West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Greg N'Ash]

First half I thought Gabby looked as good as I've seen him for a while.

aye. he's been bollocks for ages now and seems to have escaped a lot of flak for some reason. I hope this return to form isnot just because of who we were playing - he owes us some performances from now till May.

[MonsXI]

You all talk a good fight.

Somebody hold my coat!

[neo_Villan]

Holman should have been the one to have come on for Delph. In a deeper role he can be useful when we are under pressure due to his closing down. He is useless though in the advanced role. Offers nothing. Taking Zog off is yet another in a long list of poor substitutions by PL that have cost us. The game was end to end before he went off. They had pressure but we looked threatening on the counter. I have no confidence in PL keeping us up. He is just too tactically inept. What makes it even worse is that the Boggies weren't even that good in the second half. They gave it a go but there wasn't much end product. Most of their attacks resulted in wayward long shots. Fair play to them though, they showed the spirit and character that we haven't seen at Villa for ages.

[Proposition Joe]

I'm so relieved we didn't lose I'm not half as angry as everyone else here we threw away a 2 goal lead.

We won't get relegated for throwing away two goal leads. We are Aston Villa - throwing away two goal leads defines us. Our next crest should say AVFC - throw away two goal leads.

Back to the match: our front three were a joy to watch first half. I hope to see more of the same from Zog and Gabby, then I think we may start picking up.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm so relieved we didn't lose I'm not half as angry as everyone else here we threw away a 2 goal lead.

I imagine you are more concerned about your death today.

[mr woo]

Bannan is about as much use as a chocolate tea pot

Yep, once again, for his few qualities, he detracts so much from the team because of his shortcomings its not worth him being on the pitch. I saw a feature about Gordon Strachan on Football Focus today. THAT is the player wee Barry should be striving to replicate.

I'm afraid Strachan will be lacing his own (all be it, coaching) boots for the forseeable future. Bannan isn't fit to do so.

[Chris Smith]

Lambert cost us the game with that stupid substitution, unless N'Zogbia is injured.

He hadn't touched the ball for 10 minutes, not sure if he was injured or knackered but I think something needed to be done. Played very well first half though.

One of those clichéd "would have taken it before the game" results. If you're a glass half empty type you'll bemoan the points dropped, if you tend to the half full side of things then you'll be encouraged by a point against a team that would have gone sixth if they'd won.

[john e]

There ought to be a mod amnesty for an hour on the post match thread after every game where we can vent our spleens and have a right go at each other

It would be fuckin brill

[Rip Van We Go Again]

You all talk a good fight.

Did you call my pint a puff?

[Loxton01]

That game summed everything up for me!! At times we look great at others woeful!!

All of us can see the same things! We need a strong midfielder as Barry bannan must never play for us again! He is just hot enough when the chips are down he hides he adds abs nothing!!

The substitution of n zog was crazy he was the link man and doing Alot of good work today why take him off

The other must signing is a centre half baker off means Lowton to centr half he looked like a little boy lost!!

Positives return of vlarr n zog gabby Benteke Delph Westwood

Negatives bannan Holman Lowton

Lambert needs to stop being so naive as the 4 dropped points at Swansea and today will haunt us!

[PeterWithesShin]

Amen.

PWS are you going to let this go?

I'm assuming he was saying "amen" to leaving it there.

[TheTimVilla]

You all talk a good fight.

Did you call my pint a puff?

Did you spill my lass? Are you looking at my pint?

[Proposition Joe]

I'm so relieved we didn't lose I'm not half as angry as everyone else here we threw away a 2 goal lead.

I imagine you are more concerned about your death today.

Is that episode on today?

My nephew? The boy always was a disappointment.

[Mortimer's Bear]

I was.

[Louzie0]

Just got back. Fully expected West Brom to come back after that first half. Charles over dribbled into their penalty area and then they went up the far end and scored. Couldnt see it but others said Benteke lost his man for their second.

Agbonlahors best game for two seasons but he had two chances in the second half which could have sealed it for us.

Dont know why N'Zogbia came off. Equally I dont know why Holman and Bannan came on they didnt improve the team.

Lihaj is just not a top class player in any position.

I think a point was the limits of our expectations and we deserved it for Bentekes first half performance.

I expected WB to come back 2nd half.  Everybody did. What happens at half time in the Villa dressing-room?
CNZ came off for a change in tactics which didn't work but could have done.

Lichaj had his best match for ages.

Not the best time for Holman or Bannan but they have been better and we don't know their instructions!

What does happen in the Villa dressing room at half time?!
(PS if this ever gets posted - issues with the website disappearing - I would like to bet on Damon.)