Aston Villa v Norwich City Post-Match Thread

[saunders_heroes]

Would he have been man of the match if the game had ended the second Bennett was sent off?

We were shit before the sending off. Don't delude yourself.

Would he have been man of the match before the red card?

Well he made one fantastic save first half which was just as important as Benteke's goal, so he would have been candidate for MOTM as much as the goal scorer.

[PeterWithesShin]

Would he have been man of the match if the game had ended the second Bennett was sent off?

We were shit before the sending off. Don't delude yourself.

Would he have been man of the match before the red card?

Well he made one fantastic save first half which was just as important as Benteke's goal, so he would have been candidate for MOTM as much as the goal scorer.

So as all but one save were after the sending off it could well be a case that the sending off changed the game couldn't it? Before that it was two crap sides both creating very little.

[Risso]

Impossible to say one way or the other.  Why are you even wasting time with this tiresome argument, either side might have scored 6 goals if Bennett stayed on, but the fact is he didn't.

[saunders_heroes]

Would he have been man of the match if the game had ended the second Bennett was sent off?

We were shit before the sending off. Don't delude yourself.

Would he have been man of the match before the red card?

Well he made one fantastic save first half which was just as important as Benteke's goal, so he would have been candidate for MOTM as much as the goal scorer.

So as all but one save were after the sending off it could well be a case that the sending off changed the game couldn't it? Before that it was two crap sides both creating very little.

They were better than us before the sending off. You must have watched a different game to me if you thought they weren't. We then went down to 10 men and we capitulated. How many times have you seen teams play well after a sending off? More times than not it galvanises a team into a performance. Not us though, we went from bad to quite simply - diabolical. This is the worst Villa team I've seen since we were relegated in '87. Deluding yourself into thinking otherwise is folly.

[PeterWithesShin]

Impossible to say one way or the other.  Why are you even wasting time with this tiresome argument, either side might have scored 6 goals if Bennett stayed on, but the fact is he didn't.

Because according to some folks we were battered for the whole game, which isn't how I saw it. So when someone says something that I disagree with I question it and debate with them. Which I believe is the point of a discussion board.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

This is the worst Villa team I've seen since we were relegated in '87.

Correct.

Certainly the worst midfield I can remember.

[JUAN PABLO]

Would he have been man of the match if the game had ended the second Bennett was sent off?

depends if he had saved the penalty Norwich should have had

[amfy]

We were awful yesterday, and the substitutions were worse.

However - the stats were showing us as having 2-3 more shots on target, and 2-3 more shots off target than Norwich up until the sending off. I think their chances were better but they didn't take any of them, whereas one of ours was a goal.

.

yes but you have to remember is Guzan made top save after top save , where I cant really remember Ruddy making any top saves .

That's why you should never trust stats. We barely bothered their keeper all match, where as ours was man of the match.

....and the one he picked out of the back of the net didn't bother him either? Surely the best chances are those that actually end up on the scoresheet - & it took them 20 minutes after the sending off to get there.
Everyone talks like a team is made of 10 players and a wildcard - Guzan is one of our team - not a random addition - OUR goalie kept them out. Our goalie who PL went & got back after we'd been daft enough to let him go, and was brave enough to drop Given for. This isn't a stroke of luck that we can't claim any credit for.

[PeterWithesShin]

Would he have been man of the match if the game had ended the second Bennett was sent off?

We were shit before the sending off. Don't delude yourself.

Would he have been man of the match before the red card?

Well he made one fantastic save first half which was just as important as Benteke's goal, so he would have been candidate for MOTM as much as the goal scorer.

So as all but one save were after the sending off it could well be a case that the sending off changed the game couldn't it? Before that it was two crap sides both creating very little.

They were better than us before the sending off. You must have watched a different game to me if you thought they weren't. We then went down to 10 men and we capitulated. How many times have you seen teams play well after a sending off? More times than not it galvanises a team into a performance. Not us though, we went from bad to quite simply - diabolical. This is the worst Villa team I've seen since we were relegated in '87. Deluding yourself into thinking otherwise is folly.

If they were so much better than us why were they losing? Why had the created less than us when it was 11 v 11? That's what i'm trying to get the answer to. Maybe it was more of a case that both sides were crap (notice I keep saying we were crap, so not much delusion going on) and the side that had taken their one chance would have held on.

My point isn't that we weren't crap, we were. My point is that some folks are claiming Norwich were shed loads better. They weren't. Not until the red card.

As for the red card capitulation, I agree. I've said previously that it reminded me of the Albion game last season. 1 up despite not playing well and in my opinion looked a decent bet to take the 3 points both times. As much due to the ineptness of the opposition rather than our own ability. We then get a player sent off and are shocking.

[JUAN PABLO]

Thats whats worrying . Norwich are crap and will probably go down but their football was better than ours and always looked like scoring , where we did not.   

[PeterWithesShin]

Thats whats worrying . Norwich are crap and will probably go down but their football was better than ours and always looked like scoring , where we did not.   

That's my point. How did they always look like scoring if they created 1 decent chance in the opening 55 minutes or so? The same as we did.

[JUAN PABLO]

Thats whats worrying . Norwich are crap and will probably go down but their football was better than ours and always looked like scoring , where we did not.   

That's my point. How did they always look like scoring if they created 1 decent chance in the opening 55 minutes or so? The same as we did.

well we were bloody awful up to we scored against the run of play , there football passing was better and looked more dangerous. So we made a poor Norwich side look like alright.  We were lucky yesterday .  They could have had a penalty first half , Herd could have gone and they missed loads of chances , even If you say it was when we had 10 men .

It was Norwich we played thou and not Chelsea.

