Villa Player Ratings

[ac gull]

Here goes:

Kuipers - 7 or 8 - good kicking, great save second half, possibly could have done more re first goal - too far to right of goal for their third

Calderon - 7 - looked good
Elphick 8 - decent game, in good position to score equaliser
Virgo - 6 - only one that played hoof ball
McNulty 7 - did well up against pace

Bennett - 5 or 6 - quiet game
Crofts - very good - 8 - never gave up
Navarro - first time I've seen him - did ok - 6
Dicker - 6 - gave ball away cheaply about 30 sec in, lead to pressure they scored their first from

Murray - 7 - good game, should have done better when twice one on one with their goalie - hit row z in holte end each time
Forster - 9 - man of match for me, didn't stop running, great football brain

Subs

Dickinson - 6 - not physical enough at times to retain posession
Carole - 7 - surprisingly good, forced good save from their keeper
Cox - 8 - wanted the ball, did well down the right, out to prove a point to Gus

 

[RM-Taylor]

Mcnulty had a bad game today I thought.

 

[dwayne]

Mcnulty had a bad game today I thought.

Agreed not the same player since he has come back...way off the pace today

 

[strings]

Difficult to judge against Premiership opposition. I don't think anyone had a great game and I don't think anyone had a particularly poor game, but like the game at Walsall, I thought it was a very good team performance.

I'm not going to say anything further. I had a fantastic afternoon and am proud of the team performance.

 

[El Presidente]

FDM 6 One excellent save, poor kicking too often, little could be done for the goals
McNulty 4: Looks hesitant throughout and was at fault twice for the first goal, initially by giving the ball away and then diving in.
Virgo 7: Some excellent last ditch tackles.
Elphick 6: Seems to be developing a good understanding with Virgo, still backs off too long for my liking
Calderon 7: Sometimes popped up on left midfield, sometimes on the right wing, occasionally played at right back, but never dull.
Dicker 7: Looked our best player first half, but presumably was injured and had to be substituted
Crofts 6: Ran about well, but did little to impose himself
Navarro 6: Same as for Crofts, took a good yellow card for the team
Bennett 5: As usual flitted in and out of the game. A couple of good crosses.
Forster 6: Took goal well, other than that had little service
Murray 6: Two half chances, both missed the target, one sublime Cruyff turn in the second half showed his ability.

 

[onthebeach]

well i aint gonna rate any of them today cos i think they all did bloody well from what i saw at the game and at least gave villa a game and not a huge defeat which probably most thought would be happening. Well done the lads you should be proud of yourselves. get yourselves out on the town and have a good night. looking forward to going to stockport now on tues night. only 20 mins down the road for me.

 

[Teddy Maybank]

Just got back.
Great day out.
The thing that impressed me was, that as a team we tried to play one touch football, with the ball on the ground in neat triangles, and this against Premiership opposition. OK is wasn't all Villa's first team, but it was Millner, Downing, Young etc. Thought everyone was very solid 6 or 7s apart from Calderon, Croft and Dicker who I'd give 8s. Oh Bennett had another quiet game. The future is growing brighter.

 

[Leicester Seagull]

just got back. I'm not going to try and rate individual performances as quite frankly I'm no pundit!

What I will say though is that I was very impressed with our passing at times and the way that we kept the ball in the first half, and sure enough, we began to gradually creep back into the game. We were well worth our first goal when it came! marvelous scenes when Tommy scored

If I'm honest though, I think that the final scoreline flattered us a bit as we just never seemed to recover from their second goal and villa really were in cruise control for the majority of the second half. They were just so clinical on the break and it was a real sucker punch when they scored their second, we let ourselves down a bit in that respect

Still, Nicky's goal made things a bit more respectable and we worked hard as a team. Let's just hope that we can carry that over into the league and press on up that table!

Also, to those slagging off Virgo for hoofing; personally I just think you have your own agenda as he made some brilliant tackles and clearances today. As did Elphick (although he was lost for pace in the build-up to their first goal when perhaps he should've prevented the cross). But hey- we were playing Aston Villa reserves + a few first teamers, not a league one side!

All in all, a brilliant day! :albion1:

 

[sir danny cullip]

Kuipers - 7 - Made one really great save in the second half, all happened a bit quickly though so couldn't see it properly, few dodgy kicks but generally sound

Calderon - 8 - Great game, very quick to close Villa down although as a result got dragged too far forward a couple of times.
Elphick 8 - Solid performance.
Virgo - 7 - Same as Elphick but not as composed on the ball going forward.
McNulty 6 - Always going to have a torrid time against Villa's wingers, at fault for third goal and still looks a bit off the pace to me.

Bennett - 7 - Looked dangerous when he had the ball but didn't get it enough, worked hard defensively as well.
Crofts - 7 - One of his quieter games but still worked hard with a few nice touches.
Navarro - 8 - Thought he was brilliant today, not usually his biggest fan but the role he played sat in front of the back four and breaking things up was vital when Villa tried to counter (cannot believe I've given him a rating that high!).
Dicker - 6 - Very quiet, not his fault he ends up being stuck out on the left though.

