Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[onje_villa]

Couple more things, picking up on what others have said.

Stop pissing around changing the midfield (I mean change it now because Delph is appalling - surely Bannan and Ireland are better)

What happened to Samir Carruthers and Daniel Johnson, both good young players, which while it isn't exactly what we need, they will surely offer more than Delph.

I don't mind Lambert not moaning about the team to the press but it's fucking insulting reading how well our team fought and played after watching that inept display. So fuck off for that.

[Legion]

Carruthers played in the NextGen match earlier this week. I think Johnson is out on loan.

[PeterWithesShin]

Johnson is at Yeovil on loan I think.

[PeterWithesShin]

Daniel Johnson hopes a successful loan spell at Yeovil Town will earn enough trust from his Aston Villa manager to be rewarded with a Premier League debut.

The dynamic midfielder joined the Glovers just hours before their 3-1 midweek triumph at Shrewsbury Town, entering the fray as a second half substitute.

A regular for Villa’s reserves and under-21 teams, Johnson was an unused substitute for the first team on six occasions last season.

Now with his senior bow to his name and a month of npower League One action ahead, the Jamaican-born 20-year-old wants to impress both Glovers’ boss Gary Johnson and Villa counterpart Paul Lambert.

Daniel Johnson said: “One hundred per cent, the aim is to play for Villa’s first team. I am here to get some experience and hopefully the manager can see and have trust in me.

“There are a lot of experienced players at Villa but hopefully the manager will be able to trust me from how I do at Yeovil.

“I have been trying to get out on loan for about two years now but because of the injuries I haven’t been able to go anywhere. I have been on the bench a lot so I am just happy that this chance is finally happening. I just want to play and do my best.

“You have got to aim for the Premier League as that is where the best footballers are. If you are in it for the money then that is something different. It is all about the football and that is what I want to do – play football.

“All I want to do is play football and if the manager puts me in the side – which hopefully he does – then I will try my hardest to help the team get three points.

Johnson admitted that he knew little about the Glovers before his switch, but was keen to allow his football to do the talking.

He endured a tough debut as a second half replacement at the Greenhaus Meadow, adjudged to have fouled an opponent for the penalty that led to the hosts’ only goal. Despite the testing opening, Johnson said he had enjoyed the start to life in the West Country.

“It has been good and I am settling in well,” he said. “I am getting to know the lads but already knew some of them here from before. I really enjoyed my debut but was disappointed to give away the penalty, which I didn’t think was a penalty. Overall I was really pleased.

“I know what I can do so I really hope I can add something to the team. I didn’t really know much about the team but Luke Ayling is a mate from back home.

“I am here to get some experience and hopefully I can go back and get into Villa’s first team. They haven’t really told me much about what they expect from the loan spell, I just want to come here and play football. I will just get my head down and graft.”

[Toronto Villa]

The next windows need to be about getting in a couple of experienced heads to get us through this. Even if they are players in their late 20's or early 30's on short term deals. The longer things stay as they are the more it will begin to affect the younger players. What we need is exactly what Stan offers; experience, guile and a calm head.

[The Left Side]

Positive as mentioned already, Guzan, Vlaar and Benteke... negatives, everything else! What do the players do in training except lots of piggy backs?

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Always keen on the addition of Delph a few years ago but he was shocking today. As was Albrighton, which I thought before we kicked off anyway. Ireland must start next game, and probably Bannan, even though I'm not a fan of his. Bent on for Benteke a total mystery - Weimann and Benteke a promising combination, but need time. Is Darren Bent already an ex-Villa player?

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

The positives: Benteke scored and Guzan.

The negatives: Albrighton and Delph are really poor players and should not even be on the bench. Bent and Ireland were on the bench (arguably our best two players). We were really fucking shit and I think we may be in for a struggle.

[Clampy]

I thought we were looking ok and the 2nd half we started like we could have got a second goal, but the sending off really knocked us back and we proceeded to play like a team who could'nt play with ten men, like some teams can.

Bringing on Bent was the last thing i would have done. Benteke was doing really well, so Ireland and Bannan for Gabby or Benteke and Holman would have been much better. Lambert did seem to lose the plot a little today but overall i'm not too unhappy with the draw in the circumstances.

[Brian Taylor]

It coulda bin worse but that is settling for McLeish-land level of achievement. We deserve better than this. Sell Bent and buy astutely, and well, with the money Paul.

[UK Redsox]

The next windows need to be about getting in a couple of experienced heads to get us through this. Even if they are players in their late 20's or early 30's on short term deals. The longer things stay as they are the more it will begin to affect the younger players. What we need is exactly what Stan offers; experience, guile and a calm head.

Windows 8 was only released this week and here's you clamouring for Windows 9 already

[onje_villa]

Thanks for the heads up on Carruthers and Johnson

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

It coulda bin worse but that is settling for McLeish-land level of achievement. We deserve better than this. Sell Bent and buy astutely, and well, with the money Paul.

Beginning to think this is almost inevitable now. Bent doesn't fit the Lambert mould and doesn't seem too bothered about trying to prove his worth anyway.
It's still in midfield where we are lacking, just as it's been for the last two seasons.

[Nev]

It may be trite to say this but at Halesowen V Worksop today I saw better midfield performances than those offered up by our middle four today.

I haven't seen much of us this year but the inadequacies of Delph and Albrighton were shocking, it should be a long time before they are selected again.

For the first time I have an inkling of doubt about our manager.

[silhillvilla]

Perhaps QPR or Liverpool have already agreed a deal in principle for Bent ?