Aston Villa v Newcastle United Post-Match Thread

[JJ-AV]

Not read the thread to check others opinions, but we are so average.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Doom and gloom in here.

Given is absolutely fantastic. What a keeper. Agile as a cat. Much, much better than Spurs Brad.
The defence looked solid. Dunne is looking back to his best, and I rate Collins incredibly highly. I think he's brilliant. Warnock looks like he cares this season, and is performing well. I don't understand the Hutton negativity, he's still settling in and getting up to full fitness, but he defended well and got forward well today.
Midfield is an issue. Delph looks lost. We need Jenas fit and in the side in his place, we'd look much better in midfield then. Petrov is trying his best this season and he's doing well again. Bannan is, quite simply, sublime. He needs to be starting every game from now on, we'll play better with him in the side. N'Zogbia isn't fit, and it's obvious. He's looked good in flashes, but he needs to wake up a little bit.
No negatives to say about Gabby, he's playing his heart out this season. Is Bent injured? Looks off the pace and should be doing better. We need him fit and flying.

The subs today.. Albrighton is a good option from the bench. Needs more time on days like today when N'Zog isn't doing the business. Ireland looked good when he came on, another one I don't understand the negative comments about. He looked interested and tried to have a go.

We're not playing brilliantly by any means, but we're doing okay. The midfield with Jenas in will be stronger, and if N'Zogbia and Bent can get themselves better involved then we'll be doing a lot better going forward.

Well said.

I like that assessment. Players like Bent and N'Zogbia have proved themselves to be good players over the course of their career. They'll come good because they haven't suddenly become bad. The season is a long one and we are still figuring things out. Obviously we want to win games against teams of a similar position or standard to us, but it will come. Today was turgid and a struggle at times, but we'll get there. Nothing more to say about Given. He's magic, and Gabby looks like he really wants it again.

Agree too with Summers post but with one exception. Jenas is not a holding midfielder, so I can't see him replacing Delph, who for some unknown reason is holding whilst Stan and his tiring legs go box to box. Madness! I can only think Stan fancies a final swan song but when his legs don't get him back to cover, leaving Delph all by his lonesome, you do wonder what AM will do when Jenas is fit.

Get Stan back holding and let either Delph or Jenas to go box to box. Today was a clear example of why we need to change.

[SteveD]

Does anyone really expect us to be anything other than average? Especially, when year on year we lose quality players and replace them with lesser players. The centre of our midfield dissolved in the second half with Newcastle far superior there. Still, it's not the defensive shambles of last season, we have Bent and Gabby, a quality keeper and something to build on. But if we think we should be whipping teams like Everton, Fulham and the Geordies every week, think again. We are also, also rans.

[Zhong Yi]

I predict that our first new asshole will be ripped next weeks judging by QPR's (in particular Bartons) performance just.

agreed. all the signs are there, a newly promoted team, now well up for it following their takeover. The stage is set for their first home win against...surprise surprise: Aston Villa.

Previously this 'syndrome' has been put to effect by the likes of Blackburn, Newcastle (twice), Wigan and West Ham.

[Caiphus]

Given-        7.5 - some phenomenal saves, arguably should of taken the cross that best scored off out of the air
Hutton-      6.0 - good overlap, was drifting into centre a bit to much in defence
Collins-      7.5 - I thought he was really good in the air and held his position well.  Wish he would play the simple ball a bit more instead of trying to hit Xabi Alonso passes
Dunne-      6.5 - Solid but caught flat-footed by Best;  should of put him under more pressure
Warnock-  6.5 - Defensively solid, Obertan didn't get the best of him.  Didn't offer much the other way.
Petrov-      6.5 - Had too much work to do, and was outnumbered, did his job
Delph-       5.5 - Did some good things that will be easily forgotten, looked a little to ponderous on receiving the ball on multiple occasions and got caught out by the closing speed of Tiote and Cabaye.  Hopefully he learnt that he has a lot less time on the ball then he thinks he does and will be better for it.
Bannan-    6.5 - Obvious quality, could make something happen every time he has the ball, we just don't get it to him enough.  He has to learn to get his own ball regardless of his size if he wants to fulfill his potential.
N'Zogbia-  5.0 -  Played one brilliant pass, and did some reasonable tracking back but was a passenger for the most part and keeps dribbling into trouble trying to play himself into form.  We have to suffer it, he will be too stroppy if dropped.
Gabby-      7.0 - Looked dangerous, was pretty starved for the ball and tried to do to much on his own but got a good goal and is looking like last season was just a blip of poor form/injury
Bent-         5.0 - Disinterested and lacking sharpness, groin niggle bothering him.  2 chances that he snatched at when he could of been more composed.  Zero influence on the game.

Ireland-     5.5 - I thought he looked up for it when he came on, but he needed to win his own ball to have any impact and we weren't having any possession in midfield at that point
Albrighton- 6.0- Looked more confident after last week's assist, seemed dangerous, did everything he could and had to decent shots.
Delfouneso- 5.0- Made a solid front post clearance after being ordered by Given to stand there, not enough time for any threat otherwise.

We had 2 passengers and a forgettable performance from a young player who has limited experience at this level.  Delph was forgivable, but Bent and N'Zogbia are seasoned pros who should not be playing if they aren't fit and aren't prepared to put a shift in for the team.  Bent at least has credit in the bank and what looks like a groin niggle.

