have a pop at Brum. 

[ciderwithtommy]

13 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

But I didn't say the goal was ruled out unfairly - I said I couldn't tell but it seemed close.

Perhaps if you were able to read properly, you wouldn't get yourself so wound up?

And now you love to be hated!! Hahaha you are such an embodiment of delusion. Not hated, not admired, just nothing. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

22 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

FFP is tight although not as severe as many daydreamers on here seem to think.  If we go down, Grealish will almost certainly be sold which will on it's own get rid of any FFP issues.  Our new owners have been in constant contact with the EFL to ensure that we remain within the constraints of FFP.

Contrary to silly claims on here about David v Goliath yesterday, we fielded 3 loanees, a GK who cost nothing, a RB who cost £1 million, a left back who was given to us along with some money in a player plus cash swap, a midfield that cost around £5 million and a winger who was part of a swap deal for Adama Traore.

I've been looking into your FFP, likely projected figures etc.

You're fine for 3 years until LAST season, but unless you've slashed the wage bill big time this season, even after excluded items you're likely a fair bit ovrt for the 3 seasons to May 2019.

If EFL enforced their own rules correctly, you would be docked points assuming varied calculations by me, Price of Football, Swiss Ramble and @yorkshireavfc all broadly correct! (Derby and Sheffield Wednesday also in danger) THIS season.

Clubs have to submit projected accounts for the season and I don't really see how Aston Villa's aren't quite a bit- £20-30m- over the 3 year limit even once legitimate exclusions factored out.

 

[Nagy Mahal]

25 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I like being hated all over the country.

Better to be hated than to be ignored.  It makes winning games so much sweeter to know so many no marks are upset by it.

You realise that this is the main symptom of 'Prem Billy Big Bollocks syndrome' right? And just to top it off you manage to find another unnecessarily provocative remark to stick on the end.

I can guarantee you that the fishing rod emoji is top of your recently used list, and well done, you've got some big bites on here. Strange that isn't it, on a Bristol City forum.

The difference is we will move on to Friday and your strange echo chamber will continue to remind us of yesterday's game, just like the 5-0 last season (which I must say you've done very well not to mention so far). It's a shame you're such a bogey side to us for such vile vile people

[Major Isewater]

49 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

FFP is tight although not as severe as many daydreamers on here seem to think.  If we go down, Grealish will almost certainly be sold which will on it's own get rid of any FFP issues.  Our new owners have been in constant contact with the EFL to ensure that we remain within the constraints of FFP.

Contrary to silly claims on here about David v Goliath yesterday, we fielded 3 loanees, a GK who cost nothing, a RB who cost £1 million, a left back who was given to us along with some money in a player plus cash swap, a midfield that cost around £5 million and a winger who was part of a swap deal for Adama Traore.

At least one loanee who is on 60,000 quid a week ! 

 

[cider-manc]

I hate it when fans say things like 'we deserved to be ahead' or 'your goalkeeper kept you in it' to justify poor ref decisions. 

Well you werent in front and i'm pretty sure a goalkeepers job is to keep the ball out the net.

It was 0-0 before the penalty was awarded - Regardless of what had gone before... It was 0-0. Either team could have gone on to win.

Saves, missed chances and even wrongly disallowed goals are all irrelvant in that moment as it was 0-0. And in that moment the ref couldnt wait to point to the spot.

Perhaps villa would have gone on to win comfortably or knick it late on.

Perhaps villa would have got frustrated as they couldn't get it passed max lose their disipline and we go on to knick one in the last minute. 

Perhaps City would have made different subsitutions and the game would have gone a completely different way.

We will never know because apprently the ref thought villa deserved to be ahead as jack grealish was out ill and they had missed a few chances. 

**** off.

[downendcity]

We all wondered how Villa would manage when losing their creative spark, Grealish, prior to kick off.

Unfortunately, his late replacement, Scott Duncan, was more than capable, assisting in one of their goals and proving equally adept at the other end by stopping an almost certain goal from Weimann.

