Picture courtesy of the Official Aston Villa website.
I have to hold my hands up and say from the off that I really didn’t give this game as much attention as I probably should have (too busy administering the site fwiw), hence any opinions are at least open to debate.
But from what I saw, I was quite impressed, especially in the first half, where we played some lovely one touch, quick passing stuff.
Impressed enough to say we made Malaga look a bunch of mugs.
Considering they were Champion’s League quarter finalists and sixth place in La Liga, last season, that’s no mean feat.
Of course, in fairness, Spanish teams are a couple of weeks behind us in the pre-season, but who cares?
We got the result, which to me, isn’t massively important, but always looks better than a loss.
Good points;
Benteke. Enough said.
£30 million?
That’s not enough, in my opinion and if he carries on where he left off from last season, I really believe he’s going to be the hottest property on the planet come the end of the season.
I believe it’s now seven goals in the pre-season?
His first goal, he brushed two defenders aside as if they weren’t there, simple.
Now I don’t know how strong the Malaga lineout was, but whatever, Benteke just made it look so easy, which to me is always a sign of real class.
The second was a Penalty which he just nonchalantly rolled past the goalie who had gone the wrong way.
Tonev. Looks a very good buy for what he cost. Industrious, just as you would expect and whipped in some very good corners which will hopefully add to our threat in the coming season.
Okore. Looks like he might have the making of a good defender, but still early days and I’d have liked to have seen him alongside Baker, who he made way for. Never mind, I suspect we’ll be seeing just that pairing soon enough.
Overall, very good in the first half.
Bad points?
Hmm, well we seemed to be a different side in the second half.
I’m not sure who the subs were as I missed the first few minutes.
But either Malaga had stepped up the game, or we eased off. It’s a common thing with the Villa over the last few years and I still can’t decide exactly which it is.
Anyway, Malaga improved and we weren’t as good.
Which is where our defence started to look dodgy as soon as pressure was applied.
This is definitely a worrying trait and I’m not sure it’s really been addressed as well as we’d like, but I’m not going to harp on it.
At the end of the day, where it’s often been said that we probably need to score three goals because the opposition will score two, we did exactly that, which will do for me.
And let’s not forget that one of theirs was an own goal.
I liked the look of that first half and can really see us testing some decent sides.
The defence might be a different story.
Bet. Oohah was upset Vllaar scored and was sound in defence, all in all they played well.
But he wasn’t sound in defence a sliced clearance coukd of cost us and positioning shit again. But I am glad he scored no matter how much I hate a player I like it when they play well and prove me wrong
What is it you and Vlaar…. Does he you a fiver? 🙂
No he is shit and I’m not the only one on here that thinks so so go and hassle them for a change!
He is a Villa player…. Support the fucking shirt…. Simple!
So if he committed murder you would still support him then pathetic
Ooh, touchy mate 🙂
I wish I could find that article that showed Vlaar was our best defender last season, as I’d love to hear your comments on that.
Before you go off on one though, I do partly agree with what you’re saying.
Along with many others, I just think it would be nice if you emphasised any plus points a bit more and played down the negatives a bit.
We all know they’re there, is the point.
Being our best defender dosnt say much though does it. He should be the best defender the amount if money he cost and his experience.
Ok some plus points the midfield is great attacking and players like delph and Westwood are a good combo. Weimann is my favourite player and will get better this season. Benteke re-signed enough said. Tonev reminds me a bit of Ashley young and just needs to find some consistency which will come with games. Helenius is very subtle and slick in his game and could be a top player. Gabby looks like he’s found a new lease of life again and looking sharp. Lowton great going fwd just needs to improve defending a bit baker is solid and could be our player of the season Okore will be the best of them all when he settles in he’s got pace and strength to but might need a season to settle in. Just below that we have some promising youngsters like grealish who should make a name for themselves in the next couple of years.
Guzan is arguably the most improved player in the prem and is still young by keeper standards. But I’m afraid vlaar and Bennett are still shit. They are the only 2 I have problem with the rest of the team is great.
The truth is that we conceded far less last season with Vlaar in the side. There is NO argument to be had there…. He is a Villa player.. ALWAYS support the shirt as long as they give 100%.. ,,,
*owe*
Ya vlar has shit positioning i mean that is probably the most important attribute for a CH and obviously vlar never learned that part of the game, funny how a football genius like ooh ah can see that but the dutch national team and every other professional club he has played for never saw it, really is amazing! Ooh ah for manager of the year i tink, should be easy now with fergie gone lol
In not the only person on here to say his positioning is shit like I said earlier pick on someone else for a change!!
Actually, Malaga play their first league game next Saturday too so that was a pretty even test.
I think that we have the nucleus of a very good side starting to build, and go to Arsenal confident that we can perform.
