Aston Villa vs West Ham Match Thread

[Irish villain]

what was the attendance?

[Tom_Mc9?]

O'Neill could have used the youngsters a lot more. His unwillingness to make changes in games was one of his major faults.

[ian c.]

Fantastic performance.

Hats off to all the team.

[stevenjos]

That was brilliant.

[The Situation]

Today couldn't of gone any more perfect... well done to our players and Kevin Macdonald! I'm very happy after Monday's drama.

[manic-road]

Just superb all round.

[xbiggy]

Great result even better performances by Alb,Clark, Miln, Downing. Onwards and upwards.   

[ian c.]

Top game by Milner.  I think we will miss him.

[pablopicasso_10]

excellent performance... good to see us not drop deep to protect what we had, and subsequently got more goals, and look very exciting and threatening...

[ktvillan]

Why did O'Neill never play Albrighton?

Because he was a twat?

I'm sorry but that is completely wrong. Albrighton like some other kids at Villa have come through with great patience. You simply cannot level youth development as being something MON did poorly. He has given the kids a chance and they have to be ready to step up. Albrighton played in every pre-season game, so you couldn't be more wrong with that statement.

Sorry TV but I don;t think Albrighton would have got near the team today and for most games this season if MON were still in charge.   I recall he had a pretty decent pre-season last year but barely got a look in. As with many other things O'Neill was over cautious in his use of the talented youngsters like Delfounso, Albrighton and Delph.

[tremzvillain]

Extremely proud of them all today! Great performance. Can't believe what a difference a nice bit of passing can make.

[PeterWithesShin]

Why did O'Neill never play Albrighton?

Because he was a twat?

I'm sorry but that is completely wrong. Albrighton like some other kids at Villa have come through with great patience. You simply cannot level youth development as being something MON did poorly. He has given the kids a chance and they have to be ready to step up. Albrighton played in every pre-season game, so you couldn't be more wrong with that statement.

Apart from the fact they virtually never saw league football apart from the occasional sub appearance in his time at the club?

Because they are kids and you can't just throw them in. You have to blood them gradually and he has. Could they have been given a little more exposure? Possibly. But they are youth players just learning the game, and loan spells at lower league clubs is the way to go. Albrighton last season when he did play was nothing close to this. That's down to a good system knowing when to introduce them. MON would have taking advice from Sid, McAndrew and KM over this. The kids coming through are a testament to the whole operation.

I agree that it's down to our set up, which is very different to MoN getting any acclaim for them. Personally I would have liked to see Albrighton, Fonz in particular get more game time in the league last season. MoN primarily stuck with his chosen few, hence my slightly tongue in cheek "twat" comment. At numerous other clubs their blooding would have started sooner.

[paul_e]

Absolutely superb performance.  If Carew had the right boots on we'd have been looking at 6 or 7, and 3 off the woodwork.

[Jimbo]

Well done Super Kev, Marc Albrighton and the rest of the lads, even Jimmy Milner. You actually made me thoroughly enjoy watching Villa today, which is something I haven't been able to say for ages.

[H00513R]

Absolutely brilliant performance today by Villa. I haven't been so excited in a while. Great pace and they were attacking from the getgo.

 5 things I took away from this match:

1. KM should have a couple more chances to show this is his job to lose.
2. Albrighton needs to be in this line-up every game. He gives them chances and speed up front that Carew and Young (plus Gabby when he returns) needs.
3. Milner can go and I hope he knows from today that Villa will be just fine. Especially if/when we get Ireland.
4. Clark should play - I would love to see a backline somehow of Dunne, Clark, Sidwell and ? (not Warnock).
5. Why does everyone rate Warnock?? He has bad field perception, looks clumsy and is slow.  I honestly think we can do better at LB.