Stoke City vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[rob_bridge]

Well done Lads

We flippin murdered them filthy bastards

Fuck em down.

[Michel Sibble]

Sod off Lambert.

Sorry, I meant sod off Stoke.

[Uknowthescore]

That goal scored by Lowton was probably the most important goal we've scored in our premiership history what a result we are staying up say we are staying up

[oldtimernow]

Fully expect QPR to do some damage to Wigan's GD

and Chelsea have to do something for us for once

[Tucson Villain]

We never make it easy but that win feels huge. Get in !

[JUAN PABLO]

Leeg can stay off starting the threads !!   only joking Lee

[supertom]

Most important result we'll have all season. When Stoke levelled we looked like we'd thrown another 3 points away. If anything they looked more likely to grab the winner. Thank christ for Matty. Love him.

I think that's the result which will keep us up. No points or even just 1 from this game and we'd really be feeling the pressure now.
We've got 3 and helped our GD in the process.

Lambert got away with this one big time. Stoke were bloody wretched. Not winning today would have been inexcusable. His starting line up was baffling. Taking Gabby off for Sylla was also baffling, as was leaving CNZ till so late. If he was as arrogant as MON he'd claim tactical brilliance from this, but make no mistake, Lambert got away with murder today.

Now we put pressure on Wigan and Sunderland. We've dragged Stoke into it too. Can you see Stoke getting 6 more points for that safety line? I seriously can't. They were horrific today. They've even lost the ability to play their A game effectively. It was hopeless. They're gonna struggle. A very decent bet for them to go down actually. Di Canio may prove inspirational. We'll see, but it's unlikely.

I was impressed with Bennett today. I think he's improving. Bowery worked hard but shouldn't have been playing. Stoke were very weak in fullback positions so Lambert should have got Chaz in the game sooner.
Lowton was very good and the goal was probably for more than one reason, goal of the season.

Time to unclench. This should have been about 5-0 though. It should have been easy. I really hope, FINALLY, we'll learn from these errors.

[onje_villa]

Good response after the setback, but that goal was absolutely out of the blue, and if we do stay up Matthew Lowton deserves some sort of special bonus.

If only one of Wigan and Sunderland fail to win tomorrow then we stay out of trouble. Of course they'll both win now, but it's nice to see us actually fighting for it though.

My feelings exactly and we didn't exactly "dig ourselves" out of trouble, that was just pure inspiration from Lowton. I still very much stand by the swearing I was doing at the team for fucking it up but WHAT a goal and great feeling getting the third.

All eyes on Sunderland and Wigan now!

[mattjpa]

Jesus Christ how fickle we all are when Stoke equalised 

In all fairness, completely justified. We need to ensure that wonder goal doesnt mask our deficiencies. Firstly we need to start putting teams to the sword when on top. Secondly we need to cut out these shit second halves. Thirdly we need to stop regressing into our own box and trying to defend a one goal lead as 95% of the time we end up getting stung.

It does make it so much sweeeter when its completely out of the blue

[DB]

2 more wins to be sure. Makes it a bit easier now, pressure on Sunderland, Wigan.... Stoke only 1 point ahead and they have ManUre next.

[NeilH]

Still can't get over that goal. Just pure class. Must be a contender for goal of the season.

[john e]

If you want a good laugh just read page 32 and 33 of the match thread

[kippaxvilla2]

It's days like this that I am glad my marriage ended in October.  Coz I am off now to get absolutely fuckin slaughtered - brilliant bottle Villa.

[paul_e]

3 points and probably the goal of the season, job done, i've been saying Stoke are the ones who'll get sucked into the battle for a month or 2 and watching them today I see no reason to change my mind, they're awful.  N'zonzi put in probably the most abject midfield performance I've seen all season, and he was still better than Shotton who has to be the worst player in the league.

[neo_Villan]

Is it fair to say that Lowton goal could be the difference between survival and relegation? Don't think we would've got over throwing this one away. And I love Benteke!!! Never in doubt once he was clean through.

Ratings:
Guzan - Commanded area well, couldn't have done much for goal...7
Lowton - Thank fuck!!!!!!!!!!!...9
Vlaar and Baker - Didn't do much wrong until that shocking 5 minutes around when they scored when the whole team went to shit...7 for both
Bennett - Hardly noticed him, which is good. Did his job efficiently. Fair play to him...7
Westwood - Did his job for most of the game. Gave away a couple of stupid balls later...7
Delph - Didn't get booked. Enough said...7
Bowery - Can't fault him really. Looked a little leggy late on, but fair play to him. Good feet too...7
Weimann - not his best ever game IMO. Could have done better with chance...6
Gabby - Brilliant first half. Don't really get why he was taken off as he was the best of the attackers...8
Benteke - They doubled up on him all game. He still scored. Job done...7

MoTM - Lowton just for that strike alone.

May I add that Stoke were absolutely abysmal until Adam came on. Completely devoid of any quality in midfield and attack. I thought MON wasted money but Pulis has taken it to a different level. Wouldn't be surprised to see them go down although they might be able to draw their way to safety.