Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[saunders_heroes]

If gabby is vital to us staying up, them we might as well accept our fate now- should be nowhere the first team and is the worst of our 4 strikers by a mile.

He holds the ball up well. As soon as he went off yesterday we conceded possession left right and centre and we were under severe pressure.

[Monty]

I think Gabby's role should be more impact sub at the moment. He's just not cutting it, I don't know what's happened. His injection of pace towards the end of games could be good though, change the tactics slightly and use his pace against tired centre backs.

I agree. At the beginnings of games we need more craft and guile. Gabby doesn't move the ball quickly enough in the final third; Bannan, Weimann and Ireland inject a much higher tempo with the ball.

I also think it's worth noting that KEA played really well when Bannan, Ireland or both were alongside him. He needs players on his wavelength to up the tempo in his passing, and yesterday it was clear that the rest of the midfield was mentally and technically sluggish.

[N'ZMAV]

I thought Vlaar was ok.

[N'ZMAV]

I think we need to try Benteke and Bent up front. With Holman and N'Zogbia wide. With Herd and KEA in centre midfield.

[onje_villa]

Right, not long got back. Despite the sending off we were lacklustre to say the least. We didn't deserve to be ahead at half-time IMO. Lambert has again caused me concern about his tactical nous. I said at h/t that Bennett should have been subbed as he was getting killed and was on a yellow. Bringing Benteke off when we had 10 ten men? I'm not his biggest fan, but fair play to Gabby. Played well today. As did Guzan (obviously), Vlaar and Benteke. Also the players seemed really nervous in their play. They need a win from anywhere.

Got to agree with this 1874 apart from the being up at half-time - we had created as much as Norwich so it could have gone either way I reckon.

Gabby got a big groan at one point and then chased down a ball in the area and tried to pull it back - nobody busted a gut to get onto the penalty spot though - I still reckon there is a Villa man trying is damndest for the team.

Think we all agree the Bent sub was "diplomatic"?

The equaliser seemed to come from confusion in the defence as Guzan was pushing defenders into place? Thought the defence was pretty good against a poor team?

I thought Norwich dictated play better in the first half and had more sustained periods of pressure then we did. So they will have felt they shouldn't have been behind at half time. I thought our centre backs were good. The lack of co-ordination between Lowton and Vlaar was exposed at times but that was to be expected. I thought Lowton did himself justice in the CB role. Especially in the second half, made some great blocks. Our best summer signing for sure (other then Brad). Herd wasn't great but I'll let him off because he hasn't had much game time recently and he did do some good things. Lichaj was much more solid then Bennett and you know he won't do anything stupid.

Lowton played RB.

[N'ZMAV]

And I think we need to put Lichaj back at left back for a while. Bennett looks ok, but is too lightweight. And is less ready than Lichaj.

[Ron Manager]

I think we need to try Benteke and Bent up front. With Holman and N'Zogbia wide. With Herd and KEA in centre midfield.

I agree totally with that.

[Mortimer's Bear]

To Paul Lambert

You have inherited the dross and sh*te of past of past incumbents.
I trust your judgement and you have done well so far, with reservations.
Get rid of the rubbish and buy well.
Get us through this quarter and show us what you can do after Xmas! Good luck mate!

Can't agree with that, the sooner people stop blaming previous managers the better IMO. If the last manager hadn't been AMcL, Lambert would not be receiving anywhere near as much support after this appalling start. It's basically a case of support him because he's rid us of AMcL.

[onje_villa]

So you would have Holman out of the team and not Delph

Yes. Just on the basis that Holman's passing is much poorer. I'm no fan of Delph but he was the best of the centre mids today. I probably have him over KEA on current form. Which just goes to show how utterly shit our midfield is.

Oh for the love of God, KEA and Holman were pants yesterday but at least they look like they've seen a football before.

[Irish villain]

I just think we look a shambles at the minute and I am crossing my fingers for a miracle this month.

Sad times.

[midnite]

I think Gabby's role should be more impact sub at the moment. He's just not cutting it, I don't know what's happened. His injection of pace towards the end of games could be good though, change the tactics slightly and use his pace against tired centre backs.

I agree. At the beginnings of games we need more craft and guile. Gabby doesn't move the ball quickly enough in the final third; Bannan, Weimann and Ireland inject a much higher tempo with the ball.

I also think it's worth noting that KEA played really well when Bannan, Ireland or both were alongside him. He needs players on his wavelength to up the tempo in his passing, and yesterday it was clear that the rest of the midfield was mentally and technically sluggish.

Yeah, KEA and Delph just aren't working in midfield at all

[eastie]

In preseason the midfield of kea, Holman, Ireland and bannan looked to be decent but their are too many changes week in week out and we need some sort of settled team , Ireland and bannan are both hit and miss but so are all our midfield- its an incredibly weak area.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

El Ahmadi and Holman may come good, I have my doubts.
But Delph and Albrighton should be discarded as quickly as is humanly possible. They are fucking awful.

[silhillvilla]

In preseason the midfield of kea, Holman, Ireland and bannan looked to be decent

Absolute myth. Did you not go to Forest ?

[David_Nab]

I'd have Bannan or Ireland in over Albrighton every time right now.Both of them hold the ball alot better