Aston Villa v The Blues Post-Match Thread

[Ads]

I could not understand the midfield we put out today.

Take away the fact that its a derby, why on earth would you put out three defensive minded midfielders against the Blues? They’ve not won away from home and they don’t carry a goal threat. Why it took 70 minutes to work that out I don’t know.
 

[olaftab]

OK just think someone really shit like Zigic playing  for us.... now admire Heskey and Carew despite their short comings!

[Rigadon]

Can somebody shed light on NRC at the end?  What happened?

[Matt C]

Anyone wondering why it wasn't on Sky need only see a few minutes of that, dreadful game of football. Thought we looked promising early on but gradually got dragged down to their level and reverting the long ball to Heskey.

Glad it's over, a point is no disaster but we need to start scoring and winning again soon.

[Reality]

We are a far better team than those wankers. Once again had a poor half. I honestly couldn't believe what I was watching. Every single person that watched that game knew it was crying out for Stevie Ireland to be put on. Shocked that he wasn't. Incredibly disappointed and ashamed.

Is Steve Ireland the new Joe Cole. If he plays we would win 6-0 or something. I admit we so need something but is Ireland the answer as he hasn't been in other matches including his poor showing against Burnley midweek.

You obviously didn't watch the first half of the Burnley game. Him and Young were the pinnacle of our attacks - linking up fantastically well. Fair enough though he did go silent in the second half, which seems to be a very big problem. As much as I hate Man City, their fans did say that he very often doesn't show up when it is needed.

[CJ]

Awful game - thud and blunder. They maybe should have had a penalty and Houllier was right to take Reo off before he got himself sent off.  Thought they looked a lot more threatening when Jerome came on to partner the lamppost, but Ash and Clarke could have nicked it in the last 15 minutes.

Was surprised at team selection but thought if anyone had to step up to defensive midfielder Ciaran fitted the bill - comfortable on the ball and think he may do a Barry-esque transfer from defence to midfield in the future.  Given we had Ciaran and Reo in the middle I was surprised not to see Ireland (although he was pretty shit on Wednesday, but so was Sidwell). I was also surprised to see Bannan come on in the middle but thought he did well.

After that display I really don't fancy us for the cup game.

On the way back I also heard people calling for Houllier to go, and the guy on WM was more than encouraging the notion. Beggars belief - no pre-season, inherited squad with our best player sold, no chance to buy anyone, only just got his staff together etc.  I think we will take a couple of steps back in the short term while he evaluates the squad (and to be fair he has given nearly all the players a chance to claim a place) and imposes his style and fitness requirements.  Maybe a couple of signings in January will improve us for the second half of the season and I'm reserving judgement til at least after the summer. 

[eastie]

I thought clark did ok in his new role but would rather have had nige , Clark and Ireland than sidwell- we miss milner hugely and are struggling to create chances , never mind score them.

It's a shame the fonz hasn't had a few games to stake his claim as he now looks well down the pecking order- interestingly James Collins is banging in the goals on loan at burton.

I think GED may need more than
one or two in January as we really are crying out for creativity and goals- I do not blame him as he inherited this squad but maybe it shows why o neill felt he'd taken us as far as he could- he's left some very average players behind after squandering many millions.

I'm resigned to losing ash in the summer and the next 2 transfer windows will shape the future of our club.

[lukey27]

The personnel he put out on the pitch just didn't suit the formation he decided to play. I actually though Clark did ok in an unfamiliar position all things considered. Felt sorry for Heskey, neither Young nor Downing were close enough to him and we kept giving them the ball back in the 1st half. When he finally took one of the defensive midfielders off we looked immediately better and more flexible. Albrighton will walk back in that team next week.

[Ads]

No Gabby - no Villa. That's what it is at the moment. Without his pace and goals, we're completely lacking in the final third. The ridiculous system and personnel contributed today to.

[The Situation]

Why the fuck did Clark play in midfield? I'm sorry but he was shit today. Dunne was shit too, so was Sidwell again.

We should of beat small heath today - it's like drawing against a Championship team at home, just not acceptable. No creativity in midfield... still, even though we weren't great today it just shows how awful small heath are. They have a dire attack, Zigic is just a slow shit - terrible player.

Oh well, we still haven't lost to the Blues in 5 and half years... them getting a draw meant the world to their fans at full-time. There fans are the scum of the earth with some of the stuff they sing... oh how'd I love to be a small heathen.

[TimTheVillain]

Frankly I have never been so bored in my life. At work until 2am and then get up to watch that, then to be herded round like cattle because 2 sets of numpty supporters can't walk home or to their cars without giving it the large to each other. I think it was a completely depressing 2 hours all in all.

Agreed mate.

Neanderthal Man wins again.

And as for the game, what a shyte affair that was.

Who missed what looked like a fantastic headed goal about 5 mins from the end ?

On the positive side, Clark looks class - a bit too good on the ball for an English central defender.

ps. Dunne was appalling again

[PaulWinch again]

I can think of two positives, I was impressed by Bannan when he came on. Also Clark look assured in possession which bodes well for his future career at centre half.

[The Situation]

Can you imagine Coker and Gardner in a fight? Coker would just completely destroy the little scrote of a liar.

Gardner is such a wanker - he should of been sent off today along with Zigic. Coker did nothing and didn't deserve a yellow, that retarded ref made a mountain of a molehill.

Just remember blosers, you've got two of rejects in your team because they weren't good enough for the Villa.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just remember blosers, you've got two of rejects in your team because they weren't good enough for the Villa.

I think you'll find it's three with another on the bench.

[Tony]

I thought Clark did ok in midfield, I felt sorry for Heskey, the rest of the team were miles way from him, we were really negative and I couldn't wait for the half time whistle. Second Half was better, Bannan changed the game really, his energy was exactly what we were lacking, we need Gabby back asap.

They looks calm in the first half but never carved out a decent opening, they did have some long range effrots, draw was a fair result