Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion Match Thread

[PaulWinch again]

No one tracked the bloody midfield runner again. Not good enough helping out the back 4. Westwood is bloody useless at it.

Yep Westwood always switches off.

[ciggiesnbeer]

For fucks sake our defence is fucking terrible.

You have to give credit where it's due, it was excellent one touch football from the Forgetables.

Indeed. This new manager they have has them playing well to be fair.

[supertom]

Cracking game.
Their defence is all over the bloody place. Our defence has been very sloppy. Vlaar has been disappointingly below par today.

This will probably end up being 5-4 (to us) or something like that.

I'd like to see Albrighton on to offer some width. KEA has barely touched the ball. Bacuna can slip into CM and Alby can switch wings.

Weimann and Benteke have been excellent. When they're on form (particularly the big man) we look a much better side.

[Matt C]

We're back in that vein of last season where we always looked like we had a goal in us... but we can't defend properly.

[David_Nab]

Be tempted to put Albrighton on as they look dodgy in wide area's..Lowton looks off pace would put Bacuna back there.

[Rigadon]

The defending for the last goal was so sub-standard it's untrue.

The 'pride of the midlands' are as bad as us at the back tonight. 

[PaulWinch again]

An extremely entertaining half, mind, and we showed great resolution to come back, but towards the end, they're passing it about significantly better than us again.

I wonder, are their players better than ours? Is it the coaching? Confidence?

Both sides are defending truly terribly, though. Lowton is fine coming forward, but you could hold a concert in the space he leaves open behind him.

Coaching and confidence combined I think.

[supertom]

Weimann looks a different player when he's in the middle. He's got the freedom to drift to the left and right and also make runs off their CH's. He's brimming with confidence too, which is great to see.

I think there's a goal or two in Benteke today. I can't see their backline stopping him.

[Morten]

What a first half, I have never seen anything like that.

Bertrand has been immense. I really hope we can sign him in the summer.

Both defences are not looking good, there will be chances in the second half. Mostly for us ;-) They have left Benteke unmarked twice at corners, odd.

I hope their late goal wont give them confidence again.

[eastie]

Cracking game - lovely to see this kind of high tempo game at home - shame benteke couldn't have made it 4 but all set for a memorable 2nd half - reminds me of our game against them in 83 when it was 3-3 at half time and we won 4-3.

[Lastfootstamper]

Absolutely gutted. On my way home earlier, someone pulls straight out on me at a junction. Everyone's okay, but looks like my car's a write-off. But have spent my entire evening on the phone and tinternet to the insurance and car hire people, rather than in my seat. In fact, only just found out the score. Devastated. Could I claim for an emotional injury for missing this? And is Bacuna playing behind Benteke?

[dicedlam]

Disappointing that we are not going in 4-2 in front, but credit for coming back  from 2-0 down.

We will still win it.

[Mister E]

Cracking game.
Their defence is all over the bloody place. Our defence has been very sloppy. Vlaar has been disappointingly below par today.

This will probably end up being 5-4 (to us) or something like that.

I'd like to see Albrighton on to offer some width. KEA has barely touched the ball. Bacuna can slip into CM and Alby can switch wings.

Weimann and Benteke have been excellent. When they're on form (particularly the big man) we look a much better side.

Your subb ideas are spot on the money, I think.
We have to find more control in the centre of the park, and Albie coming on could do that by forcing Bacuna into a more central role.

[Astral Weeks]

I was at the game in 1983 when we were 3-3 at half time against this lot. We won 4-3 that day, I'd be happy to take that tonight.

[pauliewalnuts]

I know it's hard to believe, but I genuinely think Albion are defending significantly worse than we are.

Not only are they playing an extremely high line, which is asking for it, but their left back goes wandering even more than Lowton does.