Looking forward to this. I've not seen us win away since Heskey's winner at Wolves in 2010/11, a run of matches which has seen me witness 11 games, 7 of which were draws. We've also thrown away 2 goal leads on 3 separate occasions. The law of averages means we'll definitely, definitely win so everybody can stop worrying.
[/youtube]
Told you so. This victory is all down to me. Matt Lowton may have scored the greatest, and maybe most important goal I have ever seen in the flesh, but I think we can all agree that I am the real hero today.
A crucial win. Three vital points. A huge release of pressure. This was all of the above. But as usual, this doesn't do justice to the goals, swift attacking, fluid passing, defensive suicide, infectious panic, and heart-stopping nerves that accompany every Villa game.After 80 minutes in which we squandered three one-on-ones, countless other decent chances, and then surrendered the initiative before conceding a cheap, scruffy goal, I have to admit I was not my normal optimistic self. Lambert's surprising team selection paid off, just about, but it was blatantly obvious that we needed to change things for ten minutes or so before Stoke equalised. Lambert faltered, hesitated, dithered and Stoke capitalised with one of the two chances they created in the entire match.
Fabian Delph returned to the starting line-up at Stoke and his influence could not have been greater.Delph was a talismanic rock in the middle ground, winning tackles and showing a fine range of passing.He emerged as No.1 in a range of categories when the stats were analysed on the final whistle.Special praise also goes to Joe Bennett, who was superb offensively and defensively throughout the tough ninety minutes at the Britannia Stadium.Delph was No.1 for passes with forty-five successful out of sixty made. Ashley Westwood was No.2 with forty-three successful out of fifty-eight made. Matt Lowton was No.5 with thirty-seven successful out of fifty made.Delph was No.1 for attacking third passes with fifteen successful out of twenty-two made. Bennett was No.2 with thirteen successful out of sixteen made. Westwood was No.3 with eleven successful out of nineteen made.Delph was also No.1 for tackles with three successful out of four made. Bennett and Lowton also enjoyed three successful out of four made.Christian Benteke was No.1 for shots with two in total, two on target and one goal. Gabby Agbonlahor was No.2 with four in total, one on target and one goal. Lowton was No.4 with one in total, one on target and one goal. Jordan Bowery was No.5 with three in total and two on target.Benteke and Westwood were joint No.3 for chances created with two.Charles N'Zogbia, despite being a late substitute, was No.1 for take-ons, with three successful out of three attempted. Delph was No.4 with two successful out of two attempted.Lowton was No.1 for interceptions with four. Agbonlahor was No.4 with three.Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker were joint No.1 for blocks with one.Baker was No.1 for clearances with nine successful out of thirteen made. Vlaar was No.4 with one successful from seven made.Benteke was No.2 for aerial duels, behind Kenwyne Jones, with seven won from fifteen made.Benteke and Westwood were joint No.1 for fouls suffered with three.Villa's joint No.1 pass combination was Delph to Bennett and Bennett to Delph with fourteen. No.3 was Lowton to Westwood with thirteen. Joint No.4 was Westwood to Lowton and Weimann to Lowton with eleven.
Quote from: richard moore on April 06, 2013, 05:37:03 PMQuote from: dekko on April 06, 2013, 05:31:13 PMQuote from: Arsey on April 06, 2013, 05:25:13 PMQuote from: Rigadon on April 06, 2013, 04:36:37 PMLowton diving in YET AGAIN. Sorry, he's shit. What goes on in the match thread, stays in the match threadIndeed, agree totally. We've all said stupid things in there which have turned out be wrong as I'm sure most of us have done at matches. I disagree. Some of the comments made about Lambert before the game and then after the Stoke goal were ridiculous. Some thought before posting would be advisable. And I made them all of course? And, while we're at it, you've never posted anything un-sage worthy either of course? I won't go looking because that'd be a bit sad....A lot of bollocks is talked on here and none more so than on the match thread (when tensions are running high) which is the closest some of us get to most games (especially away). As such you get off the cuff remarks and moaning. In my opinion, Lowton is currently poor at defending balls coming in form the flanks. He might get better and certainly seems to have a great attitude, much passion and one hell of a volley! So I stand by my apologetic criticism even if I looked a bit silly after his screamer!I would also call Lambert a little lucky today as he did leave it later than required to replace a tiring Bowery with N'Zogbia. He may also come good and I really hope he does.
Quote from: dekko on April 06, 2013, 05:31:13 PMQuote from: Arsey on April 06, 2013, 05:25:13 PMQuote from: Rigadon on April 06, 2013, 04:36:37 PMLowton diving in YET AGAIN. Sorry, he's shit. What goes on in the match thread, stays in the match threadIndeed, agree totally. We've all said stupid things in there which have turned out be wrong as I'm sure most of us have done at matches. I disagree. Some of the comments made about Lambert before the game and then after the Stoke goal were ridiculous. Some thought before posting would be advisable.
Quote from: Arsey on April 06, 2013, 05:25:13 PMQuote from: Rigadon on April 06, 2013, 04:36:37 PMLowton diving in YET AGAIN. Sorry, he's shit. What goes on in the match thread, stays in the match threadIndeed, agree totally. We've all said stupid things in there which have turned out be wrong as I'm sure most of us have done at matches.
Quote from: Rigadon on April 06, 2013, 04:36:37 PMLowton diving in YET AGAIN. Sorry, he's shit. What goes on in the match thread, stays in the match thread
Lowton diving in YET AGAIN. Sorry, he's shit.
Quote from: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on April 06, 2013, 07:35:13 PM[/youtube]Twat! That was liquid football. He's got a foot like a traction engine.
Quote from: PeterWithesShin on April 06, 2013, 07:48:13 PMQuote from: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on April 06, 2013, 07:35:13 PM[/youtube]Twat! That was liquid football. He's got a foot like a traction engine. And another!
Quote from: JUAN PABLO on April 06, 2013, 04:59:37 PMLeeg can stay off starting the threads !! only joking Lee Vote for Dave. He will keep us up.
Leeg can stay off starting the threads !! only joking Lee