Aston Villa v Manchester City post match thread

[UK Redsox]

And Benteke coming on actually didn't help us as we no longer knew what to do!

The Tekkers substitution was a bit early for me but bringing on Grealish today was a bigger mistake. Richardson offers far more defensively and even though Villa had looked occasionally good on the break, today was a game that called for battening down the hatches and trying to hang on for a point.

[steffo]

The sad thing is that our manager has accepted defeat before the team steps on the pitch before this and ALL games we play.

Are you telling me (an old bastard) that way back in 71 when we were in the league cup final on our way back from the dark days of division 3  that we charged up the leagues  by playing negative football?

No

10 years later we were Champions - 11 years later European Champions. The reason no negative managers and the need to have an outlet. WIDTH. 

Today we have a negative manager, narrow football. Shots on target says it all.

[Gregorys Boy]

No shame in losing to Man City and recently Chelsea too.

Sounds like we tried to give them both a game. We lost.

Lets see what happens in the next few games. Go Go Go Villa

This really.  I mean there may have been faults in our performances over the last three games, but its not as if we didn't already know that we are miles behind Arsenal/City/Chelsea.  Anything we get from those games was always going to be a bonus.  We are still in a healthy position and if we finish mid-table that has to be viewed as a good season.  Before the start I thought we may struggle again this year, and we still might, but there have been promising signs so far, so until there is any real reason to moan then lets stay positive.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I think we have to be realistic. We never had them on the ropes at any point, though we were on the ropes for huge periods of the match, and they could conceivably have scored four or five. We had a brief spell where we ventured out of our half for a bit in the second 45 but never troubled their goal significantly. We knew this would be the likely outcome before the match even started. It's highly likely to be the same next time we play them. It's the crushing inevitability of it that sticks in the craw.

Maybe we didn't have them on the ropes, but we were genuinely causing them problems for about five minutes prior to Benteke coming on. Not sure why we reverted to our defensive style after that.

[Archie]

We have been humiliated, not for losing, because it is normal to lose with Man. City, but for the way we lost.
We played only defensively.
We played the way teams played in Italy in the 60's of the last century.
I do not know  since how many years we regularly have the worst possession percentage of the League.
We are Villa not Burnley.
We should at least try and play football, instead we play another sport.
I do not see any hopes as Lambert signed his new contract.
Which new owner could be interested in a club if he must respect a contract of a so said coach like Lambert?
It is sooooooooooo depressing.

[ez]

Having one fit striker (that we know was effected by the virus 2 weeks ago) probably didn't help today. And before anyone mentions fat Daz, I did say fit!

I'd love to see us turn up in two weeks with a streamlined looking Bent, because actually, he could have a field day playing with Benteke. At least the fit and buzzing Bent of 2-3 years ago could. He looks absolutely done in though and as if he can't even be arsed to try and turn his career around. Its a shame. He's only 30, he should still be banging in 15-20 goals a season.

Agreed. It makes me sad seeing him like this. I would love it if he could turn himself around.

Hutton reacted the right way to being bombed out, Darren has taken the easier path

Bent looks finished.

Maybe but the only time he's got on the pitch was against arsenal and Chelsea when the games were lost and we weren't looking to score.

[django]

Reasons for optimism are these. Better defensively. Move the ball quicker in midfield. Senderos, Richardson, Cissokho have all improved us, Sanchez should improve us once he settles. Benteke and Kozak still to come back to fitness.

They've strengthened us but they were never going to turn us into Real Madrid.

[PeterWithesShin]

Maybe but the only time he's got on the pitch was against arsenal and Chelsea when the games were lost and we weren't looking to score.

And Leyton Orient. And Newcastle. As well as 5 or 10 mins against Hull.

[onje_villa]

I thought we played ok, we did tire at the end but I wonder how much the after effects of the virus had on stamina.

My main gripe was the amount of misplaced balls, they might not be world class but they should be able to pass to each other on a consistent basis.

As others have said, we now just make up the numbers.  Sad but its just the inevitable effect the Sky money has had the game.

Exactly how I feel. I actually thought we were OK today, I certainly was not expecting better. This was a performance at least as good as the Liverpool one but whereas that was claimed as a masterstroke of counter attacking play this is all doom and gloom. The truth is we are a mostly negative team who get points through running around a lot.

