Aston Villa v Reading Post-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

I also thought our defence looked considerably happier once Jason Roberts had gone off. He gave them a bit of a Bentekeing.

Thought Clark had a torrid time up against him and really struggled tonight.  If Dunne goes in January, then I think we are going to have to add an experienced CB to the shopping list. 

[pauliewalnuts]

The match was shite, both teams were dreadful, and people on the match thread said so, that's all.

In a nutshell, this is the truth.

[SoccerHQ]

Well the only thing I can say about that is the most important thing is the 3 points as in so many ways that performance just wasn't good enough tonight and I wouldn't have complained with 0-0 as Reading had as many chances as we did.

They are the worst team in the league imo. Just a poor game.

It picked up when Ireland came on as from being arguably the best player on saturday, Bannan was one of the worst tonight wasting so many balls, and he never cost us a goal in the first half when he was messing about on he edge of the box.

Gabby has certainly turned into a hardworking but non goalscoring forward and Weimann had his poorest game of the season so good job Benteke played well yet again, this boy is some play as he's still not at 100%.

Thought Holman was decent again and he's usually involved in our better attacking moves so maybe slightly better technically than given credit for.

Word on the defence aswell, 3 clean sheets in 5 league games.

[silhillvilla]

I actually though Ireland looked half-arsed when he came on.
I know we need his quality on the pitch and he was screaming for him to come on but you can see why he doesn't start him, he doesn't put in much of a shift.
Mind you we have plenty of players who do but have little actual ability on the ball.

Harsh and I'm no Ireland fan but he was a class above when he came on.

[PeterWithesShin]

Lots of empty seats (m'lord) anyone know the official attendance - didn't hear it announced tonight. Very poor game - looked like 2 Championship sides, but we desperately needed those points and from that point of view job done (just). And we scored from a corner! Our midfield will get heavily dominated by QPR and Sterk, and we really need to get some experience in there in January.

28,692

[BC54 VFC]

Att: 28,692, lowest since the Bolton game under MON I reckon?

Correct, 16/12/2006, 27,450.

[Risso]

The plus points for me tonight were the win and clean sheet, plus decent games for Lowton, Baker and Benteke, plus Ireland when he came on.  The negatives were a dreadful performance and the continued pig-headed refusal to even put Bent on the bench.

[pauliewalnuts]

I too thought Baker did very well.

I'd say the four Risso mentions above plus Guzan.

[SoccerHQ]

Lowton is a good player, I don't think people should go into shock every time he has a decent game (unless you're Saunders heroes).

He's the sort if Swansea or WBA picked him up for 3m, we'd be asking why we never sign these types of players.

[hilts_coolerking]

The howls of frustration when Albrighton hoiked a cross miles too long were a sad reflection of how badly he's gone backwards.  It's a real shame because for a few months he was outstanding.

[PeterWithesShin]

The plus points for me tonight were the win and clean sheet, plus decent games for Lowton, Baker and Benteke, plus Ireland when he came on.  The negatives were a dreadful performance and the continued pig-headed refusal to even put Bent on the bench.

The only thing i'd possibly disagree with is Bent. And that's mainly because I have no idea why he isn't included so there could be a valid reason if he's turned into Steve Hodge behind the scenes. That said if he hasn't then it's baffling why he's not included but until we know (if we ever do) it's hard to know what to say on it.

[silhillvilla]

Lots of empty seats (m'lord) anyone know the official attendance - didn't hear it announced tonight. Very poor game - looked like 2 Championship sides, but we desperately needed those points and from that point of view job done (just). And we scored from a corner! Our midfield will get heavily dominated by QPR and Sterk, and we really need to get some experience in there in January.

28,692

Pre Xmas
Midweek
On telly
Weather
Poor form
Reading
Economy
Masterchef semis on telly
I'm a celeb as above

Hardly a surprise

[DB]

Ireland made the difference when he came on, he has to start on sat. Bannan was awful
 Hollman was poor too and Albrighton should be nowhere near the first team, he had pne cross to put in and fucked it up big style & offered nothing else. Our defence did well considering the players out.

[hawkeye]

Lots of empty seats (m'lord) anyone know the official attendance - didn't hear it announced tonight. Very poor game - looked like 2 Championship sides, but we desperately needed those points and from that point of view job done (just). And we scored from a corner! Our midfield will get heavily dominated by QPR and Sterk, and we really need to get some experience in there in January.

28,692

Pre Xmas
Midweek
On telly
Weather
Poor form
Reading
Economy
Masterchef semis on telly
I'm a celeb as above

Hardly a surprise

you forgot to add, shit football, no entertainment, fans disilusioned

[Risso]

I too thought Baker did very well.

I'd say the four Risso mentions above plus Guzan.

Yes, sorry, missed Guzan from my list.  His handling was top notch.