Aston Villa v Notts County - Post-Match Thread

[PeterWithe]

The stuff about "there being a decent footballer in Joe Bennett" is turning into an H&V cliche up there with Barry and penalties.

I'm one who would be inclined to be a little more patient with Bennett for a little longer but its probably worth mentioning that when he came on County, to a man, were absolutely out on their feet. He did ok and scored a nice goal but it was only against a knackered fourth division side.

[Gregorys Boy]

A bit like Forest had forgotten about Franz Carr before he popped up with the winning goal for us against them I had pretty much forgotten about Bennett! Wow! Did not see that scoreline coming. 

Am really pleased for Sinclair.  Thought it was a good move when Lambert brought him in for the second half of last season and was a bit concerned about the lack of games he was getting but this should really help him establish himself in the team, and another goal for Traore can only be good for him. 

Of course its classic Villa making life so hard for ourselves but at least its better than going through the mentions, and after a pretty flat start maybe this will start bringing the season to life.  And its nice to see that we have an easy draw for the next round

[CT]

Having the vocalist from Slipknot / Stone Sour on the bench is surely a boost too?

[CT]

I've had somebody similar to that sat in front of me for the past 15 years!

Wow, you must some self control Ads. 15 years of that bloke last night would get me 15 years.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Crazy game. I hope we never set up like that in the Premier League!

[the-farmer]

You did mate, it was good to enjoy a genuinely exciting game where anything could happen.

I was really fortunate too as I sat next to a UEFA B Coach / psychologist / commentator. He never shut up for the entire game, answered questions which he asked himself and stood up and loudly applauded all 3 goals County scored.

He also called Scott Sinclair a "bottler" when he might have had / should have had a penalty in the first half.

Bloke was a 24 carat knob.

Were you at the front of K3 CT?

There was a clown in the middle of K3 wouldn't sit down.
Every time he stood up he was blocking the view of at least 5 behind them. When he eventually heard me asking him to sit down, he spouted off until my son suggested he was setting a bad example to his kids (my son is 6'2" & plays rugby) so he managed to sit for a bit.
He almost spoiled a cracking game for us.

[Gregorys Boy]

Crazy game. I hope we never set up like that in the Premier League!

Good point.  I think there was a sense of we could get away with it because we are playing a league one club and that with it being a one off cup game than there wasn't much to lose if we did go out.  Don't think he would do it in the league.

[Hookeysmith]

Bunn - Flat footed for first but was badly exposed by Hutton losing the ball in a dangerous position. Penalty always a 50/50 choice of whether you get it or player first. 3rd goal - no one would have stopped it

Hutton - Did not see what the fuss was about him when he played last year and cannot see it now - RB definitely a weakness in the team

Baker - Did his obligatory rash / well timed / dangerous (delete as necessary) tackle but over all did ok - he is always going to be a "stopper" rather than a cultured CB

Sanchez - must admit was pretty impressed with him in CB - I do however thought it was a ploy to a) give him a workout  b) letting the board know we need a 4th CB - come on down JL

Richardson - I think he is a great player to have to fill a variety of positions - I would have personally taken off Hutton, swapped him to RB and dropped Bennett in at LB

Vertout - I though he took a while to get his rhythm but once in the game showed he is a very talented footballer indeed - hope to see move of him

Grealish - Outstanding - apart from a goal MMOTM

Gil - at times sublime at times makes me a nervous wreck when he turns away from trouble - very gifted footballer

Sinclair - actually 18 mins on clock until he had any touch of note - but in the two out of the four games he has played from the start he has scored 2 hatricks - that's not going to happen for as long as Gabby has a hole in his arse - make way son

Adama - close up he is as wide as he is almost tall - looks like a prize fighter with a 100 mtre sprinters pace. I think if used correctly he will frighten defenders to death or they will kick lumps out of him in trying to

Ayew - Not his game to be the front man on his own - time will tell but I hope they find a formula to utilise him as I think there is a good player in there

Subs:

Kozak - Game changed when he came on as he held the ball that fraction allowing our midfield to exploit their tiredness - looks very awkward but is deceiving  - hope he starts against Sunderland then bring Rudy on

Cole - first 10 mins I was livid with him - he then got the pace of the game and looked very confident - several saving tackles from Joe Cole!!!!!!! Great assist for goal

Bennett - Been at the club nearly 3 years yet still looks only 12 - could be an excellent back up to when we eventually lose Amavi - definitely a player to keep

TS - people getting on their horse about tactics - and yes he is not the best but considering the shite we have had to endure watching last night is like being released from purgatory

He has some very good ingredients - with some skill and a little luck he will find the right mix and we will be back

[Lastfootstamper]

Crazy game. I hope we never set up like that in the Premier League!

