Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic Post-Match Thread

[Nastylee]

Villanation - What's all this crap that we're going to get found out against good sides. Is this just logical? I mean, even when we peaked under MON we got tonked 3-0 by Arsenal, hammered at Chelsea, and we've managed 1 win against Utd in about 15 years or more. Therefore, I don't see how your argument makes sense. Most fans accept we're playing for a top half finish and anything else is a bonus. To achieve that is not going to hinge on how we fare against the 'big boys' and I'm sure there will be some horrible days this season but that's football. Who'd have thought Utd would put 8 past Arsenal?

[Brend'Watkins]

I think the departure of Young has given Gabby a new lease of life, he seems a different player.  Hungry, speedy and strong.  His cross for the 2nd goal was just brilliant, win it, lose it, win it again, burst down the wing and fire it it for the reliable Bent to net.  More of that please.

However, we don't look anything like the finished article, the midfield needs sorting, even though we are showing more positivity.... but the main thing is, although we are not firing on all cylinders we're still unbeaten.

Great day.

[eric woolban woolban]

Gabby for England?

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Whilst this result - and performance - was welcome, I can't help feeling that we'd better get a whole lot tighter through the middle against the better teams: whether this means forfeiting SI or BB in favour of a more tenacious player or wehther it measn Del;ph gives way, I'm not sure. But Petrov will not do it on his own.

Mentioning Petrov, I do think he's been very good so far this season; not just the quality of his shooting but his general play has been excellent.

Petrov, in my opinion, is one of the reasons for us not being as attack minded as we could be. He slows the play down far too much. Many times Bannan and Ireland moved into a great position in between Wigan players, but he misses it and goes backwards/sidewards, which then results in a hoof up front.

If we are to improve, Petrov needs to be moved aside, for Bannan to start in his position in the middle.

[Nastylee]

Well, at least we look hard to beat which is already an improvement on last season. It's not going to happen overnight.

[Nastylee]

Whilst this result - and performance - was welcome, I can't help feeling that we'd better get a whole lot tighter through the middle against the better teams: whether this means forfeiting SI or BB in favour of a more tenacious player or wehther it measn Del;ph gives way, I'm not sure. But Petrov will not do it on his own.

Mentioning Petrov, I do think he's been very good so far this season; not just the quality of his shooting but his general play has been excellent.

Petrov, in my opinion, is one of the reasons for us not being as attack minded as we could be. He slows the play down far too much. Many times Bannan and Ireland moved into a great position in between Wigan players, but he misses it and goes backwards/sidewards, which then results in a hoof up front.

If we are to improve, Petrov needs to be moved aside, for Bannan to start in his position in the middle.

I think Delph needs to move aside before Petrov is ousted.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

As easy as it's been for us this season (excluding Blackburn, obviously).

We played some good stuff, we played some bad stuff, but always looked, reasonably, in control.

Gabby played really well. Bannan also played well.

Delph on the left? Think again please Alex.

Good to see Bent get his Holte End goal (finally).

Ireland - please put the effort in, you could actually be a really good player if you tried...

[spangley1812]

Whilst this result - and performance - was welcome, I can't help feeling that we'd better get a whole lot tighter through the middle against the better teams: whether this means forfeiting SI or BB in favour of a more tenacious player or wehther it measn Del;ph gives way, I'm not sure. But Petrov will not do it on his own.

Mentioning Petrov, I do think he's been very good so far this season; not just the quality of his shooting but his general play has been excellent.

Petrov, in my opinion, is one of the reasons for us not being as attack minded as we could be. He slows the play down far too much. Many times Bannan and Ireland moved into a great position in between Wigan players, but he misses it and goes backwards/sidewards, which then results in a hoof up front.

If we are to improve, Petrov needs to be moved aside, for Bannan to start in his position in the middle.

IMO Bannan cant start in the middle of a midfield four it would make the middle very lightweight and teams would run through us, I can see him in the middle of a five definately

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Whilst this result - and performance - was welcome, I can't help feeling that we'd better get a whole lot tighter through the middle against the better teams: whether this means forfeiting SI or BB in favour of a more tenacious player or wehther it measn Del;ph gives way, I'm not sure. But Petrov will not do it on his own.

Mentioning Petrov, I do think he's been very good so far this season; not just the quality of his shooting but his general play has been excellent.

Petrov, in my opinion, is one of the reasons for us not being as attack minded as we could be. He slows the play down far too much. Many times Bannan and Ireland moved into a great position in between Wigan players, but he misses it and goes backwards/sidewards, which then results in a hoof up front.

If we are to improve, Petrov needs to be moved aside, for Bannan to start in his position in the middle.

I think Delph needs to move aside before Petrov is ousted.

Whilst Delph does not have the passing ability of Petrov, he does have the ability to run for 90 minutes, not 5, which is why, I think, AM likes him and constantly plays him.

Delph either does something really good or really bad. Hopefully he'll cut a lot of the bad out, but I don't think it'll all go. It's all or nothing with him.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Whilst this result - and performance - was welcome, I can't help feeling that we'd better get a whole lot tighter through the middle against the better teams: whether this means forfeiting SI or BB in favour of a more tenacious player or wehther it measn Del;ph gives way, I'm not sure. But Petrov will not do it on his own.

Mentioning Petrov, I do think he's been very good so far this season; not just the quality of his shooting but his general play has been excellent.

Petrov, in my opinion, is one of the reasons for us not being as attack minded as we could be. He slows the play down far too much. Many times Bannan and Ireland moved into a great position in between Wigan players, but he misses it and goes backwards/sidewards, which then results in a hoof up front.

If we are to improve, Petrov needs to be moved aside, for Bannan to start in his position in the middle.

IMO Bannan cant start in the middle of a midfield four it would make the middle very lightweight and teams would run through us, I can see him in the middle of a five definately

You say that, but, as Bannan proved today, so long as you get in the way of another player and attempt at tackle, you put them off. You don't always need to put in a crunching tackle. Just being in their way is enough to make them think, stop and turn back, thus stopping the flow of the team. Bannan did this a lot of times today.

[The Left Side]

Positives - Gabby for a great game and he looks full of confidence, let's hope he stays fit all season. Bent back in the goals, Bannan again and his link up play with Ireland who looked like he didn't want to come off but was injured. Given and the the centre backs looks good.
Negatives - Not really too much to grumble about, you could say Delph and Hutton didn't have their best games, nice to get a win and look comfy just before an international break, UTV!

[charleeco7]

We played really well at times today, although Wigan are a poor side.

Have to take your hat off to AM though as he's getting good performances off players who were terrible last season (Dunne, Collins and Gabby). I also thought Ireland had his best game for us and when he came off we lost a bit of our attacking edge.

[KRS]

Gabby for England?

No. We always lose our best players once they get settled in the England set up.

[Chipsticks]

In a weird way I never fancied Gabby as in International. Not that I discredit his abilities, I just can't picture him in the England starting 11.

I'd rather it be that way anyway; less chance of injuries and other teams snooping around.

[gervilla]

Gabby for England?

No. We always lose our best players once they get settled in the England set up.

Ya, the head gets turned when they are away with England.
I've just seen our goals on the Irish version of MOTD (Villa on last and for a good 25 seconds so same rules apply over here obviously). Well done Gabby, could this be the season we get 20 league goals from one of our forwards ?