Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Matt Collins]

Can't be anything other than happy with the result and the performance. I felt a bit sick during the second half as I was sure they were going to score. We could have won, could have lost.

Lambert deserves a lot of credit for the way he set up tactically and in the second half, our attacking players looked really dangerous on the break.

Guzan - 8. Excellent. Came for crosses, couple of really good saves.

Lowton - 7. Impressed with him. Very composed. Needs to improve a bit defensively.
Vlaar - 7. Thought he did really well. Scared me a bit with his dribbling.
Clark - 7. Very good overall. Much more combative. Still lost his man in the box a couple of times and needs to improve on that.
Lichaj - 5. Battled away. Not good enough on the ball for me. Looking forward to a left footed left back

Holman - 6. Worked his bollocks off all game. The only time he didn't close his man down, Ben Arfa scored a wondergoal with his wrong foot. Bit ropey on the ball though
KEA - 7. Calm on the ball and helped us pass it when we did. Would like a stronger defensive minded player as an option in there
Bannan - 6. Thought he did pretty well. Some good balls into the box including the goal.

Ireland. 7. Decent. Should have scored really, but was a threat.

Weimann 5. Worked hard, not really in the game much
Bent 6. Worked a lot harder than normal and his hold up play was better, also some good link up play. Thought he should have hit that late chance first time

Subs:
Gabby 7. A real threat. More of this please. Skinned his man a couple of times.
N'Zogbia 6. Thought he did pretty well really. Worked hard. Still goes down blind alleys. Him and Gabby were scaring them on the break I thought.

Manager: 8. Considering how we've started and the firepower Newcastle have, I don't see how we could have expected much better. Tactically very good. We clearly need to continue improving our passing, but we're already showing good habits.

[ez]

Unbeaten in two 

[onje_villa]

I'd have been happy with this performance a few weeks down the line, coming today away at Newcastle was a massive bonus.
I think with a bit more composure which will come as the season progresses and some young players, things look good for the future.
Keep progressing Villa, proud of you today

[Quiet Lion]

Above all, today, I enjoyed watching Aston Villa.

Same, and for the first time in ages. We need to build on this now

[tarzansbrother]

Can anyone shed any light on KEA injury? Walked off the pitch I heard but went down without being tackled?

[Monty]

Lots of positives, some really good interplay, and tireless pressing and brave defensive work. Really impressed with Lowton, and now reasonably confident for the Swansea game!

[UK Redsox]

Can anyone shed any light on KEA injury? Walked off the pitch I heard but went down without being tackled?

Looked like a twisted ankle

[supertom]

Season off and running. We looked good. Certain players stood up to the mark today. Bannan for one. Thought he did very well. Not just using the ball better but his work rate and tracking back were first rate.
Ireland too, very good shift and some nice play. Sometimes he's brilliant to watch. He can do something with a split seconds thought in a tight spot, and suddenly we're attacking. If we see it more consistently, he'll be fantastic for us this season. I think he's gonna relish Lamberts way of playing.

Guzan- 8: No chance for goal. Reminded me of Bosnich today, even down to a couple of dodgy punts. Very assured and dominated his box well. Some great saves too. Number 1.
Lowton- 7: Like him. Good on the ball. Great engine. He's still learning but he doesn't seemed overawed or out of his depth.
Vlaar- 7: Good. Solid and he and Clark kept their front two fairly quiet.
Clark- 7: As above.
Lichaj- 7: Did pretty well. Fullback looks a good area for us now. Good competition on both sides now. The more Eric plays the more he seems to look like a seasoned pro. Clever foul at the end too.
El Ahmadi-7: Tidy. Composed. Rarely wastes it.
Bannan- 8: Impressed me today. Clever use of ball. Much better delivery from set plays and good assist.
Ireland-8: Worked hard both ends. Some lovely skill at times and always looking to keep the ball moving.
Holman- 6: Work his bollocks off. With space he looked good with the ball. When things were tighter his touch and decision making was a little sloppy. Let himself down with the goal, but generally I thought he did well and I love his work ethic. His one switch off and it cost a goal.
Weimann- 6: Didn't get in the game enough. Had some half chances. Looking fitter this season too. He's shed weight and looks more mobile.
Bent- 5: Looked more threatening but again, his general play wasn't the best because of his touch. Looks a shadow of his former self and really, really needs a goal. Wasted his one clear chance.

