Philadelphia Union v Aston Villa Match Thread

[supertom]

Dunney's bound to be rusty coming back late. It'll take him a couple of pre-season games to get back into it...hopefully. I'm worried, as always, about his fitness. Hopefully he didn't go hog wild on his holidays because he looked enormous in the Euro's as it was.

[nigel]

Already it sounds like that if we rely on Dunne then we are hurtling towards disaster

He is a piss poor mistake just waiting to happen every game

Other than that if i was being super critical Bent has not got in amongst the goals as yet - we need him sharp and finishing from the off

Dunney looked slower than usual. Almost hard to achieve but there was an incident about 10 minutes into his substitution where he got beat standing still at the top of the box by a younger player and never had a chance. The unfamiliar people around me were pretty stunned how slow a premiership center back is allowed to be.

Very harsh. It's very early in pre-season and he was given a few days more off due to his involvement in the Euros. Has  he been elected official scapegoat for the coming season?

Agree Chris,
I'm not Dunne's biggest fan, but, he must be given a couple of games.
Unfortunately, as with Hutton, he could play a blinder and some would home in on a slight error forgetting all the good stuff.

[nigel]

Reporting in from the game here in Philadelphia. We should have been way clear in the first half. Careless finishing but the moves were good. We kept possession well overall and Bannan was the best of the midfielders out there. Lowton was adventurous and Clark looked very composed. Second half, N'Zog was just poor only to be trumped by Dunne who looked scarily shit. Nathan Baker looked composed and Lichaj was solid. Disappointed with Karim and Holman tonight. Hoped to see a lot more. Very tidy finish by Fonz.

All in all a decent workout. Have to cut them some slack as it has been murderously hot so that will have taken it out of them. Lots of work to do and we simply have to get quicker in transition and more decisive. We are simply not clinical enough and that needs to change.

I was also in attendance and I agree with most of what you said with the exception of your input on Holman and Karim. Our first half midfield was miles better than what finished the game. And Brett and Karim were always showing for the ball and moving after they passed.. and they would get back and defend!

 Fonz should have score a few, and Ireland, Bannan, Holman and Lowton were constantly looking for a final through ball which was quite enjoyable. I think we'll really come around this year, and I really liked Matty Lowton in the back. I think he'll really shine this year along with Ciaran Clark.

I think Lambert could have unearthed a gem with Lowton.
Good to see Baker getting a good report, he's a lot better than what some think, he doesn't always get the credit he deserves.
As for Clark, the lad's a diamond.
Interesting the differing views on Karim and Brett.
I have my concerns over CN'Z. He was poor vrs Burton and when he was on in this game (according to others views)
How was Guzan?

[cdbearsfan]

It sounds as though Bannan's had a good pre-season so far. Perhaps he has a future at Villa after all.

Certainly hope so. I've been worried we'll let him go and he'll come back to haunt us, like Cahill.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Express and star


Paul Lambert today hailed the commitment of his new players following a second pre-season friendly victory in the early hours of this morning.

Villa opened their US tour with a 1-0 win at Philadelphia Union courtesy of a first-half goal by Nathan Delfouneso.

It was the first time the MLS team has lost to an English touring club and Lambert, whose appointment has triggered optimism at Villa, is thrilled at the way his players are embracing his demands.

“”You can’t play without commitment,” said Lambert. “This last fortnight we’ve been at it. The lads have been great.

“Union are into their league season and that shows how tough a contest it was. And they have beaten some really big sides here, so I am delighted with the guys.

“I think collectively they did well, everyone did.

“It was good to win and if you can keep that winning feeling going it can stand you in good stead.

“I just think they deserve a lot of credit for what they have done in the last couple of weeks after the disappointments of last year.”

[Rudy Can't Fail]

[Louzie0]

Gosh!  I've just watched the match on AVTV and that was a LOT more exciting!

[Louzie0]

...But highlights are!  that's why they're highlights..

Actually the things I noticed were

Villa were (not surprisingly for pre-season) about half pace in the first half but still got into the opposing penalty area or just outside, more times than Union, who as JW kept saying are in the middle of their season and therefore fully fit

Union kept the ball more successfully in the first half, Villa kept it for most of the second half

Darren Bent needs time to sort out his feet before September

Stephen Warnock gets up and down the wing like the new lad on the other side (Lowton) who everybody likes (including me)

SW set up the goal for Fonz who took it very well

El Ahmadi and steven Ireland are going for the 'most touches in a game' award

Holman looks rather good wherever he happens to be, and

Suddenly villa players are successfully (especially 2nd half) playing the ball out of defence and around the midfield, instead of thinking, 'oh god!' and hoofing it wildly out of their space.

But also, sadly...  N'Zog doesn't look that comfortable, yet.  However, pre-season - time to improve!

UTV

[peter w]

Good few words about us at the start of their manager's post-match interview.

&feature=player_detailpage

[Somniloquism]

Already it sounds like that if we rely on Dunne then we are hurtling towards disaster

He is a piss poor mistake just waiting to happen every game

Other than that if i was being super critical Bent has not got in amongst the goals as yet - we need him sharp and finishing from the off

Dunney looked slower than usual. Almost hard to achieve but there was an incident about 10 minutes into his substitution where he got beat standing still at the top of the box by a younger player and never had a chance. The unfamiliar people around me were pretty stunned how slow a premiership center back is allowed to be.

Very harsh. It's very early in pre-season and he was given a few days more off due to his involvement in the Euros. Has  he been elected official scapegoat for the coming season?

Although harsh, it isn't the first time he has had a poor pre season showing which then lead to a poor season. But as with any pre-season friendlies, we can't really make judgements on how good or how bad someone is during them in relation to the coming season.

[Louzie0]

Good few words about us at the start of their manager's post-match interview.

&feature=player_detailpage

Thanks for posting this.  I thought it was interesting that he said, Aston Villa play in a similar style to us (and other teams in MLS.)
 I wonder if he'd have said this, had TSM still been in charge!

[not3bad]

It sounds as though Bannan's had a good pre-season so far. Perhaps he has a future at Villa after all.

The same could be said about the Fonz.

[Karl Bridges]

Blimey the editor of that highlights package must have been smoking crystal meth. It's a little choppy.

[Dave Clark Five]

It sounds as though Bannan's had a good pre-season so far. Perhaps he has a future at Villa after all.

The same could be said about the Fonz.

I doubt it. It would be nice but he always seems so miserable.

[bertlambshank]

Can a mod merge the threads please.