Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We must be the hardest working team in the league.

Great to see a second half where we improved rather than fall apart.

Well done lads.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ron going off and KEA the only real disappointments of the game for me.

[Simba]

From stream. Good point but could have had more. We work hard, quick on the ball but do need a Merson type player to give us guile. Ireland?

Not far off a good side. We will get there. Well done lads.

[Matt Collins]

That was a real stress. Some good performances and the tactics worked. Still lacking in quality in a few areas, especially last third, though I thought the rain made it more difficult for both sides.

I thought Clark and Westwood were our best players by a country mile, closely followed by Bannan. Holman did very well when he came on. Thought he looked really bright and to have more quality than previously.

Pretty worried if Vlaar is going to miss a game or two though. Lowton is a really good right back but a less good centre back.

I imagine we'll make 2-4 changes for the Reading game. Perhaps Ireland, Holman, Lichaj and potentially Bent being the most likely to come in?

Anyway, a point more than I expected and we had some decent chances.

Pretty crap game overall, but I was happy with that.

Overall, I think we came out of our toughest spell of games of the season better than I expected. We matched Arsenal and Man U at home, no question.

7 players under 23 really is something. I would love a couple of defenders in January though. We look threadbare back there to say the least. Did Dunne have a setback?

[citizenDJ]

Not bad at all, that, and a deserved point in my opinion.

Lots of good performances, but a few thoughts; Westwood looks very comfortable in that midfield, and his work-rate and passing is very promising indeed. Bannan again was very good, and Lowton also continued his impressively reliable form.

I have to say, and I know others disagree with me on this, but I think Stevens is doing a pretty decent job at left-back, and getting better with each game. I'm not saying he's a world-beater or anything, but he's not bad so far.

As for the Bent situation...I suppose you have to recognise that it's quite likely that he'll leave, but I'm not sure we'd have done any better with him in the team, and in fact we may have been less effective. It's going to be an incredibly ballsy move from Lambert. I hope it pays off for him.

[eastie]

Encouraging display and we played pretty well , 3 huge games coming up  now and a chance to pull away a bit if we take our chances.

[Boz]

Didn't concede in the second half for once and a real hard working performance, but where was Ireland and Bent?

[nornironvillain]

well deserved battling point - that midfield works its gonads off breaking up play and harassing the opposition - only slight concern is we have nobody in there that can create chances when we do get the ball

anyway today was a bonus point, our season starts on tuesday night

[paulcomben]

Happy with result, but how are we ever gonna score? Ireland is the only squad player who seems to know how to set up a goal, when he can be arsed. Gutted that Bent has been pushed out.

[Irish villain]

Loving this interview with Weimann and Lowton...our future.

[eastie]

Didn't concede in the second half for once and a real hard working performance, but where was Ireland and Bent?

According to collymore bent was fit and available but wasn't picked, surprised baker wasn't on the bench either as he was sub last week.

[JUAN PABLO]

they worked damn hard and closed Arse down well.  2 Arse shots I would have taken that before the game.

Clean sheet              KEA a bit of a worry and crap decision making at times but happy with the point .

Westood man of match , hes going to be class. 

[ozzjim]

If Baker is fit you have to think he will be in for Ron if injured.

I thought we were better for not having Ireland in. Creatively he has not been pulling up trees, and Holman and KEA worked like dogs.

[paulcomben]

Tony Adams utterly one eyed. Is he not supposed to be an impartial pundit?

[paulcomben]

Lambo thinks we have goals in us. I thought the Directors' Box offered a GOOD view.