Aston Villa v West Ham Post-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

It's a game we should have won and had Gestede got a couple of his headers on target, we might have done. Not winning wasn't for the lack of trying though, they gave it a go and I thought we played pretty well. Last week was a point gained, but today felt like two points dropped. At least they haven't let their heads drop from going behind like earlier in the season. 

If we go down it will be trying as hard not to. I just think we will run out of games.

[rougegorge]

We played quite well and would have merited a win,  but only in the context of a dreadful season.  I agree with others about shooting more often. There were several times when another pass was played resulting in an inaccurate cross. We concede plenty of deflected goals,  showing the potential of having a go.

I also agree that we really had them on the rack after equalising, but then inexplicably took the gas off and helped them by giving them 3 quick needless free kicks when they slowed it all down.

Thought defence was OK apart from the ridiculous lack of cover for their goal. Ayew did well and put in a real shift; Gestede did OK, so better than usual, but really had to score at least one of those chances.

[SoccerHQ]

It's a game we should have won and had Gestede got a couple of his headers on target, we might have done. Not winning wasn't for the lack of trying though, they gave it a go and I thought we played pretty well. Last week was a point gained, but today felt like two points dropped. At least they haven't let their heads drop from going behind like earlier in the season. 

If we go down it will be trying as hard not to. I just think we will run out of games.

I agree. In March/April we have Swansea away and Bournemouth, Southampton and Newcastle all at home so with a few decent signings in January and Remi working with the squad over a longer period I could see a win or two in that run of fixtures.

Think we'll be well adrift by then so will be all in vain.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We should have won that.
That's the best I've seen us play for 90 minutes this season having only missed two games home and away.
West Ham were poor for most of the game and we didn't take advantage of the initiative when we had it....just after the penalty...like last week, Traore should have come on then, not with 6-7 minutes to go.
Guzan and the defence were pretty much untroubled, though Bacuna is not a full-back (no worse than Richardson though), Veretout and Gana did well and I thought Sanchez was doing a great job until he had to limp off. Gestede not too bad but missed a couple of straightforward headers where he should have hit the target, Ayew looked the business again but is desperate for a quality partner.
I've shouted for Gil pretty often on here but I don't think he did well today and Westwood ticked over, slowly.
Pretty much like last week at Newcastle, I thought the three points were there for the taking today and we got one...again.
Lack of killer ball in last third/striker is the obvious problem in games like these...and these are the kind of games we should be winning...and we're not.
IMHO we continue to improve but slowly, slowly...by the time we're good enough I fear it will be too late.

Still hoping for maximum points from Norwich/Sunderland!

[oswald funkletrumpet]

Their goal showed exactly why he has to be conservative though. Go more cavelier and lose possession and concede more. Garde is doing exactly what the vaunted Moyes, Allardyce or Pulis would try and do with this squad

Totally agree regarding the risk in throwing the likes of Gil, Grealish or Adama in there. But I am not sure he is being all that conservative, just striking a very good balance. 15 shots at goal , 8 on target. Earlier this season we were going entire home games  without registering a single worthy effort.

shots on target and posession has improved but without being harsh you dont get points for that

we just need some luck and a win but then again we have been saying that since august

[Goldie.7]

We need Richards back quickly. Thought Okore and Lescott did well, defence will be stronger when Richards returns. Needed Adama on much earlier - 10 minutes is a joke. Garde is too cautious when wins are a must against the likes of West Ham.

I don't agree. We'd be losing more with him back there.

I despair sometimes - how can the defence be weaker with Micah Richards at the back? Him, Okore and the improving Lescott would give the defence a solid look. They haven't played together at all yet.

You're now adding stuff onto your original post, if you think we're going to play 3 CB's or were hoping to see Micah at RB, you'll be waiting a very long time.

[olaftab]

We were unlucky in not coming out with all 3 points today. Positives are another match where we have come back to gain a point and the performance of Vertout, Ayew and yes Lescott. Lescott was calmness itself. Team put in a big effort and at times had West Ham on the rack. We are obviously devoid of good quality in key areas and that was the difference in not winning. Gestede should have scored with at least one of his 3 headers but did really well for the penalty. We are not getting the bounce of the ball. Just as in the Watford game all loose ends fell to their defenders who cleared them rather than one of our players. May be we need to attack in force so that we have more numbers around to mop up any second chances.

[Gareth]

Lescott's best game for us, Veretout looks like a genuinely good player. Ayew did well. And Gana probably had his best game for us.

Shows how it's a game of opinion :-) I'd have agreed with pretty much everything bar Gana - first half I thought he was bottling every tackle & had no heart for the fight, second half he improved but the idea of controlling a football is not bad touch & chase it's a basic skill.

[Ads]

I thought we played well and bossed them. Their goal was yet another defensive error from Hutton and completely against the run of play.

We created plenty I thought and Gestede should have put at least one of his headers away. Veretout was impressive, as was Ayew. Lescott played well when called on too.

We shoud have won, but that is at least two games unbeaten, some more confidence and two huge games to come where two wins woud put us within a result of 17th.

We need a goal scorer. Remy was menfioned in the French press and he would be ideal. Somebody mobile with an eye for goal would really complement the ever impressive Ayew.

We worked a lot harder off the ball and we looked much fitter and stronger than West Ham, which when you consider how much bigger they are, suggests a positive for me.

Veretout I think is a real piece of class. He looked in much better nick against Southampton and he has coverred every blade of grass since.

I am not ready to chuck in the towel or start looking for pubs in Huddersfield yet.

[Toronto Villa]

Veretout was superb today as was Ayew.

[Goldie.7]

Veretout was superb today as was Ayew.

Or Ayez according to the official youtube.

[OzVilla]

Not seen he match yet but initial thoughts were that we needed to win. West Ham with several players out, winless in 2 months (show offs) and a Villa side on the improve it needed to be 3 points, no ifs or buts.

Must beat both Norwich and Sunderland now or that really is it, not mathematically but in footballing common sense.

[rob_bridge]

Veretout was superb today as was Ayew.

These are the ones Sherwood didn't want to have to sign.

[Villatillidie1982]

How any one could think that a bottom 4 team could lose its 4 best players and survive without replacing them.

Benteke, Delph...I'm guessing Vlaar?

You've lost me. Luna? Helenius?

I'd suggest Albrighton but maybe that's too long ago.

[Toronto Villa]

Veretout was superb today as was Ayew.

These are the ones Sherwood didn't want to have to sign.

That's because he's an idiot