***Official Villa v City Match Thread***

[lets all have a disco]

What time is this African final on then?

[The Maine Man]

<null>

Exactly, it was inviting a Sunderland. Possession and dominance don't count towards titles. We are giving other teams hope when they were terrified of us

[craigmcfc]

What time is this African final on then?

7.30 GMT according to BBC Website

[Ted Hughes]

That sort of performance is how league titles are won. Clearly the better side and restricted them to virtually nothing in front of goal. My only criticism and it's a big one is that we sat back after we'd gone 1 up. An Italian job if you like. Still it's playing with fire as the last couple of minutes showed. McLeish made a bit of an arse of himself though. Villa gave nothing to that game and deserved nothing.

Personally I'd leave Silva and Aguero on the bench on thursday. I think they could both do with a rest. We've got Dzeko and Nasri. Play them.

It wasn't us sitting back, it was us giving the ball away because our arses had gone as soon as Villa had a go at us & all the players who are supposed to pass the ball became incapable of doing it. We won't win the league by playing like that; the next team will score. When we initialy scored, a surge of confidence went through the team & for a few minutes we looked like we were about to tear Villa apart. We didn't, wheras the rags would have done. That is how you win titles; by taking advantage, not by handing the advantage back & playing like shit. We will not get away with performances like that every week. We either improve or come second.

[PALUS]

Edin is wank 3 minuts and nothing wath a shity player :)

[Original Dub]

It wasn't us sitting back, it was us giving the ball away because our arses had gone as soon as Villa had a go at us & all the players who are supposed to pass the ball became incapable of doing it. We won't win the league by playing like that; the next team will score. When we initialy scored, a surge of confidence went through the team & for a few minutes we looked like we were about to tear Villa apart. We didn't, wheras the rags would have done. That is how you win titles; by taking advantage, not by handing the advantage back & playing like shit. We will not get away with performances like that every week. We either improve or come second.

My thoughts exactly. Its there for everyone to see.

[Alioune DVToure]

Edin is wank 3 minuts and nothing wath a shity player :)

He started the game in his best position today.

[Beefymcfc]

I enjoyed that, bit nervy near the end though. Mancini's tactics worked and it's just been said on Sky that we had 65% of the possession. Not bad for the away team and it left them lumping aimless ball's upfield. We controlled the game again but this time didn't concede and it was only when Villa decided they needed to go forward that we were put on the back foot. This is what Mancini mean't when he said we sometimes need to play the Italian way, especilly away from home.

Some notable performances today from the likes of Lescott and Barry and variable mentions for Nige, Zab's and Kolarov. Says something when I'm looking at the defensive players even though Dave and Sergio ran their hearts out, and I'd lump AJ in there as well.

That was one of those games that could've easily have been a draw with the way Villa's 10 men defended and also with their last minute shot but it's not lucky that we've got Joe in goal, that's what he's there to do and he does it so well.

Well done lads, 3 points and back to the top of the league. Many may say that it wasn't convincing but over at the Swamp certain individuals will be wondering what they've got to do and will be under even more pressure to get results. We keep proving that we've got that Champions mentality and as Barry alluded to, we have the players, we have the manager, it's now down to us to put it together and win this league.

The Future's Bright, and it's definately Blue.

[david yearsley]

That sort of performance is how league titles are won. Clearly the better side and restricted them to virtually nothing in front of goal. My only criticism and it's a big one is that we sat back after we'd gone 1 up. An Italian job if you like. Still it's playing with fire as the last couple of minutes showed. McLeish made a bit of an arse of himself though. Villa gave nothing to that game and deserved nothing.

Personally I'd leave Silva and Aguero on the bench on thursday. I think they could both do with a rest. We've got Dzeko and Nasri. Play them.

It wasn't us sitting back, it was us giving the ball away because our arses had gone as soon as Villa had a go at us & all the players who are supposed to pass the ball became incapable of doing it. We won't win the league by playing like that; the next team will score. When we initialy scored, a surge of confidence went through the team & for a few minutes we looked like we were about to tear Villa apart. We didn't, wheras the rags would have done. That is how you win titles; by taking advantage, not by handing the advantage back & playing like shit. We will not get away with performances like that every week. We either improve or come second.

