Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Legion]

Available Saturday evening.

[Apyadg]

It was a lot more tense than a game against the worst team in the league should have been, but even in the last few minutes when we were stalling for time we never really looked like conceding.

Bent was a bit shit, and can't have any excuses about not getting service this week. He's not going to get many chances in this team, when he gets them he has to do better than that.

[rjp]

After the 1st half that should have been the first game I could watch and be relaxed for ages, predictably it wasn't.  However it's 3 points and the big positive for me was that Albrighton showed signs that he may come good.

[TaxDodger]

Give McLeish a knighthood.

[Legion]

A welcome 3 points. Should have been out of sight at H-T. Bent was not his usual clinical self. Albrighton and N'Zogbia impressed. Some good stuff from Guzan.

[kippaxvilla2]

Has this site been down?

[PaulWinch again]

Well it's nice to win. When we passed it, we looked like a good side. Albrighton and N'Zog in first half were really good. However second half we resorted back to hoofing and it unraveled. I'm absolutely convinced we need rid of Collins and Dunne, they completely destroy our attempts to play football. We need to get Clark in and look for another centre half. Next season neither of those two should be at the club.

[Toronto Villa]

If Bent had his shooting boots on we'd have won comfortably. We lost faith in ourselves in the second half, and we're so fragil;e right now that the players themselves probably expected what we all expected. They stayed string enough to see the job through. It's a good win, lots to work on. N'Zogbia needs a goal in the worst possible way, and really happy for Marco.

[Toronto Villa]

Has this site been down?

yes, for what seemed like ages

[lovejoy]

An away win is an away win.

[Matt Collins]

Phew. Good first half performance against a woeful team. Should have scored 5 or 6 today.

It does seem that when teams get on the front foot against us (any of the top sides, Everton away first half, QPR away first half, second half today) we really struggle to string two passes together.

Guzan - 6. Decent overall, and one very good save.

Hutton - 6. Actually decent today, though still doesn't look comfortable.
Collins - 7. Thought he did well.
Dunne - 8. Excellent leadership today. Very good.
Warnock - 7. Looked good: solid and dependable with good energy.

Albrighton 7 - impressed today. Would be good if his confidence came back. Worked hard. Good delivery though a little inconsistent
Herd 6 - battled away well and helped to provide security. Not the best at keeping the ball.
Petrov 7 - Scored, could have had another, should have had an assist.
N'Zogbia 6. Good in patches, one of his better performances. But disappeared for patches.

Agbonlahor 7. Good assist. Kept the ball and brought other players in well.

Bent 5. Poor. We'd have crucified Heskey or Delfouneso for a performance like that. Needs to get back into the groove.

Heskey 5. Frustrating. Ran around and hustled them a fair bit.

[Jimbo]

A win, away, however it comes, is something to be delighted with this season. Onwards and upwards, hopefully.

[PaulWinch again]

In fairness to Bent he's not been given much chance to get into form this season.

[Dave Clark Five]

Great result. Promising play by N'Zogbia. Albrighton back to form. Shame for those who wanted us to lose.

[kippaxvilla2]

The thing that frustrates me is that it appears we will only try and win game against teams in the mid to lower half of the league and accept defeat against the upper half teams.  Standby for 90 mins defending next week.  Today shows what we can do when we get it down and pass.  Herd was very good, Petrov gave us some balance, Gabby usual reliable self.  Bent looks like a man who has had no service for 9 months and was therefore too shocked to score.  Bolton look devoid of confidence and doomed.