Reading v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[jimmygreen]

Jingle bells.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just six points off 10th place.

Seriously, we've played at lot better than today and lost.The defence is still a shambles. Vlaar doesn't improve us, certainly not today anyway. Bannan had a decent 45 minutes as did Sylla who seemed to be playing in front of Bannan and Westwood. Going forward we never found any shape. Thank god both Benteke and Gabby can rise above it.

Great win but it will mean little if we don't beat QPR next week. If we can we should be able to keep QPR down there. Reading are gone. Sunderland, Southampton, Wigan and ourselves will be fighting to avoid the third relegation spot. I just hope after today the lads can get some confidence from today. To heir credit, they've never let their heads drop but they've had very little to celebrate either.

Well done lads.

[Monty]

It seems pretty clear to me that Bannan played better today largely because of the physically-balancing presence of Sylla. That and Westwood had a good balance to it.

[mrfuse]

Crikey thank God for that. Thought Sylla did a decent Job and a good shot which we lack in midfield.

[kippaxvilla2]

Does anyone else disappear to another part of the house and stop listening because you think nothing else will happen in the game if you do that? 

[neo_Villan]

Fair play to Lambert today. I have long accused him of tactical ineptness but he got the tactics and selection spot on today. We bossed midfield most of the game. We still looked to attack in the last 10 mins too, rather then clinging on for dear life. Guzan MoTM for me. Just so reassuring and authoritative in the box. On the negative side, Weimann does seem to have lost his killer instinct recently. Lack of confidence perhaps? I'd go for the same team against QPR with Zog for Andi. Brilliant win though. If we can beat QPR, then I can't see them finishing ahead of us.

[eastie]

Great result , lets hope we can do the same against qpr and get onto 30 points , well done to players, management and fans today and enjoy your weekend everyone!

[PaulWinch again]

Does anyone else disappear to another part of the house and stop listening because you think nothing else will happen in the game if you do that? 

Yes I bottled it and went and hid upstairs.

[Mortimer's Bear]

I'm going to be an absolute wreck by May.

[Legion]

Does anyone else disappear to another part of the house and stop listening because you think nothing else will happen in the game if you do that? 

I went out to work for the afternoon. No TV, no radio, no internet, no mobile. Glorious.

[TonyD]

It seems pretty clear to me that Bannan played better today largely because of the physically-balancing presence of Sylla. That and Westwood had a good balance to it.

Always thought Bazza would play well next to a big man.

[olaftab]

Beat QPR and we are out of it however we Must not lose to them. A win would be ideal but draw would be OK.

[N'Zimidy]

Guzan 8

Lowton 5
Vlaar 6
Clark 6
Baker 6

Sylla 7
Westwood 8
Bannan 7

Gabby 7
Benteke 8
Weimann 7

N'Zog 7
Bennett 6

Some really good parts in there. Our second goal was Barca-esque and would be right up there for goals of the season if Bannan had slotted it in first time rather than rebounding off the post for a Gabby wallop. Baker I thought was good aside from his OG mistake. Lowton is solid enough on the floor but let us down a bit in the air. Neither Clark or Vlaar were solid throughout. Midfield was excellent from all three, Sylla looks like a canny buy despite moans and groans from some on here about his purchase. Benteke was once again unplayable but really it's Weimann that sets things up for us. It's always him bursting into space that unlocks defences, something that Gabby rarely does these days.

All in all a good performance, Reading were second best in every department.

[kippaxvilla2]

We are peculiar folk.

[ACVilla]

Does anyone else disappear to another part of the house and stop listening because you think nothing else will happen in the game if you do that?

I was in the car ank kept turning the radio off. I'd turn it back on a couple of minutes later to see it was still 2-1 and tun it off again. I had no idea how long was left until I turned it on to hearth momentary say, "by my watch we have 5...........seconds left................of injury time" and thn theref new te final whistle.

Great feeling.

Oh and thank fuck for that.