Aston Villa v Stoke City Post-Match Thread

[Monty]

Interesting day out. Great to get my old grandad out for his first game in ages since he got quite ill, which kind of put the whole game in perspective for me. Didn't stop me (or grandad!) going mental at the so-called footballers masquerading in red and white stripes, who are the worst and most offensively awful team I have ever seen. Where to start with them: Jones clothes-lining Guzan, unsanctioned; the penalty Lowton could have had were it not for his honesty; the constant arms and shoulders and elbows and shirt-pulling and everything. Honestly, I don't care if anyone wants to hoof the ball forward all the time - as we saw today, it's a pretty shit way to attack, so I'm quite happy to see it against Villa if anything - but the fouling, niggling, time-wasting, game-ruining stuff is what could justifiably be labelled anti-football, not the long-balls.

That said, I was pleased with us. Westwood is just great - the flick over what's-his-name's head was Zidane-esque - and Bannan was positive before he faded, and Delph dynamic when he came on. Holman is so lovable, and did some great stuff today as well as some frustrating stuff. The defence were all solid (particularly impressed with Herd, especially on the ball), and the system of a tight five becoming the most spread out defence ever with the ball was good to watch. Guzan didn't have much to do, but boy he does it well when needed.

There were negatives however: though Ireland improved greatly after a naff start coming off the bench, Bent really did nothing. I know people will say that's because the ball never went near him in the box, but that's not really good enough - we looked less likely to create chances when he was on, let alone starting to think about finishing them. He's not right for us at all, and we should probably sell to finance the signing of an attacking midfielder or skillful inside-forward-wingy types, who really would add quality where it is sorely lacking.

Other negatives: though Benteke was physically a handful and often fun, his touch let him down today overall. Gabby faded after a bright first half where every time he got the ball Stoke shat themselves - Weimann would probably have been the better choice to replace him (though isn't everything lovely and clear in hindsight!). Lichaj did many good things defensively, and is a perfectly decent full-back, but his complete absence of a left-foot showed today.

Nice things to say about the Stokies? From across the ground they seemed to be very good about the 19th minute applause. That's it really.

Overall - perfectly decent draw, but we need to turn these games into wins, and soon.

[timeoutbigbar]

Having had a bit of time to reflect, we dominated the game, kept a notoriously physical side extremely quiet with an inexperienced defence and should really have won.  Lets not forget, they beat the stripy Brazil in their last away game...

[FrankyH]

Westwood must be one of the first names on the teamsheet at the moment.Thought Baker was very solid aswell.One of the most pleasing things about the game was that our young side weren't bossed about by Stoke's Alehouse football mentality.Clark's tackle on Kenwyne Jones, just before halftime, epitomised this when the whole Villa team jumped into the melee to defend their team mate.

You mean the tackle on Showcross and Jones had a go him ... Yes Clarky "did" him!

Yes, I stand corrected.Clark and Baker seem to have a knack of taking out a player and still winning a freekick for themselves.That was one of the instances today when the Ref's poor display went in our favour.

Watch it on MotD, Jones pushed Clark in the back, which was what we got the foul for, and Clark lost his footing and went into Shawcross.

Just watched MOTD , Clark looked like he might have had a little nudge.Loved the way he followed through though.Baker & Clark, despite their age as a pairing ain't a soft touch and they will hopefully only get better.

[silhillvilla]

It's a good point no doubt, just would have loved to beat that abortion of a club.

[timeoutbigbar]

It's a good point no doubt, just would have loved to beat that abortion of a club.

Couldn't have put it more offensively myself.  Good work.

[tomd2103]

Having had a bit of time to reflect, we dominated the game, kept a notoriously physical side extremely quiet with an inexperienced defence and should really have won.  Lets not forget, they beat the stripy Brazil in their last away game...

That's stretching it a little!

[Matt C]

Well, I got a pre-match prediction right for once.

We're certainly improving but our lack of a goal threat is the problem Lambert needs to address in January if we're to pull away from the bottom three. Westwood looks like quite a find.

[russon]

Interesting day out. Great to get my old grandad out for his first game in ages since he got quite ill, which kind of put the whole game in perspective for me. Didn't stop me (or grandad!) going mental at the so-called footballers masquerading in red and white stripes, who are the worst and most offensively awful team I have ever seen. Where to start with them: Jones clothes-lining Guzan, unsanctioned; the penalty Lowton could have had were it not for his honesty; the constant arms and shoulders and elbows and shirt-pulling and everything. Honestly, I don't care if anyone wants to hoof the ball forward all the time - as we saw today, it's a pretty shit way to attack, so I'm quite happy to see it against Villa if anything - but the fouling, niggling, time-wasting, game-ruining stuff is what could justifiably be labelled anti-football, not the long-balls.

