Walsall v Aston Villa Humongous Thread

[ciggiesnbeer]

I've been away for a week so can somebody tell me who is Tony Moon?

Luna's nickname.

[Brend'Watkins]

I've been away for a week so can somebody tell me who is Tony Moon?

Luna's nickname.

Ah. I get it.

[claretandbeer]

And can someone tell me what a clean sheet is ?

[john2710]

Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring  his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.

Because it's a Villa tradition that no matter how well we play there always has to be someone who was shit!

We need to give the lad time, he's lost the best part of the last 3 years.

[tomd2103]

Just got back, I know it was Walsall but;

We were very, very good. Luna was our best player I thought, his work rate, speed and touch has given me a huge amount of confidence.

Gabby, Delph, KEA, Sylla and Westwood all looked superb. The rest only looked very good unfortunately. Our passing and moving were top notch.

Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring  his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.

The support was great. Apart from the flare throwing. I really enjoyed it and it's got me really looking forward to the season. A bit of patience during the first month and I think we'll be pleasantly surprised this season.

Just got back after a few post game drinks and thought it was a very one sided affair throughout.  I can't recall Steer or Guzan making a save and the only chance Walsall got was through a terrible mistake.

It was hard to make a telling assessment when it was so one sided, but I really liked the look of Luna although we didn't see him have to do any defending.    Delph was excellent as were Westwood and Sylla when they came on in the 2nd half.  Vlaar, Lowton and Baker looked pretty solid ad if Okore's not fit, I would expect them to start the season.  Gabby's pace is too much for League One players to handle and Benteke got in some good positions (had a great shot off the bar in the 1st half).  Helenius had some nice touches, but I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with Weimann at times.  Bacuna looked good going forward (not sure about him at RB) and if Tonev performs when fit, Andi could be under pressure.

The youngsters all did pretty well, but I agree with some of the comments about Gardner.  Nice free kick, but I don't think he has the creativity or technical ability to play in an attacking midfield role.  We still need that type of player, but the rest looks pretty good (though I'd be happier if we had another more experienced option at CB). 

Edit:  oh yeah and our corners were not too clever!!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Just saw the goals on SSN.  Wow!

Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.

And they didn't have a 12 year old run down the stand steps to head the ball back ino play!

Right in front of me - that boy has style! (until he rubbbed his head afterwards in a "fu**in' 'ell, that really 'urt my 'ead" kinda way). 1 minute later he caught the ball and kicked it back on to the pitch.
We should book him to kick SSN in the bo**ocks!!!

[Dave Cooper please]

Thoroughly one-sided kickabout.
Nice to applaud Ray Graydon and Chris Nicholl onto the pitch at half-time as their part of the Walsall 125th anniversary.

Tony Moon and Delph were superb, Gabby wasn't far behind, Benteke was effortlessly efficient, Weimann ran the channels superbly, Lowton played more as a winger than a full-back.
Second half when the kids took over I was impressed with Grealish's work rate and he deserved his goal, and Gardner's free-kick was quality.
Overall, it was a friendly! What can you learn from it? Well you can see the Lambert philosophy for a start, high work rate and fast, on the deck, attacking football. It;s entertaining, what we will win I don't know, but it's entertaining.

[PeterWithesShin]

Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring  his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.

Because it's a Villa tradition that no matter how well we play there always has to be someone who was shit!

We need to give the lad time, he's lost the best part of the last 3 years.

I don't think anyone said he was shit did they?

[tomd2103]

@MatKendrick: There are  3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720

Over 4,000 Walsall fans for a friendly seems a lot.

There were never that many Walsall fans there. If the figure of 7720 is correct then I would guess there were around 5,000 Villa fans there if not more. 

[Chipsticks]

I thought Carruthers was absolutely excellent out on the right hand side during the limited time he got. Luna, Benteke, Gabby, Delph, Bacuna, and Lowton were all really good too. Only bad thing about the game was the cock ups with trains, I missed our first goal and missed the last train home.

Very impressed with the football Lambert's got us playing.

[PeterWithesShin]

How did you get home Mr Chips?

[Chipsticks]

How did you get home Mr Chips?

Went to the game with my brother, who got the train from Stratford with me, and my old man who met us at New Street on the way. He had to drive us back home from New Street before getting back to Birmingham himself, but he wasn't too annoyed.

It's because the police only let people onto the platform in waves. Understandable and necessary but frustrating as a lot of people near me ended up stuck in Birmingham.

[tomd2103]

I thought Carruthers was absolutely excellent out on the right hand side during the limited time he got. Luna, Benteke, Gabby, Delph, Bacuna, and Lowton were all really good too. Only bad thing about the game was the cock ups with trains, I missed our first goal and missed the last train home.

Very impressed with the football Lambert's got us playing.

Looks like he has filled out a lot since the appearances he made under McLeish. 

[olaftab]

Just saw the goals on SSN.  Wow!

Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.

What stroke of luck that Spurs u21 were playing tonight  so we were able to have close association with the BIG CLUB. Thank you Sky....thank you!

[tomd2103]

Just saw the goals on SSN.  Wow!

Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.

What stroke of luck that Spurs u21 were playing tonight  so we were able to have close association with the BIG CLUB. Thank you Sky....thank you!

Yep.  I can't thank Sky enough for informing me that Andros Townsend was playing for Spurs U21.