Next up is Sunderland on Saturday; so far Villa haven’t had a worse scoreline in any game than in the corresponding fixture last season. I’ll be very surprised, and delighted, if we can still be saying that this time next week.
No. He had his red card rescinded.No wum?
Sunderland (H)
Southampton (A)
Fulham (A)
Man U (H)
Stoke (A)
Should be aiming 10 pts from those imo.
W, D, W, L, W.
Yes I am optimistic.
I will never underestimate our team again, so probably win.
That said Sunderland are not as bad as their league position suggests. I think it could be a very good game.
I will never underestimate our team again, so probably win.
That said Sunderland are not as bad as their league position suggests. I think it could be a very good game.
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
Not convinced about KEA, but Sylla had a shocker IMO v WBA.
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
Question for me is who the midfield trio are. Westwood's a certainty to start given the praise Lambert was dishing out and the goal has probably kept Bacuna in. You'd assume Delph if he's fit enough would start but I'd quite like to see Bacuna in the middle trio with licence to get forward and see how that works.
@MatKendrick: Neil Swarbrick will referee Villa v Sunderland on Saturday and Jon Moss will referee Southampton v Villa next Wednesday #avfc
@MatKendrick: Neil Swarbrick will referee Villa v Sunderland on Saturday and Jon Moss will referee Southampton v Villa next Wednesday #avfc
Wasn't he the drummer in Culture Club?
So do you think another transfer saga is going to unfold in January ? Or is he just out of form ?
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
People keep saying that Benteke isn't 100% fit, but he's had a good few games now under his belt and he's looked a shell of his former self. He rarely wins headers, struggles to hold up the ball, and often runs into nowhere when he does keep it. Based on this, I'd say Lambert has to start Kozak, and I hope he does in keeping with his policy of not being afraid to drop players. The only thing stopping him would be how good we know Benteke can be, but based on his current form I'd keep him on the bench as a back-up in case of disaster.
Either he's not fit, or he reeks of a player who doesn't want to be here.
I genuinely don't think he's as fit as he was last season. The summer bollocks might have played a part, but even in the early games, where at least he was still scoring, he looked a yard short in pace he had last season. We could be seeming JPA syndrome, but I think it's fitness.So do you think another transfer saga is going to unfold in January ? Or is he just out of form ?
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
People keep saying that Benteke isn't 100% fit, but he's had a good few games now under his belt and he's looked a shell of his former self. He rarely wins headers, struggles to hold up the ball, and often runs into nowhere when he does keep it. Based on this, I'd say Lambert has to start Kozak, and I hope he does in keeping with his policy of not being afraid to drop players. The only thing stopping him would be how good we know Benteke can be, but based on his current form I'd keep him on the bench as a back-up in case of disaster.
Either he's not fit, or he reeks of a player who doesn't want to be here.
I think its two things, fitness and confidence (which are linked). He needs one to go in off his shin/ear/arse etc and suddenly the confidence will soar. He is thinking about playing for another team alright, they are called Belgium. I honestly dont think its anything else.
So do you think another transfer saga is going to unfold in January ? Or is he just out of form ?
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
People keep saying that Benteke isn't 100% fit, but he's had a good few games now under his belt and he's looked a shell of his former self. He rarely wins headers, struggles to hold up the ball, and often runs into nowhere when he does keep it. Based on this, I'd say Lambert has to start Kozak, and I hope he does in keeping with his policy of not being afraid to drop players. The only thing stopping him would be how good we know Benteke can be, but based on his current form I'd keep him on the bench as a back-up in case of disaster.
Either he's not fit, or he reeks of a player who doesn't want to be here.
Out of form is my guess, as has happened to Lowton, Weimann and Westwood.So do you think another transfer saga is going to unfold in January ? Or is he just out of form ?
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Luna
Westwood
KEA Delph
Bacuna Agbonlahor
Benteke
I'd go with that.
Actually think Kozak was better v WBA than Benteke, but I'm still not sure Benteke is 100% fit and seemed to be a lot deeper.
