Pau Torres

[eye digress]

I think there's been a noticeable move away from Torres trying 50 yard killer passes, to giving it to either Tielemans but more so, Kamara to try to advance the ball. Looks like Emery wants more defensive stability from his defenders and to let the cultured midfielders do the creative stuff.

Pau spent more time than usual actually in the midfield on Tuesday, I thought - especially in the first half, and to good effect.

Must say, the Mings handball "wrong kind of leaves" argument is a pretty hilarious case of doublethink!

[Somniloquism]

Totally different for me . Mings used to have fairly regular lapses when we first came up but that's largely eradicated now . The Brugges incident he thinks the ball is dead simple as . Whilst Torres is a decent passer , midfield like in some ways I see his defensive frailties more regularly still . Another good example being Fulham away when he was easily bullied for their goal

Yep, before the Lille one, he didn't make one in the 23/24 season at all.

[ChicagoLion]

Mings is a better defender, Torres is a better footballer.

[Olneythelonely]

Mings is a better defender, Torres is a better footballer.

©️ Olneythelonely

[pauliewalnuts]

Mings is a better defender, Torres is a better footballer.

I think you're right, ChicagoLion.

[VillaTim]

Mings has got much better bringing the ball out and has an array / range of passing he's very good at . I think he'll be back in the England squad before long.

[ChicagoLion]

To illustrate, against Fulham right in front of where I was sitting a long ball was played towards Pau, there were 3 Fulham players close by, Mings would have and been perfectly entitled to clear his lines either heading it distance or into touch.
Torres, read the flight of the ball, took it down on his chest, one touch and a pass to a Villa player in midfield. It was majestic.

[Brazilian Villain]

Mings is a better defender, Torres is a better footballer.

A succinct way of putting it. Well said, CL!

[adrenachrome]

To illustrate, against Fulham right in front of where I was sitting a long ball was played towards Pau, there were 3 Fulham players close by, Mings would have and been perfectly entitled to clear his lines either heading it distance or into touch.
Torres, read the flight of the ball, took it down on his chest, one touch and a pass to a Villa player in midfield. It was majestic.

That's Jessie talk. Mings would have crippled the nearest oppo on general principles. Job done.

tHAT'S

[VillaTim]

Weak defensively today and didn't see many defence splitting passes either . Such a shame Mings was sick . Though Chaos Carlos should not have started either

[PaulWinch again]

He was absolutely fine today.

[dorsetvillian]

Yet Konsa gets a free pass..

[VillaTim]

Yet Konsa gets a free pass..

Konsa was poor too, but he was played out of position in his defence .

[PaulWinch again]

Torres played absolutely fine today, and he did bring the ball out of defence. The goals aren’t down to him, singling him out is just playing up to a narrative.

[brontebilly]

Torres played absolutely fine today, and he did bring the ball out of defence. The goals aren’t down to him, singling him out is just playing up to a narrative.

Watch him again for the first goal. I thought he was ok that aside but his distribution isn't at his best.