Aston Villa v Manchester United Post-Match Thread

[rutski]

was it stevens that was lost by hernandez for their winner?

It was indeed. He did have a good game though.

i didnt think he did, a definite weak link. played hernandez on for their first and a dismal effort for their third. not good enough.

I think you need to consider how big a game it was for his first Premier League start. He didn't look to out of place and made a few brave runs. Out of him and Bennett I'm not sure who I'd play.

from the moment he came on at swindon i have been afraid about this kid. their winger tore him a new arse and this was swindon. did reasonably well defending in the first half but offered nothing going forward, wasnt anywhere near close enough to valencia for any part of the second half. to let the player you are marking get a free header on the penalty spot waist high is criminal.

[JJ-AV]

I think we'll do well to stay up.

[PeterWithesShin]

was it stevens that was lost by hernandez for their winner?

It was indeed. He did have a good game though.

i didnt think he did, a definite weak link. played hernandez on for their first and a dismal effort for their third. not good enough.

I think you need to consider how big a game it was for his first Premier League start. He didn't look to out of place and made a few brave runs. Out of him and Bennett I'm not sure who I'd play.

from the moment he came on at swindon i have been afraid about this kid. their winger tore him a new arse and this was swindon. did reasonably well defending in the first half but offered nothing going forward, wasnt anywhere near close enough to valencia for any part of the second half. to let the player you are marking get a free header on the penalty spot waist high is criminal.

He may well not make it, but allowances have to be made for a kid making only his second league appearance. As an example, Bouma was wank in his first few appearances. There were people who wanted Benteke out the starting 11 a month ago saying he was the new Heskey.

[OCD]

My humble goal for the game was for us to leave United in no doubt that they had a game on their hands today. Too many times before now (with the same fixture last year in particular) we've allowed United to go away with the points without really having to turn up.

Even at 2-0 up I was saying that we've been here before so I wasn't at all surprised at what happened. Of course, it still hurt.

There was so much to be proud of today though. So much to build on too - with the right man in charge to do the building. I'm confident we'll beat these bastards in the coming years. This is still a very inexperienced squad that is still learning how best to play. A few years of building and we'll be a very strong outfit again.

[rutski]

was it stevens that was lost by hernandez for their winner?

It was indeed. He did have a good game though.

i didnt think he did, a definite weak link. played hernandez on for their first and a dismal effort for their third. not good enough.

I think you need to consider how big a game it was for his first Premier League start. He didn't look to out of place and made a few brave runs. Out of him and Bennett I'm not sure who I'd play.

from the moment he came on at swindon i have been afraid about this kid. their winger tore him a new arse and this was swindon. did reasonably well defending in the first half but offered nothing going forward, wasnt anywhere near close enough to valencia for any part of the second half. to let the player you are marking get a free header on the penalty spot waist high is criminal.

He may well not make it, but allowances have to be made for a kid making only his second league appearance. As an example, Bouma was wank in his first few appearances. There were people who wanted Benteke out the starting 11 a month ago saying he was the new Heskey.

we can all make allowances and excuses, it is only my opinion that he isnt good enough, i compare and contrast someone like westwood who i believ has the talent in making the grade at aston villa had only his second start for the club. 2 very different propositions. i just dont think stevens is good enough.

[pauliewalnuts]

Two years ago, under Houllier, we played Man United at home with a side featuring several inexperienced kids, and after going 2 up, drew 2-2. After the match, we all said how great the kids were, how the future was bright etc etc. Subsequently, we continued to struggle and had to spend big on Bent to stay up.

Today, we've played United with an even younger team, given a good account of ourselves, lost 3-2, and we're all saying how the future looks bright, and with good reason.

Last time around, it was under a manager who was coming back for a final fling with the game, and kept comparing us unfavourably with previous employers, a manager who seemed to be going out of his way to alienate us.  However, after the January window, and with a little time, we turned things around a little, and managed to finish a creditable (if slightly flattering) ninth.

This time around, we have a young, progressive manager, one who clearly sees this as a job to aspire to rather than one to retire to.

Although it is difficult to plan for the sort of rank stupidity that saw Lerner and Faulkner give the job to McLeish (something which even now still seems unbelievable), last time around, despite the occasional good performance, of which the United game was one, in the long term, we continued to sink.

We are now coming off another heartening, if not points-laden, match against Man United, and this time around, it is pretty clear that we need to give the manager all the help we can. That means us supporting him, understanding what he is doing, and getting behind the team.

