Aston Villa v Reading Post-Match Thread

[Fergal]

Benteke my MOTM followed closely by Guzan

I thought we had agreed I was MoM....
Wibble

[Jarpie]

We didn't play as poorly as some say, too nervously at times but we created chances and kept the clean sheet. The Unbelivable Bentekkers, Lowton, Ireland and Guzan were good again. For me it looked like they were a bit too nervous but that win should give them some confidence against QPR.

Holman was good too, we should look a way to get both Ireland and Holman playing.

[Fergal]

We played like a team that has very little confidence, that will come with a few wins.  We do need to spend a few bob in January though...

[supertom]

I think Ireland could step into Bannan's place.

[Irish villain]

#wibble, the new orange dot!

[PaulWinch again]

I'd bring Ireland in for Bannan on Saturday, and I'd get Bent involved too. Hopefully Vlaar will be back and then we look a lot more experienced.

[ChrissyPrice]

Slightly the better of two really poor teams.

Guzan, Baker, Westwood Ireland and Benteke were fine, and Ireland really has
 to play next game.

And sadly Albrigton has to about the worst winger in the league.

[Dave Cooper please]

Benteke my MOTM followed closely by Guzan

I thought we had agreed I was MoM....
Wibble

We can't afford your wages so you're dropped next match thread.

[Olof's Beard]

We had 8 players under the age of 23 yes?  It was never going to be easy, I doubt there has been many less experienced defences ever put out in the Premier League.

That said, I saw that we played something like 85% of attacks through the middle in the first half.  If you are going to play through the middle, you have to have some real guile in the final third and we don't have any with that team out. Lambert is right when he says you cannot fault the effort, they all gave it everything but Holman, Weimann and Agbonlahor are full of bluster and energy but not a great deal of composure and quality on the ball.  I can't help feeling we need to mix it up and play with a bit more width in home games against the lesser lights, we are not good enough to pick them apart down the middle, our full backs are not attacking enough to get far enough forward and we end up in a situation where Bannan and Westwood (neither of whom had their best day today) are left to drift partially out wide and float in hopeless crosses from deep positions. 

If we are going to play through the middle then Ireland has to play, he has been absolutely fine in 2012 and we always look far more of a threat when he is on the pitch.  I don't really buy into the idea of him having a bad attitude either, he is working hard and I have seen more than one player say he is the best trainer at the club.

For all that, for such a young team to grind out a win is impressive and the big man up front made the difference.  Baker and Clark stood up strong (although the former hoofs it a lot) and I thought Lowton was excellent defensively again.  Guzan provided some positive goalkeeping in the last five minutes and in the end the big man up front made the difference.  Just about deserved the win, let's hope we can build on it.

[supertom]

The QPR game probably suits us more than having to win a game like this at home. I fancy us to win. Harry may well keep them up but I don't think he'll see a turnaround till he's signed a few players and shipped out some of the mercenaries.

[jeowje]

Ireland has the obvious class so badly lacking, it really pisses me off that he didnt start. Albrighton was terrible again when he came on.

3 points and i suspect that we can improve on the performance- we will have to- because I dont think playing that poorly will often be enough to win.

[Fergal]

Benteke my MOTM followed closely by Guzan

I thought we had agreed I was MoM....
Wibble

We can't afford your wages so you're dropped next match thread.

Feck off, I am only on 10 quid a week more than Heskey was...

[Fergal]

#wibble, the new orange dot!

Tell ya, we won due to the power of the WIBBLE.

[Fergal]

Another clean sheet. Another goal from our 21 year old striker. A hard fought win. 3 points from the top half having just played 2x Manc and 1x North London.

All with a team with average age 23.

Brilliant.

Feeling positive?

[PeterWithesShin]

It's all down to my Admiral's Pie. 3 times i've had one at HT this season when watching games, City and Swindon away in the cup and tonight. Do you reckon the staff at VP will cook me one next time i'm there?