Today was frustrating though as at times we put together decent moves only for it all to fall down because the pass goes behind the man or a miscontrol. Do the basics better!

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert was anything but downbeat after the loss to Manchester City as he pointed to a positive performance from his players.

Lambert was pleased with the way his team went toe-to-toe with City, who have won two Barclays Premier League titles in three years.

Villa boss Lambert said Villa were "well in the game" up until the first goal late on - and he was also pleased with the defending of his team, the application on show - as well as the return of talismanic forward Christian Benteke.

He said: "I thought it was a big effort from us.

"We were well in the game for 82 minutes. It was going back and forth.

"We defended really strongly when we had to. But I thought it was a really good game.

"They have quality all over the pitch. The lads were dead on their feet towards the end.

"But that's what can happen when you play these type of teams, they can score at any moment.

"We had a great chance. Sergio Aguero hit the post and then we were up the other end and Kieran Richardson went through.

"They are the kind of chances you have to take. If you don't take them, then it's hard to see it through.

"We had one or two little chances. But they are right good side. In my opinion they will be first or second in the league.

"We have played the top four from last season - Champions League teams. I have never known a run to be quite as gruesome as that one. The fixtures have been pretty unkind to us.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of. I have told the lads 'you have given a right good account of yourselves - you've come up against teams who can win domestic and European honours.'

"But there were a lot of pluses there. Christian coming back is a plus. Ron will be back hopefully for the next game. We are still seventh after a gruelling four games."

Lambert was thrilled to see Benteke return to action - but bemoaned the absence of speed demon Gabby Agbonlahor, who was withdrawn just before kick-off.

He added: "Christian has had six months out. He played half an hour.

"It was great for the football club, great for his teammates and great for himself.

"There were little glimpses there that he will be back to his best soon.

"With Gabby, he felt lightheaded and had dizziness.

"It was in the warm-up. He came in and didn't feel well at all.

"The doctor has obviously seen him and sent him home.

"We will see how he is Monday. He didn't feel well at all.

"You run the risk if you play someone who is not well, particularly in that magnitude of game.

"It was a blow because his speed is a major point for us. But Andi came in and did well."

[b23]

No shame in losing to Man City and recently Chelsea too.

Sounds like we tried to give them both a game. We lost.

Lets see what happens in the next few games. Go Go Go Villa

This really.  I mean there may have been faults in our performances over the last three games, but its not as if we didn't already know that we are miles behind Arsenal/City/Chelsea.  Anything we get from those games was always going to be a bonus.  We are still in a healthy position and if we finish mid-table that has to be viewed as a good season.  Before the start I thought we may struggle again this year, and we still might, but there have been promising signs so far, so until there is any real reason to moan then lets stay positive.

Sometimes we beat Arsenal. Sometimes Villa beat Liverpool.

Villa are clearly a better team this season. Not brilliant but better.

Villa wont be troubled by relegation this season.

[Gregorys Boy]

Just watched the erm 'highlights' and that was pretty piss poor, in fact I would say that is the worse we played this season.  At least last week we could hold our hands up and just say we were totally dominated by a class side at the top of their game.  Today I don't even think we defended that well, its just that Guzan was in great form, City were wasteful, and we had a bit of luck.  Anyway, the next few weeks will tell us more.

[PeterWithesShin]

Just watched the erm 'highlights' and that was pretty piss poor, in fact I would say that is the worse we played this season.  At least last week we could hold our hands up and just say we were totally dominated by a class side at the top of their game.  Today I don't even think we defended that well, its just that Guzan was in great form, City were wasteful, and we had a bit of luck.  Anyway, the next few weeks will tell us more.

We defended well. Especially first half as I was sat bang in line with the Holte 6 yard line. Baker was excellent first half.

[Ads]

To the rugby supporters in the Witton Lane stand; thank you once again for turning up, but a gentle reminder than when you're watching football, the game lasts for 90 minutes and then a few more on top.

[Comrade Blitz]

Every time Guzan made a great save, that fucking ****** Arlo White on NBC kept saying "City are kicking the ball straight at him."

Typical wankfest in the NBC studio - and for Vincent Cuntpany to say in the post match interview how well they played...fuck off.