Aston Villa v Stoke City Post-Match Thread

[Brian Taylor]

12th if we had won!! Don't want to see where we are stuck!

[PaulWinch again]

Stoke are just a dreadful horrible side.

[ez]

We were the better side overall.  I reckon we are performing like a mid table side now. Defence was excellent. Another clean sheet. Did Guzan have a save to make?

[johncvilla88]

12th if we had won!! Don't want to see where we are stuck!

No we would of stayed on 15th unless you can do magic and give us 4 points for a win!

[Brian Taylor]

12th if we had won!! Don't want to see where we are stuck!

No we would of stayed on 15th unless you can do magic and give us 4 points for a win!

Right oh..I'll get the abacus out..ain't where I want to be..We do not have a clue, still do not have a clue, how to get the ball up to forwards. bring back Robbie Keane!!

[johncvilla88]

Now 3 tough games Liverpool (A), Chelsea (A) and Tottenham (H)

[supertom]

Not a great game. Pretty much had a 0-0 written all over it. I'll take the positives though, and our defence is beginning to click. For me, Baker's come in and done exceptionally well. He's dominating and steady, and in truth, we're looking better without Vlaar at the minute. I'd like to keep with this back 3 as is for now. Herd did well. Clark skippered brilliantly and was superb.
For me, special mention to Lichaj. After such a poor game last time out, and having struggled in recent weeks, his head could have dropped but I thought he equitted himself very well. He's clearly only a temp measure in that position, but he did well. Lowton was steady as always.
Bannan impressed me. Thought he was good. He and Westwood work well together. We lost balanced when Delph came on.
Holman worked hard but his industry is wasted in a game like this when you're crying out for invention.
Benteke was lively. As good as he's been, he just needs to sharpen his finishing, and know when to bring out the spectacular. He needs to score more.
Now Gabby. I think today was some indication as to why he plays. Always involved. The end product isn't always there. But he gets involved. He wins throws, free kicks, corners up the top end with his running. When he left, Bent came on and didn't touch the ball. Likewise, Benteke then went a little quiet.
Ireland struggled a little to get into the pace of the game.
January we need some decent attacking signings. Another frontman, a creative midfielder.

We're getting there though.

[Brian Taylor]

Why don't you just say ..here we stay til the next shite game/draw.

[oldham_villa]

Does anyone think we could have got away with Delph at left wing back today? Would have been much better going forward

[frank black]

defence were terrific, thought bannan and westwood looked good. Not Gabby and Bentekes best games.

We are starting to look more organised and a decent team. Add a couple in Jan and we will be fine.

[Caiphus]

 where the fuck were the referee's cards in the first half. We were untroubled all game and are starring to look like a solid side. Just need to find a cutting edge.  We were 9 shots to 1 with 67% possession...

3 or 4 Westwood style signings in January please Mr Lambert.

[Nastylee]

People will point to the subs but we didn't create much in the second half prior to that. It seems most chances come from Benteke muscling himself a half chance, which he misses more often that not. Ireland didn't stamp any authority on the game, which in turn left Bent isolated. Defence held strong against their physical, direct approach and they had 0 attempts on target. At least the defence appears to have tightened up in recent games, now if only we could score.

[django]

If we just had a bit of quality out wide (N'Zog on Wigan form?), and in central midfield (Arteta type) we would be fine. As it is, encouraging signs but wouldn't be surprised to see its in bottom 3 at xmas.

[Irish villain]

Now 3 tough games Liverpool (A), Chelsea (A) and Tottenham (H)

Hope we can get at least a point... .I remember saying we needed to be on 19 points by the end of 2012 the  annus horribilis.

[peter w]

We are harder to break down because we have Westwood and Bannan screening the back 4. Something they do very well. Where we clearly lackisin creativity. Neither Holman nor Ireland have done enough behind Benteke as its their job to create and they're not doing so. Neither did either player get into the box when required to do so. More than any other position I'd address this in January. Stoke were there for the taking and our lack of penetration from midfield was glaring. 

As for the team individually I thought Baker was superb. The whole defence played well and won just about everything in the air. Also, Lowton and Westwood did well. Need more from Bannan but he was okay. Just irked that we couldn't take 3 points because they were there for us.