People keep saying that Benteke isn't 100% fit, but he's had a good few games now under his belt and he's looked a shell of his former self. He rarely wins headers, struggles to hold up the ball, and often runs into nowhere when he does keep it. Based on this, I'd say Lambert has to start Kozak, and I hope he does in keeping with his policy of not being afraid to drop players. The only thing stopping him would be how good we know Benteke can be, but based on his current form I'd keep him on the bench as a back-up in case of disaster.
Either he's not fit, or he reeks of a player who doesn't want to be here.
Albrighton recalled from Wigan apparently! Surely he is not in line to play on Saturday?He's got games under his belt for them, played well. I think he'd be a useful option on the bench and he'd be the most capable in our squad of getting good delivery into the box for Benteke.
Albrighton recalled from Wigan apparently! Surely he is not in line to play on Saturday?
Albrighton recalled from Wigan apparently! Surely he is not in line to play on Saturday?
That report says Lambert has recalled Albrighton ahead of schedule - the loan was to last til the end of November (Saturday) and Wigan don't play til Sunday this weekend, so hardly an early recall.
Albrighton is better than Tonev.
@MatKendrick: Neil Swarbrick will referee Villa v Sunderland on Saturday and Jon Moss will referee Southampton v Villa next Wednesday #avfc
Wasn't he the drummer in Culture Club?
Yes, god knows how he managed to become a ref, it's a miracle.
@MatKendrick: Neil Swarbrick will referee Villa v Sunderland on Saturday and Jon Moss will referee Southampton v Villa next Wednesday #avfc
Wasn't he the drummer in Culture Club?
Yes, god knows how he managed to become a ref, it's a miracle.
Interesting how Ashley Young goes about his business when Moss is reffing. Does he think, I'll tumble 4 ya?
@MatKendrick: Neil Swarbrick will referee Villa v Sunderland on Saturday and Jon Moss will referee Southampton v Villa next Wednesday #avfc
Wasn't he the drummer in Culture Club?
Yes, god knows how he managed to become a ref, it's a miracle.
Interesting how Ashley Young goes about his business when Moss is reffing. Does he think, I'll tumble 4 ya?
Lets hope we are not the latest 'victims' of refereeing howlers.
I'd go with:
Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna, Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
4 - 3 - 3.
I'd go with:
Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Luna, Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
4 - 3 - 3.
And me. That is unquestionably our best 11.
Saturday 30.11.13 3pm KOQuote from: dave.woodhallNext up is Sunderland on Saturday; so far Villa haven’t had a worse scoreline in any game than in the corresponding fixture last season. I’ll be very surprised, and delighted, if we can still be saying that this time next week.
Do I go to this considering the events surrounding last season...
2-0 home win
Benteke 21
Delph 56
Albrighton is better than Tonev.
Albrighton is better than Tonev.
Albrighton is better than Tonev.
As always it's a matter of opinion. The Albrighton of recent times was not the Albrighton who looked so promising early in his career and IMO, there's not alot to choose between them overall.
Albrighton is better than Tonev.
As always it's a matter of opinion. The Albrighton of recent times was not the Albrighton who looked so promising early in his career and IMO, there's not alot to choose between them overall.
By James Nursey | 28/11/13
At half-time in Aston Villa's Midlands derby at West Brom, you could sense the anger rising in the quiet away end.
Villa were lucky to only be 2-0 down at their local rivals Albion and the home fans were having a field day.
"You should have gone down the market," the home fans gleefully sang in reference to Brum's fine festive German fayre, where they do a mean stein of ice-cold lager.
And after seeing Shane Long score twice and Stephane Sessegnon miss a sitter, many Villains were probably already drowning their sorrows.
But people behind the scenes at Villa Park, the people I speak to, have always been quietly confident about their hopes for a respectable campaign this season. And there was further evidence in the second half at The Hawthorns that boss Paul Lambert is assembling a promising young side with real guts on the cheap.
They left Albion with a draw in the end after a 2-2 thriller. Villa have now taken more points from losing positions than any other Premier League side this season.
Ashley Westwood explained to the press post-match how Lambert has given them the resilience and belief to do it after his brilliant equaliser .