Gabby- 6: Did pretty well when he came on. Not fully fit yet but still managed to burn the Toon backline with his pace a couple of times. Looked up for it too.
CNZ- 6: Did okay. Looked more decisive on the ball, and more confident. Think he knows he's really got to shine now. Used his pace too, which he's not done nearly enough for us.

Overall a very good game and as away performances against good sides go, I think we deserved the win. We played some attractive stuff and we're still in the early days. Once things gel even more, things could get very good indeed. Most positively is, on this display, we look far, far too good to go down.

[onje_villa]

Can't be anything other than happy with the result and the performance. I felt a bit sick during the second half as I was sure they were going to score. We could have won, could have lost.

Lambert deserves a lot of credit for the way he set up tactically and in the second half, our attacking players looked really dangerous on the break.

Guzan - 8. Excellent. Came for crosses, couple of really good saves.

Lowton - 7. Impressed with him. Very composed. Needs to improve a bit defensively.
Vlaar - 7. Thought he did really well. Scared me a bit with his dribbling.
Clark - 7. Very good overall. Much more combative. Still lost his man in the box a couple of times and needs to improve on that.
Lichaj - 5. Battled away. Not good enough on the ball for me. Looking forward to a left footed left back

Holman - 6. Worked his bollocks off all game. The only time he didn't close his man down, Ben Arfa scored a wondergoal with his wrong foot. Bit ropey on the ball though
KEA - 7. Calm on the ball and helped us pass it when we did. Would like a stronger defensive minded player as an option in there
Bannan - 6. Thought he did pretty well. Some good balls into the box including the goal.

Ireland. 7. Decent. Should have scored really, but was a threat.

Weimann 5. Worked hard, not really in the game much
Bent 6. Worked a lot harder than normal and his hold up play was better, also some good link up play. Thought he should have hit that late chance first time

Subs:
Gabby 7. A real threat. More of this please. Skinned his man a couple of times.
N'Zogbia 6. Thought he did pretty well really. Worked hard. Still goes down blind alleys. Him and Gabby were scaring them on the break I thought.

Manager: 8. Considering how we've started and the firepower Newcastle have, I don't see how we could have expected much better. Tactically very good. We clearly need to continue improving our passing, but we're already showing good habits.

Agree with that

[Baldy]

Brilliant performance, real energy and some great football on the ground. Holman at fault for the goal but apart from that I like what he brings to the table. I'm beginning to think we have always had good footballers but now the players are being allowed to show it. Newcastle were stunned, they were expecting a lazy Sunday afternoon. Relegation, my arse. Well done the lads.

 

[Toronto Villa]

Above all, today, I enjoyed watching Aston Villa.

Same, and for the first time in ages. We need to build on this now

We had a couple of games like this last year under TSM vs Arsenal and Chelsea. Unfortunately he was too negative and cautious to use it as a platform from which to build. I have much more faith that Lambert will see this as a stepping stone in his overall plan and push on from this. A win against Swansea now is so important.

[sirlordbaltimore]

In an ideal world, we had chances to win

But i'm absolutely delighted with that performance. I think every player put a shift in, we looked hungry, up for it, eager and every other cliche i can think of

Signs we're finally clicking. Great stuff

UTV

[Ron Manager]

Watch MOTD tonight Holman appears in almost every frame. Yes the goal was his fault but as an Aussie he gives the lot for the whole 90mins KEA was very good as well.

Bannan gave the ball away a hell of a lot!

[eastie]

Can anyone shed any light on KEA injury? Walked off the pitch I heard but went down without being tackled?

Didn't look too serious,should be ok in 2weeks I hope.

[gervilla]

Can anyone shed any light on KEA injury? Walked off the pitch I heard but went down without being tackled?

Twisted his ankle according to the commentator on my str...am...nevermind.