Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[villan from luton]

I thought Bannan put in a real workmanlike performance, some good passes, though there is no denying he did bottle a couple of 50-50's

[UK Redsox]

I hope that whoever decided that Bannan was MOTM was having a laugh or had been drinking all day.

He was close to being the worst player on the pitch today. Bottling tackles in a way that made Downing look like Norman Hunter and generally managing to stay at least five yards away from having to engage with an opposition player.

I thought he was really good today.  His delivery from set pieces has improved, his work rate has improved, his defensive game has improved and he doesn't spray the ball around for its own sake any more.  He put in one terrific block to stop a goalbound shot at one point (late on?  can't quite remember).  A much better player than he was 12 months ago.

I was disappointed with his set piece delivery. No pace on the ball, making them easy to defend or impossible to turn into a threatening header.

I'll concede that he did put in an excellent block late in the game.

[N'ZMAV]

I think Stevens is decent too.

[N'ZMAV]

I'd quite like to see Herd in the middle with Bannan and Westwood, with either Holman and Ireland more advanced. I think it could work.

[ozzjim]

Thought Stevens looked very slow at times.


Bannan did shirk the 50/50s but hassled well, read it well, passed it well and I thought took some intelligent free kicks, and did put some more whip on than usual.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm glad of the point, that's all I'll say!

Any of the lower league garbage play well for you tonight?

[N'ZMAV]

oh, and yeah, we're toss at set plays. I don't like all this high ball to the back post. Let's whip 'em in.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

The only problem I have with Stevens, and to a lesser extent Lowton, is that he offers naff all going forward, so we have no width at all.

[SoccerHQ]

0-0 to Arsenal is a decent result, but with another non-scoring game, we're going to need Bent sooner rather than later, so I hope it's not a case of his bridges being completely burned.

Reading are awful defensively so if we can't score against them then I'd probably start Bent next match.

In any case I'd have him on the bench. He'll probably be leaving in January but we're still paying him atm so might aswell use him.

[villan from luton]

I thought Bannan's delivery from set peices were very good to be honest. As for Westwood, I love the way he seems to make space to be available for a pass. Have real high hopes for this lad

[ozzjim]

Well Gabby and Weimann provide that to be fair, which is why I think long term we will sign a couple of players that give a different style to those two.

[claret and blue blood]

0-0 to Arsenal is a decent result, but with another non-scoring game, we're going to need Bent sooner rather than later, so I hope it's not a case of his bridges being completely burned.

Reading are awful defensively so if we can't score against them then I'd probably start Bent next match.

In any case I'd have him on the bench. He'll probably be leaving in January but we're still paying him atm so might aswell use him.

I agree we just need the greatest chance of scoring more goals than the opposition, that means he has to at least be on the bench lets worry about his future when we've secured survival .

[Richard]

Decent performance, impressed with Westwood in particular.

Wish our full backs offered more going forward and also there were times in the game when Gabby and Weimann were playing too deep.

And need to have the midfielders shoot more often, Holman aside.

The Bent thing is ridiculous, he needs to be involved v Reading.

[Lizz]

FWIW, and despite recent results, I think Guzan's performances and attitude since Given's performance against Everton merit his place in the team.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

FWIW, and despite recent results, I think Guzan's performances and attitude since Given's performance against Everton merit his place in the team.

Yup. And he's getting as good as Pat Jennings at saving with his feet!