Aston Villa v West Ham - Post Match Thread

[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

Really? Gabby was excellent against Albion and at Sunderland.

The thing is though, Gabby is an individual and can play well himself but cannot generally make other players play well.

[brian green]

Another amazing thing is that this transformation has taken place without the spending of any money.   It has been like letting a car mechanic loose in your local breaker's yard and he has knocked you up a Ferrari.

[Olof's Beard]

I had a great day, first time I have made a league game this season two days after I came to England after 8 months of travelling.  Caught up with an old mate, managed to time it with the sweet sounds of H&V being sold on the streets and said hello to Legion after many years.  I didn't think we played as well as we have been playing, even in the first half but the players how so much belief now, summed up by Delph's backheel by his own corner flag in added time (I love that man).

Westwood was man of the match for me, quietly went about his business as ever but made a number of timely interceptions.  Cleverley was also excellent, Grealish and N'Zogbia caused them problems and the back four played well together, I thought Richardson did a decent job.

I was pooing myself for the last ten minutes though.

[Richard E]

David Cameron will have been pissed off to see his team lose today.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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.

True but he looked very rusty today. Another week and he hopefully will be fully fit and back to his best.

Some very professional performances today. Apart from the obvious candidates, a special mention to Jores Okore who seems to have refound his confidence and looked very solid for the second game running.

It was a very tough game today, the players especially second half looked like they were running on empty but to their credit, never stopped battling and never allowed West Ham to bully them. Delighted with the 3 points. After all the work the players have put in since Sherwood arrived, they more than deserved the victory. Sherwood has given them the confidence to express themselves and we should all be grateful to him and his backroom team.

[Richard E]

David Cameron will have been chuffed to see his team win today.

[Toronto Villa]

David Cameron will have been chuffed to see his team win today.

Win win for Cameron

[silhillvilla]

Just back from a noisy B6. Great relief to get the 3 points and I think we deserved them overall. Tom cleverly, Charles Nzogbia and Jack Grealish were all MOTM nominees and for me Tom just shaved it.
First half we were excellent against a stubborn, resilient parked bus. Second half I think we looked a bit weary and a tad nervous. Having said that Given didn't have a shot to save other than the Collins looping header.
Gabby should have closed the game out but he's not Match fit yet.
Referee again poor this week, song couldn't live with Grealish so resorted to booting him. Downing gets wanker of the day trophy, for nothing other than being Downing.
Good turn out from the fans today and great noise.
Roll on next Saturday.

[Mister E]

Okore and Vlaar look very composed now. The latter seems to have returned to his 'spiritual home' whilst Okore handled everything put in front of him (not the ball, of course).
Massive compliment that Song came on to try and bully Grealish; only partially succcessfully.
Cleverley was immense and I thought Bacuna looked more comfortable as a RB today.
Westwood is - like Petrov - beginning to be recognised for the almost-invisible work he does.
Richardson did not cause me palpitations, as he did when he appeared against QPR as LB.
Gabby was understandably rusty.

All in all, not as intense as last week but a good / workmanlike win.

[Malandro]

Fackers facked.

You are responsible for these results, not that fucker Sherwood

[CT]

Three points. Be all and end today for me.

Chuffed to bits with the win, thought Cleverley was superb again as was Jack.  Thought at times we went backwards too much when we could have committed their defenders but maybe that was my anxiety kicking in. My nerves didn't do too well today!

Have to say James Collins did a real job on Tekkers. He roughed him up at every opportunity and won so much in the air.

After the season we've had we certainly can't take wins for granted, and this was a really good one.

The only Downside: Some fans in the Upper signing "where were you when we were shit" when the attendance was announced. Thought that was pretty classless TBH.

[Richard E]

What was it that Amalfitano did that wound Cleverley up so much?

[tomd2103]

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.

He was the main striker against Albion in the cup and not in the positions Grealish and N'Zogbia have been playing in the past few weeks.  I think replacing one of those two with Gabby would impact on the way we have been playing.

[silhillvilla]

What was it that Amalfitano did that wound Cleverley up so much?

Took a sly swipe at him

[AV82EC]

Three points. Be all and end today for me.

Chuffed to bits with the win, thought Cleverley was superb again as was Jack.  Thought at times we went backwards too much when we could have committed their defenders but maybe that was my anxiety kicking in. My nerves didn't do too well today!

Have to say James Collins did a real job on Tekkers. He roughed him up at every opportunity and won so much in the air.

After the season we've had we certainly can't take wins for granted, and this was a really good one.

The only Downside: Some fans in the Upper signing "where were you when we were shit" when the attendance was announced. Thought that was pretty classless TBH.

Was it, raised a rye smile from me. Are people not allowed to take the piss out of people now attending games to get credits on their reference for possible Wembley tickets?