 

[Nagy Mahal]

7 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - The difference is that by Friday, I will have forgotten all about Bristol.  You lot on the other hand will still be bitter, twisted and wrapped up in all of your hatred and dare I say it, jealousy of all things Aston Villa.

 

You've clearly forgotten our name already. We'll see about who's moved on on Friday when our replies on Twitter will be full of Villa fans inevitably giving it large if we lose, concede, have a goal given offside or perhaps even have a player (or assistant coach) booked. Also, how can anyone be jealous of you if you're so proudly hated by all?

[Stortz]

7 minutes ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - The difference is that by Friday, I will have forgotten all about Bristol.  You lot on the other hand will still be bitter, twisted and wrapped up in all of your hatred and dare I say it, jealousy of all things Aston Villa.

 

And there we have it, conceited, myopic Villa fans summerised in one post.

We aren't jealous of anything about your shitty club mate, more relieved that we aren't followed by the same level of haunted dildos that you are.

You won't forget about us in a hurry, you drive past us every summer on your way to Weston for your holidays.

And it's Bristol CITY ffs.

[JoeAman08]

3 hours ago, CityCiderEd said:

Great write up @Olé. I thought Hunt was run ragged by El Ghazi and couldn't believe he kept showing him inside every time he got the ball and was never tight enough. 

Max was superb and MT showed he is much more use as an impact sub than a starter. The early headed chance he missed would have given us the lead our start deserved as they looked shaky at the start

Finally the referee........big team syndrome and totally inept compounded by the most awful penalty decision against us. A homer in every sense of the word.

Hunt did get beat a lot but thought ref influenced this as well with a soft booking end of first half on Hunt. Think he’d have marshalled El Ghazi better without the booking. Also lets be clear El Ghazi is a top talent and was a few years ago was an elite teenager. Still only about 22-23 and I imagine will play most the rest of his career in top flight sides across Europe. 

Agree about Taylor. He is an impact sub at best. I’d look to move him on in the summer. His goals and assist ratios are decent but these tend to be late in games chasing a goal. 

 

[bcfc01]

5 hours ago, Olé said:

The Gods giveth and the Gods taketh away: in this case Villa gave and the ref took away. At 2pm Grealish and Kodjia were out and suddenly City had scope to control in form opponents - which for the most part they did, until ref Scott Duncan took over.

From what looked a gift, City found that fortune can quickly change to misfortune, the ref turning in an extraordinary display of home officiating. We'd been the more inventive first half and in control, yet ended up chasing a game we were on top in.

Duncan disallowed a perfectly good goal and awarded a penalty for feeble contact,  a foot up for Villa they never looked back on. True El Ghazi caused lots of problems on our right and O'Leary was stunning in goal, but really only the ref separated us.

Aside from City's disallowed goal it was a direct Villa side - quick balls to the wing - who went closest in the first period, but that cannot take away from a well drilled City that like so many of our away games was in control - until the refs intervention.

Given Villa's absences we went attacking from the off and in the 1st minute Eliasson nicked the ball and found space to run on centrally only to drag a shot wide. A set of scrappy Villa corners added up to little but then both sides exchanged huge chances.

After 10 minutes Matty Taylor, back in the side, steered a header wide right at close range after a City break sprung Eliasson on the left. Two minutes later O'Leary had parried an El Ghazi shot after a left wing cross and Adomah headed onto the post.

By now ref Duncan was already starting to show his homely attitude, racing cards out for Pack and then Taylor whilst waving on Villa indiscretions. And on 25 he'd wrongly rule out City's opener, Weimann's looping a near post header in off Eliasson's cross.

City were incensed and rightly so but they continued to press and just two minutes later a quick long ball over the top allowed Diedhiou to control and quickly find room away from his marker to fire off a hurried low shot which was loose and wide.

