Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Michel Sibble on August 20, 2011, 05:00:12 PM
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Legion, you are slacking...
Good performance against relegation fodder surely?
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Good stuff, all three strikers scored which was nice. Given injured again? Top of the league!
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As i predicted in the pre-match thread, 3-1 and top of the league!
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top of the premiership! good solid display in defence , impressed with petrov, delph and nzogbia and goals for gabby , bent and heskey too, a good day at the office.
Great gabby goal and nice to see him play so well-good cameo from bannan as sub and well done to all, fans players and staff-enjoy your weekend guys!
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SG 6
LY 6 (CC 6)
JC 7
RD 7
SW 7
SP 7
FD 8*
CN 7
EH 7 (BB 7)
GA 7 (MA 6)
DB 6
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Well played, young team and lots of energy... Petrov looked like his old self and the defence looked solid even if it was Blackburn, all the strikers scored so a good day all around.
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Gabby's goal was a bit special.
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3 points and some well taken chances. Job done.
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Watched this one in the pub and although I've had a few pints, I'd say that we looked very comfortable for most of the game - the first half especially.
Delph looked very good again, while I'm giving credit to McLeish for playing a formation which really suits Petrov at this stage of his career. Excellent goal from Gabby, Bent did what Bent does, N'Zogbia looked very handy and Bannan, when he came on, was top stuff.
A pretty good performance overall, but I will temper the praise just a little because Blackburn were crap.
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Good shift from Gabby, N'Zogbia, Delph and Petrov.
Heskey scoring today doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't be playing as an attacking midfielder.
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Hard to know what to make of it having won against a truly dreadful Rovers team. I remember getting carried away after beating West Ham 3-0 last year only for them to go down and us nearly join them. Still, a good and much needed 3 points and a good game for Gabby and Delph. Wolves will provide a much sterner test though so we will have to be on our game. Bannan look a good player, hopefully he will come in to the 1st 11 b4 too long.
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Good shift from Gabby, N'Zogbia, Delph and Petrov.
Heskey scoring today doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't be playing as an attacking midfielder.
A point worth highlighting. Heskey had a good game, but it's not a good role for him. Especially with Bannan and Ireland getting splinters.
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Heskey scoring today doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't be playing as an attacking midfielder.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. I had named Ireland in my pre-match line up, but after today I'm convinced Bannan should be given the attacking midfielder role.
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I'd love Bannan in that position. But Heskey's energy and commitment were vital to our early supremacy.
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The team and opening exchanges left a lot of worry. However, this was soon tempered by the quality of Petrov and Delph on the ball, and Eck's selection of Gabby on the left (which I know I backed last week, but I don't know who else did) was vindicated as Gabby did what he does best, and has space to do on the wing - pick up the ball in the final third and run at the defence, making them shit themselves. Despite his goal, Heskey still showed why he should probably not start, and you can't help but feel that Bannan or Ireland in the first half would have had better first touches in crucial situations. Eck made the change, and Bannan really looked the part when he came on, linking really nicely with Zog and Delph, and involved in the period of possession that preceeded the Bent goal. I hope Eck noticed this, especially if he wants us to play the stylish possession football we did at times later in the game.
We conceded a goal that was good from their point of view, but possibly preventable, and we perhaps dropped off and sat back at the end, but after we went 3-1 up they never looked like getting anything and some of the football was good, especially, as I say, when Bannan was on the field. Good win, good basis to build on, and may Eck carry on proving me wrong!
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Great game and good to see quality link up play from the team even if some of the chances we created went wayward. Hope we can maintain the run!
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Gabby was back to his best first half, back to how he was when he got that hat trick v Man City.
Delph was class, plenty of energy, effort & got stuck in, he just needs to cut down the rash tackles.
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The season is officially up and underway.
4 points from 2 games should ease the pressure somewhat on Big Eck.
Blackburn are dire.
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Stating the obvious but you can only beat who's put in front of you, and we did that well. Was impressed with Delph today, possibly his best game yet.
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We put away a poor side, as we should have done. Goals shared around will do the confidence some good. Need to tighten up at the back because better sides than Blackburn will give us problems.
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Pleased with that.
Did young go off injured?
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Pleased with that.
Did young go off injured?
He ran off quite happily, so I can only assume it was a precautionary thing.
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Great result
Bannan has to play next match
Given's groin is fucked-hope he gets better soon
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Probably just nursing a pull, so if Collins can take some goalkicks to stop Given potentially making it worse, it's worth it.
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Blackburn is not in the shape for today. Losing Samba is big impact to them in term of defender.
Good to see Gabby score the 1st goal like that. IMO all work quite OK again the poor side.
Anyway the midfield and forward is still have more to do in term of connection. If we face the strong side we need to be more control in the ball.
Cheer,
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Very satisfactory win and performance. I suppose all it really tells is that we are better than a rather poor Blackburn side, but you can only beat what's put in front of you and we did that comfortably. I was disappointed with the selection but I suppose the best retort to that is that. on the day at least, it worked. And it looks like Eck at least wants to try and play some passing football, which is encouraging.
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By the way we are TOP of the Table. :-)
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Excellent stuff..congrats all round. Let's do the same to, allegedly, better opposition next time
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A complete contrast compared to the Fulham game. Players looked fit, quick, full of ideas, movement and what really stood out for me...CONFIDENCE! Which must go down to Mcleish.
Given - (7) - Can' t remember him really being tested. Safest hands in the Premiership in my opinion and nothing he could do with the goal.
Young - (7) Solid and reliable, and looking to support N'Zog at all times. Came off for Clarke after knock.
Collins - (8 ) Didn't look Welsh today and oozed confidence. Very similar in regards to Laursen when it comes to headers and always threw his body at the ball.
