So Far this Season

[Dessy]

i said after that game we would look back as a good point earned - they are capable of taking points off chelsea united and arsenal imo at home

And lets hope they do.

[Kenneth]

I'm feeling positive that we are progressing well compared to other teams except Chelsea. Not sure about the Keane one though. He has been a pile of ****e for us so far.

[Dessy]

I'm feeling positive that we are progressing well compared to other teams except Chelsea. Not sure about the Keane one though. He has been a pile of ****e for us so far.

I think he has struggled to fit in so far and I think he deffo needs a goal to help but he did have a hand in both goals on Saturday and worked his socks off for 86 mins.

He is a quality player and will find his feet soon enough if not I'll be happy for him to lay one on for Torres week in week out.

[Woobus]

I'm feeling positive that we are progressing well compared to other teams except Chelsea. Not sure about the Keane one though. He has been a pile of ****e for us so far.

He was excellent against United and great in the second half on Saturday, bit harsh saying he has played like a pile of ****e. He does need a goal, hopefully that second half display will give him that nit of confidence he needs.

[Kenneth]

He was excellent against United and great in the second half on Saturday, bit harsh saying he has played like a pile of ****e. He does need a goal, hopefully that second half display will give him that nit of confidence he needs.

No he wasn't. He ran a lot.

[Woobus]

No he wasn't. He ran a lot.

He still played very well and stopped United playing from the back while playing some nice football up front.

[Kenneth]

He still played very well and stopped United playing from the back while playing some nice football up front.

Ok. I thought his effort was first class, but he needs to do a lot more than that. He was terrible again in the first half on Saturday.

We've started to look a lot more cohesive in the last few games from a very disjointed start, and that can only be a good sign. And we pretty much got away with our poor play in the first few games. Lots of reasons to be positive, but Keane isn't one of them for me. He needs to play like a confident striker soon.

[DannyMan2006]

Ok. I thought his effort was first class, but he needs to do a lot more than that. He was terrible again in the first half on Saturday.

We've started to look a lot more cohesive in the last few games from a very disjointed start, and that can only be a good sign. And we pretty much got away with our poor play in the first few games. Lots of reasons to be positive, but Keane isn't one of them for me. He needs to play like a confident striker soon.

I am suprised no one has started a thread on it, but after Keane had set up the first goal for Torres it was like a weight had been lifted of his shoulders. I think the pressure was really getting to Keane, not for him to score, but for him and Torres to make a success of their partnership.

Torres we know is a guaranteed starter so Robbie knows what he has to do to stay in the starting XI. With Alonso playing well it would be easy for Rafa revert to last seasons formation and leave Keane out, so he needs to make something happen.

He did well against Everton and he looked like the Robbie Keane we thought we were getting in the summer after that first assist. Mark my words, Keane felt the pressure lift and I would imagine that a goal is just around the corner for him. My money is on him getting one v PSV. And after that watch the the two up front score for fun.

There'll be no air shots from here on in and another encouraging aspect was seeing how him, Gerrard and Torres stayed out of each others way. The burden is again on Keane to find his own niche in the team without upsettng already established players and against Everton I saw the first real signs.

Positive day for Keane.

[SB]

There'll be no air shots from here on in

He's given you an assurance of that has he

[Norbs]

Villa have started with the same XI for all their league games so far. As RedRascal says - will they be able to cope with a few injuries/suspensions?

That's the easiest question in the world to answer. No, and that's where their weakness lies

[Nicey]

For me Robbie Keane providing that all important assist for the first goal was just as important as the goal itself .. takes a wee bit of pressure off but he knows what is expected of him, as every man and his pony will tell you Robbie Keane is too classy of a player not to shine eventually .. and when him and Torres click .. it will be...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01L3poHPaNI

[DannyMan2006]

That's the easiest question in the world to answer. No, and that's where their weakness lies

They could get lucky like teams before them have been. Their biggest problem is that they are also in Europe so will struggle to keep putting out the same XI later o in the year.

As Rafa has proven, it is only towards the end of the season where the positives are seen from resting players. Like wise only then will we see if Villas squad can cope. Being knocked out of the Carling Cup was a blessing in disguise for them I think.