Aston Villa v West Ham United Post-Match Thread

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great decision by the ref for the penalty. It was like going top of the league, winning today. I am delighted for N'Zogbia that there was nobody else on the pitch ready to snatch the ball off him for the free kick.

I thought one of the reasons the West Ham wall failed to jump was they expected Vlaar to smash the ball from the free kick.
Delighted for N'Zogbia. Ever since I said I never want to see him in a Villa shirt again, he's really raised his game. Hopefully the goal will give him even more confidence and he'll continue to prove what a good player he can be.

[Somniloquism]

Special mention to Bent. That goal line clearance could be invaluable come the end of the season. Felt it worth a mention as i've given him stick in the past so credit where it's due.

Totally agree, although his needless foul when putting Benteke through probably cost us another goal.

[PeterWithesShin]

You could hear the tackle that Baker got booked for.
It was a cracker.

I had a great view of it from the Lower North. Took everything. Not sure he needed to make the challenge but feck me it was old skool.

[rob_bridge]

Sorry.  That was simply a terrible game between two very very poor teams.  We will be lucky to play against a team as bad as WHU in what remains of the season.  We are going down. 

Dear Lord...

He may be right but just for ONE day enjoy the win. We have games left against other poor teams too

[Fergal]

I am going to kidnap allardyce and reverse over him in my car

That's one hell of a speed bump..

[Somniloquism]

After Weimann missed that early open goal I really thought it wasn't going to be our day. Pretty flat first half and very flat atmosphere. West Ham looked like they'd come for a point and didn't really offer a threat until the last 10 minutes then it was all hands to the pump to repel the inevitable aerial bombardment, and thank fcuk we've got Brad Guzan in goal. Thought we defended pretty well, although we still give away far too many unnecessary free kicks. Not sure what Bowery can offer - looked out of his depth - Gabby in that position would have had a field day. Didn't see enough of Sylla to form an opinion. Men of the match for me were Delph and, for his heroics at the end, Guzan. Massive 3 points

Gabby has been playing at the top level all his career. Bowery has not although if he was fit, Gabby would probably have started. I didn't think Bowery was shown up as much as some have said although the time he cut into the box he should have hit it but tried to play inside instead.

[SoccerHQ]

Couldn't understand why Jarvis was an unused sub for them, player with pace and an excellent crosser.

They'll be burning effegies of Big Sam in the East end just for that.

[mike]

Villa win, Gloucester win, England win. This is the holy grail that I have never realised until today. And I'm too ill to drink beer. There's always something to moan about.

[Monty]

Was it just me who was reminded of the Newcastle game a few years ago? The crowd, the players, the management, everyone knew that this was the must-win and everyone ground it out. Hopefully it will be as much a platform for survival as that game turned out to be.

[Chipsticks]

I was on my knees at the end of the game.

Well thats one way to relieve stress I suppose.

Depends whos standing in front of you chipsticks  ;D

Is it weird that I'd consider giving Benteke head if it meant he played his entire career at Villa?

[Risso]

Thank christ for the win, losing today didn't bear thinking about.  Shocking miss from young Weimann early on, but he's been great this season so can forgive him that.  Benteke always looks like the player most likely to score, although what we were doing starting with a player like Bowery in a game this important beggars belief.  It's looking like it's going to be three team from four to go down, so somehow we need to maintain the momentum now.  We'll be lucky to get anything out of the next two games, so Reading at home is going to be a huge game.

[eastie]

I was on my knees at the end of the game.

Well thats one way to relieve stress I suppose.

Depends whos standing in front of you chipsticks 

Is it weird that I'd consider giving Benteke head if it meant he played his entire career at Villa?

Yes it is !

[Chipsticks]

Was it just me who was reminded of the Newcastle game a few years ago? The crowd, the players, the management, everyone knew that this was the must-win and everyone ground it out. Hopefully it will be as much a platform for survival as that game turned out to be.

I remember that game fondly, my first time standing right at the back of the Upper Holte. Sang my knackers off and loved it.

[eastie]

Thank christ for the win, losing today didn't bear thinking about.  Shocking miss from young Weimann early on, but he's been great this season so can forgive him that.  Benteke always looks like the player most likely to score, although what we were doing starting with a player like Bowery in a game this important beggars belief.  It's looking like it's going to be three team from four to go down, so somehow we need to maintain the momentum now.  We'll be lucky to get anything out of the next two games, so Reading at home is going to be a huge game.

Its reading away risso!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Apart from the win, the most pleasing aspect of today was our midfield. Seeing the team selection, I really expected us to get ripped a new one.