Dunne - (8 ) I've knocked him in the past but he was very steady today and made some very good tackles. Wish he would stop the long ball all the time though, he can't pass.
Warnock - (7) Gave the ball away twice within the first 4 mins but got more and more into the game and looked solid. Just wish he wouldn't dive into tackles so much.
N'Zog - (8 ) Really good home debut, neat on the ball, nice touches and always wanted to drive forward. I really think once he's settled in we wont miss Downing or Young if this guy keeps it up.
Petrov - (8 ) I really doubted him this season but what a change. His legs looked bionic and he had pace and drive to his play. Didn't do that whole "sit in front of the back four" thing and really wanted to be positive in passing the ball forward quickly to Bent.
Delph- (9 ) Man of the Match in my opinion. A little bit of headless chicken in the first 5 mins but grew and grew. Always wanted to receive the ball from defense and looking to jink past players, passing and moving forward. Made some really good tackles and looks the player we first bought. Hope he stays fit all season as we have a potential gem.
Agbonlahor - ( 9) Would of been my Man of the Match if he continued that in the second half but unfortunately took 2 knocks and came off at half time. Actually looked a real winger today, use of both feet, running with the ball at every opportunity and WOW what a goal. If Rooney scored that then Hansen and co. would be sucking his ginger balls right now. Brilliant stuff Gab.
Heskey - (8 ) I worried with him in the team we we're just going to pump long balls to him all day but he really puts in a shift and did a lot of donkey work which we know he does well. Yea, slight slip with the goal but it was a nice finish in the bottom corner even though Robinson looked like he had a touch of the De Gea's by being a little slow to dive. Fab attitude from Emile though.
Bent - ( 8 ) He looked completely starved of anything against Fulham last week but he kept moving on the shoulder of the last man and maybe could of had 2 or 3. We have one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league and he's literally scoring a goal every 2 opportunities. Full of movement and very happy we have him.
Albrighton on for Agbonlahor. Looked nervous at first and struggled to get into the game but kept trying and done an ok job wide right.
Clarke on for Young. Went to left back with Warnock shifting to right back and looked every inch a full back. Got forward supported N'Zog well.
Bannan on for Heskey. Best of the subs by far. Always after the ball, first touch and gone, moves into space and keeps possession like a Xavi or Iniesta. He really looks a find and surely must play a lot more this season.
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Agreed Tuscans. I though Bannan added an extra dimension to villa's play. Whilst we lost a bit of grunt and athleticism when Heskey went off I though Bannan played that hole role much better. Much more comfortable dropping deep and receiving the ball making it a bit more of a 433.
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Another 36 points and we'll be safe ;)
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Solid for the most part. Gabby's goal was top drawer and worth the ticket.
Thanks to the utter, utter COCK in the seat next to me who moaned at every single misplaced pass and was calling our manager a Blue-nosed wanker for 90 minutes - you sir, are a cnut.
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Warm afternoon at VP today and a warm display by the team. Yes Bburn are rubbish but we still had to beat them.
This is probably the first time I have agreed with match sponsor's MotM. Yes Delph was outstanding. We struggled at the start of the second half but subs helped. Bannan is class and you could see the difference of added composure is our play when he came on.
Very disappointed with the low turnout . I know it's holiday time etc but only 32K?
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Surely we wont be on last on MOTD tonight?
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No we will be just before Swansea v Wigan.
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Brilliant first half, with Gabby at his best. I thought Delph ran the show and this will be his year. A sloppy first fifteen minutes of the second half but we looked comfortable after the third. Given took goal kicks with his left foot all game and he was definitely still nursing his groin.
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Thought they all did well but there are issues. Warnock diving in cost us a goal, stay on your feet should be whipped into him until he is begging for his life, the stupid, stupid man.
The centre of the park is like a great chasm for sides to walk through. Delph did well, and so did Petrov at times, but we were wide open too much.
Good finishing though, and a decent display. Would like to see NZogbia given the Gabby role if he is not fit next week, with Albrighton down the right.
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Just back. I predicted 3-1 but didn't have the right scorers!
Initial thoughts - solid all round performance although we again started the 2nd half poorly. Good to see all 3 strikers score. Heskey did well while he was on and took his goal well but I thought we had much more energy when wee Barry played in that role. Defence pretty solid. Concern that at times there seemed to be huge gaps between defence and attack but having said that Petrov and Delph played the best I've seen them for a while. Gabby took his goal brilliantly, DB9 does what he does best, and we started to see some of N'Zog's skill. Concern about Gabby, Heskey and Young going off with knocks (presumably ?). And also Shay clearly has an injury as Collins ended up taking goal kicks.
Blackburn are a poor side and wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kean as the first manager to get the push this year and/or for them to go down. Walking back to the car I overheard a Blackburn supporter describing Steve Kean as 'wank' and added 'but who would want to take over that shower of players - maybe Martin O'Neill'.
The only thing that was worse than Blackburn today was the ref. I thought we had a stonewall penalty when Robinson flattened Gabby but haven't seen a replay yet. And the inconsistency in bookings was appalling - how David Dunn and Hoilett stayed on the pitch let alone not get yellow cards was mystifying when we seemed to pick up yellows for pretty innocuous first time fouls.
And I have to say it - for them I thought Formica covered a lot of ground but Goodwillie was a bit limp up front.
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Lots of positives.
Yes Blackburn were poor but you can only beat what is put in front of you, and we beat them very well. Without two enforced substitutions we could easily have done them for five.
The ref was bloody awful. 3 yellow cards each of which was more ridiculous than the last. Do some officials think if they get towards the hour mark with no cards they have to start dishing them out to reach their match quota ? The only palyer who should have been booked was David Dunn for persistent twatishness.
