Aston Villa v Sunderland Post-Match Thread

[dave.woodhall]

Football has changed since the 90s though Dave.

Back then if you spend a bit and wisely it was realistic to finish above the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, Newcastle did, Blackburn did and we did in 95/96.

Now with all the billionaires it's a little bit more tricky. We tried it with someone not far off that status and we couldn't quite do it.

We were finishing above Man. City regularly fairly recently....between 07-09 but we didn't in 09/10 and I felt that was our last chance for a while as Man. City were signing some quality players and so it has proved. We certainly won't be finishing above them in the league for a long time now.

It is much tougher just to finish 6th now than in the 90s I'd say and below that you're just treading water. Really that's where the good football thing comes into it, likes of Swansea and Southampton are good to watch most weeks so that can make finishing 8-9th that bit more enjoyable.

That and actually win one of the domestic cups.

In 2002 Leeds were the club we should emulate and Liverpool were always going to be in the top four. Liverpool are still spending daft money, they're no closer winning the league and are level on points with Everton. Back then money had supposedly changed football for ever as well.

[SoccerHQ]

The likes of Liverpool still finish above us 9 seasons out of 10 though despite their decline.

I do agree that we were a bit unlucky that when they started to decline and open up a top 4 place Man. City suddenly were taken over.

There's just so many teams above us that I just don't see us finishing above anytime soon and that's even if we address the midfield issues, maybe Spurs now their golden run is over but Everton look stronger to me than in the last few years.

[Axl Rose]

I miss Lowton and Bennett and their ability to link play on the wings, to get forward and to actually cross a ball. Yes, they (mainly Bennett) make mistakes and yes, Bennett doesn't seem to be that popular...BUT he was in our team for most games at the end of last year and looked like he was improving. Get him fit and get him back in. Lowton too. I don't like Luna much, if he was actually any good, he would be playing for Sevilla. We all know that, surely.
Out with KEA and lets inject some pace into the team, some trickery, a few new (and good) players in January please. None of this 'we can't compete with (insert tin pot clubs name here)' and bring some atmosphere back to Villa Park. Our last home game of the season we played Chelsea in May. I thought we played excellent football.
More of that please, Lambert.

Our team in not good enough at the moment to do both ie score goals and keep clean sheets. Lambert can do one or the other. Last quarter of last season was do or die and we attacked and succeeded however whilst that is exciting and fun it is not a long term sustainable policy. I was personally ok with that but evidence is that successful teams are based on good defence.
And Nik yes I was pissed off with " we can't compete with **** ****" comment.

Yes mate! It was of the O Leary school of comments. Really bothered me and still does. If that's the case, then what's the point? I feel it is a ploy to play down expectation, probably on Lerner's orders. I look forward to you visiting Tokyo Aftab. Hopefully Villa will be playing some better football by then.

[mrfuse]

For me its still very much work in progress and although it was poor yesterday, defensively we are getting better and Vlaar is looking more comfortable.
I watched Sunderland beat man city and it was a similar performance by them, Man city couldn't break them down either so I don't feel that disheartened.

I still think a few player are not 100% fit and Benteke is one of them, he just needs a goal and the confidence will come flooding back. I was surprised we didn't make the same change that we did against Cardiff and move Bacuna further forward.

Stating the obvious but we still lack that creative spark in midfield Westwood and KEA are too similar, nice and neat but not direct enough.

[jeowje]

The fact is we were as bad yesterday as in any of our dismal home defeats last season, ie Southampton or Wigan and were it not for the miss of the season we would not be clutching at 'solid defence, clean sheets' straws.

If we continue to sign £800,000 players, we will be relegated within a couple of years. That i see as a relative certainty, the lack of ambition is crippling us.

[Ads]

We have improved on last season yet we are now more likely to be relegated?

[SheffieldVillain]

The fact is we were as bad yesterday as in any of our dismal home defeats last season, ie Southampton or Wigan.

That's not a fact though is it? That's your opinion.

If we continue to sign £800,000 players, we will be relegated within a couple of years. That i see as a relative certainty, the lack of ambition is crippling us.

Yet having been signing '£800,000 players', we're in the top half of the table.

[silhillvilla]

I saw some people get up and leave on the 68th minute. That kind of summed the game up. That's a trio of 0-0's I've seen now that whilst dire to watch, have been 3 solid points with Guzan virtually a spectator in all. West ham, hull and Sunderland .
Progress.

[martin o`who??]

Anyone know a site where you can compare player's stats between seasons?

Benteke looked incredibly immobile. Not sure whether he runs were wasted of wether he didn't bother.

He`s playing with his back to goal, not getting any service from the flanks, ball just gets hoofed up to him, were not playing with much width at the moment and its affecting his contribution greatly.

[olaftab]

A few weeks ago some on here were very derisory about our 0-0 at Hull however I notice that newborn magnificent Liverpool have got a 3-1 beating there today.

[jeowje]

The fact is we were as bad yesterday as in any of our dismal home defeats last season, ie Southampton or Wigan.

That's not a fact though is it? That's your opinion.

If we continue to sign £800,000 players, we will be relegated within a couple of years. That i see as a relative certainty, the lack of ambition is crippling us.

Yet having been signing '£800,000 players', we're in the top half of the table.

This is all true, just being a miserablist after a disappointing performance I suppose. Bring on Wednesday night!

[Toronto Villa]

A few weeks ago some on here were very derisory about our 0-0 at Hull however I notice that newborn magnificent Liverpool have got a 3-1 beating there today.

Some people will be calling for Steve Bruce to replace Lambert after today.

[PaulWinch again]

Doesn't sound like it was particularly pretty yesterday.

[rob_bridge]

Doesn't sound like it was particularly pretty yesterday.

I've seen some boring games over the years. 2 X 0-0 v Bobby Gould's Cov Hoof Merchants in 1993 still pain me now. This was as bad as those.

[PaulWinch again]

We seem to be regressing badly as an attacking force, I can't comment on yesterday as I didn't see it but we've been really poor for most of this year.