Murray - 8 - Looked a class above today, shame he couldn't get a goal.
Forster - 7 - Thought he was a little bit quiet today actually, snatched at a few shots early on where he maybe could have done better but was still a threat in behind the back four all game.

Subs

Dickinson - 6 - Didn't make much of an impact.
Carole - 7 - Couple of good runs, let's hope the old Seb is back.
Cox - 7 - Looked lively.

 

[ac gull]

no particular agenda re Virgo

felt sorry for him last season asked to play so many positions

just frustrated with a couple of long ball stabs upfiled - guess must be getting too greedy - as wanted us to carrying on playing the passing game in extra time as well

hadn't seen the team since Wycombe 4-4 result - since then Virgo looks like he has lost weight, gained fitness and started to play like I hoped he would when we re-signed him 18 months ago - guess he has woken up to the fact he has got from now until the end of the season to earn himself a new contract -if he plays like he did today for rest of season, then he will have earn't himself a new contract

can't say fairer than that

 

[Giraffe]

I nthought Virgo did okay actually. One man's hoof ball is another man's clearance/cross field pass!

McNulty struggled, but understandably.

Midfield was the difference, worked well for twenty minutes in the first half when we dominated. Bit disappointed with Forster in the first half. Thought he struggled to get space. Murray and Bennet did enough to suggest they could play in the Championship without much adjustment.

 

[Leicester Seagull]

no particular agenda re Virgo

felt sorry for him last season asked to play so many positions

just frustrated with a couple of long ball stabs upfiled - guess must be getting too greedy - as wanted us to carrying on playing the passing game in extra time as well

hadn't seen the team since Wycombe 4-4 result - since then Virgo looks like he has lost weight, gained fitness and started to play like I hoped he would when we re-signed him 18 months ago - guess he has woken up to the fact he has got from now until the end of the season to earn himself a new contract -if he plays like he did today for rest of season, then he will have earn't himself a new contract

can't say fairer than that

fair do's mate can't say I disagree with any of that. it was frustrating when he gave it away at the end, just thought that apart from that, he gave a solid performance.

hope you're right and Gus has given him the wake-up call he needed by dropping him as captain and leaving him out of the team a few times!

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

cheeseburger #1 9/10
cheeseburger #2 8/10
cheeseburger #3 8/10
cheeseburger #4 10/10 my burger of the day, extra slice of cheese and at a time when i was lost and couldnt remember the way back to the car

 

[Leicester Seagull]

I nthought Virgo did okay actually. One man's hoof ball is another man's clearance/cross field pass!

McNulty struggled, but understandably.

Midfield was the difference, worked well for twenty minutes in the first half when we dominated. Bit disappointed with Forster in the first half. Thought he struggled to get space. Murray and Bennet did enough to suggest they could play in the Championship without much adjustment.

agree with this also- if anything I'd say that forster was my biggest disappointment today, despite his goal! (never thought I'd say that!); he just never got going and seemed to have the first touch of a rapist at times when receiving the ball! however, could just be down to bad distribution I suppose
He also sliced that shot terribly in the first half! couldn't believe it!

 

[Husty]

Kuipers - 8 Iffy on first goal, few decent saves and good kicking, looked better than their keeper frankly
Calderon - 8 - tired towards end of the game, breath of fresh air compared to hoyte.
Elphick 8 - scored a goal, solid rest of the game, if only he was like that every week
Virgo - 9 - has really earned his starting place, magnificent throughout, couple of hoofs but we played our way out of danger so much it didnt really matter, hope he keeps it up.
McNulty 8 - Hope he has silenced the 'can he defend?' crowd, Has to start next match

Bennett - 7 on defence duty often, got forward well a couple of times
Crofts - 6 - Quiet game, won ball cleanly a times but paled in comparison to navarro
Navarro - 9.5 - Gave ball away a couple of times but apart from that was magnificent throughout, worked and worked, loads of good passing, looked hungry for the ball.
Dicker - 7 - Has had better games, a few of his cheaky flicks e.t.c were read easier by their midfield but on the whole was his normal self, smooth silky and reliable.

Murray - 7 - Looked dangerous but their back 2 generally had the best of him, maybe because it wasnt a televised match?
Forster - 8.5 - Well taken goal but showed his age against their faster defense

Subs

Dickinson - 7 - despised him at first but am warming to him under poyet, now has a great attitude and never stops chasing it, deserves a start soon.
Carole - 4 - some good flashes but barely noticed he was there much of the time, just how I remember, get rid.
Cox - 7 - Looked good, but not sure how he really fits into the current squad, especially away from home.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Nobody less than a seven.Nobody more than a nine.