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Thought they all did well but there are issues. Warnock diving in cost us a goal, stay on your feet should be whipped into him until he is begging for his life, the stupid, stupid man.
The centre of the park is like a great chasm for sides to walk through. Delph did well, and so did Petrov at times, but we were wide open too much.
Good finishing though, and a decent display. Would like to see NZogbia given the Gabby role if he is not fit next week, with Albrighton down the right.
It was Young and Albrighton who went to ground, not Warnock.
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Was it? I saw a player fly on the floor and automatically thought Warnock had been pulled across. My statement still stands. Add them to my stay on the feet whipping session too please! Only Mark Delaney could tackle better on his arse than his feet.
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Top as long as Baggies keep Chelski under thumb..cum on you Baggies.
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I would prefer Chelsea to beat WBA, as I would imagine we'll be closer to WBA than Chelsea at the end of the season.
Well.............. maybe..
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Chelski need to score 2 more to go top?
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Given 7
Young6.5 (Clark 7)
Warnock 7.5
Dunne 7
Collins 7.5
N'Zogbia 7.5
Delph 8.5
Petrov 7.5
Bent 8
Agbonlahor 8 (Albrighton 7)
Heskey 7.5 (Bannan8)
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Thought they all did well but there are issues. Warnock diving in cost us a goal, stay on your feet should be whipped into him until he is begging for his life, the stupid, stupid man.
The centre of the park is like a great chasm for sides to walk through. Delph did well, and so did Petrov at times, but we were wide open too much.
Good finishing though, and a decent display. Would like to see NZogbia given the Gabby role if he is not fit next week, with Albrighton down the right.
It was Young and Albrighton who went to ground, not Warnock.
Warnock had a very good game. His tackling was excellent as well.
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Chelsea 2 Baggies 1.
We are top of the league in the sunday morning papers. ;)
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Confident first half with Gabby trying his luck and scoring one.
Defence look reliably solid for the first time.
Heskey scoring was a bonus (probably reflects badly on B'burn)
2nd half threatened to become "same old, same old" with B'burn scoring.
Bent doing what he does naturally, securing the game.
Hometown refereeing (that town however, in the North West) as usual.
MarkyMark with a bit of composure will do better, he risked the game once too many with his tackles.
Bannan put in a shift.
Zogballs looking good.
McLeish looking calm. Kean looking over his shoulder.
Crowd resembling Aston Hall at night-time.
Good 3 points.
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Very weird seeing the team come out after half time and nobody clapping for ages. First time I've ever seen it.
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We played some lovely stuff at times, but Blackburn were truly woeful, I doubt we will play anyone as bad as them again this season. We did seem to start each half slowly, which against a better side could be costly, especially how slowly we started the second half. Thank fuck Bent scored when he did as we were looking second best at the time.
After all the doom and gloom over playing Heskey and Gabby, both were very good today, the Gabby goal was awesome. Just hope his injury isn't too bad.
Special mention to the ref, who was a bit of twat. His booking of Villa players making their first fouls while ignoring the constant Blackburn fouling was annoying to say the least.
A pretty poor attendance I thought, although the Brigada boys seemed to have fun in the corner of the Lower Holte with their two-sticks. Blackburn away support continues to be wank, 500-600 max, although singing "empty seats my lord" at them did make me cringe considering how many empty seats there were in all the other stands.
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considering it was the 1st home game and the lads put a good shift in (yes even Heskey) I thought the crowd was very dissapointing - very poor atmosphere IMO >:(
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The only thing that was worse than Blackburn today was the ref. I thought we had a stonewall penalty when Robinson flattened Gabby but haven't seen a replay yet. And the inconsistency in bookings was appalling - how David Dunn and Hoilett stayed on the pitch let alone not get yellow cards was mystifying when we seemed to pick up yellows for pretty innocuous first time fouls.
David Dunn surely gets the Mark Van Bommel award for not getting booked despite serial twatishness.
The penalty incident, a penalty would have been harsh as from where I was sat Gabby seemed to foul their defender, after that though, there was no way Gabby was fouling the keeper, very bizarre decision from the ref, although I suppose this may have evened out Gabby's initial foul.
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I was very pleased today. It was nice to be confident about Clark coming on. Thought he did well. Blackburn were woeful though. Might put £20 on them being relegated.
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First half was good at times, Gabby's goal was a corker.
First 20 minutes of the second half a real worry. Blackburn were on top at that point and they are one of the worst teams i've seen in the prem. After Bent scored we settled down.
Delph looked good, composed and full of energy. I think Zog looked promising, plenty of pace and direct.
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Just home. Random impressions. Blackburn were poor and will struggle this season but you can only beat what is put in front of you. Gabby's goal worth the journey. Barry Bannan a star in the making and when we sell him to Man City for 20 million the perceived standard wisdom will be that he is not worth it because he is too small. Double plus there because not only did BB change the tempo of the game it showed that AM knows how to make incisive substitutions. Impressed with Collins. Zog showed in flashes but clearly is not match fit. Delph justified MOTM selection. Heskey laboured at the coal face and mined some nuggets in his normal output of assorted rubble. Shame to see Marc Albrighton struggling to find his touch an uncomfortable mix of ball watching punctuated by rash tackles.
Good performance all round but sterner tests await.
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If the away team had bought their full contingent the crowd would have been 35.5k / 36k.
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Reminded me very much of W Ham at home last season. They looked like relegation fodder too!
That's not meant to take anything from us though - I thought we put in a really good shift.
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Very happy. Good performance, when we got going (I think in both halves it took us a while).
Fabian Delph was very good - though with the amount of sliding challenges he did, we'll be losing him through yellow and red cards throughout the season.
I'm normally first to criticise Petrov, but he had a good game, helped by him knowing that Delph was holding the midfield, allowing him more opportunity to go forward.
