Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on February 25, 2011, 08:38:00 PM
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Available Saturday evening.
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Great 2nd half performance and lovely pass and move football, exciting to watch and very enjoyable- well done to all , coaches , GED and players , pires was top drawer at times and very pleasing all around.
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A win like that was a long time coming. Well done lads. We'll get a lot of confidence out of that display.
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Really well done, Pires and Downing were excellent. The possession of the ball was great as well.
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Great second half performance. Downing, Young and Albrighton all really stepped up their game and Blackburn couldn't handle them.
Pires played very well too.
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Very happy, would have been great to keep a clean sheet, but 3 points, 3 goals wiped off out - tally, and an excellent 2nd half performance, well done lads, please keep it up
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I feel like my slenders have been cupped by an angel.
(Copyright Glenn Peen)
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Much needed win!
Poor 1st half, whatever G.H said at halftime worked magic well done.
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When was the last time we scored 4 in a game? Great win shame about the clean sheet, again, please get some consistancy in there Villa!
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That, ladies and gents, was Houllier's footballing ideas in action. There was a thread on here a while back about the last time any of us enjoyed watching the Villa. Well, that was it today.
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About bloody time, that was top drawer even if Bent had a stinker. Clarke NRC Downing Dunne Pires excellent, i cant remember when we had so many 8-9 out of 10 performances- Come on arsenal
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Relief is the over-riding emotion, tinged with a touch of shock witht the performance of Pires. I don't think he is ready to play against the big boys but he looked very comfortable out there today. Even in the 1st half Blackburn couldn't get into the game. 3 points I'm off to get pissed!
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Did Blackburn play with a centre forward until the second half?
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I thought we'd beat them, but indeed we smashed them. Very frustrating first half, with a lack of a cutting edge being our main problem, but we found our shooting boots in the second half and let rip. Shame about their goal, but a much-needed win and movement up the table.
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Ciaran Clark had a very good game today.Defensively quite good, but very good in possession as well.
We actually improved when Delph came on, and that is no criticism of Baker who i really like as well.
Have to say the partnership of Downing and Walker is very good as well.
The 1st signs today of GHs revolution?
For me NRC MON.
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A game of two halves. ;)
But seriously, it really was as far as converting chances are concerned. MA looked a different player after the break too. Great win and 4 points of 7th placed Bolton, who we will beat next week.
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Agree what a cool performance by NRC
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Well done Houllier! A lot of people on here doubted his selections today. He proved today that he picked the right team for this match. It will be nice this evening for there not to be a slag off Houllier post match thread!
Well done to all.
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Pah pah pah! Dah, pah pah! Pah pah, dah pah!
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Glenn Peen needs to pen a ditty before every home game from now on.
Nice to see us finally looking comfortable and playing decent football. West Ham on the opening day was a long time ago. Had to rub my eyes when I saw Petrov make bursting runs into the box late on (he was a sub, but still..).
A pity we couldn't keep a clean sheet but the defence played well and were undone by a deflection.
We are now almost equidistant between 6th and 18th. It was crucial we won today. A couple of more wins on the trot and we look forward to a relaxing (though perhaps boring) last few games of the season.
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PHEW!
Great win! Up to 12th!
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Agree what a cool performance by NRC
I'm far from his biggest fan, believing he's too limited technically to appear regularly for a team with European ambitions, but he really impressed me today. Nice sharp, simple passing, and kept the ball moving quickly.
If Makoun had put in that performance we'd be singing his praises, and rightly so.
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Glenn Peen needs to pen a ditty before every home game from now on.
Nice to see us finally looking comfortable and playing decent football. West Ham on the opening day was a long time ago. Had to rub my eyes when I saw Petrov make bursting runs into the box late on (he was a sub, but still..).
A pity we couldn't keep a clean sheet but the defence played well and were undone by a deflection.
We are now almost equidistant between 6th and 18th. It was crucial we won today. A couple of more wins on the trot and we look forward to a relaxing (though perhaps boring) last few games of the season.
Ill take boring! But were not far off europe still you know!
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Brilliant result and boy we needed it!
Think we'll go on a bit of a run now, we'll do bolton next week.
Well done lads, been a long time since I had a smile on a saturday :D
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The 1st signs today of GHs revolution?
For me NRC MON.
Does that mean NRC today played the role of a stubborn, short-sighted, egotistical, money-grabbing...
You do mean man of the match. Sorry.
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Well that was shit. Should have had seven.
Goal difference will be crucial in May.
Joking aside, great win. Table looks a lot better tonight.
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I think NRC has been our most consistant player this season, that was him at his best, won tackles, passed to a Villa player every time, covered space, what more do you want from a defensive midfield player
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have to hold my hand up and admit i know f**k all about football
slagged Downing and Ashley off on a thread late last night/early this morning and i had a wee moan about Pires in the match thread :-[
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Game of two halves, I thought Pires was shite first half, He had a few shots but most were at the keeper, Bent missed 2, Albrighton was on the left, Downing on the right I thought here we go.
2nd half much better Pires was better I thought Downing played well, As did Walker & Dunne, he made one mistake and we weren't made to pay! Really could have scored 8 today!
Much needed win
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The only down side today was Benty. Got into good positions but wasn't sharp. Still, he'll get his share between now and the end of the season.
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A crucial win which I think should see us start to head clear of trouble and I suspect many a slender will be cupped in the Barton's tonight.
