FC Groningen vs Aston Villa

[Ron Manager]

I cannot see why Paul Lambert would wish to stay at Villa Park. He has failed spectacularly to move Aston Villa forward in a positive way.

But he is not going to resign......why?

There must be a reason. God knows what it is though.

[Legion]

I have a real feeling that this could be the year it finally happens - unless we buy some seriously decent players.

There's just not enough quality there. They look like they've never met, too.

Agree totally.

[Gregorys Boy]

So all this drama based on a friendly result, I cannot wait to see the reaction if we stuffed by Stoke on opening day

[devilla]

I reckon Bent ate Grant Holt. Think about it, has anyone seen Grant Holt recently?

Brilliant!

[tomd2103]

The club is a shambles both on and off the park - Lambert appears as clueless as ever and the owner doesn`t give a flying *uck.
Its going to be a long painful season ahead - if Vlaar is sold then we know Lerner is looking to haul in his investment as much as he can.
we may not be as lucky this year -i.e. thay may not be 3 teams worse than us.
When we are not willing to compete with Stoke, Swansea and Hull ffs you realise the time is up.
As fans of other teams say - "Aston Villa FC- what is the point"?
OK we have lost two friendlies - big deal , however its the manner in which we are losing - there is no desire, passion, shape or even basic tactics - such as how to defend, compete in midfield and as for trying to score without forwards- that  is just pathetic.
Is there anyone out there who still thinks Lambert is the right man for the job?

Yep.  You would have thought that in the very least he would be able to make us somewhat solid and difficult to beat, but even that seems beyond him.  Saying that, with Baker and Clark featuring together that is harder said than done.   

[PeterWithesShin]

So all this drama based on a friendly result, I cannot wait to see the reaction if we stuffed by Stoke on opening day

More the performance. We looked disjointed, unfit and tactically quite poor. That's my concern anyway.

[sirlordbaltimore]

It is a pre season friendly and we had a number of our best players missing for various reasons.

Benteke and Vlaar wont cure the problems that were on display again today believe me.

There's STILL no style of play or movement, nothing has changed on that score. It's painful too watch.

[Gregorys Boy]

So all this drama based on a friendly result, I cannot wait to see the reaction if we stuffed by Stoke on opening day

More the performance. We looked disjointed, unfit and tactically quite poor. That's my concern anyway.

I get that, but with or without today's display I fear for us this season.  Another issue is that I don't think Lambert knows his best team, if he does he should start playing it sooner rather than later.

[andyh]

I know I keep banging on about it, but I honestly believe our immediate problem is lambert.
At ANY other club he would be long gone.
The thing is, he has absolutely no credit in the bank and so if we get off to a poor start, then the atmosphere at VP (and on the road) will be absolutely poisonous.
It will then be self perpetuatin, the crowd will be on the teams back, the pressure and nerves will build, and we will be in deep shit by christmas.

[Gareth]

I know it's difficult to judge anything on preseason games because of the lack of intensity but for those that have watched the games has there been any changes in the formation to help the defensive weaknesses? Have we managed to not resort to hoofing?

Lambert is the luckiest man in football to still have his job after last season....it seems that us & West Ham will go into the season with managers that 90% of supporters don't want...even Tescos might give there bloke 6 or 7 games before wanting him out.

[LTA]

Just too much poor quality throughout the squad.  Young players with 2 or 3 years worth of experience, but aren't improving, while the likes Grealish and Gardner have shown nothing in pre season to suggest they
Will be any better.

[Toronto Villa]

Blimey just saw the score. Didn't the mighty Aberdeen just beat this lot? What a mess.

[aj2k77]

Let's all hope that somehow Lerner pulls of the sale and pulls a competent Chairman from his arsehole because I see that as our best chance of staying up this year. That's not based on 2 pre season beatings, it's based on watching the last 150 games we've stank out. The losing mentality grows by the week at the club as does the air of everything being a stop gap and no one really giving a fuck.

[TopDeck113]

Oh how I long for it still be June or July. The only months of the year when the Villa can't possibly spoil the day.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I know it's difficult to judge anything on preseason games because of the lack of intensity but for those that have watched the games has there been any changes in the formation to help the defensive weaknesses? Have we managed to not resort to hoofing?

Lambert is the luckiest man in football to still have his job after last season....it seems that us & West Ham will go into the season with managers that 90% of supporters don't want...even Tescos might give there bloke 6 or 7 games before wanting him out.

I doubt anywhere near 90% of Villa fans want Lambert out, particularly now we know the environment he has been operating under.

Anyway to answer your question. No not really. I mean we looked like world beaters against MLS sides but we did in Lamberts first pre season as well. Against a team that put any kind of resistance up in midfield we just surrender it and end up chasing the whole game.

I think we can pray that the revamped defenders (Okore & Senderos) will make us harder to beat. It is pretty clear Clark & Baker are not improving and have reached their potential.