Aston Villa v Ipswich Town Post-Match Thread

[E I Adio]

Here are the goals crappy quality didn't have time to adjust for high res!! ctrl & - for better quality

http://tinypic.com/r/34999w1/6

Wtf was Lichaj doing!

Thanks for posting that. Two good goals by the look of it, but the og looked a bit strange.

[JPartington]

There's certainly a good player there in Bennett, looks extremly jittery though. Will hopefully settle down as a more assured defence plays alongside him.

Baker's distribution is pretty terrible and certainly impacts on the whole team ability to knock it around.

Delph played much better than I've seen him play in a long time today, didn't crab over the ball as much as normal. Hopefully his confidence will continue to grow.

Looked dangerous in the first 5 minutes but I lost count of the number of times that nzogbia lost simple possession. He really is a poor player. Him and albrighton can be put in the same pot really, can be dangerous given space, but don't have the general class and composure to play in a dominating premier league side.

Agree with the comments on Gabby providing a real outlet. His availability and muscle down the flanks leads to easy possession which we can build from.

Pleased with Bannan as always really, never ever hides from the ball, which is vital considering the teams brittle confidence.

[Summers]

Oof. Weimann's header was word class.

[citizenDJ]

Oof. Weimann's header was word class.

It was certainly no goalmouth scrabble.

[caster troy]

Didn't see the game but that's a good result considering we went behind. Glad to hear Bennett getting some praise as he's been disappointing so far for me. It's a relief to get a few back from injury, just need Vlaar now and some shrewd business in the transfer window and we could see a much better second half of the season.

[PeterWithesShin]

Amazingly, despite sitting next to Legion for the game i'm back home in one piece!

Did what we had to do, made it harder than it should have been at times and could also have won by more but their keeper made 2 or 3 cracking saves. In the pot for the next round which is all that matters.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert hailed the contributions of returning trio Darren Bent, Charles N'Zogbia and Gabby Agbonlahor after Villa overcame Ipswich in the third round of the FA Cup.

Lambert handed starts to Bent and N'Zogbia, who have been out of action with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Both produced lively displays with Bent scoring an equaliser early in the second-half.

Agbonlahor also came off the bench and played a part in fellow substitute Andreas Weimann's winning strike.

"Darren came back along with Charles and Gabby," said the Villa boss.

"Those three lads only really trained yesterday and have been out for a long time so that was really pleasing, especially with the way they played as well.

"Charles N'Zogbia is certainly a talent, there is no two ways about it.

"It was a big thing for him to play because he has been out for well over six weeks.

"That first goal was Darren Bent down to a tee, but I thought his game was very good, his whole work ethic and the way he played. His finish was top class."

Lambert was pleased that his side never panicked despite falling behind when Michael Chopra's shot went in off Eric Lichaj.

"The onus is always on the home team, especially when you play against a team from a different division," he said.

"It is always tough and it is the first hurdle you've got to overcome.

"Then you go a goal down, but all credit to them. But I thought we deserved to go through.

"The first goal gave us a little setback but we never panicked and kept on playing the way we were and I thought the first goal was exceptional."

Lambert shuffled his pack with Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg in mind, although he had to call on match-winner Weimann sooner than expected because of an injury to Marc Albrighton.

The Scotsman described it as a "massive effort" from the players who came in to the side.

"We changed it today - we left out Christian along with Matty and Chris because they needed a break as well," Lambert added.

"We left out a few lads to give them a break and I was delighted with everyone that came in, I thought it was a massive effort.

"I wanted to give Andi a rest as well but he came on because of Marc's injury, probably sooner than we anticipated.

"Andi is in a rich vein of form at the minute. He looks so confident that he came score."

Lambert expects Ron Vlaar to be out for "a couple more weeks", while he is awaiting further news on Albrighton's foot injury.

"Albrighton has kick on his metatarsal - the same injury he had at the beginning of the season," said the boss.

"I don't know if it is fractured or anything like that but it is roughly about the same area."

[Olof's Beard]

So am I the only one who though N'Zogbia was our best player?  He did go out of the game for a period in the middle part of the game but some his movement was excellent and he gave us something we have not had all season - pace and direct running.  Very promising signs for me.

It just felt so much "safer" watching a Villa team where there was a bit of experience in Bent, N'Zogbia, Gabby etc.  I thought the latter looked really hungry when he came on and caused them no end of problems with his pace and strength.  We have really missed having genuine pace in the side and looked so much better for it today.

Special mentions to Bennett, who looked a lot more comfortable in a back four and put some great crosses in, Weimann for another fantastic finish and Given who has a great attitude and kept us in the Cup with a world class save.

Onwards and upwards.  Hopefully.

[OCD]

No way should we sell Darren Bent, he knows where the net is,sod the wage bill.

The wages are at a good level now, it's just that before he wasn't contributing enough to our play (compare to Benteke). It sounds as though he's been working on his game and wants to be involved so he might be a better player now. His finishing certainly won't be doubted.

[Legion]

N'Zogbia and Baker impressed me a lot. Given was impressive and he made an excellent save. Weimann took his goal well. Ireland is definitely a weak link.

[PeterWithesShin]

I thought Zog looked good as well. Plenty of effort from him as well. Baker was impressive again I thought, second half especially (as i'm Lower North so actually get to see when the ball is this end) he was on the end of so many crosses etc. Real no nonsense defender. We look much better when he's playing.

[Brian Taylor]

Great result. We can do well here if no further injuries and we get another player(s) in who is not cup-tied.

[silhillvilla]

Just home from the game. Thoroughly enjoyed the win. Sat in North Lower for a change, well worth the £10.
Worthy mentions for Zog, Bent, Bowery Bennett and Weimann. Ref had a good game. We lost the HT zorb race to Ipswich, oh well.

[eastie]

Lots of positives today and nice to be back to winning ways , the injury list is clearing nicely so lets hope   2 or 3 quality additions can be bought and we can look forward to a good finish to the season .

Two huge games in the next week but we are looking in better shape ready for the challenge that awaits.

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

[Risso]

Here are the goals crappy quality didn't have time to adjust for high res!! ctrl & - for better quality

http://tinypic.com/r/34999w1/6

Wtf was Lichaj doing!

Thanks for posting that. Two good goals by the look of it, but the og looked a bit strange.

Yes, well done for posting.  Two very good goals.  Special header from Weimann that.