West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Bottom Right 89]

In the end we hung on to a point which was positive and keeps us above the line, ok so we should have been 3 up at the break but as soon as the first albion goal went in so early I feared a defeat was on the cards which would have been harsh they didn't deserve a point let alone 3 - loads of good performances particularly Ron Vlaar, Bennett, Delph, NZogbia, Benteke and Gabby in the first half.

The first 45 minutes were as good as any I have seen from Villa for a long time if we can steam into Bradford and Newcastle like that we'll be ok.

What about that prick lobbing snowballs at Joe Bennett? They really are a tedious bunch, great performance by our lot really put them back in their box. Based on todays evidence I wouldn't rule out the possibility of finishing above them, absolute garbage and to think it wan't long ago they were starting to talk about finishing in the top 6.

[LeeB]

I was right, that cheating ****** Brunt blocked off Lowton right in front of the ref in the build up to the first goal.

Probert was useless, the jug eared twat.

[bob]

We have to sign an experienced defender.

When we concede it's like a switch is flipped and any control we have in the game evaporates. As good as the first half was, it was not enough and as soon as we conceded we immediately struggled and the defence was a mess.

It cannot continue any longer.

[Chipsticks]

Benteke's goal went at 68mph according to MotD. Impressive!

[KevinGage]

I'd be more than happy with 3/4 defenders coming in.

Guzan -who has done well this season- had a mare for the 2nd.  A soft corner to concede, particularly with our well documented problems from set pieces.

[olaftab]

I like the way BBC commentator dubbing on commentary post match sounds ever so wise!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

From what I could see Olson had completely free header for the second we conceded.

He wrestled Benteke to the ground before finding himself in acres of space. I'm sure if it had been the other way round, the ref would have given them a penalty as he gave us next to nothing tonight.

Much as I suspected. Olson completely wrapped his arms round Benteke at another corner. Lukaku was pulling two players' shirts at one of their corners in the 1st half. If I can see it from the stand why can't the officials? Players don't even seem to disguise it!It's obvious!
I can only assume there is some kind of secret directive to refs to ignore shirt-tugging, pulling and pushing at corners because it's a bit contentious.
F***in cowards!!! And lets the cheats - especially Olson - get away with cheating game after game.

Sorry. Just seen it on MOTD. It was McCauley who shoves Benteke to the ground for the second goal. Perhaps the ref was so focussed on letting Olson get away with murder he missed the blatant push by McCauley.

[olaftab]

I was right, that cheating c*** Brunt blocked off Lowton right in front of the ref in the build up to the first goal.

Probert was useless, the jug eared twat.

However if Lowton had got on with his job rather that barging him and having a word Lukaku wouldn't have had all the time in the world to lay off the ball as he did.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I was right, that cheating c*** Brunt blocked off Lowton right in front of the ref in the build up to the first goal.

Probert was useless, the jug eared twat.

Yep. Interesting that on MOTD commentator says ref had clocked it - then took no action!!!???

[Dave Clark Five]

I thought the N'Zogbia sub was right personally but he made it far far too early. Around the 75-80 minute mark would have been better.

Delph was great until he went off and that's when the game seemed to start to slip away from us. What we needed was an experienced holding midfielder to come on in his place, not Bannan. Thought we were great first half though and i hope that gives us confidence going into the next few games. We really did play some good stuff.

Very good points there. I had the same opinion regarding the timing of Charles going off. At least we now have people actually wanting him to stop on, because he looks interested. That pass to Gabby was sublime.

[TonyD]

Mods.

Please get the Bradford Pre match thread on!

Time for us ALL to get together!!!!!!0

[brontebilly]

agreed with the general consensus that the timing of Nzogbia's subsitution was wrong. There was no need to make it after 66 mins. Lambert maybe showed his inexperience there. Arguably it was Gabby that was flagging more so at that stage of the game. Unfortunately the two subs brought on, Bannan and Holman were complete passengers. Bannan decent when he came on last time, anonymous this time around. No consistency with him.

First half was the best we have played in a very long time. We looked a top 6 side. Everyone looking to keep the ball, huge threat up top. Benteke's goal was unbelievable but it was the ease in which we got Gabby's which was so impressive. Lambert certainly got the team selection right. Not many would have given Nzogbia a chance after his performance against Southampton the week before. Hopefully that is the start of him becoming a good player for the club. Gabby too was like going back in time. Outstanding in the first hour. Between them both we should have scored the killer third, Gabby's effort when he put it straight at Foster was disappointing.

To be fair Clarke made decent changes. Thomas on the left improved matters as did Odemwingie moving up top. Lowton was exposed horribly in the second half I thought for his lack of physical strength. if ever a player needs a spell out of the side it is him. Vlaar was solid enough as was Clark I thought. Much better from Bennett though it was car crash defending from him near the end from Foster's goal kick. Delph put another decent performance and Westwood certainly impressed in the first half. Disappointed that he disappeared a bit after Delph went on. His lack of pace was exposed for the first goal. I was happy enough with Lichaj when he came on. Thought he was solid at right back while Guzan did well again. Benteke falling at the crucial moment for the second was incredibly disappointing. Thats becoming a habit with him defensively that needs to be ironed out asap.

Very disappointing to play that well in the first half but only pick up a point. Tuesday night is pretty crucial for us now from a momentum point of view. We need a physical presence in midfield in asap.

[Lobsterboy]

Happy with a point, even in the context of us losing a two goal lead and definitely more positives than negatives to be taken from this one

Gabby, Vlaar, Benteke, Delph, Bennett and N'Zogbia were all big plusses

Two of our three substitutions were forced on us and I understand Lambert's thinking behind resting N'Zogbia but sadly neither Holman nor Bannan did anything of note (if I am being honest they were piss poor today)

We started the day in the bottom three and ended the day out of it; that at least is something to be thankful for given our current plight

Hope to see that first half replicated against Bradford on Tuesday

[mr woo]

So our fans join in their minute's applause before the game and then they mock the 19th minute.... just proves who has the class - as bad a s Small Time Small Heath.... Albion - that is why you will never be a great club - shame.

At the end of the day, their fans are just fucking stupid. They think that by clapping they're applauding a Villa player, rather than a footballer who has cancer.

Or to put it another way, a human-being suffering from a life threatening illness.

[kippaxvilla2]

We pick ourselves up right about now and go again brother, right about now, we pick ourselves up right about now, we pick ourselves up and go again, pickpickpickpickpickpick right about now we pick ourselves up and go again, right about now, we pick ourselves up and go again go again go again gain gain gain. The funk so Villa, right about now