Was that that the best first half performance ever?

[Darlington82]

Unfortunately I wasn't at today's match, but the best first half performance I saw was on 5th etember 1973.

This was the night when United were 4-0 up after 17 minutes, as Tony Currie, who scored twice, totally outshone World Cup winner Alan Ball. In his report, Radio Shfefield reporter Peter Cooper explained how United “destroyed” Arsenal and Currie “dismantled” Gunners defender Peter Storey.

This was also the night when, towards the end, Currie sat on the ball in front of Alan Ball, in revenge for Ball doing the same when Arsenal won 5-0 at the Lane a couple of years earlier. Cooper called Currie’s act “unnecessary, technically ungentlemanly – and magnificent”. The story goes that in fact the vanquished Ball, accepting that his team had been “destroyed”, and that Currie, in Cooper’s words, was on the night “something approaching greatness”, encouraged TC to do it. The showman that he was, Currie would not have needed a second invitation.

Just before my time, we sold Currie, the season before my first match.

 

[blademark]

Unfortunately I wasn't at today's match, but the best first half performance I saw was on 5th etember 1973.

This was the night when United were 4-0 up after 17 minutes, as Tony Currie, who scored twice, totally outshone World Cup winner Alan Ball. In his report, Radio Shfefield reporter Peter Cooper explained how United “destroyed” Arsenal and Currie “dismantled” Gunners defender Peter Storey.

This was also the night when, towards the end, Currie sat on the ball in front of Alan Ball, in revenge for Ball doing the same when Arsenal won 5-0 at the Lane a couple of years earlier. Cooper called Currie’s act “unnecessary, technically ungentlemanly – and magnificent”. The story goes that in fact the vanquished Ball, accepting that his team had been “destroyed”, and that Currie, in Cooper’s words, was on the night “something approaching greatness”, encouraged TC to do it. The showman that he was, Currie would not have needed a second invitation.

This game will take some beating, even though many didn't get in the ground until we were 3-0 up due to the queues.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Being 3-0 up at half time vs the pigs has to get a mention.

Although the second half was different.

Funny that...... I said to my lad at half-time that I thought it unlikely they'd have a loan player on the bench who could come on and make an impact like he did for Wendy.

 

[BladeFisher]

Annoyingly I can't comment because it was a rare home match I missed, but being 4-0 up to Tottenham after 29 minutes in March 1993 must have been enjoyable.

Was there on an overnight interview for the Royal Mail in Rugby. Didn't get a job but had a good time at the Lane. Remember Sherringham being a mardy twat.

 

[Harry's Game]

Good call that one, but Spurs were more bothered about the cup semi a few days later, think Gazza got subbed early. Still a great game.

Gazza was long gone to Lazio by then.

 

[N20 Blade]

Southampton at home under Bassett when sir bob scored two. We could even laugh at gannon’s second half conversion.

 

[Wandsworth Blade]

It’s obviously a topic of discussion tonight. We’d probably need a Villa perspective because McGinn looked average but is rated and Tuanzebe was woeful.
We were chatting at full time; I didn’t see us beat Spurs by 6 in 1992 but I remember us demolishing Liverpool 0-0 on New Year’s Day in probably 1993. Other than that I can’t think of a better performance given the opposition.

 

[BladesOnToast]

The only other one I remember was v Sunderland in 97. Vas Borbokis scored a cracker, the weather was the the same and the world seemed our lobster!

What a game that was, first match me & my mate ever went to without either of our dads = coming of age moment. The only injustice being that Deano didn't get on the scoresheet. Another game where we deserved 7 or 8

 

[Part timer]

What a game that was, first match me & my mate ever went to without either of our dads = coming of age moment. The only injustice being that Deano didn't get on the scoresheet. Another game where we deserved 7 or 8

We lost 1-3 at BTBL the season we were promoted to Division 1 in 89/90. They had a forward called Marco Gabbiadini who scored a couple I recall, I went to Roker Park in the 80's and both occasions ingrained a dislike for Sunderland that still holds. Never had a problem with Geordies.

 

[Pinchy]

Good call that one, but Spurs were more bothered about the cup semi a few days later, think Gazza got subbed early. Still a great game.

But, without opening up unnecessary debate on style of play, the football today was way, way better.

 

[BritishSteel]

I am struggling to think of a better 1st half performance in my 40 odd years of going to the lane, the fact that it was against a quality side, is even more noteworthy.

