Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

No movement at all, and frankly it's pretty poor.

[ozzjim]

Last 10 of the half they looked very good. But then when they have every player in the front 6 worth well over 10m behind Defoe, then against our 1-2 million pound bargains they are going to look a much better side realistically. Because they are. We need to give Lambert the means to get 3-4 technically much better players. Until we do, it will be attrition-al and a struggle.

[pauliewalnuts]

I bet Lambert ain't that bothered about this competition...

That's not the problem.

The problem is things wouldn't be much different even if he did.

[aj2k77]

How far we have fallen, it's just a given that we will lose tonight with no real impact on the game.

[PaulWinch again]

I bet Lambert ain't that bothered about this competition...

That's not the problem.

The problem is things wouldn't be much different even if he did.

Indeed we are pretty short of quality.

[oldham_villa]

Even if we get possession what is our out ball? A 40 yard ball to an isolated striker. If anything, push Tonev close to him and have him sniffing around the second balls.

We are trying far too hard to press at times, it's as if we play in roller skates.

I don't hold up much hope in this, we need to get a grip of midfield and push the defence up. I've never seen a defence turned so easy as ours in the last couple of years. It's ridiculous.

[SamTheMouse]

Shocking performance, not surprising though, given the team out there.

The only shocking thing is that we are competing well and do not look that inferior to a much more expensive Spurs side. They've made a couple more chances and taken one. We have not been dominated bar the 5 minutes before the goal.
What is 'shocking'?

Deano doesn't agree with you, Mal!

Former Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra:
"Jermain Defoe could have scored six. Villa's goalkeeper has made three great saves. Erik Lamela looks good. Spurs are the better team by a mile."

[Tuscans]

We lack some really good technical players and leaders out there...said it for a long time that the Villa team for years has been one of the quietest around

[JUAN PABLO]

Ive got to say I think KEA has been crap - could be the stream thou

[TonyD]

The most depressing thing is that we could have played a stronger team and the team could have been more competitive and determined. Quite depressing.

[charleeco7]

No movement off the ball, they close us down then we panic and give it away.

[Olneythelonely]

Shocking performance, not surprising though, given the team out there.

The only shocking thing is that we are competing well and do not look that inferior to a much more expensive Spurs side. They've made a couple more chances and taken one. We have not been dominated bar the 5 minutes before the goal.
What is 'shocking'?

We are clearly watching different games. They are first to every ball, Defoe could have had a hattrick, we haven't made more than 3 consecutive passes, chasing shadows. I could go on.

I'm usually optimistic too.

[PaulWinch again]

I know this is a weakened team, but it shows our problems at home. We can't keep possession and build pressure and until we do that we'll lose at home more often than not.

[JUAN PABLO]

Id prefer to win this than the manc game . oh well

[Morten]

Our movement's shit, as usual. Players having trouble controlling the ball, and when they do they've basically got nobody to pass to, nobody's slipping into space and demanding the ball, they're all just holding their positions or running in straight lines. Which is ridiculous, because it's not as if playing so rigidly is keeping us tight - Spurs are waltzing through the defence on a regular basis.

Agree, nobody are making any runs and yes, some of the ball control is shocking. Sylla does not win many duels, El Ahmady Works hard, but sometimes looses the ball too easily. Bennett looks up for it, Albrighton has had a few good moments. Kosak has no support.