Aston Villa vs Sunderland Post-Match Thread

[UK Redsox]

Has anyone come down yet? I couldn't sleep last night and I can't stop smiling this morning!

I stayed in the 'Nam Travelodge last night with the plan of saving myself an hour's driving in the evening and another in the morning. I ended up just lead on the bed in a state of shock and didn't get the extra kip.

[pig]

I was buzzing last night. I hadn't felt like that in months. All the reasons why I loved football came flooding back to me. Almost missed my train back to London I was that excited. I wouldn't have cared though, nothing could damper my mood last night. Brilliant. Even if we go down its games like that, that make you realise how much you enjoy football.

[MoetVillan]

Now THATS what I called football.  Not very often I would disagree with giving man of the match to a hattrick striker, but Gabby won me over last night, and a special mention to our oft berated left back Bennett who after a shaky start was superb, and Lowton had the run of the pitch on the right.  What a bloody fantastic 90minutes.

[JD]

What a day this is (Tuesday over here). Watched the first 15 mins then had to go to work and caught up with it via text updates. Rushed home to watch the whole game, which I've just seen. Absolutely brilliant performance, all players were great, but take a bow Matt Lowton, that was the best performance by a full back in a Villa shirt since Kenny Swain was playing.

Can't stay long today, I'm now going out to see The Buzzcocks tonight, end of their NZ tour in Christchurch. Life doesn't get any better than it is today  .
   

[Top Cat]

Best new song from the Holte End "We're Aston Villa. We're taking the piss."

That was fantastic!

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

Can barely talk today. Great atmosphere - felt like the Holte was actually moving at some points during the second half. Enjoyed reading back the match thread - when the goal was scored for 4-1 there appreared to be a collective orgasm!

[Concrete John]

Not much more to add than has already been said.

Great game and a huge 'big up' to Sylla, who had his best game for us so far.  The midfield three never stopped running.

I don't expect it to change the minds of some of our more critical members, but I hope it would at least show their is an aim to what we're doing, even if you still get pissed off with how we're getting there.

[andyh]

The sight of the Holte End quite literally "bouncing" after Benteke's second goal was one to behold.
Magnificent. 

[Astral Weeks]

Has anyone come down yet? I couldn't sleep last night and I can't stop smiling this morning!

Me too. Got in late after the match, then pub afterwards, and I just lay there replaying the goals over and over in my head. I'm knackered this morning, but so, so happy.

That was one of the best nights down at VP for absolutely years. I sat in the upper Witton Lane stand, towards the Holte. At times the noise seemed to be just rolling down from the Holte in waves (and we were adding to it too!). Incredible atmosphere.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'm glad I'm not the bloke who has the early shift in the morning trying to sell coach trips to Wigan to bluenoses.

Ha! Reminds me of the post on SHA.com after we clicked our fingers to get Lambert and Norwich did the same to get their manager:

'They always have the last laugh. Always. Wankers'.

[onje_villa]

Best Villa night probably since we trounced the Blues 5-1.

Ironically I thought we were pretty poor for the first 20 odd minutes. Positionally we were getting in each others' way. Other than Baker (who I like but has become very suspect positionally), they were all superb second half.

As with many others on here, most special praise goes to Matt Lowton, he was simple perfect last night, a real class act and it's not often a right back can steal a MOTM from a hattrick hero.

Am wondering why we didn't play 433 at OT, it looks easily our best formation. I thought Vlaar played well covering from Baker, Bennett was much better, the midfield were great in the second half and Gabby and Andi were a constant menace.

What was your favourite goal? Think mine was Benteke's 2nd. Would like to see more of his aerial dominance in the box. He absolutely mullered Cuellar, who I always felt was overrated by our lot and also I think their keeper was desperately poor for a guy receiving rave reviews much of the season.

[berneboy]

As an aside, I thought their goal was really, really good.

Ssh!

[Clampy]

I think like a few people on here i was in shock last night, that result came from nowhere although in fairness one or two in the pre-match thread predicted that we'd give someone a pasting at some point.

I was still a bit nervous at 4-1. I only really started to relax once Sessengon went off.

[Concrete John]

Am wondering why we didn't play 433 at OT, it looks easily our best formation.

I think against the better sides we end up too deep in a 4-3--3 and the midfield doesn't support the strikers enough.  N'Zog is there to then provide that link between the two, but he's a lazy shit, so we lose so much energy from the team when he plays.  It's a puzzle that will be solved when we have a player that can operate in his position, added to our attacking threat, while also putting a shift in.  Possibly Gardner when fully fit or possibly a new signing.

[somec]

It's been a long time since we left the ground singing our heads off!

What a night! 6 great goals, and a great team performance.

UTV