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

[HarryofOz]

I only listed the mortals

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

[gessa]

Have to admit, I've wasn't looking forward to this game , had a bad feeling everything was going to go against us.
First 20, we were the better team but they looked quick on the break and they seemed to getting the better of the midfield at one point. Then we took total control. I was really worried about Ayling at CB but the style of play of the PL suits him better there than the pumping balls in you get in the Championship.
Well done to Bielsa for bring Struijk off before he got sent off, and well done too to Shacks for taking his chance by the scruff of the neck.
Buzzing after the disappointment of Monday's result.

[Boo Radley]

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.

Spot on mothbanquet!

With the way that cheat Grealish was throwing himself around the pitch collected free kicks like shells on a beach, it was only a matter of time before Strujik would have been sent off. He probably knows that too.

Massive call, and vote of confidence, for Shackleton to step in and hold his own like that. Massive credit to the lad and, as pointed out already, to Bielsa for such a class and timely call.
Just genius!

[Carrick Dave]

I have to admit, before kick-off I thought we'd struggle, and I noticed a fair few on here like me.

These lads just charge forward regardless, it's amazing, a joy to behold and a thing of beauty. Don't quote me next time we lose.

What does Marcelo put in their tea?

Unbelievable, and it's Leeds, not some other team - imagine how the rest are feeling watching us do that to Villa.

Great times to be a Leeds fan, I thought the last two years couldn't be bettered, but making the entire PL sit up and take notice is hard to beat.

[SG90]

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.

A comment on the BBC said Bielsa was a poor manager because of it!

[SG90]

10 points, a quarter of the way there. :D

[SG90]

Should have been shown a

Doesn't play for Leeds. Just like Jimenez kicking Koch.

[The Subhuman]

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

Klich played I think ...

[BGwhite]

10 points, a quarter of the way there. :D

That's all I'm looking at SG

Sent from my moto g(8) power using Tapatalk

[WhiteRose]

Absolutely class performance tonight, was worried after first half it was going to be a repeat of wolves but we just went up a gear and villa couldn't get near.

A side note, Is it acceptable to drag an injured player off the floor by his shirt? Bamford wasnt even appealing for anything.

[Cjay]

Absolutely class performance tonight, was worried after first half it was going to be a repeat of wolves but we just went up a gear and villa couldn't get near.

A side note, Is it acceptable to drag an injured player off the floor by his shirt? Bamford wasnt even appealing for anything.

Was Mings already booked?

Did wonder why he wasnt booked, now i know, ref bottled it.

You cant drag people to there feet by there shirt

[SG90]

Highest position since 20 September 2002!

[mothbanquet]

Going to bang my own drum a bit here but the second and third goals came through the middle. We varied it up tonight and Paddy had the guts to not just rely on service from the wings but have a bloody good crack. I really hope we learn from this.

[1964white]

Certainly did, I can picture it clearly.

Jack redeemed himself tonight, much better tonight Sara

[HarryofOz]

Klich played I think ...

In terms of quality and consistency our best over the last two seasons and this.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Was Mings already booked?

Did wonder why he wasnt booked, now i know, ref bottled it.

You cant drag people to there feet by there shirt

He got booked for the hand in Alioski's face on the corner. No way he should have escaped a yellow for what he did to Bamford

[SG90]

That pass from Raphinha

[CHAPELALLMAN]

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!

Thanks for clarifying BR. No, I listened to it on the radio and may have missed that bit.

It's as though the anger and adrenaline surge did away with his normal hesitancy and nervousness in front of goal.

[SG90]

How great is it to have genuine options from the bench in Poveda and Raphinha?

[Metro1962]

Bamford's 3rd goal was sublime.