However, it also means that Randy absolutely must support him in the January transfer window. We are showing signs of being able to do something, to improve ourselves - and, let's be honest, we are 17th in the league, we MUST improve ourselves, we absolutely have to.

That means we must get some extra bodies in in January. Not more promising lower league players - another two or three Westwoods or Lowtons might be useful, but nowhere near as useful as a bit of experience. Can you imagine how much a Petrov would be helping this side right now? He'd be utterly invaluable.

If we can strengthen in January, we've a chance of providing a base to build on. If we don't, then I am worried it is going to be a long, dark slog ahead.

[ozzjim]

I think the most important thing is that we are clearly improving as a side by the week. Last season we carried no goal threat at all and properly lay down for the big boys. We have beaten City in the cup, and put 2 past United and deserved that lead, then conceded 3 with mistakes and inexperience. To write us off as relegation doomed etc would be awful. Sunderland can't buy a goal at the moment, the bottom 3 look very poor and we are playing pretty decent stuff. Benteke is as big a handful as you will find in the league, Gabby looks like the guy we had 4 years back, Westwood and Lowton look every inch premiership players to me, Bannan has been great in the last 2 games, Ireland is finding space and pockets and looks like he is some use at last, Vlaar gets better each week, as does Clark. They need time, and will keep making mistakes, but I am pretty confident after the last few games we will stay up, and do so with some comfort.

[ozzjim]

Agree completely re January Paulie. A really top midfield player, and creative winger come forward would be nice, but some experience is vital. I think the most disappointing thing about this season for me has been the form of KEA who I think has really struggled with the pace of the league.

[kippaxvilla2]

I thought we played really well.

But in saying that, it's no good saying we are proud of the youngsters - because, their youth whilst giving us some promising moments indeed will ultimately determine our Premier League status.  I sight no greater example of the difference between drawing and losing at this level, than their winning goal.  Benteke had been a colossus all game then makes one - yes just one bad error leading to the free kick that lost us the game - they are such fine lines between survival and relegation...........

[Steve R]

That's a very good post PaulieW.

One other difference is that Houllier's lads were on borrowed time. As soon as the older players got fit, the youngsters would take a back seat. Today's lads are mostly first choices. They will get more chance to build on a good performance.

The squad last time was a curate's egg of the inexperienced and the very worldweary. Today's team have the advantage of largely being a similar group. Much more likely to bind as a unit and develop together.

Aside from that, we look a much better team playing 4-3-3 than the 4-4-2 diamond. Maybe a significant turning point has been negotiated.

[kippaxvilla2]

On transfers in, we either need Dunne back in the side (think he would make a huge difference) or, if it's not him, then a really decent Centre Half signing.

[KevinGage]

Agree with that Steve, fingers crossed.

[DrGonzo]

I'm damn proud of the team that went out there this evening.  They kept their shape and frustrated the United attack in the first half, how often did you notice RVP in 45mins?  I think that enthusiasm got the better of us at 2-0 and we lost that shape being a little naive and believing we could lump 4 past them, as we went forward we left a little gap at the back, Clark should have been tighter to Hernandez when that ball was played.

The way the team played for each other was fantastic, everybody worked hard to cover for each other, everyone chased every missed pass and every half clearance.  Benteke was excellent, he is in possessiion and when Bent gets fit he has to win that shirt back.  Christian is going to be a very good signing.

We aren't far off.  The delivery from wide was much improved, Lowton getting down the line, Gabby off the left and Wee Barry.  We need the man to play at the top of that midfield though, I'm not sure Ireland is the man, his consistency of performance is lacking, he doesn't look the player he was 3/4 years ago.

We are 2 players short, someone to push Gabby's spot on the left and the attacking midfielder.  If we sell Bent then he will need replacing too. 

We are close.

Edit:  I apologise, I forgot Weimann, he was excellent too.  When he fluffed the pass to Ireland in the 1st half the United fans I was watching with were giving it the big "he's shit, isn't he?",  and to them I say

[Matt Collins]

Ended up being pretty  inevitable, but the performance was all we could hope for. Benteke and Ireland the pick no question. I actually thought weimann was embarassingly bad until his second by the way. Bannan and Westwood looked a partnership. Stevens did ok for the most part but was at fault for goals 1 and 3 no question. 

Benteke was a fucking monster though wasn't he? Did guzan make a serious save?

[Leighton]

How do I feel after today? Well after a lifetime of bing a Villa fan, I feel used to it. But also a tadge prouder than I have been for a while.