Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[supertom]

there wasnt one lazy player in a villa shirt today.

That was good to see. It pleased me a lot that Bannan and Ireland really worked their socks off. N'Zogbia too had a bit of fire about him today. I think our late window action just gave an indication to some players, that it's do or die. They know that reputation means nothing to Lambert. He wants places to be earned.

Best thing for me though was that whenever we clicked going forward, we played some great stuff. We've got decent footballers, and when they're gelling it looks good. It's early days, but third game in, for Lamberts era, and to produce a display against a decent side on their patch, like we did, is impressive. Things will get better, and the cutting edge will soon come too. We've got Gabby to come back, Benteke, as well as Westwood in midfield. Plenty of options and plenty of competition to get players really going for it.

[themossman]

Do feel a hit sorry for holman. Thought he was decent all game and very busy, a bit trigger happy if anything, then the one time he backs off we concede. I can see a good player there though.

[Chipsticks]

I'm now convinced that part of Lambert's plan in signing all of these young unknown players was to force the likes of Bannan and Ireland to fight for their place. For too long have they coasted on the fact that there's nobody else if they don't play well. It seems to have worked, and I bet we see a bit of an improvement in N'Zogbia once Albrighton returns.

[tomd2103]

we have 1 point from 3 games, we were ripped apart by Everton last week,

It's been a decent week since the bad performance against Everton.  A fairly routine cup win and a good point away at Newcastle was just what we needed for confidence going into the international break.

[Ian.]

How did we line up? I was surprised not to see there was no Herd or Delph in the squad too. Good to see Gabby getting a run out.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

How did we line up? I was surprised not to see there was no Herd or Delph in the squad too. Good to see Gabby getting a run out.

Herd and Delph injured

[Ian.]

How did we line up? I was surprised not to see there was no Herd or Delph in the squad too. Good to see Gabby getting a run out.

Herd and Delph injured

I see, I did wonder.

How did we line up?

[Yossarian]

How did we line up? I was surprised not to see there was no Herd or Delph in the squad too. Good to see Gabby getting a run out.

Herd and Delph injured

I see, I did wonder.

How did we line up?

At the start, as usual, then we shook hands with the Newcastle players.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Team on the BBC site:
Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Lichaj; Bannan, Holman, Ireland, KEA in the middle - Weimann and Bent up top
Gabby and N'Zog subs used

[Ian.]

Thanks. I was interested in his formation, there seems to be much less emphasis on wide players. For so many years of mainly relying wingers for supplying goals it will be interesting to see how it works out.

[OzVilla]

A good well won point - well done PL and the boys.

[saunders_heroes]

Excellent result. Let's hope it's the start of something special!

[ozzjim]

We played a fairly narrow 4-4-2 from what I saw Ian. Bannan drifting left, Holman right of Ireland and KEA.

[OCD]

The thought occurred to me earlier that everyone just assumed that Delph and Herd must be injured. They are, but they could equally not have been - for the first time in a number of years we actually do have a bit of depth to the squad.

[peter w]

The results of the Lagos jury...

Guzan - 7 - Generally comfortable and commanded his area very well. came for the ball and claimed it every time. Will keep given on the sidelines if he stays at this level.

Lowton - 6 - Not seeing much of him going forward, and his defending is okay. But he's not Hutton so no complaints.

Vlaar - 8 - Very good at the heart of the defence. Won just about everything and very good on the ball. Great signing so far.

Clark - 7 - Nice goal and looked very composed at the back. Still has a tendency to get caught out and gives away needless free-kicks at times. But looked a Premiership centre-half today.

Lichaj - 6 - Not his best day but always willing. Tried to get forward at every opportunity.

El-Ahmadi - 7 - Got better as the game went on and i think he'll be a great player for us.

Holman - 6 - First full game so took time to find his feet but stuck to his task well. Don't really blame him for the goal. Ben Arfa was out of the box and on the angle. He jockeyed him and the player had to do some work to create an angle and scored a great goal. Thought Holman did okay with his defensive side of it. You have a split decision to decide to hold the player up or run towards him and despite the end result I think Holman's decision making was fair enough. Otherwise, poor on the ball but another who looked better as the game went on.

Bannan - 6 - Always looking for the ball and did okay.Some poor distribution some good. Hopefully Westwood can see this as his competition as its between him and Delph I'd expect, to get the shirt.

Ireland - 7 - Well it was a poor miss but comfortable on the ball. For the first time in a Villa shirt he didn't look lost in an aimless formation and seemed to revel in his role in the diamond.

Weimann - 6 - looked for the ball always but didn't see a lot of it in the first half.

Bent - 7 - Won a lot of flick-ons and did well at the back for opposition corners. Also, plenty of tracking back. Had a good couple of chances but looked generally more lively. I think he played the Benteke role in this game and Weimann played what I think will be the Bent role as he looks to get hold of the flick-ons.

Subs:

Gabby - Welcome back.

N'zogbia - Thought he looked lively and always wanted to link the play. No problem with him at all today.

Great point that could have been three. As has been said its great seeing us in such a positive frame of mind. Created plenty of chances and apart from a few chances they didn't  create an awful lot to worry us. Onwards and upwards.