Aston Villa v Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[itbrvilla]

That last 25 minutes or so needs to be applied more consistently, it shows with a bit of confidence we can play. I have never know a team so reliant and void of confidence. I know everyone suffers from it but we do massively as a whole unit for some reason.

We do have a team capable at times to really play and scare the opposition and score goals. What I really don't get is when we have not got the ball we do not press and harass enough. You don't need to be extremely high on confidence just a will to win.

Thats what happens when the Arse took their foot of the gas.  We were luck they only wanted 2, as they could of steam rollered us if they wanted to.

[eastie]

Poor first half and decent final 20 minutes or so - we must play for 90 minutes and not in dribs and drabs - so many times this season we have a poor half and a good half - the last 20 minutes may paper over the cracks for some but I believe we are in real trouble and will struggle to survive .

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Another 1-7 defeat and this time at home. I am not going to be pleased when we get beat 6-0 on Saturday.

[brontebilly]

with the exception of 2 x lowton crosses and the benteke goal, thought we were awful and the football played was predictably offensive.

would love to know how many times guzan booted the ball forward from open play.

i dont expect much better from many of the players we have but thought delph was atrocious and his first touch routinely made his second a tackle. his form is disintegrating.

benteke got a visible boost from the goal, should have scored the second too.

if he gets into a run of goals it will save us from the drop but the football we play is an insult to the game and our club.

paul lambert will be another ex villa manager heading for the managerial graveyard when he is put out of his misery at villa park, any manager that puts together that rabble is clueless.

[olaftab]

The Vlaar tackle on Monreal at the Witton End was a corker.
We need more of that.

Yes we loved that as well. He stayed tackled! I know it's not much but for me one of highlights of the evening.

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We're so awful that we should have drawn against the current best side in the league?

The Dippers up here have two great phrases "turn it in" and "you whopper".

[olaftab]

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "Nathan Baker was concussed, he took a blow to the side of his head. That was dangerous and it rocked us a bit, we had worked all week on the system but thankfully he's a lot better.

The system that they "worked on all week" had Villa hanging on by their figure nails even before the injury and goals. The system that actually worked was the one with Bacuna in a free role. He has far better vision and passing ability than Westwood.

I agree that going to back 4 and Bacuna  in "free role" was better however Arsenal did not have a shot on goal before Baker went off and it was set up for a 0-0 or breakaway 1-0. Very legitimate ploy against possibly the best football team in the country.

[PaulWinch again]

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "Nathan Baker was concussed, he took a blow to the side of his head. That was dangerous and it rocked us a bit, we had worked all week on the system but thankfully he's a lot better.

The system that they "worked on all week" had Villa hanging on by their figure nails even before the injury and goals. The system that actually worked was the one with Bacuna in a free role. He has far better vision and passing ability than Westwood.

I agree completely on the system, Baker's injury actually helped us. However I actually thought Westwood was much better in the second half and his passing was good.

[olaftab]

I remembered how much I despise Arsenal fans, fucking Tarquins with their Soccer AM songbook of 'footie' banter wind up chants. Utter post Fever Pitch fakes.

You can spot Tarquins a mile off even without any hint of  colours. There  were a couple walking behind us on the way back to the car and there description of play and players was straight out of Sky School of football.

[olaftab]

However I actually thought Westwood was much better in the second half and his passing was good.

Yes he was however I wish he had been a bit closer to Wilshere for their first. He let him go.

[Boz]

Lambert's article on the OS about Benteke's goal smacks of straw clutching.

It might be the jolt Benteke needs, but the service he receives is also a big factor and a creative midfielder is critical if we are not to drop into the battle at the bottom of the table.

We need someone who can put his foot on the ball and has the vision to see a pass, but our running off the ball also has to improve along with retaining it. When we had possession in their half last night only to give it away was appalling.

Arsenal's off the ball movement was something we can only dream of.

[Goldie.7]

Poor first half and decent final 20 minutes or so - we must play for 90 minutes and not in dribs and drabs

Someone says this after every game. The players aren't good enough for a proper solid 90.

[olaftab]

with the exception of 2 x lowton crosses and the benteke goal, thought we were awful and the football played was predictably offensive.

OK remind me again  as to other than benefitting from two mistakes and scoring twice what did the best football team in the Country do last night?

[Ads]

Poor first half and decent final 20 minutes or so - we must play for 90 minutes and not in dribs and drabs

Someone says this after every game. The players aren't good enough for a proper solid 90.

How many teams play for 90 minutes?

[olaftab]

The players aren't good enough for a proper solid 90.

I agree.