Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[villadelph]

Pleased with the win, Annoyed with square pegs in round holes, Heskey in midfield again? Jenas looked good when he came on, Agbonlahor man of the match, Herd did well, N'zogbia annoys me, He never passes the fucking thing to anyone, should have fed Ireland at the end, greedy c***

N'Zogbia clearly tried to make the pass but was closed down quickly, it was a tough pass to make. I was really happy with Jenas, finally we have someone calm and collective in the middle of the offensive third. I really hope he starts to feature more often, I think his offensive prowess will really help Bent.

I was super happy with Herd, I fancy him in our midfield for a while. He tackles hard, shields the ball well, can get forward and always gets back. As far as Heskey goes, I see his value in the side but I would opt for someone else seeing as Jenas, Ireland, Herd and Petrov are clearly the center midfielders who should be picked.

Gabby, incredible game. He's in top form and where would we be without him. I can't sing your praises enough. And Darren Bent, still a poacher.. we've just got to feed him.

I thought the defense played pretty well. I don't know why everyone is calling for their heads. Warnock was at fault on the back post goal but other than that he was sticking tackles and making clearances effectively throughout the entire game. Hutton got forward and played pretty well. Dunne and Collins were solid, to keep it simple. I think we should be more supportive of them, they obviously have the skill to be a top defensive unit but we bash them every chance we get. I think they performed well today.

[Jockey Randall]

The moaning on here is relentless so I'll chuck in some positives.
First off, job done with a muched need 3 points against a side whose confidence was sky high. Our forward play seems to be improving nicely and Agbonlahor is absolutely on fire. Even Hutton showed some really good, positive runs and good forward play. With Jenas fit our midfield options look a lot healthier and I'd expect him to feature a lot more over the next few months. It was great to get see Bent bag a couple as well. Herd also deserves a lot of credit for his display, he's got the potential to be an upgrade on NRC if he continues likes this.

UTV

[villadelph]

Jenas, Barry and Herd 

[Phil from the upper holte]

I hear what you're saying villadelph I can't agree though, I don't think he had any intention of passing the ball, He doesn't any other time, He reminds me of a kid from School called Andy, Great footballer but no-one passed to him because he always tried to take everyone on! N'zogbia is EXACTLY the same, he wants to look like Pele when in fact he's more like Rodney Trotter

[brontebilly]

Much and all as we have problems at the back, at least we arent Norwich

To be fair after a dire opening and then Norwich going ahead, things didnt look good but from then on we were the better side and deserved to win. We should have got more than 3 goals too. Bent missed a couple and Nzogbia was greedy on a few occasions.

Gabby was superb today and by a distance the best player on the park. He terrorised the Norwich defence who were exposed badly today. Bent will be happy to have got 2 but I thought he wasnt great again. Oh well 2 goals for him anyway. Nzogbia was decent, selfish at times but dangerous at the same time. Just needs that first goal.

Heskey was ok at times but it is pointless playing him. Thought Herd had a decent game and gives some badly needed pace and bite in midfield. Petrov to be fair was good again. Jenas and Ireland were tidy on the ball when they came on but Jenas is a long way off fitness and Ireland is afraid of physical confrontation.

Then the defence, first off Given simply had to come for the cross for the 2nd goal. The slightest touch he could have got on that would have saved the goal. The four defenders at various stages gave away stupid freekicks
Hutton came forward ok at times and there are signs that himself and Nzogbia are developing an understanding going forward. But his defending is piss poor really. Just gets in the wrong position continuously. Dunne I thought was sluggish today, gave away a couple of stupid fouls early on but wasnt as commanding as usual. Collins was shite and while I wouldnt be as critical of him generally as others here, I think its time for a change there now. In the last few mins when we were holding out he was running all over the place like a headless chicken. Every game he does something rash and it is worth considering Cuellar there next time out I reckon. Warnock made a couple of stupid mistakes as usual but wasnt too bad generally. But against better sides those stupid mistakes will see us drop points as they already have this season. His crossing is gash also. Same issue for Hutton.

Anyway as with Sunderland there was reduced hoofing today, we made it harder for ourselves than it should have been in the second half. Norwich play nice football but were weak in midfield, surprised they went with 2 up top. The likes of Barnett are muck. They will go on a very bad run I reckon at some stage during the season. Id be pretty confident we will finish higher than the 3 sides we have beaten this season.

