Sunderland v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[richardhubbard]

Hopefully we now kick on , we need to aim for 38 points as soon as and kick on for tenth

[mrfuse]

should have scored more goals but cant complain.

[andyh]

Great 3 points, but we did not need to make so bloody hard.
Very,very poor finishing cost us a 2 or 3 goal cushion I reckon.
Still, at least it means we actually created those chances.

Let's enjoy the win, but not get carried away, we need massive improvements in that team.

Bacuna my MOM by some distance.

[SheffieldVillain]

Well I never. Absolutely delighted with that, not least since we're a terrible, terrible football team. Thankfully, Sunderland are worse. Massive three points.

Sunderland worse? Don't let the score fool you. They outplayed us and throughout but were equally wasteful, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.

And are bottom of the table, nine points and nine places below us so clearly over the first twenty games of the season haven't been better than us.

[Toronto Villa]

Well I never. Absolutely delighted with that, not least since we're a terrible, terrible football team. Thankfully, Sunderland are worse. Massive three points.

Sunderland worse? Don't let the score fool you. They outplayed us and throughout but were equally wasteful, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.

we gave them all of their shots from long range. Just because they had shots doesn't make them good opportunities. They didn't outplay us at all. In terms of clear cut chances we had way more if you decide to acknowledge them. We could have won by 4 had we been a remotely efficient.

[itbrvilla]

Well I never. Absolutely delighted with that, not least since we're a terrible, terrible football team. Thankfully, Sunderland are worse. Massive three points.

Sunderland worse? Don't let the score fool you. They outplayed us and throughout but were equally wasteful, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.

And are bottom of the table, nine points and nine places below us so clearly over the first twenty games of the season haven't been better than us.

But were today.

[paulcomben]

Pos   Team         Played   GD Points

1   Arsenal   20   21   45
2   Man City   20   34   44
3   Chelsea   20   19   43
4   Liverpool   20   23   39
5   Everton   20   13   38
6   Man Utd   19   10   34
7   Tottenham   19   -2   34
8   Newcastle   20   4   33
9   South'ton   20   3   27
10   Hull           20   -3   23
11   Aston Villa   20   -6   23
12   Stoke   20   -11   22
13   Swansea   20   -2   21
14   West Brom   20   -4   21
15   Norwich   20   -16   20
16   Fulham   20   -21   19
17   Cardiff   20   -17   18
18   Crystal P   20   -16   17
19   West Ham   20   -11   15
20   Sunderland 20   -18   14

Not brilliant, not horrendous, and hopefully with a good transfer window we can push on.

Last year on the same date, after a 2-2 at Swansea, Villa had played one game more & had 19 points & minus 24 goal difference in 16th position.

[Deano's Mullet]

Should have scored more but 3 points is massive considering Fulham won. West Ham and Sunderland looking a bit cut off, Palace look to be on a little run too.

[Dribbler]

A massively important win in terms of confidence and putting some space between us and the relegation zone.

We didn't play well again, and we really are a poor footballing team in so many ways and seem to make a lot of bad decisions.

A low 35% possession against Sunderland, even away, is poor, and we need a midfield if we are going to improve. Look forward (with some trepidation) to seeing who we might bring in this month.

We were gifted a goal, but we could of had a couple more, Benteke's chance cleared off the line and Albrighton's glaring miss spring to mind.

Anyway, we won, and that means it's a great start to the year. Happy New Year!

[Hampshire Villa]

Arsenal will have no chance against our lack of ability on the ball!  I think we will just put them off! They will be so aghast at how we miss short passes , they will start doing it too.  3 points no problem.
"Keep Calm and Hoof it"

 seriously , we need to do something in transfer window. Glass Ron needs to have a replacement!. It was the same last year when he was out! Hope he's not bad!

Still 3 points is 3 points unbeaten in 2014!  sleep easy tonight!
Happy New Year all!

[Nastylee]

Don't get the posters who are claiming luck, saying it was tension filled, etc. I thought we played ok. Yes Sunderland had more possession but what's new? If passing the ball across the park is good football then they can keep it. Guzan has had to face 1 shot on target. The only luck involved today was a tight off side call which could have gone either way but we should have bagged a 3 goal win today and I thought the defence played really well. I also think Benteke showed signs of his old self and was much more involved. Hopefully, Vlaar is not going to miss another month. Much needed 3 points and a week off for the FA Cup.

[SheffieldVillain]

Well I never. Absolutely delighted with that, not least since we're a terrible, terrible football team. Thankfully, Sunderland are worse. Massive three points.

Sunderland worse? Don't let the score fool you. They outplayed us and throughout but were equally wasteful, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.

And are bottom of the table, nine points and nine places below us so clearly over the first twenty games of the season haven't been better than us.

But were today.

That's not what you said. Jimbo said Sunderland are worse. You disagreed.

But you carry on. The obvious reaction to winning our first game for a while. A negative one.

[Boz]

Got a lot of luck today having wasted chances to finish the game off, but I thought Benteke started to show good touches later in the game and but for a goal line clearance would have scored.

Albrighton might have missed his chances but he did more in the time he was on than Weimann did.

In the end despite the lack of possession we should have won this but at least we are still keeping outof the scrap at the bottom

[barrysleftfoot]

 I think we are getting a bit hard to please.Goal given to us, but played the game well, and with a bit more quality/composure, would have won that by 4 or 5.

 Benteke's hold up play/link play, was superb, needs a tap in, and Vlaar at the back marshalled the defence very well as well.We hung on in terms of possession, but Sland never looked like scoring, play like that, with a couple of quality additions, i might just have to review my opinion about PL being bloody useless.

 Baker, for all his critics, played well again

[supertom]

We're fortunate to be this shit and be mid-table. We're in a great position now to get some quality players in this month and really solidify our position in the table and perhaps push Southampton and Hull for top 10 placings. We've got a good position here to really ensure we remain comfortable for the remainder of the season. Its slightly fortuitous, but we need to make the most of it.

We've got 2 weeks before our next Prem game to really work hard on the training field. A couple of players need a good rest. Lets get Helenius in the side against Sheff Utd, give him a chance to stake a claim. Benteke and Weimann need a rest.

What's frustrating is we showed some lovely passing in one 30 second spell which led to Albrighton blazing over. It came purely and simply from the players remaining calm and composed, and showing a bit of movement. Simple as that. Having a calming figure, and experienced player in the middle might make periods like that come more naturally, easier and more frequently.