Manchester City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Damo70]

I was watching the Leeds game/helping my son with his homework then we turned over to SSN for extra time updates. Seeing him go up to bed buzzing made me feel a lot better about putting him through all those home games last season. It also made me glad I made the awkward choice to duck out of a family wedding so as not to miss Sunday's game. To be fair my son and I will be showing our face at the reception and we are even going home to get changed first. There will actually be four family members in total in the Aston Social pre match when we should really be suited and booted at a wedding.

[PeterWithesShin]

Fantastic match, we looked great and matched them all over. The young ones did well too.

I heard no songs from them re Stan. They didn't applaud, not until half time when the Pedal for Petrov things was announced across the stadium and got a round of applause.

A great night to be a Villa fan.

Fingers crossed it was complete horlicks about the 19th minute then.

[Richard Richard]

"I am tired with this manager because I didn't say anything," the City manager said. "I asked the fourth official if it was a yellow card without moving my hands. He [Lambert] comes up to me every time but after this some managers go to bigger stadiums and don't say anything. I am tired of this, very tired. I am tired with their behaviour and it's better that some managers shut up because I didn't speak with this manager. I asked the fourth official if it was a yellow card and I thought the referee had left his yellow cards in the dressing room."

When pressed, Mancini said he had no problem with Lambert in particular but managers in general. The point he made, eventually, was that few have the courage to confront Ferguson in identical circumstances.

He added: "Every time I say something, they come. After, when they go to Old Trafford, they never say anything. When other managers [at Old Trafford] talk against the referee, they always stay on the bench and say nothing. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I am Italian but I don't know the reason. There's no problem. I just don't like this type of behaviour."

Young roberto is'nt used to losing.

[villajk]

Not long got in so haven't read this thread.

Just to say, fantastic game.  Good support from our travelling supporters (I'm guessing 800 ish).

I've heard rumours of Citeh supporters singing 'let him die' regarding Stand.  We never heard anything like that.  There was a lovely show of support at half time on their screen and by their commentator which was clapped throughout the ground.

Bring on the Baggies.

[oldham_villa]

I was in the Colin Bell stand tonight.

First thing is the Petrov 19th minute. Nobody close to us had a clue what the clapping was about, so there were no disrespectful songs sung about him.

Great Villa performance against a strangely disfunctional City team, tho it featured several internationals.

First half; good possession by villa, with Delph, el Ahmedi, Vlaar and Clarke the best performers. Bennett looked comfortable on the ball, tho he was bollocked a few times by Benteke for not releasing him early. Gabby was playing wide left and was lazy as hell and looking as disinterested as last season. Benteke held the ball up very well and looked likely. Wiemann was very quiet and Lowton was pretty poor (it was his poor control that initially enabled City to break forward to score).

Second half; gabby was pushed up top and it was was making of him. We played some great possession football, tho it usually meant we went backwards. Lambert looked frustrated when we went backwards and the out ball to the fullback was in but not used by Given. It was surprising when El Ahmedi was brought off, as he was perhaps our best player, first half. I guess Lambert wanted more aerial precence against the man city #62 (who was gettin a lot of stick by the city fans). Our game changed as a result of Gabby going up top and Weimann being brought off. Albrighton looked short of match sharpness, which wasn't surprising, but he always provided an outlet. Benteke continually controlled the outball from the keeper and found his man-very promising IMO. Bennett was injured towards the end after a tackle which I thought was in our favour, but which was not given. I have to say also that this was the best Phil Doyd has ever reffed us.

Focus will be on Gabby for his 2 goals and "assist" for cnz but Benteke held the ball up terrifically. Delph showed that he should play more than he does, and there is hope for cnz after a better display.

As for city, I'd be alarmed at Ballotellis poor showing, and some of their passing was poor. Great tenacity by the villa team though. They thoroughly deserved to win tonight. We do need to create more tho

Apols for the essay

Nick

[Andy1874]

What a win, sat with an over confident manc (well greater mancunian) all night, had enough of their arrogrant remarks.

Anyway to come back twice was superb, showed real character; especially against city.

I dont think non of us expected a result, so a good draw next round, who knows where we could get to!

Either way, enjoyed 80p vodkas and frshers too much tonight

UTV

BARNSLEYY

[Desi]

Highlights:
http://www.eplmatches.com/2012/09/25/man-city-2-4-aston-villa-highlights/

[Ads]

I was stood right next to the City fans and didn't hear anything.

Gabby is back!

[Matt Collins]

So did we shift to 442 in the second half? Did that mean CNZ left and weimann (alby) right?

Glad that delph played well. I thought he was hard done by to jot even be on the bench of late

[Matt Collins]

53% possession according to the BBC. That's possibly even more impressive than four goals.

It's quite brilliant. About 8-9 out of City's 11 could be first choice in their position at some point this season, and we with our 6 changes as well kept the ball better than they did. At their place. I really can't quite believe it, it's brilliant.

It makes me hope that the saints game was a blip, and that we'll concentrate on our passing game. I'm sure the slow pace and lack of intensity from city helped though. Let's hope we can do it again on Sunday. I don't think anyone can predict with confidence the side we'll pick.

[TopDeck113]

Off to work I go with a spring in my step.  Wonder what my City supporting colleagues and pupils will say today...?  Me thinks it might be pay-back time after all I've had to put up with in recent seasons!

[avfcpg]

Anyone else had the "it was only Man City reserves" bollocks yet? Yet to get a reply when i've mentioned that starting 11 reserve side cost approx £150,000,000.

Not yet but no doubt it will come...think they had 8 players who were pretty much in the mix from the team that won the league last year. Oh and we had no Bent, Guzan, Ireland, Holman, Bannan, Lichaj...so pretty much our 2nd string then!! :-)

[Summers]

Our starting 11 cost under 25m, there's cost over 150m. Can say what they like about second string.

Highlights are brilliant. Gabby was great. Won us the game.

[Dante Lavelli]

Apols for the essay

Nick

The opposite, thank you for the detailed analysis.  Enlightening reading for those who were not there.

[DerHammer]

Fantastic result but remember (if you listen to the press) Man City lost!!! it wasn't a Villa win-fuckin bias!!!