Some impressive performances, NRC was excellent, kept it simple, Pires looked decent, and Delph looks very very comfortable on the ball and has an eye for a pass. Albrighton was struggling first half but great second. Walker is a cracking player and linked up well with Downing. We should bust our balls to sign him in the summer.
Minor downsides, Bent looked a bit slow and out of sorts today and Dunne still looks like a catastrophe waiting to happen at times. And Young's free kicks are embarrassingly bad, for fuck's sake keep him away from them.
As well as we played I thought Blackburn looked as poor a side as I've seen all season - anyone know what odds they are for relegation?
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Were the fuck did that come from? First half we were woeful, second half much better, just what we needed, Blackburn were totally shit but we took our last two goals fantastically
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I don't think we were that bad in the first half at all, just dominated play without providing much of a cutting edge (still a few half chances). Second half we stepped it up, but the first wasn't too bad at all.
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Young a different player without the snood.
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Even the wankers in my local shouting Villa in that squeaky voice didn't spoil it :)
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Even the wankers in my local shouting Villa in that squeaky voice didn't spoil it :)
what is that squeaky voice thing all about?
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As well as we played I thought Blackburn looked as poor a side as I've seen all season - anyone know what odds they are for relegation?
This can't be overlooked.
We played well today and deserved the margin of victory. But they were shocking. Whether it's because we made them look bad or that they just didn't turn up, I'm not sure. Robinson kept them in it the first half.
We've put a decent little run together recently, the win today makes it that much better. But we'll need to keep it going for the next two, Wolves at home being particularly crucial.
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The only down side today was Benty. Got into good positions but wasn't sharp. Still, he'll get his share between now and the end of the season.
Games like that - i dont care if Bent doesnt score. Its game where we are more under pressure he has to take the chances (ofcourse score as many as possible) - but today the midfield was SUPERB
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Even the wankers in my local shouting Villa in that squeaky voice didn't spoil it :)
what is that squeaky voice thing all about?
Trying to make out we sing like girls or something
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Young a different player without the snood.
great observation Mac. He looked like a wanker with that thing on. Looked the part today and when he's in the mood he can quite superb.
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Either that or they just wankers
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Either that or they just wankers
i have heard it on the tv, i thought it was just a blues things but i have heard west brom and wolves doing it
2nd answer was best ;D
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First time this year I've had a relaxing post match swim in the pool
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Good win, and a deserved one in my book. I thought Reo-Coker was very good indeed today, and he seems to be playing much more effectively under Houllier, much more 'efficiently' and within his own limitations.
Another strong performance from Downing, Clark was assured at centre-back and Delph at left-back turned out to be very useful. He didn't have too much to do defensively, but he was useful getting forward with some good passes and the odd driving run.
Lastly, we really are starting to play some good stuff under Houllier. I know Blackburn weren't very good, really, but I was impressed with some of the football we played. Another win next week IS important, though. We need to stitch a few wins together.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
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well impressed with NRC and Delph could be very useful as an allround Left Back.
Liked when he broke through to edge of penalty area and was just robbed and went down, he was up straight away and told Marc A to get back and cover for him. Didn't hunch is shoulders and complain.....very mature.
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Thought Pires was brilliant today, I really did, and thought he was the difference in our attacking play - coming deep then getting us on the front foot. Bents movement was very good, and he pulled their back 4 about without the ball allowing our men coming from deep to get into the positions to score second half, but it was always an inch away for him.
I actually thought we played really well first half too, almost error free, and created enough opportunities to be 3-4 up by half time.
The other big difference for me was Clark and Delph in the back 4. Clark especially, as we clearly played football from the back continuously, picking balls through the midfield.
Biggest change though from first to second was Albrighton, and I was suprised GH gave him the second half as I thought he looked sulky, uninterested etc.... first half, then second looked confident, direct etc... very interesting to see what was said at half time.
Fair play though, great display, team selection spot on and very impressive. Hopefully 3-4 more of those and the season can end comfortably with a bit of breathing space to look forward to next
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just back from the match thought Downing was excellent always seems to get some stick from fans around me but iv always thought hes played well for us.
Clark always looks solid and walker and delph played well.
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Good point about Bent's movement Ozzjim, even though he looked a bit not quite with it today he does move well and pull the defenders around. Gabby could learn a lot from him on that score.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
It's never cold enough tbf
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
It's never cold enough tbf
I would don a snood in anything under minus 5.
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That's cos you're a wuss
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Most important thing by far - three points.
First half we were a little disorganised and shapeless to start with, but began to get into it more as we got nearer half time. Second half, infinitely better. I thought Pires was superb, and would probably give him man of the match.
Good stuff from Young, Downing and Albrighton. Delph also looked the part, and played one of the best balls I've seen all season, lovely ball down the wing.
Great result, and a massive confidence boost after a good performance.
Have to say, I thought Blackburn were absolutely terrible, by far the worst team I've seen us play at Villa Park - worse than West Ham on the first day, even. Their defending was shocking. They're worth a flutter as an outside bet to go down.
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They really do play anti football. Thought we were good in both halves. The game was also going to open up if we could get a goal as they no longer had the chance to put all eleven men behind the ball.
Too many good performances to mention them all and some great passing football. Squad rotation, 3 pts at home against a team we should beat, attractive football can't be bad! It's been way too long since we last put in as good a performance as that.
