Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Post-Match Thread

[eamonn]

I'd like to know who made this decision that we should take The League Cup lightly? I watched the 77 final on you tube the other night and was still proud of winning it. We just accept mediocrity   now and take defeat like it means fuck all.
Its only September and were 'resting' players. Is avoiding relegation all we have to look forward to?

We were resting players who have knocks. Why is that so hard to grasp?

Not totally true, even if all fit i doubt lambert would have played his strongest team having read his comments regarding the man city game and the importance of it .
Guzan wasnt injured and was rested and i think had it been a league game he would not have sent that side out last night .
It seems as many have pointed out that the premiership is the be all and end all and the cups are not taken as seriously which is sad to see , this was probably our best hope of silverware this season and its gone .

We were short-changed.  I felt embarrassed and let down by the performance. Whatever happened to the 'Proud History, Bright Future'?  Our proud history includes a proud record in the League Cup. Our heritage is important but I feel it was dealt a huge blow last night. Yes we have a proud history but it may be that is all we have to savour because the future will not be bright if we continue to sacrifice our tradition to the altar of the Premier League.

When was the last time we put out a full team in the League Cup?

The last time we got knocked-out, a whole eight months ago? Or maybe just outfield as Given played throughout the cup campaigns and not Guzan.

[andyh]

I think the argument about 'resting' players and giving players a break who have knocks proves one thing.
Our squad is woefully short on experience and ability.

[kippaxvilla2]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

[Mister E]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

Disagree with your interpretation.

Lambert has - like others before him - mixed up team selection in the League Cup. Anyone buying a ticket for last night should have expected the selection to be different from the P'ship team.
What made it more skewed last night was the risk of exacerbating injuries to certain players.
I can also see why he rested Weimann, whose game is pretty energy-sapping - and anyway he'd obviously decided he wanted to play 4-5-1.
I can see why Steer played: he's a pretty decent keeper that needs game-time.
Lambert has to give the players he bought some chances to get into the P'ship pace - people like Bacuna, Tonev, Helenius and Kozak will be less effective later in the season if they haven't had some run-outs  now.

It's painful but I can see why last night was as it was; I can't imagine Lambert enjoyed it much either.

Spurrrrrs have had the opportuntiy to buy some world-class players: accept the fact that at the moment they are streets ahead of us in terms of development.

[Clampy]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

What make you say that?

[dekko]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

What make you say that?

Everything is shit, Lambert is a terrible manager, all our players are crap and Randy Lerner wants to ruin the club.

[Billy Walker]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

Disagree with your interpretation.

Lambert has - like others before him - mixed up team selection in the League Cup. Anyone buying a ticket for last night should have expected the selection to be different from the P'ship team.
What made it more skewed last night was the risk of exacerbating injuries to certain players.
I can also see why he rested Weimann, whose game is pretty energy-sapping - and anyway he'd obviously decided he wanted to play 4-5-1.
I can see why Steer played: he's a pretty decent keeper that needs game-time.
Lambert has to give the players he bought some chances to get into the P'ship pace - people like Bacuna, Tonev, Helenius and Kozak will be less effective later in the season if they haven't had some run-outs  now.

It's painful but I can see why last night was as it was; I can't imagine Lambert enjoyed it much either.

Spurrrrrs have had the opportuntiy to buy some world-class players: accept the fact that at the moment they are streets ahead of us in terms of development.

Spot on.  It's horrible and I don't like Villa losing by such a margin under any circumstances but I'm grasping at the bigger picture.  I feel  Lambert simply viewed last night as an opportunity to help hitherto fringe players get up to speed for the campaign ahead.  I'm not so sure it's as dramatic as him opting for Premiership survival in September but more a case of him trying to get the squad as match ready as possible in order to finish as high up the  table as possible.  Lambert's paid to take these types of decisions and gambles and from what I have seen of him so far he strikes me as a shrewd operator. 

[Chris Smith]

I think the argument about 'resting' players and giving players a break who have knocks proves one thing.
Our squad is woefully short on experience and ability.

Yet when they are given experience there is criticism.

[SamTheMouse]

I don't have any problem with Lambert resting players, if he thinks it's a good idea.

But whatever side he picks, it should have a more coherent game plan than the one he sent out last night.

[steamer]

we are all pissed off, no one likes to loose especially in last nights fashion and particularly at home.
In hindsight I can not understand why I thought we would give them a go !
Some good retrospective observations and comments.
Ozzjam, I go along with your view,  if these signings are building blocks the next influx of players need proven class and able to step into the 1st team as proven players.
As much as I support the (I hope it is a plan) plan, I find it hard to understand why we do not have a leader in the team, all successful teams have a go to player. we do not have one,
We need a grizzled pro in there to pull us together.
My Everton mates are over the moon with Barry.
And if it is not asking too much please, a Fucking plan to win at home.   

[villa `cross the mersey]

Just about calmed down after another woeful home display - If clubs are insistent on playing weakened sides in this competition and the FA Cup they should at least let season ticket holders in for free. If you are charging customers to watch a competetive match you should at least provide just that - I realise prices were cheaper last night - does that mean the club is therefore entitled to provide  below par entertainment? When I pay to watch Aston Villa FC I expect to watch them compete and try and win a game and not surrender before a ball is kicked - I was concerned that Lambert was taking a" half arsed" approach to this game and I was criticised for that - I was wrong - he wasn`t even a "quarter arsed".
Last night was a poor performance, by a poor team managed by a less than impressive manager. Hopefully things will improve as the season progresses however I am already regretting buying a season ticket as the two home games I have watched (I was on holiday for the Liverpool game) have been extremely poor. 

[kippaxvilla2]

Whichever way you look at this, they have opted for Premier League survival in September ahead of a good cup run.

What make you say that?

Because of the way the manager downplayed the importance of the fixture before it.  At best, they are planning for mid table, because I doubt seriously with the squad they have they go any higher.  I don't blame the manager if that is his remit, however, if that is the case, the owner needs to explain what is going to happen to the £60m per annum the club is set to gain from the new deal.

[JUAN PABLO]

Id rather take the cup games seriously and play the reserves against the top 3/4... We will get twatted on saturday whatever team we have out...

exactly - they will twat us with the first team anyway

[JUAN PABLO]

Everton got crucified on the radio tonight for playing a softer side especially when the  presenter  said   'Everton wont be going down , so why did they do it , very disappointing from Martinez , '           I mean he even won the cup last season which probably got him the job.

We did not even get a mention , obviously expect us to be in relegation battle then.

[olaftab]

Id rather take the cup games seriously and play the reserves against the top 3/4... We will get twatted on saturday whatever team we have out...

exactly - they will twat us with the first team anyway

And again exactly. Let's play percentages game in the league for now and play to win in cup ties.