Birmingham City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[TheSandman]

Go on then woodhall use your stronger words. I'm entitled to an opinion and I don't want houllier in charge. We should of won that game and playing gabby on the wing and downing in middle was pathetic

Wanting Houlier out is one thing, Wanting Villa to lose (particularly against them)  is sometihng else

Agreed.

I thought our problems today were up front. If Gabby and Carew put chances away we'd have won. Simple as. We need a new striker if we are to avoid the drop.

[WikiVilla]

Petrov was dismall today IMO

[Simba]

Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!

Horrible thought, heart attack stuff. But you are right. Dammit.

[Fergal]

Chill out guys. Today is a time to celebrate. We are out of the bottom 3. If the table stands as it is at the final whistle on the last day of the season, it will be a day to rejoice. We will have done it!

How sad is that statement?  Have we sunk so low as to think that avoiding relegation adds up to a good season?  Rejoice?

[djbone]

Didn't really play well again, the Downing/Gabby swap shop was a mystery, but at least we hung in and fought, and defending was better. 

Friedel - 7. Fine display, esp. that one-handed save from Derbyshire second half.
Walker - 7. Much better right-back play than we've been used to, a couple of dodgy moments defending tho.
Clark - 6. Mixed results vs Bentley, popped up occasionally the other end but wasteful/wrong ball too often.
Collins - 8. Solid defending and got the goal.
Dunne - 7.  Much better, committed and composed.
NRC - 7. Covered well for the defence, unlucky to be subbed.
Petrov - 3.  Dreadful. No defensive qualities, gave it away too often (on the few times he got on the ball), and gave no example as captain when we were behind.  Has to go.
Downing - 5. Played out of position and it didn't suit him. Quality on the ball and shooting well below earlier-in-the-season standards.
Albrighton - 6. Did OK attacking Murphy and put some quality crosses in, but shooting a bit awry and clumsy in the tackle once again.
Carew - 4. Very poor, the usual lackadaisical display, passing didnt come off, we need to get rid.
Gabby - 6. Did alright running at their defence when played in his proper position upfront.
Subs:
Bannan - 5.  Game largely passed him by, and lightweight - but his energy did seem to help turn things for us.
Delfouneso - 7. Gave us something different upfront, good on the ball, quick, and great run and shot off the bar.

Good to be out the bottom 3 - we have to hope Makoun and maybe two or three others coming in will help us move on up.

Did I hear our fans singing "What a waste of money" to the coppers?  Also, I know times are hard, but what a shite attendance for a supposedly massive derby match.

[dave.woodhall]

That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's  a start.

[pav]

That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's  a start. good point well made Mr . Woodhall .

[WikiVilla]

That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's  a start.

Spot on, the tide is slowly turning

[themossman]

Based on our lack of nerve lately, missing this season's best striker as well as our best player, their home form, and the fact that we went a goal down, it's a good result. We got about them, hit the woodwork 4 times and are out of the relegation zone. Timely subs too that changed the outcome. Could have been better but not armageddon scenario and we won't go down based on that game.

[Fergal]

I don't know if to be happy or sad. Great we didn't loose but if we lost he would of been sacked

Then you're an idiot.

I''d have use stronger words.

Me too, how can you want your team to loose?  I want us to win every time we go out to play, I want us to win 5-0 every time we play.
If you want Villa to loose then that says a lot for your mentality.  I don't think GH is doing a good job now nor do I think he is a long term solution for our club. BUT I want him to field a team that wins every game.....

[Greg N'Ash]

Based on our lack of nerve lately, missing this season's best striker as well as our best player, their home form, and the fact that we went a goal down, it's a good result. We got about them, hit the woodwork 4 times and are out of the relegation zone. Timely subs too that changed the outcome. Could have been better but not armageddon scenario and we won't go down based on that game.

agreed. but please god Houllier, buy a striker

[WikiVilla]

Nice to see Sid in the dugout, there's a future Villa manager there without doubt

[KrisHacking]

The most important thing was not to lose today, shouls of won though.  Lots of empty seats in the B-lose end but maybe their fed up of all the trouble...

Good battling performance, were lucky we had Reo Coker in Midfield because Petrov was awful, Ferguson was the best player by miles.

That miss by Gabby sums him up, just not good enough when it comes to being a top class striker, Carew should go now as well.

And what Friedel was doing at the end nearly gave me a heart attack...UTV

[Meanwood Villa]

Positives- we didn't lose. Good battling performance to get back in it. We were the better team, again.
Negatives- we didn't win. We were the better team, again, but haven't managed to put the bastards away. We've only got 22 points from 22 games. Gabby's lost it.

Re the manager. I hope GH turns it around because it will mean we're doing well but I still thinks he's crap and I certainly wouldn't shed a tear if he gets the boot.

[usav]

That's three away games unbeaten since the Manchester City debacle, and in the two league matches we've come from behind. It's a small step, but it's  a start.

Nail on head.   A home game against Sunderland as well where 3 points should have been sealed long before Heskey left the field.    We will be OK.