Aston Villa v Norwich- Post Match Thread

[saunders_heroes]

Really welcome win, I have an aura of calm about me this evening!
Dreadful first 20 minutes and you could sense the fans turning on Lambert, but them stepped up Benteke who scored a belter. After that we looked a different team - full of confidence, attacking skilful football and we tore them to shreds. A professional second half and 3 points in the bag.
2 more wins will probably make us safe. Then we have a huge summer ahead of us in respects of where this club is heading.

[phantom limb]

Probably the first comfortable victory I can remember this season, albeit after a shaky start. I really did fear the worst after their goal, but we are a confidence team. As soon as we clicked they just couldn't deal with it.

[atomicjam]

I think the result often colours peoples opinion about a performance.

KEA was average at best.

Actually he had a really good game. Broke up their possession alot and won a number of 50/50s.

[PeterWithesShin]

I had just started walking along the back of the North to my seat when they scored, must admit it did cross my mind to turn round again! One thing I won't miss when we stop selling is never seeing kick off.

[chrisf]

Dear Paul,

That's what happens when you attack.

Regards,
David.

That's what happens when you keep the ball on the bloody floor more like.

[Liam_Baggies]

Thought you lot were very good after Benteke's brilliance. Looked quite a ropey half an hour or so where Norwich more or less controlled the game but Benteke produced something from nothing and you never looked back. Good news for us as it buggers Norwich up (who are absolutely awful). Should also see you safe from relegation - I can't see anybody dragging you into it as you have what most of the sides in that bottom half don't have - a natural goal-scorer.

Still, well done, good performance, good result.

[saunders_heroes]

Some people need to compartmentalise their criticism. KEA has deserved it during the season. Today he was very good indeed and the player we saw in that video when we bought him. He was everywhere today.

He was excellent today. I nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw him on the team sheet, but fair play to him. I thought he was our best midfielder, easily.

[Dave Cooper please]

Easy.
What were you lot all worrying about?

[ciggiesnbeer]

- Strange picks by Lambert. KEA again starts ahead of Albrigthton.

And was one of our best performers.

I didn't see that, unless passing the ball backwards and sideways is a performance.
I thought the game showed his lack of pace, strength, tackling, heading shooting and crossing ability.
He did not create a chance, did not make a tackle.

According to Opta he made six. More than any other player.

[Nelly]

A stroll in the Villa Park. Ain't half nice being sat on a warm bus!

Amen to this! Great to meet you earlier too!

So relieved we won, I really enjoyed that, 4 Villa goals right in front of me and a good professional second half. Great stuff Villa!

[pauliewalnuts]

I was wondering, about Hoolahan's very odd non celebration.

How would we feel if we were Norwich fans? I think I'd be a bit annoyed. I appreciate he could have been that way as a message to Hughton for not playing him, or as a reflection of the fact he's been out of the side a long while, but it's hard not to conclude that it was really to do with his move to us.

He's a quality player, though. He'd improve us considerably.

[Michel Sibble]

Another key to winning tonight was getting to, and winning the second ball.

Lots of loose balls were picked up and used as part of our possession to attack.

It also helps immensely when players like Delph and KEA are alert and quick enough to grab the ball and get it forward quickly. Works quite well against the 'tiki-taka' teams.

[Marton]

- Strange picks by Lambert. KEA again starts ahead of Albrigthton.

And was one of our best performers.

I don't see how KEA was picked instead of Albrighton. Surely if Albrighton was playing it would have been in Weimann's place or even Gabby's?

KEA isn't a winger, and he merited his place tonight.

I might be overly harsh on KEA, but I dont really think he played all that great today. I was steaming quite a bit over his first 20 min. Then came the great turnaround and he may actually be good for the rest of 1st half. I have to watch the tape again. I DO think Westwood had better then usual game. Also when I say Albrighton over KEA , I really mean 4-4-2 over 4-3-3, the last couple of times that have meant KEA off or in the subs, and Albrighton on even if its not a direct switch.

I do think KEA is better defensively then Albrighton, so I could actually see the reasoning Lambert did for the Newcastle game (4-3-3, no possession, counter-attack and try to get  point).
At home I hate when he does that, especially against weak teams.

As the critique against KEA, yes he do (usually) have a good workrate, he does put some pressure on their playmakers BUT when we win the ball he does some of the worst passing in the entire side and when he clears he often fails reaching our attackers or getting it over the sideline but rather gifts it right back. Thats at least one reason why we have the worst possession numbers in the league (narrowly beating West Ham and Palace). I saw it at least 4-5 times in this game and Norwich really wasnt good enough to force that many errors.
Maybe he had a better game today but its hard to give credit for good plays when you can still spot that same mistakes thats been there all season. Its just an opinion, but its MY opinion and I stand by it

[eastie]

Thought you lot were very good after Benteke's brilliance. Looked quite a ropey half an hour or so where Norwich more or less controlled the game but Benteke produced something from nothing and you never looked back. Good news for us as it buggers Norwich up (who are absolutely awful). Should also see you safe from relegation - I can't see anybody dragging you into it as you have what most of the sides in that bottom half don't have - a natural goal-scorer.

Still, well done, good performance, good result.

Well said and best of luck to you .

[PeterWithesShin]

A stroll in the Villa Park. Ain't half nice being sat on a warm bus!

Amen to this! Great to meet you earlier too!

So relieved we won, I really enjoyed that, 4 Villa goals right in front of me and a good professional second half. Great stuff Villa!

Pleasure meeting you as well! And also Tuscon Villain.