Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace Post-Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Palace were poor because we worked hard to restrict them in what they are good at. I think it is more a case of we were very good and should have taken advantage of our overall possession and the numerous corners we had.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

I think Pardew gets a bad rap, he's always pretty honest and complimentary of the opposition which isn't so easy when you've lost.

I have never understood the amount of vitriol Pardew gets, and that's not just the shock/euphoria of victory talking. He offends me no more than a host of other managers do and always seems highly honest, as you say.

It's the fact he's alleged to have slept with the wife of one of his players and been kicked out of a club for it. On 2 separate occasions.

[remy]

Before the match I had caught a picture from one of the tabloids from the Wycombe debacle. It was of Garde getting on the coach with a face like thunder.

The guy that hurled the abuse at the players was saying what we were all thinking. We have put up with so much it was inevitable there had to be some outlet. Rightly or wrongly, it spurred on the terrific performance from the players and manager last night.

When I saw the teamsheet I was very pleased. Frankly I'm seeing the same shit players give the same shit performance hoping they might click into gear. Remi had had enough.

You can call it bold selections, I call it reaching the end of your tether with these guys and their attitude, performance levels and ability. Let's see what else we have on the shelf, come in Kozak, Bunn, Cissosko et al and put a shift in!

My heart was in my mouth when they hit the post in the first few seconds. But then something happened. They remembered their instructions from Le Gaffeur and played. And played well!!

Bunn - Nice refreshing change, what we were all thinking, drop Guzan - Yipee!

Cissosko - It's like a prayer had been answered - no Richardson or Hutton - got some good interceptions - Yay!

Lescott - Captain's performance. That reaction at Wycombe must have hit a nerve. Looked assured, strong in the air and got the goal. - oh Yipee !

Bacuna - Matata for the millionth time. Turned on the style considering he had Zaha, Puncheon and Sakho running at him - Yay!

Okore - Played like he has been part of the back four for years. Loved one beautiful header out as he held off a challenge like, "Im gonna flipping win this ball no matter what" - oh yipee!

Veretout - If this guy played for any of the media favourites they'd be creaming their pants at how good he is. His movement, positioning and ball control and simply beautiful - Yay!

Gana - Solid. Broke up play, held the ball up, passed to a team mate - all basic stuff but remembered how to do it. God we needed to win this game.  Yip Yip Yay!

Westwood - I've criticised this guy many, many times and praise when its due, he and the other 2 in midfield worked in full tandem and was good. He's got some way to go to make up for the countless shit performances but for now well done. 

Ayew - Well Im pretty sure my next child (or grandchild) will be called Jordan if he keeps this up. Yipeeeeeee

Gil - Nice skill, nice movement, showed quality and skill - keep it up son!

Kozak - I am very surprised to read somebody called him a donkey. For this match I thought he was immense and covered loads of grass.

Monsieur Garde - Probably read the wasters the riot act and acted decisively - they worked hard for him and they got the result. Build on this and for the love of God, repair the relationship between the fans and players and we will continue to give our unconditional support.

I really hope he dosent pull a timmy and change the team for tactics sake. OR pull a Lamberk and coach the positivity out of them.

Unchanged line up please.

I'm finally looking forward to Saturday - havent said that in a very long time. If we lose playing like last night then I dont care because that performance was the minimum we expect.

[Nelly]

And fair play to Pardew, I still don't think I'd ever tire of punching his smug face but he spoke nicely of us in his post match interview.

I seem to remember he was also very complimentary to us in the away game when he said how tough we were to beat and that we were one of the best he had seen at Selhurst Park in a long while.

I agree with this too. When he was at West Ham and Charlton, he came across as arrogant and smug; but just these inklings of respect - when everyone else is bending over backwards to insult the Villa - go a long way for me. A big enough man to show a little grace and respect, fair play.

[glasses]

This thing with Pardew being nice. He said some great things, but the cynic in me remembers that the England job is likely to be available soon, and he may just be keeping/building his profile for that.

Just a thought

[Nelly]

Who knows, but that's just speculation. We can only judge someone on what they actually say or do, I think.

[glasses]

It's not really a criticism, it's still nicer to hear than what's been said recently.

