Aston Villa vs Sunderland Post-Match Thread

[not3bad]

Just wanted to mention the second goal. It was a great run, pass and finish but the initial interception caught my eye. As their player wound up for the cross field pass, Lowton anticipated it and moved himself 10 yards to the right so was in the perfect position to take the ball. Had he stayed where he was it would have gone to the winger and we'd have been on the back foot. Such a small thing in itself but crucial in the context of the game, and possibly the season.

When you consider this and his goal against Stoke you realise we've got a guy who can genuinely change matches.

[Lastfootstamper]

I think I'm in love with our second goal. Everything about it makes me want to marry it, buy two one-way tickets to the Maldives and spend eternity making sweet, sweet love to it.

The run from Benteke, gathering defenders as if he was a magnet and they were nothing more than steel tacks, moving them all to the back post.

Lowton. The spirit of Cowans inhabited that boy at times last night, because the ball in behind was lifted directly from the great man's repertoire.

And Andi Weimann. Explodes into the space, a phenomenal first touch with the outside of his right boot, and in one movement opens his body and delivers the perfect finish.

I do hope I don't become blase about such goals when we start banging them in on a weekly basis, I'd hate to cheat on this one!

[eamonn]

Aye, it were champion. Champion I say.

[midnite]

Just wanted to mention the second goal. It was a great run, pass and finish but the initial interception caught my eye. As their player wound up for the cross field pass, Lowton anticipated it and moved himself 10 yards to the right so was in the perfect position to take the ball. Had he stayed where he was it would have gone to the winger and we'd have been on the back foot. Such a small thing in itself but crucial in the context of the game, and possibly the season.

We were talking about the same thing Chris. A few times he stepped up like that. Lowton reads the game very well and anticipates the pass.

[Chris Stares]

For those who are interested, here are some photos my son, Conor, took of the game (hope I've linked to it right!):

http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/starescj/library/Aston%20Villa%206%20-%201%20Sunderland?sort=2&page=1

[dorsetvilla]

What a fantastic night. Got home at 1.30 watched the highlights before finally getting to bed at 2.30. Back up for work at 6. Shattered today and I can hardly speak but who cares.
UTV

[Mortimer's Bear]

According to the bluenose in my office the result was entirely down to Sunderland being poor and making individual errors. They really are so predictable!

[eastie]

For those who are interested, here are some photos my son, Conor, took of the game (hope I've linked to it right!):

http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/starescj/library/Aston%20Villa%206%20-%201%20Sunderland?sort=2&page=1

Excellent stuff chris!

[onje_villa]

Just wanted to mention the second goal. It was a great run, pass and finish but the initial interception caught my eye. As their player wound up for the cross field pass, Lowton anticipated it and moved himself 10 yards to the right so was in the perfect position to take the ball. Had he stayed where he was it would have gone to the winger and we'd have been on the back foot. Such a small thing in itself but crucial in the context of the game, and possibly the season.

Lowton's contributions in the last few games have been massive.

His winner at Stoke out of absolutely nothing, we might have ended up losing that game.

[paul_e]

I think I'm in love with our second goal. Everything about it makes me want to marry it, buy two one-way tickets to the Maldives and spend eternity making sweet, sweet love to it.

The run from Benteke, gathering defenders as if he was a magnet and they were nothing more than steel tacks, moving them all to the back post.

Lowton. The spirit of Cowans inhabited that boy at times last night, because the ball in behind was lifted directly from the great man's repertoire.

And Andi Weimann. Explodes into the space, a phenomenal first touch with the outside of his right boot, and in one movement opens his body and delivers the perfect finish.

I do hope I don't become blase about such goals when we start banging them in on a weekly basis, I'd hate to cheat on this one!

I'm really glad to see someone else viewing the run from Benteke the same as I did, it really was excellent, bardsley was left in a hole, chase Benteke and leave a gap for Weimann or leave Benteke and see him unmarked on the edge of the box.

It's Benteke's instinct for making the right run like this that makes me rave about him so much, it's the least visible part of his game but it's easily his best attribute (and he has a hell of a lot of good ones).

[paulcomben]

For those who are interested, here are some photos my son, Conor, took of the game (hope I've linked to it right!):

http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/starescj/library/Aston%20Villa%206%20-%201%20Sunderland?sort=2&page=1

Sheesh. Tell the poor kid just to watch and enjoy future matches, not through a viewfinder.

[eastie]

Sky sports 1 are about to rerun the game so i think i may watch again just to savour the feeling.

[onje_villa]

I think I'm in love with our second goal. Everything about it makes me want to marry it, buy two one-way tickets to the Maldives and spend eternity making sweet, sweet love to it.

The run from Benteke, gathering defenders as if he was a magnet and they were nothing more than steel tacks, moving them all to the back post.

Lowton. The spirit of Cowans inhabited that boy at times last night, because the ball in behind was lifted directly from the great man's repertoire.

And Andi Weimann. Explodes into the space, a phenomenal first touch with the outside of his right boot, and in one movement opens his body and delivers the perfect finish.

I do hope I don't become blase about such goals when we start banging them in on a weekly basis, I'd hate to cheat on this one!

I'm really glad to see someone else viewing the run from Benteke the same as I did, it really was excellent, bardsley was left in a hole, chase Benteke and leave a gap for Weimann or leave Benteke and see him unmarked on the edge of the box.

It's Benteke's instinct for making the right run like this that makes me rave about him so much, it's the least visible part of his game but it's easily his best attribute (and he has a hell of a lot of good ones).

Interestingly I still think he has a lot to improve on which is frightening. His towering header last night was probably the only second header of its kind he's scored (was it Reading the other?) and he could easily add an extra 5 goals like that a season, he's got such a leap on him.

Also, I sometimes feel his runs in the box when we have it out wide aren't decisive enough.

Just shows how good he could end up being!

[dave.woodhall]

The way we kept the ball in the build-up to Benteke's first was a bit special as well.

[Chris Stares]

For those who are interested, here are some photos my son, Conor, took of the game (hope I've linked to it right!):

http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/starescj/library/Aston%20Villa%206%20-%201%20Sunderland?sort=2&page=1

Sheesh. Tell the poor kid just to watch and enjoy future matches, not through a viewfinder.

Don't worry Paul.  He enjoyed every minute of it.  What's wrong with doing two things you love at the same time?