Despite the own-goal, Fabian Delph was clearly an influence for good in Villa's 1-1 draw with Fulham.Delph was the star man when it came to statistics correlated in the aftermath of the B6 point.His figures for passing were particularly impressive, notching up a 94% completion rate.That amounted to forty-six successful from forty-nine attempted.Of those completed, twenty-three were forward, thirteen were backward and ten were square.Nathan Baker was also a standout star, defending superbly throughout against the threat of Dimitar Berbatov and Brian Ruiz.Baker was No.5 for passes, behind Delph, with forty-five successful from fifty-three made.Delph was No.1 for tackles too with three successful from six made. Ashley Westwood was joint No.2 with three successful from three made.Baker was No.1 for interceptions with six. Delph was No.2 with five. Baker and Ron Vlaar were joint No.2 for blocks with one.Baker was No.3 for clearances with three successful from seven made. Joe Bennett was No.4 with one successful from four made.Villa's No.1 pass combination was Bennett to Delph with fourteen. No.4 was Delph to Bennett with twelve.Charles N'Zogbia was No.1 for shots with four in total, three on target and one goal. Delph was No.2 with three in total and one on target. Brett Holman and Christian Benteke were joint No.4 with three in total.N'Zogbia was No.1 for take-ons with four successful from four attempted. Lowton was No.3 with two successful from two attempted.Lowton was No.3 for attacking third passes with twelve successful from eighteen made. N'Zogbia was No.4 with eleven successful from seventeen made.Benteke was No.2 for chances created with three. Jordan Bowery and Lowton were joint No.4 with two.Benteke was No.1 for aerial duels with four won from eight in total. Baker was No.3 with three won from nine in total.Baker and Andi Weimann were joint No.1 for fouls suffered with three.
Paul Lambert was satisfied with the draw against Fulham, insisting the point could be huge in the battle for survival.Villa took the lead through Charles N'Zogbia, only to be pulled back via a Fabian Delph own-goal.Lambert was certainly happy with the way his players approached the game, showing endeavour throughout.And he saw the draw as a point gained rather than two lost.He said: "We played really well. I have got nothing but praise for the performance."We played really well and got a draw. That point could be massive."We're pulling teams right into it. I'm not too disappointed at all with the performance."It was not long ago Fulham went to White Hart Lane and turned over Tottenham, a right top side."They don't get the credit they deserve. They have got some terrific players."But some of the chances we created were excellent. I am sitting here and the point could be huge for us."A few games ago there weren't as many teams as now. There is a right cluster there."The pleasing thing at the moment is the players are performing. They are getting going."If you can get a couple of wins, that will be great."We have certainly put a lot of pressure on everybody."The thing is we are not going into games thinking 'we're not playing well, we don't know what's going to happen.' We are right in it."Lambert also had kind words for Delph, who had a positive game despite the own-goal.He added: "The thing about it is he made honest mistake, he tried to head it away, which we ask him to do."His performance was excellent, he has made an honest mistake, you can only ask for honesty. He was unlucky."He is playing ever so well. He has had a tough time with injuries but he's on a sustainable run. Him and Westwood are playing very, very well together."You have to give him a lot of credit. He has been hampered by bad injuries but now he is playing really, really well. He has great desire for the game of football. You can't curtail that."Lambert also hailed the power of the Villa Park crowd, who stayed with the team throughout the ninety minutes, creating a cacophony on sound.He added: "I have nothing but praise for the fans. It's a demanding place but you have to handle it."The noise and atmosphere...the crowd are right behind us."The team are bouncing off them. That's a powerful thing. That's what happening at the minute."
Baker was a fucking colossus, though. He had a great game.
Problem is that performance after we scored has put immense pressure on our games against Sunderland and Norwich.
Quote from: PaulWinch again on April 13, 2013, 05:10:57 PMI like Bennett, he's starting to look good.Agreed. I thought our defence looked good today, coped with everything but having said that apart from Berbatov, they didn't have much of a threat. The OG wasn't their fault of course and was a bit freaky.I thought Delph had a good game on the whole. Baker was impressive as well for me.The substitutions were puzzling. Unless Zog had a knock which I don't think he did, he should never have come off. As for Holman, I just don't see him as being good enough. We had no width so resorted to playing slotted balls that were usually over-hit. Lambert needs to be more pro-active with his substitutions, not wait until we concede.
I like Bennett, he's starting to look good.
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Topic: Aston Villa vs Fulham - Post Match Thread (Read 39080 times)