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We were great in the second half against an admittedly poor Blackburn Rovers. We dominated territory and possession throughout but only made it pay in the second half.
On walking back to the car, I overheard a young lady telling her partner that Pires was utterly useless and Albrighton scored a great goal. She was adamant about it.
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Have to admit when I got to the ground and heard that Pires was on the team sheet (with Bannan not even in the squad - not sure why?) my heart sank. How wrong could I be. Thought we were quality all over the pitch today, especially in the second half. The quality of the close passing and movement was something I haven't seen at VP for a while, and some of the longer passing - especially that ball out of defence by Delph for Albrighton on the wing - was superb. Unfair to single any one player out - just a shame Bent didn't score.
It was great to see Delph back, even though he had to fill in at left back. Heard Houllier on the way back saying that he put Delph there rather than Herd (a more natural defender) because Blackburn were only playing one up front so he could afford to use Delph as a more advanced LB. Substitutions tailored to fit the circumstances - makes a change from 4 years of Heskey time on 70 minutes! Not sure how Delph and Makoun will fit together - for me Delph is Makoun plus ball retention and getting stuck in. Time will tell but I'm well pleased today - not just for the result against a poor Blackburn, but also for the type of football we're starting to see at VP
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Great result today. Been waiting all season for us to actually take a team apart and not have to hang on to a one goal lead for the last 20 minutes.
Very frustrated first half as any sniff of a chance we did have we always seemed to make the wrong choice. Bent's chance from the dodgy back pass a case in point.
Second half much better. Ran at their defence and caused them countless problems. Downing, Albrighton, Walker, Pires and Young all excellent. Reo-Coker did brilliant job winning the ball and then passing it on to the more creative players.
Felt sorry for Bent as every time anyone tried to play him through they put too much weight on the pass and he couldn't get on the end of it.
Defence was excelllent (other than the mix up at start of 2nd half). Friedel may as well have had the day off he had so little to do. Nothing he could've done about the goal either, with that deflection. Annoying not to have got a clean sheet, but if thats all there is to complain about for today I'm happy.
Blackburn were truly woeful though. As someone else mentioned they seemed to be playing without anyone up front for most of the match. Lets hope we come up against a few other teams on a bad day too, and who knows we could sneak into Europe this season after all!
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good win, 3 pts is the most important thing but it has to be said blackburn are absolutely
shit. In my opinion we would have lost to better teams today with that formation.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
It's never cold enough tbf
December was pretty damn cold tbf.
And yea, Pires was great to today. Nice little passes that made space and created flowing football.
Where are the Ashley Young haters tonight?
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
It's never cold enough tbf
December was pretty damn cold tbf.
And yea, Pires was great to today. Nice little passes that made space and created flowing football.
Where are the Ashley Young haters tonight?
A couple of fans were absolutely slating him on WM post match
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
In all fairness I bet Blackburn fans are sick of the sight of Villa Park. Third trip for their fans this season. Pathetic support though.
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Today's goals are here for anyone that hasn't seen them. (Or even those who have I suppose.)
http://www.goalsarena.com/video/england-barclays-premier-league/26-02-2011-aston-villa-blackburn_en.html
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
I tried counting them in the 1st half.I think it was 297.
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Where are the Ashley Young haters tonight?
I doubt there are any Ashley Young haters. There are lots of people (of which I'm one), who think he's a very good footballer who very rarely shows it. He did today, fair play, I hope he keeps it up, because he's got a lot of talent, but over the past 2 years or so, we haven't seen it. Great to see him playing like that, though.
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
I tried counting them in the 1st half.I think it was 297.
Five were arrested.
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
I tried counting them in the 1st half.I think it was 297.
Five were arrested.
During the game?
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During the game?
Yes.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
I was froze.
Disjointed first half where we allowed them to get back into position to often, Mark Albrighton seemed to waste a lot of good possesion and Pires played like he was 37 dog years, despite having nearly all our half chances.
Second half was excellent, Pires rolled back the years with an excellent half and we had nearly all of our players in contention for MOM, Downing, Pires, NRC, Walker, Clarke, Ashley and Albrighton were all in with a shout but Id have gone for Dunne just ahead of NRC. He gave a solid platform on which the attacking players could perform.
A quick mention for Clarke, he's going to be world class when he adds strength to his other attributes, He didnt win much in the air but looked very assured in posession.
A really good game that I would have enjoyed more were it not for the nagging thought that I'd left the oven on.
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Oh and I was less than impressed with the 4th as I had Young 1st GS and 3-1 Villa.
Bastards.
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Was it warmer when you got home?
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Just back from B6
NRC absolute class today MOM hope he stays
Delph looks quality, I was in north std lower directly behind that ball he played down the line to albrighton, great ball and worth the admission money alone. It was like a golf shot with a slight draw on the ball.
Dunne excellent as was Clark and I owe an apology to Pires.
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I thought Reo-Coker is worthy of a mention for today's performance. I don't remember him giving a single pass to the oppostion, something he usually does. He's never going to hit 40/50 yard defence splitting passes but I thought he kept us ticking over well. Also young Delph done well in his unaccustomed left back position.
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Was it warmer when you got home?
Not back yet, the Fire Brigade have blocked the road off.
