One player - Jack - played his usual game, but not much came from the rest of the team. Nine players mostly seemed to play the first-half as though they were thinking of their appointment at Wembley - while the eleventh player (Konsa*) seemed to be having a hangover after realising that his two yellow cards in the semi-final games had cost him his place at Wembley!
Not even after the break did Villa improve that much, and that they did was partly because their opponents had a player sent off only 5 minutes into the half. The cue was then to reinforce the Villa attack in order to overcome the 10-men. Thus, Davis appeared. He and Samatta eventually combined in a most awkward and fortuitous way for Samatta to head Villa's first headed goal of the season, and a goal for him on his Premiership debut. There was time left to even win the match, but that opportunity was not taken owing to a combination of defiance in the opposition defence and a sheer lack of ideas in the Villa team.
This defeat may be a good thing in that it will force Villa to realise they just have to try harder. This performance was just not good enough, although I suppose some leeway has to be given for the fact that Villa were playing into the sun in the first half, and Reina seemed to be affected by the glare.
Well, Spurs next match. I would really like to see Davis starting that one with Samatta to batter the Spurs defence. But they need to be supplied with opportunities, and in that respect I'm worried.
Still, UTV!
* I note from subsequent reports that Konsa picked up an injury and that's why he was replaced at half-time.
Not even after the break did Villa improve that much, and that they did was partly because their opponents had a player sent off only 5 minutes into the half. The cue was then to reinforce the Villa attack in order to overcome the 10-men. Thus, Davis appeared. He and Samatta eventually combined in a most awkward and fortuitous way for Samatta to head Villa's first headed goal of the season, and a goal for him on his Premiership debut. There was time left to even win the match, but that opportunity was not taken owing to a combination of defiance in the opposition defence and a sheer lack of ideas in the Villa team.
This defeat may be a good thing in that it will force Villa to realise they just have to try harder. This performance was just not good enough, although I suppose some leeway has to be given for the fact that Villa were playing into the sun in the first half, and Reina seemed to be affected by the glare.
Well, Spurs next match. I would really like to see Davis starting that one with Samatta to batter the Spurs defence. But they need to be supplied with opportunities, and in that respect I'm worried.
Still, UTV!
* I note from subsequent reports that Konsa picked up an injury and that's why he was replaced at half-time.
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