Gabby was looking good, with his energy he can always play like that.
I know people criticise Heskey (and I'm one of them), but I think the reason AM plays him in this position is because he does have a high work ethic and he closes others down a lot and making himself available. With a better first touch he may have had 2 goals. I think, if Bannan, as he showed he can do today, or Ireland put in the work rate of Heskey, then they'd start instead of him. Bannan looks like he will, and we'd be a much better team for him playing. Not so sure Ireland would be up for it though.
Only Blackburn, but we were comfortable and I look forward to hearing a positive result from the game next week (I'm in Rome so miss the match - boooooo!!!)
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Blackburn 7/4 for relegation. I'm having a tenner tomorrow! Awful.
You've got to beat what is put in front of you and we did quite easily.
Which was nice.
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An interesting game. We started both halves too slowly but finished both playing some intelligent passing football. Collins and Dunne were dominant defensively and Heskey and Gabby both played better than I was expecting in their withdrawn attacking roles. N'Zogbia oozed class at times, Delph and Petrov did well in centre mid. Four points is a good start with Wolves coming up next.
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Long way to go yet! Thought we had a good start last year 3-0 against West Ham, 2 great results though, perfect start for Mcleish.
Need to hammer Hereford and beat the Wolves and see where we are after that.
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The lad and I thoroughly enjoyed today.
Thought we would run up a big score after 25 mins but Heskey hasn't got a left foot and we went off the boil at times.
We decided to watch Fabian and, unsurprisingly, The Zog and were not disappointed as both were very good.
The reception of Zogs second half piece of skill bodes well for his relationship with us fans.
Ref was a cock!
Clarke came on and was impressive I thought, Bannan injected immediate pace to the passing and Marc just needs to focus all that energy and he will be fine.
Bent is a killer...
Blackburn look doomed already. Can we buy Pederson just to stop him scoring good goals against us?
We (the crowd) seemed quite subdued at times...
Welcome to Alec was OK, that is another relationship that is building
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I've just seen Gabbys goal on the net, superb. Good result , hopefully we can keep the momentum going while we have a handy run of fixtures. Get points on the board now before we face some of the big boys.
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Good performamce against a poor side. Should be good for building the confidence.
They have fixed the tannoy system in the Holte - my ears are ringing for the claret and blue !!
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Good professional perfomance overall, Delph and Petrov were very good, Bannan impresses me everytime i see him, i love watching him. I mentioned Salgado being the weak link in the pre-match thread and Gabby exposed it, we missed him when he went off.
The ref was inconsistently crap and in the Holte Upper, we've gone from having the poorest tannoy in the Prem, to at times, the ear splittingly loudest.
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To be honest I don't give a toss about how bad Blackburn were,
we have struggled to beat poor sides at Villa Park in the recent past, if we are going to improve under AM then it's against these sort of teams where we ought to start
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Post match interview
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Heskey goal
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Good 3 points against relegation fodder, my brother-in-law (who is a staunch rovers fan) is convinced rovers will go down so I'm not getting too excited just yet as they seem a very poor outfit.
Need to follow it up with a good performances against Hereford and Wolves. It'll be great to see MOTD show the league table tonight even though it is early days.
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Dodgy quality video of Gabby's goal.
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Mcleish really does sound pleased to be managing us, it's nice to hear.
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Just watched Gabby's goal, reminded me of AY at his best:-)
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Post match interview
In fairness, he does seem a decent chap.
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I wa
Just watched Gabby's goal, reminded me of AY at his best:-)
I was thinking exactly the same thing watching the goal again.
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Just watched Gabby's goal, reminded me of AY at his best:-)
Who ?
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Really pleased thought we played really well today long may it continue.
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Post match interview
In fairness, he does seem a decent chap.
"ai proud moment for him and his family." I bet he hasn't had many of them over the past couple of years.
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They have fixed the tannoy system in the Holte - my ears are ringing for the claret and blue !!
Christ, yes! I thought it was just me who found it deafening!
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It's a family tradition that I take my mom to the first home game of the season. Even she could tell Blackburn were poor. Listening to Jason Roberts on 6-0-6 he thought it was a pretty even game. Not how I saw it.
Out of curiosity, given I wasn't wearing my glasses and my eyesight's not brilliant, was Luke Young's name on his shirt showing as L Young, and if so why, now that Ashley's gone?
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They have fixed the tannoy system in the Holte - my ears are ringing for the claret and blue !!
Christ, yes! I thought it was just me who found it deafening!
Some guy in front of me in the Lower Holte was screaming and gesticulating for the volume to turned down.
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I watched the highlights on Irish tv earlier and we looked pretty decent. Bent's typical poacher's finish while Gabby showed real class for his goal.
By the way, when will we see Bent score at the Holte End?!
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Heskey laboured at the coal face and mined some nuggets in his normal output of assorted rubble.
Fantastic.
You should be in Brian Glanville's job.
Not sure I wholly (wholely?) agree with what appears to be the common consensus that Blackburn are utter muck. They started off the game quite lively, and for the first 15 minutes of the second half were in the ascendancy. Well-worked goal too.
We scored each of our goals at crucial times, doing enough to keep them at arms length.
I drifted off from watching the game after Bent's goal cos I was chatting to a girl I think I'm in love with on facebook.
I think we did alright though.
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Regarging the Holte tannoy system,couple of chaps with laptop's and noise detector's checking such tanoy,went up to 95 dec on the mic ,ouch i thought . Lol.
