Aston Villa v The Blues Post-Match Thread

[Tony]

I also thought they had a strong shout for a penalty in the first half when NRC looked to handle the ball, this was evened up when Foster took Clark out after his header, anywhere else on the pitch and that's a foul.

[The Situation]

What's was going on outside the North Stand after the game? I see the police thugs were all lined up and ready to go but I also see flares everywhere? What was going on?

[DB]

Haven't seen many comments as just got back but, here's my take : Bannan to start for next match, again Sidwell did nowt. We need a striker. That's it..

[Sutton_Villa23]

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.

If you thought Clark was shit you didnt watch same game as me

[Walmley_Villa]

If you thought Clark was shit you didnt watch same game as me

Clark had a good assured game and nearly got the winner. What the hell are you talking about Situ? We miss Gabbty obviously and I would have liked to have seen the Delf have a go at them to compensate for the lack of Gabby. I feel so sorry for Cuellar after watching Dunne today making Jerome look like Messi - appalling. Heskey worked hard but had no support and they totally snubbed out Ash. A draw was a fair result and in these games both sets of fans are just happy not to lose. The Cup game will be a cracker though...

[deero83]

we really miss petrov

Really? I thought we passed it sideways and backwards quite well today.

[deero83]

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

Pretty much my assessment of the game that.

[taylorsworkrate]

It's just worth noticing that many people had Collins playing in midfield in their personal team selections both on here and VT. Ok, so Clarke played there but I don't think the overall effect would have been too different. Due to the lack of players to choose from, given injuries/suspensions, I'm not sure any of us really believed the game would be any different to how it turned out. If he had played two up front then our midfielf would've have lost out to theirs and we'd have probably lost, same goes for the inclusion of Ireland. We are severely undergunned in midfield following the loss of JM, even at full strength, so I can't see why people are so shocked TBH.

A lot did have collins in midfield yes, but not as part of a defensive midfield 3.  Small heaths midfield is not that incredible that 2 defensive midfielders wouldn't have been able to stop them surely.

[JJ-AV]

Lacked quality in the final third.

[hipkiss92]

When did sidwell become a defensive midfielder?
Just because he's shit, dosen't make him a DM, to me he has always been just a central midfielder, who pitches in with both attack and defence, though clearly he's not particularly good at either.

I would much rather have Bannan in there though.

[villajk]

I thought the first half was dire.  All hoof and hope. 

Second half was better, more passing football.

Clark played well in his midfield role and I thought Bannan played well and hope he starts against Fulham.

[ozzjim]

For the money spent, Martin O'Neill signed some fucking average players!!!

Downing 12 million? Really. Sidwell 5? Reo Coker 8.5? Just some astonishingly average players for the money spent.

Clark looked our best player by a street and could play a more advanced midfield role comfortably on that showing for me.

Bannan looked composed but so lightweight.

Dunne should be dropped for Carlos.

Heskey was ok but little movement. Can go on about service but our forwards hardly moved.

Ashley did not do enough for the talent he has to win us the game. Sidwell shoudl not have started, Ireland should.

January will be interesting.

Clark should have been given a pen when Foster took him out and the little scroat Gardner and the man pussy Zigic should both ahve been sent off, but then so should Reo by the time he was taken off. If the ginger drunk in charge of them bleats about Coker in the game he should look closer to home first.

[PaulWinch again]

To be fair other than today Downing has been very very good this season.

[AV82EC]

The game was crap, I just can't believe we were so negative.  All in all its a point we didn't lose and we don't have to worry about them for another 30 odd days. Fair play to the lad in the Witton Lane who headed the ball, fell over the pitch side hoarding and was then thrown out!!  You have to say stewards can be ridiculously pedantic about rules sometimes. 

[Legion]

I thought that was over-zealous stewarding to say the least.