Arsenal 5 – 0 Villa; A gulf in class and an utter shambles

They say the bookies are usually right and so it proved today.
With 20-20 hindsight, we didn’t even deserve that 13-1 that was quoted, in my opinion.

So what went wrong?
I don’t know where to start, but I guess the lineup is as good a place as any.
Cleverley and Richardson started and as per usual I asked myself why?
Gabby, who’s been reasonably prolific against Arsenal was not started. I know I’ve called for him to be dropped myself, but this is one of the only games of the season where I’d actually want him to play.

I just don’t understand Lambert’s thinking at all, as we’ve had decent results against the top clubs by sitting deep and countering. Yet what has previously worked was abandoned by Lambert today and we tried to play far too high up, resulting in Arsenal getting in behind us to score after only eight minutes.
The deft flick on from Ozil didn’t help matters and the sickening thing here is that I was thinking about him and how he was bound to score, just before the kickoff.
To think we were linked with him not that long ago. That’s how far we’ve fallen.

We were very lucky to go in only one down at half time, as it could easily have been three, after they had chances and hit the post.
Our defence just after the goal was a complete shambles and we weren’t picking their players up at all.
Do we man mark or zone defend?
I don’t have a clue.

Then we came out for the second half, where things just got worse.
We looked aimless and I’m struggling to see what there is to discuss here.

A couple of points though;
Sanchez, while he was incredibly frustrating in the way he gave the ball away today, was for me, the only one (Gil apart) that was looking to actually go forward and look for something. I remember him at least twice running straight down the middle, only for him to reach a position where you could practically see him thinking “now what am I supposed to do?”, because there wasn’t an option around him, apart from Benteke, who was isolated up front.
I feel really sorry for him and he surely must be wondering what’s going on in the way we play the game.

Gil looked good again and he too was actually looking to achieve something.

The rest of the midfield were totally anonymous and I just kept thinking to myself it’s either the players are utter rubbish or it’s the way they’re being played.
I came to the conclusion that it’s probably a bit of both.

Lambert changed it up, but it was already too late and the game was already lost when we went two down by a goal from Ozil.

At the end of the day, we had two chances on target and yet again, that just isn’t enough.
So, we’ve now gone six games or ten hours and twelve minutes without scoring in the league.
Apparently, that’s another record low, although I’m not sure if that’s in the prem or overall.

They’ve just shown a table of the lowest scorers in the English league, on the telly.
West brom are 91st with 20 goals scored.
We’re 92nd with 11 scored.

While I expected a loss today, Lambert should be sacked for that alone.
He should also be sacked for the way we came out against Arsenal too, as that was tactical naivety at it’s best.
But we all know it isn’t going to happen.

To think it’s Chelsea up next.
What’s the solution there Lambert?
Will you be mug enough to try the same again?
It really wouldn’t surprise me if he does, as it seems he’s untouchable.
And that’s a bigger joke than what happened today.

278 Comments

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  1. nath
    nath February 2, 2015 at 7:13 am . Reply

    i am speechless. that ranked as the worst display, i have ever seen by any team team and any level. well done to everybody associated with aston villa.

    in changing the men behind the ball, countering with pace style. which opposition managers and our own fans hated. but we won and scored occasionally. to a style of pretty pointless passes. no shots on goal, no threat no movement and no idea style.

    now i don’t have answers. but if i was the manager, i would never have changed things mid season to start with. its like the manager changed it to boost possession stats only. playing pretty doesn’t win games. or plaudits. winning doesn’t either but its start. over the years we played some worst stuff around. but we won games with 20% of the ball. being solid without the ball and breaking with pace, is all we have been and this new style takes this away.

    new manager yeah great anything to give us a shot. but i doubt any manager would want this role. 24 hours of window and your working with a gutless bunch of talentless individuals. sanchez was totally the opposite to the guy from the WC. he never lost the ball and kept it moving around, was a man mountain without the ball sitting in front of the defense, yesterday he gave the ball to arsenal so many times, i started to believe he was a gunner.

    players and fans have lost belief in the manager. whether the players are using the manager as a excuse or not. if we continue this way, we are doomed bottom 3 for sure come may with hull and QPR.

    we can escape,but it means reverting back to the team that everybody hated even 90% of our own fans. but our team is built to play that ways, men behind the ball, draw the opposition deep into our halve and hit on the counter with fast quick breaks

  2. Jay Dee
    Jay Dee February 2, 2015 at 7:37 am . Reply

    When I now think about the Villa all I feel is empty and sad with no hope I was once positive now have the Lambert effect dead I say sack him

  3. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson February 2, 2015 at 7:47 am . Reply

    I’m speechless as well, how can a person call himself a manager with a record that Lambert has, anyone with that as your CV should be ashamed to show their face, I haven’t seen the interview after the game just read Badgers post on what that idiot said, they tried , I watched the game to me a disgusting show of football,if you can call it that, anyone that sticks with Lambert now must be bonkers, I would stand for anyone now to take over, even a parks team manager, Lambert is dire in knowledge of our nations game. Norwich must be laughing their fucking heads off.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath February 2, 2015 at 9:23 am . Reply

      Btw out good mate Falkner had resigned from Forest!

