Chelsea v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Lambert and Payne]

RT

Phil Dowd is so fat.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

Holman and Wiemann anonymous, Bannan needs to stop thinking he's Sid Cowans.

[JUAN PABLO]

The inexperience is showing today.

Yep, and some lack of quality too and to be fair I can forgive both.  Teams know our left back position is vulnerable and every team we've played in the past month has headed that way so Lichaj along with Herd fall into the latter category - certainly in the positions they are currently playing.

If I were Lambert, I'd move to a back found, throw Ireland on and remind Benteke about how the offside rule works.  We need to get a lot more aggressive in our pressing and tackling too - we look like we're a bit in awe at times. 

Id go with that . blimey keep agreeing with Riggy

[Rigadon]

For every Liverpool or Swansea, there's a Southampton. I think people were expecting a bit much after the last couple of games.

Maybe so, but nobody can be happy with being 3-0 down after half an hour when Chelsea haven't really had to play out of 2nd gear.  We look like the team who have travelled around the world in the last week. 

I hope we can save on the wailing and gnashing of teeth. There'll be more matches like this, this season. I don't agree Chelsea have been in second gear, they've been playing at a high pace.

One thing I can agree on is that we can't go on with Herd and Lichaj in the side for too much longer.

That's a little patronising Matt if you don't mind me saying so.  I don't think I was wailing and I'm well sure my teeth aren't gnashing.  My point was that, despite our inexperience and lack of depth of quality, it still hurts being battered by anybody. 

[Goldie.7]

Vlaar come back please.

Vlaar is not all that does 5-0 ring any bells.

[PaulWinch again]

He's a lot better than Herd and more importantly is experieced. He's also our best centre half.

[Rigadon]

The inexperience is showing today.

Yep, and some lack of quality too and to be fair I can forgive both.  Teams know our left back position is vulnerable and every team we've played in the past month has headed that way so Lichaj along with Herd fall into the latter category - certainly in the positions they are currently playing.

If I were Lambert, I'd move to a back found, throw Ireland on and remind Benteke about how the offside rule works.  We need to get a lot more aggressive in our pressing and tackling too - we look like we're a bit in awe at times. 

Id go with that . blimey keep agreeing with Riggy

You know it makes sense Pably

[arnie66]

Phil Dowd is so fat.

I think he is getting fatter as the game goes on......I hate the fat twunt (can't blame him for today's poor performance tho)

....well I suppose we could....  oi Dowd you fat useless twat

[JUAN PABLO]

just thought , is Nzogbia injured AGAIN ??

[Steve R]

I wouldn't say Chelsea were in 2nd gear. We certainly are. The crazy thing is they have had just 6 goal attempts in the half and have put away 3.

Collective kick in the arse for the entire team. We are better than this. Go out and win 2nd half.

[oldham_villa]

We simply haven't recovered from a very nervy start.

Chelsea remain a very tall team, and are bullying us.

You sense the media will be loving this. Sod em, lets keep developing. We will get there

[Matt Collins]

For every Liverpool or Swansea, there's a Southampton. I think people were expecting a bit much after the last couple of games.

Maybe so, but nobody can be happy with being 3-0 down after half an hour when Chelsea haven't really had to play out of 2nd gear.  We look like the team who have travelled around the world in the last week. 

I hope we can save on the wailing and gnashing of teeth. There'll be more matches like this, this season. I don't agree Chelsea have been in second gear, they've been playing at a high pace.

One thing I can agree on is that we can't go on with Herd and Lichaj in the side for too much longer.

That's a little patronising Matt if you don't mind me saying so.  I don't think I was wailing and I'm well sure my teeth aren't gnashing.  My point was that, despite our inexperience and lack of depth of quality, it still hurts being battered by anybody. 

Sorry, I can see that. I think it was more in anticipation of a bunch of half time angst. I agree yours was probably a fairly balanced view!

[PaulWinch again]

Doesn't look like any changes, very surprised. Herd and Lichaj should have gone.

[PeterWithesShin]

No HT changes.

[Jimbo]

A better half now please Villa.