Aston Villa vs Fulham - Post Match Thread

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

We should have won, we could have lost, but we managed a point. We go again.

[JUAN PABLO]

I 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.

The OG was gutting , but to me it looked like a rare lack of communication between the keeper and his defence, rather than Delph's fault per se. Guzan looked to be coming to claim it and if Delph knew that I'm sure he would have left it.

I was wondering that. A shout by Guzan ' leave it ' and its a simple catch.

[not3bad]

I thought Bennett looked quite shaky in the first half but he was much better in the second.

[villan from luton]

Poor goal to concede but lets be positive, some of the football was again good. I am putting a fiver on clean sheet v Man Ure lol.

[PeterWithesShin]

Nice to see Wolfie wandering past before the game. And possibly my most bizarre fanzine sale to date, bloke in a Villa scarf and Villa shirt buys a copy and then tells me he is a Leicester City fan supporting Villa for the day. I can understand going to a game as a neutral, but wearing a shirt and scarf of another team?

[Summers]

The football we're playing is nice. Reminds me of what Swansea are doing, to be honest. We play it short and move it around. It's going to take time until our team are completely natural with it, but Lambo is getting us playing the right way.

[ROBBO]

Berbatov clearly showed what we are missing, he was massive for them and directed their play all day. I would like to see delph played just behind the forward as he seems the only midfielder with the skill to beat apponents and who runs all day. Just didn't see the point in bringing Bent on he and Benteke do not compliment each other maybe if we played genuine wingers there would be better outcomes but he looks lost as it is.

[villan1975]

Should have had all three points by the look of the game on football first. Berbatov should be playing football for one of the top clubs in Europe. Really like Martin Jol for his football ideology but also his outright honesty as he strikes me now as he did when he was at spurs as a down to earth likeable chap.

[peter w]

Disappointed. Devastated because of our current position and what a win would have made to the league table, to us as fans, and the players as a growing team.

But to look at the game today, we are disappointed to only draw against a mid-table team. Until the equaliser we were well on top. We've seen that an awful lot this season and to be fair in those other games once the equaliser went in, we didn't create the chances that we did today. That's why we are in where were we are.

I like Baker. I think he could develop into a top-class defender. He's very rash and is rpone to diving in yes, but if Dunne and have been fit he and Vlaar would have been first choice centre-halves. Baker would have got the few games when he was needed when Vlaar or Dunne were out. But he's had a full season and other than those mistakes which have been more exposed than would have had Dunne been fit, I think Baker has looked a good centre half. the rest he'll learn with experience. That will make him a very good player. What wouldn't make him an International though is his distribution. Its unforgivably poor.


Their  goal was just that type of goal you concede when you're used to things going against you. Delph was unlucky that his header went where it did and Westwood (I think) couldn't get a decent clearance away.We then lost our way and I think that you substitutions were understandable. Lambert looked to protect the point whilst still giving us just enough to nick all 3. Its a judgement call. Yes, Fulham could scored,and far too easily so, but so could have we.

So the bright positives are still there. We've still got a lot to do  but we've shown enough to suggest we can go into our 'winnable' games expecting to win.

The downside is, well this what we've seen to often this season. Our inability to keep a clean sheet, or if we do, compromise our attacking threat. But other than the defence we don't play like a relegated team. To be fair neither do the defence, but they're already playing like they're a division or two below the required standard.

[peter w]

I liked Jol's postmatch summary. He was very complimentary about us.

When asked about our chances of survival he said, "I don't know. if you see their philosophy ( players we bring in) you hope they're safe".

[brontebilly]

Lambert got the substitutions badly wrong yesterday yet again. I agree with the Osbourne comparison for Sylla. I dont think he adds anything, just runs around like a headless chicken. He isnt an attacking midfielder or defensive and seems to have no positional sense at all. He had a dreadful cameo against Stoke and it beggared belief how he was first man on yesterday. Taking off Nzogbia who had scored about 10 mins earlier and was getting into good positions and forcing saves was ridiculous from Lambert.

Holman wasnt as bad as Sylla but has little quality either. As at Stoke last time out, Benteke should have been the one to make way when Bent came on. They dont go well together and Benteke just wasnt getting any joy for the second week in a row. With Sylla and Holman on, our width disappeared. First substitution as at Stoke should have been Bowery coming off, taking off our best attacking player Nzogbia was a terrible decision and totally unnecessary. Then it should have been Benteke making way for Bent with a front three of Nzogbia, Bent and Weimann left to try and get the winner.

Disappointing as Fulham were there for the taking big time yesterday. Missing a load of players but they improved in the second half and deserved a goal I thought considering the Berbatov and Petric chances they missed.

[eamonn]

I like Baker. I think he could develop into a top-class defender.What wouldn't make him an International though is his distribution. Its unforgivably poor.