Could have been better to be honest. Grealish walked off at half time instead of being carried off on a stretcher and Wilder should have given Bruce a wedgie as Norwood stroked that free kick in . 8 out of 10 . Could do better . See me after class.

 

[Pinchy]

That was a magnificent performance today. Everything about it. Okay we eased off after the fourth but that really is only to be expected. They were able to go into ‘nothing to lose’ mode. At no time when the game was a live issue were they able to live with us. We outplayed, out thought and utterly outclassed some pretty good footballers,

One move on the left was spell-binding. The speed accuracy and purpose of the passing reduced them to training cones.

Hugely proud of my team tonight. Wine flowing almost as well as that performance, but not quite.

I go back to Harris’ days and were there better performances than that? Yes, but few and far between.

Norwood MoM. Instant control and already decided what to do with it next. Duff and Fleck not far behind. David McGoldrick? What can I say but “take a bow son”. Finally, just to please my devoted fans, well played Billy, took the goal with aplomb and contributed throughout.

The rest, merely brilliant.

Addendum

I will mention someone else. Lunny, if you never do owt ever again, that tackle ensures you a pint..

 

[Blade56]

Im a bit older so the 7 past Ipswich and 6 at Cardiff were standout but that 1st half was pure magic carried over into 2nd half until they scored and quite righty Wilder consolidated.

It's a good job Bolasie and Abraham weren't playing, but it's obvious they need both.

Yeh, but they were watching

 

[SwissBlade]

I am struggling to think of a better 1st half performance in my 40 odd years of going to the lane, the fact that it was against a quality side, is even more noteworthy.

Better than the Wednesday one, today was beautiful, sublime football.

 

[bromtom]

That was a magnificent performance today. Everything about it. Okay we eased off after the fourth but that really is only to be expected. They were able to go into ‘nothing to lose’ mode. At no time when the game was a live issue were they able to live with us. We outplayed, out thought and utterly outclassed some pretty good footballers,

One move on the left was spell-binding. The speed accuracy and purpose of the passing reduced them to training cones.

Hugely proud of my team tonight. Wine flowing almost as well as that performance, but not quite.

I go back to Harris’ days and were there better performances than that? Yes, but few and far between.

Norwood MoM. Instant control and already decided what to do with it next. Duff and Fleck not far behind. David McGoldrick? What can I say but “take a bow son”. Finally, just to please my devoted fans, well played Billy, took the goal with aplomb and contributed throughout.

The rest, merely brilliant.

That move up the left, it was like we'd scored on the South Stand, everyone on their feet clapping. I honestly went a bit light headed such was the class on show, absolute treat.

 

[Ricky]

We were fucking awesome. It was outstanding in every single department and very satisfying to watch.

Undoubtedly the best half of football in Wilder's reign in my opinion.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I have not seen a better performance for a very long time.

 

[RammyBlade]

Annoyingly I can't comment because it was a rare home match I missed, but being 4-0 up to Tottenham after 29 minutes in March 1993 must have been enjoyable.

That was amazing although it was more to do with the finishing rather than the play

 

[Silent Blade]

Unfortunately I wasn't at today's match, but the best first half performance I saw was on 5th etember 1973.

This was the night when United were 4-0 up after 17 minutes, as Tony Currie, who scored twice, totally outshone World Cup winner Alan Ball. In his report, Radio Shfefield reporter Peter Cooper explained how United “destroyed” Arsenal and Currie “dismantled” Gunners defender Peter Storey.

This was also the night when, towards the end, Currie sat on the ball in front of Alan Ball, in revenge for Ball doing the same when Arsenal won 5-0 at the Lane a couple of years earlier. Cooper called Currie’s act “unnecessary, technically ungentlemanly – and magnificent”. The story goes that in fact the vanquished Ball, accepting that his team had been “destroyed”, and that Currie, in Cooper’s words, was on the night “something approaching greatness”, encouraged TC to do it. The showman that he was, Currie would not have needed a second invitation.

I missed that Arsenal match!

 

[Silent Blade]

but I remember us demolishing Liverpool 0-0 on New Year’s Day in probably 1993.

Boxing Day 1993

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Not likely going to see a better half then that, we were outstanding.

 

[GrayBlade]

I’ve seen us play as good as that but not better, and not for a complete half, only for a period during a game.

It was like 11 coins were thrown up in the air and they all came down heads. 1 to 11, I can’t fault us, we were superb! UTB

 

[Rustyblade]

Unfortunately I wasn't at today's match, but the best first half performance I saw was on 5th etember 1973.