Bang on - we have to put teams away and be absolutely fuclin ruthless. Hopefully the next away game we will be

[Ted Hughes]

Edin is wank 3 minuts and nothing wath a shity player :)

True actually. He was brought on to defend corners & didn't get off the ground allowing Collins to get a free header without even jumping.

A perfect example of what I've been saying about him.

[Ted Hughes]

That sort of performance is how league titles are won. Clearly the better side and restricted them to virtually nothing in front of goal. My only criticism and it's a big one is that we sat back after we'd gone 1 up. An Italian job if you like. Still it's playing with fire as the last couple of minutes showed. McLeish made a bit of an arse of himself though. Villa gave nothing to that game and deserved nothing.

Personally I'd leave Silva and Aguero on the bench on thursday. I think they could both do with a rest. We've got Dzeko and Nasri. Play them.

It wasn't us sitting back, it was us giving the ball away because our arses had gone as soon as Villa had a go at us & all the players who are supposed to pass the ball became incapable of doing it. We won't win the league by playing like that; the next team will score. When we initialy scored, a surge of confidence went through the team & for a few minutes we looked like we were about to tear Villa apart. We didn't, wheras the rags would have done. That is how you win titles; by taking advantage, not by handing the advantage back & playing like shit. We will not get away with performances like that every week. We either improve or come second.

Bang on - we have to put teams away and be absolutely fuclin ruthless. Hopefully the next away game we will be

When we first started struggling away from home, Yaya was actually in the team but if Bob & co play it right, they could psyche the players into thinking Yaya will turn it round, & because they believe it; it will probably happen. That's what Baconface would do; milk it.

[halnone]

When will Balotelli be able to play in the league?

[craigmcfc]

When will Balotelli be able to play in the league?

The very next game

[guv111]

I enjoyed that, bit nervy near the end though. Mancini's tactics worked and it's just been said on Sky that we had 65% of the possession. Not bad for the away team and it left them lumping aimless ball's upfield. We controlled the game again but this time didn't concede and it was only when Villa decided they needed to go forward that we were put on the back foot. This is what Mancini mean't when he said we sometimes need to play the Italian way, especilly away from home.

Some notable performances today from the likes of Lescott and Barry and variable mentions for Nige, Zab's and Kolarov. Says something when I'm looking at the defensive players even though Dave and Sergio ran their hearts out, and I'd lump AJ in there as well.

That was one of those games that could've easily have been a draw with the way Villa's 10 men defended and also with their last minute shot but it's not lucky that we've got Joe in goal, that's what he's there to do and he does it so well.

Well done lads, 3 points and back to the top of the league. Many may say that it wasn't convincing but over at the Swamp certain individuals will be wondering what they've got to do and will be under even more pressure to get results. We keep proving that we've got that Champions mentality and as Barry alluded to, we have the players, we have the manager, it's now down to us to put it together and win this league.

The Future's Bright, and it's definately Blue.

Rousing stuff, Beefy, and I actually felt my chest expanding with pride reading it.

You're right; we may not be playing very well but we are staying above United (and well ahead of Spurs - five goals and just the same number of points for them as City got from today's scrappy effort ) - hopefully it was sap their motivation just a little bit to see us popping back on top after their oh so brief period at the summit.

[Chinners]

I enjoyed that, bit nervy near the end though. Mancini's tactics worked and it's just been said on Sky that we had 65% of the possession. Not bad for the away team and it left them lumping aimless ball's upfield. We controlled the game again but this time didn't concede and it was only when Villa decided they needed to go forward that we were put on the back foot. This is what Mancini mean't when he said we sometimes need to play the Italian way, especilly away from home.

Some notable performances today from the likes of Lescott and Barry and variable mentions for Nige, Zab's and Kolarov. Says something when I'm looking at the defensive players even though Dave and Sergio ran their hearts out, and I'd lump AJ in there as well.

