Aston Villa vs Chelsea Post-Match Thread

[pbavfckuwait]

Didnt think we would get anything before the game, performance wise alot of good, Sylla looks a player and who he was playing against he dominated the midfield with the help of the equally impressive Delph, thought Westwood was a bit quite to be honest but the other two superb. Well done Bennet nightmare last week a very professional performance today. We go again one more time.

[TheSandman]

Thought we played very well today and were unlucky to lose. I was seriously impressed by Bennett today, who hasn't really convinced me yet, but on the basis of a few of his more recent performances there seems to be a bit of a player in there. Sylla and Delph were impressive too. Okay Sylla missed a few passes but he looked decent otherwise. Certainly better than a player who was signed from the French second division and mocked has any right to be.

RE the referee, I'm not sure whether the number of bookings were because he was overly fussy or because it was how the players were approaching the game. I tend towards the latter, I thought the Benteke sending off was justifiable even if the big man was unlucky that he made contact with Azpilicueta in that way. Other calls were maybe a bit more dubious but I think it was as bad for both sides.

Okay we lost but there was nothing to be too depressed about in terms of our performance and our safety will most likely be guaranteed in midweek as Wigan winning at the Emirates is somewhat unlikely. We deserved to beat a decent team who just six months ago put eight past us. If you can't see positives in that you might as well give up.

[eamonn]

I don't think come Tuesday night we will still be in the mix , but if we are it will be very worrying - the good thing for us is that arsenal need a win so will be going for it and have had plenty rest whereas wigan will be tiring.

We all thought that Chelsea would tire today.

[olaftab]

  So we have to rely on Arsenal.  Fucking pathetic.

FFS get a grip. Not fucking pathetic and we don't HAVE to rely on Arsenal. We are well ahead of Wigan and they have to WIN at Arsenal and even if they do we will not lose at Wigan.

[taylorsworkrate]

Seems a lot of posters seriously overrate the ability of Wigan

[russon]

Great game with some very good performances (esp Delph, Vlaar,Benteke, Westwood,Guzan).

I felt Weiman was woeful. Was fed the ball in good positions all afternoon but lacked composure and was very wasteful. That fresh air shot in front of the Holte summed it up.

Lampard is a class act and good luck to him. Terry on the other hand is an utter disgrace. Trust him to choose Petrov's farewell occasion to stink the place out with his gamesmanship. Petrov = chalk, Terry = cheese (Gorgonzola to be precise)

[olaftab]

We all thought that Chelsea would tire today.

Yes I did specially when I saw such a strong Chelsea team take to the field. I thought rafa has decided to win the game in the first half as he also knew that but we have to admire their durability and something for us to learn when we get  successful. These teams are better and therefore opposition tire quicker. Wigan is a different matter.

[eamonn]

Interesting to note in Lambert's interview afterwards that he got visibly irritated when it was put to him that "the experience of a Frank Lampard is what all these young players need".
The next question, asking whether it will be difficult to hang on to Benteke, the answer may as well have been "Shut the fuck-up and ask me about the game you shit-sucking, shit-stirring twat".

[bertlambshank]

Seems a lot of posters seriously overrate the ability of Wigan

After watching Wigan midweek Arsenal will tear them a new one.

[taylorsworkrate]

Seems a lot of posters seriously overrate the ability of Wigan

After watching Wigan midweek Arsenal will tear them a new one.

I don't think there is even the remotest of possibilities Wigan will get within 2 goals of Arsenal.

[SoccerHQ]

Whilst one of his biggest fans I blame Paul Lambert for this defeat. In the last 20 mins  our midfielders were wasted and you could see that unless we make a change or two we will end up losing it and lose we did.  Sylla was brilliant today however in the last 15 both he and Westwood were on their last legs.  Paul needed to use the subs but he didn't.

No Bannan so not sure who he could've played in central midfield and he certainly wanted to keep three in there.

Only real viable sub imo was n'zogbia for Weimann and someone to run with pace at Chelsea's back 4 which we had great success at.

Not sure why there were no subs when the second went in. There were 98 minutes played at the end so still 10 minutes after their goal. If you conceded on 80, subs are made then so surely the likes of Bent and N'zogbia should've been on in injury time especially as Chelsea finished the game with 9 men.

[dave.woodhall]

Can't believe some posters are blaming Benteke. We wouldn't have anywhere near 40 points (still not enough IMO) without his goals.

Was today the start of a cruel twist of fate? Am I alone in thinking that Wigan may beat Aresenal. Very disappointed with Gabby and Weiman today. Can Bent fill Bentekes boots in the final game?

The angst is back.

It never really left with you, did it?

[Somniloquism]

Karma really loves John Terry recently. He should have had a longer bn for the Ferdinand incident, doesn't and then suffers a serious injury on one of those matches.  Then he should have been off the field, either for the last man challenge or for two yellows when he high armed our player in the face right on half time. Even when he got the injury, he high footed the ball whilst Baker's head was there.

I can see initially why Lambert didn't bring Nzog on as he needed people putting a shift in when we went down to 10 ourselves, but why he didn't change it at all, especially when they were down to 9 with several minutes left is a mistake by him.

But we definitely were fighting in that maths till the end. Just not enough attempts on target.

[Jimbo]

Seems a lot of posters seriously overrate the ability of Wigan

Two things:

1) I think Wigan are shit. In fact, I know Wigan are shit. I also knew Small Heath were shit when they went to Wembley. But they payed Arsenal. Pathetic Arsenal, as I now know them. Ever since that day, I've been reluctant to rely on Pathetic Arsenal.

2) Nobody is safe until the maths confirm it. Least of all us, a team that loves giving things away.

[olaftab]

Assuming we stay up, we need to spend £15m minimum on  defence.

That's lot of money even if we hire Country's top Barrister!