Aston Villa v Sunderland Post-Match Thread

[mr woo]

In the closed season fans said they wanted to see the defence sorted and a mid-table finish was a realistic target. Villa are on track on both counts. Of course it's not always going to be pretty but when you're buying on a budget it will only get you so far. People have mentioned Southampton and how a change of manager has benefited them but let's not forget that they have also spent a few quid since he arrived. I don't believe another managerial change is the answer; Villa need some stability. We all know that the team needs some quality additions but it's not likely to happen so you'll have to accept it and realise there's more to life.

Some people say you have to ignore these results and look at the bigger picture, we're building a side that will grow together slowly but surely.

Well I'm sorry to piss in their chips, but there's an even bigger picture than that I'm afraid.

It's not the seventies any more.
Wake up. Football's changed.

The minute you get a good side together other people will notice. And chances are those people will have more money than you. I'm sure I dont need to spell out the events that follow.

I agree with you NastyLee, you have to accept what we are, because market forces will ensure that things will not change unless serious investment comes our way.

[supertom]

Transition or not, we can't accept the piss poor excuse for footballing skill we see most weeks now. Even down to the very basics of controlling and passing a ball a couple of yards to a team mate. We might be working on a budget but we're still paying millions for some of these players, and some are internationals too, or have come from a solid standard. Even accounting for buying from lower leagues, the ability to perform simple passes should be a given. We don't see that at all. It's honestly embarrassing to watch sometimes. We are getting some results, we are tough to beat, but our luck will run out if we don't start improving on the fundamentals on the ball.

I don't care that we're on a budget, that we're not the same side that would spend 30-40 mill a summer under O Neill. An inability to pass a ball 5 yards, or to show any sort of decent movement is unacceptable in the Premier League. We were lucky against Cardiff and West Brom, we had a slice of luck today. Gardners offside was very tight and could easily have been given, they also hit the bar too. When the luck isn't going our way and we're losing games, then all our huff and puff, with no style whatsoever, will be all for nowt. If Ron gets injured, we're buggered.

[Grande Pablo]

Today was a good day to pick the option of some hospitality at Lichfield RUFC - & I saw then demolish Malvern 115-0.

Perhaps it's me.

[Chris Jameson]

Malvern need a new goalkeeper.

[PeterWithe]

The defense is looking a lot more organised and we are much harder to beat than previous years, that's about it for the positives.

Utter dirge. Benteke is a worry, without him on anything approaching form we are very ugly to watch. He played like  his head was elsewhere, we really can't afford that.

[Dave Clark Five]

I am waiting for the voices of reason. My view is that we were crap.

[ChicagoLion]

I think we have to take he positive in that Lambert would appear to have steadied the ship. People keep talking about a midfield play maker but a ball winner is a bigger priority and the midfield is unbalanced. I have no idea what KEA brings to the team.

Benteke looks like a bloke who cant wait for January, and on that performance we are better off without him.

[Dave Clark Five]

Benteke is a worry, without him on anything approaching form we are very ugly to watch. He played like  his head was elsewhere, we really can't afford that.

No. He is not leaving in the January window. That has already been discounted.

[ChicagoLion]

Benteke is a worry, without him on anything approaching form we are very ugly to watch. He played like  his head was elsewhere, we really can't afford that.

No. He is not leaving in the January window. That has already been discounted.

He does not look like someone who s pleased to stay though.

[Jimbo]

Does anyone know why Lambert put Luna in from the start, after delaying the return of Gabby, Delph and Andi until the 55th min last week?

[PeterWithe]

Unfortunately our 7m reserve striker isn't any better than our disinterested/injured first choice.

[PaulJAVFC]

First post
I have avidly read several villa forums for several years but post rarely.
Just a bit of background, supported villa since late 1960 s followed home and away from then until mid 80 s.
Still go 2 or 3 games a year but watch mostly every game through the magic of tinternet.
Ok, on Lambert, means well , is he good enough now , No.
Is the team good enough for Villa , No.
Is is better than Mcleish, O Mcgrath yes. Lambert tries not to be negative ,just fails mostly. Mcleish embraced negativity.
My hopes. 1.He learns from mistakes. . 2 He he has finished building squad depth and now wants to add quality/creativity (1 or 2 players) to squad. 3. He learns from his mistakes.4. Do I want him sacked, not yet.
If not then he has 12 months left to prove he is right.

[PaulJAVFC]

Oh by the way, on today`s game.
Can`t break down sides who park the bus. We knew that hence the need for more quality.

[PeterWithe]

I'm pretty sure that PL would like to see his players dribble round the massed rank of Sunderland players and belt one in but unfortunately we dont pay the wages to keep players who can do that.

Not losing is the new black.

[ChicagoLion]

If we compare this season to last then it looks like improvement, if you compare the last 10 games to this season then the team has definitely gone backwards.