Aston Villa v Stoke City post match thread

[Brend'Watkins]

Stoke's tactics were simple and effective; bomb down Villa's completely exposed left flank all the way to the byline, then cross back into the box for their unmarked forwards to whack the ball into the Villa net. That's literally all it was and Lambert did nothing, or couldn't do anything, to stymie this incredibly limited approach. We should be harder to beat than that.

How many passes did they string together leading up to Nzonzi's goal? If we could get anywhere near that I'd be very pleased.

We dominated possession for Benteke's goal, it really was brilliantly worked.

As for the goals against, Vlaar apart, we need a completely new defence. Baker, for the third goal, was completely shit. He ball watches far too often.

Agreed.  Okore coming back will be a big plus. We desperately need to sort out the left and right back positions.  Bertrand looked ordinary for the first time yesterday. 

[Michel Sibble]

This game confirmed two things for me:

1. We need better quality players (esp. for defence and our powder-puff midfield)

2. Stoke are a bunch of filthy thugs.

[Meanwood Villa]

The defending for the 2nd and 3rd goals was absolutely shocking, really poor individually from Bacuna and Weimann then Bacuna (again) and Baker. What worried me more however was how we didn't threaten at all in the second half. I can't decide whether that performance was one step back (after the two recent steps forward) or more.

[Ads]

Stoke bullied us and we lost all discipline in the second half. Sometimes you just know which way the game is going and the second half had that feeling about it.

You cannot defend as we did though; Bacuna getting caught under the ball, Weimann too weak, Baker all over the shop positionally; an utter mess.

Nobody ever likes to watch Stoke at Villa Park, Stoke fans included, as their pitiful following was the only thing that could equal the embarrassment of our defending.

The likes of Sylla, Baker and Albrighton are not up to it. Good performances and results against Norwich and Chelsea do not change the fact that the midfield needs two players. Somebody big enough and ugly enough the hold Westwood's hand and do the ugly water carrying (he must be a footballer too) and an attacking player. Time and again Stoke's central two retreated and left space that only on occasions Delph would exploit.

You cannot quite believe that a side capable of scoring the goal we did could be undermined so significantly less than five minutes later. We are the epitome of a mid-table side and the curse of bookies and punters alike.

We will do Man United next week and follow it up with something insipid against Fulham. I'd probably take that to be honest.

[not3bad]

I thought Albrighton looked pretty lively considering he was played out of position.

[rob_bridge]

Was the Holt signing worth it. He can't run.

His signing summed up the lowering of expectations for me.

I have never known a more ineffective player in a Villa shirt.

Co-incidentally Wigan's form has improved immeasurably since they shipped him out

[rob_bridge]

A more pertinent question would have been "how do you explain the home record of 9 defeats, two seasons on the bounce..."

Correct.

Not sure why Lambert answered so apparently petulantly.

Not sure why we are blaming Murphy for asking a question. Maybe you would prefer he asked why he will likely have lost at least half of his home league games this season.

[rob_bridge]

Just when i thought i could'nt read anything else about how awful yesterday was, i read that the 5 yellow cards we received has now put us bottom of the fair play league,replacing Stoke .We now have 69 yellows this season .Another unwanted record for Lambert

None from me. I was surprised we finished with 11 men. Was it Albrighton or Westwood who made a shocker?


I thought KEA's yellow was harsh. It looked a perfectly good tackle to me. Clattenberg didn't have the best of games.

Having watched the replay he clearly deserved it - no complaints about the ref from me .

We were lucky to finish will 11 men.

[rob_bridge]

I thought Albrighton looked pretty lively considering he was played out of position.

I thought he ran round like a headless chicken and kicked a few legs.

[Malandro]

I thought Albrighton looked pretty lively considering he was played out of position.

I thought he ran round like a headless chicken and kicked a few legs.

much the same view here, he looked like he usually does, a championship player

[darren woolley]

Shocking result after last week I thought we had turned a corner but we are still the same.

[eastie]

Not sure albrighton has done enough to earn a new deal to be honest - looks like Gardner is in the same boat.

Under houllier albrighton looked promising but he's not delivered .

[UK Redsox]

I thought Albrighton looked pretty lively considering he was played out of position.

Has Lambert said anything yet on why he played Albrighton so central ?

Albrighton caused the Chelsea defence real problems last week and yet yesterday he hardly went wide at all. On the few occasions that he did, Stoke struggled to cope.

Why start the game with a striker out of position on the wing and then replace him with a winger that you play in the middle ?

[Clampy]

I'd definatley be giving Albrighton another deal I think. He's made a difference when he's come on in games, apart from yesterday. 

[Matt C]

I think Albrighton is worth another 12 months to see if he can have a run injury free.