But other than the defence we don't play like a relegated team. To be fair neither do the defence, but they're already playing like they're a division or two below the required standard.

Sorry to pick your post to pieces, as I agree with most of what you say but surely you're being contradictory above -
can Baker be top class (i.e an international) or not? And do the defence play like a League 1 side or not?!

[eamonn]

Guzan 6 - well he didnt have a save to make! Over 70% in his passing accuracy which is better than last week and dealt with back passes and kicked well enough.

Lowton 7 Moves forward well got excited by crowds urge to shoot off at the goal. Also had several forays into the off ball running into box. Nearly caught out a few times by excellent berba but on whole worked hard and decent

Ron Vlaar 6 Just Okay made good clerance headers and 1 important block from berabtov. want to see him as more attacking threat at offensive set pieces. Good passing accuracy today.

Nathan Baker 8 Wins his headers some great interceptions and some audacious tackling was right to keep place ahead of Clark. Seemed a focal point for the numerous offensive set pieces. Lovely stuff. well done nat!

Joe Bennett 6 Wasnt up against high quality opposition and he can still be out of place. The most often and dangerous attacks came down fulhams right. Struggles with positioning and too many touches on to ball rather than release at key moments. Most touches of any Villa player 71 !! Seen worse games from him thing he did well overall

Fab Delph 7.5 Determined effort again from the fabster. Moved forward well had a few shots And was extremely unfortunate with his honest mistake for the og. Somewhat was wild in finish with the major chance at 1-1 really he wanted to make ammends.
However Delphs commitment to the cause cant be faulted. And had an intelligent game. Good passing ability with the 2nd most touches 70 he was 94% accuarte with his passing  today. Theres been discussion on Delph added goals to his game and cutting out the fouls/bookings .. wekll today he had  3 shots with 1 on target (not counting the og)

Ashley Westwood 6 Not as effective as midfield partner Delph. His passing was only @ 80%  and noticed misplaced and over hit passes. Offensively Westwood had a weak shot (looked more like a pass) blocked. Goals from Villas central midfield is  not a strong point

Jordan Bowery 6 Did well enough and was clearly helped by being given another game from his efforts last week. Did a few nice runs and dribbles though lacking effectiveness as a goal threat and being involved in play. only 30 touches. Start of 2nd half was unlukcy not to score. His balance isnt great though did show strength and some pace which are  nice qualities. Progress.

Charles N'zogbia 7 A mixture he got the goal and linked at times well when moving ball quickly. Too many times wrong decisons in passing and moving the ball. Main goal threat and always looked most likely to score. 3 out of 4 shots on target. He is frustrating though lacks awareness for a player of his experience and struggles with a total team ethic. Right to be sub off.

Andi Weimann 6.5 Always shows effort just didnt work for Andi today initiallly struggled postional play but came into game at parts and had 1 ok effort. I think he could have stayed longer on pitch as is capable of scoring or creating due to nuisance value, heart and undoubtedly goals scoring ability.

Christian Benteke 6 Not today Christian Largely ineffective second week running against strong defenders. Is always a handful but had little ariel joy today and first few touches he was passing to Fulham players. Undoubted technique on ball show again and a nice dribbles and also one touch passing but on whole disappointing. Missed chances nothing on target and of course continues to be offside far too many times. 3 today. Players at times need to release quicker. Benteke has been played offside the most times in the premier league in his strike role.

Overall  it was disappointing not to win. Especially as we were the team with the more shots There was also the great  momentum which if capitalized upon ,by scoring again would have had 3pts!

  We go again

Sorry for the quotathon but great post. I like your style, kid. Keep up the ratings.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I liked Jol's postmatch summary. He was very complimentary about us.

When asked about our chances of survival he said, "I don't know. if you see their philosophy ( players we bring in) you hope they're safe".

He is a hard man to dislike. Hell I cant even dislike Fulham. Nice ground, polite fans.

[Matt Collins]

I watched the extended highlights on football first. I'm disappointed we didn't win and it could well cost us. By I also was impressed with a number of elements to our play. It's so nice to see a villa side pass their way out of difficult situations, keep composed and keep the ball on the deck. So different from the MON years.

I thought most players did well. The main exception was Benteke who had a poor game. I know it sounds like heresy but I wonder if it'd be worth taking him out for the Man U game and bringing him back in refreshed for the Sunderland game. I wondered whether he was one of the unnamed players carrying a knock. The other was presumably gabby.

Still making worrying lapses and looking a bit disorganised at the back on occasion. Not just eh mistake for the goal, but Berbatov's shot against the post which resulted from Ruiz running through our midfield.

It would clearly be a disaster if we go down. I don't think we will. But I think it may well be tight. Ad even if we do, I would keep lambert. We're building something good. He's made mistakes. And it wouldn't be a case of ignoring those. It would be a case of wanting to avoid further upheaval and continuing to build.

Lets hope it doesn't come to that