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

[Harry Dowd scored]

Massive win that, well done lads, well done

[london blue 2]

Something about kev not playing brings the best out in Bernie and gundo.

[stupot]

Great win that after the 1st few seconds. Superb game management in the 2nd half. Negatives were Zinchenko ( Phil got well frustrated with him at one point) and Stones who's resorted to type a bit since England and the pubs opening. We looked a lot more comfortable at the back with Laporte on.
Phil MOTM but honourable mentions for Bernardo, Mahrez and Gundo. Rags slip up against Leeds and Dippers and we can win it in 2 games time.

[PeterParker]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

[Kippax Sean]

Massive 3 pts.

[stupot]

Someone put that we'd not won from 1-0 down in the league before last night since Brighton away last game in 18/19. It was actually Leicester at home last season when we won 3-1.

[ross.mcfc]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch

When I was trying to work out who was coming off for Laporte I didn't even factor Gabby in he was so anonymous in that first half.

I like the guy; he still has a part to play even if we are bringing in a striker but his dip in form is coming at the wrong time for us and him.

[john@staustell]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

With the effort he puts in, the clatterings he gets and the wincing in pain when getting I'm starting to see why Foden should get rest time in 'lesser' games to heal his young body. Just don't make it Sunday or Wednesday!

Delap - don't know. The whole squad(s) dynamic is a complex thing - I don't think we can complain too much with the way Foden was brought through, though there's been plenty of hysterical screaming along the way from press and fans.

At the end of the day there's no guranatee that scoring hundreds of goals in the youth teams makes you ultimately a Champions League player. We will see. If he goes on loan at some point he's had it

Jesus - waste of space now, him and Razza should be shipped out this summer.

[ross.mcfc]

Delap - don't know. The whole squad(s) dynamic is a complex thing - I don't think we can complain too much with the way Foden was brought through, though there's been plenty of hysterical screaming along the way from press and fans.

At the end of the day there's no guranatee that scoring hundreds of goals in the youth teams makes you ultimately a Champions League player. We will see. If he goes on loan at some point he's had it .

The gulf between an u20's side and one of the best teams in the world is HUGE. He might be an exceptionally good player; he might go onto to make a great living in football but still be way off what we currently require. If he were currently good enough, he would be involved in the squad.

For starters, he needs to go out on loan to Championship and knock in 20+ goals. I heard a rumour that he would go to Celtic on loan next season where he'd have to get 30 a season for me to even consider at our level. At least he'd get to play European football, until November.

[Mase]

Delap - don't know. The whole squad(s) dynamic is a complex thing - I don't think we can complain too much with the way Foden was brought through, though there's been plenty of hysterical screaming along the way from press and fans.

At the end of the day there's no guranatee that scoring hundreds of goals in the youth teams makes you ultimately a Champions League player. We will see. If he goes on loan at some point he's had it .

The gulf between an u20's side and one of the best teams in the world is HUGE. He might be an exceptionally good player; he might go onto to make a great living in football but still be way off what we currently require. If he were currently good enough, he would be involved in the squad.

For starters, he needs to go out on loan to Championship and knock in 20+ goals. I heard a rumour that he would go to Celtic on loan next season where he'd have to get 30 a season for me to even consider at our level. At least he'd get to play European football, until November.

He didn’t look out of his depth when he scored on his debut. The fact is if he doesn’t get the chance we won’t know.

Would Delap be a worse option than Jesus at the moment? Absolutely not. If Aguero was playing and Jesus was on the bench then it would be fair enough. We’re down to one striker that’s dip in form has been dramatic.

It’s ridiculous to compare it to Foden coming through - Foden had Silva (both of them), KDB, Gundo, Mahrez, Sterling to compete with. Delap has Jesus.

[ross.mcfc]

He didn’t look out of his depth when he scored on his debut. The fact is if he doesn’t get the chance we won’t know.

Lots of players have looked the part in the early rounds of the League Cup.

[salford city]

Delap - don't know. The whole squad(s) dynamic is a complex thing - I don't think we can complain too much with the way Foden was brought through, though there's been plenty of hysterical screaming along the way from press and fans.

At the end of the day there's no guranatee that scoring hundreds of goals in the youth teams makes you ultimately a Champions League player. We will see. If he goes on loan at some point he's had it .

The gulf between an u20's side and one of the best teams in the world is HUGE. He might be an exceptionally good player; he might go onto to make a great living in football but still be way off what we currently require. If he were currently good enough, he would be involved in the squad.

For starters, he needs to go out on loan to Championship and knock in 20+ goals. I heard a rumour that he would go to Celtic on loan next season where he'd have to get 30 a season for me to even consider at our level. At least he'd get to play European football, until November.

He didn’t look out of his depth when he scored on his debut. The fact is if he doesn’t get the chance we won’t know.