That was one of those games that could've easily have been a draw with the way Villa's 10 men defended and also with their last minute shot but it's not lucky that we've got Joe in goal, that's what he's there to do and he does it so well.

Well done lads, 3 points and back to the top of the league. Many may say that it wasn't convincing but over at the Swamp certain individuals will be wondering what they've got to do and will be under even more pressure to get results. We keep proving that we've got that Champions mentality and as Barry alluded to, we have the players, we have the manager, it's now down to us to put it together and win this league.

The Future's Bright, and it's definately Blue.

Bang on

[colonel_muck]

we got the win. well done lads. but dont let that fool anyone into thinking we know what we're doing away from home. we simply HAVE to start playing 4-5-1 away because as ideal and honorable as it is to attempt to tear teams apart uup and down the country, we aren;t doing it away from home.

[blues2win]

I'm disappointed in you Ted. I thought today you'd give Kolarov some credit for dealing so comfortably with Heskey's devastating pace and trickery.

Listening to McLeish you could tell he was frightened of us and played into our hands. The choice of Heskey out wide can only have been taken in the hope that he might nick a goal from a set piece. Pathetic.

[shawzy]

I enjoyed that, bit nervy near the end though. Mancini's tactics worked and it's just been said on Sky that we had 65% of the possession. Not bad for the away team and it left them lumping aimless ball's upfield. We controlled the game again but this time didn't concede and it was only when Villa decided they needed to go forward that we were put on the back foot. This is what Mancini mean't when he said we sometimes need to play the Italian way, especilly away from home.

Some notable performances today from the likes of Lescott and Barry and variable mentions for Nige, Zab's and Kolarov. Says something when I'm looking at the defensive players even though Dave and Sergio ran their hearts out, and I'd lump AJ in there as well.

That was one of those games that could've easily have been a draw with the way Villa's 10 men defended and also with their last minute shot but it's not lucky that we've got Joe in goal, that's what he's there to do and he does it so well.

Well done lads, 3 points and back to the top of the league. Many may say that it wasn't convincing but over at the Swamp certain individuals will be wondering what they've got to do and will be under even more pressure to get results. We keep proving that we've got that Champions mentality and as Barry alluded to, we have the players, we have the manager, it's now down to us to put it together and win this league.

The Future's Bright, and it's definately Blue.

Bang on

Seconded..Well said Beef.

[Beefymcfc]

You're right; we may not be playing very well but we are staying above United (and well ahead of Spurs - five goals and just the same number of points for them as City got from today's scrappy effort ) - hopefully it was sap their motivation just a little bit to see us popping back on top after their oh so brief period at the summit.

And that's the point mate, Taggart would've definately had a word with his old mucker McLeish and told him how important it was not to let us win, keeping them top for the 2 week break and giving them that rise to push on. Then you throw in the return of players like Yaya, Mario and Kolo returning, especially Yaya who Taggart begrudgingly had to praise when we played them, and you can imagine how they must be thinking. This was the period that we were most likely to lose points and a lot of people were content to be equal going into February. Well, we're in a better position than many predicted and it can only get better.

Whatever happens, we've put ourselves in with a real shout and I for one am loving the twists and turns, especially in games like today. And you know why, because once again today I was sat watching the game with a Rag telling me that we haven't the bottle, the mettle or the squad to cope, willing Villa on in every aspect, complaining and whinging about anything they did wrong and we did right. Days like today, knowing that we are having to test and adjust, make me feel proud of the boys fighting for the title, not falling and not giving up. Days like today are just so sweet and here's me raising a glass to many more, especially while the horrible Rag twats want to watch our victories with me.

[gillie]

I will take another ugly 13 1 nils if its what gets us the title.FFS we won whilst playing way below our best but after the demolition derby the rags had 5 one nil wins but they were just steadying the ship were'nt they.COME ON CITY YOU KNOW ITS OUR TIME.