Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace Post-Match Thread

[IAmTheOneIanOlney]

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

I think he realised how stupid the David Meyler incident made him look and seems to have kept a much lower profile since.

[olaftab]

Pardew is trying to change however he is still a c***!

[john robsons sideburns]

A very encouraging performance last night, but whilst we should all enjoy the win, and that wonderful, wonderful feeling that a long overdue victory brings, let's not get carried away that we suddenly have a team capable of winning another 8-games plus and keep us up.

Yes it was much improved and messrs Lescott, Veretout, Gueye, Ayew should take a special bow, whilst each and every one of the others also deserves praise for the effort put in that was there for all to see.  It does however show how low our expectations and standards have dropped when we are going overboard about a player just visibly putting in 100% effort doesn't it. 

We should expect this in most games 8-9 out of 10, not 1-2 games out of 10, so let's hope that this is positive sign and the start of something rather than a mere flash in the pan.  The time for real praise will come when we've strung together 4-5 performances (almost irrespective of result).

We have several players that are clearly not of the quality that we need to get us out of this mess (Cissokho, Kozak, Gil, Bunn), but if they put the shift in and complement the quality players that we do have, like last night, then we have a chance.......a small chance.....but still a chance.

Kozak isn't the answer up top, but you can't knock his effort and it certainly was a step up from Gestede. 

[Brian Taylor]

14-1 for The Great Escape.
Where is the nearest St Williams? Pity all the stars are brown bread.
It is not stalagluft 14... Come on..come on. Get on yer bike.

[oldtimernow]

Whatever happened to 110% effort that us old-timers used to know and love

Sky and the Premier League would be my answer

[andyh]

As 'nice' as Pardew's comments appear, I can't help feeling he's bigging us up because his team have just been beaten by the (perceived) biggest basket case in the premier league.

[cheltenhamlion]

Who gives a fuck? I am still smiling. And the horrible fucking hope monster in me stirred. He is still hibernating but contemplating opening an eye.

[four fornicholl]

Who gives a fuck? I am still smiling. And the horrible fucking hope monster in me stirred. He is still hibernating but contemplating opening an eye.

my hope monster aint even gone to bed yet

[aj2k77]

Just looking through the match facts. We disposed them 20 times compared to us losing the ball 8 times and we won 25 tackles compared to their 10. Now Westwood, Lescott, Bacuna and Cissokho had our worst passing accuracy but they made for it with balls and determination and that's all we are asking for. I can forgive the likes of Westwood and Bacuna for not being very good, I can't forgive them for shirking and disappearing and last night they did everything you could ask for, put in a real professional performance and shift.

We don't want much, it doesn't take much to get us onside a win against Leicester.... Albion..... the place will be rocking again.

[LTA]

Have seen the majority of the game back and this is something we have to build on.  It's a big big ask and I think probably too much to do now, but you never know.

Ayew and Veretout certainly looking the part now.  Both signed by the committee and ignored by Tim "buck passing" Sherwood.

[class-of-82]

Superb lads absolutely superb
Now come on let's start the great escape

[The Edge]

Only home an hour ago - M5 roadworks - and just finished reading whole thread...which has been wonderful because of the uplifting comments after such an uplifting performance. Well done Villa and H&V posters!

Thought the team as a whole was excellent...every player put a shift in (impressed with Bacuna and Westwood who I have criticised in the past) and we won the game. Hopefully they can see this and make it happen more often. (A bit of luck with the goal, but most teams seem to have more than their share when they play us!)

In defence I thought Lescott was outstanding - calm, forceful and a leader.
In midfield Veretout was immense, though Gana ran him pretty close and really got at the Palace mf.
Up front Ayew was simply wonderful...a real handful for them - quick, sharp, unpredictable and worked his bollocks off, chasing down and tackling back. What a pity he couldn't finish that solo effort off! A Villa hero!
Special mention for Kozak....he's a favourite of mine, but I thought he showed guile, graft and a positional awareness that Gestede will never have. Libor makes the oppo defenders work and has a presence that suggests he's always on the hunt for the ball/a goal.

Great to hear the Villa faithful singing their socks off at the end...a million miles away from Saturday's debacle.

Same again on Saturday would be very nice thank you, Monsieur Garde. (Good selection mate!)

You make me ashamed to admit this. I can walk to Villa Park from my house but deafed it cos we're crap and it was pissing down. It's the 1st home game I've missed. Fair play to you and others like you for the efforts you put in. I will make sure I don't miss another game- it's the least I can do; )

[Legion]

No, you must miss it.

[The Edge]

No, you must miss it.

What you saying?  Can I claim the credit for last nights result? 

[LeeB]

No, you must miss it.

What you saying?  Can I claim the credit for last nights result? 

On the off chance you were responsible, you must never, ever set foot in Villa Park again.