Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Post-Match Thread

[avfcpg]

It's far too early to judge the team based on a performance in the cup when we fielded mostly second string players that have hardly kicked a ball in anger. Injuries have forced his hand tonight. We've competed against Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool this season. We have just got our first clean sheet and an away win and we've had a dire performance against the barcodes in between that lot. That's an improvement already on last year, although lord knows whey we didn't try and sign a "playmaker".

Our home form and tactics need sorting, we know that. But tonight is not the game to judge that one on, not with the team we had out.

[mr woo]

And the more I think about it, Im struggling to think of anything as bad  under McLeish as I've witnessed at home already this season.

The football was dull, but the organization was there. At least the players gave the impression they were being coached and working to a plan.

While I'm not saying for one minute I want to go back to that, you've got to start questioning Paul Lamberts credentials. What has he done to address the glaringly obvious failings of last season?

Is the Emperor as well dressed as we thought he was?

Your joking right !!! The Football under McLeish was abysmal.   

I know, that's what I said.

What I'm asking is,  whether Lamberts is any better?

[Ian.]

I've been a villa fan now for 30 oddyears! I've neve witnessed such  a load of shite  like  that! Fuck me we have fallen!

You must have had your eyes closed at times then?

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

That first half was a fucking joke and an embarrassment. No clue, no effort, no tactics, no idea from manager and players. To not even try is fucking pathetic. It doesn't matter how much the other team cost, to not try is appalling. I spent £20 to watch them not bother.

Despite an improvement in the second half, which wasn't hard and helped by Spurs laughing too much at us to take their game as serious, it wasn't enough to forgive what went on in the first half.

Many players are clearly not good enough, but the manager needs to take some responsibility for that first half performance. What on earth was our gameplan? There wasn't one other than watch Spurs play then occasionally lump it to Kozak but don't bother trying to support him.

Fucking well pissed off tonight. The end of last season made me think we were at least going to try and win games this season and put up a fight. Signs that's not necessarily the case this season isn't good.

I know loads of players were injured, but those there should feel ashamed.

[exiled on the wirral!]

Just as shit as the performance was the attendance. less than 20,000 Villa fans arsed to go to a cheap game is shit.

True, but im £80 better off by not watching that tonight!

[Toronto Villa]

Not that it would have made much difference in the end I imagine, but being 1-1 from a clear as fucking day penalty might have helped a little. That has to be one of the most astonishing decisions ever not to give that. First Terry, now this. Have we pissed someone off?

[andyh]

That was utterly abysmal.
We were outclassed all over the park. To think that we are so far behind Spurs' second string is totally galling.

This work in progress, team in transition is bloody painful.
How long does it last?

[Jimbo]

Sounds like a poor Villa side bowing out of a cup to concentrate on a relegation battle.

[Marton]

Not that it would have made much difference in the end I imagine, but being 1-1 from a clear as fucking day penalty might have helped a little. That has to be one of the most astonishing decisions ever not to give that. First Terry, now this. Have we pissed someone off?

The visual of a Villa player getting his pants pulled down was probably indistinguishable from what was happening to the team as a collective for 90 min.
He could probably have mounted poor Helineius there and then and the ref would still think its just Villa getting screwed at Villa Park as usual....

[levico]

And the more I think about it, Im struggling to think of anything as bad  under McLeish as I've witnessed at home already this season.

The football was dull, but the organization was there. At least the players gave the impression they were being coached and working to a plan.

While I'm not saying for one minute I want to go back to that, you've got to start questioning Paul Lamberts credentials. What has he done to address the glaringly obvious failings of last season?

Is the Emperor as well dressed as we thought he was?

No, he's buck naked IMO.

[The Left Side]

Has PL come out with any comments yet... hopefully when he does it is a little more than "we go again".

[spangley1812]

Has PL come out with any comments yet... hopefully when he does it is a little more than "we go again".

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert: "(On Nicklas Helenius getting his shorts pulled down): That was a big moment. It thought it was a pen. I don't think anybody could believe it. It was a strange decision.

"I didn't think there were four goals in that. We had a lot of players out injured and they were too much for us. But I couldn't fault the lads for effort.

"We gave it a go in the second half and their second goal was a really poor goal from our point of view.

"There are a couple of plus points from individual performances. Nathan Baker is coming back after injury. Marc Albrighton was excellent."

[Rudy65]

Has PL come out with any comments yet... hopefully when he does it is a little more than "we go again".

The new quote is ' we lost again'

[Toronto Villa]

The worst thing for me was that we were so clearly not able to compete with them. They had £100m of talent on the bench, and I said to my brother that I estimate the starting line up combined cost less than Lamela. I'm all for "the plan" but in building we are being left so far behind by a team that only 4-5 years back you could make a strong argument we were at least as good as if not marginally better.

[kippaxvilla2]

I've been a villa fan now for 30 oddyears! I've neve witnessed such  a load of shite  like  that! Fuck me we have fallen!

You must have had your eyes closed at times then?

Losing at  home to Man Citeh = 5-1
Losing at home to Leeds - 4-1
Losing at home to Bradford (Simod Cup) 5-0
Losing at home to SHA - 3-0
Losing at home to Norwich - 4-1 (1986)

All off the top of my head that were worse than tonight.  But you are right we are shite.