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My word we are 8/13 to get relegated!
Surely not a surprise. We ahve the worst trend-record in the division, tkaing the last 12 months. We are in freefall.
As DW points out, though, we're still not adrift. and as PL says, we don't need many wins to get us sufficiently out of the mire.
But we do need to start the escape tunnel this weekend.
Yes its time to stand and deliver, games are running out and this is one of our most winnable ones. -
we simply must win tomorrow, the only thing that matters is the result no matter how we get it .
ASTON VILLA boss Paul Lambert called a crunch meeting with his squad in a bid to boost their survival mission.
Lambert got his players together and told them: We have to start winning ugly.
Villa have not tasted victory since December 15 — when they beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield — and are now second from bottom.
And ahead of Sunday’s clash at home to West Ham, Lambert said: “We had a chat the other day — they know what they have to do.
“We’re in a fight and it’s horrible but winning covers a multitude of sins. If you play poor and win, you’d take that.
“I know we’re in the entertainment business but sometimes that doesn’t get you anywhere.
“The effort of the players is there in abundance. We all believe they can do it.”
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My word we are 8/13 to get relegated!
As DW points out, though, we're still not adrift. and as PL says, we don't need many wins to get us sufficiently out of the mire.
But we do need to start the escape tunnel this weekend.
Yes we do. I saw signs last week and against Newcastle in the second half that there seems to be a bit of belief creeping back into the team. I think we'll win and have a frustrating 2 week wait until the next game which is normally the way. -
In March It will be 35 years ago that I went to my first Villa match. We beat West Ham 4-1.
The first game of 76/77 sticks in my mind, we beat them 4-0 on a boiling hot day.
If memory serves me correct, Ray Graydon chipped one over Mervyn Day. -
Winning ugly as opposed to losing or drawing ugly? Ok, let's try that option. But I've seen no evidence for the best part of two months that we possess sufficient mental strength to win a goldfish at the fair let alone an important game of football. Prove me wrong, Villa.
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The OS News section has made a huge effort. Good articles on Reo Coker and Dawkins, in particular. If the team put in as much effort, West Ham are in trouble.
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huge game, I think everyone knows we need to win this to have a chance of getting out of the relegation scrap. West Ham at home is possibly the best chance to break our winless streak. Huge game for the club, manager and for many of the players at the club this is the day they must stand up and be counted.
Worried about the physical presence of Nolan and Carroll, while Jarvis or Cole will be fancying their chances on the right against whoever we have left back. Think Baker needs to come in next to Vlaar though with Ciaran Clark by all accounts doing well for Ireland midweek, I think Lambert will give him another chance. Delph will come back in for sure. Id agree wit Brian Little, we need to go back to 433. Which probably means Weimann getting the short straw. However as an impact sub he has been very good of late so to have him in reserve is a positive too.
West Ham are hugely average and as Allardyce has said first goal in this game will be crucial. If they get it, I cant see us coming back to win. However I think we will just about get over the line, 3-2 to the Villa with a nervy last few minutes holding out having dominated the game completely.
Id go with
Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett
Westwood, Kea, Delph
Nzogbia, Benteke, Gabby -
By James Nursey | 09/02/13
Paul Lambert is urging his young Aston Villa side to become streetwise and use “tricks” to avoid relegation.
Struggling Villa have blown two-goal leads three times this season to drop vital points.
Last weekend, Villa led 3-1 at Everton only to concede a last-gasp equaliser in their 3-3 draw.
The Brummies also lost 3-2 at home to Manchester United in November, despite being 2-0 up and drew at 2-2 at West Brom last month after a dominant first half.
Now, frustrated boss Lambert wants his inexperienced side to start playing dirty to close out games with cynical tactics.
He said: “We were so close to having a hell of a result up there at Everton. Just at the minute they have to see games through. If they can do that then they will win.
“I am pretty sure through experience they will certainly do it. I think you have to try and use every trick in the book to try to win the game. I am sure the lads will learn from that side of it.
