Aston Villa v Newcastle United Post-Match Thread

[darren woolley]

I'm happy with a point and another clean sheet I thought the defence played well again we will be better when Benteke and Kozak come back.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Put me with Paulie on this one. I will say though that in the past couple of weeks Lerner has started to do the right thing.

While I am happy enough with the points, so far we have setup this season to be difficult to beat and difficult to watch.

Yeah its a step up over last seasons flimsy defense but still. I can't help but feel a pang of envy when I see other teams like Sunderland & Leicester play better than us.

[pauliewalnuts]

Put me with Paulie on this one. I will say though that in the past couple of weeks Lerner has started to do the right thing.

While I am happy enough with the points, so far we have setup this season to be difficult to beat and difficult to watch.

Yeah its a step up over last seasons flimsy defense but still. I can't help but feel a pang of envy when I see other teams like Sunderland & Leicester play better than us.

Don't get me wrong, I understand where we are. I am hugely encouraged by two games of defending pretty well versus the shocking stuff of last year. In terms of the day to day of the club, that can only be good.

The bigger picture, though, needs to change as soon as possible, and that starts from the top.

[silhillvilla]

The problem lies here: our new target is to avoid relegation without doing so well that we get into Europa league and also "do a Southampton " do so well you raise eyebrows and lose all your best players. With that In mind 8th or 9th is euphoria for us now.

[Chipsticks]

Where is the evidence to suggest we're aiming far above avoiding relegation? I'm willing to listen and be convinced. I just can't see any.

I agree, Sanchez might turn out to be brilliant, but I really don't see how signing one player for 4m is a sign of significant ambition.

I keep saying this, but don't get me wrong, I entirely understand that Randy has lost interest - he has as good as told us he has, he's spoken, has said he wants out, it could not get any clearer than that. I totally get it. I totally get that he's clearly going to spend as little time and money as he can before selling us.

I understand that as well.

I totally get the concept of us being effectively in deep freeze until he moves us on. All of that makes sense. So does the evidence of the last three years. All of that, I get it. I understand it. I don't like it, but i see why he is doing it.

I just haven't seen anything whatsoever to suggest that, despite all the above, we really have any ambition beyond the bare minimum - survival.

Sorry for my short replies, trying to juggle two things at once but I'm reading all your points!

Randy's spent a fair chunk of money in the summer, so I'd hardly call us in a deep freeze, to me that would mean no players at all. Yes, one signing for 4 million is not ambitious, but we're replacing or signing players in all the positions we're weak or simply understaffed in with either highly rated or proven players - so I don't see how they can't be seen as positive.

Ultimately, what more would it take for you to consider us having 'ambition'?

[peter w]

Yes it's better so far than the corresponding games last season. Yes, it looks like there has been a shift in the policies of bringing a certain type of player into the club. But the question is, the way we were set up on saturday was clearly designed not to lose and to try and nick a goal. is that a recognition of us just trying to survive or is Lambert expecting the team to evolve when all players are back and fit?

[Chipsticks]

is Lambert expecting the team to evolve when all players are back and fit?

This is personally what I'm thinking. With Benteke back scoring goals and holding the ball up, and Joe Cole coming in to help play football in the opposition half, I think the team's on to evolve and get better as we get back to full strength. I do think on Saturday we moved the ball around far better than last season without always opting for the long ball which is promising.

[peter w]

Well we did when Sanchez came on because it allowed Delph to drive forward more. Still, it needs someone else to pick that pass as that's not Delph.

i can see where paulie is coming from but as has been said we are in a mix of clubs all wanting to ensure survival first. Whether that's your first instinct or whether finishing mid-table is is a result of recent history. After the last 3 or 4 seasons I think that it's natural for the club to be thinking of safety first which on the outset questions ambition. But, as I said, it's a natural place for us to be. Lambert free from Karsa and Culverhouse may produce a team under Keane with more solidity that allows his counter-attacking team to produce more of what we saw finishing the season 2 years ago  and who we saw at Chelsea and Arsenal at the start of last season. When they looked battle-hardened and dangerous going forward.

The ambition is there I think. Hopefully the right backroom staff will bring it out more.

[Toronto Villa]

Where is the evidence to suggest we're aiming far above avoiding relegation? I'm willing to listen and be convinced. I just can't see any.

I agree, Sanchez might turn out to be brilliant, but I really don't see how signing one player for 4m is a sign of significant ambition.

I keep saying this, but don't get me wrong, I entirely understand that Randy has lost interest - he has as good as told us he has, he's spoken, has said he wants out, it could not get any clearer than that. I totally get it. I totally get that he's clearly going to spend as little time and money as he can before selling us.

I understand that as well.

I totally get the concept of us being effectively in deep freeze until he moves us on. All of that makes sense. So does the evidence of the last three years. All of that, I get it. I understand it. I don't like it, but i see why he is doing it.

I just haven't seen anything whatsoever to suggest that, despite all the above, we really have any ambition beyond the bare minimum - survival.

and that's my question. Beyond staying in this league what is the ambition of 13-14 clubs? It's the same as ours. That doesn't make it good or right. But it would take monstrous investment for all of those clubs and us to bridge the gap that now exists. What would constitute a statement of ambition for you? Genuine question. I know I'd like us to compete for a CL spot but it's not going to happen even if we went out and broke the bank for a couple of players. And if you want proof of that just look at what Man U are trying to do and two games in you can already see that it will take a lot more than just breaking transfer records to do it.

[villan from luton]

Not sure even Benteke would have much joy without adequate support.

Do you not think he would enjoy the crosses that came in from Cissokho?

[silhillvilla]

Err BS. Everton are up for sale yet spent £26m on Lukaka plus whatever Barry is costing over 3 years - £20m ?

[Richard E]

<cue somebody to post the usual 'Everton aren't really for sale' comment here>

[Toronto Villa]

Err BS. Everton are up for sale yet spent £26m on Lukaka plus whatever Barry is costing over 3 years - £20m ?

are they? I'm sure we have had this discussion but when did the owner publicly state they are for sale and he is actively seeking a buyer?

[Toronto Villa]

<cue somebody to post the usual 'Everton aren't really for sale' comment here>

yep, because it's accurate

[silhillvilla]

For the forgetful -

Everton chairman Robert Elstone insists finding the right buyer for the club is paramount but stressed it will not fail to be sold because it is too expensive.
Elstone said "genuine conversations" are taking place regarding ownership and future investment but there was a responsibility to select the "right buyer with the right intentions".