Again the game swung the other end and on the half hour O'Leary produced a point blank stunning save - his first of several - as once again El Ghazi had room to cross from the left but Hourihane's header was incredibly beaten away by City's keeper .

Before half time a Villa midfielder blatantly handballed in City's half to start an attack and once again ref Duncan was in full on homer mode letting play continue, McGinn winning a free kick on the edge of the box, that Hourihane fired spectacularly wide.

After the restart City again started faster, Hunt breaking into space on the right and a ball over the top getting Weimann clear to force a fierce shot that was deflected for a corner in front of the massed, noisy City fans. Pack headed the corner wide.

By contrast the 39000 Villa fans had been remarkably silent - easily the quietest sell out City may ever be involved in - but they would rally soon enough and the ref again come to their rescue, this time where man of the match O'Leary had stopped them.

First on 50 the young City keeper flapped at an Adomah shot but recovered quickly to again brilliant beat away Hourihane's right footed effort at close range. But it produced a series of corners from which the hosts were given a fortuitous opening.

Out of nothing Hourihane tumbled feebly near Hunt in the box and amazingly, a ref that had shown stunning inconsistency in addressing defensive marshalling at either end (Diedhiou regularly wrestled all over) decided this constituted a clear penalty.

The Villa Park record breaking sponsored silence was rewarded as City's ex loanee Tammy Abraham fired a fortuitous penalty home. Just a minute later and battling City nearly equalised, a high ball over the top finding Weimann clear, only to lash over.

If that highlighted how close the contest was - in sharp contrast to City's previous seasons here - then in truth LJ's brand of solid, fine margin football away from home was already out the window thanks to the ref and finally Villa would find their feet.

After the hour O'Leary saved from McGinn from yet another left wing cross, and then Hourihane headed over off the endless El Ghazi supply. On 65 again El Ghazi found too much space on the left, fed Hourihane who drilled a low shot into the far corner.

By now City were chasing the game while feeble referee Duncan, who'd separated the teams decisively, preened, ran round waving away fouls on City, and yet teared into any opportunity to book or flag City for touching their 'in form' Midlands rivals.

City hit back quickly - no less than they deserved - as we pressed the home back line, Brownhill nodded it over the top, the tireless Diedhiou slashing past the keeper. 2-1 but not quite "game on" as it was the referee not the teams that set the tone.

And that was the problem, City having to chase the game against 12 men, would be too much for us on a good day, let alone one where we seemed to be off target on all our final balls. And so the final minutes were yet more El Ghazi left wing assault.

He teed up Taylor and Davis, whilst for us, still plugging away in Villa's silent stadium, Fam had a shot blocked after good work by sub Palmer, while fellow sub Baker put a header high and wide from Weimann's reverse. That was as good as it got.

In the final ten minutes now buoyant Villa - you can thank the ref for that - drew save after save from the outstanding O'Leary, thought it barely registered with their still largely silent 39000 supporters. Jedniak, McGinn, and Davis would all go close.

In the end City could have been beaten by more - failing to deal with El Ghazi in both halves and every chance (and there was a lot) came from their left. Yet City has had a season weathering such storms away, it was the ref  that made the real difference.

 

O'Leary 9 Not just his best performance in a City shirt but bar a preference to punch was the best from any keeper since Basso

Hunt 4 Love the guy who was effective against WBA but he rolled the red carpet out for El Ghazi today, we were abused by Villa solely from their constant crosses from the left wing, never once got a grip

Da Silva 7 Not the heights of Tuesday but still worked hard and avoided mistakes or time afforded on the other flank 

Kalas 7 Mostly solid under an awful lot of pressure and movement, was pulled out of position a lot, relished playing teammate Abraham who I thought he made look very average when the ref let him compete

Webster 6 For the most part looked classy running out of defence as per, but he gave it away twice in terrible positions and did not offer much support to stem the flow from Villa's left

Pack 5 Usual stuff from Pack - was in and amongst it when we looked good and able to move the ball, but give him it 25 yards out at speed and he is so slow to work out what he wants to do with it, we invariably went backwards 

