Aston Villa v Manchester City Match Thread

[Tuscans]

What's happened to good ole man for man marking.

[Monty]

Lamberts teams didnt play like this at home when in charge of Norwich - it is dire turgid stuff.

Agreed. I've spoken before about the importance of Hoolahan to that side, and we don't have a Hoolahan.

[eastie]

And he said on his arrival here that we would always try to play entertaining football- ha!

[pauliewalnuts]

I can understand playing defensively in this fixture. Yes, it's at home, but they're an excellent side, so from that point of view, it is understandable.

I would have thought, though, that when playing a side full of top quality players, it is of some importance to minimise the frequency with which you give them the ball.

We don't seem to be doing that. Too often we panic in possession and play what are, at best, 50-50 balls, and invariable give possession straight back to them.

Our only outlet seems to be the ball up to Kozak.

[Tuscans]

Delph is they only player I rate in that team today, I tell a lie and Guzan.

[PaulWinch again]

Our players always look physically weak as well, with the exception of Benteke.

[Monty]

And he said on his arrival here that we would always try to play entertaining football- ha!

I don't doubt that he's trying.

[Rigadon]

If we go long and finish above 15th, I'll be very happy.

I just don't think that's good enough for Aston Villa.

Me neither.  What a depressing mindset!

rome wasn't built in a day. its a long term project and we either have the patience for it or we don't

Don't mean to start a row, but if Lambert was relying on hoofball to keep us up in his second season we'd be fucked, he would fail and be sacked and yet another project would begin. 

We are defending well today and that's something to be pleased about.  But we have zero idea going forward.  I can't get too cross though as most sides would miss Benteke and we miss Gabby. 

[Malandro]

I'd rather have the Togo guy than Karim

[eastie]

And he said on his arrival here that we would always try to play entertaining football- ha!

I don't doubt that he's trying.

Indeed. Very trying!

[Tuscans]

If we end up with a clean sheet after 90 mins Ill be amazed

[Axl Rose]

we have been pretty awful. If they score, I just can't see us getting anything back...come on Villa, prove me wrong!

[russon]

From the sound of it I am happy I have decided not to watch.

oh i don't know, the pitch looks good and Baker's had a nice haircut

[citizenDJ]

I can understand playing defensively in this fixture. Yes, it's at home, but they're an excellent side, so from that point of view, it is understandable.

I would have thought, though, that when playing a side full of top quality players, it is of some importance to minimise the frequency with which you give them the ball.

We don't seem to be doing that. Too often we panic in possession and play what are, at best, 50-50 balls, and invariable give possession straight back to them.

Our only outlet seems to be the ball up to Kozak.

It just seems a strange game in which to change the formation. Normally, we should be more attacking at home, I agree, but today is one of the days where we might have been able to make our counter attacking work; City aren't likely to sit back and play out a draw. 4-5-1, with Sylla in his more effective defensive role in front of the defence, Delph and El Ahmadi in the middle, Kojak up front and Weimann and Helenius/Tonev out wide.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'd like to see the stat re where on the pitch the ball has spent the most time. It's hardly been out of our half.