Norwich City vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Norwich are there for the taking, a lot of their fans fans want the manager out, they offer little goal threat and now look like they could have a couple of key players out. If we go at them with the same focus as Monday night, battle every ball in midfield, we'll be too much for them. A half arsed performance like the Fulham game where we lacked any urgency and we'll probably only get a point, if that.

I get the feeling this team want to show the world just how good they can be so I'm going for a convincing Villa win.

4-0 Villa including Delph scoring a rocket from 25 yards.  The confidence is there.

I hope you're right Mark.

[eamonn]

I don't think our performance against Fulham was half-arsed at all. We just weren't as fluid and came up against a team far more comfortable in possession than Sunderland.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I don't think our performance against Fulham was half-arsed at all. We just weren't as fluid and came up against a team far more comfortable in possession than Sunderland.

We gave them far too much space, backed off, never really challenged for the 50-50's, basically it was like we were already on holiday. I'd call that half-arsed.

[Concrete John]

We've played far worse than Fulham this season.  I think it was decent, just not quite 'on it' as we were the previous game against Stoke.  That having been said, it took an own goal and Delph missing a sitter for us not to win it.  I think it was one of those games that in the middle of a bad run has you fuming, but in the middle of a good run you live with.

[eamonn]

dp

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Agreed, John. As you say, we weren't quite "on it" which when you consider our league position at the time, is inexcusable. I think more than anything, we really missed Gabby that day. The man brings so much more to the team than just goals, despite some that use it as his only measuring stick.

[eamonn]

I don't think our performance against Fulham was half-arsed at all. We just weren't as fluid and came up against a team far more comfortable in possession than Sunderland.

We gave them far too much space, backed off, never really challenged for the 50-50's, basically it was like we were already on holiday. I'd call that half-arsed.

Nah, we kept going til the end but invariably made the bad decision (Delph skying it, Benteke hitting the side-netting instead of squaring it for Bent). Had either of those gone in everyone would be saying how plucky, dogged and deserved a win it was.

We weren't any better against Sunderland until we went 2-1 up, for much of the first half we were jittery. Scorelines can often hide the whole truth.

Edit - You're probably right about us missing Gabby. Zog got the goal and looked dangerous periodically but he's the only player imo that "half-arsed" can be applied to.

[Jarpie]

Agreed, John. As you say, we weren't quite "on it" which when you consider our league position at the time, is inexcusable. I think more than anything, we really missed Gabby that day. The man brings so much more to the team than just goals, despite some that use it as his only measuring stick.

People tend to forget that football game can shift from one to another by the small things; Defender intercepts diagonal cross-ball and starts counter attack, gives great assist to the striker who then puts back to the net with his second touch, or ball takes small ricochet from the defender's back and goalie has to scramble it in front of the striker who then puts it into the empty net.

On another day we would've won Fulham if ball would've bounced from Delph's head differently. It's the small things.

We just have to hope that our players are up for a real fight against Norwich and ball bounces for our favour.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Eamonn, the big difference between the Fulham game and Sunderland was how much more 'we wanted it'. If by "jittery" you mean the early part in the game where we battled for midfield, I'll give you that, it happens in most open games where two sides go for it. The fact is we got right in Sunderland's face, we never gave them an inch and eventually they surrendered. Against Fulham we played like we didn't have a care in the world, there was no conviction to our efforts, it was far too casual for my liking.

Saturday we need a repeat of the combative performance we gave on Monday, show them how much we want it and then we can rely on our attacking strength to do the rest. It'll be tough but we're a tough team when we choose to be. 

[Ads]

I don't think our performance against Fulham was half-arsed at all. We just weren't as fluid and came up against a team far more comfortable in possession than Sunderland.

We gave them far too much space, backed off, never really challenged for the 50-50's, basically it was like we were already on holiday. I'd call that half-arsed.

I don't think the balance was right without Gabby and three central until the second half.

[neo_Villan]

I don't think any comparisons should be made with the last league game against Norwich. They were a different team then. In the middle of their 10 game unbeaten run which saw them beat the likes of Arsenal and Manure. We were also playing that shoddy 4-2-2-2 formation that gave us no real shape. Norwich now are one of the poorest teams in the division since the turn of the year. We couldn't ask for a better chance to get 3 points.

[Jimbo]

The Fulham match was a perfect example of the complacency that sometimes creeps into our game. The performance lacked the drive, concentration and sheer focus on winning that we displayed against Sunderland. Cut that complacency out of our game and we can beat Norwich.

[Damo70]

Norwich have mostly slipped under the media's relegation radar with them taking turns to enjoy the bad runs of ourselves, Sunderland, Newcastle and to a lesser extent Stoke and West Ham. Their recent form or even their form for quite a while has been as poor or poorer than most. Even in the Reading game they started well, went a couple of goals up and then nearly blew it. They remind me of us last season, don't score many but get enough draws to just keep their heads above water.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert insists he's never wavered in his firm belief about his young lions being able to excel in the Barclays Premier League.

Villa started the season brightly, hit a tough stretch during the festive period before coming into their own over the past few vital months.

Despite the difficult spells, Lambert insists he always retained confidence that his direction was the right path for the club to take.

Asked if he ever had any doubt, he roared: "No. Not once.

"I don't know who I am meant to listen to - you lads?

"I will do my own thing. That's not being stubborn. I have to have a belief that what we are doing is right. That's Ian, Gary and I.

"The lads have been massive for us. We have stuck to the beliefs we have.

"I don't think there are a right way and a wrong way to play football or set your teams up. It's just what you believe in. We have never wavered.

"You have the belief to keep going. You never waver from it.

"I think you can get caught up in things. I think if you don't give someone the opportunity, how do you know? You don't, so you give them an opportunity and they can step up to the plate. They take it themselves. They are the ones who actually play the game.

"All we do is try to give them that bit of confidence that they can go and play at this level. You are seeing a young team getting better and better with every game.

"The lads are hitting top form. That's the pleasing thing. They are growing with it. They are definitely performing, that's for sure. Our form at the moment is very good."

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on "ferocious" fan support.



Paul Lambert says his players are drawing inspiration from their ferocious fans in this final run-in.

Lambert has long heralded the contribution of supporters in bonding with B6 playing heroes.

And he believes this is happening big-time as the club aim to finish the season on a high.

He described the atmosphere in the wonder win over Sunderland as "extraordinary" and said the fans and players have a "special bond."

He thinks that will continue when Villa visit Norwich.

Lambert said: "Players and supporters are the key band of people at any football club and there is no question that ours are bouncing off each other to positive effect.

"That has been the way throughout the campaign and the team will continue to draw inspiration from the crowd and vice-versa during these final games.

"At the heart of every big performance is an equally massive contribution from the crowd. You need the crowd always.

"The way the lads played on Monday night and the atmosphere, everything, the game, the night...everything was just extraordinary for us.

"We played against a team that had been going well but on that given night, we were exceptional.

"We had to try and win the game which we did do. The bonus was the way we played, the goals we scored and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric.

"One of the biggest things is the crowd with the team. They have a really incredible rapport with each other. When you have that, it stands you in great stead.

"It's a big thing for me - the crowd and team bouncing off each other. It's vital especially with the size of the crowd we have.

"If you have that, then you have a foothold in it. It's about getting the crowd on your side, even in adverse times. They run with it. They see it.

"I think the crowd and the players at the moment have a special thing going. That can take you a long way.

"They will now go down there in their thousands and if they are anything like what they were in the cup game, they will make some noise that's for sure.

"We will take a ferocious support down there."