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just got back from the match,thought the 1st half was ok,could and should of scored a couple of goals! Second half i thought we were very good,Downing,Young and Allbrighton caused them all sorts of problems,was the 1st time for a while could actually relax and enjoy the match! Blackurn we very poor,being sucked down into the relagation battle now,very poor! onwards an upwards (hopefully) now! UTV!!!
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That sort of result has been coming, we 're a different side with a bit of confidence
Young and Downing were fantastic today, not going to look for that thread but it should hang its head in shame.
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Thats better, just when you're starting to let doubts creep in, they go and produce that! Thought the whole team were magnificent and I'd say the 1st half was much better than people were making out, second half we were superb. Felt a bit sorry for Benty he just didn't seem on the same wavelength as the others at times and too many through balls were overhit but his movement is something that's creating space for the Young/Albrighton/Downing trio to flourish.
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Very pleased with the 2nd half performance.
Thought Pires & NRC we're good in the middle today. NRC was composed & was good with his passing.
Downing was class, him & Walker play really well together on the right.
Was impressed with Delph at left back as he was just thrown in there.
Bent was unlucky, so many through balls were just over hit. His movement is brilliant, only a matter of time before he's smashing them in all the time.
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Ashely over hit about 4 through balls for Bent, they look like they get on and will start to click very soon.
Downing was brilliant when he moved to the right.
Delph looked quality, I can't wait to see him in the centre next to Makoun.
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
I tried counting them in the 1st half.I think it was 297.
Five were arrested.
During the game?
Villa Police on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/WMPVillaFC)
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Check out the NRC & Pires passing stats from today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/9739468
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I had a quick drink with an inspector who runs the police operations at VP. He told me there'd be about 34k there & only 300 Blackburn fans.
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Also, a special mention for the smallest away support I can remember seeing at Villa Park for a very long time indeed.
I tried counting them in the 1st half.I think it was 297.
Five were arrested.
During the game?
Villa Police on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/WMPVillaFC)
Cant read it, what does it say?
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So no shit about Ashley diving today?
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I was the other side of the ground, did Nelson deserve that second yellow? he seemed to play the ball to me.
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Cant read it, what does it say?
Arrested for something to do with dunking - maybe they tried to push over the Dunkin'Donuts van.
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Check out the NRC & Pires passing stats from today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/9739468
bloody hell. NRC 70 out of 73 passes completed!!!!! Pires was 53 out of 56. The times they are a changing indeed.
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Is it just me or was our result as easy because rover's were so awful,can't remember as bad a performance since we beat the scum 5-1.But i'd take the win at the moment.and agree with the smallest away attendance ever ,funny.. Even for them.
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I thought Bent played well today, just like a proper striker. Every shot that came in he was there looking for the rebound. Great reading of the game by him.
Downing was our best performer on the day followed by NRC and Clark who only made one mistake that I noticed. Blackburn should feel worried, that's the worst away display I have seen this season. Santa Cruz....abysmal.
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Very good insightful post match interview from houllier on the official site .
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Is it just me or was our result as easy because rover's were so awful,can't remember as bad a performance since we beat the scum 5-1.But i'd take the win at the moment.and agree with the smallest away attendance ever ,funny.. Even for them.
This is a bit disingenuous. Especially the bit about "i'd take the win at the moment" as bad as Blackburn were we were equally if not more than good. Ever thought we might have made them look bad?
Enjoy it! We won and played well!
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Check out the NRC & Pires passing stats from today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/9739468
Fantastic, NRC also won the ball without giving fouls away, he was absoloute class today
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Not read most of this thread looked at some pages.
Today we improved from the moment Nathan Baker was injured and Delph came on. I know there is no logical reason for that but I thought in the first 30 mins we lacked drive. There was no runs from the fullbacks and widemen did not move forward quickly enough. Albrighton found himself congested and possibly had his worst game for us ...in the first half that is.
Post Delph we had 3 or 4 chances in a short spell from about 37 to 45 minute. I think the reason for this improvemant was that Delph started running at them and they had not counted for this. They had put all their effort to try to stop Walker and Albrighton at that stage which they did successfully upto than.
Second half was a different story and enough has been said on that in the posts so far.
For my money MotM was Downing and Pires was also superb despite his lack of pace. He could be the weapon against donkey teams at VP.
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Wasn't really that cold today to wear a snood tbf.
It's never cold enough tbf
I would don a snood in anything under minus 5.
I couldn't bring myself to do it. Never wear gloves either.
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I had a quick drink with an inspector who runs the police operations at VP. He told me there'd be about 34k there & only 300 Blackburn fans.
They had 438.
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The BBurn manager is a total plank, the have been taken over by Indian chicken millionaires, at what point do we take them seriously?
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Delph's pas second half, outside of the foot into the path of Albrighton was Sidesque, moment of the season so far for me.
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I thought Bent played well today, just like a proper striker. Every shot that came in he was there looking for the rebound. Great reading of the game by him.
Downing was our best performer on the day followed by NRC and Clark who only made one mistake that I noticed. Blackburn should feel worried, that's the worst away display I have seen this season. Santa Cruz....abysmal.
I agree with most of that Bren but have you forgotten our match winner or just looking at alternatives?
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What about Ash diving all over the place?
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Cracking win, left Villa Park with a big grin on my face, back to Weatherspoons in Tamworth for a lovely pint or two of Jalpur and saw England stuff the frogs and then, to round the evening off a treat some half-pissed knuckledragger took exception to the Villa shirt I was wearing and made the painful mistake of trying to assault me. Ballsy of him. Stupid but ballsy.
