Aston Villa v Stoke City Post-Match Thread

[BC54 VFC]

After Gary McAllister had read the official matchday programme, and seen the respective teams listed on the reverse, he turned to Tony Pulis pre-match, outside the changing rooms, and burst into song:-

John Carew, Carew,
I thought there was one; there's two,
Is he playing for me or you?
John Carew, Carew.

Line three correction:

Who's paying, me or you?

Good alternative, Simba.

Assuming you're in S.A., and not C.B., currently then note that he was listed in both squads, 10 for Villa and 22 for Stoke! 

[nick harper]

In games like that, and there a few where teams successfully frustrate us, you need midfield players with the ability to go past players and run with the ball. That creates space and draws defenders out of the positions they want be in.

Petrov and Reo Coker can't do that and consequently we spend large parts of games going sideways across the pitch.  Not sure that Makoun has that in his game either. Delph may have it but he hasn't had an opportunity yet.

A midfielder with that ability and pace is a priority in the summer to help improve our mediocre home record.

[ROBBO]

Where's the suprise in all this? we are playing the exact same side less Bent that failed all last season to break defences down. We have two defensive midfielders with no guille whatsoever, thats not saying they didn't put the effort in they did but service to the forwards was abysmal.

Sorry about the spelling but after a rubbish nghts sleep and getting up at 5am to watch that i am excusing myself. That's what is so disappointing about the Houllier news, i really thought  he might bring in the creative midfielders we have been waiting for.

Unfortunately I agree. It is why we were pleasantly suprised at Bannan for example who could play the reverese/inside ball. We do need Petrov who protects the back four and ( help me here) I think our results with him in place prove this. But creatively we are poor.

Well said Robbo. check spelling for Guille.

[ROBBO]

Don't know what happened there i think i will retire to my bed.

[Dave Cooper please]

I was sat in the sun, reading the latest Bernie Gunther novel this afternoon (very good), sipping an ice cold drink when I realised it was time to get up and go to the match.

I honestly wish I hadn't bothered. What a horrible snooze fest that was.

Stoke City are such a vile, horrible side to watch, with their insistence on taking a couple of minutes for every throw in or free kick, and their time wasting from half way through the first half. I know they have a few decent players, like Etherington, but I don't buy this "they've changed" bollocks - they are exactly the same niggly, tedious anti-football car crash they always were. Unfortunately, they're exactly the sort of stubborn side we struggle to break down, and the result was predictable.

The first half, we were utterly awful, just wretched. The second half I thought we were much improved and played with a bit of zip, but over 90 minutes, bar the goal, I can't remember another shot on goal from us. Having said that, I'd have taken a point before kick off, so can't grumble at the result.

Dunne and Collins reminded me why we need to move them both on in the summer.

Brad's save early on was brilliant, but then in that flurry of corners he reminded me of why we need to move him on, too, plenty of flapping and indecision from him.

Walker did very well today, I thought.

Heskey lumbered around and didn't do much.

Downing I thought was our best player, and I really didn't understand why he was taken off.

Petrov - did very well, looked composed and in control.

Darren Bent - honestly, what can you say about this guy? Barely got a sniff of the ball all day, but what a superbly taken goal that was.

Except for the Gunther reference, exactly what I saw, can't really add much else.

[WikiVilla]

eh ? Petrov was superb again today, why knock him for the hell of it

[Dave Cooper please]

I had a couple of pints with Bad English before the game, then didn't go. It was excellent.

Bastard.

[WikiVilla]

Also, the bells thing, mmmm, perhaps stop that

[j66acd]

Quote of the day...

After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'

 I'm sure he sits there to piss me off. Although Downing didn't have his best performance today and he should have had a few more shots, the guy is a complete idiot and chats a load of rhubarb.

[ozzjim]

After having had time to reflect.... Stoke City are a shameful football team, with shameful tactics, and are much, much worse than anything Allardyce ever put out at Blackburn or Bolton. Horrible to watch, horrible players, horrible manager, and a fecking blight on the english game. Their fans sang well, but christ alive they must hate watching it week in week out. It is like a rugby team, constantly playing percentage balls.

Secondly, Chris Foy - spineless idiot, yet another hideous ref - and IMO badly influenced by Pulis having had a pop at him twice this season. The amount of free kicks he did not give us, yet gave them similar was barking, and the time waster Begovic should have been sent by half time, cheating scroats. I am not renewing for financial reasons next season, and I sure won't miss watching Stoke play at VP. I hope Man City hammer them at Wembley.

[Steve R]

... the main celebrations are going to be tomorrow when I see the rest of the family!

all of them?

many happy returns VillaSub

[alanclare]

What an absolutely bloody dreadful game of football. After watching ManUre v Everton earlier on it brought it home to me what an enormous gulf exists between them and us. What are we doing here?

[CT]

Quote of the day...

After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'

I'll try and beat that - the two old miserable ***** behind me who spent the whole game moaning, whining and swearing in the ears of a five year old - one shouted..

"F*ck off to Man Utd Young you c**t - we'll have 35 million and a reduction in the season ticket price".

ROW S - Lower Witton 200 - 201 - the club doesn't need aresholes like you.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Quote of the day...

After 7 minutes the twat behind me says ' downing has been a bit inconsistent today'

I'll try and beat that - the two old miserable ***** behind me who spent the whole game moaning, whining and swearing in the ears of a five year old - one shouted..

"F*ck off to Man Utd Young you c**t - we'll have 35 million and a reduction in the season ticket price".

ROW S - Lower Witton 200 - 201 - the club doesn't need aresholes like you.

Have a similar jerk in the Lower North - slagging Young and was singing a version of the Gabby song....he`s fat as ****.

He was slung out at the Newcastle game - toss pot

[VillaZogmariner]

Take his throw ins out of his game and Rory Delap really is shit.