Would Delap be a worse option than Jesus at the moment? Absolutely not. If Aguero was playing and Jesus was on the bench then it would be fair enough. We’re down to one striker that’s dip in form has been dramatic.

It’s ridiculous to compare it to Foden coming through - Foden had Silva (both of them), KDB, Gundo, Mahrez, Sterling to compete with. Delap has Jesus.

Be interesting to see if Delap gets the promotion to the first team or is shipped out on loan. My money is on him going as someone is definitely on the way in. Sterling looks to have seen his arse and Gabs has fallen off a cliff since his Covid attack

[Mase]

Pep’s said he’ll be training with the first team next season.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Liam Delap's "incredible" progress and promised the 18-year-old striker a first-team spot next season.

Rory Delap's son - linked with Real Madrid earlier this week - netted on his City debut last September and played his first England Under-18s game against Wales on March 29.

Guardiola said: "Liam is doing incredibly well - we are in touch with Enzo Maresca to see how (EDS players) are developing.

"Next season he will be with us, training with us every day."

[Dub City]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

Completely agree on Delap. Why have Garcia on bench, was he ever going to come on ahead of Laporte and Ake? Even if Delap unlikely to come on get him used to being on the bench and with the squad travelling. As others said he couldn’t play worse than Jesus or sterling this past month.

[salford city]

Pep’s said he’ll be training with the first team next season.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has hailed Liam Delap's "incredible" progress and promised the 18-year-old striker a first-team spot next season.

Rory Delap's son - linked with Real Madrid earlier this week - netted on his City debut last September and played his first England Under-18s game against Wales on March 29.

Guardiola said: "Liam is doing incredibly well - we are in touch with Enzo Maresca to see how (EDS players) are developing.

"Next season he will be with us, training with us every day."

That seems pretty conclusive. Lets see how that works for him

[Harry Dowd scored]

I cannot praise Phil Foden enough what a young player he has become, somebody posted earlier, he must be a nightmare for defenders, energy, pace and skill all rolled into one dynamic footballer, I think the jury is still out on how Pep has used his talents lately - I am in the. he hasn’t used him enough section- others think Pep has used him correctly, anyway that’s not relevant now, what is relevant the fact we have a potential world class player and possibly a future captain in our team.

[Mase]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

Completely agree on Delap. Why have Garcia on bench, was he ever going to come on ahead of Laporte and Ake? Even if Delap unlikely to come on get him used to being on the bench and with the squad travelling. As others said he couldn’t play worse than Jesus or sterling this past month.

Unfortunately for Delap he’s not Spanish.

[Dub City]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

Completely agree on Delap. Why have Garcia on bench, was he ever going to come on ahead of Laporte and Ake? Even if Delap unlikely to come on get him used to being on the bench and with the squad travelling. As others said he couldn’t play worse than Jesus or sterling this past month.

[sheblue]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

Completely agree on Delap. Why have Garcia on bench, was he ever going to come on ahead of Laporte and Ake? Even if Delap unlikely to come on get him used to being on the bench and with the squad travelling. As others said he couldn’t play worse than Jesus or sterling this past month.

Unfortunately for Delap he’s not Spanish.

I think that's a bit harsh. Its nothing do do with nationally.
If it was Torres would be getting more game time.

He took his time with Foden, imagine he will do the same with Delap. Even though I feel if Delap was more involved now, it wouldn't do him any harm.

[Mase]

Foden is starting to look like a nightmare for every defender he faces.
I remember the game in the swamp, in the League Cup, where he owned Wank Bissaka in every way.

So young and already a Big Games player. If his mind will stay on the game, he will be something out of this world. Hands down.

Good game last night, but very worrying the way Gabby played again in his time on the pitch. No where near the ball and when he had it was really off, lost it or his typical offside. I don't understand what the hell happened with him since the international break, but he is in his worst form I've seen him with us.
Also, why no Delap on the bench? When Sergio is not fit and we really don't have a forward option on the bench, why not him? We were told he will train with the main squad next year. Start early, ffs, he wants to prove himself, he can do it.

Let's go and win the final. No rotation except the gk, play like we did and we will be ok.

Completely agree on Delap. Why have Garcia on bench, was he ever going to come on ahead of Laporte and Ake? Even if Delap unlikely to come on get him used to being on the bench and with the squad travelling. As others said he couldn’t play worse than Jesus or sterling this past month.

Unfortunately for Delap he’s not Spanish.

I think that's a bit harsh. Its nothing do do with nationally.
If it was Torres would be getting more game time.

He took his time with Foden, imagine he will do the same with Delap. Even though I feel if Delap was more involved now, it wouldn't do him any harm.

He took his time with Foden, but didn’t with Garcia. Because he’s Spanish. Why would you have someone on the bench that’s told you he’s off at the end of the season, and you’ve already got Laporte, Ake, Cancelo and Mendy on the bench?