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Blackburn were poor, i dont think there will many worse than that at VP this year, but you can only beat whats in front of you. Many better perfromances than against Fulham last week. Would love a couple of more signings though, too get us through to January
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nice to get the first win of the season out of the way, and with two very decent defensive performances in the first couple of games. Took a look back through the first few pages of the match thread. Some people really need to give the team a chance to settle down and play. You'd think we were 3-0 inside 10 minutes reading what one or two were saying. This will be a good morale boost to the club heading into an important week. Give some of the lads like Given, Gabby, Heskey, Stan and Dunney a breather, and bring in the likes of Makoun, Bazza, Ireland, Clark. Fonz and Marco to take care of Hereford. We'll need a good effort next week to take care of the dogheads.
Well done AM. Enjoy your Saturday evening.
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Don't think its been said yet but you can only beat whats put in front of you.
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the black socks looked ace
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TV, that's why I have tried to avoid posting during games this season. I had been developing an annoying habbit of posting stuff as it came into my head! I'm a very nervy follower of villa so that was a disaster! As such, i can sympathise with those who furiously post harsh comments on the match thread.... they are just nervous for us!
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TV, that's why I have tried to avoid posting during games this season. I had been developing an annoying habbit of posting stuff as it came into my head! I'm a very nervy follower of villa so that was a disaster! As such, i can sympathise with those who furiously post harsh comments on the match thread.... they are just nervous for us!
yeh, I know. We all get a little bit of trigger finger when watching the games. For that reason I've made a vow to stay away from the keyboard in the first 15 minutes of a game. Might be hard to do, but I figure there's little point in getting too carried away, positively or negatively too early in a game. I just think in some of today's posts there were one or two who had it in their heads that AM could only play a certain way. They were proved very wrong in the end. Sometimes it's better to see how things develop before passing judgement.
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I'm glad it wans't just me. It wasn't just loud, it was ear-splitting painfully loud. How fucking hard can it be to sort out a PA system. They've been tinkering with it for years and if anything, it's got even worse.
Was it ok in other areas of the gound, because if so, I'd consider just not sitting in the Holte until it's sorted, it was painful.
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True TV, but some of us are wired a little differently. Patience is a virtue and I for one wish I had a little bit more of it!
I think today shows we have the makings of a decent side and unlike last season, there's a sense of calm authority at the club. Last season anything was possible. If we continue in this vein, the posts on the match thread will also quieten down a bit to as fans get used to our abilities.
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Positives: There seems to be a happier squad at Villa Park these days, a really good team spirit. N'Zog will be a Villa hero, Gabby was the best he's been for a long time,Bannan on the ball is fantastic.
Negatives: Delph played well but should stay on his feet and not dive in so much, Bannon without the ball cannot defend, Albrighton ? and we played an under strength poor side. Two more quality players like N'Zog and we could shake the top four. Are you reading this Randy.
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I thought Gabby's goal was brilliant. For the past few months we've seen a man who was a shadow of his former self so it was good to hear how well he performed today.
Also pleasing were excellent games from Delph and Petrov.
Blackburn maybe shit and the result expected but the players can draw confidence from this and keep up to the high standard they set today.
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Positives: There seems to be a happier squad at Villa Park these days, a really good team spirit. N'Zog will be a Villa hero, Gabby was the best he's been for a long time,Bannan on the ball is fantastic.
Negatives: Delph played well but should stay on his feet and not dive in so much, Bannon without the ball cannot defend, Albrighton ? and we played an under strength poor side. Two more quality players like N'Zog and we could shake the top four. Are you reading this Randy.
We lost Gabby and Luke Young to injury, we were under strength too, we did well, the kids did well, even Albrighton who some seem ready to give up on, he was close to scoring.
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I don't know. Sometimes you think you've seen a totally different game. Also, I'm in post MOTD mood after having a few beers so maybe I'm too critical...but...I thought Delph was only okay. Gave away possession too easily too often and was n't as busy, with as much quality, as I'd expect.
Like west ham last season they were poor. I thought we looked poor, cumbersome, and slightly lop-sided in the first-half and yet we went in two goals up. Against a better team I think we may have struggled.
finally,I thought our bookings probably were i just can't understand why Blackburn's players avoided the book for most of the game.
Oh, and I think those who think Albrighton is a good enough replacement for Young or Downing are seeing a different player to me.Ttbrough my ever so slightly inebriated eyes. After enjoying a night out post villa win...long may it continue...
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Was it ok in other areas of the gound, because if so, I'd consider just not sitting in the Holte until it's sorted, it was painful.
No it wasn't; I sit nine rows back in the Lower Doug Ellis, and halfway between halfway line and edge of Holte End penalty area - it was very tinny and you couldn't make out a thing other than 'man of the match' and 'Fabian Delph' at the end.
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top of the premiership! good solid display in defence , impressed with petrov, delph and nzogbia and goals for gabby , bent and heskey too, a good day at the office.
Great gabby goal and nice to see him play so well-good cameo from bannan as sub and well done to all, fans players and staff-enjoy your weekend guys!
Agree, apart from Richard Dunne that was unwatchable as usual. He conceded one goal to an unmarked Pedersen and a similar occasion in the 1st half.
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We allowed Blackburn to transition from defence to attack too easily and were lucky that they are pretty toothless: our possession stats were pretty good, but they had almost as many shots-on-goal as we did. Refereeing was pretty one sided, as far as I was concerned we should of gotten a penalty for what was deemed a foul by Gabby on Robinson. Robinson climbed Gabby's hamstring with his studs which led to him having to be subbed off.
Delph, Albrighton and Bannan have youthful exuberance but need to be reamed out for diving into challenges needlessly. Otherwise they were all pretty bright looking I thought.
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On a very positive note, look at the positioning of Benty for Heskeys' goal.
The man is a predator and as long as we have at least a few balls in the box, per game, I don't think we'll see many scoreless games.
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Well in this 4-2-3-1 formation Ive particuarly enjoyed petrovs play. He seemes again v balckburn acustomed to role.
