Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace Post-Match Thread

[Olof's Beard]

We need a goal poacher. Love to see Charlie Austin in that team. We just never seem to have enough players in the box when we're attacking.

This is a problem I think we have had for a long time. Even when Gregory was here there only ever seemed to be Dublin in the box.

An endless problem, we never seem to have more than one player in the box to get on the end of a decent cross, but when the ball is inevitably cleared, we never seem to have many back to defend the counter attack either.

That said, every player busted a gut to get back into position tonight and some, like Ayew, went way beyond the call of duty. We can beat Leicester. At the very least, let's rebuild the relationship between the fans and players over the 2nd half of the season. More of what we saw today is all it will take.

[SoccerHQ]

Fully deserved to win it. Similar to West Ham game but Palace were even worse, incredible they have such a good record away from home as they were garbage tonight.

That might be a good thing being bottom and adrift, teams might start to underestimate us, Palace certainly looked like they did? Did they even have a corner or shot on target?!

Still a very long shot to stay up but just nice to get 3 points! If we keep showing that effort we should get another 3-4 wins although that won't be anywhere near enough.

It was very similar to the West Ham game, but we had much more luck. For once we didn't get punished for every lapse, as the strike off the post in the first 20 seconds proved.

I was sitting in the Lower Witton by the Holte so from my angle it looked like it had gone across the goal rather than off the post. I'm struggling to think of the shot on target they had, maybe one of the free kicks drifted towards Bunn, they were that bad. Hopefully a few more opposition will play like that against us in the run in.

Not going to add any more as I think your summary of the game is spot on.

[Marlon's Hairy Wood]

What a performance (even if palace were crap)

Kozak, Okore, Ayew, Cissokho, Gana, Veretout even Bacuna and Westwood.. well done

Cracking to see Cissokho and Kozak in there performing like that, delighted for them both

Really pleasing performance, even if it means little in the long run

[usav]

One 'clearance' by Bacuna in the 2nd half near the corner flag led to the ball catching the 21:15 to New Street from Aston. Not pretty. Just necessary.

Thats the line of the night!

Agreed, that made me chuckle heartily.

[CJ]

Did anybody notice how Lescott walked straight off at the end while the others celebrated with the fans? What is it with this guy?

Nothing wrong with that as may be he thinks a win over Palace at home is nothing to celebrate and team needs many more before he can celebrate.

To be fair he got a (slightly unexpected but deserved) great reception from the Trinity as he was walking off and responded in a equally celebratory Lionesque hearty clap

Also worth noting there was muted booing when his name was announced at the start of the game, so maybe he felt he'd be pushing his luck if he went all gung-ho at the Holte. Glad he got some recognition as tonight he was 100% what he should always be for us.

[rougegorge]

I didn't watch or follow the game. Just found out the result. Maybe I'm the problem all along. Can someone please provide a quick summary?

TV read Olof's Beard's post a couple of pages back but basically they all put a shift in and very well deserved 3 points and should have scored more than one. Goal Line technology  came in for us tonight. And yes please stay away for the rest of the season

I was very surprised how close the technology made it look on the TV. I wasn't right in line with it,  but had a clear view from the Trinity and it was comfortably over and even the linesman could easily see.

It's been said already but the big difference was the shift we put in, as Pardew acknowledged afterwards. This must however be the standard and not the exception.

Yes, we lack a cutting edge and yes the build up is often too slow but I'll take that effort tonight.  I even thought Westwood played well and I can't remember when I last thought that.

I thought Ayew was MotM again.

[cdward]

The main difference was the lack of mistakes, apart from Bacuna switching off in the first 20 secs, there were none of the cringeworthy passes or mis timed tackles, or deflections that have plagued us. Are you watching Hutton/Guzan. They do say you make your own luck, well we deserved that win. Great energy and determination, even sensibly holding the ball up in the corner.
We really need to convert our chances, hopefully Kozak will get better with game time.
Bunn didn't have any saves to make, but I hope we stick with him, it feels like a new team.

[LukeJames]

Thanks Luke. Appreciate it. Looking forward to watching it later. How did the players react after?

Like they hadn't won a league game since August!

[rob_bridge]

The main difference was the lack of mistakes, apart from Bacuna switching off in the first 20 secs, there were none of the cringeworthy passes or mis timed tackles, or deflections that have plagued us. Are you watching Hutton/Guzan. They do say you make your own luck, well we deserved that win. Great energy and determination, even sensibly holding the ball up in the corner.
We really need to convert our chances, hopefully Kozak will get better with game time.
Bunn didn't have any saves to make, but I hope we stick with him, it feels like a new team.

I honestly think you need to add Richards, Clark and Richardson as they've made as many mistakes as Hutton and Guzan

[Steve67]

Fair play to Alan Pardew, very praiseworthy of Villa tonight despite being goaded by the BBC reporter.

[Nii Lamptey]

Just watched Remi's interview on the BBC site. Really hope this is the catalyst to kick start something special at Villa.

Get the feeling there is a very genuine, intelligent bloke in there that could take us places if he gets the chance.

[usav]

Fair play to Alan Pardew, very praiseworthy of Villa tonight despite being goaded by the BBC reporter.

I was just about to post something similar......normally can't stand the bloke, but fair play tonight.

[eamonn]

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.

[Olof's Beard]

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.

[kippaxvilla2]

He used to be a smug git but he's a decent manager.  I think Paulie once likened him to a man who would be sat having a drink with you smiling whilst putting his hand under your wife's skirt underneath the table.