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Delph's pas second half, outside of the foot into the path of Albrighton was Sidesque, moment of the season so far for me.
It was stunning, proper hard on material
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Is it just me or was our result as easy because rover's were so awful,can't remember as bad a performance since we beat the scum 5-1.But i'd take the win at the moment.and agree with the smallest away attendance ever ,funny.. Even for them.
This is a bit disingenuous. Especially the bit about "i'd take the win at the moment" as bad as Blackburn were we were equally if not more than good. Ever thought we might have made them look bad?
Enjoy it! We won and played well!
Believe me i did and still am burp,just think they were really poor,we'll se how we get on wed and sat at bolton which i will attend.
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Could not find fault with anyone today - it was a very good team performance , slick pass and move football and we were unlucky not to have had a few more goals, I was surprised to see delph at left back but he looked comfortable and as chris said the pass for albrighton was superb, up to 12th and only 4 points adrift of 7th place and the confidence should be sky high now.
Let's hope arsenal win the cup tomorrow and free up another European place.
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I thought Bent played well today, just like a proper striker. Every shot that came in he was there looking for the rebound. Great reading of the game by him.
Downing was our best performer on the day followed by NRC and Clark who only made one mistake that I noticed. Blackburn should feel worried, that's the worst away display I have seen this season. Santa Cruz....abysmal.
I agree with most of that Bren but have you forgotten our match winner or just looking at alternatives?
Yes, Young was up there as well but wasn't in my mind MOM.
I pointed out exactly where in the Holte his free kick would end up that he took towards the end, he can be very frustrating. Overall he played very well, 2nd half especially.
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No criticism of Ash diving today, then?
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No criticism of Ash diving today, then?
not sure he dived that much, but managed to do nothing with free kicks as usual
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I still think Ash isn't really the trequartista GH seems to have in mind. When he's playing from the left and has license to drift central it's fine, but he lacks a certain calmness for the fully fledged free role. His strengths include dribbling directly at the defence, linking up quickly on the counter-attack and shooting or crossing from around the left angle of the penalty area. His weaknesses include being patient in choosing options, constructing attacks rather than always looking to finish them, weighting throughballs properly (more overhit throughballs than you'd believe) and knowing when to dribble or pass when faced with options right and left. The only conclusion you can draw from that is that he should play as a wide forward, not in the hole.
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I was the other side of the ground, did Nelson deserve that second yellow? he seemed to play the ball to me.
Nope. He only got Ash.
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I still think Ash isn't really the trequartista GH seems to have in mind. When he's playing from the left and has license to drift central it's fine, but he lacks a certain calmness for the fully fledged free role. His strengths include dribbling directly at the defence, linking up quickly on the counter-attack and shooting or crossing from around the left angle of the penalty area. His weaknesses include being patient in choosing options, constructing attacks rather than always looking to finish them, weighting throughballs properly (more overhit throughballs than you'd believe) and knowing when to dribble or pass when faced with options right and left. The only conclusion you can draw from that is that he should play as a wide forward, not in the hole.
I still believe he is our most important player and one that is likely to leave in the summer for nothing. Trying to replace him will not be easy.
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Great Second Half performance, poor Nathan Baker though, he must hate Blackburn! Pires is a yard off the pace, that wasn't much of an issue today as Blackburn were so negative and he really did use the ball well, Kyle Walker is a superb full back, I'm not sure what Spurs are playing at letting him go out on loan, it's a shame we'll have no chance of signing him permanently.
Ashley Young had his best game for ages, Downing took his goal really well and along with Albrighton ripped their full backs a new backside. Darren Bent was quiet but when he gets a chance of goal he generally isn't far away, his shots on target per chance must be pretty high. Richard Dunne looked extremely healthy again, he showed a lot of energy today, Ciaran Clark is cool and composed on the ball, he did struggle a bit in the air today but the defence weren't troubled that much.
Reo-Coker tidied up nicely and I was very impressed with Delph, he has a good turn of pace I hope he gets an injury free run from now until the end of the season, there's some great potential there.
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trequartista?
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I still think Ash isn't really the trequartista GH seems to have in mind. When he's playing from the left and has license to drift central it's fine, but he lacks a certain calmness for the fully fledged free role. His strengths include dribbling directly at the defence, linking up quickly on the counter-attack and shooting or crossing from around the left angle of the penalty area. His weaknesses include being patient in choosing options, constructing attacks rather than always looking to finish them, weighting throughballs properly (more overhit throughballs than you'd believe) and knowing when to dribble or pass when faced with options right and left. The only conclusion you can draw from that is that he should play as a wide forward, not in the hole.
First half his free role consisted of free to do a sweet fuck all role. 2nd half he was very good even though his through balls to Bent were over hit in the main, some were very close. One in particular we'd have been eulogising about tonight had it been just a little less heavy as Bent's run and Ash's delivery over the defence was near perfect for Bent being one on one with the keeper.
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trequartista?
Its Italian for Show Off.
No Barry Bannan again which was surprising, particularly as I'd bet on him scoring. Amused my brother in law though.
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trequartista?
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Trequartista = playmaker, number 10 etc...
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Tony, totally agree.
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trequartista?
It's a word you get free with part one of your "John Blackwell Guide To Amazing Your Internet Chums". There are 1,039 further parts to collect (only £4.99 each). When you have them all you can build a 1/42nd model of the San Siro with the words you've collected.