This was the night when United were 4-0 up after 17 minutes, as Tony Currie, who scored twice, totally outshone World Cup winner Alan Ball. In his report, Radio Shfefield reporter Peter Cooper explained how United “destroyed” Arsenal and Currie “dismantled” Gunners defender Peter Storey.

This was also the night when, towards the end, Currie sat on the ball in front of Alan Ball, in revenge for Ball doing the same when Arsenal won 5-0 at the Lane a couple of years earlier. Cooper called Currie’s act “unnecessary, technically ungentlemanly – and magnificent”. The story goes that in fact the vanquished Ball, accepting that his team had been “destroyed”, and that Currie, in Cooper’s words, was on the night “something approaching greatness”, encouraged TC to do it. The showman that he was, Currie would not have needed a second invitation.

I knew Peter Cooper. A complete Leeds nut and yet one of the best football writers and broadcasters of his time. His match report in '73 was as good as the match itself in that he had somehow managed to crystalise a factual report with the emotional experience of actually being there. Just reading your quotes transports me instantly to that night and the hairs on the back of my arms stand up in a rare clarity of recall.

A Leeds fan, yes. A gentleman, beyond doubt. And a brilliant writer.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I missed that Arsenal match!

I didn't but fuck it, it was glorious OK, but it's about time we put these 70s performances to bed after the showing today and started living in the present otherwise we'll be sounding like the pigs and BDM. Just keep the Arsenal one in the memory banks and reminisce along with what we saw today. Only one slight criticism, we were so much better than that lot today, we could and should have put them to the sword in the second half, they were in fucking disarray and a slaughter was on the cards.

 

[Ricky]

I'd also say it was undoubtedly the most memorable home game of Wilder's reign.

Only one slight criticism, we were so much better than that lot today, we could and should have put them to the sword in the second half, they were in fucking disarray and a slaughter was on the cards.

Agree. Most frustrating of all was when we took the ball into the corner at the end. At 4-1 up. What the fuck?

We haven't scored 5 yet under Wilder nor have we won a Championship game by more than 3 goals. Today was a great chance to do both - and against big opposition.

But somehow I just knew we'd stop at 4. It's the sort of thing that generally happens in football. 4-1 after 3-0 at HT is really quite typical.

 

[SB_90]

at the time I was thinking that & seen a few articles saying the best performance under wilder. ive been going 20yrs back to heath. I Dont think ive seen a better 1st half than that. it was outstanding in every way. I considered Bradford at easter Monday in the title winning season was good but no disrespect to Bradford, this is aston villa historically 1 of the biggest clubs in the country & we tore them apart

 

[Bladeaway]

As a relative young ‘un, (I first started going regularly in ‘97) these last two games stick in my mind as stand out performances.

In my time, for other memorable performances, we haven’t been playing this style of pressing, attacking football. Other teams just can’t cope!

What was the atmosphere like?
I’ve been on the other side of the world for the last 5 years, and I miss it!

The best atmosphere (and for me probably most memorable game) I have ever been at was the 1-0 victory against Arsenal under Warnock. Was it approaching that today?

 

[Revolution]

Good call that one, but Spurs were more bothered about the cup semi a few days later, think Gazza got subbed early. Still a great game.

The semi final was a month later!

I can only think of Bradford as equivalent first half dominance but that was in the division below. Reading last year at home was a superb first half...but this was another level entirely.

 

[Sheffsteel]

The semi final was a month later!

I can only think of Bradford as equivalent first half dominance but that was in the division below. Reading last year at home was a superb first half...but this was another level entirely.

It depends what is meant by dominance.

I remember last season both Reading and Barnsley hardly got in our half.
The ball was permanently in the opposition half and we had loads of possession but we struggled to create many clear cut chances.

Today we didn’t dominate as much but some of our attacking play was so incisive and creative, it was very Man Cityish at times.
Very quick one touch passing, pass and move and Villa couldn’t cope with it. Think we shocked them.

That’s the most pleasing aspect in the last 2 games. We’ve actually looked like scoring plenty of goals, created chances using incisive passing and we’ve also looked dangerous at set pieces.

Last year and the year before when we won the league we dominated more but were often guilty of over passing, almost show boating, too many sideways passing but this team look to pass forward.

 

[boo radley]

Caught in the euphoria but I think the first half against Wolves last season may shade that.
Ok we did not score as many but the speed which we pinged the ball about and ripped a far better team than Villa to shreds was stunning.