Aston Villa v Reading Post-Match Thread

[pauliewalnuts]

Was that our first league goal from a corner since about 1994?

I know Lowton's goal earlier this season could have been one, but didn't his ping around a bit before coming to him to hit?

[PaulTheVillan]

I honestly can't believe some of the shite I've read on this board this morning.

I went last night, and came home happy seeing a very young side get a vital win under pressure, yet because we didn't rip apart a team one place below us we're going to hell in a handcart and the manager doesn't know what he's doing because he didn't pick someone who by conventional wisdom should play.

We fucking won.

Yes, which is lovely but we played fucking shite.

I recorded the game (because I can never watch properly the first time, too nervous and/or distracted by match threads!), and have watched it through this morning. It really wasn't that bad, plenty of promising forward moves spoilt by one bad pass, plenty of chances spurned by Benteke and Weimann and solid defence in the main. We were very nervous though.
 It wasn't pretty and the frustration caused by the misplaced passes was what caused such a furore on the match thread I reckon, but there's plenty to work on in such a young side.
 The two previous games showed we can play decent football, we just need to put the decent football and the result together in one go! It'll come, I'm convinced of it.

We need a little more composure and a bit more quality with the final pass.

Every game Weimann carries the ball forward on a break and holds onto it a little too long.

Decisions like that will come with experience.

[Monty]

Bannan was poor yesterday but he was still better than Delph's last two performances. And everyone has poor games from time to time, I thought the crowd's reaction was a touch OTT.

Anyway, against United and Arsenal we put in good performances and didn't win. Yesterday we put in a poor one and won - the luck finally went our way. Our most consistent players are at either end of the pitch: Guzan takes just so much pressure off the defence all the time with his catching (put Given in that team yesterday and we might have lost), and Benteke is a real gem. There was a lot of huff-and-puff and not much calm yesterday. For every good thing Bannan did he did one or two pretty shocking things, Westwood didn't look as unrufflable as usual, and though both centre backs were individually fine we missed Vlaar's experience at the back.

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

[peter w]

It may be worth noting that the high energy game we played against Arsenal probably took a bit more out of inexperienced teams legs than Reading's game did against Wigan. We struggled to find rhythm and any sort of tempo and made Reading look a bit more composed than us. That leads to mistakes - its also where we would have been crying out for a Petrov. A wise, experienced head in midfield knowing when to break, when to hold, when to calm things down when things aren't going as planned.

Yes, we were poor last night. Of that I don't think anyone can doubt but to get the win was vital. It allows the players to get some rest in their legs with a little bit more of a positive outlook.

I think we're being a little bit unfair to Bannan also. Since Sunderland away him and Westwood have been two of our better performers. Yes, he didn't do particulalrly well last night but his corners were always on the money and at least he didn't hide. Again, he, and we, just needed a calm head next to him. Whether on the pitch or not, ireland isn't that player.

Not crticising Lambert but at half-time I would have changed our formation. Gone to the now much derided 4-4-2 and push someone (Gabby) closer to Benteke. Morrison was winning just about everything in the air and we had resorted to hoofing it every time. Although to be fair, it wasn't a hoof, as they were good balls up to him. he rarely won a harder, or made the ball stick though. having another option up there would have been useful. I would have also taken Holman off for Albrighton, though, and watching the second-half progress, in hindsight I don't know if that would have worked.

Also, what the f*ck have the injury Gods got against our left-backs this season. Feel for Stevens as he's looked good when I've seen him. Thought Lichaj was okay but he pushed too far up and we were left with 2 against two far too often.

[pauliewalnuts]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

[Jarpie]

It may be worth noting that the high energy game we played against Arsenal probably took a bit more out of inexperienced teams legs than Reading's game did against Wigan. We struggled to find rhythm and any sort of tempo and made Reading look a bit more composed than us. That leads to mistakes - its also where we would have been crying out for a Petrov. A wise, experienced head in midfield knowing when to break, when to hold, when to calm things down when things aren't going as planned.

Yes, we were poor last night. Of that I don't think anyone can doubt but to get the win was vital. It allows the players to get some rest in their legs with a little bit more of a positive outlook.

I think we're being a little bit unfair to Bannan also. Since Sunderland away him and Westwood have been two of our better performers. Yes, he didn't do particulalrly well last night but his corners were always on the money and at least he didn't hide. Again, he, and we, just needed a calm head next to him. Whether on the pitch or not, ireland isn't that player.

Not crticising Lambert but at half-time I would have changed our formation. Gone to the now much derided 4-4-2 and push someone (Gabby) closer to Benteke. Morrison was winning just about everything in the air and we had resorted to hoofing it every time. Although to be fair, it wasn't a hoof, as they were good balls up to him. he rarely won a harder, or made the ball stick though. having another option up there would have been useful. I would have also taken Holman off for Albrighton, though, and watching the second-half progress, in hindsight I don't know if that would have worked.

Also, what the f*ck have the injury Gods got against our left-backs this season. Feel for Stevens as he's looked good when I've seen him. Thought Lichaj was okay but he pushed too far up and we were left with 2 against two far too often.

Exactly this, the players had just two full days off between last night and Arsenal game in which they ran their socks off so they probably weren't completely recovered. The tiredness probably got some players thinking "How well we're gonna play since we're not 100% and we must win!", also due being not completely recovered it probably took it's toll on the sharpness of the mind (like Bannan, Weimann and Benteke who all obviously weren't at their best physically and mentally).

People should get some fookin' perspective, we've had three very tough games in a row, and just two days off after the last of those so it's no wonder that playing was nervous and a bit sloppy.