“We tried in the last couple of minutes to go into the corners at Everton and keep them up their end of the pitch.
“We just never saw it through.”
With Villa now fighting relegation at the foot of the Premier League, Lambert has been left to rue those dropped points badly.
And he is anxious that Villa, who also conceded a stoppage-time equaliser at Swansea, are not left citing hard luck stories at the end of the campaign.
He added: “If you look at the Manchester United game, West Brom, Everton – even Swansea. Those points would have taken you up.
“You don’t want near misses all the time – you have to try and get results.”
But despite the club’s plight, the Scot insists he has not discussed relegation with his squad at their Bodymoor Heath training ground.
Lambert, who is targeting five or six wins from their 13 remaining games, said: “We have not spoken about it. I think that would be a defeatist attitude. That is something I don’t want to create.
“I am not going to talk about that – there are still loads of games to go. If you do that it brings negativity, especially when there are 13 games to go.
“I am not a negative person and you try and install that. My belief has never wavered.”
Last week’s results have left Villa 19th in the Premier League ahead of a weekend that includes Sunday’s home game against West Ham.
But Lambert insists his squad are not being mentally affected by their plight in the drop zone.
He added: “I have not sensed that at all.” -
Someone needs to tell Vlaar that looking like a big hard bastard isn't enough, on Sunday he will need to play like a big hard bastard!
Does he look like a "big hard bastard" ?
I think that he looks like Chris O'Donnell
I think that the (now inappropriate) "Concrete" nickname and a surname that sounds like a Klingon warlord gave us false expectations of Ron. -
Lambo will not drop Clark after he had that advice from Hansen and also scored for Ireland. I'm expecting him to go for:
Guzan - Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Bennett - KEA, Sylla - Gabby, Charlie, Weimann - Benteke
He may choose Baker at left back if he wants a larger player to counter the threat from West Ham. Westwood may be unwell, but if not he'll have him over KEA. I also expect Dawkins to get at least a sub appearance, after all of the PR on the OS this week. -
My word we are 8/13 to get relegated!
Surely not a surprise. We ahve the worst trend-record in the division, tkaing the last 12 months. We are in freefall.
As DW points out, though, we're still not adrift. and as PL says, we don't need many wins to get us sufficiently out of the mire.
But we do need to start the escape tunnel this weekend.
Yes its time to stand and deliver, games are running out and this is one of our most winnable ones.
Yep, it time to stop playing like Prince Charming and just go for it. Remember, ridicule is nothing to be scared of. -
Lambo will not drop Clark after he had that advice from Hansen and also scored for Ireland. I'm expecting him to go for:
Guzan - Lowton, Clark, Vlaar, Bennett - KEA, Sylla - Gabby, Charlie, Weimann - Benteke
He may choose Baker at left back if he wants a larger player to counter the threat from West Ham. Westwood may be unwell, but if not he'll have him over KEA. I also expect Dawkins to get at least a sub appearance, after all of the PR on the OS this week.
I'd like to see him start Delph and Sylla in the middle if Westwood is out. -
In March It will be 35 years ago that I went to my first Villa match. We beat West Ham 4-1.
The first game of 76/77 sticks in my mind, we beat them 4-0 on a boiling hot day.
If memory serves me correct, Ray Graydon chipped one over Mervyn Day.
The only match my (now) wife has ever attended - it is referred to as "the match where they threw bricks at us". This was the spawning day of the ICF and we ran into them three times that day - just lucky I guess ;-0 It was the only time my Father agreed with fighting at a match - "I hope you gave those animals a good hiding"
Hapy daze -
Someone needs to tell Vlaar that looking like a big hard bastard isn't enough, on Sunday he will need to play like a big hard bastard!
Does he look like a "big hard bastard" ?
I think that he looks like Chris O'Donnell
I think that the (now inappropriate) "Concrete" nickname and a surname that sounds like a Klingon warlord gave us false expectations of Ron.
I understand he collect modern art and writes operettas... -
If Westy is out, Sylla needs to start.