I like to think each passing game delph and him will grow strenth to strenght. Delph also plays comfortable in the 2
and looking forward to the 3 ahead , whoever selected, to provide goals creativity and attacking content.
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From the footage on MOTD, it seems someone has finally got through to Gabby about having a dig when coming in off the left.
It makes him much more of a threat, and could actually be his best position. The finish was sublime, and it's something that's he's bought into his game over the last couple of seasons, even through his lack of form last season I noticed he seemed to be developing something of a cultured right foot.
He's still improving, if he can find his form again then we will have an extremely potent strikeforce.
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Also, maybe McLeish is testing to see if Gabby can play there as we need more cover in wide positions & he'll find it hard to oust Bent as the number 9.
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Also, maybe McLeish is testing to see if Gabby can play there as we need more cover in wide positions & he'll find it hard to oust Bent as the number 9.
Yes, it pays to have players who are versatile, especially if you happen to be trimming the wage bill.
Gabby just looked happier out there though, as though he'd had the shackles taken off him.
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I supported playing Gabby wide under GH and when Eck did it in pre-season, because to me his best attribute is when he can receive the ball in space and run at defenders, and from wide left there are two crucial advantages: firstly it's less congested than in the centre, so we can manouvre him space when we're attacking, not just when we're counter-attacking (where he's also useful); secondly, running in from the left means he's running onto his strongest foot, as we saw with the goal and another good shot yesterday.
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We allowed Blackburn to transition from defence to attack too easily and were lucky that they are pretty toothless: our possession stats were pretty good, but they had almost as many shots-on-goal as we did. Refereeing was pretty one sided, as far as I was concerned we should of gotten a penalty for what was deemed a foul by Gabby on Robinson. Robinson climbed Gabby's hamstring with his studs which led to him having to be subbed off.
Delph, Albrighton and Bannan have youthful exuberance but need to be reamed out for diving into challenges needlessly. Otherwise they were all pretty bright looking I thought.
Agree with the penalty - thought it was pretty nailed on but still haven't seen a replay (MOTD didn't show it). I thought Gabby was injured by a tackle from Hoilett - one of 3 fouls he committed in as many minutes but which the one-eyed ref chose not to award a yellow card.
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None of the Villa bookings were any worse than the Blackburn challenges, it was ridiculous. As for the pen, if it was'nt a pen, then it definatley was'nt a free kick.
The F.A like to fast-track ref's like Attwell thinking they're decent officials, when in reality, he should still be reffing in League One.
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Also, maybe McLeish is testing to see if Gabby can play there as we need more cover in wide positions & he'll find it hard to oust Bent as the number 9.
Yes, it pays to have players who are versatile, especially if you happen to be trimming the wage bill.
Gabby just looked happier out there though, as though he'd had the shackles taken off him.
I bet Gabby's just happy to be a first choicer again. As he bloody well should be. None of our other strikers could have scored that yesterday.
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Quite right Riss. If that had been Rooney or Van Perspex it would have been hailed goal of the season. Gabby has become one of those players the Holte Endl likes to slag off. The usual insult he has to live with is "pace is not enough". That goal was proof that given the chance he can be one of the best finishers in the Premiership.
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Ive just got signal at last (I went straight to whitby after game).
I am happy yet abit worries about the game yesterday.
I think we have the right formation but need to play Bannan instead of heskey whose first touch was woeful, But on the other hand Heskey was quite involved in alot of things we did and had a good game even with his terrible touch.
I think we lost all our presence in the last 3rd without Gabby, who was playing like his old self.
I'd also give Eric Lichaj a go at RB.
I'm worried that Mcleish will stick with Heskey and the lack of creativity will cost us against decent opposition, because let's face it Blackburn are nailed on relegation.
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Quite right Riss. If that had been Rooney or Van Perspex it would have been hailed goal of the season. Gabby has become one of those players the Holte Endl likes to slag off. The usual insult he has to live with is "pace is not enough". That goal was proof that given the chance he can be one of the best finishers in the Premiership.
Agree.
Delph played like a top class footballer yesterday; vision, creativity, an eye for the right pass....
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That goal was proof that given the chance he can be one of the best finishers in the Premiership.
I would'nt go that far personally. He's missed his fair share of one-on-ones in the past. Yesterday's goal was superb though and it did look like the confident Gabby of old.
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Very pleasing performance and it should have gone a long way towards answering those who were worried about a negative approach from McLeish. I was particularly impressed with the way he countered their brief period of threat by bringing on an attack minded midfield player who helped us regain the dominance of possession that we'd had for most of the first half. Bannan s going to be a star.
N'Zogbia seemed to grow in confidence as the game went on and I think there is a lot more to come from him. Delph looks the part and he and Petrov seem to have a good understanding.
Great to see Gabby looking like he's enjoying it again, hope he's not out for too long.
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One goal and he's proved people wrong ? Don't think so, he's got to put together some consistently good performances like yesterday to do that, he's been pretty much rubbish for long parts of the last couple of seasons and one 'wonder goal' and a good performance is not enough,
He was good yesterday, better than he's been in a long time, but he's still got a lot of probing to do for me, let's hope he doesn't now go on a 8/9 game run without scoring now,
I know I'm going against the grain here, but we have carried Gabby in to many games in the past, and although yesterday was great for him and us, it's not enough, he needs to keep on doing it which in the past he has been incapable of doing
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I was particularly impressed with the way he countered their brief period of threat by bringing on an attack minded midfield player who helped us regain the dominance of possession that we'd had for most of the first half. Bannan s going to be a star.
I said the same to my mate yesterday. Delph and Petrov were'nt as effective in the second half as they were in the first and they lost their way slighty, which helped Blackburn get a foothold back in the game. I thought at first he made that last sub about 10 mins too early, but it was a spot on decision. As for Bannan, we could have something very special on our hands.