It won’t be an easy season, I’m expecting somewhere between 10th and 14th, but I think that we’ll have some very good results along the way.
Whatever happens, I’m right behind the lads, and what a refreshing change to the style of play that we had to endure from McLeish. A very pleasant change from the kick and rush of MON too.
You’re right, I think this is the first season for maybe 3 years where the fans are actually really excited and we feel as though we’ll have more high’s than lows.
Malaga are a good side, this was a good test and they played really well in the second half.
So far, Arsenal haven’t strengthened, but we have. I don’t think we can snatch a victory by a draw would be a great result and a realistic one by that
Let’s see what Vlaar is like playing alongside some players who look good (Lowton, Luna, Okore). Clark made us look terrible last season and Baker was dropped right in it. He came out very well and is waiting there if Vlaar doesn’t pick up his game, so it’s all on Vlaar to impress in the next few games. Vlaar and Bennett didn’t get renewed contracts this year when Lowton and Westwood did (of the new players, excluding Benteke), which I think says a lot. El Ahmadi didn’t, Sylla didn’t play much so is probably on probation. Of course Clark was given a new contract (he’s not a new player) but I trust the manager and if he sees something in Clark then let’s run with it. I thought Vlaar looked good today. Yes, a couple of mistakes but everyone makes mistakes. If a striker misses two out of three he’s still bloody good but if a defender makes one mistake in three he’s straight under the spotlight.
It’s different when a defender makes a mistake it usually leads to us scoring a goal where a strikers mistake dosnt. Yes everyone makes mistakes but vlaar makes then every game even today in a friendly with no pressure.
For a prime example watch the Bradford home game to see Vlaar being ripped apart at corners by a bloke who 12 months previous to that was playing in the conference.
The Southampton away game as well plus millwall away there’s loads
you’re preaching to the choir telling me mate!!
Lol. Just watch il get slated now where you won’t 🙂
I think that Vlaar wasn’t offered a new contract due to his age, perhaps he still wants to return to Holland later in his career? But it’s still a very good point.
I think that Baker has secured a spot in the starting 11 against Arsenal. Clark will certainly be on the bench, it’s been Vlaar and Okore. Match fitness will play a factor, which is why I can see Vlaar starting against Arsenal and Chelsea.
But, Vlaar will be under pressure this season, he has to perform. There’s also a World Cup later in the season
Oohaah, re your post at 7.08pm;
That’s much more like it mate.
A reasoned post, that doesn’t continually go on about the bad stuff.
It’s not entirely bad, you know 🙂
Vaze,
I was just relaying what I heard on AVTV.
I just realised I’m working down the smoke next week so looked into tickets for the Arse game.
2900 tickets sold out 🙁
Thanks anon it’s amazing no one else has picked up on me being positive but jump up and down if I slate vlaar 🙂
I’ve copied that post and am ready to substitute it in your posts when you’re being a miserable bastard in the future.
Only joking 😉
Ha ha that means it will be on all my posts 🙂
I wasn’t picking fault, I had to look it up in the La Liga fixtures on Sporting Life.
I have an Arsenal mate who may be able to get you a ticket if you fancy it.
Vaze,
I was just about to ask if you could get two, as I’ve worked away so long lately that the missus thinks I’m a stranger and I’d have to take her too, but forgot we’ve worn our welcome out with our dog sitter…….
After just having the discussion, the missus says go for it.
If you can get me two tickets together, I’ll take the son or grandson.
Mail me at Badger123@astonvillanewsandviews.co.uk
I can assure you we won’t misbehave and I’m good for any money 🙂
Prawn sarnie seats not required though.
I forgot to say, I added that specific picture to the post purely because I love to see Villa players looking happy!
Thought we were really good first half, though Tonev seemed to cancel AW out a bit, but surely that will be the starting 11 for next week (first half pick)..with Westy probably coming in for KEA. Delph was pretty good, but there was a lot of space in the middle of the park for opposition to exploit. Good to see the switching of play across the park, fair play to Lambo for that. UTV.
ooh ah, Other people mention their views about vlar too i know that but they haven’t been doin it since the 2nd game he played and don’t constantly say the same never ending story again and again and again! And most of them don’t constantly bash the club and players which you seem to get the biggest joy from! Im sure you were smiling more when vlar sliced the ball today than when we became safe last season, nobody is sayin our defence is great or even good but fans who know anything about football know you must defend as a team and 1 player cannot be blamed for every goal we concede and any fan who bothers to look up the facts knows vlar was the best CH we had last season and still he said himself he needs to improve, he tries his best gives his all for the team and actually was our best CH last season but still you would take him out of the team and tink darren won’t run bent should be in the team! Like i said manager of the year!
