Mansfield Town v Aston Villa all singing and dancing thread

[supertom]

2 and a half months since the last Villa victory. It's a nice feeling...even if it's only against the mighty Mansfield.

[London Villan]

I never thought i'd say this but here goes. Hutton had a decent game. There I've said it.

Yeah but it was against his level opponents. Take the blinkers off Clampy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We normally lose to lower division teams, so we should be pleased! ;-)

[Toronto Villa]

I never thought i'd say this but here goes. Hutton had a decent game. There I've said it.

Yeah but it was against his level opponents. Take the blinkers off Clampy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We normally lose to lower division teams, so we should be pleased! ;-)

if this was a cup game at Villa Park...

[pauliewalnuts]

It was nice to see Bent back in the fold again.

We all know he has his faults and the challenges with integrating him, but given it looks like we're not rolling in it, transfer-wise, then thank fuck we're stopping this bomb squad nonsense, because we're probably going to need them.

[mrastonvilla]

I enjoyed that. It's a strange feeling given the end of last season.

[silhillvilla]

It was nice to see Bent back in the fold again.

We all know he has his faults and the challenges with integrating him, but given it looks like we're not rolling in it, transfer-wise, then thank fuck we're stopping this bomb squad nonsense, because we're probably going to need them.

Bent you may recall scored a quality goal at Wigan on his last proper game for us. He is a natural goal scorer.

[PeterWithesShin]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

[supertom]

If the 9 outfielders behind him can keep possession effectively, then there's a place for Darren Bent. We've got to work very hard on our ball retention this pre-season. If we're going to employ a number 10 role in some games then a poacher like Bent could thrive.
Bent will get his chance early doors and if he gets off to a good start in those pre-Benteke days, then he could well have a strong season. I'd like to see Bent get another stab here.

[London Villan]

How frustrating will it be if the members of the bomb squad go on to have a decent season for us... I hope they do, just a waste of money, talent over the past twelve months.

[ozzjim]

We need him. I doubt we could sign a better player for less than 10 million than a fully motivated, fit, and firing Darren Bent. He is only 30. If we can have him fit and firing, then lets see how he goes.

[paulcomben]

How frustrating will it be if the members of the bomb squad go on to have a decent season for us... I hope they do, just a waste of money, talent over the past twelve months.

Twenty four months.

[supertom]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

I'll take doing not much and netting 2 (almost 3) over Gabby's contribution of doing nothing and not coming remotely close to scoring.
I actually thought too, completely unlike Benty, that he dropped out the box a few times to get involved in the play. Not too much, but he did it a few times. If the World Cup winners could still find a place for Klose, who does nothing outside of 12 yards, then I'm hoping we've still got plenty of use to get out of Bent.

[silhillvilla]

And did nothing for the rest of the match. Which is the Bent conundrum.

The game lost all sort of shape after the bent goal, flare and long delay. You cannot fault bent for that.

[Toronto Villa]

How frustrating will it be if the members of the bomb squad go on to have a decent season for us... I hope they do, just a waste of money, talent over the past twelve months.

Like I said earlier, somewhere in another galaxy, Stephen Ireland is having a smug puff of his pipe.

I expect he'll be texting Bent, Hutton etc tonight having a right old laugh. Hutton and Bent got kicked out and yet tonight they both played well. Fair play to them for being good pros if nothing else.

[supertom]

We need him. I doubt we could sign a better player for less than 10 million than a fully motivated, fit, and firing Darren Bent. He is only 30. If we can have him fit and firing, then lets see how he goes.

He doesn't have the pace to trouble a high line anymore, but teams don't often defend with a high line against us. With a little more guile in the side, which hopefully Cole and Zog can provide (and maybe another signing) I think we could see some goals from Bent and also Kozak because both have good movement in the box.