Aston Villa v WBA Post-Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Whilst I agree Ashley Young did some good things, is he really the answer to the second striker/No.10 position?

Imo the person who plays there should be scoring on a fairly consistent basis.  How many attempts on goal did Ashley have yesterday?

His natural instinct when he receives the ball is to try and beat a defender (or two) and run with the ball, he rarely moves the ball immediately on to some one else whilst moving into space for the return ball.

If we are going to play the present system then I do not think he is the person to play there.

Only once yesterday did Ashley play direct, when the Baggies centre half ballsed up and Ashley took the ball off him, went to the byline and put a cross in that almost led to Heskey scoring. It's what he used to do a couple of seasons back, terrorising defences and getting the ball in the box. I'd certainly like to see him play that way more than he currently does. He's extremely skillfull but we don't need a demonstration every time he has the ball. Ronaldo used to do a similar thing when he first joined Man Utd until Fergie told him to stop pissing about and move the ball into the danger zone. The rest as they say, is history.

I can't fault Ashley's commitment but I think he certainly could be more effective.

[London Villan]

I just wish he could cross and take a decent corner, more often than the 1 in 20 he completes at the moment. 

[eamonn]

My MOM is Downing due to the 1st goal and the deliver quality.

Look good to see the hard work rate of our players.
Warnock - Some problem with their Winger but it is OK
Cuellar and Collin - Many Nice Block
Albrighton - Nice Cross and Pace
Young - Nice Pace (Anyway I still thinking that he will be better in the wing position)
Heskey - Give us a muscle up front. Good to see him back.

Still wait for the arrival of Central midfield and Striker.
 
Villa Forever

Top Post Mate Funeral the Throstles

Indeed. Good to see you back Saranyu.

[brontebilly]

Have to say I'm more in the glass half empty brigade about the game. The result was needed and we got it just about. Cuellar made a difference at the back and he anticipated everything but made a horrific mistake at the end that thankfully wasnt punished. Our wide players finally showed a bit of application and that was key in the second half as West Brom couldnt get their wide duo into the game. Hogg was combative, Heskey was good in the first half, Young brilliant in the second half. Lichaj showed some promise too.

But there were many negatives. Bannan was a total passenger in midfield. Lost really and needs a spell out of the side. Maybe booting Ireland out was required but I felt he did enough in Anfield to be selected ahead of the Scottish Xavi. Hogg is so limited with the ball and as a result Ashley Young found it difficult to get in the game as they couldnt find him. That is what made his second half performance so good as it was mostly his industry that got him the ball and he used it excellently. Lichaj's dive in first ask questions later approach got him by ok generally but Cuellar had to do a lot of cleaning up behind him. Thought he looked a good athlete anyway and was decent on the ball but felt Thomas troubled him too. Warnock was pathetic in the first half. West Brom targetted him and he was exposed badly. In the second half he made a few decent interceptions but dont know why West Brom didnt get the ball out there more often. Collins improved too after a very shaky start but I still didnt think he was great. Heskey was hopeless in the second half. Fitness hopefully the issue. Thought Friedel was shaky again and how we didnt see out the clean sheet was worrying. West Brom had a glorious chance to equalise too. Dont get me wrong those three points were badly needed but Wigan is as crucial really. If Luke Young is back Id certainly put him in there ahead of Warnock as Nzogbia will surely target that flank. Id bring Clark in next to Reo Coker in midfield for height alone as we are being destroyed at set pieces. Heskey ahead of Gabby too for the moment. 

[WikiVilla]

I thought Hogg did a very good job
A future anchor role in midfield
Heskey stepped up to the plate as did Ash & Downing

[pablopicasso_10]

relieved...

[Legion]

Highlights

[Ger Regan]

Anyone notice the clown in the lower holte (L4) who started shouting abuse towards GH (think he called him a "big-nosed French wanker"), except he waited until I'm fairly sure Houllier was gone down the tunnel. He was with his son and all. Embarrassing.

[junxs]

Highlights

Thanks. Was away last weekend and missed all the action.

[VillaZogmariner]

Watching that I have just realised that it's the first time I've actually heard GH speak since he took over.