That ball from Elmo last night – that was fucking sweet . What a performance by Villa - Targett and Grealish linking up down the left were superb, Nyland had another blinder, Mings was colossal and Samatta looked industrious on debut, if a touch off the pace. He'll come good.
Honestly, buzzing for the first time in years about Villa right now. I do think we need to get another forward in before the window shuts, and if we do, with Wesley, McGinn and Heaton all to come back, the club's not had a stronger core since the likes of Mellberg and Petrov were there.
Grealish is just incredible. The way he has come on over the last two seasons, taking adversity in his strike, I never thought I'd see. Defenders are terrified of him. They stand off in and around the area giving him space to operate, in other areas, they foul him before he can humiliate them. He ghosts around the pitch like some kind of spectral presence, he rarely gives the ball away, he rarely mislays a pass, and he is so adept at positioning himself in such a way as to draw fouls. He is much pacier than anyone gives him credit for, and his attitude (now) is without question – I remember when he broke into his first team and his petulance held him back. I now think back to that Birmingham game when he was punched by the fan and he just took it, didn't rise to it and used it to fuel a performance that eventually, and inevitably, resulted in him bagging us the winner.
Maddison had an excellent game for Leicester last night, without doubt, but for me Grealish should be a shoe-in for England. He deserves his shot after the season he's had so far and I hope Southgate recognises this.
Last thought on last night, the scenes at the final whistle were incredible - the fans storming the pitch and hoisting Trez aloft after netting the winner, Nyland losing his shit after making at least five crucial – and spectacular – saves, etc. Felt good.
Grealish will only be a shoe in for England once he moves to a top 6 club. Sad but true.
Just look at Mason Mount, no way near the England setup last season. Plays 4 games for Chelsea and hes in the squad.
Grealish even if hes not seen as a starting eleven player should be in the squad as a plan B, he offers something a bit different.
He was injured for the last round of England games. The set before was early in the season and he was still flying under the radar. He'll be in the next squad.
I don't think he was that good last night, in fact I think Leicester were quite shit. Iheanacho is rubbish and the fact Rodgers left Vardy on the bench for such a big game is a bit of a puzzler, I know he's just come back from injury but even when he came on he was barely noticeable, if he had started then perhaps it would have been different. I think Villa's standout performer and arguably the bigger hero was your keeper who must have had at least 3/4 top saves especially early doors.
Where does put Dean Smith? I'm sure his head was being called for recently.
3-5-2 with Shaw LCB again, where he was surprisingly not terrible last time out. If Ole manages to turn Luke Shaw into a good player by converting him into a centre back then he's a genius of a manager even if we get relegated.
That Man City team is mental. Greenwood and Martial could have some fun.
5-3 City
Here's a good one for you. Brendan Rodgers hasn't lost in 32 consecutive cup ties. Last night was the first time since...Aston Villa ruined Stevie G's birthday in 2015
I think Grealish can make the England setup in his current colours. Southgate seems like the type to take a chance.
Taz would be drooling all over the place if he was watching this and seeing Micah Richards.
RIP mate.
City's constant niggly fouling when out of possession is so infuriating to watch, especially since they never get booked.
That's a great finish from Matic, as I'm typing that. Karma
Was it legit for VAR to be looking for a handball in the build-up to that Liverpool penalty? Not that it did hit his hand (looked like it hit the defender's if anything) but I thought VAR only looked for the mad handball rule where there was a goal? I only ask as there was a lot of bitching and moaning about Alexander-Arnold's 'handball' against City that wasn't given, but if VAR looks for attacking handballs in the build-up to penalties then that one was never going to be given, seeing as Bernando basically crossed it with his hand. Curious.
'mon United in the other game.
16. Jesus.
does he bicycle kick it or does the ball go in from the corner? sry i'm blind apparently
Bicycle kick.
damn that's some doing.
Subbing Lingard for Pereira is proper Sophie's choice shit.
Wan Bissaka is laughable in possession. How did he hang around the game long enough for someone to notice he could slide tackle?
He would be an amazing Mourinho player. Maybe they can reunite at Palace.
Alexander-Arnold trying to one up the Shrewsbury rightback there.
Harry Maguire
Thankfully David Silva refused to shoot.
That pass from Silva is a complete nonsense.
Welp.
Fred having the ball on the edge of the penalty area is a massive waste of time.
And that was idiotic from Matic.
100% deserved, it's just galling against City when they do the same shit constantly and get away with it. Rodri should easily be off as well judged by the same standards.
David Silva should be outright sacked for that pass in the box.
Not like David Silva to be useless in a big game.
Martin Tyler getting caught up in the nationalities of everyone within ten yards of that free kick was a bit odd.
It blows my mind that Martin Tyler still goes and coaches Woking on his days off. You can't pick up the local paper here without seeing him standing with arms folded looking pensive about something behind Alan Dowson.
Half-watching the City game, was it another one where 'Pep' gets a bit too clever with his zany formation/selection? Sort of looked like it.
That was one of the poorest games I've watched in a while. Comically bad.
Throw another brick at Ed's gaff.
I watched the match with manc sean, and we've provisionally agreed to bash The Group.
Tell him I say hi.
We're not still out. It was all business.
He's told Tyrone some serious shit.
I didn't think Baz could be that gullible.
It really happened.
You're twisting my melon man.
How's his diabetes?