But there are clearly Villa fans out there who remain unconvinced that their side are making real progress. Someone even tweeted me at half-time saying Lambert should be sacked!
I was on talkSPORT after the game and was asked I think Villa are going in the right direction or not. I did my best to answer in the 20 seconds but perhaps I can elaborate.
Because, if there are doubters out there, then what they clearly cannot appreciate is Villa's financial position now owner Randy Lerner has closed his previously open chequebook.
It meant Alex McLeish had to make big cut-backs to the club's wage bill. And now successor Lambert is also operating on a hugely reduced budget from the Martin O'Neill era and has to rely on shrewd bargain signings which are not easy to find.
The Scot is not complaining - in fact I think he quite relishes the challenge - but if Villa are ever to compete with the top six again in future and qualify for Europe, they are going to have to do it more organically, and therefore slowly.
That means buying rough, cheap diamonds from abroad or down the leagues like Westwood, Leandro Bacuna and Matt Lowton. And it means working with talented academy graduates like Nathan Baker, Andreas Weimann and Ciaran Clark.
Unlike when you buy a proven Premier League player, it takes time for these guys to peak and many will only develop from learning from their mistakes. We saw that last season when many learnt the hard way in a brutal relegation battle with some embarrassing defeats.
But Villa survived to finish 15th and improved immeasurably in the new year, losing only to Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea after February.
And this season, the progress has once again been clear. The defence has got a lot tighter, players like Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Westwood have come on enormously, and crucially Villa are picking up more points.
Sure, many impatient fans would probably prefer quicker progress but that is just not realistic given Villa's budget.
The side are currently 12th and unbeaten in three games having already played the top four in their opening 12 games. No one is getting complacent as there is clearly room for improvement: to oick up more results at home and get Christian Benteke firing again.
But Villa have one of the youngest sides in the top flight with players who are only going to grow in stature.
Consequently, I think there is little danger of Villa going down this season and they will be a big threat in the FA Cup. They can beat anyone on their day as shown this season against Arsenal and Man City.
So if I was a Villa fan this Christmas, I would indeed go down the German market in Brum and raise a stein to Lambert, who to my mind is clearly turning the club around after flirting with relegation the previous three seasons.
It's quite scary when James Nursey is being optimistic. Like seeing a smiling policeman.
It's quite scary when James Nursey is being optimistic. Like seeing a smiling policeman.
Just going back, for me Albrighton showed more quality in the League cup game than Tonev has all season.
Tonev is Lambert's player though, so I don't expect Marc to push him out that easily.
Good to see Luna back if it means Clark can go to centre half. Gardner really needs to start making an impact now.
I am worried about Eastie's honking.
I also don't think this is a guaranteed three points, though I do fancy us to win
They've definitely improved since poyet arrived. Granted their away form is still poor but that's partly because they keep getting players sent off.
Would ideally like to see
Guzan - Lowton vlaar Clark Luna - bacuna Westwood Delph - Weimann benteke gabby
Paul Lambert has tipped Aleksandar Tonev to be a success at Aston Villa after being encouraged by his “pace and energy” during the early days of his claret and blue career.
The Bulgarian international winger has impressed in flashes since his summer move from Lech Poznan as he adjusts to playing in the Premier League.
Tonev forced an early save from Boaz Myhill during Monday’s draw at Albion before making way for Andi Weimann just before the hour mark.
Lambert is convinced he will be an important player for Villa once he gets used to the demands of English football.
“He’s lightning quick, Alex, but you’ve got to give people time,” said Lambert. “At certain times they come in and hit the ground running but sometimes it takes foreign lads coming into this country a good bit to adjust.
“I’ve been happy with Alex, sometimes he’ll make mistakes like everybody else but his energy is very high. One or two take longer than others but that’s to be expected.
“You just have to wait for that time but his contribution I don’t have a problem with.”
Lambert also explained that he has recalled Marc Albrighton from his loan spell at Wigan to help Villa cope with a demanding fixture list between now and the new year.
After tomorrow’s match against Sunderland, Villa have six Premier League games in December.
“We need everybody and I’ve just pulled Marc back because of that as well,” added Lambert.
