Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Steve kirk]

A really good hard working performance, were off and running out of the bottom 3 and it feels great, what a relief, need to follow it up with our first win since god knows when against Swansea, off on holiday to Corfu next Friday, happy days. UTV 

[James Mackay]

Just back from the game. That was great fun to watch (and it seems like a while since I have thought that!)

I thought we bossed the game for 60 minutes and give the number of chances I am surprised there were not more goals.

Guzan - 9 MOTM I thought we was great today, very commanding in the air and made some smart saves too. Hope he keeps his place.
Lowton - 7 Very good plenty of running and nice and solid defensively
Vlaar - 7 Calm head at the back never really seemed to be troubled
Clark - 7 Defended well and right place right time for the goal hopefully the partnership with Vlaar will continue to improve
Lichaj - 6  Probably the least impressive defender, seems to struggle with the passing game early on but was solid enough in the second half
Holman - 6 Didnt really notice him much if I am honest. Real shame he gave Ben Arfa that little bit of space for the goal (cracking strike mind)
KEA - 8 I love him. I wonder how many passes he made today? I think he will be critical for us this season hope his knock isn't too bad
Bannan - 7 Plenty of running from him today always closing down and some tidy passing too seems to fit well into the PL style
Ireland 7 Was a little disappointed to see him throw his hands in the air after a few early wayward passes from Lichaj played some very tidy football. Made a storming run late on which Guzan missed, if he had picked him out would have been on for a promising break. Shame the ball didn't sit down from him for his chance late on.
Weimann 6 Worked his socks off but didn't seem to sparkle offensively today
Bent 6 I thought Bent had a good game, real shame he couldn't get the winner when Gabby played him in late on (it was a cracking tackle to stop him mind you). I thought he looked better once Gabby came on along side of him

Gabby 7 Good to see him back and he caused them some problems could maybe have gone for goal when he set up Benty.
N'Zogbia 6 I though he was fairly average. Perhaps with Ireland and KEA pulling the strings a bit more he might be able to play with a little less expectation on his shoulders. Still think there is a good player in there so hopefully PL can get the best out of him.

PL - He got us playing some really nice football today, really pleased to see him get his first point and nice to see him bringing Gabby on at the end to stretch the game a bit, positive stuff.

Crowd - I was gutted to be sitting in the Newcastle end, the Villa supporters seemed to be in good voice. I don't envy them the trip back down the A1 tonight. Its nice to live in the North East (sometimes).

Really looking forward to coming down for the Swansea game now, I wonder how many of the new lads can force their way into the starting 11?

Looking forward to MOTD2. UTV!

[ktvillan]

I watched from about 35 minutes in and there were a lot of positives.  Bent saw a lot more of the ball and was winning quite a lot of headers to lay it on.  Weimann was lively and caused their defence a few scares.  Bannan was keeping it more simple and was a big improvement on last week. The defence as a whole looked reasonably solid.  We seemed to a have a lot more energy purpose and confidence and were getting players forward ahead of the strikers frequently.  Gabby initially  looked out of it when he came on but suddenly came alive, outpaced two defenders,  and set up a great chance which Bent should probably have done better with.    After that he produced some decent hold up and link play.  Even N'Zogbia made a decent contribution when he came on.Bent still looks a little tentative and hesitant when it's time to pull the trigger.  Just needs a PL goal to get his mojo back.   

On the downside it was a very lazy/tired attempt by Holman to block Ben Arfa from shooting for their goal, he should have been closed down far more.  And Ireland should have done much better with the late chance.  He had plenty of time and space and should at least have hit the target.
 
On that performance I'd say we should pick up plenty of points, but we need to be a bit more ruthless with our chances, and close down tighter around the box.

[Astral Weeks]

A good result in a game I was utterly convinced we were going to lose.

The most significant aspect was the nature of the performance. I actually enjoyed the football we played, totally unrecognisable from the shite we were forced to watch last season.

I was pleased that PL had the balls to drop Given, both because it paid off in terms of Guzan's performance, and because it sends out an important message to the rest of the squad: perform or you don't play.

Hugely encouraging, with good performances throughout the team. I think it's going to be an interesting season and I'm feeling optimistic for the first time in ages.

[levico]

Hands up, I got this result totally wrong too. Thought we were in for a spanking. This side has gt more about it than I thought.

Interesting comments about Holman - RadioWM were raving about his hard work. Good to see Gabby back, let's hope he can recapture his best form.

[villajk]

All in all a very bright day.

The weather was good.