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Thanks, that's sorted then!
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No criticism of Ash diving today, then?
Can't say I noticed much, he went down a couple of times waving his hands in the air and the ref waving play on but he seemed to go down naturally rather than throwing himself to the floor rather roughly.
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trequartista?
Latin for treacle tart.
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Very poor first half which shows what a team can do if they park the bus against us. Thought Clark looked assured at the back and was delighted to see Delph complete the game and gave us an option even as a full back. He played one ball down the wing with the outside of his foot which had england class written all over it.
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I had a quick drink with an inspector who runs the police operations at VP. He told me there'd be about 34k there & only 300 Blackburn fans.
They had 438.
However many there were, they didn't make much noise. My eyesight's not brilliant minus glasses, didn't immediately realise they'd scored.
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No criticism of Ash diving today, then?
No no criticism because every now and than we win a penalty for that!
Yes he had a good game however it could have been much better if his attempted through balls to Bent have been a little more effective. He is doing the right thing in picking him but too much weight and over hit. He made 5 attempts today and 4 were not good only 1 where Bent should have done better.
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Trequartista (enganche in South America) means "in the hole" between the midfield and the attacking line.
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Trequartista (enganche in South America) means "in the hole" between the midfield and the attacking line.
Or, in true Alan Shearer/Mark Lawrenson style - a tactical word that we don't understand and should laugh at because it's one of those funny foreign things, innit.
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Just watched MOTD, we looked very good. Pires seemed to play very, very well. Whole team did. Young & Bent link up well I feel, and Downing again doing the business. Great performance. Must win game, and we won. Time to push on up the table.
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All in accord on this thread. The first 35 mins was dreadful, but the reason turned out to be that Blackburn bus station was the unknown Kean's tactical inspiration and that Villa were rehearsing being Arsenal for the 2nd half. Loads of passes were within inches of brilliance ie keep practising.
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At half time I sat there thinking "fuck me this is shit", but on reflection it wasn't, we had dominated but just couldn't find that little bit of something to get a goal, it's just that it was such a vital game that 0-0 seemed like just another one of those days.
Second half, Dunne's clanger just before the penalty aside, we were excellent.
Special mentions to:
Ciaran Clarke, the best young centre-half in the Premier League, assured, strong, brilliant.
Pires - that's more like it.
Ash and Downing, way to stuff the critics words down their collective throats.
Delph's pass down the line to Albrighton gave me a semi.
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Delph's pass down the line to Albrighton gave me a semi.
I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned it.
The best ball I've seen played at our place this year.
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Delph will be a fantastic player for us, you can see his class even at left back. Pires was top class today, hopefully he's up to fitness now. He's shown his class.
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thought Cokers thro ball early on special had a good game.
pirez was majestic at times, if only he could that for 20 odd games.
Pity they scored so no clean sheet, but overall a very promising performance to ease the relegation doomsayers nerves.
Pity Bent didn't score would have been the icing on a nicely baked cake.
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Second half, Dunne's clanger just before the penalty aside, we were excellent.
The problem is that even when we're excellent (and it doesn't happen very often) it's almost always Dunne aside. Today he has conceded their goal as usual, I don't refer to the own-goal that was quite unlucky, but leaving the opponent substantially unmarked.
Special mentions to:
Ciaran Clarke, the best young centre-half in the Premier League, assured, strong, brilliant.
Agree. Finally even GH found out that he's a CB not a LB. I haven't lose the hopes that before or later he will notice that Albrighton is a right winger, Downing a left winger and Gabby Agbonlahor a striker ;).
Ash and Downing, way to stuff the critics words down their collective throats.
Delph's pass down the line to Albrighton gave me a semi.
Agree.
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I have always heard to say "in the hole" to describe that role, but obviously correct me if i'm wrong, and sorry for my poor English.
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I have always heard to say "in the hole" to describe that role, but obviously correct me if i'm wrong, and sorry for my poor English.
Your're correct, the role is called in the hole and there's nowt wrong with your English, I'd be proud of myself if I could speak a second language half as well as you do.
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He is doing the right thing in picking him but too much weight and over hit. He made 5 attempts today and 4 were not good only 1 where Bent should have done better.
Totally agree.
You can't always get it right, but his success ratio playing that particular ball must be pretty dire since he's been in that position.
Not completely sold on Adam, but him (or similar) in that spot, with Ash perhaps starting wide but being given license to roam might be better for us long term. If he remains with us, that is.
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I have always heard to say "in the hole" to describe that role, but obviously correct me if i'm wrong, and sorry for my poor English.
Your're correct, the role is called in the hole and there's nowt wrong with your English, I'd be proud of myself if I could speak a second language half as well as you do.
Unfortunately my English is actually poor, but I owe to you a couple of beers at the Barton's arms in occasion of my next visit to VP, mate! :-)
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I have always heard to say "in the hole" to describe that role, but obviously correct me if i'm wrong, and sorry for my poor English.
No, it's not that, the phrase is perfect.
I posted this, but then the link was getting blocked.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/moomino/29qmrko.gif)
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trequartista?
It's a word you get free with part one of your "John Blackwell Guide To Amazing Your Internet Chums". There are 1,039 further parts to collect (only £4.99 each). When you have them all you can build a 1/42nd model of the San Siro with the words you've collected.
