Aston Villa v Cardiff City Post-Match Thread

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

A win.
A clean sheet.
A much needed 3 points.

(Boggies "robbed" at the death)

Might have a pint.
;-)

[Monty]

I've always said that I disagreed with Lambert's choice of signing when it comes to Kozak rather than the player himself. Today we were clearly one-dimensional again, but I do like him for how hard he runs and for his surprising neck strength as well - he did so well to get as much behind that header as he did. I think we'd be doing better had we pooled our money and signed a Kiyotake or a Rakitic, but Kozak himself is doing well.

My guess is Lambert has his target for that role and couldn't get him. He must have felt we could manage until the opportunity presented itself for the AM player of choice. I don't relate the signing of Kozak to that decision. He wanted the player and got him and I don't think it was one or the other. A little bit like the story about Lukaku where Lambert said he'd still have gone foe Benteke had he got Lukaku. We'll be fine for a bit as these players get some chemistry, but I'm sure it isn't lost on the manager we need something extra or different in midfield to drive us forward.

It's only related in the sense that he probably could have paid the asking price for the hypothetical midfielder had he not signed Kozak, so at that point it becomes a Kozak-or-midfielder decision. I understand his wanting to consolidate the squad for the tactics we have before expanding the style of play too much - it's just not what I'd have done, and I think it's left us as bereft of creativity as we have been for years now. However, I do like Kozak, and I'm sure Lambert will sign that creative midfielder when he next can.

[Legion]

A clean sheet, 2 goals and 3 points against the Sold Out Crew. Great free-kick from Bacuna. Kozak was in the right place at the right time.

[Legion]

Plus a BIG thank you to all those who donated. Very much appreciated.

[Toronto Villa]

That's if money was the reason why we didn't sign the player. Could have been something else.

[PeterWithesShin]

Plus a BIG thank you to all those who donated. Very much appreciated.

Especially to any that gave gold!

[Monty]

That's if money was the reason why we didn't sign the player. Could have been something else.

That's also a possibility. Let's say it's Kiyotake, for instance - he said he didn't want to come to England, so maybe he wants to give it another year in Germany before moving.

[ozzjim]

Today showed a couple of things.

If you are going to be one-dimensional at home, 2 big fellas together is more effective than one feeding on scraps.

AND.... If you stick 2 big men up top, get 2 players out wide that can get the ball in FFS. Until Lowton came on, we just did not do enough of that at all.

Vlaar was exceptional in fairness too him, I thought he was excellent.

Clark did well at left back.

Tonev is very frustrating but is better wide than central.

Bacuna is a super player, because his first touch gets him onto the front foot almost every time. This gives him a yard to attack forward not be defensive. He is a good right back, but now he is settled is our best form of attack too. Him, Westwood, Delph and Sylla are the 4 that need to fit into 3 to play really in that middle area. Sylla makes Westwood a better footballer.

Westwood had his best game of the season IMO, but having 2 strikers that were moving for him helped no end. Weimann has been poor all season IMO, and today with a bit of movement up front Westwood suddenly had passes he could make.

Another clean sheet. 11 games, 14 points, and a -1 goal difference, lets be honest, is a pretty decent opening to the season to go into the international friendlies, and certainly something I would have taken, especially considering Benteke has been out, lost Okore, Gabby has been out a few times, Weimann and Lowton have lost form etc etc. I think Lambert will want us to play better, but will be delighted that he got 27 more games to get 26 more points for saftety.

[Legion]

[olaftab]

I'm pretty worried about Benteke's frustrations at the moment, he's visibly annoyed a lot of the time.

There is no reason for him to be frustrated. He is not a goal poacher but a contributor and a playmaker. That part of his game has been missing since his return from injury. Needs to concentrate and improve his own effectiveness.

[eastie]

Today showed a couple of things.

If you are going to be one-dimensional at home, 2 big fellas together is more effective than one feeding on scraps.

AND.... If you stick 2 big men up top, get 2 players out wide that can get the ball in FFS. Until Lowton came on, we just did not do enough of that at all.

Vlaar was exceptional in fairness too him, I thought he was excellent.

Clark did well at left back.

Tonev is very frustrating but is better wide than central.

Bacuna is a super player, because his first touch gets him onto the front foot almost every time. This gives him a yard to attack forward not be defensive. He is a good right back, but now he is settled is our best form of attack too. Him, Westwood, Delph and Sylla are the 4 that need to fit into 3 to play really in that middle area. Sylla makes Westwood a better footballer.

Westwood had his best game of the season IMO, but having 2 strikers that were moving for him helped no end. Weimann has been poor all season IMO, and today with a bit of movement up front Westwood suddenly had passes he could make.

Another clean sheet. 11 games, 14 points, and a -1 goal difference, lets be honest, is a pretty decent opening to the season to go into the international friendlies, and certainly something I would have taken, especially considering Benteke has been out, lost Okore, Gabby has been out a few times, Weimann and Lowton have lost form etc etc. I think Lambert will want us to play better, but will be delighted that he got 27 more games to get 26 more points for saftety.

Agree with most of that apart from the last bit, I don't think the target is 40 points and safety - I would hope we can look towards 50 points and midtable .

[lovejoy]

At some stage we'd have to get used to Benteke not being there, he seems intent to give us a taster now. Gone in January?

[N'Zimidy]

We've had the hardest fixture list in the league up till this point. To come away from today's game with 14 points from 11 matches is pretty remarkable. We can look forward to 6 "easy" games against Baggies, Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke, Palace and Swansea and then two games against moderately harder opposition but certainly beatable; United and Southampton.

I think we're well on course for a top half finish. We'll take 10+ points from the first six mentioned alone and I'd fancy us getting a result against United or Southampton for sure.

[eastie]

At some stage we'd have to get used to Benteke not being there, he seems intent to give us a taster now. Gone in January?

No chance of him going before the World Cup - his price could go through the roof in brazil 2014.

[Ads]

Not a chance he will be sold in January.