Aston Villa v Liverpool Post-Match Thread

[Mister E]

When we're chasing the game we really need a plan B. Why not go 4-4-2 and try to get some crosses in? We are so easy to defend deep against with our narrow formation. It was the same against Bradford, let alone Liverpool. The last 20 minutes should have been a siege but most of our play was on the half way line.

KEA is absolutely awful, what a waste of a sub that was. Should have tried Dawkins instead, he can't possibly be worse.

He is indeed.
Surely the worst of Lamberts signings.

I had high hopes for KEA but apart from the first month of the season he's been gash.

My thought - expressed vociferously at the game today - exactly. The man who - I suspect - was boiught to be our MF lynchpin is indeed gash.

[eastie]

Just the usual, scarves, hats, gloves, car stereos, hubcaps.

Okay, I may have made the last two up. Still can't believe though they were in the middle of Witton Lane selling out of a shopping trolley though.

Dirty scoundrels:(

[Mister E]

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.

Sadly I am starting to agree with your opinion. Hate writing any player off and especially one of our academy lads. But looks like he may join the others from that great reserve side -Fonz, Albrighton, Clark, Bannan (really thought he was going to be something special)- who aren't quite good enough.

His lunging in is a symptom of his lack of positional awareness sadly.

He needs to stay on his feet!
And learn to pass the ball.

[eastie]

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.

Sadly I am starting to agree with your opinion. Hate writing any player off and especially one of our academy lads. But looks like he may join the others from that great reserve side -Fonz, Albrighton, Clark, Bannan (really thought he was going to be something special)- who aren't quite good enough.

His lunging in is a symptom of his lack of positional awareness sadly.

He needs to stay on his feet!
And learn to pass the ball.

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

[PaulWinch again]

But he doesn't cut them out and that's the problem, and the harsh reality is that his 'silly lapse' could potentially be the difference between our survival and relegation.

[Lizz]

I've nothing to say about the game that hasn't already been said.

Same here.

[London Villan]

What I don't get is the pedestrian nature of the second half. We are a goal down with 30mins left and the team are strolling around the pitch, no energy, no determination. If a couple of strong tackles had gone in or a couple of runs and shots had been the hit the crowd may have made some noise too, but it was all so flat.

[eastie]

But he doesn't cut them out and that's the problem, and the harsh reality is that his 'silly lapse' could potentially be the difference between our survival and relegation.

Bennett , Clark, and baker have all given stupid goals away in the last few games - we simply cannot afford to gift soft goals if we wish to stay up .

[PaulWinch again]

All three of them have alarming lapses in concentration and it's unforgivable I don't care about their age.

[silhillvilla]

The chances we missed - Gabby 2 yards, Benteke off the line, Weimann over the bar
Them - Suarez 1 on 1, coutunhio 1 on 1, Johnson post.

who had the one first half when Bannan gave him a lovely through ball

That fell to Rat boy , he tried to meg Guzan

[old man villa fan]

What I don't get is the pedestrian nature of the second half. We are a goal down with 30mins left and the team are strolling around the pitch, no energy, no determination. If a couple of strong tackles had gone in or a couple of runs and shots had been the hit the crowd may have made some noise too, but it was all so flat.

..... and no movement off the ball.  As a passing team, no movement means no outlet for the man on the ball.  Without a player that can be direct and run at the opposition as an alternative, the play stagnates i.e. us in the 2nd half.  We have two players (Gabby and N'Zogbia) that can run with the ball but both failed to take on this responsibility.  As two of the more experienced players in the team, they let the younger players down.

[silhillvilla]

Rodgers definitely applauded for about 30-40 seconds. And as you say, fair play to the Liverpool fans as well.

Credit to Rodgers and the Liverpool fans. They showed some class today.

[Matt Collins]

I think there's a bit of an over reaction from what I saw - the last 25 mins. We could easily have got a couple in that time from weimann and Benteke. Gabby also missed a sitter

I thought delph should have started. KEA shouldn't be near the first team

Any points would have been a really welcome bonus. Really welcome. But it's the stoke, Fulham, Sunderland and norwich games that are going to define how we go into the final game. We need two wins and two draws from those two. Preferably beating Sunderland and stoke, but beggars can't be choosers.

[neo_Villan]

In fairness he did produce a fantastic interception in the box in the 1st half just as Suarez was about to shoot - its the silly lapses that he needs to cut out.

Disagree. It wasn't just a matter of one silly lapse that cost us the game. The CB's were played through by 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' at will. Where were the CBs for the equaliser? And it should have been 2-1 even before the pen, when once again they couldn't deal with the through-ball. Just to be clear, Vlaar was equally culpable in this. Baker is getting all the stick because of the pen but Vlaar wasn't any better. 

[Sister of Top Cat]

The match day pie was a highlight, as always