Sunderland v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[silhillvilla]

The MOTD panel seemed quite upset that we'd won the game.

[N'Zimidy]

Where was the wonderful move where Albrighton had a one on one? It was the only bit I really missed watching it live and thought for sure we would have seen it again 

[Louzie0]

Thought MOTD quite dismissive.
We won, though!
Bollux to them. UTV and Happy New Year!

[CJ]

Didn't show that great run and shot by Bacuna in the first half either

[Somniloquism]

In the aftermath of Benteke's shot that was cleared off line I noticed that Benteke just stood around as Gabby desperately tried to get hold of the ball. Not sure if he did that because he would have been offside or it's another cause of his lack of involvement just now?

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he thought he might have been in an offside position.

As for the Sunderland offside decision, the striker was leaning forward so his head was ahead of the Vlaar and the rules are any part of the body a goal can be scored from. It even showed it on the graphic yet Hamann said he was level. And they wonder why they get beaten time and again in punditry stakes by Sky.

[pauliewalnuts]

Didn't show that great run and shot by Bacuna in the first half either

I haven't seen MOTD but am watching the Sky Sports rerun at the moment - up to just about half time - and I think we've played pretty well. We're sitting back more than I'd like, but we've certainly had the best chances.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

The MOTD panel seemed quite upset that we'd won the game.

F**k 'em.
F**k G. Lineker - he's a twat.
F**k Sunderland fans' sites.
We won fair and square and could've had 5 if we had shown a bit of composure and not panic every time we see those white post things with the net things on the back.
C**king pants during 2nd half but loved the day, especially the warm glow on the coach coming home with the heating on full blast and all of us texting our loved ones with the good news and how we felt about it.
Happy New Year, including all you grumpy f**kers!

UTV!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Didn't show that great run and shot by Bacuna in the first half either

I haven't seen MOTD but am watching the Sky Sports rerun at the moment - up to just about half time - and I think we've played pretty well. We're sitting back more than I'd like, but we've certainly had the best chances.

We had all the good chances paulie and should have wrapped it up easily by about 60 minutes. So frustrating that we didn't come away with a resounding 3 or 4 nil win.
MOTD didn't show that at all. Yes, S'land had more posssession, but like Swansea, did f**k all with it. That's not our fault Lineker & co - it's theirs'!
Hope I haven't spoilt the 2nd half for you.
I've had beer to celebrate since I got home so if you don't want to know the result, look away now...
psssshhhhtttt....glug glug glug, ahhhhh! *a fab 3 points - big smile - fall asleep on settee *

[frank]

A long day! I got up before 5 and have travelled on 4 trains, 2 rail replacement buses, the tube, 2 taxis and the Edinburgh Lions' minibus. I should get home by 3 this morning.  But it's been an enjoyable day out, part of it spent in the agreeable company of the Edinburgh and K&D Lions.
I thought Sunderland were the worst of several poor teams  I've seen this season (that includes Villa). We weren't great, but better and certainly more determined than in the last 2 games.  For once I agree with PL's post-match comment when he said we could easily have had 2 or 3 more. Vlaar made a difference and I hope he'll be back soon.  Weimann was again very poor - he seems to have completely lost his confidence.  Benteke was  no better than in recent weeks - sluggish and uninvolved. Gabby was my man of the match.

[JD]

F'kin hell that was a hard read.

We haven't won in 5. Sunderland (who are s%*t) haven't lost in 5. We went to there ground and won 1-0 but it should have been more.

We have some key players who have been injured and are now coming back. We can buy some new players and strengthen now that the transfer window is open. We are also 11th in the league, so even though we are s&*t, there are currently at least 9 teams sh%&tier than us.

I was happy before I came on here.

Well done Villa, great win.     

[ciggiesnbeer]

You guys worry far to much about MOTD, nobody gives a shit about them (particularly outside the uk). Ignore them and move on.

[Clampy]

I missed the first half hour but caught the last 15 minutes of the first half and it was mainly all them. Second half, I thought we were great on the counter attack and should have won it by more.

Let's hope this gives the lads a bit of confidence and hopefully by the time the Arsenal game comes round, we'll have one or two new faces in the squad.

[RussellC]

Firstly massive 3 points and great battling defensive performance.

However, that game for me is the final nail in the coffin of hope for marc Albrighton's Premiership career. 2 clear opportunities to wrap the game up for us and only managed to even work the keeper on one of them. Simply not good enough. Same goes for Wieman who I thought was poor for the umpteenth time this season.

On the plus side I think our right hand-side of Lowton and Bacuna is continuing to look good, and also thought that was Westwood's best game for a while, although his set-pieces are still dreadful.

[ozzjim]

I think we have a real weak link in the attacking midfield/ wide forward roles.

Weimann clearly has not been good enough for a long time now, I would have dropped him, and said so at the time, back before the home game with Sunderland last season due to doing very little. I just don't think he is as good as he now believes, and he gives the ball away so much, but even worse just goes missing.

His finishing has been really poor too this season.

But when you add in the lack of a real attacking threat from midfield we are struggling to break things down.

However, we looked like we had goals in us yesterday, Benteke changes the whole attitude going forward. Gabby and he looked good, much more like themselves, and amazingly with a bit of movement in front of him Westwood was able to pass the ball forward. He has taken loads of stick on here, but Westwood is a much better player if he actually has people to pass to!

[peter w]

Only followed the game via Sky Soccer Saturday. According to Ian Dowie Sunderland didn't look threatening second-half and we were always dangerous on the break. Also, after our goal we just sat deep and waited for them. Sounded like we fully deserved it.