Although gotta say that Ireland should've started even though Holman didn't play badly, I think it'd be a good experiment to play Holman deeper with Westwood and play Ireland in front of them.

[Chris Smith]

I'm not sure why some people are so grumpy. We faded after a bright start but kept at it, got the result and kept another clean sheet on a night when the result was the most important thing.

Were you really expecting a new manager with a new team, few of who have experience in this league, to be turning it on for 90 minutes every game? It's a big learning curve for all of them and I'm encouraged by what I am seeing.

[Villafirst]

It may be worth noting that the high energy game we played against Arsenal probably took a bit more out of inexperienced teams legs than Reading's game did against Wigan. We struggled to find rhythm and any sort of tempo and made Reading look a bit more composed than us. That leads to mistakes - its also where we would have been crying out for a Petrov. A wise, experienced head in midfield knowing when to break, when to hold, when to calm things down when things aren't going as planned.

Yes, we were poor last night. Of that I don't think anyone can doubt but to get the win was vital. It allows the players to get some rest in their legs with a little bit more of a positive outlook.

I think we're being a little bit unfair to Bannan also. Since Sunderland away him and Westwood have been two of our better performers. Yes, he didn't do particulalrly well last night but his corners were always on the money and at least he didn't hide. Again, he, and we, just needed a calm head next to him. Whether on the pitch or not, ireland isn't that player.

Not crticising Lambert but at half-time I would have changed our formation. Gone to the now much derided 4-4-2 and push someone (Gabby) closer to Benteke. Morrison was winning just about everything in the air and we had resorted to hoofing it every time. Although to be fair, it wasn't a hoof, as they were good balls up to him. he rarely won a harder, or made the ball stick though. having another option up there would have been useful. I would have also taken Holman off for Albrighton, though, and watching the second-half progress, in hindsight I don't know if that would have worked.

Also, what the f*ck have the injury Gods got against our left-backs this season. Feel for Stevens as he's looked good when I've seen him. Thought Lichaj was okay but he pushed too far up and we were left with 2 against two far too often.

Exactly this, the players had just two full days off between last night and Arsenal game in which they ran their socks off so they probably weren't completely recovered. The tiredness probably got some players thinking "How well we're gonna play since we're not 100% and we must win!", also due being not completely recovered it probably took it's toll on the sharpness of the mind (like Bannan, Weimann and Benteke who all obviously weren't at their best physically and mentally).

People should get some fookin' perspective, we've had three very tough games in a row, and just two days off after the last of those so it's no wonder that playing was nervous and a bit sloppy.

Although gotta say that Ireland should've started even though Holman didn't play badly, I think it'd be a good experiment to play Holman deeper with Westwood and play Ireland in front of them.

Agree on the energy levels having played Arsenal (late) on Saturday evening. Even a few hours can make a difference to fitness levels these days. Also, why do we play on Tuesday nights? Surely that extra 24 hours would be beneficial to energy and fitness levels - who knows, Vlaar may have made it if the game was tonight. One of the reasons for the low crowd was the fact we've had 2 televised games in 72 hours which is hard on people's pockets in these austere times. Why can't the fixtures be home, away, home away instead of these stupid 2 home games or away games together?- surely it's not rocket science!

[Monty]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

That's not what I was saying, but fair enough if it came across that way. What I meant was that there are some people who's default word appears to be 'but': the performance was good 'but' we lost; we won 'but' the performance was poor. There's a determined-to-be-miserable streak, and its criteria are inconsistent.

[PaulWinch again]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Indeed ideally you want a combination of both, a la Swansea. In the long run it's good performances that will lead to consistently good results.

[olaftab]

I also thought Roberts was best player on pitch, why wasn't Ireland playing. I'm just relieved

I hope it wasn't down your trouser leg!

[Chris Smith]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Indeed ideally you want a combination of both, a la Swansea. In the long run it's good performances that will lead to consistently good results.

Key phrase being 'in the long run', this lot have been together for 5 minutes.

[MarkM]

In conclusion, thank fuck we won. All the people complaining about the performance - after the United game, YOU were the people refusing to take any positives from the performance, insisting that the result was all that matters. You should be happy now then.

in fairness, that's nonsense.

There were plenty of us who thought last nights performance was poor but saw positives in not just the Man U game, but lots of other games, too.

It's not some Lord of the Flies arrangement with two opposing camps, style v results.

Indeed ideally you want a combination of both, a la Swansea. In the long run it's good performances that will lead to consistently good results.

Key phrase being 'in the long run', this lot have been together for 5 minutes.

Problem is we may not have 'the long run'

Although I am happy with last nights result there was nothing that really left me feelling like we have turned a corner and will start to climb out of trouble.

We laboured against a very very poor Reading we strugle to convert the few really good chances we get and look like we could concede against a concerted attack.

Had Reading been a slightly better side then there is a huge chance we would have lost, I hope things will get better I am just concerned that we are still too weak in the midfield and dodgy at times going backwards.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Was that our first league goal from a corner since about 1994?

I know Lowton's goal earlier this season could have been one, but didn't his ping around a bit before coming to him to hit?

Wasn't the goal against WBA as a result of a corner? From the corner it went back out wide for another cross and Bent scored - am I right? Does that count?

[Billy Walker]

I notice Reading have lost 1-0 away to West Brom and Liverpool this season, too, and they beat Everton at home 2-1 a couple of week's ago.  Looking at their other results, no team has actually gone out and given them a thrashing this season which would suggest they are a solid enough outfit set up not to get beaten.

Given the circumstances, this was a very good result for us.  Some folk say the sign of a good team is that it will get a win even when not firing on all cylinders and that's exactly what we managed to do last night.