Sunderland v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[ciggiesnbeer]

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

Agreed. And lets face it. For all their possession they had one shot on target the whole game.

One.

[Dr_Fegg]

Lets be realistic - compared to our performances over the last 3-4 games that was certainly an improvement. Bacuna MOM for me and agree Albrighton made more impact in 10 mins than Wiemann did in 90.

Positives
- We've started creating chances again
- We kept a clean sheet. OK they were very poor in front of goal but some of that has to be put down to good defensive pressure

Negatives
- Got to hit the target when youre in the 18 yd box
- Vlarr, same injury or not 100% (my guess is the second one).

So overall happy with the 3 points and a marked improvement. Get some of the fringe players a run out on Saturday (and some game time for Donacien) and see where we go from there.

Good start to the year 

[caster troy]

Important win. Pleased that Baker is getting some plaudits, I thought he looked better against Swansea and has really stood up to be counted after a poor display against Palace.

I only saw the last 10 mins so I can't comment on the performance, but I expected us to lose, especially when Vlaar went off so I'm very happy with the three points.

Time for Lambert to do the necessary work in the transfer window...

[dl9]

Ohhhh the relief. I'm most happiest for our kid (Des Little) goes to every match everywhere and is probably paying £3 for a can of coke and £2 for a packet of crisps on the coach as we speak.

The reality however is that this win is merely papering over the cracks, we are still flattering to deceive and one again with only 35% of the possession we are living dangerously (living on our nerves).

15 points to get between now and May and I for one will be in a better place.

[Hampshire 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.

Can't agree. We have nothing to be ashamed of!  We are where we are after 20 games , not just one!. We have also had some key injuries. Keep the faith. We may be poor. But thankfully there are at the moment worse!
We won, be happy! If we were to win every game like that we would be happy! We have all seen games when we have dominated the game and couldn't score needed up losing. I don't care how much possession we have if we win! 70% possession was worth how many points exactly!? Oh yes 1 - Why because they didn't create any chances for all that possession. So really no need to feel ashamed! By all means we can complain about the style of the football, the method etc etc, but never be ashamed of Aston Villa!

[usav]

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.

Quite right too and I'm sure their forums are doing just that.

[SamTheMouse]

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.

Most of us are overly harsh on the team we love, for some reason. I reckon it's human nature. We're currently spending New Year with my in-laws and I've realised that I'm exceedingly harsh on my own kids, but stupidly indulgent of other people's.

[Mellin]

Keep the faith.

[Legion]

Goal!

[dave.woodhall]

Ohhhh the relief. I'm most happiest for our kid (Des Little) goes to every match everywhere and is probably paying £3 for a can of coke and £2 for a packet of crisps on the coach as we speak.

The reality however is that this win is merely papering over the cracks, we are still flattering to deceive and one again with only 35% of the possession we are living dangerously (living on our nerves).

15 points to get between now and May and I for one will be in a better place.

The reality is that we won. The reality is that we got 100% of the points. The reality is that no matter how good the result someone will always try to find a downside to it.   

[Matt C]

Well deserved win, frustration being it should have been by far more which meant an unnecessarily tense end. That aside though we looked in control of the game for the majority and Vlaar's presence makes a huge difference.

Hopefully we can make two or three smart signings now and finish this season in a similar manner to last.

[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.

Can't agree. We have nothing to be ashamed of!  We are where we are after 20 games , not just one!. We have also had some key injuries. Keep the faith. We may be poor. But thankfully there are at the moment worse!
We won, be happy! If we were to win every game like that we would be happy! We have all seen games when we have dominated the game and couldn't score needed up losing. I don't care how much possession we have if we win! 70% possession was worth how many points exactly!? Oh yes 1 - Why because they didn't create any chances for all that possession. So really no need to feel ashamed! By all means we can complain about the style of the football, the method etc etc, but never be ashamed of Aston Villa!

Whoosh!

[Toronto Villa]

The Vlaar injury and possible reoccurrence of the same issue must now force our hand to get an experienced CB in the window.

[rob_bridge]

When points are handed out for possession we should worry.

Until then onwards and upwards

Experienced defender and midfielder with no history of injuries in January please.

[eastie]

We won and looked dangerous many times in attack and should have won by more - its a clean sheet with an injury hit defence and a vital win - we are now in the transfer window - we all know where we need to strengthen , lets hope we get 2 or 3 quality additions to the team in the next couple of weeks.

A good start to the year and nice to see benteke back - sad to see Vlaar get an injury on his return but overall the result is the main thing and we got it - lets enjoy the rest of New Year's Day !