Brownhill 6 Had a hand in our goal, always looked like he wanted it even at two down, only criticism like Pack perhaps didn't do enough to disrupt Villa's direct balls from the right, but the ref made it very hard to

Eliasson 6 Some dangerous interventions in the first 15 minutes and had earned his start after Tuesday but compared to that he became quite lightweight at times and desire to cut in and cross with his left a bit too obvious and easy to block

Weimann 6 Had his moments against his old team and he ran in behind them a few times to good effect but part of a front 2 that were all too often off cue in the final exchange ball, albeit he nearly equalised and had a perfectly good goal ruled out  

Taylor 5 Love the culture that exists with loving everything he stands for as a leader and shithouser extraordinaire but it is so obvious he is a league below the players around him in both speed and presence

Diedhiou 6 Touch was off for at least an hour but he kept going and his desire in the final moments was all important if we had a chance of beating the twelve men

 

Baker 5 Gave us the change of shape but didn't add much besides his one attacking header that he flashed wide, and arguably we were even worse last 20 but then the ref had got Villa's tails up

Palmer 6 A number or smart balls over the top or through the backline on the floor, but nothing was coming off and no one was on the same wavelength

Paterson 5 On too late to have any effect 

 

Postscript: my apologies to  Abraham who I wrongly accused on Twitter of diving for the pen - the Villa lower tier oddly dished out first to City fans offers an awful view of the football and was hard to see from the other end who bought the refs affections, nonetheless worth saying Tammy looked often easily bumped off the ball or out of control, perhaps why the referee was so sympathetic all game in a way which he never afforded to Diedhiou at the other end

Bit harsh on Hunt as he had been booked near the end of the first half and with that referee he knew that he couldn't get too close to El Ghazi let alone touch him - one dive and Hunt is off.  Maybe he should have been subbed a lot earlier. The ref booked Pack and Taylor early doors and they also knew that he wouldn't hesitate to send them off so that also curbed their game. Six of our players plus Macca and Holden booked with one Villa player booked. Says it all really.

We were up against a very good Villa team who really didn't need the help of the referee.

Hamstrung from kick off imo.

[Rudolf Hucker]

4 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

.

Do you print the internet in Birmingham?

[intercity]

3 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Until you can somehow grasp that it was the linesman who called the offside goal, not the ref, there is little point debating with you.

So basically, we have "ref gave a disputed penalty" shocker.  It's not the first time it's happened and it won't be the last - It happens every week up and down the country.  

Adip, there is no point debating with you. Do jog on, thanks.

[italian dave]

3 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Until you can somehow grasp that it was the linesman who called the offside goal, not the ref, there is little point debating with you.

So basically, we have "ref gave a disputed penalty" shocker.  It's not the first time it's happened and it won't be the last - It happens every week up and down the country, wherever Aston are playing. 

Fixed that for you. 

[downendcity]

6 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Bit harsh on Hunt as he had been booked near the end of the first half and with that referee he knew that he couldn't get too close to El Ghazi let alone touch him - one dive and Hunt is off.  Maybe he should have been subbed a lot earlier. The ref booked Pack and Taylor early doors and they also knew that he wouldn't hesitate to send them off so that also curbed their game. Five of our players plus Macca and Holden booked with one Villa player booked. Says it all really.

We were up against a very good Villa team who really didn't need the help of the referee.

Hamstrung from kick off imo.

Given Hunt's early substitution recently when he was also on a yellow, I was a bit surprised that LJ didn't do the same yesterday, although he didn't have Eros on the bench as an option.

In such a tight game as yesterday's, these early bookings have a huge impact on a team being able to properly compete. It's bad enough when almost every challenge is deemed a foul and fouls deemed worthy of a yellow card, but it is frustrating, to put it mildly, when challenges for which our players are carded, go completely unpunished when carried out by opposition players.

