Aston Villa - Player Ratings

[BOYSIE31]

It appears not but why is Lowton ignoring McGinn?

Tony you said Lowton cost us the first goal but he didnt - i agree Lowton after the cross for their second should have been on Mc Ginn but the same could be said for Mee for their first goal if thats the case.

But to prevent both goals you have to stop the crosses and they were both on Peiters side.

Also the same will be said for them - stop the cross and you are likely to stop the goal.

[Jakubs Tash]

Tony you said Lowton cost us the first goal but he didnt - i agree Lowton after the cross for their second should have been on Mc Ginn but the same could be said for Mee for their first goal if thats the case.

But to prevent both goals you have to stop the crosses and they were both on Peiters side.

Also the same will be said for them - stop the cross and you are likely to stop the goal.

How should Lowton be on McGinn for the second goal? When a cross is coming in from our left then Lowton's job is to go more central and help out covering the centre halves. McGinn came in from quite deep. Maybe that would have been the job of the right midfielder but I don't think we had one at that point?

You could argue that Pieters could have done better getting closer to the winger and trying to stop the cross but Trezerguet is quick and did Pieters over 5-10 yards.

Sometimes you've got to hold your hand up and say, 'Good wing play and then McGinn did well to control the volley, keep it down and hit the target'.

[claretspice]

Wasn't there, so only going off highlights, but I must admit I didn't think Lowton did much wrong for either goal. First is a poor cross, but that happens and they should have too much to do to score. Second seems to me to be an excellent finish from an excellent cross.

The second actually appeared to me to be a result of Villa exploiting our change in shape. McGinn is well beyond the back post, which is the territory I'd expect the wide midfielder on that side to pick up - Lowton starts by coming in to make sure he's in the right position to defend the back post, which is precisely what he should do. In the event, there isn't a blindside winger which means that McGinn has perfectly intelligently dropped into space (and been found by a cross designed to take out our back four - good planning by Villa) , and finishes it well. I also thought the change of shape excused Pieters a bit - in a 442, McNeil gets (or should get0 much closer to the winger than Barnes does.

[Hibsclaret]

My view would be Pieters main culprit for goal 1. Goal 2 is a good goal with nobody particularly at fault.

Pieters should also have 2 assists so even if he’s responsible for both he’s done ok. If you take it that he is to blame for just the first he has done more than ok

[Lancasterclaret]

Both are very good finishes to be fair, though the 2nd can just as easily hit Popes leg and bounce clear as go in.

[BOYSIE31]

Both are very good finishes to be fair, though the 2nd can just as easily hit Popes leg and bounce clear as go in.

I also think Pope should have done better on the second goal

[FCBurnley]

Pieters has a habit of backing off wingers and then trying to block the crosses. That’s good when it works but dangerous when it doesnt. Pope was probably most at fault with the secon as it went straight thru his legs but somebody should have picked up Mcginns late run. Having said that it’s easy to blame the defense every time s goal is scored. Both our goals could have been stopped but they weren’t and we where worthy of another good away point. UTC

[Lancasterclaret]

I also think Pope should have done better on the second goal

Possibly

But its hit hard and low and he's moving across from the near post to the far post.

Would have been a good save

[ClaretTony]

I also think Pope should have done better on the second goal

Very difficult for a goalkeeper when it is hit like that.

[BOYSIE31]

I agree it is when hit near the legs

[Devils_Advocate]

How should Lowton be on McGinn for the second goal? When a cross is coming in from our left then Lowton's job is to go more central and help out covering the centre halves. McGinn came in from quite deep. Maybe that would have been the job of the right midfielder but I don't think we had one at that point?

My thoughts exactly regards those blaming Lowton for the second goal.

For me it is too easy for the winger to get to the byline unchallenged and get a lowish trajectory deep cross in that gave us no time to react to McGinn coming on to it

[EarbyClaret]

On another day it hits the outside of Pope's leg flies clear and it's a great reaction save.

McGinn sees it early, sets himself and hits the ball low and hard - all Pope can do is get in the way. Where the ball ends up is then something of a lottery.