Dreaming, but imagine if we had players in every position good enough for us to be able do it. It'd be fookin brilliant!

[PeterWithesShin]

I think the only reason we set up like that, especially at the back, was to give players a start. As mentioned, he probably figured we could get away with it against a division 4 side.

[oldhill_avfc]

Bunn - Flat footed for first but was badly exposed by Hutton losing the ball in a dangerous position. Penalty always a 50/50 choice of whether you get it or player first. 3rd goal - no one would have stopped it

Hutton - Did not see what the fuss was about him when he played last year and cannot see it now - RB definitely a weakness in the team

Baker - Did his obligatory rash / well timed / dangerous (delete as necessary) tackle but over all did ok - he is always going to be a "stopper" rather than a cultured CB

Sanchez - must admit was pretty impressed with him in CB - I do however thought it was a ploy to a) give him a workout  b) letting the board know we need a 4th CB - come on down JL

Richardson - I think he is a great player to have to fill a variety of positions - I would have personally taken off Hutton, swapped him to RB and dropped Bennett in at LB

Vertout - I though he took a while to get his rhythm but once in the game showed he is a very talented footballer indeed - hope to see move of him

Grealish - Outstanding - apart from a goal MMOTM

Gil - at times sublime at times makes me a nervous wreck when he turns away from trouble - very gifted footballer

Sinclair - actually 18 mins on clock until he had any touch of note - but in the two out of the four games he has played from the start he has scored 2 hatricks - that's not going to happen for as long as Gabby has a hole in his arse - make way son

Adama - close up he is as wide as he is almost tall - looks like a prize fighter with a 100 mtre sprinters pace. I think if used correctly he will frighten defenders to death or they will kick lumps out of him in trying to

Ayew - Not his game to be the front man on his own - time will tell but I hope they find a formula to utilise him as I think there is a good player in there

Subs:

Kozak - Game changed when he came on as he held the ball that fraction allowing our midfield to exploit their tiredness - looks very awkward but is deceiving  - hope he starts against Sunderland then bring Rudy on

Cole - first 10 mins I was livid with him - he then got the pace of the game and looked very confident - several saving tackles from Joe Cole!!!!!!! Great assist for goal

Bennett - Been at the club nearly 3 years yet still looks only 12 - could be an excellent back up to when we eventually lose Amavi - definitely a player to keep

TS - people getting on their horse about tactics - and yes he is not the best but considering the shite we have had to endure watching last night is like being released from purgatory

He has some very good ingredients - with some skill and a little luck he will find the right mix and we will be back

Pretty accurate summary, although in fairness to Bunn the first goal took a big deflection. 
From my point of view Gill was disappointing given the supposed quality of the opposition.  Ayew was simply abysmal.

[Virgil Caine]

Has there been any official explanation as to why Grealish was booked? It seemed to me that he took a drink whilst a County player was receiving treatment; County delayed kicking off after the fourth goal as they wanted said player to return to the pitch-there was no County player near the centre circle yet it seemed to my eye that Jack had been booked for time wasting!

[in exile]

Having the vocalist from Slipknot / Stone Sour on the bench is surely a boost too?

I pointed that out to Mrs Exile last night!

[PeterWithesShin]

[Dmaund86]

Took my 3 yr old lad to his first game last night.

Great night, really good game with a surprisingly decent atmosphere for a 2nd rd cup tie against a lower league side!

Best part of the night though, in the car en route driving through Stechford my son asks "is that the Blues ground dad?" as we drive passed Jewson's Building supplies. I Laughed all the way to VP.