If we weren't hamstrung enough by the yellow card count, ( that's not a typographical error describing the ref,!) the penalty decision was the ultimate kick in the nuts. If that was a penalty then Famara should be winning free kicks almost every time he receives the ball , defenders marking him should be regularly yellow and red carded and we should get a hatful of penalties in a season. 

Fingers crossed LJ can fire the players up to retaliate against the injustice of yesterday in the best way possible on Friday!

[Guest Rapax]

I hope LJ looks into why we only had one effort on target in the game or why crosses were relentlessly fired in unimpeded, why O'Leary was left exposed 11 times, why the shape was too loose to stop their winger and full back cutting in and overlapping, why their Hourihane (sp) a midfielder found himself unmarked 3 times in the six yard box to miss tap ins, rather than use a poor decision (and it was) as an excuse for why we weren't good enough in the biggest game of the season. 

[1960maaan]

4 minutes ago, Rapax said:

I hope LJ looks into why we only had one effort on target in the game or why crosses were relentlessly fired in unimpeded, why O'Leary was left exposed 11 times, why the shape was too loose to stop their winger and full back cutting in and overlapping, why their Hourihane (sp) a midfielder found himself unmarked 3 times in the six yard box to miss tap ins, rather than use a poor decision (and it was) as an excuse for why we weren't good enough in the biggest game of the season. 

I was surprised by the team , not sure even now what the set up was supposed to be. Playing, effectively , 3 forwards and four if you count Eliasson seems odd , in a game against a side in tremendous form and scoring lots of goals. That aside , I still say that the Pen changed the game, it would have been the same if they had taken one of their earlier chances but they didn't. That Pen gave them the chance to relax and meant we were chasing the game. Not positive, but I would imagine several of their chances came after they went 1-0. 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men

So a bad decision by a ref is all fine and dandy because you had injuries and had a player sent off in midweek?

4 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.

Completely wrong. To me the ball was a misplaced pass that went out of play (that part is my opinion only and I cannot say TA went down before or after it went out). But from the thrown in we tried a cross field pass that went straight out of play and you had a throw in, so our goal was not from that passage of play whatsoever.

4 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

How many mins did your keeper waste? Was 6 minutes over - yes without a doubt. But this seems to happen every single game nowadays at every ground. Until time wasting gets properly punished it will carry on as well.

[AppyDAZE]

5 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

Bristol? **** off

Alright, Aston.

[steviestevieneville]

3 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

Elmohamady:  "Villa Park rocking as usual"
El Ghazi:  @avfcofficial fans were as always fantastic.
Abraham:  @AVFCOfficial support was once again!
Aston Villa Official: Our biggest crowd of the season. You more than played your part.
Pathetic, bitter Bristol fan:   "Your support was poor"

What a cock, just because they said it doesn’t make it true. You lot along with Leeds are most arrogant , self entitled bell ends to grace this league . 

It was very quiet until you scored and again after we got one back . You don’t have a god given right to be in the prem like most of you seem to think and if you don’t go up this year you could be royally ****** financially , and yet another year with little old Bristol city. ️ the lot of you

[steviestevieneville]

2 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - The difference is that by Friday, I will have forgotten all about Bristol.  You lot on the other hand will still be bitter, twisted and wrapped up in all of your hatred and dare I say it, jealousy of all things Aston Villa.

 

Jealousy let’s face it you live on a god forsaken shit hole of a city and Aston really is a hell hole . Now **** off 

[Barry Sheene]

3 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

You are very childish and typical of a small club mentality.

3 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I have not once mentioned "we are bigger than you" and would not be so crass as to do so.

 

Do I need to say anymore?

[Portland Bill]

2 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

No - The difference is that by Friday, I will have forgotten all about Bristol.  You lot on the other hand will still be bitter, twisted and wrapped up in all of your hatred and dare I say it, jealousy of all things Aston Villa.

 

Were not a big club, not a small club. We’re in the middle somewhere, but to say we will ever be jealous of Aston Villa is simply hilarious, what a ridiculous thing to say. 