  4. BWS
    BWS February 2, 2015 at 8:12 am . Reply

    What can you say?
    Lamberth the record breaker is going hell for leather after Sunderland’s 10 games without a goal record to go with his long list of unenviable records at VP.
    Randy’s got his fingers in ears going la la la I’m not listening and the Fantastic Mr Fox is busy drawing up yet another 5 year plan…
    Meantime back in the real world HMS Aston Villa is sinking slowly into oblivion as the band played on.
    It’s been emotional.

  5. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN February 2, 2015 at 8:22 am . Reply

    If ever you wanted things to turn nasty then Chelsea would be the pick of the bunch,I don’t for one minute think we’ll fluke a point in this one possibly just what the doctor ordered.

    1. BWS
      BWS February 2, 2015 at 8:43 am . Reply

      Hey Giddy I don’t know if you seen this but have a look at the BBC interview with Fox, I love some his comments, Fox – “The Fabian comment yesterday, we’re so close” (Oh yea, to what, relegation?) and this gem “Able to deliver the style of play that Paul’s instituted” (f**king hysterical).
      http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31015504

  6. Hayks
    Hayks February 2, 2015 at 9:29 am . Reply

    I thought we did OK in the first half, yes they had chances, but this is Arsenal away, they are always going to have chances.I thought we pressed them, and they looked nervy. 2 things wound me up the whole match. Okore’s positional play is awful, he kept coming out of the back line and going for balls, missing the tackle and then leaving them with 3 on 2 on our goal, crazy. I know he’s fast, and got back just in time a couple of times, but he shouldn’t be putting himself in that position in the first place. The other was Sanchez, holy shit that guys pass percentage must have been single figures, he was fucking awful, I was annoyed when he came out for the second half, and even more so when the first 2 subs weren’t for him. I’ve sung his praises in the past, but Lambert, surely you can see when someone’s having an off day and just replace the guy. FFS. Him giving the ball away wasn’t only breaking down our attacks, but actually starting their counter-attacks.
    The problem was that once Arsenal went 2 up, they started to relax and therefore play better, and it was a foregone conclusion, but all the time it was 1-0 I thought we looked OK. Gill looked good but I thought Beneteke looked like the weight of expectation for goals is starting to effect him, he had a couple of half chances and wasn’t what you called ‘assured’.

    Based on what we’ve seen here, Chelsea will be a whitewash, we’ll drop further down towards the bottom, and the Hull game will start to look more and more like a must-win

    1. bencey83
      bencey83 February 2, 2015 at 6:20 pm . Reply

      Totally agree – Okore and Sanchez were both a liability (and they are usually my favourite players!) Benteke might as well have stayed at home.

  7. Jay Dee
    Jay Dee February 2, 2015 at 9:50 am . Reply

    I don’t care if we get relegated

  8. turv32
    turv32 February 2, 2015 at 10:05 am . Reply

    Jay Dee sad to say but I agree.
    I belive we do have the players to stay up and do OK, not great but OK.
    The club has to make a choice and get rid of the Muppet, and get a new manager in.

  9. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN February 2, 2015 at 10:42 am . Reply

    The annoying thing is we all know if relegated could this of been avoided???? Which I strongly feel under another manager quite possibly.at least we could be given a fighting chance,maybe if we had then we could say at least we gave it a go.as it stands we’re committing premier league suicide.

  10. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson February 2, 2015 at 10:46 am . Reply

    Hear this twat Pete Colley at villa park saying rumor is Bemba Bar Villa cannot agree on wage , Sky Sports news.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath February 2, 2015 at 11:06 am . Reply

      Another mercenary no thanks. Rather use the money to get rid of lamberk

  11. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN February 2, 2015 at 10:50 am . Reply

    We need goals this bloke scores goals,push the boat out Lerner or fuck your rich pickings from the TV money.

  12. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson February 2, 2015 at 10:56 am . Reply

    Fatty Faulkner left because they never consulted him on the appointment of Freedman coming in.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath February 2, 2015 at 11:07 am . Reply

      Bosnich saying what every one else is too scared to fair play http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/756408156?-11177:843

      1. turv32
        turv32 February 2, 2015 at 11:28 am . Reply

        Just took a listen yep he is about smack on.

  13. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN February 2, 2015 at 10:57 am . Reply

    Fuck cleverly back to manure free some wage funds up.

