Is this what transition looks like?

[PeterWithesShin]

Slowly but surely I think we are getting there. With what we will be signing in the summer i'm quietly confident next season will be a much bigger step forward. And we show in infuriating glimpses now what we are capable of.

[not3bad]

Villa V Stoke will be 10th vs 11th next week. Nice, anonymous mid table clash.

[Drummond]

What a difference 3 weeks makes....

[adrenachrome]

What a difference 3 weeks makes....

Very true.

Let's be honest, though. Anybody who has attended most of our home games in recent years had legitimate cause for complaint, to say the least.

[aj2k77]

Absolutely delighted, 90 minute performance, tight at the back a beautiful goal and wild celebrations. Can't ask for any more than that. Up the Villa.

[rob_bridge]

What a difference 3 weeks makes....

Very true.

Let's be honest, though. Anybody who has attended most of our home games in recent years had legitimate cause for complaint, to say the least.

Correct. Fans can handle being mid to upper mid table bollocks provided the genuine fans who go every week (not me) see a proper game of football every other week. Not Sunderland, Palace, Sheff Utd, Man Utd and far too many others over the last 4 years.

[Dante Lavelli]

You don't get to dine at the ritz if you can't pay the bill.

Exactly right. As our accounts show we cannot afford to buy complete players at the moment so we have to try something different.

[supertom]

Our players are good enough to consistently play like they have in the last two home games. Games like Palace, West Ham at home are not good enough at all. We were negative, lacked composure and were awful.

Players like Westwood and KEA may not be quite good enough to be first choice for 38 games a season. They are however good enough to be part of the squad and play their part when they step in.

If we show some composure, use a bit of nous and show attacking intent we're a half decent side. We should really be a lot closer to Soton and Newcastle really, because in terms of quality and ability we're up there with them.

Our home form seems to be heading in the right direction now. 3 wins from our last 4. The West Ham was another step back to woeful after a good derby win. But again the three wins we attacked and tried to play football. The West Ham game we were negative and lacked composure and confidence against a side playing without a front man.
We can do it when we set our minds to it. Lambert can get us playing football. A bit of movement a bit of consideration is all it takes. We don't have to resort to hoof ball so quickly, because when we do we look hopeless.

Our next two home games are very winnable. 4 points at least would represent a very good return and keep some VP momentum building. Two wins on the spin is a good base to start putting together a run where we can start getting our home form back to a reasonable level.

[not3bad]

Question is will we capitalise on a genuinely promising performance or will we take a step backwards as we have so often before?

[PaulWinch again]

Question is will we capitalise on a genuinely promising performance or will we take a step backwards as we have so often before?

We shall see I guess, but hopefully we're learning.

[pauliewalnuts]

Question is will we capitalise on a genuinely promising performance or will we take a step backwards as we have so often before?

Exactly.

[TopDeck113]

The one thing that I hope yesterday proved was that if we want to make Villa Park a fortress, it requires team and fans all pulling in the same direction.  A rocking Villa Park is an intimidating place for visitors to come to: for too long we've allowed it to become a place that other teams look forward to visiting. 

[N'ZMAV]

Agreed. The players pressing high generates a very good atmosphere, it doesn't take world class goals or amazing passing play to get the fans on side. It's all about effort and winning the ball back. Those basics will see us turn Villa Park into the place it was a few years back.

[PaulWinch again]

I think the pressing high is critical to play at home. I mean every Villa fan who enters the ground wants Villa to win and they want to cheer the team on, if the team gives the slightest encouragement they'll get terrific support.

[supertom]

Question is will we capitalise on a genuinely promising performance or will we take a step backwards as we have so often before?

We shall see I guess, but hopefully we're learning.

We've got a great opportunity to make it 3 home wins on the bounce. That would be absolutely fantastic for us given the last few years. It should be entirely do-able too. Stoke will be a very tough game of course, but as long as we approach it in the right mindset and look to press them and attack them.
As long as we don't lose that's the main thing. Just to get some semblance of home form going would do us wonders I think. We've got to set our stall out to win this game. No chopping or changing. Keep the same side and push again for another win. Most of all, we can't rest on our laurels.