Or it's just a completely standard football term, like 'libero' or 'Heskey - over the bar'.
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Ashley Young showed today what a top player he is. If he can keep that attitude and focus with us, it would be suicide to let him leave. And as for the Downing "Knockers" he was excellent today. Fact .....
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I'm really pleased we got the win we have been waiting to that for a long time let's hope we can take the sky high confidence into the Man City cup game and turn them over at there place brilliant weekend for me more of the same please.
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I wonder if Houllier uses a megaphone in the dressingroom. His AVTV comments are virtually impossible to catch. My record-player makes more noise on its own.
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Only read the last page so I'm probably repeating someone.
Poor first 30 mins and didn't see the 2nd half performance coming.
Walker excellent and gives us a fantastic option down the right side. NRC kept things ticking over in the middle, he was always there to receive a pass and kept it simple rarely giving the ball away. Downing played well and a good finish for his goal, fair play to the ref for playing a good advantage.
Ashley Young was very good but still not convinced about his as a withdrawn striker. I would like to point out there were a couple of ocassions when Young's maturity impressed me. When Baker was injured Albrighton was about to cover him at L/B and Ash appeared to go over and make sure that he knew what he was doing, they talked and in the end Ash covered the position before Delph came on. He also covered Delph after his run into the box in the second half.
I think Ash really enjoys being one of the senior players and is proud to be captain, I'd like to see more of the above from him and less of the petulance that wasn't on show. Well done Ash.
Edit. Worst away following that I can remember for a game at 3pm on a Saturday and it certainly didn't help the atmosphere inside the ground in the first half.
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Edit. Worst away following that I can remember for a game at 3pm on a Saturday and it certainly didn't help the atmosphere inside the ground in the first half.
Can't say I blame them - they have been here 6 times in last 2 seasons and we have scored nearly 20 goals against them!
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Delph also looked the part, and played one of the best balls I've seen all season, lovely ball down the wing.
It's been a while since I've posted. Far too gloomy at VP for me over the last few months.
Came on solely to make this point. Pass of the season from Delph. Very impressed with him. Hope he can take this performance and cement himself a place in the team, even if it is out of position for the time being.
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I posted this, but then the link was getting blocked.
Nice touch, mate!
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Noticed that MOTD didnt show that run and shot from Walker from about 25 yards, that was one of the highlights of the first half.
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Ok reality check due, let's remember the first 40 mins were woeful, play like that on Wednesday and we'll be 3 or 4 down before we get into gear
Ashley young was awesome 2nd half, we should break the bank to keep him
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Did anyone else notice after Ashley's second goal the announcer shouted out " Ashley " then expected the crowd to shout his surname, just like they do in the Bundesliga? This got a very mute response, how long as this been going on as I haven't been to that many games this season?
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Ok reality check due, let's remember the first 40 mins were woeful,
It wasn't woeful we just failed to score
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Pretty sure it was a different announcer yesterday ?
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Did anyone else notice after Ashley's second goal the announcer shouted out " Ashley " then expected the crowd to shout his surname, just like they do in the Bundesliga? This got a very mute response, how long as this been going on as I haven't been to that many games this season?
I didn't hear that but it should be nipped in the bud now, its a slippery slope all the way down to music after a goal and blokes running down the touchline waving flags
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Did anyone else notice after Ashley's second goal the announcer shouted out " Ashley " then expected the crowd to shout his surname, just like they do in the Bundesliga? This got a very mute response, how long as this been going on as I haven't been to that many games this season?
I assumed that it was just our PA system being crap as per usual
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The Arsenal flag was embarrassing.
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It was a much needed victory and the team played some decent passing football at times. I've got to say though, Blackburn were the second worse team I've seen at VP this season (after West Ham).
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Did anyone else notice after Ashley's second goal the announcer shouted out " Ashley " then expected the crowd to shout his surname, just like they do in the Bundesliga? This got a very mute response, how long as this been going on as I haven't been to that many games this season?
Can't hear anything from the tannoy so unfortunately not.
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I was'nt overly impressed with us in the first half but once the penalty went in, there was only going to be one winner, because Blackburn were bloody hopeless. Taking nothing away from us though, for the first time in a while, we looked like were going to score whenever we attacked.
If i had to pick a motm, i'd go for Reo, who i thought did a really good job in the middle of the park.
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The only down side today was Benty. Got into good positions but wasn't sharp. Still, he'll get his share between now and the end of the season.
The other downside was their lucky goal screwed-up my bet of 0 - 0 at half time and 4 -0 Villa, full time.
Still, it is only money, and hardly dented a really good day.
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The Arsenal flag was embarrassing.
Agree, as were the arsenal chants towards the end, how fucking smalltime !
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I really like Ash in the hole. I like this team. I like the way its slowly coming together. We require two fullbacks, one would ideally give us the attacking option Walker does.
What Pires did yesterday showed how Adam would have slotted in I feel.
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I really like Ash in the hole. I like this team. I like the way its slowly coming together. We require two fullbacks, one would ideally give us the attacking option Walker does.
What Pires did yesterday showed how Adam would have slotted in I feel.
Or how and where Bannan could play.
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Yup, that would have been the perfect game to have had Bannan come on. I hope they've not fallen out.
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Excellent stuff.
I had to eat my words about Pires as I was moaning about his selection, he played really well, put his foot on the ball and made some intelligent passes.
