Walsall v Aston Villa Humongous Thread

[Legion]

You can all pay me to stay away from now on.

[UK Redsox]

You can all pay me to stay away from now on.

Where are you on holiday Leeg ?

[Sam Smith]

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?

Other than that incredible free kick it is fair to say others did enjoy the limelight far more than GG but to be in any way critical or expect too much more is unfair given his last two seasons. Delph was poor for an extended period following his serious injury(s) but now fit and enjoying his longest run of games at the club he looks like the player MON hoped he was signing.

An extended loan period in the Championship might aid his development and certainly his match fitness and then we might see exactly what type of player his is upon his return. I fear he won't get the appropriate game time at VP this season and the reserves probably won't get him to the levels required in the prem.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

You can all pay me to stay away from now on.

Do you take plastic Leeg?
Or is that just a nasty rumour? ;-)

[danlanza]

All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."

[olaftab]

I didn't realise this match was arranged as part of Walsall's 125th celebration,in that case, it was a very poor turnout by their supporters. I don't know but I assume they are a circa 10k average club?

[Matt Collins]

We've certainly had very good passing and movement and looked very threatening in the last couple of games. But it's going to be a big step up when the action really starts. Our intricate passing will need to be sharper still against these sides or we risk losing the ball in dangerous position. And the defence still looks ropey.

I agree with the post above on Gardner, great free kick apart he doesn't look good enough for the first team at the moment. But just as Delph only really started to get his sharpness back last season, it may take Gardner some time to get up to speed. I'm talking not potentially being ready till next season.

It will be interesting to see if we can play 4231 this year without compromising our defensive shape too much. And if so who plays there.

[PaulWinch again]

Sounds encouraging, good stuff.

[danlanza]

I didn't realise this match was arranged as part of Walsall's 125th celebration,in that case, it was a very poor turnout by their supporters. I don't know but I assume they are a circa 10k average club?

Under 4-000 average.

[Walmley_Villa]

I think there are more Villa/Boggies and Yams in Walsall than Walsall fans.

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought last night was a total waste of time.

Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.

We really didn't have to try.

[Sam Smith]

I thought last night was a total waste of time.

Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.

We really didn't have to try.

Might it just have been that we have developed as a side and totally outclassed them. I know they didn't 'bust a gut' but neither did we. Let's be positive!

The defence still concerns me though. Hopefully full backs will be ok but I don't see a pairing that you can rely on from last nights teams. I hope Okore is the player we have been searching for but it's a big ask of a 20 year old.

[olaftab]

I agree on possible no touch instructions issued to Walsall players. For example when Gabby was running though for his goal their RB came across and could have put a leg in just outside the box but he didn't. In a competitive game  I guess forward would have ended up on the floor with a booking for the defender.

[lordmcgrath5]

All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."

That's great, as is that bloke's header celebration.

[stubbsyandy]

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. 

Quite a chunk, but played well!