Aston Villa v WBA Post-Match Thread

[Irish villain]

PHEW!!!!!!!!!

[Neil Hawkes]

Apart from the first 20 mins, we never looked like losing. Nice one lads, job well done

[KevinGage]

Much needed win.

The Olbiyun will feel a tad unlucky but fcuk 'em.

Cuellar needs to stay in the side.

That is all.

[Walmley_Villa]

Just back and thought we did well considering especially second half when we dominated and stopped Albion playing. Special mention to Hogg who easily had his best game, composed, hard tackling and good passing. Also a good game for Lichaj, Carlos (which brought out a better performance in Collins), Albrighton and Downing. Heskey and Ash worked tirelessley and Albion's tactic of kicking him off the pitch was what we should all expect from Smethwick Utd. Better atmosphere today - Albion shut up as soon as we scored, I thought they were the world's best?

[pauliewalnuts]

Gold stars: Heskey, Cuellar, Lichaj, Hogg, Albrighton.
Silver: Downing, Young
Tries hard award: Warnock.

[damon loves JT]

Dunne needs to get used to that bench under his ponderous arse

[Mark H]

Huge relief - must admit I was beyond stressed for the last 2-3 mins - not the best performance we have ever out in but today that was not as important.  Cannot see Dunne getting back in anytime soon as I will be extremely annoyed if he does next week.

Nice feeling to win again and the beer will taste that bit nicer tonight !

[Tony]

I was impressed with The Baggies until we scored, they pass it around quite well, unfortunately for them it wasn't in the important areas. Very disappointed that we conceded yet another late goal, however the plus points today far outweigh that negative, we needed a result and got one, the defence looked quite composed and I thought Hogg had an excellent game.

Heskey header to give us three points in a derby for the second time this season, hopefully he stays fit. Two great crosses from Albrighton for the goals, great to see NRC back.

[Holtenderinthesky]

Gold stars: Heskey, Cuellar, Lichaj, Hogg, Albrighton.
Silver: Downing, Young
Tries hard award: Warnock.

Really???  Hogg better than Downing?  I didn't think so.  SD was MOTM for me.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Before we scored, it looked like we were going to get thrashed, but they lost their way a little after our goal.

The second half, however, was a complete turnaround and by the end of the match I thought we thoroughyl deserved the victory. I don't recall Friedel having to do anything.

Credit to GH for turning it around and finally dropping Dunne and playing Lichaj.

Credit also to Warnock, who was ripped apart in the first half from by tall bloke (who was it?), played very well in the second half and did not let his opponent have a chance to do anything.

Hogg seems to be improving as a player. He's getting involved more.

I like the way the young players always seem to try and pass the ball, even when in defensive situations. OK, sometimes they're going to mess (and they'll be slaughtered by fans when they do), but if we want to change the way we play, we're going to have to accept a few mistakes along the way. It's obvious that's how they play in the reserves and youth sides, so it's nice they're trying to bring that into the first team.

Can we follow it up next week is the question? Certainly no reason why we can't.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Gold stars: Heskey, Cuellar, Lichaj, Hogg, Albrighton.
Silver: Downing, Young
Tries hard award: Warnock.

Really???  Hogg better than Downing?  I didn't think so.  SD was MOTM for me.

Really??? First half he was pretty poor. Fair enough in the 2nd half he, finally, made some challenges and good passes, but MOTM, no way.

[olaftab]

Ash was named MOTM by sponsors...I  sometimes  think they are  pissed when they do this!
Surely , Downing, Cuellar and Hogg were in front of him?

[Dribbler]

A good game today because we played to our stengths, our defenders concentrated on defending and getting the ball out of danger, not trying to pass their way out of trouble, and we used our pace well on the counter attack. Both Cuéllar and Lihai had good games and i hope we keep that defence for the game against Wigan. Having Heskey up front allowed us to knock the ball forward quickly and retain possession, and both Downing and Albrighton had very good games. Young worked hard for the team too. I think all of the young players looked good today. But the best thing is how we worked as a team, and whilst quite a few players made mistakes, there was nearly always someone there to cover for them. Good result and a much needed three points.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

The Olbiyun will feel a tad unlucky but fcuk 'em.

Why? Other than the period of the game before we scored, they did nothing.

[olaftab]

Very good  feeling leaving Villa Park with a  smile on my face again. As I missed the Blackpool match so it was a long time ...

They played us off the park in the first half and just before  we scored I had slumped back into my  seat fearing the worst.

Rene made   some changes on how we were playing and we closed them down more effectively. We dominated the 2nd hald till the last 5 mins but pleased we hung on.

I wish we were more clinical  when in good positions and I wish Ash would stop complaining and start  pressuring defenders more.

Defence much better with Carlos and  very impressed with young Lichaj. They put lot of balls  to their left in the first half and he stood up well.

NRC/Bannan subbing was bang on and hopefully Nige will start at Wigan next week. Jon Hogg is impressing me more and more.  With him amd Reo-Coker together we will have more stability in midfield and that will free up Albrighton and Downing to attack more.
3 point were needed and we got them...nothing else matters.