Aston Villa 2 vs 1 Smethwick Post Match thread

[Villan For Life]

Still buzzing this morning. Got no stripeys at work so I can't sit & bask in smug silence which would be hell for them. I'm gonna enjoy discussing the game with fellow Villans though. Not much will get done this morning!

[nigel]

That was an ice cold penalty from Benteke.

I was sure he was going to miss.

Absolutely superb penalty, to take a penalty like that in the circumstaances in the game/season takes a huge amount of self confidence.

Quality will always prevail.

[Ron Manager]

Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess. To use the catchphrase of the great Sid Field .'What a performance' . At long last our lot,every one of them, stood up to be counted. That was a thoroughly deserved victory. An exceptional performance from Agbonlahor who stood out like a beacon. The midfield all excelled, Cleverley in particular.

If I was Tony Pullis I would be more than a little worried about Saturday.

If I was Tim Sherwood I would feel proud of what I had achieved in the last few days.

They actually looked like a team!

[Jockey Randall]

Anyone notice Delph give it to Gardner when we scored the penalty?

[charleeco7]

First half superb. Pressed the ball and plenty of movement off it. Second half we looked really nervous and reverted to type after the goal. Sideways passing no driving forwarded, hard habit to get out of once it's been trained into you. Thought TS made brace substitutions and went for it.

[UK Redsox]

Anyone notice Delph give it to Gardner when we scored the penalty?

Making Delph captain was a key factor. He's always the most vocal player anyway but, as captain, he also has the authority.

Delph and Clark* should be told that this is their team now.

(*Yes, I know that if a decent centre half comes in he'd be out of the team)

[Villa in Denmark]

Anyone notice Delph give it to Gardner when we scored the penalty?

Making Delph captain was a key factor. He's always the most vocal player anyway but, as captain, he also has the authority.

Delph and Clark* should be told that this is their team now.

(*Yes, I know that if a decent centre half comes in he'd be out of the team)

Why?  Throughout the season, he's been the one player to consistently perform at an acceptable level.

I'd say that this year he's shown that he's a more than half decent centre half.

[martin o`who??]

"Out of darkness cometh light" - Allelujah!!!

[nigel]

Did anyone notice Lesscot's reaction on their goal?
Stood in front on the Villa crowd nodding 'Yes' with a stupid mocking face!!
Supposed to be a Villa fan? W*nker

[NeilH]

As someone born and bred in Great Barr but now living overseas, I wondered whether a result like and the manner of it would still matter as much - it does! We played with passion and commitment, which is something I have not witnessed for months and months. Let's ensure our safety now and finally get the pride back at VP.

[nigel]

Anyone notice Delph give it to Gardner when we scored the penalty?

Making Delph captain was a key factor. He's always the most vocal player anyway but, as captain, he also has the authority.

Delph and Clark* should be told that this is their team now.

(*Yes, I know that if a decent centre half comes in he'd be out of the team)

Why?  Throughout the season, he's been the one player to consistently perform at an acceptable level.

I'd say that this year he's shown that he's a more than half decent centre half.

Agree ViD, had a great game last night.

Was having a beer last night after the game and this chap was saying that Clark hadn't done that much last night. My brother said 'Well, he kept Ideye quiet'
'Didn't realise he was playing' this chap replied
'F*cking exactly'

[Villa in Denmark]

Not so much had him in his pocket, more folded over with the bank notes and kept in his wallet in his pocket.

If Ideye's worth £10M i must be worth at least £100,000

[pooligan]

Yes i noticed Lescot's reaction after their goal. Pretty much the same as when he celebrated scoring for Everton against us. Not sure if it is true but i believe he and his brother were both Villa youngsters and while his brother was given a contract i believe he was not .Could be a reason why he celebrates against us.

[Percy McCarthy]

My laptop, halfway through a post on here with 10 to go gave up the ghost, so I have just watched the whole after match stuff on BT sport, who seem to put a decent after game thing on these days if you win!

I thought the team selection was a bit nuts, but fair play to Sherwood, they came through for him tonight. Gabby was everything we moan about him not being for 60 minutes, I would have got Sinclair on for him and played him right up with Benteke but it didn't matter. NZogbia was good first half at finding space between the lines, and Lescott could not cope with Gabby at all. Another night we go in 3 nil up and cruise through that second half.

Sherwood afterwards interestingly said that since he got here a lot of people have told him Gabby is finished, that he has lost this, or can't do that but in training he has been and Sherwood thinks he and Benteke are the best front 2 outside the top 6, just needs to get them believing.

I thought Lowton was superb tonight at left back, couple of great crosses on his right too. We are a better team going forward with him in the side, because he is a genuinely good footballer.

Okore scared the shit out of me all night, but I thought Clarke was a monster second half especially. He is fast becoming our number 1 centre half, which is amazing really.

If Tim can get the intensity of that first 35-40 minutes out of them every home game till the end of the season we will stay up. The other interesting thing he said afterwards was that to play the way he wants to he doesn't think they are fit enough yet, and it is something he is working on.

Clark was my man of the match tonight and has been our player of the season for me, he's become the player that there were glimpses of in the past.

Agreed. I couldn't believe what I was reading on here when Vlaar got fit and posters were saying they were looking forward to his partnership with Okore. Not that I thought it was ever going to happen (barring injury).

[Chris Smith]

I think centre backs generally take a few years to fulfil their potential. Clark showed it when he first came into the side but has had to gain experience and use the time to learn his trade. It is similar to Cahill who did the same at Bolton, a place where his mistakes were not magnified and replayed 100 times.

I would say it is now a question of who plays with him rather than he be the one under pressure.