Injuries and a long trip in the week were contributing factors, but Aston Villa didn’t need to do much to beat them. Only a handful of shots came from the Whites, none of which were on target – the perennial problem of not being able to use possession in the final third coming into play.
Yes, the players were tired, and yes Zamora, AJ and Murphy were unavailable, but essentially the team surrendered the game. Hopefully this is not going to develop into a pattern after European games, because there are another eight to play.
The best part of the game was Villa’s second goal – a superb strike from about 20 yards out by Agbonlahor after he’d picked up the ball from a sloppy bit of control by the Fulham defence. It was the only really decent move I saw in the game, but Villa were pretty much on top the whole way through.
The middle of the line 
September 2, 2009 at 13:16
Yes, Villa were no great shakes, but that was the worst performance by a Premier League team I have seen in a long time. I know you had some injuries, but we had a 19-year old kid making his debut. He must think the game is so easy…
September 2, 2009 at 20:31
I’m just glad that the international break will give us a chance to recover and give Hodgson a chance to read the players the riot act. We can’t afford to suffer from the European syndrome, not now we’ve another eight games to play before Christmas.
(not that I’d dream of reminding you that Villa failed to reach the group stage or anything, your Bobness)