[Alex_BCFC]

We were never in control of that match at any point.

First half it was an even game where we could have been leading but for a marginal offside call. However so could they with Adomah and Hourihane missing easy chances.

What didn't help was the amount of yellows given and then the penalty decision. This turned a decent even match into Villa's favour and we had to change our shape to try and get back into it.

[JBFC II]

3 hours ago, italian dave said:

"Two nil, on your big day out......" 

Seriously, there can't be many clubs still revelling quite so evidently in something that happened in 1982.

I can think of another, and they just happen to share our city... 

[pillred]

5 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

See you in the play off final, hopefully the referee will be a bit more even handed, despite what you say the game could have gone either way right up until the ref decided it was time to give the BIG team a bit of a helping hand, it knocked the wind out of our sails (and all the other clichés ) he was the difference on the day, we will never know how it would have gone had that pen not been given, hopefully if we play you again the real best team on the day will prevail.

[REDOXO]

I don’t get this deserved to win shit. They missed all their chances or OLeary saved them. Villa were handed a ridiculous penalty and some seem to engage in the Villa deserved a dodgy peno for there effort. 

Wiemann was onside. I thought so our coaching team thought so (2 of them booked for protests) and most in the ground could not believe the flag. That however was a  linesman decision

the referee was the worst homer I have ever seen! The penalty was ridiculous and in the event that he allowed us to be knocked around and gave nothing while if you so much as breathed near a villa player (see penalty) you were pulled up it’s not surprising Villa had a lot of possession. In fact it’s pretty obvious. 

The assessor spent half an hour with Johnson after the game and I suspect the report will be scathing on officials who failed miserably

however time to move on!

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

I don’t get this deserved to win shit. They missed all their chances or OLeary saved them. Villa were handed a ridiculous penalty and some seem to engage in the Villa deserved a dodgy peno for there effort. 

Wiemann was onside. I thought so our coaching team thought so (2 of them booked for protests) and most in the ground could not believe the flag. That however was a  linesman decision

the referee was the worst homer I have ever seen! The penalty was ridiculous and in the event that he allowed us to be knocked around and gave nothing while if you so much as breathed near a villa player (see penalty) you were pulled up it’s not surprising Villa had a lot of possession. In fact it’s pretty obvious. 

The assessor spent half an hour with Johnson after the game and I suspect the report will be scathing on officials who failed miserably

however time to move on!

 

If you create a lot of chances, that tends to indicate merit or otherwise I'd have thought.

However the officials and particularly the ref played a large role in this result. Would we have won? Not sure. Drew? Certainly! Fair chance anyway.

[REDOXO]

18 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

If you create a lot of chances, that tends to indicate merit or otherwise I'd have thought.

However the officials and particularly the ref played a large role in this result. Would we have won? Not sure. Drew? Certainly! Fair chance anyway.

I agree chances are an indication of merit. It would be glorious if we all got what we deserved on merit. 

Villa didn’t win because of the chances they missed or were saved they won because of outrageous decisions from start to finish with two in particular mind blowing misinterpretations of the laws. 

If Weimanns perfectly good goal had stood we would have had a different game. If we did not have to chase a game due to a penalty from fantasy island we would have had a different game. 

Still moving on. Another game on Friday. 

[189thoughts]

5 hours ago, Rapax said:

What's wrong with Birmingham?

My dog whistle alarm always goes off when people have a pop at Brum. 

Ugly city with a horrible city centre, a lack of culture and shit pubs.

Also THAT accent.

[italian dave]

3 hours ago, Pabloavfc said:

Villa fan coming in peace. 

Not sure where the hostility between us both comes from, guess its the fact both of us are aiming to go up. 

My view of the match, for what its worth, is that is was an incredibly close first half, we both missed a sitter and then your wonder keeper made an incredible save. I don't know how either side can be so confident on the offside, for me its way too difficult to tell. I liked that Andi wasn't going to celebrate. 

