Aston Villa v Everton Post-Match Thread

[SoccerHQ]

First half we were so poor it was scary. Ireland moved central, all of a sudden Bent was a threat and we should have got a second, but our full back are neither defensively or offensively good enough. Both need replacing, asap. Pace in both positions would be very useful too. I would take JLloyd back over Warnock even!

Steady Ozzjim.  Steady!  Although I must say, we haven't had a really great fullback since Marc Delaney.   

Luke Young wasn't the best going forward but he was an excellent defender, much much better than either Warnock or Hutton.

[Gareth]

Dull gme played out by two dull teams managed by two blokes who have no attacking inclinations.

One positive, we know our manager is garbage, they havent seen through there's yet :-) for all the excuses that he has no money his sides are always efficient but deadly boring.

Thought Bent was far more willing today but playing the way we do what is his true worth? As a striker who plays with his back to goal / has to drop back to link play / win headers from hoofs like he had to today he is a poor mans Heskey.....either play to his strengths or let him go.  You dont use a Ferrari to do a paper round!

[Shrek]

We have a problem.

Bent scored a goal, but cannot hold the ball up at all. Catch 22 situation.

Gabby has to play but means N'Zogbia doesn't & we miss his creativity.

Ireland is absolute quality but needs the freedom of being the 3rd midfielder.

Warnock is shot of all confidence.

[CJ]

Well that was all a bit meh. Very poor first half except for Gabby's excellent shot which Howard did well to turn away and a couple of great saves by Given. Second half was brighter but the game had 1-1 written all over it from the start.

Ireland played well and acknowledged the Holte chanting his name - maybe the confidence boost he needs to finally kick-start some consistent performances.

Makes a change not to concede from a corner, but very poor defensive organisation to prevent the counter attack for their goal. I wouldn't be unhappy if the entire back 4 was cleared out in the summer. Dunne is marginally OK but Collins brings nothing to the game besides his club foot and concrete head. Hutton is the worst RB I've ever seen in a Villa shirt and Warnock is an accident waiting to happen - the nearly own headed goal in the first half was just shocking. Thought McLeish made the right move to drop Clark to LB and take Warnock off when he brought Keane on, but it should have happened half an hour earlier.  When Herd's fit I wouldn't mind seeing him at RB and either Clark or Stephens at LB with Carlos in the centre with Dunne. But we just know that won't happen.

A couple of other observations. I've had to change my opinion of a player who for some reason I've despised for the last 3 years - Fellaini absolutely ran their midfield.  And the half time entertainment was a giggle but don't think I'll be rushing to Pravda to submit my application to roll round Villa Park in a hamster ball!

[Des Little]

Anyone remember a worse pair of full backs at the Villa?  I'd guess we are talking 1985-1987 for such a poor pair?

[pauliewalnuts]

If we could just stop conceding goals, we might have a chance.

The chairman has said we can't get people in unless we shift some first, though, so we are stuck with these bozos for the rest of the season.

[pauliewalnuts]

Anyone remember a worse pair of full backs at the Villa?  I'd guess we are talking 1985-1987 for such a poor pair?

I am struggling. This pair are awful.

[Toronto Villa]

If we could just stop conceding goals, we might have a chance.

The chairman has said we can't get people in unless we shift some first, though, so we are stuck with these bozos for the rest of the season.

McLeish can't come out and say what he really thinks but he was a proud defender in his day. He has to be tearing his hair out watching this lot. It's not like he can just sell them on, or bring in replacements from within the club either. We are all stuck with this lot, and it's not like their recent displays are helping their value in the current window.

[JJ-AV]

The only fullbacks in the league I wouldn't swap our two clowns for is whatever prats Blackburn manage to put out every week.

And that's including Shorey.

[hawkeye]

If we could just stop conceding goals, we might have a chance.

The chairman has said we can't get people in unless we shift some first, though, so we are stuck with these bozos for the rest of the season.

Defense wise its more serious, Collins and Hutton are just poor footballers, Warnock is a mistake waiting to happen and  Dunnes performance seems to depend on how many pints he had the night before. The defence is a mess.

[pauliewalnuts]

If we could just stop conceding goals, we might have a chance.

The chairman has said we can't get people in unless we shift some first, though, so we are stuck with these bozos for the rest of the season.

McLeish can't come out and say what he really thinks but he was a proud defender in his day. He has to be tearing his hair out watching this lot. It's not like he can just sell them on, or bring in replacements from within the club either. We are all stuck with this lot, and it's not like their recent displays are helping their value in the current window.

McLeish bought one of them, so I'm not really filled with confidence.

[Toronto Villa]

If we could just stop conceding goals, we might have a chance.

The chairman has said we can't get people in unless we shift some first, though, so we are stuck with these bozos for the rest of the season.

McLeish can't come out and say what he really thinks but he was a proud defender in his day. He has to be tearing his hair out watching this lot. It's not like he can just sell them on, or bring in replacements from within the club either. We are all stuck with this lot, and it's not like their recent displays are helping their value in the current window.

McLeish bought one of them, so I'm not really filled with confidence.

I don't think even he could have envisioned him being that bad. I'm trying hard to give him a pass on that one.

[JJ-AV]

Warnock, Hutton and Collins are terrible. Dunne is lethargic and lost motivation. Petrov is playing further up the pitch and Clark doesn't know his role well enough.

N'Zogbia is lazy defensively and Albrighton is so mindless he's counter productive.

Gabby is the only player who is solid defensively outwide, and we need him centrally.

Shite back four with no protection. Doesn't surprise me. They all need replacing.

[steffo]

A rare goal from a cross by a 'winger'. Gabby should have been given licence to attack the 'prince of clogg' - Neville.

I sometimes wonder if AMc has told his players that he has mined the area between the penalty area and corner flags. They never want to go there.

[Drummond]

From reading this and seeing updates on Soccer Saturday I'm glad I changed my mind this morning. Cost of ticket and travel just isn't worth it.

I guess there is a team in there, the Chelsea result and Arsenal performance showed that, but in the main the standard is shocking. I think the club like to be last on MOTD.