Aston Villa v Manchester United Post-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

 In Jan then do we go short term or long term?

 An experienced CH, who will be here for 1/2 seasons, but see us through, or a younger, up and coming CH who might make mistakes.Same as central midfield, a Parker or a Capoue?

 A bit harsh on here regarding Stevens, not at fault for the 1st goal for me, Clark should probably do better, but hes not a bad goalscorer Hernandez is he.I really rate Valencia, but i thought Stevens kept him relatively quiet.Fell asleep for the last goal, but we was too deep on the free kick.

 For me the difference in the game was Bentekes chance, when Smalling got there before him, and Hernandez last goal.They defended it, they scored.Instead of us winning 3-2, we lost 3-2.

It really depends on what sort of nick Dunne is in when he returns.  If he is fit and looking sharp then we probably won't need a CB in the January window.  We do however need a quality central midfielder and wide forward.   

[silhillvilla]

The key to our season now is that we raise our game to this level and tempo against the QPR & Readings of this world. We've put ourselves into a position where we have to start winning such games.

[eastie]

The key to our season now is that we raise our game to this level and tempo against the QPR & Readings of this world. We've put ourselves into a position where we have to start winning such games.

Agreed, I thought after Newcastle and Swansea we were making real progress but then along came Southampton.  We really should be beating the teams in and around us .

[silhillvilla]

Agree Eastie, I just hope last nights performance isn't another false dawn and is sustainable. Hopefully this new 4-2-3-1 formation is a breakthrough for us.

[Pete3206]

I really don't get all this Bent bashing. What we need is a strong squad with competition for places, not writing off players because other give encouraging performances. If Lambert needs to sell him to raise funds to strengthen in other areas, then so be it. But, if he gets the funds anyway, I wouldn't let a proven goalscorer leave the club unless a more than adequate replacement is brought in.

[darren woolley]

I'm proud of our performance but gutted at the result if we play like that every game we will win more than we lose I would keep that team now it's got a good look to it.

[Irish villain]

The key to our season now is that we raise our game to this level and tempo against the QPR & Readings of this world. We've put ourselves into a position where we have to start winning such games.

Agreed, I thought after Newcastle and Swansea we were making real progress but then along came Southampton.  We really should be beating the teams in and around us .

Southampton came as a real shock to us all and took us a few games to recover. Holman and Bent played well against Newcastle, yet, they are out of the team now and we have recovered and look to be improving.

[Steve R]

To be ultra critical Clark was at fault for the first and third goals. He didn't react at at all to Hernandez going through and didn't put his leg out to block any attempted shot, he just ran with him. Lack of defending instinct maybe?But he should have done better.

I disagree. It was Stevens who lost Hernandez for the third. And it was Stevens who played him onside for the first although perhaps Clark should still have been tighter.

True enough about Stevens, especially on the first. A full back should not be goal side of centre backs in that situation.

However I felt Clark should have done more. With the first goal Hernandez was off balance and still managed to keep possession. An experienced defender would have been in his space bumping and boring him. Hernandez was allowed too much licence to pick his time for a shot.

[PaulWinch again]

The big improvement in our side since Westwood came in is quite noticeable. His ability to calmly retain possession makes our game tick and is massively important.

[silhillvilla]

We look far more robust and shaped with westwood in for KEA.

[SoccerHQ]

Just me that noticed Bannan's air kick before the second goal.

Not saying we'd have won but that was a very basic clearence to mess up.

[onje_villa]

Only caught half of yesterday's match, saw the first 4 goals but there was a lot to like in our performance but yeah the result was heart-breaking as usual.
For me, I'm happy enough, can see a side and a formation taking shape I just pray that the lads are encourages by that performance rather than shot-to-pieces. They should know that they showed plenty yesterday and you've got to think that Lambert with another couple of windows (and with our new scout on board), if he picks up another few up and coming players and the likes of Bannan, Lowton and Westwood continue to improve then the future looks pretty bright.

Surely he has to stick with 4231 now? Just seems to have a great balance to it. Solid at the back, not overrun in midfield and plenty of attacking threat up top.

[eastie]

The big improvement in our side since Westwood came in is quite noticeable. His ability to calmly retain possession makes our game tick and is massively important.

Hugely impressed with him - a future captain I think and seems confident and comfortable in possession and able to organise too, a really good signing as are Vlaar, Lowton and benteke.

Not convinced yet with Bennett and kea , but maybe they are still settling in , certainly Westwood looks a lot better in midfield than kea did and seems to pass forward a lot more as well.

[danno]

In regards to KEA, Petrov took a fair time to settle, and he was only coming down from scotland. its different for all players isn't it? time will tell i suppose. 

[eastie]

In regards to KEA, Petrov took a fair time to settle, and he was only coming down from scotland. its different for all players isn't it? time will tell i suppose. 

True, he looked really good pre season but has a knack of slowing things down and going sideways and backwards whereas Westwood seems to play a more high tempo game and look for a more attacking option- his passing accuracy is excellent as well.