The penalty was soft as anything and i'd be furious if it was given against us. From that point we dominated and could have scored four or five. In my probably biased opinion i feel we probably would have won without it. We are in amazing form and have some quality players performing right now. 

In terms of our home support noise, it has been average for a good few years. Its getting better but we had a few years of being a horrendous footballing team, with players and managers the fans couldn't stand and an owner we all wanted rid of. I believe those years have had an impact and its taking awhile for it to get back. A lot of negativity surrounded us for consecutive years. 

Our stadium is certainly outdated in a few areas but i absolutely love villa park.

I've heard a few fans describe us as arrogant and think we should win because we are aston villa. To be honest i think our expectations are high because of the money we've spent. Its why Bruce was under pressure to deliver and why we expect this squad to seriously challenge for promotion. Most reasonable fans know the mess we became. In my opinion the team that relegated us is the worst team in premier league history. 

Good luck for the next few games. I have a feeling we will meet again. 

Thanks for a much more balanced viewpoint! 

Would you have won without the pen; it's a good question. I can see why you'd think that you would, and normally I'd agree. Certainly you're in one of those runs where everything seems to be going right, injury time winners, penalties and so on. And on that basis alone you're probably right. But our away form this season has been extraordinary, and we've picked up points and wins in the most unlikely places, and sometimes against the odds.

To be honest, I think it was the bookings as much as the penalty that really made the difference. We had players scared to challenge. And you need to bear in mind that this ref gave one of our players a second yellow earlier in the season in those circumstances where you'd normally expect the ref to keep his card in the pocket, you know, probably just about a first yellow but not a second. 

I'm not sure about the rest of Villa Park, but the away facilities really are poor! And taking 90 minutes to get onto the motorway, and then look over to see the ground, really is the last straw on a day like yesterday!

Best of luck, and I just hope that if we do meet again this season it's with a different ref!

[maxjak]

2 hours ago, REDOXO said:

I don’t get this deserved to win shit. They missed all their chances or OLeary saved them. Villa were handed a ridiculous penalty and some seem to engage in the Villa deserved a dodgy peno for there effort. 

Wiemann was onside. I thought so our coaching team thought so (2 of them booked for protests) and most in the ground could not believe the flag. That however was a  linesman decision

the referee was the worst homer I have ever seen! The penalty was ridiculous and in the event that he allowed us to be knocked around and gave nothing while if you so much as breathed near a villa player (see penalty) you were pulled up it’s not surprising Villa had a lot of possession. In fact it’s pretty obvious. 

The assessor spent half an hour with Johnson after the game and I suspect the report will be scathing on officials who failed miserably

however time to move on!

 

Good points....well made.  Will interested parties ever have access or knowledge of the assessor's report,  or is it in house confidential?  It surely is only fair that the level of incompetence displayed by the referee should be penalised, but I suppose we will not be made aware of what has taken place.  Though I am certain that next time he officiates a City game he will be welcomed with open arms?  If only we had, like Americans, the right to bear arms.

[REDOXO]

What used to happen is if the report is scathing enough he will appear before a division of the FA/Referees panel. 

From there he will be put on notice of assessment and he may not be considered for high profile games for a while. 

The club will almost certainly write to the governing body and request he not be given our games with the reasons and supporting evidence. Although that will be down to the match officials people. The linesman will also be assessed in view of the disallowed goal  as it was such a high profile game as clearly the call was so tight the benefit of the doubt is given to the forward. Which if it were Villa it would have been!

Its been a long time since I was doing games so that may have changed. 

[AppyDAZE]

There was me thinking VAR was coming in year, and only in the Prem.

How wrong I was.

Villa Assisting Referees are up and running already this season, I'll be ****ed

8 wins in a row, not surprising at all really.

[Hellfire Corner]

10 hours ago, anotherdayinparadise said:

I wasn't going to reply to any comments post match but quite honestly, that report is nonsense and not worth the paper that it is written on.

