Aston Villa v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Struijk starts in defensive midfield

[SG90]

Jamie Shackleton never plays badly. A star in the making.

That's why I didn't want us to sign Cantwell.

[Aussieleeds]

I also want to salute the tactical genius of God in making that 20th min substitution. Pascal will recover, I remember Kalvin going off after a similar in our first game against Swansea(?). But that sort of decisiveness is why Bielsa is the greatest.

This. Short of defenders on the bench and he’s still prepared to play it as he sees it.

[1964white]

Anyone still want Ollie Watkins instead of Bamford?

One shot in added-on-time

We did a job on Grealish, Watkins, McGuin & co tonight

Tbh we looked like Brazil in their pomp

[Boo Radley]

Maybe the trick in future will be to get Alioski to tread on Paddy's toes whilst they are walking down the tunnel...Something wound him up tonight for sure.

Not sure if you saw the game CM, but it was Mings that pissed Bamford off by dragging him up off the ground by the shirt and pushing him away with an elbow in the face. How he got away with that was unbelievable and Bamford was in a temper after it. He hardly celebrated his second goal soon afterwards because of it.

Must organise another dust up for him in every other game now. The second and third goals were outstanding.

What a superb win. - really proud of the team!

[andrewjohnsmith]

That's why I didn't want us to sign Cantwell.

Absolutely agree. Chances for Shacks would have been looking slim, Now he looks like he could be key component with Phillips out.

[Cjay]

Fantastic performance, 1st half was good, 2nd half was sensational.

Villa couldn't cope with our movement and slick passing.

Defensively we handled them easily, Villa couldn't cope with us at all.

Even the Grealish chance off the line was caused by our sloppy play not decent Villa play.

So many great performances.

Bamford.
Shacks
Klich
Harrison
Costa
Ayling
Dallas
Rodders
And some lovely passes from Raph the one to Harrison was top draw.

Was a lot of banter between fanbases before the game, Villa fans pointing out they were unbeaten and beat Liverpool well.

Leeds fans mentioning how vs Leicester and Liverpool key players for both were missing especially Leicester.

Well based on tonight it does make you question how much of an impact those players missing had because that performance from Villa tonight made them look like the relegation threatened side they were last season.

An absolute chasm in class all over the pitch.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Not sure if you saw the game CM, but it was Mings that pissed Bamford off by dragging him up off the ground by the shirt and pushing him away with an elbow in the face. How he got away with that was unbelievable and Bamford was in a temper after it. He hardly celebrated his second goal soon afterwards because of it.

Must organise another dust up for him in every other game now. The second and third goals were outstanding.

What a superb win. - really proud of the team!

Shocking that Mings didn't get at least a 2nd yellow for that. There were two violent acts in there.

[Aussieleeds]

See Jurgen. That’s how it’s done. Just ask the Master.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Well based on tonight it does make you question how much of an impact those players missing had because that performance from Villa tonight made them look like the relegation-threatened side they were last season.

Who said we needed more strength in depth? Best player missing. Captain missing. Spanish international missing.

More proof that Bielsa teams are much more than the sum of their individual parts

[1964white]

Couldn't watch '64 didn't get to listen either mate.
But so proud of this club .

You missed a treat Paddy

Football Focus, MOTD 1 & 2 should be interesting this weekend, surely they can't ignore us after that performance

[SG90]

Pascal needn't worry. Same thing happened to Kalvin early on in Bielsa's reign, he will learn and improve from it.

[andrewjohnsmith]

See Jurgen. That’s how it’s done. Just ask the Master.

It makes me laugh how much news time Van Dijk being injured is getting. We have 3 big defensive players missing, but we just get on with it, and do something like this

[Boo Radley]

That was absolutely brilliant. Grealish might have had a couple but the way we attacked was tremendous. It's almost like we invite teams in just so we can hit them with the sucker punch. Today we were sensational on the break. Best I've seen us play.

Totally agree AJS!
Yes, Villa could have gotten a goal but we could have had 6.
Our football was just wonderful to watch and we made them look the glorified Championship team that they really are.

Agree it was the best I’ve seen us play as well. Such a shame this one was on PPV.

[HarryofOz]

Fantastic performance, 1st half was good, 2nd half was sensational.

Villa couldn't cope with our movement and slick passing.

Defensively we handled them easily, Villa couldn't cope with us at all.

Even the Grealish chance off the line was caused by our sloppy play not decent Villa play.

So many great performances.

Bamford.
Shacks
Klich
Harrison
Costa
Ayling
Dallas
Rodders
And some lovely passes from Raph the one to Harrison was top draw.

Was a lot of banter between fanbases before the game, Villa fans pointing out they were unbeaten and beat Liverpool well.

Leeds fans mentioning how vs Leicester and Liverpool key players for both were missing especially Leicester.

Well based on tonight it does make you question how much of an impact those players missing had because that performance from Villa tonight made them look like the relegation threatened side they were last season.

An absolute chasm in class all over the pitch.

What the CJay? You didn't list Alioski , he was great.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Pascal needn't worry. Same thing happened to Kalvin early on in Bielsa's reign, he will learn and improve from it.

I think Strujik understands. He started well. But he would have had Grealish and Barkley running at him and not be able to put a tackle in. Obvious decision to make, although most managers would have been too weak to make it.

[1964white]

Ming's is a complete tool

Should have been shown a

[andrewjohnsmith]

Totally agree AJS!
Yes, Villa could have gotten a goal but we could have had 6.
Our football was just wonderful to watch and we made them look the glorified Championship team that they really are.

Agree it was the best I’ve seen us play as well. Such a shame this one was on PPV.

Correction - Bamford could have had 6 alone

[Boo Radley]

Correction - Bamford could have had 6 alone

Absolutely

[1964white]

I suggest everyone watch Raphinha's movement off the ball for a moment or two...

A beautiful sight to behold

[Cjay]

What the CJay? You didn't list Alioski , he was great.

I only listed the mortals

Not fair to compare them to godlike figures like Ali and Pablo