Aston Villa vs Southampton post match thread

[Toronto Villa]

Every club in the land has tales of injury woes and we're no different. I haven't seen anything from any of Lambert's teams (injury hit or not) to suggest he's buiilding anything other than a team fit for a relegation dog fight.

I think you are wrong, the number of long term injuries we have had to key players is not run of the mill. It's not the whole story but it cannot just be brushed aside.

There are plenty of other problems such as team selection, approach to games and bad substitions to criticise but it seems fairly obvious that we are a better side when Benteke, Delph and Vlaar are available.

But still only fit for a relegation dog fight.

The injuries haven't helped and our long term injuries are not the norm. Lambert has been really unlucky in that regard and obviously affects his plans. When your resources are limited, losing the best players you have for any length of time is really going to hurt. That said his approach to games, going from the overly expressive to the overly reclusive has contributed to our form of th last 12 months. We are no longer positive and we rarely try and win games, rather just get out alive with anything we can get.

[Witton Warrior]

The point being made that it does not seem to matter what personnel are on the pitch we always play exactly the same, I noticed Hutton took on the role of Benteke in the Guzan hoofs to A N Other last night.

It is like a script. First half we compete within our obvious technical limitations - amazingly score - and then set up to be slowly, inexorably pegged back into 30 yards of pitch from our goal in the second half.

I actually don't blame Andy for his blaze over the bar, the lad hasn't had much practice has he!
Didn't think Sanchez was as bad as others thought and reckon he will be OK next season.
Hutton was top - terrific professional and we are lucky to still have him.
Great to see Okore back and an assured performance - well done son
Respect and apologies to Ciaran - I thought you would get turned over but you did very well
What was the matter with Ally? Seemed to have a hissy strop on second half.
TC and Westie - working away - solid - OK
Thank you for being you Brad Guzan
Good to see they let the real Gabby out of the cupboard last night - very good until he was shifted out wide
The Bent substitution will go down as one of life's great mysteries

Were the Saints fans the quietest ever? Only sang about having to pay £43 to sit in a top stadium and a bit when they scored. Fancy coming all this way and then just sitting there!

Onward Villans!

[richard moore]

Ally had an embarrassing TV moment with his snot control and was never the same after that

[simon ward 50]

Bit like the manager I don't seem bothered any more!

[LeeB]

As much as I enjoy watching Ali's "Rumble in the Jungle" tactics against Foreman, I think if he'd have employed them in every fight he would have been a lot less popular, and probably finished by the age of 25.

So with that in mind, can we please look at an alternative to playing on the counter attack?

[chrisw1]

Did Bent actually touch the ball ? I do not think so. What a crap substitution ! I cannot really believe that. If Sanchez was tired, then bring on Bacuna or Grealish. Hell, even Cole ! Bringing Bent on for a defensive midfielder when 1-0 up...

I haven't read all 20 pages, so apologies if already covered.  The Bent substitution may seem odd, but the point was to take off a tiring player (Sanchez was starting to make mistakes)and keep a similar shape - Richardson moving central and Gabby wide.  I understand the idea and it's a bit hysterical to scream 'why put on a striker for a defensive midfielder' when that wasn't the net effect of the substitution.

With that said, I thought Bent was poor and could have worked a lot harder.  I was particularly dissapointed that he hadn't bust a gut to support on the late Weiman chance.  I also think a better reshuffle may have included Bacuna.  But saying a striker for a defensive midfielder is a bit simplistic and doesn't really reflect what happened.

[David_Nab]

Gabby was already getting isolated upfront and being reduced to chasing after back pass's to the keeper.Replacing him with a less mobile slower Bent was pointless.He was going to neither run the wings or hold up the ball so I simply can no see the sense in bringing him on.

If your on top in a game and attacking and need someone to get on the end of a chance your bring on Bent , if you are defending a lead and dropping deep you don't.

[chrisw1]

I don't think it was about getting bent on, it was about freeing up Gabby to play the more defensive wide role, whilst still keeping (in theory) some threat up front.

I agree Bent was poor and I would have done things differently.  But it is not as clueless or simple as Bent replaced a defensive midfielder is the point I am trying to make

[WestleyArmsAV]

Disgraceful, half the team out, playing an inform team.  No passion, nothing.

Lambert out.

UTV

[mr underhill]

if only you were being sincere  instead of some half baked attempt at irony

[WestleyArmsAV]

See prediction thread for ultimate irony.

Utv

[not3bad]

It occurred to me that one picture that would fit well into "Sum Watching Villa in One Picture" thread would be the one of Weimann looking up helplessly after that horrible miss he made made just before they scored.

On a different note, sorry if this sounds a thick question but what was the minute's applause during the 21st/22nd minute for?

[PeterWithesShin]

It occurred to me that one picture that would fit well into "Sum Watching Villa in One Picture" thread would be the one of Weimann looking up helplessly after that horrible miss he made made just before they scored.

On a different note, sorry if this sounds a thick question but what was the minute's applause during the 21st/22nd minute for?

Anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. 21st minute to remember the 21 who died.

[bobdylan]

I don't think it was about getting bent on, it was about freeing up Gabby to play the more defensive wide role, whilst still keeping (in theory) some threat up front.

I agree Bent was poor and I would have done things differently.  But it is not as clueless or simple as Bent replaced a defensive midfielder is the point I am trying to make

Bacuna on and put Weimann through the middle would have been a better solution.

[not3bad]

It occurred to me that one picture that would fit well into "Sum Watching Villa in One Picture" thread would be the one of Weimann looking up helplessly after that horrible miss he made made just before they scored.

On a different note, sorry if this sounds a thick question but what was the minute's applause during the 21st/22nd minute for?

Anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. 21st minute to remember the 21 who died.

Ah, thanks.