Aston Villa v Gloryhunters Post-Match Thread

[MattW]

The victory would have been cathartic, and would have lightened the baggage of one win in thirty for this new generation of players. Still really proud of the kids today though, and delighted with the example shown by our more experienced players going forward such as Gabby, Ash, and Downing.

I can understand why Houllier wanted to bring the Fonz on at that stage, with Gabby returning from injury, and the Fonz needing some experience to become a realistic option in the long-run. Its easy to say with hindsight, but I don't think he is ready for the lone striker role yet though. I would have been more comfortable with Gabby holding the ball up in the last few minutes.

Downing is really looking the part this season, which has compensated for Ireland's relative no-show so far. It feels as tough we have pretty much consolidated over the last few years in terms of experience/ talent in this area of the squad; with Downing effectively a replacement for Barry, Ireland for Milner, and the emergence of Albrighton.

It seems to me that O'Neill's brand of relative success was unsustainable, buying a whole new defence each season, falling-out with his own signings etc. We were able to consolidate (arguably an achievement in itself) by spending a lot of money (sometimes almost indiscriminately), but ultimately not progress further - and I think he could see that he had taken us as far as he could. Hopefully Houllier can manage the development of these young players, and bring in some choice additions to actually take us forward.

Good post mate.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Did I miss it on MOTD, or was there no showing of Nani's attack on Warnock?

Or any questions as to why Ashley was booked for celebrating, but Vidic was not?

[KevinGage]

Watching it back and Bannan's pass first half was top class.

Uncomfortable watching the second half and seeing just how on top we were. If we couldn't beat them today at VP from that position I'm not sure we ever will. That was a pretty weak United line up compared to the sides they've put out in recent years. And even the players they did pick looked like they were just going through the motions.

It's also a concern that the opposition didn't get started again today until late, but when they did we couldn't cope. Stoke only turned up in the last 15 minutes, VDV said after the game at WHL that they (Tottenham) didn't turn up for the first 45 after their European exertions and United only got going with nine minutes to go. If teams are off colour for whatever reason and give us that kind of opening we really have to go for the throat. At the moment we're not good enough to only turn up for 9/15 or 45 minutes and get a result ourselves, so we can't afford to let other sides do that to us.

I hope that the likes of Albrighton, Bannan and even Hogg now feel like they belong at this level - if ever they doubted it. They still need to retain the hunger to improve but the former two in particular look like they could be big players for us (and hopefully no other club) for years to come.

If that's the case I can swallow today - just about. It might be the game that a few of them refer back to in a few years as a turning point in their careers. The true test of that will be the rest of this season and beyond. But more immediately we need to start putting a run of form together with preferably a few more wins than draws.

If we have circa 30 points on the board towards the end of December it sets us up nicely for the second half of the campaign. We can still have a good season. But we need to get motoring. Moral victories and encouraging performances are all well and good. Actual victories should always take priority though.

[bertlambshank]

Did I miss it on MOTD, or was there no showing of Nani's attack on Warnock?

Or any questions as to why Ashley was booked for celebrating, but Vidic was not?

Yes your right on both counts.

[davevillan]

Did I miss it on MOTD, or was there no showing of Nani's attack on Warnock?

Or any questions as to why Ashley was booked for celebrating, but Vidic was not?

Ashley jumped the boardings to get into the crowd, and although Vidic went over to the utd fans, it looked like he was also being pushed by the players behind him. It wasnt as blatent as Ash's. I can understand why Mike Dean didnt book him, and i dont have a problem with it tbh.

[Karl Bridges]

What today's game showed is that we can't afford to lose Gabby again. We looked so much better with him up top.

[Reality]

Bottlers - nothing else. Same old Villa - conceding late and throwing away 3 points.

[Karl Bridges]

The trolling thing has been done and dusted mate.

[adrenachrome]

I'm drunk and I'm stoned and I shouldn't really be posting but I saw a passage of play today that was pure poetry the like of which I have not seen for a long time from a Villa team. It reminded me of the 5-1 game against Liverpool all those years ago.

In my heart, I knew Man Ure  would come back because we could not sustain that intensity. But for once I did not care.

[Klaus Katt]

The second half felt like one of those dreams you remember because it was just before you woke up. Your brain began to throw reality into the mix, but the sweetness was still there.

[JD]

I'm drunk and I'm stoned and I shouldn't really be posting but I saw a passage of play today that was pure poetry the like of which I have not seen for a long time from a Villa team. It reminded me of the 5-1 game against Liverpool all those years ago.

In my heart, I knew Man Ure  would come back because we could not sustain that intensity. But for once I did not care.

Mate, you're totally on track.
I watched the game, then read the comments but didn't post earlier due to some of the negative posts and how gutted I felt. I have watched the game again and my heart is still swelling with pride with how our home grown players adapted themselves. I will give wraps to young Mr Hogg who would have found late he was playing, but his commitment and chasing, including one brilliant committed tackle was excellent. Who cares he gave the ball away a few times, he looked like he really wanted to be out there. That's what I like about Bannan, Albrighton, Clark etc, they will die for Villa. Also great to see Gabby back.
Forget NRC and Petrov getting fit, I'm too excited about seeing Delph, Gardner and Weimann getting fit.
This season is about bedding our brilliant youngsters, I truly believe if we keep these talented younsters together the future will be brilliant. Maz, the faith you have shown has been admirable, now it is starting to reap dividends.

[Simba]

For a good deal of that game the Villa were a joy to watch. Fast, incisive, fearless and tactically astute.

I, for one am glad to see two fast forwards running on to clever through balls and utilising the speed we have - not trying to find a big lumbering CF, or two.

The "kids" of course were brilliant and a testament to our academy and reserve staff. Now the acid test is :

Will we do everything possible and keep these lads for the long term and use them as a nucleus for a new side? As Slur Alex did with his famous crop of Beckham etc.

I bloody hope this is the start of an established new team. Great stuff.

[damon loves JT]

I had written this season off before it even started. But now I reckon I was wrong.

[glester]

When you consider all of these players were unavailable today... it makes you pretty proud of how the youngsters are stepping up!

Curtis Davies
Ciaran Clark
Habib Beye
Carlos Cuéllar
Steve Sidwell
Stephen Ireland
Fabian Delph
Stilian Petrov
Nigel Reo-Coker
John Carew
Emile Heskey
Andreas Wiemann

[JD]

Another thing I enjoyed today was when Nani swithched wings after taking Warnock out with the elbow the first time he got the ball Luke Young took him out. Just wished he had done it a bit harder.