Matthew Lowton

[eastie]

I would have thought  if lambert was that pissed off about it he would have dropped him completely - it is true that Lowton has looked poor in the early games and he has admitted as much himself - I think its down to him to impress in training and win his place back and I think he will do - an on form Lowton is a valuable member of our side .

[eastie]

Matt Lowton is getting closer to a recall to Villa’s starting line-up after Paul Lambert denied there was any rift between himself and the right-back.

Lowton was a virtual ever-present for the claret and blues during an impressive breakthrough season in 2012-13, but has been used sparingly so far this term.

Despite starting the campaign in the first XI, the 24-year-old full-back has had to settle for a bit-part role since losing his place to Leandro Bacuna.

Lowton has been used as a substitute in games, including the victories over Cardiff and Southampton and Sunday’s defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

But, even with Villa in the grip of a mini defensive injury crisis, Lowton has been unable to win his way back into Lambert’s starting line-up regularly.

He started the first four games of the season and was recalled briefly for the draw at West Ham, but overall has been restricted to five starts and three substitute appearances in the league and one start in the Capital One Cup.

Chris Herd was preferred in central defence at the weekend for his first action in 11 months, with captain Ron Vlaar (calf) and Antonio Luna (groin) joining Joe Bennett and Jores Okore on the casualty list.

Lambert admitted earlier in the season that Lowton’s high standards from last season had fallen, but the manager insists he has no problem with the former Sheffield United defender.

Bacuna’s form has dipped in the past few matches and the Dutch utility man’s disappointing display at Fulham was highlighted by Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen on Sunday evening.

It leaves Lambert with a dilemma over who to play at right-back when the claret and blues attempt to bounce back against mid-table rivals Manchester United at Villa Park this weekend.

“I’ve spoken to him,” said Lambert.

“I speak to him every day, and he’s not far away (from a recall).

“Bacuna has been playing well and when Matty came on at Fulham he did fine. He is not too far away from getting back in. I’ll decide next weekend.

“I’ve never had any problems with any of them, it’s just a decision I have to make which I think is right.”

Lambert will have to make one enforced change against David Moyes’ out-of-sorts side with Fabian Delph serving a one-match ban.

Delph picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Fulham, having also been booked against Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham in the Premier League as well as Rotherham in the Capital One Cup.

It is a blow for Villa and for Delph, who has recently returned from a two-match injury lay-off, because the 24-year-old midfielder has been among Villa’s most consistent players this season.

Lambert admits Delph has tried to pick and time his tackles more carefully recently, but remains at risk of being cautioned because of his combative style of play.

“He plays the game that way and can’t curtail it, that’s the way he plays and he’ll miss the game,” added Lambert.

“I don’t think he was as brash as he was. He has maturity and experience and he has learnt that side of the game. He has been good for me so we’ll go again.”

[supertom]

I like how Lambert is talking about a player and can still fit in "we go again."

[edgysatsuma89]

I like how Lambert is talking about a player and can still fit in "we go again."

I bet he fucking loves Monopoly.

[LeeB]

I like how Lambert is talking about a player and can still fit in "we go again."

I bet he fucking loves Monopoly.

lol.

[pauliewalnuts]

I like how Lambert is talking about a player and can still fit in "we go again."

I bet he fucking loves Monopoly.

lol.

He should steer clear of Angry Birds. It'd be a scene reminiscent of Cartman shitting into a bowl while playing WoW.

[peter w]

Its possible that this is more about man-management than an on-going reaction to Lowton's early season form. It is possible that Lambert knows that he will come back hungrier, better, and determined not to be dropped again. The trick is when you put him back in for it work. It also is a direct assessment of Lambert's whole football philosophy. We are told that he wants young hungry players. Now he's got a chance to show us that it works. And, this Sunday is as good a time as any now I reckon.

[dekko]

I'm very much in the pro-Lambert camp, but if Lowton doesn't get back in as RB soon I'm going to start seriously questioning his sanity.

[Toronto Villa]

I think he'll start against Man U and Luna will return to LB. Baker and Clark in the middle if Vlaar can't go. Bacuna will replace Delph in the middle. I'd like to see Sylla in there.

[bobdylan]

I think he'll start against Man U and Luna will return to LB. Baker and Clark in the middle if Vlaar can't go. Bacuna will replace Delph in the middle. I'd like to see Sylla in there.

We could play Bacuna and Sylla and drop Weimann?  Personally I'd rather Weimann than Sylla though.

[gervilla]

If Lowton cant get back in to the team after Bacuna giving such a good lesson v Fulham in how not to be a full back then there must be something going on that we don't know about.
I would push Bacuna further forward and bring Lowton back.

[Lsvilla]

I think he'll start against Man U and Luna will return to LB. Baker and Clark in the middle if Vlaar can't go. Bacuna will replace Delph in the middle. I'd like to see Sylla in there.

This is the team I would go with - with Sylla in ahead of Weimann.

[paul_e]

I'd like to see Bacuna get a few games in Weimann's position, I reckon he could do well there.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'd like to see Bacuna get a few games in Weimann's position, I reckon he could do well there.

I can't see how it would make things worse, so nothing really to lose.

[eastie]

I noticed his mrs commented on him having to leave his one hour old baby last week to join up with the squad and then be on the bench .