The football was good.

The result was good.

Couple of G&T's before the game was good.

I think I've got the feel good factor.

Funny isn't it Pauline? Yet half way through transfer deadline day with only 1 player in and the sky was falling in. That was only 2 days ago. Today delivered the message of progress. Very, very encouraging and a long way to go. We have to give this man time, and the players he has invested in all the encouragement in the world to fulfil their potential. It's going to be fun.

Quite agree.  Having said that, I did the same with the previous two managers.  Obviously In both instances I was wrong.  I definitely believe this is third time lucky.  I don't think we're going to win the league this year ;-) but I think we'll prove a lot of punters, like Robbie Savage, wrong.*

*typed while the train was rocking back and forth and drinking a well deserved G&T.

[rutski]

A superb performance at a place where we have one win in 12 and totally took the game to Newcastle from the off. extremely encouraged by the performance of Aston Villa, i am thouroughly excited by the coming season if the energy, desire and effort can be replicated in the remaining games this season.
but to those who are giving 5 out of tens in your match ratings, you are talking out your arse, and for anyone to blame holman for ben arfa's goal, then you have never been tought anything in football! Basically, clap that fucker in and get on with it, he showed him inside and arrowed it straight in the top corner! great goal, wonder strike, contender for goal of the season, you dow save those and tek a bow son! no ones fault.
Well done Villa , very proud!

[eastie]

A superb performance at a place where we have one win in 12 and totally took the game to Newcastle from the off. extremely encouraged by the performance of Aston Villa, i am thouroughly excited by the coming season if the energy, desire and effort can be replicated in the remaining games this season.
but to those who are giving 5 out of tens in your match ratings, you are talking out your arse, and for anyone to blame holman for ben arfa's goal, then you have never been tought anything in football! Basically, clap that fucker in and get on with it, he showed him inside and arrowed it straight in the top corner! great goal, wonder strike, contender for goal of the season, you dow save those and tek a bow son! no ones fault.
Well done Villa , very proud!

Agreed, both pienaar and Ben Arfa have hit wonder goals right out of the top drawer against us, very harsh blaming Holman for not closing him down.

[PaulTheVillan]

Very happy with that. lets kick on.

[Virgil Caine]

A side note but I wonder if the death of his good mate Gary Speed has affected Given more than he realises- seems to me that he has not been the same player since and perhaps PL has recognised this ( especially at Newcastle). A pity if this is the case as Shay is, I have on good authority, one of the most genuinely decent professional footballers and a thoroughly nice guy.

[Chipsticks]

A side note but I wonder if the death of his good mate Gary Speed has affected Given more than he realises- seems to me that he has not been the same player since and perhaps PL has recognised this ( especially at Newcastle). A pity if this is the case as Shay is, I have on good authority, one of the most genuinely decent professional footballers and a thoroughly nice guy.

Not a bad shout actually. Couple that with how much his poor showing at the Euro's must have knocked his confidence and it's not hard to see why he's been playing so badly for us.

[onje_villa]

On a side note, just had a look at NUFC forum after the game, people calling for Pardew's head, did they not finish 5th last season?
Seems very strange, also I think puts an end to the myth that Villa are bad fans and always on the team/manager's back!

[VILLA MOLE]

Holman's non-challenge for the goal looked a bit like Vlaar's against Everton. Very much a 'I don't mind you shooting from there' feel about it.

Lack of premier league experience perhaps.

Gota agree with that but also think you can't take anything away from the goal it was special

I think he thought Ben Arfa was on his weaker foot

[barrysleftfoot]

  Regarding Holman, for me he was'nt far off MOM.Links play well, runs off the ball well when in posession, always makes himself available, doesn't stop working when we have the ball.Seems to play well in central midfield to me.

 Ireland showed today what he is, a top class midfielder.He outshone every Noocastle midfielder.

 Don't forget, this is a team who haven't won in 17 games, low in confidence, low in belief.When we win a game we have the makings of a good season, and a manager who believes we should try and win every game.Refreshing.

[Dave]

A side note but I wonder if the death of his good mate Gary Speed has affected Given more than he realises- seems to me that he has not been the same player since and perhaps PL has recognised this ( especially at Newcastle). A pity if this is the case as Shay is, I have on good authority, one of the most genuinely decent professional footballers and a thoroughly nice guy.

What has changed?

He made a bit of a balls-up for Fellaini's goal last week which he wouldn't normally, but other than that he's the same keeper we saw last season and that everyone has seen for the last decade or more.