Aston Villa v Swansea City Post-Match Thread

[django]

Fantastic performance from back to front.

Guzan, two great saves in the first half and confident on crosses, good handling.

Full backs, solid at the back, good going forward, great strike from Lowton, he certainly doesn't lack confidence.

Clark and Vlaar looked totally in control. Vlaar looks a really good player on this evidence.

Midfield worked really really hard, particular mention for Holman, he is absolutely tireless, looks a decent player.

The strikers, things didn't quite fall right but I thought they all played well. Over the moon for Benteke, that will do him the world of good, particularly after that miss.

Men of the match, Guzan, Vlaar, Holman, Lowton.

I think we have got ourselves a really good manager.

[asgpaul]

Totally in control in the second half, it looked like every player was hungry for the ball.  Defended well.  Delighted with performance.

[Dante Lavelli]

I love Concrete Ron as well.

Loved his bit of skills at the end

Having a few terrace heroes will help no end.  Get the fans going and make Villa Park a happy place to play again.
Concrete Ron has got hero written all over him someone mentioned on the match thread that Guzan is quickly developing a Bossie like following.

Good stuff.  Enjoy it everyone.  It will not always be this pleasurable.

[ez]

Villa are back... villa are back... waho

[Summers]

Bent worked hard today. I think he only had one shot.. but he set up a few chances. In fact he could/should have had two more assists. Benteke's sitter and the chance he set up for Weimann. And it was his header on that set up Benteke's goal.

For a long time any & all criticism aimed at Bent was that all he does is score goals and while that's fantastic, he needs to do more and be involved more.. Well today he was. He ran the channels, got involved and made a few things happen.

I know we're all gushing like mad about Guzan - but I need to join in. He's brilliant. His shot stopping is as good as any in the league, but his dominance of his box is something we haven't seen in years. He's claiming any and every ball played near him. It makes the life of our defenders so much easier. He's off his line quick, claiming crosses, corners, through balls. Fantastic. Long may he be our number one.

Vlaar is exactly what we needed too. So glad to see him given the armband. He's not just a rock, but he's also a great footballer. Some of his touches and skills (and his runs) are better than most defenders can dream of.

[Risso]

And it's very tricky to pick a man of the match out of that lot, but seeing as it was his first turn as Captain, I'll give it to Vlaar who I thought was composed, confident and, well, concrete from start to finish.

I only saw the second half, but on that display I'd give it to Bannan.

[Yossarian]

I wasn't sure whether Holman would be a bench warmer after the new signings but he looks to have earnt the right to stay in the first eleven after today.

[Risso]

Up to 11th as well.

[paul_e]

Excellent from Vlaar, Lowton and Bannan, all three have a great shout at motm.

Benteke put in a really good 20 odd mins as well, scored, missed a sitter, had a couple of other half chances and played a lovely lay-off for KEA to have a shot.

Guzan is really enjoying getting a run of games on merit isn't he.

Rest of the team all did the job they were there for, except nzog, who again let himself down badly with terrible decision making.

[Risso]

I know we're all gushing like mad about Guzan - but I need to join in. He's brilliant. His shot stopping is as good as any in the league, but his dominance of his box is something we haven't seen in years. He's claiming any and every ball played near him. It makes the life of our defenders so much easier. He's off his line quick, claiming crosses, corners, through balls. Fantastic. Long may he be our number one.

Agreed, another brilliant performance.  To think we let him walk away.

[Summers]

I have so much to gush about I can't stop posting. Holman was great. He isn't a flair player like N'Zogbia is SUPPOSED to be, but he's easily the hardest worker in our side. He gives no one time to think, he closes down, then keeps running, then runs some more, then he might run some more. He's settling and showing he can pass, dribble and get shots off too. Teams need players like Holman. It really helps stifle teams play when someone like Holman is in their face constantly.

[citizenDJ]

I know we're all gushing like mad about Guzan - but I need to join in. He's brilliant. His shot stopping is as good as any in the league, but his dominance of his box is something we haven't seen in years. He's claiming any and every ball played near him. It makes the life of our defenders so much easier. He's off his line quick, claiming crosses, corners, through balls. Fantastic. Long may he be our number one.

Agreed, another brilliant performance.  To think we let him walk away.

He also has an "OOOOOUUUUUUTTTTT" to rival Friedel, too!

[PaulWinch again]

Oh and I'll praise Ireland as well, didn't quite work creatively but he worked incredibly hard.

[rooboy316]

That was just great to watch.  Amongst the myriad of positives, particularly noteworthy amongst the new signings:
Vlaar - it will take some time to make a judgement about his defensive capabilities, but his attitude is just what we need.  Justified in getting the armband, and the bollocking he gave Dyer for his dive in the box was brilliant.
Holman - while his touch/technical ability can let him down at times, the sheer amount of work he does really does lift the entire team unit.  I think the rest of the team followed his example today and really worked hard closing them down and putting pressure on them when we didn't have possession.  Lambert certainly seemed to appreciate the effort when he came off.
Benteke - only a glimpse, but what a beast.  Seems to have the touch and the movement to make the most of his physical dominance.

Westwood was quiet when he came on - I hardly noticed him.  Looking forward to seeing more of him in the coming weeks though.

[London Villan]

:-) that is all