Firstly, I think the AW offside is too close to call and from where I was sitting (in line with the cameras), I couldn't tell if he was on or off.  However, the linesman, NOT THE REF was in line and he called it as off.  A slice of luck for Villa nevertheless.  The penalty was also harsh and if the roles were reversed, I would have been disappointed for it to be given against us.  That all said, I really don't care how we win at this stage of the season.

Villa went into this game having played a very difficult match with 10 men a few days before.  We were also without our 2 1st choice central defenders and our main playmaker (whose absence cannot be underestimated).  At 3pm, I feared the worst.  Contrary to the report, it was Villa who came out of the blocks and carved several chances, playing neat crisp football.  Bristol were not in the game and then, within the space of a minute, they missed a header (Taylor?) that they could have done better with and then AW had his offside goal.  After that, Bristol did gather a bit of composure and a good game began to unfold with two teams who were trying to play football in the right way.  The above report lost all credibility when it suggested that Villa were direct.  It was still Villa who were on the front foot and 2 remarkable saves by the keeper, followed by a poor header at an open goal from Adomah saw the game end at half time with no goals scored.  Contrary to the report (and I sit on the half way line), Villa's fans, although not great, were still in voice for most of the half and a section of Bristol fans had also been in voice although neither were in full voice.  All bookings were deserved with the exception of McGinn's who was booked for a mistimed tackle.  One of the Bristol bookings involved McGinn being hacked after he'd gone past the player - It was cynical and had it been the last man, he would have been off.  The other one was a very bad foul that also bordered red.  The Bristol defenders were also all over Abraham, in one instance, play on was waved when the defender was over Abraham with the defenders head 2 foot in front of Abraham, his feet behind him and Abraham underneath.  I have noticed, especially in the Championship, that refs tend to allow play on when the striker backs into the defender and the defender climbs all over him.

Half time ended with Villa having created the better chances and higher possession but Bristol also contributing to a good, competitive game.

The second half began with Villa taking a further grip on the game and again, the keeper pulled off 2 unbelievable saves with another 2 golden chances also being squandered.  Bristol were offering nothing at this stage and it seemed only a matter of time before a chance went in.  The inevitable goal came from fortuitous circumstances when a soft penalty was given.  It looks like minimal contact was made but it was no more than Villa deserved and perhaps balanced out the advantage that Bristol had, regarding injured/suspended players and having to play a midweek away game with 10 men.  To their credit, Villa went for more, rather than sitting back and duly doubled their lead.  Had the penalty not been given, who is to say that we would not have done this after this goal if it had been the first.  Contrary to the rather silly and bitter comments in the report, there was not a sponsered silence, apart from in the away section and by now, the ground was rocking as all 4 sides were bellowing out chants in unison.  At this point, it was Bristol who went a bit gung ho and started to play the game in their opponents half.  They pulled a goal back in rather controversial circumstances when a Villa player put the ball out so that his colleague could receive treatment.  Bristol rather unsportingly retained the ball from the throw in and went up the other end and scored.  It was a nervy last 15 minutes with Villa on the back foot now but in reality, Bristol created nothing, despite being given a ridiculous 6 added minutes in order to try to do so.

My feeling is that it was a good Championship game and very competitive.  Bristol played their part but were deservedly beaten.  Villa showed that they can win without Grealish in the side (something they have rarely done this season) and we were fortunate that the number 9 either had an off day or isn't very good as he rarely troubled our makeshift pairing.  By the posters own admission, he had a poor view of the game and even mistook Abraham for Hourihane for the pen - Sums his report up perfectly.  Away fans are purposely put on the side so that the home team attack 2 ends with home fans in.  The lower tier is dished out first because it holds more and when teams only take half the allocation, it is the lower tier that is sold.  It is Bristol's fault for selling it first if they took the full allocation at once.

Why were Villa playing Bristol? Surely it should be Aston v City!