Arsenal v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[saunders_heroes]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Christ. Chocolate Concrete Ron. What a waste of space.

[paulcomben]

Paul Lambert on injured trio.


Paul Lambert is sweating on the fitness of Ron Vlaar , Darren Bent and Shay Given after the trio missed Villa's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Skipper Vlaar sat out of the clash at the Emirates after picking up a calf injury in training earlier this week.

Darren Bent missed out on the Gunners encounter too because of a bruised foot.

Shay Given was also absent for the trip to the capital, with Andy Marshall taking the injured keeper's place in the squad.

Lambert gave no time frame for the injuries but he will assess the fitness of the trio this week.

"Shay has a little strain," said the manager.

"Darren got a kick on his foot. Ron got a knock on his calf early in the week."

1. Why was this kept secret until then and 2. Real footballers would play through such insignificant non injuries. Especially after a fortnight off. Vlaar in particular comes across as a nonce.

[taylorsworkrate]

Performances matter not one jot at this stage.

Didn't expect.anything, didn't get anything.

[Chipsticks]

Paul Lambert on injured trio.


Paul Lambert is sweating on the fitness of Ron Vlaar , Darren Bent and Shay Given after the trio missed Villa's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Skipper Vlaar sat out of the clash at the Emirates after picking up a calf injury in training earlier this week.

Darren Bent missed out on the Gunners encounter too because of a bruised foot.

Shay Given was also absent for the trip to the capital, with Andy Marshall taking the injured keeper's place in the squad.

Lambert gave no time frame for the injuries but he will assess the fitness of the trio this week.

"Shay has a little strain," said the manager.

"Darren got a kick on his foot. Ron got a knock on his calf early in the week."

1. Why was this kept secret until then and 2. Real footballers would play through such insignificant non injuries. Especially after a fortnight off. Vlaar in particular comes across as a nonce.

1. To keep our team selection a secret from Arsenal. If they'd known Vlaar was missing they could have done specific training to target Baker, for instance.

2. You win by playing your best team. Players with 'injuries' and are not as good as players without them.

They had a fortnight off, but that doesn't mean they sat around doing nothing, they will have done a lot of training, which takes its toll on the body.

[damon loves JT]

Bruised foot my arse. As for Vlaar, well bollocks to his shit cardboard leg.

[villan from luton]

If someone has an injury such as Vlaar's, playing with a calf injury can aggravate it further and mean in him missing a number of games

[Lobsterboy]

Performances matter not one jot at this stage.

Didn't expect.anything, didn't get anything.

I would have to agree; if we are using the twelve cup finals line then it is all about winning/picking up points from here on in and playing well and losing counts for jack shit

We look like we are starting to play well but the damage has already been done with the absolute dog shit served up over the first 25 or so games this season

Oh well another late goal, another defeat and another Saturday ruined

[PaulWinch again]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Christ. Chocolate Concrete Ron. What a waste of space.

That's him out for the season, it was his bloody calf before.

[Chipsticks]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Christ. Chocolate Concrete Ron. What a waste of space.

That's him out for the season, it was his bloody calf before.

I severely hope not.

[UK Redsox]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Well he shouldn't take his cattle to training with him

[villajk]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Well he shouldn't take his cattle to training with him

Haha.  Very good.

[Chris Jameson]

Vlaar got a knock on his calf in training

Well he shouldn't take his cattle to training with him

His calf contains 70% pony.

[SoccerHQ]

Well after the first 10 minutes I thought we were going to get battered...maybe not Chelsea level but certainly either 3 or 4 nil. I also thought Lambert had horribly misjudged it by going with just Delph and Westwood centrally against Arsenal's three.

In fairness we regrouped very well (Weimann was my MOTM and I also thought Bennett had his best game defensively for us today) and were unlucky not to nick a point in the end although Arsenal's second was coming as they'd have two previously run across the six yard box without anyone tapping it in just before.

[UK Redsox]

Was Zog injured ?

If not, Lambert should know by now that taking him off does not lead to good things

[villan from luton]

Well after the first 10 minutes I thought we were going to get battered...maybe not Chelsea level but certainly either 3 or 4 nil. I also thought Lambert had horribly misjudged it by going with just Delph and Westwood centrally against Arsenal's three.

In fairness we regrouped very well (Weimann was my MOTM and I also thought Bennett had his best game defensively for us today) and were unlucky not to nick a point in the end although Arsenal's second was coming as they'd have two previously run across the six yard box without anyone tapping it in just before.

Nice to see someone giving a good honest view of the game without going overboard