I think England could do worse than him, too.

[tomd2103]

My only reservation would be to get Westwood out and replace him with someone with a bit of flair. A grealish on his day or another creative midfielder.

Apart from a few of his customary loose passes, I thought Westwood did OK last night and won a few important challenges towards the end.  I do agree with your point though and feel the balance inn midfield was still not quite right.  If we are going to continue with a diamond shape in midfield and Gana is going to be the holding player, we could do with a more attacking and creative player than Westwood to play on the left of the three.  I thought at times last night we also needed more bodies in and around the opposition box, as every cleared cross seemed to fall to them. 

[Hookeysmith]

Bunn - nothing to do really but maybe just a change gave the defence a little more confidence

Bacuna - Lazy, uncaring, sloppy - all his usual traits - tonight was the complete opposite
Okore - solid as a rock
Lescott - clearly the booing of his name at the start got to him as his celebration was very muted - great captains performance
Cissoko - Nose bleed over the half way line but very solid in defence which is the primary function

Veretout - his vision is excellent and his first touch and pass sublime at times - looks like he really gives a shit as well
Gana - Close to MOTM - interceptions, tackles, crisp short passes, ran at players - and an excellent "professional" foul when required
Westwood - always thought there was a very good player in there and he just needed the right balance of player with him - tonight was evidence of that

Gil - In a better team he would look like Ozil, De Silva etc as he is a lovely "touch" player - in our team he does seem a little lightweight and loses the ball way too often. One of those players that if he is not directly hurting the opposition then you are really playing with 10 men. To be fair though nearly all of the Palace side were 6 foot + big bastards

Ayew - not only ran his balls off but glimpses of skill we have not seen for a while - his wriggle to create the chance was wonderful - his chasing back exemplary and he got clattered into the hoardings as well

Kozak - Ring rusty but has a footballing brain where Gestede has a Giraffe's. More movement, lay offs and hold ups in that game than in all of the previous Rudy ones. Was blowing out of his arse at 75 mins but kept trying.

Garde - Really pleased for him as I think he comes over as a gentleman and had integrity. Clearly the choice would have been to have replaced Kozak at 80-85 minutes but I think he knew there would be boos (undeserved) for taking him off so kept him on to keep the crowd positive. Really hope he stays whatever the outcome as those players played for him last night

[LeeB]

Palace were poor because we worked hard to restrict them in what they are good at. I think it is more a case of we were very good and should have taken advantage of our overall possession and the numerous corners we had.

They said on the coverage that Palace hadn't conceded from a set piece this season, so getting one in against them was an achievement in itself.

[rob_bridge]

Palace were poor because we worked hard to restrict them in what they are good at. I think it is more a case of we were very good and should have taken advantage of our overall possession and the numerous corners we had.

They said on the coverage that Palace hadn't conceded from a set piece this season, so getting one in against them was an achievement in itself.

They just seemed like a massive team compared to ours but we coped relatively easily with their physicality. I think having Kozak helped - he's a big strong fucker and was up for it.

[Bad English]

They remembered their instructions from Le Gaffeur

Tsk! 'Gaffeur' means 'blunderer' or 'bumbler' in French. Cf. 'gaffer' 'faire une gaffe' meaning 'to blunder', 'to drop a clanger' etc.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Palace were poor because we worked hard to restrict them in what they are good at. I think it is more a case of we were very good and should have taken advantage of our overall possession and the numerous corners we had.

It surprised me how "long-ball" they were for the majority of the game...but especially for the last half hour, cutting out the threat that quickies like Puncheon, Zaha etc have provided all season. They had a plan and we dealt with it. Well done Remi and the Villa boys!

[Caribbeanvillan]

The one thing that stuck out last night........we very rarely gave the ball away to the opposition.....match after match we have given the ball away on numerous occasions during matches........which puts pressure on the rest of the team especially the defence. We kept hold of it and distributed it well last night.

[CT Villan]

The guy that hurled the abuse at the players was saying what we were all thinking. We have put up with so much it was inevitable there had to be some outlet. Rightly or wrongly, it spurred on the terrific performance from the players and manager last night.

Villa should hire him to do the pre-match team talks...