  14. Mark
    Mark February 2, 2015 at 11:43 am . Reply

    Joke….. I mean Quote of the week from Lambert ” I still believe that I am the right man to take this club forward”
    My god ! This clown actually believes in his own bull***t. If he thought he was the right man to take the club forward 3 seasons or so ago when he first took the job then how come we are in a worse position since McLeish was sacked, all unwanted records have been broken by Lambert and we haven’t got a clue how to put the bloody ball in the net.
    Lerner’s decisions over sticking with Lambert have, in my opinion, have a lot to do with him (Lerner) being gutless and also the timing of things. Firstly he could have sacked him at the end of last season but was waiting for a takeover bid so left things as they were to let a potential new owner make that decision. Next, after a reasonable start to the season Lerner gives Lambert a new 4 year contract. Results since then take a massive downward turn but the financial cost in getting rid of Lambert so early in to the new deal convinces Lerner he has to put up with it. In between the dire Premier League performances, Villa are progressing in the FA Cup…..Just ! The result of this is that Lerner and, more publicly Tom Fox, believe that it would be a gamble changing the manager or like “flipping a coin” to quote Mr Fox. Finally, after the most abject performance of the season against Arsenal, timing comes in to play again to save Lambert as the following day is the transfer window and he needs to be in charge to oversee things. Not that I am expecting anything spectacular. I can’t believe I am typing this but I still think we will stay up. This unfortunately vindicates Lambert, Lerner and Fox, in their eyes, and things will remain as they are.
    I want to see Lambert go as much as anybody. In that case does anybody have any idea who we could get or who would want the job ?

    1. saddenned
      saddenned February 2, 2015 at 12:47 pm . Reply

      Anyone Mark…. Just anyone…. this man is possibly the worst manager I have witnessed in any managerial position, and completely deluded “We’ve definitely got enough, that’s for sure. If we can do one or two more then it’s something we’ll try”. He says this every transfer window oh and the “It’s not easy to bring people in but if something does come in we’ll look at it…… Its not easy Mr Lambert because you do not have a clue and most players, unless they are not getting match time or over the hill would not consider playing for you !!

      When I watch his interviews I feel like a cat with a fur ball stuck down my throat

  15. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson February 2, 2015 at 12:24 pm . Reply

    The scum have turned down 5 million from Bournemouth for Grey, thought they was skint.

    1. GarethVilla
      GarethVilla February 2, 2015 at 1:13 pm . Reply

      Your getting Birmingham mixed up with Villa Bill!!

  16. turv32
    turv32 February 2, 2015 at 1:09 pm . Reply

    just heard of 5 live Villa to make no more singings…
    Get in well done Villa, cocks.

    1. GarethVilla
      GarethVilla February 2, 2015 at 1:15 pm . Reply

      You sound surprised Turv32.
      The club is a joke.
      Lerner, Fox and Lambert are a recipe for disaster.

      1. turv32
        turv32 February 2, 2015 at 1:23 pm . Reply

        Not surprised Buddy, just fed up Gareth.

  17. VTID
    VTID February 2, 2015 at 1:22 pm . Reply

    Mark: I do not know why you think we will stay up, I think it’s a cert we will be relegated the momentumn is set in motion, the slop is a 1 in 10 however you want to put it we are gone, and it won’t be for one season, we will not recover….

    I didn’t post yesterday cause I was so humiliated, frustrated, and mad. PL does not deserve to be in the dug out on Sat against Chelski, there is today a golden opportunity to get what I believe is a very passionate manager in to replace Lamerk or even as Lamberks number two. Stuart Pearce is an exceptional motivator, and I belive if these players were put in front of him he would turn them around. My opinion of course.

    I don’t care what happens Sat but for sure I would do the following

    -Send Benteke into the reserves for a few weeks to find the net, he did absolutely nothing yesterday and his posture for the club gave away his lack of interest
    – Give Cleverley his marching orders back to Manure he obviously does not want to be part of Villa
    -Drop Guzan to the bench, I keep saying he does not command his area enough and relies on the defenders to do his job, he had opportunities yesterday to get the defenders further back and not so high up the pitch
    -Always start with Westy and Delph they partner better than all the rest.
    -Play Gil & Sinclair one on each side and mix it up.
    -Give Wiemman and Gabby the forward lines if it not working change it around.

    I am no manager ( yes I know you guessed by my points) but anyone can see most of these players are out of position so not playing to their abilities.

    My final comment GET RID OF LAMBERK he’s usless!!!!!

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson February 2, 2015 at 1:52 pm . Reply

      VTID , how much to do the job, I’d say that’s more sense than the twat that’s at Villa now!

  18. turv32
    turv32 February 2, 2015 at 1:26 pm . Reply

    VTID send your CV to Fox, you know more than Lambert for sure.

    1. VTID
      VTID February 2, 2015 at 1:39 pm . Reply

      Turv, I did they said I was to experienced and had to much passion for the job, it’s relegation we’re after they said……….

      1. turv32
        turv32 February 2, 2015 at 1:48 pm . Reply

        LOL buddy, it was worth a try.
        I watch Worcester Warriors play rugby, last year they got relegated, but by god they gave it a good go to stay up, more than can be said for Lamberts merry men, no pride, no passion, just boring pointless football without an end product.

  19. pat57
    pat57 February 2, 2015 at 1:30 pm . Reply

    No signings but it doesn’t matter does it? If we got Ronaldo PL would probably play him as goalkeeper and then when we lose 10-0 he’d say ‘Well I thought we we’re excellent for (take your pick) 60-70-80 minutes’. Someone please tell him that football is a 90 minute game.

    Personally if I hear the word ‘excellent’ coming from his lips again I will scream!!!

    Please Paul do the right thing and RESIGN NOW.

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