Aston Villa v West Ham - Post Match Thread

[brian green]

Jackie was Jackie.   He is now so central to our style of play you sort of take him for granted.  As my son said, he was cheering the goal as the ball left Jack's foot.

[Dan England]

Professional performance. Solid across the park with the mid field excellent. Given is a great shot stopper but has always been poor under pressure at set pieces. Brad has learnt his lesson now time for a recall.

Benteke was below par today but great to see the team rally and get the points without relying on the the Beast.

[pooligan]

Well done you Villa boys,almost there!

[tomd2103]

Although I thought we played well in the first half, I just thought we didn't quite fire in the final third the way we have over the last couple of weeks.  Saying that, we created some decent chances in the first half and could have gone in more than one up.  Song coming on for them at half time really changed things and I thought we laboured at times without ever really looking in too much danger.  Without wishing to be harsh, I don't think it is any coincidence that our recent enterprising football in the final third has occurred without Gabby in the side.

[old man villa fan]

Our view from those around us was that Jores Okore was the best player on the pitch. Tom Cleverley put in his usual shift and scored but put a few passes astray. Worried about Given however. When the West Ham player.(was it Nolan? )stood his ground at a corner Given failed to impose himself in any way and missed the ball. I would prefer it if Guzan came back with immediate effect.

Given makes me nervous. Guzan doesnt. However TS has made has choice so no going back now

Guzan makes me nervous every time he has the ball at his feet or tries to throw out to the fullback position.  Also, he doesn't seem to have a calming influence on the defence

[charleeco7]

Cleverley was supurb today and some fantastic football in the first half. Fat sam made two tactical subs at halftime which was testoment to our players and Jack in particular. The first touch he had after halftime song smashed him and should have been booked.
All in all we showed a lot of strength of character to hold on and win.
Good work all around.

[old man villa fan]

Without wishing to be harsh, I don't think it is any coincidence that our recent enterprising football in the final third has occurred without Gabby in the side.

and Weimann

[PeterWithesShin]

Our view from those around us was that Jores Okore was the best player on the pitch. Tom Cleverley put in his usual shift and scored but put a few passes astray. Worried about Given however. When the West Ham player.(was it Nolan? )stood his ground at a corner Given failed to impose himself in any way and missed the ball. I would prefer it if Guzan came back with immediate effect.

Given makes me nervous. Guzan doesnt. However TS has made has choice so no going back now

Guzan makes me nervous every time he has the ball at his feet or tries to throw out to the fullback position.  Also, he doesn't seem to have a calming influence on the defence

Given didn't have much to do today, but he still made hard work of it. That corner he conceded was shocking. And corners scared me, quite a bit!

[berneboy]

There is an outside chance of us finishing 12th and winning the Fa Cup in a season that for long parts felt like death by a thousand nils. What odds would have got in February of that happening?

We'll finish above Albion who have two tough games.

[DeKuip]

Hopefully that means I can enjoy my away trip to St Mary's next week with friends from Chichester and Andover. Think we are pretty much safe now

Hopefully! I do wish Leicester & Sunderland would stop winning bloody games though.

I bet they both don't win next week!

Stop worrying, we're safe with 38 points, but another three wins will finish the season off nicely.
Well done to everyone today - good football first half and resolute when we needed to be in the last 20 mins.

[old man villa fan]

Our view from those around us was that Jores Okore was the best player on the pitch. Tom Cleverley put in his usual shift and scored but put a few passes astray. Worried about Given however. When the West Ham player.(was it Nolan? )stood his ground at a corner Given failed to impose himself in any way and missed the ball. I would prefer it if Guzan came back with immediate effect.

Given makes me nervous. Guzan doesnt. However TS has made has choice so no going back now

Guzan makes me nervous every time he has the ball at his feet or tries to throw out to the fullback position.  Also, he doesn't seem to have a calming influence on the defence

Given didn't have much to do today, but he still made hard work of it. That corner he conceded was shocking. And corners scared me, quite a bit!

Yes, both have their weaknesses.  Is it time to look for an all round good keeper.  I've always believed if you have a strong spine to the team you will not go far wrong

[Toronto Villa]

Without wishing to be harsh, I don't think it is any coincidence that our recent enterprising football in the final third has occurred without Gabby in the side.

and Weimann

Really? Gabby was excellent against Albion and at Sunderland.

[Matt Collins]

There is no more telling decision by sherwood than the promotion of grealish and nzogbia over weimann. I never bought into the billy big bollocks stuff with weimann. I just don't think he's good enough

[nigel]

Cleverley's run for his goal was exceptional.
Grielish stood his man still, then played the ball into the hole where Cleverley just appeared.
Great vision and awareness  from both players.

TC was my MotM closely followed by Jack

[berneboy]

I'm pretty sure we're OK now. As somebody said earlier, the four teams below us aren't all going to get more than 38 points even if we don't get any more (and we will).

Our goal difference is poor but we should be safe. Sunderland v Leicester matters.