 

[BensGrandad]

Kuipers - 8 Iffy on first goal, few decent saves and good kicking, looked better than their keeper frankly
Calderon - 8 - tired towards end of the game, breath of fresh air compared to hoyte.
Elphick 8 - scored a goal, solid rest of the game, if only he was like that every week
Virgo - 9 - has really earned his starting place, magnificent throughout, couple of hoofs but we played our way out of danger so much it didnt really matter, hope he keeps it up.
McNulty 8 - Hope he has silenced the 'can he defend?' crowd, Has to start next match

Bennett - 7 on defence duty often, got forward well a couple of times
Crofts - 6 - Quiet game, won ball cleanly a times but paled in comparison to navarro
Navarro - 9.5 - Gave ball away a couple of times but apart from that was magnificent throughout, worked and worked, loads of good passing, looked hungry for the ball.
Dicker - 7 - Has had better games, a few of his cheaky flicks e.t.c were read easier by their midfield but on the whole was his normal self, smooth silky and reliable.

Murray - 7 - Looked dangerous but their back 2 generally had the best of him, maybe because it wasnt a televised match?
Forster - 8.5 - Well taken goal but showed his age against their faster defense

Subs

Dickinson - 7 - despised him at first but am warming to him under poyet, now has a great attitude and never stops chasing it, deserves a start soon.
Carole - 4 - some good flashes but barely noticed he was there much of the time, just how I remember, get rid.
Cox - 7 - Looked good, but not sure how he really fits into the current squad, especially away from home.

Which game did you go to as it couldnt have been the one at Villa Park.

 

[Husty]

Which game did you go to as it couldnt have been the one at Villa Park.

Go on...

 

[BensGrandad]

Kuipers 6 His kicking was attrocious and put our defence under constant pressure.
Calderon 7 Good performance but tired near the end.
Virgo 8 MOM very timely tackles and interceptions.
Elphick 6 Totally at fault for first goal as he had no need to tackle or dive in Not an inspiring performance but redeemed a little by scoring a goal.
McNulty 5 Poor game allowed Young too much room.
Bennett 5 Poor game contributed nothing ion attack or defence.
Croft 6 Completely overrun in midfield
Dicker 6 See Croft
Navarro 6 See Croft and Dicker.
Murray 7 Plenty of effort and nice touches.
Forster 5 One of his poorest games ever for us as he never got going and looked his age.

Subs:

Carole 6 some nice touches when he came on
Cox 6 Great improvement on what had gone before him
Dickinson 5 Did nothing of note

Overall we were lucky to only lose by 1 goal and the score line flattered us. We were out played, as would be expected, out fought for 50/50 balls and a yard too slow in thought and deed again as would be expected against a Prem side. Villa were never stretched but I wouldnt hold for their chances if Freidell was injured or suspended.


None the less a great day out and the score was better than I thought as I predicted we would lose 3 - 1

 

[Simon Morgan]

Kuipers 6 - Cock up in first minute, a few dodgy kicks but dealt well with crosses and couldn't do much about goals.

Calderon 7 - Good positioning, got forward well. Looks a solid player, better than Whing and Hoyte in recent times.

Elphick 7 - Great finish and fairly good performance in general. Seems to have improved recently.

Virgo 9 - Some great tackles, looks really up for it again which is nice. Hoofing not as bad as everyone makes out.

McNulty 7 - Struggled at times but what do you expect? A few good interceptions and some great composure on the ball.

Bennett 6 - Linked up well with Forster and Murray first half, a bit annoyed that he got subbed, because Carole contributed f*** all and Bennett could have got into them I think.

Navarro 6 - Not as great as everyone made out, a few occassions when he lost the ball at key moments. Having said that, he has improved a lot and is fitting into the team nicely.

Crofts 5 - Not a brilliant performance from the captain today, didn't seem quite up to the standard required. Still battled hard and a few good moments.

Dicker 8 - Cocked up in first minute and a few misplaced passes but on the whole, showed he has great quality when on the ball. A huge player for us.

Forster 7 - Great turn and finish, but I think he may be a bit disappointed today. Some poor touches and a surprisingly rash effort in first half when through on goal.

Murray 7.5 - Really unlucky that a couple of crosses were a bit too high for him, generally made a good contribution and didn't look out of place. One brilliant turn to absolutely nail one of their lot (Davies?)

SUBS

Carole 4 - Contributed very little and looked a bit off the pace. Surprised he was brought on.

Dickinson 5 - Bit faster than Forster and Murray and I thought it would cause them problems. Tried hard but a bit selfish at times.

Cox 6 - Looked a bit nervous at first but grew in stature as the game went on.

All in all, a great day out. Was brilliant to go mental when Elphick scored. We are heading in the right direction. Poyet has made a difference I think, the best ballplayers of the team (McNulty, Navarro, Dicker, Bennett, Forster, Murray) are beginning to link well and there is some subtlety and patience to our game too. Lets hope we can transfer this form to the league and climb the table.