Sunderland v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[olaftab]

I see we're above Real Swansea now.

We should be ashamed to be two points ahead of a team that had over 70% possession against us... It's about time they did something to give points for position.

[dave.woodhall]

When Gabby scores they're usually big goals when they matter. That's why he'd always be in my Villa team.

Twice in four minutes I agree with your every word. 2014 = parallel universe.

[Toronto Villa]

When Gabby scores they're usually big goals when they matter. That's why he'd always be in my Villa team.

yep 100% agree.That's now two one on ones where he has taken his goals beautifully.

[supertom]

Sunderland lost the game as soon as Cattermole fucked up. It killed them. They played like a side at the bottom. It was all a bit desperate and they just never really looked like scoring. Had they got the first goal they'd probably have held out and looked fairly comfortable doing it. But shit like that happens when you're at the bottom. It's hard coming back from that. The goal was very early but I said in the match thread I couldn't see them scoring after conceding like that, and they didn't.

We didn't make it easy for ourselves by allowing them so much of the ball, but they did nothing of much note with it. They never looked like they would score. Shots weren't hit clean, final deliveries rushed, no ideas, nothing.

I didn't particularly worry too much in any point after we'd scored. It just felt like we had it in the bag and Sunderland looked dead and buried. To be fair to our boys, we didn't gift them a goal back, which would have been the likeliest way for them to get into it. Kind of like Kozaks goal the other week. Besides that we never looked much like getting something off our own back.

I do feel for Poyet it must be said. He's got a gargantuan task to repair the mentality of his squad.

[Steve R]

Got to admire Sunderland for trying to play a passing game. It's a bit stupid though when you let Cattermole get in on the act.

Some hopeful signs today. Benteke did not have a great game but showed glimpses at least of the player he really is.

[joe_c]

I think that's the type of game I hate the most, where we are manifestly superior to our opponents in every department but lack the ability to kill them off and spending the last 20 minutes in fear of us coughing up a wholly undeserved equaliser.

Massively improved performance though and I thought a magnificent performance from Gabby who looked like a real leader when he took over the captaincy when Vlaar went off and played with assurance and maturity throughout.

[olaftab]

When Gabby scores they're usually big goals when they matter. That's why he'd always be in my Villa team.

Yes he scored important goals. Big man when needed.

[supertom]

When Gabby scores they're usually big goals when they matter. That's why he'd always be in my Villa team.

yep 100% agree.That's now two one on ones where he has taken his goals beautifully.

Yep. Gabby's also very much a purple patch kind of player, even at his best he's always been that way. 10 games without a goal, then maybe a run of games where he always looks like scoring.
I fancy him to bang a few more in, in the coming weeks. And if there's anyone you'd fancy to net a goal against a couple of the bigger sides, who we're playing next, it's probably Gabby.

[pbavfckuwait]

Thank you Aston Villa Thank you

[Toronto Villa]

I see we're above Real Swansea now.

We should be ashamed to be two points ahead of a team that had over 70% possession against us... It's about time they did something to give points for position.

but we're dreadful, horrible etc etc etc aren't we?

Some people look for the negatives at every opportunity. Nobody is claiming we have turned the corner and everything is rosy, but everyone who has doubts about today look at where they had the bulk of their possession and look at the actual opportunities they had. We had much the better chances and should have won by a hatful.

[chrisf]

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.

+1

[Pete3206]

3 points. My precious!

[Steve kirk]

Dont care about how much possession we had or the technique of some of our players etc etc, just massively relieved that we won, even when we win there are some very negative posts on here, cheer up and a Happy New Year to all of you, Up the Villa 

[dave.woodhall]

If we'd lost at home to a side as bad as we're supposed to be and had one shot on target there'd be smoke coming out of this thread now.

[Karl Bridges]

Anyone know what's up with Vlaar now?  Hope it's just precautionary, he's going to need his own medical wing at Bodymoor at this rate.

He was holding his calf when he was down. We did rush him back though so always a danger of it going again.