Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[swiss1968]

Gabby class,warnock and hutton not class,they should only be allowed out at halloween.

[john2710]

Enjoyed the game today, first & last 10 mins were a worry, but overall we deserved the win.

Given - good early saves, first goal was his side of the wall
Hutton - good performance, got no support from N'Zogbia for first 20 mins
Warnock - thought that after Gabby he was MOM
Collins - root cause of our defensive problems. 1st half run to cover Hutton while leaving 2 unmarked in the centre was astounding. Not good enough.
Dunne - unsteady at first but improved
Petrov - another good performance
Herd - good, tenacious performance. Does simple things well
N'Zogbia - improving with each game, needs goal
Bent - great movement for goals
Heskey - only in the side for physical presence
Gabby - outstanding

Jenas - composure & experience is just what we need
Ireland - a luxury we can't afford 

Ahead of the next 5 games, 3 points was a must today to take some pressure off.

[pauliewalnuts]

Finally a bit of excitement, a very entertaining match.

I thought for the first 20 odd minutes we looked atrocious, pinned in our own half. We grew into the match, though, and played some decent stuff at times.

I was utterly convinced we'd throw it away in the last ten minutes or so, so was happy we didn't do so.

Gabby was utterly unplayable. The defender he was up against most often was clearly shitting his pants every time he got the ball. I also thought that Petrov had his best game for a very long time.

Heskey in midfield I will never get, but I'll admit he wasn't as disastrous as I thought he'd be.

Herd looked composed and comfortable, and Jenas looked good when he came on.

Hutton and Warnock both looked rubbish again. Those two scare me to death.

[pauliewalnuts]

Herd had a bit of the James Milner about him - muscular, bold and committed.

That's exactly what I said to my friend today, that there's s a little bit of James Milner about Herd.

[saunders_heroes]

Thought Gabby was outstanding today. Petrov also had a good game, but then he normally does anyway.

[saunders_heroes]

Herd had a bit of the James Milner about him - muscular, bold and committed.

That's exactly what I said to my friend today, that there's s a little bit of James Milner about Herd.

Make that 3 of us because I also said the same to my mates as well.

[OzVilla]

Stayed up till crazy O'Clock to watch this one, great game.

Petrov ran the show, Heskey put in a good shift but surely can't play that role all season, Jenas looked good and Bent proved once again what a terrific goal scorer he is.  MOTM Gabby, back to his best and put the fear of McGrath into Barnet all game long (similar to what he did to him at The Hawthorns a few years back iirc).

Much needed and overdue 3 points.

[olaftab]

Herd had a bit of the James Milner about him - muscular, bold and committed.

That's exactly what I said to my friend today, that there's s a little bit of James Milner about Herd.

Make that 3 of use because I also said the same to my mates as well.

Well as we are in agreeing mood I said this on the Herd thread:

Yes he did. He covers the pitch and tackles  superbly. This kid could be Milner with class added.

[timeoutbigbar]

Heskey in midfield I will never get, but I'll admit he wasn't as disastrous as I thought he'd be.

As far as I could see got a good ovation when he came off.  I don't like him playing in midfield, but he definitely had his uses today.

[garyfouroaks]

Finally a bit of excitement, a very entertaining match.I thought for the first 20 odd minutes we looked atrocious, pinned in our own half. We grew into the match, though, and played some decent stuff at times.I was utterly convinced we'd throw it away in the last ten minutes or so, so was happy we didn't do so.Gabby was utterly unplayable. The defender he was up against most often was clearly shitting his pants every time he got the ball. I also thought that Petrov had his best game for a very long time.
Heskey in midfield I will never get, but I'll admit he wasn't as disastrous as I thought he'd be.Herd looked composed and comfortable, and Jenas looked good when he came on.Hutton and Warnock both looked rubbish again. Those two scare me to death.

I agree with all of that. I am not a petrov fan- but concede he did well today.

[Broughty-Villian]

Just watched game on TV. I'd go for a steady display. I think our defending especially once we have given the ball away, concede throw in or corner, so naive sometimes. I noticed Jenas asking the bench where to go for a corner???

stand-outs where Stan, Herd, Gabby, Bent (Should have had hat-trick)
7/10 rest (Including Hutton & Warnock)

Heskey & N'zogbia - Please drop for next game.

Not sure if any one else has mentioned it, BUT Hutton looks bad ,cos dear N'zogbia does not tracK back and help Hutton. So he has Herd, Petrov and Heskey giving him a hand, but in different manners. so he's never sure what to do, 'cos a) he has no help, b) he's never sure who's coming to help him.

Think people give Hutton too hard a time.

[MarkM]

I really enjoyed the game (apart from the finger nail biting at the end)

Herd was great, Gabby was fantastic and him and Bent are working really well together

Zog played the best I have seen him in a villa shirt, JJ had some really good touches and showed some much missed poise and calmness on the ball.

The only slight moan is the amount of free kicks in dangerous places we give away.

Having said that... I had a good entertaining afternoon out.

[Tom Stewart]

Good game.

We started the game poorly, but settled just after they scored and pretty much dominated the large middle part of the game...until they scored again. I was shitting it for the last ten.

I didn't think it was a free-kick for their first goal, that shithouse Holt just lumbered into Hutton and went down like a sack of spuds. However, we got a well deserved break for our first with the Warnock handball. Still think we're due a few more 'favourable' decisions over the next few weeks to make up for WBA and Sunderland (x2).

Given - solid, personally don't think he was at fault for either goal. The free-kick was on his side, but credit to the powerful, curling, accurate strike.
Hutton - started very poorly and does 'doze off' now and again, letting his runner go in between him and Collins. Grew into the game and offered some strong forward running.
Collins - some good blocks and clearances, as usual.
Dunne - after a slow start, I thought he played pretty well. Strong.
Warnock - I thought he had a really good game...except for their second goal. That's the problem with him, his mistakes nearly always lead to goals against us.
N'Zogbia - a bit better, but his touch is still unreliable when under a bit of pressure. Also, his shooting so far has been awful. Like he's got a spoon for a foot. That said, he was very close to providing his first assist to Bent in the first half.
Petrov - really good.
Herd - excellent tackling and workrate, started to look more comfortable on the ball in the 2nd half. Looks a good midfield option.
Gabby - 10/10, fantastic performance.
Heskey - actually played well, I can see why he gets picked. Workrate, size, positional sense.
Bent - looked sharp, 2 goals, good striking.

[Legion]

Bloody brilliant. Gabby was amazing.

[Legion]

Highlights