Aston Villa v Stoke City Post-Match Thread

[Mister E]

Bunny has a point though. Rather than blame them for today, we should be looking a lot closer to home. That was the first point they've picked up away since Boxing Day so other teams have successfully managed to overcome their tactics. Oh.. and we had two shots on target all game, one obviously being the goal.

You're right Mark. We knew what was coming and didn't manage to find a brand of football to break their defence.
Dunne, Collins and Friedel have proved vulnerable to the high ball all season and today was no different. As said elsewhere, when we stopped hoofing the ball to Heskey, and started playing on the ground, we looked a litle more dangerous.

[WikiVilla]

I think the heat was a factor today for us, plus Ash had arguably his poorest game of the season
Drifted left to right to centre but couldnt get into the game

[The Moose]

So who is responsible for the tactics?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The overall display for me was more non descript than poor. It was like we just couldn't get going, and the urgency of last week didn't need to be there anymore because we knew we were essentially safe. The GH problems probably deflated everyone heading into the game, so the performance ended up being flat. I'm optimistic about our away games now more than our home ones because I think we are a lot more relaxed and confident on the break. You watch. We'll win next week, and then have another scrappy home draw against Wigan.

More than anything, I think we miss somebody that can drive the team, help us step up a level when we need to. Milner could do it, Barry before him. Ashley tries, god bless him  but he ends up over doing it and driving us into a cul.de-sac. When thinks go stale, there really is a lack of leadership and inspiration on the pitch.

[WikiVilla]

It's a long time since I've seen an away side time wasting to that level at Villa Park !
Perhaps we should take it as a compliment of sorts

[mozza]

posted wrong thread it was that boring.............

both teams content with a point after Bent scored -

how predictable they would score against our defence from throw in ?

pathetic away following even allowing for their upcoming trip toWembley

[damon loves JT]

I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.

[villa1]

hate to admit it, but seems that football snobbery has now reached Villa Park.

Defied belief that Stoke are seen as the villains today, when for 45 minutes only one team was really in it. This 6 days after the players flogged themselves to a standstill at Wembley.

I thought some of you were better than that to be honest.

Look at your own failings before hurling sh** at us, as honest a bunch of players as you can get. Last weekend showed the way that our team has evolved. Like yourselves, we are one of the few clubs to play 2 out and out wingers and 2 up front.

Sorry we didn't bend over for you, but we're Stoke City, we'll play as we want and are still in a relegation battle.

Some need to grow up on here, bin SKY Sports off and remember you're watching the working man's ballet.

Rant aside - hello to all Villans and have a good summer.

I'm a big believer in playing to your strengths and doing what you need to do to win the match. Doesn't mean I have to like the hoof and run, timewasting tactics though.

Your posts are usually well reasoned and thought out. This defensive post suggests that you know we are right.

As it happens, I do agree, to some extent, that it was our fault we didn't win as we weren't good enough to break you down.

Horrible game of football. The worst i've seen this year at our place. Wish i'd stayed in Brindley Place, supping pints in the sun.

[WikiVilla]

I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.

Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol

[adrenachrome]

I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.

Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol

Ha Ha.

You break me up, CI.

[Gareth]

I hope Man City slam 10 past them at Wembley....they are a vile, niggly, 1 dimensional excuse for a team that were there for the taking if anyone other than Bent was prepared to SHOOOOT FFS!!!

Foy was equally a disgrace, pathetic that he didn't clamp down on begovic

[VillaZogmariner]

I am so glad somebody has finally banned that fake-humble chip-on-the-shoulder dork.

Has VillaSubmariner been banned lol

Normally I'd come in and call you a ****** now, but it's my birthday so I'll let you off.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

Let me just state clearly I have no problem with how Stoke play. Pullis has developed a system that works for them and as a club they have moved forwards. The problem for US with it is we're not a good enough side to stop them imposing their game. Rarely do Stoke casuse problems away from home at the top 6 clubs so much that the result is ever in jeopardy.
In terms of our own players, Friedal showed the two sides to his ability. Good shot stopper, and still good reflexes for his age, sadly he isn't imposing enough and Stoke targetted this. They also utilised the fact that Chris Foy hadn't got the bollocks to pull them up for anything. Their keeper had been time wasting from 25 minutes, yet got booked on 84 minutes - a no risk decision. In the first half mini series of throw ins and corners Shawcross' job was to block Friedal from coming for the ball, what Brad should have done was cleared the twat out, the ref wouldn't have given it against the keeper, they rarely do.
Dunne and Collins worry me lots, Dunne I think has gone, but Collins ranges from excellent to abysmal in the same half of a game. Young L done well at LB but everytime he came inside when going forward he narrowed the pitch, thus making it easier for Grappler Huth and Shawcross. Kyle Walker was good I thought.
The Delap substitution I thought enabled us the opportunity to bring Gabby on, I think Heskey would have stayed on the pitch if Delap had.
In the middle of the pitch Petrov and Reo-Coker done what they do, NRC runs around a lot and invarioubly gives it away again and Petrov runs out of legs on 65 minutes before getting his 2nd win around 80 minutes. Ash and Downing were outnumbered, Stoke knew our threat was wide and doen their homework on them.
Heskey I though defended well when he had too, which says enough about our performance that we talk about his defensive responsibilities and have nothing to say about him in the other 3rd of the pitch.
We need a central midfield player that can go past a player, that can craft a pass for Bent's outstanding runs. i'm unsure whether Makoun will ever be that player and as for Michael Bradley was he on the bench today? Maybe Bannon is that man? - but I only see him playing in a 3 in the middle rather than a 2.

Overall, we have a decent set of players, and a sound platform to build on for next season. I just hope that we have the correct infrastructure to move forward, otherwise beating Stoke at home will always be a struggle

[Clampy]

I was on my holibobs when we played them at their place this season and as i heard the result come through, i went on a bit of a rant about Stoke, namely complaining how long they took over throw ins. The mates i was with thought i was talking crap but i wish they'd both been there today.

[The Moose]

Happy Birthday VillaSub!! What are you doing on here, you saddo! Go and get p*ssed!!!