Aston Villa vs Chelsea Post-Match Thread

[Risso]

Absolute suicide today.  Gutless and stupid.

[Steve R]

We didn't deserve to lose. The midfield three were brilliant. Chelsea have the best midfield in the league by some distance and we more than matched them today.

Benteke's second yellow was more occupational hazard than anything. His eyes were on the ball and he stretched ti get a touch on it. Shame, at that point Chelsea were hanging on.

The second goal came more from our fatigue more than anything. We need better options on the bench.

And well played the defence. We looked very solid.

[SheffieldVillain]

Benteke's still brilliant, but he stupidly cost us today.

The elbow yes, but the second yellow, he was clearly looking at the ball all the way to his foot, and Terry did everything to ensure a red.

By kicking him, Benteke deserved a second yellow card. It doesn't matter if he was looking at the ball or not, he followed through into Terry and was correctly yellow-carded.

And loathsome though he is, Terry did nothing more than Gabby did when Ramires fouled him.

This is all true. The red card for Benteke was definitely fair. However, Terry shouldn't still have been on the pitch by then anyway.

[Mazrim]

Half an hour t go, 1-0 up, cruising, and a very ordinary looking Chelsea down to 10 men it should have been thank you and good night.  Surely only Villa could fuck it up so royally from such a position.   We've made a habit of stupid pointless mistakes this season and for all his good work this season Benteke's stupidity has put us right back in the shit.  He'd already got away with it once and didn't learn.  Fuckwit.  If we end up going down it will that moment that swung it.  Going to Wigan with him I'd fancy us to get something, without him I think we'll struggle.  So we have to rely on Arsenal.  Fucking pathetic.

Really?

[ozzjim]

Benteke's still brilliant, but he stupidly cost us today.

The elbow yes, but the second yellow, he was clearly looking at the ball all the way to his foot, and Terry did everything to ensure a red.

By kicking him, Benteke deserved a second yellow card. It doesn't matter if he was looking at the ball or not, he followed through into Terry and was correctly yellow-carded.

And loathsome though he is, Terry did nothing more than Gabby did when Ramires fouled him.

Eyes all the way on the ball. Terry made damn sure. Should have gone himself earlier. He is a thug that tries to run games he plays and managers at his club. Fair play to FSW for not giving him the time of day this season.

Ramirez got away with a couple before the Gabby one, and he could see the player. Benteke had no clue and was up to bring it down.

[Risso]

Really.

[manic-road]

Absolute suicide today.  Gutless and stupid.

Gutless? Absolute bollox in my opinion of course.

[paulcomben]

We played well, but we were the masters of our own downfall today, as usual. Let's hope and pray Arsenal can do their duty now, because I don't fancy a Benteke-less Villa winning at Wigan.

Villa won't need to win at Wigan. A draw is the most we will need. Today was typical of so many games, we cannot keep a clean sheet nor hold out.

[hilts_coolerking]

I agree with Dave about Benteke.  Given the match situation - us ahead and in total control, against 10 men, with a trigger happy ref, holding the 3 points that would guarantee we stay up, having already seen someone get carded for a high challenge - it was a pretty brainless thing to do.  And it changed the match completely and in their favour.

Wouldn't say the rest of them bottled it though.  They tried very hard but CB has become such a towering figure for us that we were half the side without him on the pitch.  Impressed with Delph though - full of pace, power and running.  Gabby's renaissance continues too.

Remains to be seen how costly that sending off will be ultimately.

[supertom]

Wigan won't beat Arsenal. Norwich won't pick up another win this season either. If Newcastle don't beat QPR, they've no hope.

I think Arsenal will be fired up for the Wigan game. They absolutely have to win it and they'll want to finish above Spurs at all costs.

I really hope Mourinho doesn't go to Chelsea. He could have them pushing for the league again, and we can't have those wankers winning it. Best of bloody luck to Moyes.

[Tuscans]

Christ, give the guys some support....we didnt win but cant anyone show the signs!?

Anyway...here's Stan

[paulcomben]

Stan and lap on screen now.

[ozzjim]

Absolute suicide today.  Gutless and stupid.

How is it gutless? What a ridiculous statement? We almost scored through Westwood 30 seconds before and still had them pinned back afterward. Not matching twunts run was naive, but gutless? Really??

[Bishop Brennan]

If we play like that vs Wigan, we'll be absolutely fine.

Bish

[Risso]

We played well, but we were the masters of our own downfall today, as usual. Let's hope and pray Arsenal can do their duty now, because I don't fancy a Benteke-less Villa winning at Wigan.

Villa won't need to win at Wigan. A draw is the most we will need. Today was typical of so many games, we cannot keep a clean sheet nor hold out.

Going there and needing a draw would be stressful beyond belief.