I think if the ref handed out the cards he should of to Newcastle then the midfield would of had more chance.  Best had his entire leg ahead of Dunne and was well offside for their goal in my opinion.  I can't grudge the goal though because Newcastle had so much midfield dominance they deserved to create something.

They are going to be able to make healthy profits on Tiote and Cabaye if they keep playing like that.  We need to unearth some gems in midfield to be more competitive.

[darren woolley]

I came away from Villa Park disappointed we didn't play as we can which is a shame the players are good enough but they just need to show it more my motm was Shay Given he made some blinding saves top top goalie and Gabby and Bannan played well I think we need to replace N'Zogbia with Albrighton next game.

[Mortimer4England]

Given-        9.0 - Saved a point for us with some excellent sves, thought he was unlucky for the goal
Hutton-      6.0 - Patchy at the back , tended to get a bit lost, but reasonable going and point in a couple of decent crosses
Collins-      7.0 - Soild at the back, distribution needs work
Dunne-      7.0 - Solid, even though he should of dealt with Best better for the goal
Warnock-  7.0 - Good performace and showed spirit all afternoon. A No11 bus is quicker though
Petrov-      6.0 - Over run in midfield, as Delph left him exposed. Some signs of a more positive mindset, involed in the build up for the Bent chance
Delph-       4.0 - Very poor, kept getting caught on the ball, amazed he wasn't taken off. I would drop him and give Ireland a shot
Bannan-    6.0 - Lively when given the ball, surprised he was taken off.
N'Zogbia-  5.0 -  Generally out of sorts, but one or two good moments, understtod why he was left on, as you never know with this sort  player, they can be rubbish all match and then turn a game for you. He needs to improve though
Gabby-      8.0 - Lively sharp and dangerous, enjoying the spot light now Ashley Young has gone
Bent-         5.0 - Looked to be carying an injury, not his usual self. Rest him for the Bolton game

Ireland-     6.0 Lively and some good passes, might be worth a start now
Albrighton- 6.0- Same as Ireland really, we looked better with him on the pitch.
Delfouneso- 5.0- Not on for long enough to make a much impression, good clearance on the post

Overall I felt we were lucky to get a point. The midfield was larely overun and boosed by the Toon. A decent outfit would of muredered us.

Three Japanese lads in fron of me were asleep at one point! Says it all really

Best bit of the day for me was the Villa Special chips, fish, sausage and curry sauce £3.50!

[villan1975]

What annoyed me was how cheaply we gave away the ball. That is just heartbreaking. When you have the ball, value it and hang onto it.  It's an easy game when you have the ball.

This is what concerns me also.We were at home and only had 46% possession.
Watched Swansea on motd,why can we not play football as they do?Our players are surely better
technically than theirs?How many of their players would you put in the Villa team?
We need to stop this win or draw at all costs and start playing some attractive flowing football.
This may bring back the crowds as others have suggested.

[spk]

It really is that simple75,thats the heart breaking thing,there is no hope  or optimism anymore,its like you know how the game is going to pan out before a ball is kicked,dour lifeless football with no flair.

[Rigadon]

If it was that simple everybody would do it wouldn't they?  We are a slightly above average side at the moment in a league with 3 stella, mega wealthy clubs that will win everything and another 17 below / average / above average sides that can all beat each other on any given day.  Sometimes those teams draw. 

[Bad English]

I managed to see this as it was on Canal+ Sport in France. I saw the Holte rise in unison on one occasion, but that was only because the heavens were emptying their almighty bladder upon Villa Park.

We played like the away team, all too often losing possession in their half. A great goal, and a wonderful chance for Bent that could have seen us 2 up. Luckily we had Given on top form as the Barcodes could easily have gone two or three up, Villa having, er..., given them the run of the park.

For their goal, Shay did well to stop the first attempt but had no chance on the second.  Warnock showed a bit of passion, N'Zogbia didn't show much. Oh, and I saw somebody in the Lower Trinity "beating the traffic" on 82 minutes (I may be wrong: he was probably legging it because he was scared of dying of boredom).

What else? Shit crowd, and I had to watch the game with a bloke with half the IQ of Benny from Crossroads who spent the game spraying Airwick bog freshener round the living room because some bird he fancied was coming round later that evening. And the c*** only had bottled "shandy" and no beer. Wanker!

[Clampy]

Someone on here mentioned that it was like we were the away team and that exactly what i said to my mate during the game yesterday. I can't remember the last time an away team down VP had as  much possession as Newcastle did.

People are saying N'Zogbia needs time and i agree but by the same token, Makoun put in much better performances in the short time he was here and he apparantley was'nt good enough. Zoggy needs dropping for Albrighton, we need to start creating  more goalscoring chances and if that means playing a winger who can actually cross, then maybe we should give it a go.

[andyh]

Just out of interest what is the record for premiership draws in a season? Could be worth a bet.

Probably held by the Rags in recent times.
Hmmmmmm ?

[VillaZogmariner]

Norwich City (23 from 42) - 1978-79

[VillaZogmariner]

In the Premier League in a 38 game season the record is 17 draws

Newcastle (03/04)
Aston Villa (06/07)