Aston Villa vs Sunderland Post-Match Thread

[Rudy65]

Re Guzan - i don't get the criticism. That's the side the wall is protecting isn't it?

And the wall didnt jump either which would have helped

[dave.woodhall]

It's an easier free kick that way, as the ball has more distance to get up, down, bend, whatever.
If you watched MotD you will see there was nothing wrong with Guzans position, as I mentioned before, the ball went around the wall, not up and over. Hutton actually stuck his head sideways a good foot to try and deflect it.
It was an excellent free kick.

I don't agree Nigel, by standing where he did, Guzan gave the taker all sorts of opportunities.  It was a good free kick of course, but then when you give the opponent a huge amount of space to aim at, they've always got a chance of rifling one in.

But let's face it Risso, you got a bee in your bonnet about Guzan,
he's not ever going to do anything you like and the only thing your going to do for the rest of his time here is pick at the negative bits of his game all the time

 The lad could save 3 penalties in a game and you would pick fault somehow,
I know how it goes, I was the same with NRC, Downing and N'zog, they never did anything of worth in my view

You just have to admit it

I like Guzan but I think he was at fault. Once that shot went past the wall it was a goal - there was no way he could have saved it from a starting position so far over.

[Villa Lew]

Very impressed with Sinclair today, without doubt the best striker on our books, admittedly not saying very much. Gabby would never have scored a goal like his second, as he would never have been in that position in the first place.

[Rudy65]

Agree cigs but I still don't know he did not score. Looked unmissable from where we sit. Third bench from the left Aston Hall rose garden.

If he gets come criticism it that he was virtually positioned in the goal when the cross came over he needed to hang back a little for an easy tap in.

Richards played well though and started the move for the miss and our second goal

[l_mckay]

Dissapointed with the draw after the way we played for most of the game. I think if Adama and GRealish had been fit we we would of looked a lot more dangerous with the space Sunderland gave us. Desperately need a striker before the deadline.

[Rudy65]

A very entertaining game made even better by several beers before and after the game in the Aston Tavern.

Guzan, at fault for their first as discussed already

Hutton, played well but can deliver decent crosses when in good attacking positions

Richards. Impressive. Started move for our first goal. Very athletic and solid. Great signing

Clark. He commits himself to easy for their second and the defence then part like the Red Sea. Still inconsistent.

Amavi. Whats not to like. Could be a really good player. Very tricky and skilful. Slightly frustrated he didnt seem to want to get forward more in the last 10 mins

Westwood. Decent but would like to see his passing range become more attacking and offensive

Sanchez. Played well. He has grown on me. Always gets a foot in and can play with the ball as well

Gana. Very impressive. Athletic and skilful. Fabian who?

Bacuna. I have never been a fan. Inconsistent. Can deliver a decent cross but little else. Bizarre we have given him such a long contract. One to offload if we are too improve

Sinclair. Looks the part when playing more central. Made some great runs yesterday which weren't always picked up. Gabby wouldn't have scored the second because he wouldn't have gambled and made the run like Sinclair did

Gestade. Looks lost but improved in the second half. His strength is in the air but he needs service. Traore may provide this. If he doesn't work out we can move him on and get most of the £6m back. However, he needs time to adapt but I doubt will make double figures this year

[dekko]

Regarding Gestede, I think he should've done better with some of his chances, but his link up play in the second half was good and he grew into the game as it went on.  I'd still be playing Kozak instead but then again I'm a fully paid up member of the Kozak Fan Club.

Glad Sanchez is playing well too, I've been telling everyone who'd listen that he'd have a good season.

[JUAN PABLO]

Ok

Thought he played some great football but they are terrible of course but lamberts team would not have produced that.

Very disappointed with bacuna, just isn't good enough. He can sometimes do something really good but not often enough , how Gill doesn't get a start against these .

I don't know why Libor didn't come on for 25 minutes at least for Rudy.

It shows Gabby has to be benched .

I thought Gana , amavi ,Sinclair and Sánchez were really good , just Westwood finishing lets him down.

And if Clark is slow , take your man out at least (unless he had been booked before) but he was so poor then.I think lescott needs to come in .

[footyskillz]

Carlos Sanchez started second half very slowly and wasn't initially as impressive as his first half showing. He lost out to the player and ball for the second. In fact I felt villa struggled initially with double dick changes . He had a player on Sanchez stopping him from picking up ball .
Because in the first half the second villa scored was a great team goal and having seen again its guzan who took the chance and passed to Sanchez who moved ball on.
Regards the free kick it been highlighted about wall being positioned incorrectly and guzan being over to far however also its noted that it was an excellent technique free kick.
The end product by villa was missing and for me Gil dived no penalty ! The first was without doubt

[Leicester_Villian]

Guzan is a concern ...he has been for 2 seasons now .......... trouble is we don't have a quality back up

I was surprised we didn't go in for Heaton from Burnley who I didn't think would have been that expensive

[footyskillz]

Guzan is a concern ...he has been for 2 seasons now .......... trouble is we don't have a quality back up

I was surprised we didn't go in for Heaton from Burnley who I didn't think would have been that expensive

I agree with the second bit!!! Heaton yes.

[Matt Collins]

On the free kick, I cast my mind back to zidane against England in euro 2004. Very similar position. James does exactly what many of you are saying Guzan should have done and positions himself more centrally so he has a chance if zidane whips it into the near post. Zidane flips it the other way and everyone criticises James on the basis that it was 'his side' and that you just need to let the wall protect the near post.

I don't think I've spotted any criticism of Guzan in the printed press or media?

[Virgil Caine]

Comparing Gestede with Benteke is a tad unfair and there were plenty of games when the latter did not perform. However, what I firmly believe now is that we can adapt the style of play even during a game. We have got to think the future will be to use the full 15 players available to us and that at home, especially, we get players on to win. Bizarrely we may be in a position where we have a surplus of riches. I am struggling to name 'the perfect 11' but here's my stab at it based on what I've seen so far:-

                                                                                   Guzan

                                              Crespo?/Hutton                Richards              Clark                   Amavi

                                                                                  Sanchez

                                                   Gil                          Gana                        Grealish

                                                               Traore                     

                                                                                 Sinclair

Subs:- Veretout, Westwood, Gestede, Ayew, Bacuna , Bunn, Baker

[mcgrath_85]

Very good performance from Ghana yesterday. Impressed! The same applies to Carlos Sanchez! Two automatic starters in the middle now.

It was fantastic to see Charles Gil get on the pitch yesterday. It's been far too long in the league! If he's fit, he should play! So comfortable on the ball. A joy to watch. He offers us a through ball which we've been lacking for years.

I like him, a solid performer but Ashley Westwood would have to make way.

I've written about Rudy Gestede on his separate thread. Worried!

Leandro Bacuna was very poor yesterday also. He's not a midfielder, he not a full back. What is he? That five year deal is looking very suspect.

 

[Chris Smith]

Lots of good things and a few not so good. Exactly what you would expect from a team that has had such a massive turn over in players.