[Fin Feds Dad]

The job of any manager - in any walk in life - is to manage their resources.

Yesterday our manager failed appallingly to do so.

Lets hope he learns from it - quickly .

[PaulWinch again]

Right, game digested. Not very good in all. First half we were pretty comfortable and looked good value for the lead. I think we had enough to see the game out, perhaps grab another. Unfortunately Bennett got himself sent off. We're a shit side, lets be frank. I mean Norwich are too and yesterday looked very much like a game between two dross teams. We struggle enough with 11 players, so going down to 10 was always going to be an even bigger struggle. The goal was inevitable really, they put us under a lot of pressure. Far too many needless fouls too. Silly freekicks given away. We did it a lot last season and we're still doing it, need to cut it out. Bennett got two yellows with needless, reckless challenges he didn't need to make. Schoolboy errors.

Guzan- 8 good game. Made some good catches and punches and a very good safe from Holt. Could have lost the game if not for the Goose.
Lowton- 5 Poor. Struggled against the Norwich width.
Vlaar- 6 Did okay, but for me doesn't command an area just yet. That might come, but he's struggling a little keeping such a young back line together. A big onus when he himself is stepping up to the Prem. Plays it dangerously physical with the attackers too. He's gonna give away Pens if he's not careful.
Herd- 7 Thought he stepped into CH very well. Made some great challenges and clearences. I like Herd, he always comes off the pitch having given his all. Perhaps we should sign a few more Aussies. Pushed his luck a little. Had Bennett not already been off, Herd may have seen red for persisent fouling.
Bennett- 4 Poor. Bad decision making, offered nothing in attack and was suspect defensively. No qualms about the sending off. He fouled persisently and could have gone off for an earlier silly challenge. He'd been warned. There's no excuse for these silly fouls but he's not the only guilty party.
Albrighton- 4 Poor. Doesn't have the ability and more importantly, stamina for this league. He always looks dead after 60 minutes IMO. Offered nothing and why, after 3 subs he was still on the pitch I don't know.
Delph- 6 Did okay but as we've all noticed, he's no holding player, nor is he a Scholes who can sit deep and ping perfect 40 yrd passes for fun. Let him attack more, use his pace otherwise he's not good enough. I'd play Herd in his place next game.
KEA- 6 I think he's our best all round midfielder, but I still think he's pretty average. He needs a decent holding player next to him and perhaps he'll be more effective pushed forward more. Can't tackle so he's not gonna be our anchor.
Holman- 7 110% as always. Ran himself into the ground. The only one in mid who really wanted to be adventurous.
Gabby- 7 His hold up play is very good. IMO Lamberts biggest error was taking off Gabby. We missed his experience and his pace. Could have been a good outlet out wide. Didn't look tired or injured so it must have been tactical. I'd have taken off Alby and put Gab wide. That he lead a pre match huddle says a lot. He's a senior statesman now and players like him will be vital for us to stay up.
Benteke- 7 Scored, looked a threat. Looked lost when we went a man down. Inexperience at this level, but then again IMO, he should have been sacrificed, and not Gabby. Or Gab should have been left on with him.

Lichaj- 5 looked poor and suspect against pace.
Bent- 5 Showed good willingness to work but that's about it. Not his fault as we were defended for most of his time on the pitch.
Weimann- 6 Desire almost got him half a chance.

Lambert for me got it wrong with the tactical switch. Watching the game the line up suggest we'd play 4-2-3-1. Wasn't the case of course. Standard 4-4-2 really and again too narrow. Albrighton kept wide but offered nothing so there was no width again. Albrighton should have been first man off with the tactical change. His legs were going and he was poor. Gabby's team play had been good and his pace and hold up play would have been a good outlet against Norwich on the counter. We could have alleviated a lot of pressure.
Quite clearly though we're too inexperience and there's not enough quality, especially midfield. The sending off killed us as I thought Norwich would struggle to score whilst 11 v 11. Poor game with two crap sides though. We'll struggle over the next fortnight and this was a must win.
I hope Bennett got plenty of wet towel treatment last night. Foolish, schoolboy defending. We may as well bring Warnock back if the lad is gonna do that. He needs to learn quickly though.

Gabby- 7 His hold up play is very good. IMO Lamberts biggest error was taking off Gabby. We missed his experience and his pace. Could have been a good outlet out wide. Didn't look tired or injured so it must have been tactical. I'd have taken off Alby and put Gab wide. That he lead a pre match huddle says a lot. He's a senior statesman now and players like him will be vital for us to stay up.

Christ!  Agbonlahor was dreadful he brings absolutely nothing to the team and yet some of you (and to be fair other Villa forums) think hes wonderful. I know its all about opinions but Ive been watching the Villa for fifty six years and I cant recall another player who divides the fans as much as he does.

Can someone please explain why he keeps getting in the team I just dont see it Im afraid.

Must admit I agreed with 100% of supertoms assessment.  Gabby should have stayed on yesterday and Albrighton should have been sacrificed.  I have my issues with Gabby as a player but yesterday was set up for his pace when we went down to 10 men.  Poor poor decision from Lambert.

Got to say Supertom giving Delph 6 is madness he was terrible and how on earth do Gabby and Benteke get the same mark?!

[Matt Collins]

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

Absolute myth. Did you not go to Forest ?

Did you not see the Newcastle and Swansea games?

Swansea - but for Guzan and poor finishing we could easily have been 2 or 3 down before Lowtons goal.

What would be our ideal midfield targets in January ?

Michael Essien who is on a seasons loan at Real Madrid. Im not sure if Chelsea can sell him before then but he should be (at 29) the type of player we must be looking at

Yep. I reckon that Kaka looks decent too, and he's not getting a game.