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Very pleasing performance and it should have gone a long way towards answering those who were worried about a negative approach from McLeish. I was particularly impressed with the way he countered their brief period of threat by bringing on an attack minded midfield player who helped us regain the dominance of possession that we'd had for most of the first half. Bannan s going to be a star.
N'Zogbia seemed to grow in confidence as the game went on and I think there is a lot more to come from him. Delph looks the part and he and Petrov seem to have a good understanding.
Great to see Gabby looking like he's enjoying it again, hope he's not out for too long.
Agree with all of this, but I really think Bannan has to play ahead of Heskey. Emile scored yesterday, but his first touch was consistently found wanting, and I don't think we can really rely on his goalscoring ability to compensate for this over the season. Also, Zog played better with Bannan on the pitch, and they seem to be on the same wavelength.
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The only change I would make from yesterday for the Wolves game is Bannan in for Heskey.
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Hopefully he'll start wee Barry on Tuesday,he'll play well and push for a start on Saturday. Jean the second and Ireland will need a run out as well.
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It all makes sense now. From the Guardian match report:
That said, BirminghamVilla's opening Premier League goal of the season came from a more familiar source, Gabriel Agbonlahor gathering Bent's pass before cutting inside Míchel Salgado to curl an angled right-footed shot into the top far corner of the net.
Birmingham Villa? So....... the decision to NOT re-model the North Stand, hire the Ex Blues Manager, Blues going under, our lack of trading ( I mean who needs TWO squads), the cry of poverty from the Chair - it all makes sense. Anything else I missed?
The Bells are ringing to the end of the road? :)
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I`ll take it, no problem, everybody looked up for it, Gabby was a revelation, shame about the crap gate though.
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Agree about the crap gate - only 33,000-odd. If Blackburn had bought a normal away allocation of 2-3,000 rather than their traditional taxi load it would have been more respectable. But a lot were on holiday (at least 6 who sit by me) and not an attractive fixture contributed to the poor numbers IMO
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Agree about the crap gate - only 33,000-odd. If Blackburn had bought a normal away allocation of 2-3,000 rather than their traditional taxi load it would have been more respectable. But a lot were on holiday (at least 6 who sit by me) and not an attractive fixture contributed to the poor numbers IMO
I agree, crowds are always a bit down in August so I only expected around 35k but didn't account for them only selling 350.
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It was the worst possible fixture to start the season with in terms of a crowd - but we couldn't have asked for better opponents to give McLeish his first three points. They were truly awful (again) and I hope they go down.
A bit like last season's West Ham game, we shouldn't read too much into it, but it was a bright performance, and we look more organised and played the ball around nicely. Apart from one poor touch, thought Heskey made a big contribution too. Good to see Delph get 90 mins and N'Zog was better than last week - has Young's skills and burst of pace, but also seems less selfish - head up rather than head down.
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SG 6
LY 5 (CC 7)
JC 7
RD 6
SW 6
SP 6
FD 8* ;)
CN 7
EH 6 (BB 7)
GA 6 (MA 6)
DB 6
We played a bloody awful side in Balckburn who will see relegation if they don't buy wisely
As for their Manager odds on he will be the first to go this season from the Premier
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I was particularly impressed with the way he countered their brief period of threat by bringing on an attack minded midfield player who helped us regain the dominance of possession that we'd had for most of the first half. Bannan s going to be a star.
I said the same to my mate yesterday. Delph and Petrov were'nt as effective in the second half as they were in the first and they lost their way slighty, which helped Blackburn get a foothold back in the game. I thought at first he made that last sub about 10 mins too early, but it was a spot on decision. As for Bannan, we could have something very special on our hands.
I think that's a tad unfair on Petrov and Delph, gabby was playing really well and when we lost him we lost his presence which put more pressure on the midfield, Albrighton was nowhere.
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The only change I would make from yesterday for the Wolves game is Bannan in for Heskey.
I agree. Gabby looks happy in that wide position so I'd like to see Bannan coming in to midfield and a front three of N'Zogbia, Bent and Gabby with Hesk as an option from the bench.
On Tuesday I'd like to see some players who have not really had a run get a game. In particular I'd like to see Gary Gardner have a game.
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The only change I would make from yesterday for the Wolves game is Bannan in for Heskey.
I agree. Gabby looks happy in that wide position so I'd like to see Bannan coming in to midfield and a front three of N'Zogbia, Bent and Gabby with Hesk as an option from the bench.
On Tuesday I'd like to see some players who have not really had a run get a game. In particular I'd like to see Gary Gardner have a game.
Agree with all of this - the way to go in modern football is quick passing on the ground not hoof ball.
And for Tuesday I'd go something like :
Guzan
Lichaj
Collins
Clark
Warnock
Makoun
Ireland
Gardner
Bannan
Fonz
Heskey
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I agree with all of that Richard and welcome Villazone (don't agree with the 6 for Gabby though).
I think our tendency to play hoof ball last season was because our midfield was constantly being overrun. Yesterday was a good win but sterner tests will stretch our midfield. If we do not strengthen our midfield the defence will have to resort to balls over the top to the front men. Hoof ball is often a forced tactic not a voluntary one.
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Eloquently put, Brian. The midfield has to be a three, or at least with a player like Bannan the forward option in the 4-2-3-1, so as to give it the flexibility to move properly off the ball. The defence need short options to play out from the back, and it is up to the midfield to do this while making sure they don't get too distanced from the forward players. The three allows them to do this better.