Have to say that the team looked to have a bettr shape without Gabby.
Downing was good and his goal was excellent, Ashley was on fire and Albrighton did well but on occasion held onto the ball too long.
Reo Coker was solid and the back 4 were largely untroubled by a pathetic Blackburn team.
Almost as important as the result was how entertaining the football was, considering we were playing a Blackburn side that came for a draw, we played some lovely free flowing stuff for two thirds of the game.
We've got confidence now for the Man City game.
Onwards and upwards.
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From the moment we scored the goal, we looked like we'd end up with the result we got. I enjoyed the second half, the first was a bit of a non-event though we could've scored.
I hope we can sign Walker, but I doubt it (if he continues to plays like this, then Spurs will have him back without doubt). He looks a very good player going forward.
I love the way Ciaran Clark is so calm on the ball, he really is a great prospect.
Got to praise Albrighton for his attitude, even though not everything was going for him.
A good game from Young and Downing.
I was really impressed with NRC. I thought he did an awful lot of work in the middle of the park that Pires was always going to be incapable of doing.
Not sure why Pires played? OK, he had a good game, but to play him ahead of Delph/Bannan etc., I don't se the point.
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The most pleasing thing was we never took our foot off the gas like we usually do, we kept attacking.
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Not sure why Pires played? OK, he had a good game, but to play him ahead of Delph/Bannan etc., I don't se the point.
To help get the couple of wins we need so Bannan & Delph can be put in when the result doesn't matter so much?
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Not sure why Pires played? OK, he had a good game, but to play him ahead of Delph/Bannan etc., I don't se the point.
I thought yesterday he was our most influential player. When things were poor in the first half he was behind everything good that came our way. As I said before he will not work against the likes of Mancity and Arsenal but againsit donkey teams he is effective and he was vey effective yesterday.
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A lot to be happy about yesterday, finishing the first half well and dominating the second. You can claim that Blackburn were poor but we made them look that way. Glad to see a few more on here are waking up to qualities of NRC. He's only had one poor game this season (Sunderland) and has arguably been our most consistant player this season.
The only disappointment yesterday was the continuation of our poor set piece work and wingers that still don't know how to cross. You can only feel sorry for Bent, as Gebby before him, he gets such poor service. When we fix it, we'll be one hell of a side.
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The Arsenal flag was embarrassing.
Agree, as were the arsenal chants towards the end, how fucking smalltime !
I didn't mind it, it was a bit of fun at the end of a very good win.
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I don't know if anyone else has said this, but we should make Ashley Young our captain for next season. It might help persuade him to stay, and he really does lead by example with his workrate. He shows good leadership on the pitch as well.
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I watched the game in the Portside Bar / Puerto Banus on an Arabic TV feed . There were 2 commentators whose names I did,nt catch . One , a former Arse player, I think , slagged off Pires throughout the game as being "old , rusty , unable to keep up with the game and a burden ".... amongst other things .
He also repeatedly complained that Rovers were,nt 'getting at ' a " dodgy and inexperienced Villa defence " , Walker was "just a loanee " , Clarke was " inexperienced "and Delph , was " slow and playing out of position " .
Could anyone tell me who this buffoon was ?.
Great result ( massive release of stress ! ) and I think we,re seeing the beginnings a very formidable Villa Forward line .
Godzvilla!
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How's PB this time of year ?
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How's PB this time of year ?
Still Hooker Central at night , pretty vibrant for the time of year , great weather for the past few weeks .If you want see the a Villa game Linekers and Portside usually show all the Premier Leaue games between them .....Godzvilla!
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That was one of the best games I've seen from us this season. Delighted with that performance. More of this on Wednesday please. Shame Bradley didn't get a look in because I've been looking forward to see him play. Hope Nathan's alright.
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Not sure why Pires played? OK, he had a good game, but to play him ahead of Delph/Bannan etc., I don't se the point.
To help get the couple of wins we need so Bannan & Delph can be put in when the result doesn't matter so much?
We didn't win because Pires played. We could've easily won with Bannan or Delph instead of Pires. To suggest otherwise is it a bit daft in my opinion.
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Not bad not bad at all...
Win at Bolton and I think we will stay up, ridiculous how far you can jump up the league with one win.
Blackburn are pretty appalling mind would have a sneaky fiver on them going down.
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The Arsenal flag was embarrassing.
Agree, as were the arsenal chants towards the end, how fucking smalltime !
I didn't mind it, it was a bit of fun at the end of a very good win.
Yeah sometimes some people are far too serious we were just enjoying the result and i thought it was harmless fun
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Great result for us today, now let's start looking up and not down.
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Missed most of yesterday apart from the 3 goals spell in the 2nd half. Great work. We looked good going forward. Didnt agree with the team selection but it worked well and 3 points is 3 points. Onwards and upwards!!! UTV
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The Arsenal flag was embarrassing.
Agree, as were the arsenal chants towards the end, how fucking smalltime !
I didn't mind it, it was a bit of fun at the end of a very good win.
Yeah sometimes some people are far too serious we were just enjoying the result and i thought it was harmless fun
If it had just been the flag and the chants, perhaps it could be seen as a bit of fun. I thought that was pathetic in itself, but to sing about Blues for 90 minutes was even worse. Embarrasing. I can only remember one chant that didnt involve them in some way.
The win was massive for us, and Ashley Young ran the second half. Some other good performances too.