Aston Villa v Liverpool Post-Match Thread

[SamTheMouse]

Our defence is poor, but it's been made to look even worse all season by the midfield. The equaliser today was scored by one of their midfielders, and since both teams were playing three in the middle, it should have been one of our mids who tracked Henderson. But none did, it happens game in game out, and it's the reason we're leaking millions of goals, rather than just being iffy at the back.

No defence in the league could survive long with opposition attackers running at it freely. We're missing Petrov really badly - he's the only midfielder at the club with the ability to read the game developing in front of him and taking pre-emptive actionrather than reacting.

[Somniloquism]

I wouldn't be too hard on no one tracking Henderson. I had forgotten he was playing as well.

[Somniloquism]

Not that it would have made a difference, but how many tackles are allowed before someone is booked for persistent fouling? Or to put it another way, how many times after a ref has a 'final' talk can you foul? I thought the ref had a very good game today, he just seemed to not want to book Lucas at all.

[neo_Villan]

Just seen the Baker challenge...what an absolute cock of the highest order! What on earth was he thinking making a challenge like that for?!

He didn't expect Bucktooth to cut inside (which he should of as that is a typical Suarez move) and thought he was therefore going to get ball and man. Had he legally clattered Suarez, we would probably all be still wanking over it now to be fair. Baker is a pretty rash player though. As we have seen in the past, his actions precede his thought-process. Which is why he got concussion against QPR.

[andyh]

Just wanted to say that the ball played into the box where gabby missed from 2 yards, the pass itself was one of the best balls played into the danger area I have seen for years.

[paulcomben]

Lambo's post match comments. We go again. (The latest player to bring defeat) is young and will learn from that mistake. Could we hire a tape recorder on much less money yet equally effective at coaching?

[neo_Villan]

Our defence is poor, but it's been made to look even worse all season by the midfield. The equaliser today was scored by one of their midfielders, and since both teams were playing three in the middle, it should have been one of our mids who tracked Henderson. But none did, it happens game in game out, and it's the reason we're leaking millions of goals, rather than just being iffy at the back.

We don't play a proper defensive midfielder so what do you expect? We all thought Sylla would be that player and he is actually being played as the most advanced of the midfield three. Westwood, Bannan and even Delph can't defend and why Lambert didn't bring in a proper DMC, I'll never know.

[Somniloquism]

Just wanted to say that the ball played into the box where gabby missed from 2 yards, the pass itself was one of the best balls played into the danger area I have seen for years.

Tremendous ball. Gabby should have done better but it was one of those that he caught it too well.

[onje_villa]

Our defence is poor, but it's been made to look even worse all season by the midfield. The equaliser today was scored by one of their midfielders, and since both teams were playing three in the middle, it should have been one of our mids who tracked Henderson. But none did, it happens game in game out, and it's the reason we're leaking millions of goals, rather than just being iffy at the back.

No defence in the league could survive long with opposition attackers running at it freely. We're missing Petrov really badly - he's the only midfielder at the club with the ability to read the game developing in front of him and taking pre-emptive actionrather than reacting.

10000000%

[PaulWinch again]

Just seen the Baker challenge...what an absolute cock of the highest order! What on earth was he thinking making a challenge like that for?!

He didn't expect Bucktooth to cut inside (which he should of as that is a typical Suarez move) and thought he was therefore going to get ball and man. Had he legally clattered Suarez, we would probably all be still wanking over it now to be fair. Baker is a pretty rash player though. As we have seen in the past, his actions precede his thought-process. Which is why he got concussion against QPR.

Which is why he'll never be a top player.

[john2710]

Just seen the penalty, that challenge by Baker for the penalty is one of the most ridiculous challenges I've seen in a long long time. Stupidity beyond belief. Draw would have been a fair result.

It seems the defenders are taking it in turns to give a goal away.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on Reds loss.



Paul Lambert called for Villa to "be big enough and brave enough" to keep going in the wake of their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

Lambert was frustrated at the manner of the two goals conceded after the break, following an excellent first-half from his side.

But despite the defeat, Lambert insists confidence is still high, belief is strong and the way forward is there to be trod upon.

He said: "I thought for 45 minutes we were excellent. We looked a threat every time we went forward. We competed brilliantly against a really good side. We were well in the game.

"I keep saying it, the one thing we have got is that we are playing well enough to win games.

"Brad has not had too much to do other than pick it out twice.

"From our point of view the first goal was disappointing just after the restart. That was really poor especially since we were attacking. But you can't take your eyes off it for a minute.

"Nathan will learn from the penalty because he is young. If you go to ground in the penalty box, especially against someone like Luis Suarez that's what can happen.

"But you can't blame any individuals. I think it's a team game, a team spot, we need everyone together. I can't have a blame culture.

"We are in it together and it will stand us in good stead.

"You have to be big enough and brave enough to keep going. The league is unforgiving as everyone knows.

"Performance-wise, they just need to keep doing what they are doing.

"It's not every day you will play a Liverpool. They are good side still. They have some terrific players. We need to keep going the way they have been doing it."

Lambert believes the position hasn't changed a great deal despite the loss, with several teams firmly in the mix in the lower reaches of the table.

He continued: "It's the same. Looking at results, we are four points from eleventh.

"There will be so many twists and turns.

"The thing for myself is we are playing well. In spells we are playing really, really well.

"The confidence is a big part of the game of football, if you keep that it will certainly help.

"You look at today there was not too much in the game. There was not too much between the teams.

"I just think we are playing well. We don't look like a side down there, that's for sure. Okay the result went against us and it's results that matter most but the belief is there for us to win games."

Finally, Lambert bemoaned several chances that could have given the result a very different complexion.

He added: "If Gabby fluffs that chance it goes in, he's hit it too good and then there was Christian's header from Joe's cross early on in the game. We played well in the first half.

"And Steven Gerrard clears it off the line. He senses danger and his experience takes him into positions where he thinks the danger is. It was a brilliant header from Christian. He did remarkably well to clear it off the line."

[SoccerHQ]

Just wanted to say that the ball played into the box where gabby missed from 2 yards, the pass itself was one of the best balls played into the danger area I have seen for years.

Lowton again, he set up the Gabby goal against QPR.

[Grande Pablo]

I thought for the first time in the Lambert era  both Lowton & Bennett played well as a pairing, offering an attacking outlet.  I shuddered when I saw Bennett on the team sheet, but the lad had a good game.

Bannan can go & fuck right off for me.  Someone who can't get into a Scottish squad of the first time of asking isn't a PL starter.  Westie lacked his normal assurance, whilst Sylla tired, although did some good stuff in batches.  It's crying for some responsibility in their, but who can do that?  As a NZog or Holman to curtail their natural instinct?  I doubt that would work.

[paulcomben]

Just seen the Baker challenge...what an absolute cock of the highest order! What on earth was he thinking making a challenge like that for?!

The Scottish translation of that is 'He is a young lad and will learn from that mistake.' Then again, I saw him make his full debut and he was sent off for a balls height challenge.