Aston Villa v Chelsea Pre match thread 7.2.15 @ 3 PM

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

[aj2k77]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

*Round of applause*

One of the reasons he's petulantly looked pissed off is because he's spent 12 months, when fit being marked by 3 defenders whilst our other so called attackers are played really as midfielders no where near him. The only reason I can see him starting Gabby and Weimann would be to really be playing with no striker but not wanting to admit it. Look at all my attacking players on the pitch.

[brontebilly]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

Not disputing the fact that he is our most talented player but that shouldnt mean he is undroppable.

He is offering us absolutely nothing at the moment, no movement, absymal touch, not showing for the ball and getting narky with teammates etc

When we had loads of the ball in the first half against Arsenal, he hid pretty much.

Aside from the Man Utd and Spurs games, I cant remember a decent performance from him this season.

Sure the support has been non existent a lot of the time but he is also part of the problem at the moment imo.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Something to cheer us all up:-

Tom Cleverley is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance.

[UK Redsox]

Seeing Benteke get out jumped / out muscled / out everythinged by such an average player as Liverpool's Lucas was all I needed to see to think that its time than he is dropped.

Stick Andi up front with Gil / Clive and try to attack Chelsea with pace. The Chelsea defence will have an easy afternoon against Benteke if his form/attitude is the same as it has been in recent games.

[Walmley_Villa]

Something to cheer us all up:-

Tom Cleverley is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance.

In Lambert's 100th match as Villa manager...

[walsall villain]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

He seems to have lost his way. I'm not one for thinking ineffective players are deliberately lazy, I think in the majority of cases it's a confidence issue. He was such a physical presence year 1, bulldozing his way through at times. It would make such a difference if he could get back to that way of playing and be more mobile too.

[Toronto Villa]

With the exception of the very best on the planet no player should be undroppable. And even some of those are rotated now and again. Benteke might just need some time on the bench if it isn't working for him. He's a top quality player but even top players go through spells of poor form. We need to find ways to get him firing again and clearly in recent weeks, for whatever reason he has been well below par. If acouple of games as a sub or coming off the bench helps in his recovery and to discover his energy and desire then so be it.

[tom jennings III]

Horrible feeling we're going to get completely outplayed and we've got nothing in the tank to fluke a result sadly. 0-3 walk in the park.

[Des Little]

Right. I'm shelving my recent misery and getting positive for tomorrow. Let's do this Villa.  Please.  Nil all will do.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

Not disputing the fact that he is our most talented player but that shouldnt mean he is undroppable.

He is offering us absolutely nothing at the moment, no movement, absymal touch, not showing for the ball and getting narky with teammates etc

When we had loads of the ball in the first half against Arsenal, he hid pretty much.

Aside from the Man Utd and Spurs games, I cant remember a decent performance from him this season.

Sure the support has been non existent a lot of the time but he is also part of the problem at the moment imo.

He hasn't been his usual self recently, that's obvious, but it's highlighted more by the fact he's our only method of attack. What's plan B if Benteke is having an off day? Does it even exist?

I think the calls for dropping him are a tad over the top if I'm honest. Let's say Lambert does drop Benteke, we'll have Weimann playing the exact same role. What's the point? If anything, it should be Weimann next to Benteke. It's clear he needs a bit of help up there, even when he's on top form.

[Ron Manager]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

Not disputing the fact that he is our most talented player but that shouldnt mean he is undroppable.

He is offering us absolutely nothing at the moment, no movement, absymal touch, not showing for the ball and getting narky with teammates etc

When we had loads of the ball in the first half against Arsenal, he hid pretty much.

Aside from the Man Utd and Spurs games, I cant remember a decent performance from him this season.

Sure the support has been non existent a lot of the time but he is also part of the problem at the moment imo.

He hasn't been his usual self recently, that's obvious, but it's highlighted more by the fact he's our only method of attack. What's plan B if Benteke is having an off day? Does it even exist?

I think the calls for dropping him are a tad over the top if I'm honest. Let's say Lambert does drop Benteke, we'll have Weimann playing the exact same role. What's the point? If anything, it should be Weimann next to Benteke. It's clear he needs a bit of help up there, even when he's on top form.

Unfortunately Weimann is our only option at this present time. There isn't anyone else that might possibly have any kind of success up front.
Weimann at least guarantees effort and committment even though he has very limited technical skills and he panics too often

But I would be surprised if Lambert drops Benteke.

[Chris Jameson]

Don't think it will be a hammering (don't know why just don't), but I do see a easy 0-2 Chelsea win.  Then its onto the big one for us on Tuesday against HULL CITY!

Yes - how far we have fallen. Our 'Cup final' is against Hull City

To put some Lambert spin on things, their 'Cup final' was against Arsenal at Wembley last season.

Anyway, whatever the score tomorrow I reckon Lambert will say he thought we played really well for the first 65 minutes.

[Ron Manager]

Don't think it will be a hammering (don't know why just don't), but I do see a easy 0-2 Chelsea win.  Then its onto the big one for us on Tuesday against HULL CITY!

Yes - how far we have fallen. Our 'Cup final' is against Hull City

To put some Lambert spin on things, their 'Cup final' was against Arsenal at Wembley last season.

Anyway, whatever the score tomorrow I reckon Lambert will say he thought we played really well for the first 65 minutes.

or the first 6.5 minutes!

[brontebilly]

Why do people want Benteke dropped? He's our best player and one of the only ones who can create a goal from nothing. Instead of dropping him, why don't we focus on getting support around him for a change?

Not disputing the fact that he is our most talented player but that shouldnt mean he is undroppable.

He is offering us absolutely nothing at the moment, no movement, absymal touch, not showing for the ball and getting narky with teammates etc

When we had loads of the ball in the first half against Arsenal, he hid pretty much.

Aside from the Man Utd and Spurs games, I cant remember a decent performance from him this season.

Sure the support has been non existent a lot of the time but he is also part of the problem at the moment imo.

He hasn't been his usual self recently, that's obvious, but it's highlighted more by the fact he's our only method of attack. What's plan B if Benteke is having an off day? Does it even exist?

I think the calls for dropping him are a tad over the top if I'm honest. Let's say Lambert does drop Benteke, we'll have Weimann playing the exact same role. What's the point? If anything, it should be Weimann next to Benteke. It's clear he needs a bit of help up there, even when he's on top form.

Unfortunately Weimann is our only option at this present time. There isn't anyone else that might possibly have any kind of success up front.
Weimann at least guarantees effort and committment even though he has very limited technical skills and he panics too often

But I would be surprised if Lambert drops Benteke.

Some guy played up top in the wins against Liverpool and Hull earlier in the season....