Norwich City v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Mortimer's Bear]

Sorry, I know he scored (but so did Terry Donavan a long time ago) but our 7mil aquisition didnt appear to have anything that will particularly worry top class number 5s through the season.

You've decided that after he's had barely 90 minutes for us?

Also, how many truly top class defenders are there in the Premier League? Probably three - Kompany, Vidic and maybe the c**t Terry.

John Terry most certainly is not, and never has been, a top class defender.

[Monty]

Sorry, I know he scored (but so did Terry Donavan a long time ago) but our 7mil aquisition didnt appear to have anything that will particularly worry top class number 5s through the season.

You've decided that after he's had barely 90 minutes for us?

Also, how many truly top class defenders are there in the Premier League? Probably three - Kompany, Vidic and maybe the c**t Terry.

John Terry most certainly is not, and never has been, a top class defender.

Doesn't mean he's not a c**t, but Mourinho's not the type to overrate centre backs. Without Mourinho Terry wouldn't be a top class defender, but with the tactical knowledge imparted I think he's got better than he should be.

[olaftab]

Good good win that. Norwich have only lost twice in their last 12 home games, both to us.

Thanks for pointing that out and respect to Brad for knowing his facts. In his interview after the match he said "not many teams have find success here tough place so we are pleased with the result" and I thought he was just being a little patronising after the result! But he was stating the facts.

[Bellster]

Good result, nice to keep a clean sheet. Having heard the team selection I thought we would get beaten.

Aside from the injuries I have a few concerns though:

- Injuries. What's wrong with Lowton? Hopefully Benteke/Gabby/Westwood back soon.
- Luna - I've seen him play live 4 times and he simply isn't good enough (yet). Get Bennett back in (or play Clark there and Baker CB)
- Tonev - Saw him against Malaga. As a few people have said, seems to have some talent but has a lot to learn.

Other than that, well played boys.

[kippaxvilla2]

UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 21

From Aston Villa's official Twitter feed:

Paul Lambert told by his medical team that Christian Benteke has a hip flexor injury. Hopes it's not too serious. #AVFC

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 21, 2013

[kippaxvilla2]

Prognosis of a hip flexor strain
With appropriate management, patients with a minor hip flexor strain can usually recover in one to three weeks. With larger tears, recovery may take four to eight weeks or longer depending on the severity. Complete ruptures of the hip flexor muscles are rare and are usually managed conservatively. In these cases, recovery may be significantly longer.

[UK Redsox]

Bloody hell, that was a long drive back. No way would I make that trip for a 3pm KO.

Anyhow, a good result. First half was very entertaining. It could easily have been 2-2 at the half. Andi confidence in front of goal seems shot at the moment.

Delph was MOTM for me. Its getting like Barry a few season's ago, where I just assume that he's going to be MOTM unless somebody has a real stormer.

I'm not sure what to make of Tonev. There's probably a good player in there somewhere but he could have cost us the game today.

Good to see Kozak and the Gladiator getting some time together.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Just back.
Great 3 points and a clean sheet.
Brad was immense! Penalty save kept peckers up when we could have gone undeservedly down. His save late on was Banksesque from my view.
Bacuna did a great job and was taking no shit from Norwich players or fans. Clark too was quick to win his headers and made 2/3 vital interceptions.
Tonev needs to make the most of the possession he has (same for all Villa players today!) and Kozac looks a tough character to have in the team - even when he didn't win balls in the air he made it difficult for them to get a clean head on it and he battled on the floor as well. Would have liked Sylla to have been on earlier. The more he played last season the better he was - he needs game time. Hope he plays Tuesday.
btw - linesman on our side was truly shit - in the space of 3 minutes towards the end of the 1st half he missed 2 offsides, pulling on Luna's shirt (right in front of him!) and a clear Villa throw in which he gave to them - twunt! I gave him lots of advice and he ignored it all! ;-)
UTV!

[Clampy]

Just got back from what seemed like a never ending A road and endless signs for Swaffham.

Bearing in mind the players we had out, that was a cracking win. I thought Bacuna found it tough in that right back role for the first 20 minutes or so but was fine after that. KEA proved what a useful squad player he's going to be this season, he did really well again. I think Tonev's role was to protect Bacuna and although he didn't have the best of games, he's another one who might take a while to properly settle in. I'm liking Kozak though, i can see him scoring his fair share once he settles in.

Man of the match though, Brad. Caught everything, saved a penalty and that save near the end was superb.

[olaftab]

Man of the match though, Brad. Caught everything, saved a penalty and that save near the end was superb.

Statistically  the Villa player with most touches in the match today.

[danlanza]

Pleasing result and the clean sheet was well deserved. Guzan was exceptional today. Well done Villa. Keep it up.

[KevinGage]

Whichever way we managed it, we managed it.  3 vital points, with the games we have coming up. 

After waiting so long for one, let's hope that clean sheet today is habit forming. Brad and Bacuna were the pick of the bunch for me today.

[dekko]

How long was Helenius on for and how did he do?

Also really encouraging to hear good reviews about Bacuna and KEA.  I think Lambo got it about right with the players he chose to drop (Lowton) and not drop (KEA).

[Dave Clark Five]

Still in Nooooorwich. Thought Gabby's first half performance was great. Weimann looked good at the time but dropped off. How good will Delph be in 2-3 years if he continues like this?
As has been said earlier, Guzan made a Gordon Banks vs Pele save.

[UK Redsox]

Still in Nooooorwich. Thought Gabby's first half performance was great. Weimann looked good at the time but dropped off. How good will Delph be in 2-3 years if he continues like this?
As has been said earlier, Guzan made a Gordon Banks vs Pele save.