Aston Villa vs Stoke Post Match Thread

[villan from luton]

Only saw the highlights but Ron Vlaar's efforts were truly of the car crash variety. Some captain

A point today and its a relatively solid start for Sherwood but that ending has removed any optimism out of Lambert leaving

First goal was brutal too, Vlaar barely got off the ground but Cissokho's efforts were horrific too giving Walters easy possession. Nice cross from our former POTY...

Good movement from Sinclair for his goal. Delph for all the criticism of his performance did supply the three chances I saw.

Burnley got a great result today though refereeing decisions certainly went in their favour. Joey Barton edged out Vlaar as worst captain of the week with his efforts. Sunderland are getting dragged into it too, like us they cant score.

Not sure selection wise what Sherwood should do from here. Okore has been making costly mistakes of late but Vlaar's efforts today were a new low. Cissokho is absolutely awful imo, Richardson is championship standard so do we move our best central defender, Clark, out there instead? None of our midfielders seem to be playing well consistently. Guess Delph will be kept on. Cleverley will probably be given another go next week but how much confidence does anyone have in him?

 It might be unpopular but Id prefer to see Gil coming on rather than starting as his fitness is miles off. Gabby, Weimann and Benteke wouldnt kick snow off a rope at the moment. Sinclair after his goal today will start on one side and hopefully will be an important player for us on the run in.

Just one comment, Clark has been our best defender for some time, why should he be moved to left back?

[Goldie.7]

Just saw penalty on MOTD.

We should have won this!

Nope, we didn't deserve to win or lose.

[PeterWithesShin]

We certainly didn't deserve to win. On how shit we were second half we can't complain about losing.

[Louzie0]

Vlaar mistake and not part of Villa any more?

It was a mistake.

I want Ron at the Villa. Anybody can make a mistake. He doesn't very often.
Major World Cup defender, but even better, Villa Captain!

[Risso]

Vlaar mistake and not part of Villa any more?

It was a mistake.

I want Ron at the Villa. Anybody can make a mistake. He doesn't very often.
Major World Cup defender, but even better, Villa Captain!

Erm, been out for a couple of halves tonight Lou?!

[Phil from the upper holte]

Why did it have to be Ireland to put the cross in, poor challenge by plastic Ron, I personally would have left him out, he was decent against Leicester but defensive we've been ok without him

[villan from luton]

Why did it have to be Ireland to put the cross in, poor challenge by plastic Ron, I personally would have left him out, he was decent against Leicester but defensive we've been ok without him

Did you see Okore v Hull and then Vlaar v Leicester, you cannot blame the manager for that decision

[brontebilly]

Only saw the highlights but Ron Vlaar's efforts were truly of the car crash variety. Some captain

A point today and its a relatively solid start for Sherwood but that ending has removed any optimism out of Lambert leaving

First goal was brutal too, Vlaar barely got off the ground but Cissokho's efforts were horrific too giving Walters easy possession. Nice cross from our former POTY...

Good movement from Sinclair for his goal. Delph for all the criticism of his performance did supply the three chances I saw.

Burnley got a great result today though refereeing decisions certainly went in their favour. Joey Barton edged out Vlaar as worst captain of the week with his efforts. Sunderland are getting dragged into it too, like us they cant score.

Not sure selection wise what Sherwood should do from here. Okore has been making costly mistakes of late but Vlaar's efforts today were a new low. Cissokho is absolutely awful imo, Richardson is championship standard so do we move our best central defender, Clark, out there instead? None of our midfielders seem to be playing well consistently. Guess Delph will be kept on. Cleverley will probably be given another go next week but how much confidence does anyone have in him?

 It might be unpopular but Id prefer to see Gil coming on rather than starting as his fitness is miles off. Gabby, Weimann and Benteke wouldnt kick snow off a rope at the moment. Sinclair after his goal today will start on one side and hopefully will be an important player for us on the run in.

Just one comment, Clark has been our best defender for some time, why should he be moved to left back?

I wouldnt want to move him but we have a gaping hole at left back that needs to be filled with a reasonably competent footballer of which Cissokho isnt.

Vlaar no doubt has his mind on his next club but surely wouldnt be as bad again. Hutton, Okore, Vlaar, Clark should make us harder to beat anyway.

Agreed on Clark being our best defender.

[john2710]

It's ok going more direct, but there needs to be some structure to it than just lumping it forward. The quality of our crossing, free kicks & corners is shocking. If we get the quality right into the box we'll get goals.

The problem with playing left footed players on the right & righted footed on the left is that the quality of the crosses is generally shite.

[brontebilly]

Why did it have to be Ireland to put the cross in, poor challenge by plastic Ron, I personally would have left him out, he was decent against Leicester but defensive we've been ok without him

Sinclair failed to track Ireland who took the throw in, Cissokho was soft as sh*t letting Walters have easy possession and Vlaar didnt attack the ball or get tight to Diouf. A dreadful goal to concede

[PeterWithesShin]

The thought of Clark charging up the wing to put in crosses fills me with same dread as when Carlos and Ollie were doing it.

[CJ]

Forgot to mention earlier - comic moment in all the gloom when the ref went down injured - 'You're not fit to referee'

[MattW]

Weimann alongside Benteke worked really well at the end of the 2012-13 season - Weimann set up Benteke with lovely passes a few times. I think that's our best striker combination of what is available. Hopefully Richardson can play next week, because it doesn't sound like Cissokho has the confidence required. If Senderos is fit, then he should come straight in for Vlaar. His desire and energy were really important in first games of the season, and he's been sorely missed.

[Louzie0]

Forgot to mention earlier - comic moment in all the gloom when the ref went down injured - 'You're not fit to referee'

What I was thinking of

[Toronto Villa]

The thought of Clark charging up the wing to put in crosses fills me with same dread as when Carlos and Ollie were doing it.

He started Richardson today as the best of the options providing width and attacking intent from that position. Not a great option either, but better than Cissokho and Clark in that position. If we want to play with attacking full backs then neither side offers much at all. I'd rather we kept defenders to defending and found other players more suited to attacking and crossing to provide that.