Aston Villa v Manchester United Match Thread

[SamTheMouse]

Albrighton looks our best player by far today. Although the competition isn't exactly stiff, to be fair.

[aj2k77]

If Lambo thinks these players are going to improve into those worthy of a top ten side then he needs his head shaking.

He thinks Westwood could play for England. That says it all.

Westwood has been okay so far today and last year was looking international class. He's dropped off this year but still an impressive signing in my opinion.

I think he's a wasted position in the team. Doesn't tackle, is slow, has no vision, physically as imposing as a carrot but he plays a mean 10 yard pass to someone in the centre circle.

[Marton]

United fans are singing "Can we play you every week?"...
.....at Villa Park....
...at halftime...
... it just insult to injury!

[john e]

Danny Baker on Twitter:

Whenever Villa face Man U they turn into Bob Dylan's backing band. "How do you want us to play, what speed & let us know when it's over."

Ain't that the truth

[Tuscans]

Started brightly until the goal went. Albrighton looked like he had the bit inbetween his teeth and more composed than usual.

But the problem lies with easily 3 of the back 4. Massively miss Vlaar and Okore and 2 good full backs too.

Oh, and our midfield minus Delph is proper bunk!

[PeterWithesShin]

Other scores

Spoiler for Hiden:

Narwich 1-1 Swansea

[PaulWinch again]

Well let's hope something can happen in second half. I'd get Gardner on for KEA, because he can't do any less.

[brontebilly]

Wouldn't mind seeing Gardner getting a run. 2-0 down flatters us a touch

Kozak will come on I suspect and we will go long ball/pass

Albrighton has been bright, Clark has done ok. The rest are a bad joke

[supertom]

Danny Baker on Twitter:

Whenever Villa face Man U they turn into Bob Dylan's backing band. "How do you want us to play, what speed & let us know when it's over."

Ain't that the truth

Sadly yes.

[aj2k77]

When do the easy fixtures start?

[ozzjim]

There's a thread on here where we are slagging off the Boggies for sacking their manager.

There are loads of posts on here suggesting we do the same.

Get a grip lads eh?

Its a weekly thing.

The post match thread is even more wrist slashingly over the top.

Yes but I don't think it's a case of everything's ok either. It's somewhere in between, we haven't actually played very well for about 6 weeks now. We've got some results in that time, but like the England cricket team you can only go on playing poorly and getting results for so long.

No it is not ok at all, but then I reckon you sit Lambert down and he will say as much. He had every side he has managed playing attacking football, but for us this season. All managers have poor spells, and at some point stepping back and saying right - as long as you stay up you 3-4 seasons to build a side - might be the way to move forward in the longer term.

[Fergal]

Unless we spend some serious money, the likes of which MoN frittered away, we will continue to be shit.  You cant pay pennies and compete with clubs spending pounds.

[curiousorange]

I've been wondering for a few weeks now if Lambert's Villa career has long to go. If Clarke can get the flick for such a mediocre record, Lambert must have that worry at the back of his mind, surely?

[Dave Cooper please]

There's a thread on here where we are slagging off the Boggies for sacking their manager.

There are loads of posts on here suggesting we do the same.

Get a grip lads eh?

Its a weekly thing.

The post match thread is even more wrist slashingly over the top.

I'm unconvinced that he's as good as you seem to think he is.  I'm not (yet) in the 'sack him' camp but maybe you could explain why keeping Lambert is such a genius move.

This is for after-match discussion I think, would be wasted in the match thread.

Just one point - do you think sacking Clarke is suddenly going to transform the Stripeyfilth?

[paul_e]

Kea is so frustrating, far too often he just switches off and stands around.  He did it twice when Albrighton had the ball on the right and was looking for someone to go into the 10 spot and instead KEA stood next to his marker 5 yards behind just hiding rather than trying to influence things.  I don't mind 1 midfielder holding his position but Westwood does that better so KEA really needs to get involved going forward and try to make some space for people.

The pass from Baker for their 2nd was dire.