3 points anyway.

Given 5
Hutton 5
Dunne 5
Collins 4
Warnock 5
Herd 7
Petrov 7
Heskey 5
Nzogbia 7
Gabby 9
Bent 6

[Compass]

Positives:

Gabby and Herd
A win
Bent found his scoring boots

Negatives:

The defence (2 goals per game is getting beyond stupid now)
Still hoofs
McLeish bringing in Ireland when we're winning by 2 goals (wtf, he did something similar with Albrighton last week)

The win against Norwich doesn't change my opinion of the manager though even though I'm surprised he managed to actually win us a game. The true challenge is next week.

[eamonn]

Pleased with the win, Annoyed with square pegs in round holes, Heskey in midfield again? Jenas looked good when he came on, Agbonlahor man of the match, Herd did well, N'zogbia annoys me, He never passes the fucking thing to anyone, should have fed Ireland at the end, greedy c***

N'Zogbia clearly tried to make the pass but was closed down quickly, it was a tough pass to make.

He did eventually, but a few seconds earlier while he was running into the box was the perfect time to release it to the on-rushing Ireland.

[Toronto Villa]

you give Bent service he'll bag lots of goals. Don't expect to do a lot more because that's not what he does. Gabby is sensational so I expect he won't be picked again for England along with Sturridge at Chelsea. We don't look secure at RB at all and teams know it. That is a massive concern. Still Herd was superb, and JJ looked very promising when he came on. N'Zogbia a lot better and I think he's really trying so hard to get going that it's frustrating him. Once he gets his first I expect the clouds to lift and he'll be the player we thought we bought.

Tough, tough game next week now, but better to go into on the back of a win. A really hope AM gives Cueller or Clark a chance soon.

[Jimbo]

Thank Christ for that. Much needed win, and rightly so against the likes of Norwich. Still a mountain to climb defensively, but Gabby and Bent are showing some great form to keep us looking lively up front.

[SamTheMouse]

Brontebilly mate, how harsh are you being on Bent?! He scored two goals, and got into the kind of positions where he could have had more. Isn't that what we bought him for? He ain't a Rooney-type player, he's not going to track back or hold it up. He just scores goals. So when he gets a brace, I say: job well done Daz!

And he's allowed to miss sometimes too. Funnily enough, when the Villa match ended my stream switched to the end of the Blackburn-Chelsea game, just in time to see Torres shin one into row Z from all of three yards out. Even the really pricey boys miss sitters.

[midnite]

Gabby is already player of the season! Yet another outstanding performance.

N'Zogbia is starting to come good. Some good quick passing. Could of passed for bent, but could of scored too. Not upset with him in the slightest. He is entitled to have a go. And at Least the kid is trying. He really seems to be settling in.... Finally!

Bent, another good game, got chances. Scored some. Missed some. Typical striker in that you won't score them all. It shows though he gets into the right areas. And with service he WILL score goals. Surely this alone is enough to show long ball isn't the way!!

Herd was solid, Jenas looked lively when he came on too. Lots of quick passing and switching play.

Worries are still the defence. Hutton and warnock are frightening. Warnock especially. Does the hard work well. Messes up the simple stuff. Doesn't close down quick enough or lunges in.
Over all a good performance from villa. But Norwich were poor at the back. And a very well taken free kick for their first goal.

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

Gabby for England.

[Eigentor]

The win against Norwich doesn't change my opinion of the manager though even though I'm surprised he managed to actually win us a game.

Yeah, it irks.

[Risso]

Gabby for England.

Shhhhhh!  Gabby for Villa!

[Mac]

Brontebilly mate, how harsh are you being on Bent?! He scored two goals, and got into the kind of positions where he could have had more. Isn't that what we bought him for? He ain't a Rooney-type player, he's not going to track back or hold it up. He just scores goals. So when he gets a brace, I say: job well done Daz!

And he's allowed to miss sometimes too. Funnily enough, when the Villa match ended my stream switched to the end of the Blackburn-Chelsea game, just in time to see Torres shin one into row Z from all of three yards out. Even the really pricey boys miss sitters.

My usual, boring repetitive statement re Bent

"Bent will score us 20 goals a year.  The trouble is he should have 40".

I'm happy to take the 20.  That would be amazing for us.  Gabby has stepped up and is looking something else this year too.