Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[eastie]

Yes Bennett had to go and herd should have been sent off for a dreadful challenge when on a yellow.

Eastie, all your comment shows to me is that Dowd is effin' useless. For me, he was conned for the Bennett debacle and  - yes - he should have come back and given Herd his 2nd yellow.

Bennett was stupid for getting sent off and has tweeted to say he let his teammates and fans down- I dont think dowd was wrong on that at all- shit referee but he was right to send him off. Herds challenge was much much worse though when already on a yellow.

[PeterWithesShin]

Much as I hate Dowd, his reaction to "you're too fat to referee" did amuse me.

[silhillvilla]

Missed that what did he do ?

[UK Redsox]

When down to ten men and clearly just hanging on, there's surely no worse striker to bring on than Bent. Bringing Holman off and leaving Albrighton on also made no sense to me.

I can't do better than repeat what Paul Lambert said at one point today (which at least gave us behind the dugout something to laugh about)...... "Fucking fuck, ....... Jesus..... fuck". Which was followed by a right boot to the medical bag.

[PeterWithesShin]

When down to ten men and clearly just hanging on, there's surely no worse striker to bring on than Bent. Bringing Holman off and leaving Albrighton on also made no sense to me.

I can't do better than repeat what Paul Lambert said at one point today (which at least gave us behind the dugout something to laugh about)...... "Fucking fuck, ....... Jesus..... fuck". Which was followed by a right boot to the medical bag.

Did you get to the Gents in time?

[UK Redsox]

Did you get to the Gents in time?

Yep.

Apologies for not stopping to chat but I was bursting.

[PeterWithesShin]

Missed that what did he do ?

He was running backwards (facing the Holte) as it was being sung and he smiled and subtly waved one of his hands in time like he was conducting it.

[silhillvilla]

Dowd didn't have a great game (does he ever) but I don't think he was terrible

[bertlambshank]

Missed that what did he do ?

He was running backwards (facing the Holte) as it was being sung and he smiled and subtly waved one of his hands in time like he was conducting it.

He spends far too much much time talking to the players when the ball is in play to see a lot.He missed the 2nd yellow card but the linesman didn't.
He really is a poor ref.

[brian green]

Just back from the game.   I imagine everything I am going to say has already been said.

We were only kept in the game by Guzan who was immense.   The midfield was feeble, lack lustre and sloppy.   They must form the worst midfield in the Premiership.   Delph and Albrighton were shocking and the others not a lot better.

Benteke is a class act and the bringing on of Bent to stiffen a tired side a man down was pure insanity.   I do not think he touched the ball and displayed the attitude and body language of a disenchanted diva.

Awful game. Awful day. Awful weather.   I wish I had never given up the drink.

[Hoppo]

Benteke and Weimann should start all day long for me. Love Herds attitude. we have to try something else in midfield Delph and Karim so so similar. I'm sure Bannan has played wide left before just as an option. Unless Uncle Randy throws the pennies around Gabby  Ireland Bent Tonne Given and Nzogbia can all be sacrificed to let Lambert find some much needed nouse in midfield..

[Gareth]

That midfield is beyond dreadful, the two crabs in the middle need to be dispensed with, either KEA or Delph but not both as they haven't got any attacking aptitude.

Ball is slow, inaccurate and the decision making to find the right ball is appalling, zero creative spark is very worrying.

Albrighton and Holman run around but do nowt, might as well sack them off and buy Mo Farah for that - give Carruthers / Bannan a run instead.

Guzan / Vlaar and Herd did fine, Gabby was at least interested and Benteke did his best with scraps.

Bent needs to grow up and realise he is part of a squad, stop sulking and prove he is a player and wants to earn his salary.

Lambert also needs to stop making out we are an attacking team, we have ZERO creation.

[eastie]

Carruthers has looked promising in his cameos last season- nothing to lose giving him a go out wide , albrighton has had too many chances and is not good enough at this level.

[silhillvilla]

My ratings

Guzan 8 immense display
Lowton 6 did ok
Vlaar 7 fairly solid
Herd 7 involved
Bennett 3 championship player
Albrighton 4 poor
KEA 4 poor player
Delph 5 again poor
Holman 5 headless chicken
Gabby 6 held it up ok
Benteke 7 great finish

Bent 2 yes
Lichaj 2 terrible player
Weimann 5 tried

[onje_villa]

Just got back from my first game this season after moving back from France.
Depressing, as one bloke simply put "Why can't any of our players pass the bloody ball?!" It really is as simple as that, at least half of our players are poor technically and I feel sorry for the likes of Vlaar whose performances grow in stature with every game.

A couple of positives, Guzan and Vlaar, well played today, I do like Herd a lot and think he did a fantastic job at centre back today when all's considered. Maybe even better than Clark was doing. He's combative and to be honest if he's not centre back I'd have him in that midfield. Gabby put a shift in today and Benteke as most sensible people realise will score goals.

One final positive - as fans we all appear to be on the same page. We're in agreement, this will not do, whoever is the manager.

Our midfield is frighteningly bad, the mind boggles how Delph gets anywhere near our team and there is absolutely no bite, strength or even skill in there.

Our defence is improving, on paper we have some quality strikers but that midfield needs to improve or it's going to get us relegated.

No wonder the ground's half empty when you consider the dross that gets served up.