Sunderland v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Legion]

I'm definitely not starting the pre-match thread for Saturday. It's our year and I want it to stay that way.

[Shrek]

What pleased me most, was during the last 10 minutes, there were a few occasions where we kept the ball, passed it around and even created a glorious chance Albrighton should have scored.

The fact this was towards the end of the game, while under probably the most pressure showed that we aren't that bad and we really are just really low on confidence.

A draw, a win and signs of improvement in the last two games. Keep the faith. UTV.

[damon loves JT]

@GaryLineker: MOTD running order: Ars/Car, Swa/ManC, Sou/Che, ManU/Tot, Liv/Hull, Ful/WHU, WBA/New, Sun/AV, Sto/Eve, CP/Nor. BBC1 10.50

A bit off topic, but you know that thing in 'Homeland' where they generate interest by hanging the main character. Do you think it would work for MOTD? If they hanged Michael Owen I would swing on his legs

[Villafirst]

Lambert said on the OS that he hopes Vlaar will be fit for the Arsenal game but calf injury has flared up again. Still think we should recruit a new CB in this window.

[andrew08]

I can't believe I'm actually going to watch MOTD tonight, very happy with the 3 points, 1st half we were outplayed but the 2nd half I don't care what anyone thinks or what the possession says, we were strong and completely outplayed Sunderland, looked dangerous on the counter and the hunger back in Benteke was there to see.

Spot on

[Louzie0]

@RonVlaar4: Massive win and a great start of #2014. Too bad I couldn't hold for 90min. Felt great to play again. #UTV #AVFC #AVFCLIVE

Very happy for Our Concrete.
Who is Clive?

[Lky]

Woeful defensively first 20 minutes with Lowton and Luna again making basic errors. Thought Baker did well to be fair.  After that typical 'Villa away' performance. Looked relatively comfortable and always looked dangerous on the break. Their 'goal' was offside although you would be disappointed if it was against the Villa. After the Palace and Swansea games enjoy the win and points. Havin a few pints and gonna enjoy what Christmas is always about - the darts !! (I know I cant rely on the Villa)

[adrenachrome]

A massive win and one which proves yet again that, for all its manifest deficiencies,  there is battling spirit aplenty in this side: you don't win that type of game unless you are up for the physical challenge.

Bacuna and Gabby were immense, and Benteke looked up for it. The defense looked solid and we kept our shape well. The move that led to Albrighton's chance was a joy to watch and reminiscent of the better games in the latter part of last season.

I think that if Sunderland had pacy wide players that could link up, then they would have been able to attack our week spot, which are the full backs when not protected. As it is, they managed only one meaningful shot.

Well done lads and well done PL.

[Walmley_Villa]

I'll take the win and 3 points. Were glimmers of our attacking threat again and some of the old Benteke menace which was good to see. Yes, there were still confidence issues on the ball but we haven't won a game for a while so understandable. Vlaar's experience makes a big difference at the back but after he went off credit to Lowton and Baker for holding it together. We limited Sunderland to one shot on target so the team on the pitch deserve a pat on the back for that. With improved confidence should come better football. 3/4 goals would not have flattered us. UTV

[saunders_heroes]

I followed the game via the match thread (the first time I've done that in absolute ages) and from the impression I got was we were absolute shite. Then I read and listen to a few reports and I find out that actually we played quite well in stages and should have won by more.
Who cares anyway. A win is a win is a win.

[The Left Side]

Phew, 3 points... happy new year folks

[silhillvilla]

Delighted with the 3 points. Whilst the football wasn't great we showed fight today and determination to see the game out. Thought lowton did really well when he moved over to CB, also credit to Baker who has taken dogs abuse recently. We should really have out the game out of sight but this is villa. Frayed nerves and time for a beer.

[pauliewalnuts]

I followed the game via the match thread (the first time I've done that in absolute ages) and from the impression I got was we were absolute shite. Then I read and listen to a few reports and I find out that actually we played quite well in stages and should have won by more.
Who cares anyway. A win is a win is a win.

The match thread is a really unrepresentative barometer of the way we are playing. I've noticed that several times.

Not so much because people are overly dramatic or owt, but because frequently the posts are of five or six words in length, so it's hard to read much subtlety into what people say. It can be easy to get a more dismal view of how we are playing from that thread.

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm definitely not starting the pre-match thread for Saturday. It's our year and I want it to stay that way.

I note that it was I who started the match thread today.

[Legion]

No mate. You did the pre-match thread. ozzjim and I did near-simultaneous match threads which he merged before I could.

Get Saturday's pre-match thread up and running.