Aston Villa vs Fulham - Post Match Thread

[Witton Warrior]

Was very concerned at half-time as the couple of chances we had were not converted and that just continued.
Had enough to win by a mile - we are still just short in several departments.

Took a 15 year old for his first game today and it was refreshing to see someone in awe of our ground, it's fans and enjoying the excitement of live football.

The comment about it being a morgue? Not sure what that is about - lively if not rocking - you have to be there.

Can we sign Berbatov please.

[Summers]

Shoulda won that, to be honest. A lot of chances missed, some horrible passing around the box and a couple of great saves stopped us.

Baker was a fucking colossus, though. He had a great game.

N'Zo & Bowery off took away our width and cost us big time. We were all over them.

[CJ]

Taken bloody ages to get back. That's the first and last time I try that alternative route.

Thought Fulham came for a draw today - they only really stepped up a gear when we scored. Berbatov is a class act for them - seems to pop up all over the place - Hangeland makes them fairly solid at the back, and their midfield is pretty well drilled. But we had gilt-edged chances to take all 3  points - Benteke had an open goal from 6 yards out, Delph practically hit his late chance over the Holte End roof, and Schwarzer made a couple of great saves. Other than Berbatov hitting the post they didn't really create much and Guzan had a relatively quiet afternoon.

Reading the thread it's weird how people watching the same game come up with different opinions of the same players - Baker deserved MOTM, but, unlike some, I thought Delph was superb today (other than that missed chance), N'Zog had one of his better games and took his goal well, and I also thought Sylla did well. Others failed to impress - Bowery I don't think is good enough and Holman didn't add anything when he came on. And we missed Gabby's pace.

[SoccerHQ]

The goal we conceded was absolutely criminal, it really was.

It was but shows what happens when you hit a good corner with pace towards the front pace. Can't understand why we don't put Benteke there. Ours are still floated to the back post.

[eastie]

The goal we conceded was absolutely criminal, it really was.

It was but shows what happens when you hit a good corner with pace towards the front pace. Can't understand why we don't put Benteke there. Ours are still floated to the back post.

I was thinking similar, we rarely look a threat from corners .

[Somniloquism]

The goal we conceded was absolutely criminal, it really was.

It was but shows what happens when you hit a good corner with pace towards the front pace. Can't understand why we don't put Benteke there. Ours are still floated to the back post.

It wasn't Benteke, but in the first half Weimann seemed to be there trying to flick on a couple of times with our corners.

[Nastylee]

I thought the draw was a fair result. Fulham had good spells in the game and looked to have a goal in them so without the second a draw was always going to happen.

Been disappointed in AW and CB in the last two games so perhaps Bent can have a part to play. Also, CB was greedy with that chance near the end (side netting one), if he had put it across the face of goal Bent had a tap in. Of course we wanted a win but if results go our way tomorrow then it won't be a bad point. We need at least 4 points from the next three.

[PeterWithesShin]

The goal we conceded was absolutely criminal, it really was.

It was but shows what happens when you hit a good corner with pace towards the front pace. Can't understand why we don't put Benteke there. Ours are still floated to the back post.

It wasn't Benteke, but in the first half Weimann seemed to be there trying to flick on a couple of times with out corners.

It worked quite well a few times with Weimann doing that.

Quite how we didn't know they'd aim for Hangelaand (sp?) when he went to the near post I don't know.

[eamonn]

Jol: "Last year they were not as good as they are now".

Disappointing that Fulham played similar to last week at Newcastle but the Barcodes managed to nick it at the death (like we did, in fairness, against Fulham last season).

[olaftab]

A draw was always on the cards but we should have won this game with the number of chances we had. We were not as fluid as we can be in spells but we still created 6 very good chances. Fulham deserved nothing from this game. Their one and only chance half a chance at that was Berbatov skimming the outside of the post. Baker was fantastic with some thunder tackles. Delph really very unlucky to get his head to the ball for the og. Benteke was disappointing. Lot of half hearted attempts to get at the ball followed by gesticulation and moaning.
When are we going to sort out  tactics for our corners and actually provide a threat to the opposition?

[supertom]

I think what's really highlighted today is that once Zoggy went off, we really had no other decent options on the bench.
I'd say looking at our midfielders on the bench. KEA, Holman, and Sylla. All nowhere near Premier League standard to be honest. I know it's a little early days on Sylla, but I just don't see what he's got that even Osbourne didn't have.

For me the fitness of GG is key as is the signings we make. We need 2-3 decent signings in midfield and we really could do with someone creative too.

It's also now patently clear that Bent just cannot work in this side anymore. I like Benty but his time here has passed.

[Brian Taylor]

Thinking too much on not letting one in in the last five minutes again caused a lapse of concentration on the part of Mr D in the 66th..
We'll get it right soon to be sure to be sure we will.

[tomd2103]

I think what's really highlighted today is that once Zoggy went off, we really had no other decent options on the bench.

Our lack of wide options in the squad is very apparent when we need to change things. 

[neo_Villan]

I think what's really highlighted today is that once Zoggy went off, we really had no other decent options on the bench.
I'd say looking at our midfielders on the bench. KEA, Holman, and Sylla. All nowhere near Premier League standard to be honest.

Makes you wonder why Carruthers can't get a look in. I would've rathered us try our luck with him then throwing on the likes of KEA/Holman.

[seanthevillan]

I think what's really highlighted today is that once Zoggy went off, we really had no other decent options on the bench.
I'd say looking at our midfielders on the bench. KEA, Holman, and Sylla. All nowhere near Premier League standard to be honest.

Makes you wonder why Carruthers can't get a look in. I would've rathered us try our luck with him then throwing on the likes of KEA/Holman.

I agree, or even Bannan in midfield. I know that neither are exactly bankers for a good performance, but we threatened most when we passed the ball well in the final third and none of the subs helped with that really. I think Carruthers in an attacking role would at least offer something different.

Still even if both were on the bench it wouldn't change the fact that we don't have great options to fall back on.