Southampton v Paul Lambert's Aston Villa post match thread

[Richard E]

On the basis that even under TSM II we were rarely getting tonked I am inclined to write it off as one of those days. Fair play Southampton beat us fair and square but they had the rub of the green with the way the ball fell to their strikers every time Given got a block on it, the opening goal especially would probably not have ended up back with Mane 99 times out of 100.

[Billy Walker]

I'm trying to work out the mentality the players were in yesterday. It was an unusual set of circumstances, four points off the drop and two weeks away from a final.  I guess at this stage the last thing you would want would be to pick up an injury or a red card (would a red card carry into the final?) which means it would be very hard to go into the game 110% committed.  Having said that, at the same time, you would be playing with that lurking fear that defeat could open the door for your rivals down the bottom.  Mentally it must have been a strange place to be.

[amfy]

I'm trying to work out the mentality the players were in yesterday. It was an unusual set of circumstances, four points off the drop and two weeks away from a final.  I guess at this stage the last thing you would want would be to pick up an injury or a red card (would a red card carry into the final?) which means it would be very hard to go into the game 110% committed.  Having said that, at the same time, you would be playing with that lurking fear that defeat could open the door for your rivals down the bottom.  Mentally it must have been a strange place to be.

I think this is exactly why people think that it is the 'distraction' of the cup that can lead to relegation. I never really bought into this until yesterday, but fortunately, my worry about that only had to last a couple of hours.

[silhillvilla]

I know the orientation of that ground and whilst I'm not making any excuses it was very hot on the pitch and the defence had the sun seriously in their eyes during that opening half. Like I say not excuses but they did look sun blind

[Billy Walker]

I'm trying to work out the mentality the players were in yesterday. It was an unusual set of circumstances, four points off the drop and two weeks away from a final.  I guess at this stage the last thing you would want would be to pick up an injury or a red card (would a red card carry into the final?) which means it would be very hard to go into the game 110% committed.  Having said that, at the same time, you would be playing with that lurking fear that defeat could open the door for your rivals down the bottom.  Mentally it must have been a strange place to be.

I think this is exactly why people think that it is the 'distraction' of the cup that can lead to relegation. I never really bought into this until yesterday, but fortunately, my worry about that only had to last a couple of hours.

Yep.  Time to forget about all this now and focus on the Final.  It's a lovely feeling and I'm sure the players now feel as though a huge weight has been lifted from their shoulders.

[Villa Lew]

If we're talking about a top 10 finish next season, we're looking at new goalie, cd lb goal scoring midfielder and if Benteke goes 2 new strikers. Sorry but I think Gabby is simply not good enough at this level. Possibly even a wide midfielder.

[olaftab]

Who was the fat twat on the mic at half time giving it big one?

Yes that was Ronald Koeman.

[pauliewalnuts]

Watching our game yesterday, several times the commentators said stuff along the lines of "that's why Villa have been struggling this season, they can't defend at all"

I guess it is subjective, but that struck me as basically not true, and a bit lazy, too.

If I had to describe the largest contributory factor to us being so shit for most of the season, I'd put it down to a constant failure to get the ball to the strikers, in a position where they can do some damage.

In fact, I thought we defended pretty well, even under the Lambert section of this season, for decent spells.

It just struck me as a bit odd, and a soundbite they could just throw in and assume it was true (obviously, they were right about the defending yesterday).

A bit like when commentators talk about how dangerous we are on the break. I don't think we've looked particularly dangerous that way for about two years now. It really gets on my tits when they trot that one out.

[Rudy65]

I said the other day I wasn't bothered if vlaar stayed. Even more so now I hope he goes, he was slow and fucking useless. Sherwood can't be blamed for the defensive calamity but Given is finished. Get rid of most of the defence, we stated with a high line, why the fuck did we stick with it. Only positive is that we're safe. Please please don't do that shit in the final x

Whilst I agree, Vlaar is too slow and unpredictable (and permanently injured), and our defence in general looks poor, I struggle to totally absolve Sherwood of blame for the high line thing.

Surely it isn't something the players just decided on themselves?

Just watched it back again on MOTD. Its comical the way we play the high line with absolutely no one paying any attention to the players lurking behind them or beside them.

Hutton being shoulder charged for the first by Mane was unforgivable. As others have said they got all the riochets and luck and I bet its a while before Long scores from 40 yards again

[dekko]

Watching our game yesterday, several times the commentators said stuff along the lines of "that's why Villa have been struggling this season, they can't defend at all"

I guess it is subjective, but that struck me as basically not true, and a bit lazy, too.

If I had to describe the largest contributory factor to us being so shit for most of the season, I'd put it down to a constant failure to get the ball to the strikers, in a position where they can do some damage.

In fact, I thought we defended pretty well, even under the Lambert section of this season, for decent spells.

It just struck me as a bit odd, and a soundbite they could just throw in and assume it was true (obviously, they were right about the defending yesterday).

A bit like when commentators talk about how dangerous we are on the break. I don't think we've looked particularly dangerous that way for about two years now. It really gets on my tits when they trot that one out.

I agree with all your points, its lazy punditry and it annoys me almost as much as 'Guzman' and 'Wiseman'

[KRS]

Just watched the highlights on MOTD and Goals on Sunday...how we can go from "playing like Brazil" one week to a bunch of Sunday league players in their first game together the next is a mystery. A lot of work to be done in training over the next few weeks from back to front. Keep the faith.

[LukeJames]

Well that was fun, surely a case of players not wanting too get injured/suspended for the final?

[john2710]

I can understand players not going in for challenges etc.. but standing still while the bloke next to you runs through on goal is not acceptable.

Both Vlar & Okore have a habit of being pulled out of position & they both looked incredibly slow when turned. Don't know if Okore is carrying an injury but one of his main attributes was his pace.

[dekko]

I can understand players not going in for challenges etc.. but standing still while the bloke next to you runs through on goal is not acceptable.

Both Vlar & Okore have a habit of being pulled out of position & they both looked incredibly slow when turned. Don't know if Okore is carrying an injury but one of his main attributes was his pace.

He was during the West Ham game at least, afterwards Sherwood said something along the lines of 'people watching have no idea how much he's putting his body on the line for the club'

[Monty]

I can understand players not going in for challenges etc.. but standing still while the bloke next to you runs through on goal is not acceptable.

Both Vlar & Okore have a habit of being pulled out of position & they both looked incredibly slow when turned. Don't know if Okore is carrying an injury but one of his main attributes was his pace.

He was during the West Ham game at least, afterwards Sherwood said something along the lines of 'people watching have no idea how much he's putting his body on the line for the club'

So presumably he'd be the first in line for a rest next Saturday.