That said, I was pleased with us. Westwood is just great - the flick over what's-his-name's head was Zidane-esque - and Bannan was positive before he faded, and Delph dynamic when he came on. Holman is so lovable, and did some great stuff today as well as some frustrating stuff. The defence were all solid (particularly impressed with Herd, especially on the ball), and the system of a tight five becoming the most spread out defence ever with the ball was good to watch. Guzan didn't have much to do, but boy he does it well when needed.

There were negatives however: though Ireland improved greatly after a naff start coming off the bench, Bent really did nothing. I know people will say that's because the ball never went near him in the box, but that's not really good enough - we looked less likely to create chances when he was on, let alone starting to think about finishing them. He's not right for us at all, and we should probably sell to finance the signing of an attacking midfielder or skillful inside-forward-wingy types, who really would add quality where it is sorely lacking.

Other negatives: though Benteke was physically a handful and often fun, his touch let him down today overall. Gabby faded after a bright first half where every time he got the ball Stoke shat themselves - Weimann would probably have been the better choice to replace him (though isn't everything lovely and clear in hindsight!). Lichaj did many good things defensively, and is a perfectly decent full-back, but his complete absence of a left-foot showed today.

Nice things to say about the Stokies? From across the ground they seemed to be very good about the 19th minute applause. That's it really.

Overall - perfectly decent draw, but we need to turn these games into wins, and soon.

Bostin piece of writing mate and loving the positivity. I hope your Grandad's finding some peace during this tough time.

[brian green]

I am sorry but I do not think Ireland brings anything to the team when he plays.   He shows occasional flashes of brilliance but that is all, and for every clever and incisive thing he does he makes an equally sloppy mistake.   I cannot recall a player in recent years who has been given such latitude to prove himself.  If he had not been so impressive at City as a very young player he would find it hard to get a regular place in a premiership team.   He gets chances because of the player he used to be.  I don't think we can afford the luxury of attempting his rehabilitation any longer.   If he could score a goal or two it might make a difference but he does not and, like I say, he brings nothing to the team when he plays, in my opinion.

[eastie]

I am sorry but I do not think Ireland brings anything to the team when he plays.   He shows occasional flashes of brilliance but that is all, and for every clever and incisive thing he does he makes an equally sloppy mistake.   I cannot recall a player in recent years who has been given such latitude to prove himself.  If he had not been so impressive at City as a very young player he would find it hard to get a regular place in a premiership team.   He gets chances because of the player he used to be.  I don't think we can afford the luxury of attempting his rehabilitation any longer.   If he could score a goal or two it might make a difference but he does not and, like I say, he brings nothing to the team when he plays, in my opinion.

Was very surprised to find Ireland has scored just once in his last 70 league games, for a so called creative midfielder that is a very poor return- we need someone to score and create goals from the attacking midfield area and a quality striker who can play out wide as well.

[London Villan]

Im still amazed ireland won player of the year last season...

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Stoke players generally (and Jones in particular) were squaring up to and trying to provoke our players all afternoon - Guzan, Clarke, Baker, etc. Don't remember them trying to provoke Benteke though. Cowards !

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

It was a bit like soft core porn - some nice build up, pleasing on the eye, occasionally arousing but ultimately no penetration. I actually enjoyed the match and after all the talk of our kids being bullied was very happy to see them deal extremely effectively with Stoke. Thought they showed some real maturity. We desperately need a couple of players in January to give us some cutting edge but there is a decent team in the making.

Went out for a drink/curry afterwards in town and a West Brom fan came up to me to moan about Stoke.

[saunders_heroes]

Stoke were dreadful and they barely crossed the half way line till the last 20 mins. Benteke was very poor.
The only positive is that we didn't lose, but we really should have won yesterday. We could really regret that what with a really difficult Xmas fixture list.

[Big Dick Edwards]

I was impressed with the team's performance overall. Lambert got his tactics right against a physically tough side who never had a single shot on goal. I thought Nathan Baker was outstanding at the back and the midfield played some nice football. Unfortunately we have a difficulty creating and scoring goals. Our problem positions now are the two slots either side of Benteke. Those players have a difficult job but are required to put in a shift defensively while also having the energy to be close enough to Benteke to offer a threat. Gabby works hard but rarely looks like scoring so I'd still like to believe N'Zogbia could fill the left sided role. On the right side I was thinking of the perfect player to suit our strategy while I was watching the game yesterday - Theo Walcott. He's available in theory but it ain't going to happen is it?