Nathan Baker

[villan from luton]

Have to say I had my doubts about the lad, but he seems to have improved massively and is now a good asset to the club. Great to see all the young lads doing so well

[PaulWinch again]

He's looked really good lately, developing very nicely.

[darren woolley]

He will go on to be a top player he's playing well at the moment.

[DrGonzo]

He has come on in leaps and bounds this season, that cover challenge yesterday was superb.  Of curse it will take time for young players to get to grips with the standard of top level football, patience is a virtue.  We have shifted young defenders on too soon in the past, I'm glad Lambert isn't making the same mistake.

[LeeB]

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2739421,00.html

See nothing in there to credit Eck with any more than putting him into the side when he had too.

Indeed Oz.  Plus he calls him a "male model", which makes him a big bumder.

LOL

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Remember watching  him against Sunderland last season and he marked Bentner out the game. He is excellent in the air and is very composed under pressure. He was brilliant against the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' and i would put him as our first choice CB and let Clark and Vlaar battle it out for the other place. I know Bennet has been injured a lot but i think a pacy LB in |January would help our style of play ..... .....

[N'ZMAV]

Impressed with him.

[The Left Side]

He made some towering headers on Saturday.

[PeterWithesShin]

Nathan Baker is determined to cement his place in the centre of Villa's defence - after admitting he finally feels like a fully-fledged top-flight stopper.

Baker has impressed alongside fellow academy graduates Ciaran Clark and Chris Herd as part of a three-man defensive unit in recent weeks.

He is hoping to make his sixth consecutive appearance when Villa head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday.

The England U21 international has had brief spells in the first teamover the past two seasons and also spent time on loan at Lincoln City and Millwall.

Now Baker is starting to feel at home in the Barclays Premier League.

"I do feel comfortable in the Premier League now, yes," he said.

"I've obviously been out on loan a few times which was great for experience when you are young.

"But I'm a part of the first team squad and playing at the moment so hopefully I can stay part of it and keep going.

"I don't think there is a set number of games you have play to before you say 'right, I'm a Premier League player now'.

"It's just a matter of taking them one by one. Obviously you want to keep playing and playing.

"The manager has obviously given me my chance to play so hopefully I can impress him and carry on."

Baker believes the strong spirit among the younger players at the clubis vital in carrying Villa forward.

Lambert fielded six homegrown stars in Saturday's win at Anfield - all of whom played together at some stage in the reserves and youth ranks.

"We all grew up together and we all know what's what with each other so hopefully we can carry that on forwards," Baker added.

"The new lads have settled in really quickly as well."

[SoccerHQ]

Didn't he get done by the club for illegally selling on cup final tickets?

[Mister E]

Didn't he get done by the club for illegally selling on cup final tickets?

I believe so.
All part of growing up ....

[PeterWithesShin]

He did, on Facebook. Ended up banned from attending the final IIRC.

[Summers]

Be a massive turnaround for him when he lifts the cup.

[Somniloquism]

Either he is still injured and has been rushed back, he has been dragged down by the rest of the defence lack of confidence or he looked good when we played 5 but as with Clark, is found out when the chips are down.

[SoccerHQ]

I think he may have been rushed back. Must admit alarm bells were ringing by the Ipswich goal on Saturday. Either he misread it or Chopra outmuscled him, can't remeber but poor defending.

I do think in general he has looked more convincing this season than Clark who with every game is just looking more and more a lightweight liability in the centre.