“The amount of games we’re going to have to play in this period is pretty demanding. I think he’s done well for Owen Coyle which was good.”
Three people have voted on the poll for a Villa loss. Can we have them shot at dawn please ? Dawn's place is at 25..............................Apartment 9....................................
Thank you
I don't really remember Swarbrick, which I take as a good sign.
Thank you
I don't really remember Swarbrick, which I take as a good sign.
Exactly what i was thinking, that's always a sign of a good ref
Thank you
I don't really remember Swarbrick, which I take as a good sign.
Exactly what i was thinking, that's always a sign of a good ref
Indeed it is , a goof ref is one you don't notice much .
Swarbrick is the one who bottled sending Rooney off last weekThank you
I don't really remember Swarbrick, which I take as a good sign.
Exactly what i was thinking, that's always a sign of a good ref
We are odds against with a couple of firms tomorrow.
I don't know whether to be happy that that's good betting value, or depressed that we are odds against versus a relegation fodder side at home.
We are odds against with a couple of firms tomorrow.
I don't know whether to be happy that that's good betting value, or depressed that we are odds against versus a relegation fodder side at home.
We are odds against with a couple of firms tomorrow.
I don't know whether to be happy that that's good betting value, or depressed that we are odds against versus a relegation fodder side at home.
Only just odds against, though.
To be honest, I am not surprised. Look at our home record. We might have beaten Cardiff, but that's one game in a pretty long unimpressive run. I'm not surprised people bet against us at home.
We are odds against with a couple of firms tomorrow.
I don't know whether to be happy that that's good betting value, or depressed that we are odds against versus a relegation fodder side at home.
Behave. "How did we sink so low?" was sooo last season.
Going by what happened with Cardiff I reckon it'll be tetchy. They'll be set up to nullify us and breaking them down will be a struggle, again. Fortunately Villa have shown they do have the resolve to keep going so hopefully a breakthrough will come.
Win and we hit 18 points and will be looking very comfortable.
3-1 Villa, Benteke 2, Weimann.
Win and we hit 18 points and will be looking very comfortable.
3-1 Villa, Benteke 2, Weimann.Win and we hit 18 points and will be looking very comfortable.
3-1 Villa, Benteke 2, Weimann.
Indeed onwards and upwards , I have a feeling jol may get the bullet after tomorrow but I hope he survives another week so we avoid the new manager effect on Fulham .
A win tomorrow will set us up nicely in the top 10 hopefully and we can build from a solid platform.
We dont do comfortable to easily tho do we
Indeed onwards and upwards , I have a feeling jol may get the bullet after tomorrow but I hope he survives another week so we avoid the new manager effect on Fulham .
A win tomorrow will set us up nicely in the top 10 hopefully and we can build from a solid platform.
We are odds against with a couple of firms tomorrow.
I don't know whether to be happy that that's good betting value, or depressed that we are odds against versus a relegation fodder side at home.
Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Luna, Westwood, Sylla, Delph, Bacuna, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Gotta miss this one as it's fallen on my boy's second birthday, and I'm not allowed out of the house. So I would normally wish upon you all a miserable 1-niller. However, since my replacement shall be my three-and-a-half years old nephew attending his first game, I hope our season-long run of bettered results keeps going.
Nailed-on 6-0, seeing how we can keep a clean sheet these days.
Gotta miss this one as it's fallen on my boy's second birthday, and I'm not allowed out of the house. So I would normally wish upon you all a miserable 1-niller. However, since my replacement shall be my three-and-a-half years old nephew attending his first game, I hope our season-long run of bettered results keeps going.
Nailed-on 6-0, seeing how we can keep a clean sheet these days.
Here's hoping you are the new Legion!
Weimann was full of running and energy against Albion so I hope both he and Gabby are back in the side. I think though with Gabby being out for a month he might start on the bench again.
Hopefully more of the same from the second half of Monday's game,with the 3 subs starting. Be tempted to bring in Lowton for Sylla. If we could get an early goal to settle us down we should be able to take this lot. UTV.It will be very unlike us to carry on where we left off on Monday so I expect a few trials and tribulations as usual!