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And for Tuesday I'd go something like :
Guzan
Lichaj
Collins
Clark
Warnock
Makoun
Ireland
Gardner
Bannan
Fonz
Heskey
I'd pretty much go with that except I'd have N'Zog in for Heskey, who I think went off with a groin 'twinge' yesterday according to AM, and N'Zog could do with more game time to get up to full speed.
Which reminds me - where's the pre-match thread?
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Enjoyed the game and day yesterday and the solid but positive start McLeish needed. We'll have far sterner tests but you can only beat the opposition that turns up and we did that pretty comfortably. Delph and Petrov did well I thought but Collins was my MoM; won everything.
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Eloquently put, Brian. The midfield has to be a three, or at least with a player like Bannan the forward option in the 4-2-3-1, so as to give it the flexibility to move properly off the ball. The defence need short options to play out from the back, and it is up to the midfield to do this while making sure they don't get too distanced from the forward players. The three allows them to do this better.
I'd imagine the consensus here is that Bannan offers more than Heskey in a 4231 formation so I am probably preaching to the converted but I am not sure this point has been covered. Tactically if we are under the cosh if we include Bannan then it is very easy to convert to a 433 and strengthen the centre of midfield, whereas a midfield three including Heskey will be physically strong but very clumsy.
I suppose it could be argued that with Heskey it is easy to change to a 442 (pulling the wide players into a flat midfield four) but as we saw under MON a 442 often gets out numbered in the centre of the pitch (especially with a tiring Petrov).
Heskey's biggest attribute is that he is a pain in the arse for the opposition: harrying, physically intimidating the opposition and provides additional strength at set pieces; however I'd also argue that he is also a pain in the arse for Villa with his bad first touch losing possession and an inability to receive the ball in tight circumstances.
I really hope that AM starts playing Bannan as ultimately I think we will be a better team. Furthermore I think we'd be a VERY good team to watch.
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In full agreement there, Dante. It's noticeable that Petrov tired towards the end of the Fulham game where Heskey played the 90 but seemed fine physically yesterday after Bannan came on to offer more dynamism and options in the midfield. I'm very pleased that AM recognises the general advantages of 4-2-3-1 over the 4-4-2, and Heskey's positioning shows clear instructions from the manager, which is good to see. However, I do agree, Bannan would offer much more in terms of creativity, not to mention making our style more incisive (rather than bludgeoning) and would make us easier on the eye to boot. Overall, however, yesterday's game made me MUCH more optimistic about AM's tenure - as long as he doesn't persist too much with bloody Heskey!
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I think it's becoming almost a cliche to have a pop at Heskey. He scored! How about Bannan for Delph?
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I think it's becoming almost a cliche to have a pop at Heskey. He scored! How about Bannan for Delph?
Delph was man of the match, and Bannan's best position is where Heskey was playing, just different. Heskey may have scored, but his contribution was always let down by his poor touch and lack of vision, and I don't think we can rely on his goalscoring to justify his selection in future.
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Blackburn is not in the shape for today. Losing Samba is big impact to them in term of defender.
Good to see Gabby score the 1st goal like that. IMO all work quite OK again the poor side.
Anyway the midfield and forward is still have more to do in term of connection. If we face the strong side we need to be more control in the ball.
Cheer,
You've talked me into it. Hurray!
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Thought they all did well but there are issues. Warnock diving in cost us a goal, stay on your feet should be whipped into him until he is begging for his life, the stupid, stupid man.
The centre of the park is like a great chasm for sides to walk through. Delph did well, and so did Petrov at times, but we were wide open too much.
Good finishing though, and a decent display. Would like to see NZogbia given the Gabby role if he is not fit next week, with Albrighton down the right.
Agree with that
Thought we looked good at times and then awful at others, the first 15 mins of the second half we terrible and a half decent team would have equalised.
The full back area is a concern for me, Warnock being to rash and Young being pulled out of position far too often.
Pleased with Delph and thought bannan looked the business when he can on giving us an extra bit of zip.
bannan needs to start against Wolves
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I think it was a patchy performance, but more good than bad.
Gabby was on fire the first half and we were good going forward, but then when Blackburn started having a bit more of the game I think our central midfield didn't impose themselves enough, which is a fear for games against the better sides.
Bannan really impressed me when he came on!
Overall hard to judge as they are a poor side and it was so easy in that first half I can't escape the feeling one or two players took their foot off the gas.
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Needed more bite in midfield especially when Blackburn came back at us in the second half. But a win nevertheless and my family went home happy!
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Have to say for the time when Gabby was on there he looked a different class to everybody else, the minute he was of i though "oh F***" and you could tell almost instantly he was gone.
Delph is starting to claim his place, looked a bit reckless at times but give him the game time and he'll get that sorted.
Gabby for me was sh1t hot, when he did that little jink and placed his shot, i said to my mate when did we get Messi in, my mate said that bloke never ceases to amaze me, just when you think there is naff all there he does something like that, my reply was, that's the nature of genius.
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Gabby might lack the nous to think his way through a one-on-one with the keeper, but he is still a pretty good finisher overall. I thought a bigger fuss would of been made about him scoring his 50th league goal.
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Gabby might lack the nous to think his way through a one-on-one with the keeper, but he is still a pretty good finisher overall. I thought a bigger fuss would of been made about him scoring his 50th league goal.
mentioned this before ages ago, its always amazed me that someone like Arsenal haven't come in for him, would hate seeing him go, but in my mind and as was proved on Saturday there is a lot more to this player than we think and given the right midfield behind him such as Wilshire and Walcott and others threading the right balls through to him, I think Gabby would be prolific on an International scale, do I think he would cope at that level, i think he would standing on his head, because as we saw on Saturday he does have some very good skills, pace and power, his ability to hold of a defender and place a pass has he did with his assist for Heskey was very good, only seen one player shield a ball that well and that was Kenny Dalgliesh.