I think baker and Okore should be our first choice ch pairing next week and you will prob find fans are split whether it shud be Okore or baker. Maybe Okore is here to give vlaar the kick up the backside he desperately needs. Thou from u saw today he is NI better than last year. Btw did u not see my positive post earlier at 19.08 funny u didn’t comment in that!
First half proves we haven’t lost momentum from the end of last season. If anything we’ve moved on a gear or two. If a sky4 team had been playing that type of football, the media would have been wanking all over them. Think Okore is going to be awesome, he showed some excellent examples of speed and strength. Discount the OG, just bad luck. Luna was a significant improvement on Bennett. Tonev was solid, but didn’t light any fires and he needs to improve his corner taking, too many sailed over the box beyond and out. The defence may not, as yet, be what we need it to be, but I believe it is already likely to be more robust than last season. We will score more goals, probably 6th to 8th in goalscoring table and by shipping fewer goals, we will win matches that last season we drew, and we will win or draw some of the matches we lost. What do points make? Good game, good game Anthea. 🙂
i thought it was a good test, malaga played very well second half gave us a game so all well, we looked 2b keeping the ball better players always aving options and when we want 2 break we can do that with clinical accuracy, guys its a squad game these days so first eleven one week may not be the nxt
overall iam excited 4 nxt week and i will put a tenner on us away 2 arsenal ~ we are built 2 score away from home,arsenal will play the one two tappy stuff outside our area and watch us break on um 3,1 villa early prediction 🙂
Bentekes a fuckin monsta absolute animal fantastic fuckin fantastic K.O Bentekkers 12th minute.Ron Vlaar captain Vlaar even cracking goal..Well done AVFC Okore will be ok only a small hick up.Good victory over a champions league quarter finalist….If ya proud to be a villan proud to be a villan proud to be a villan fuck tha blues yeyyyyyyyyyyyy#UTV lol
Been on the sauce tonight? Me too. Stuck in Edinburgh, at least the beer is bloody fantastic (I love Edinburgh, fantastic city)
Don’t know if any of you know as I’ve just not long come back from work but Koora are reporting we are making or have made a 3 mill euro bid for Ryad Boudebouz Algerian AMF #UTV
who the f..k is he JAYDEE
Plays for Fc sochaux Montbeliard in the French League 1.AMF and right wing plays for Algeria and Hes 23.Thats about all I know.
Benteke was awesome as usual, gabby in fairness looked like he knew he was in the team next week and just went through the motions. The worry for me again was left back. tony Moon struggled against the blonde lad on their right wing. He was caught out of position regularly but good news was he seemed to recover most times apart from okores og when he was skinned.
Well spotted Curt, again that left back position was the weak link, and Oohah says its VIlaar, OK Luna is good going forward and passing the ball, but he was beaten and out of sorts when having to defend that part of the pitch, what means other player’s have to break their ranks to help others. Where did them two goals come from. ? 🙂
Absolutely right, but I think if. Westwood had been playing from start Luna would have had support it wasn’t just the blonde lad it was also their right back, and it always looked bad when Delph was on the opposite side.
Agree him and vlaar are the only 2 players I have a problem with. Left backs first job is to defend properly not attack or we might as well just have a left winger there. Lambert has not traded up with Luna he looks on a par with Bennett. We still need another ch a decent left bk and a good dm. If we got that I’m convinced we could push for top 8 easily
ye showed my ignorance there JAY just had a look at him if he is as good as he looks Lambert is chancing his arm with 3 mill will cost alot more than that then again youtube could make norman wisdom look like pele so dont know
http://www.kooora.com/?n=262882
I’ve put the link up from the Koora report but its awaiting moderation should be up soon will need translating though UTV
Wouldn’t expect it to really cost all that much more than 3m. Although back in July, Sky Sports claimed he was rated around 5m. Had 7 league assists for the 15th placed team. Season before that also had 7 assists so he’s a consistent player. Average goal scorer as well as he has to do most of the creative work, especially last season to help them stay up.
Also only has a year left on his contract.
http://www.malagacf.com/en/webtv/matches/aston-villa-fc-malaga-cf/111/46977
This is the link to the Malaga game
Awaiting moderation
from what i saw of the game it appeared to be a huge hole in front of Luna, again the left back is being exposed and the same as last season the left back is made to look weak,,when the problem starts farther upfield love gabby but this is his downfall
Lets hope Lamberts spotted that but in all fairness Luna is there to defend if gabby isn’t there.Maybe we should get booma n McGrath to teach Luna to Crrrrunch UTV
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2481725497195&set=vb.81483381419&type=3&permPage=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2481725497195&set=vb.81483381419&type=3&permPage=1
One from the Irish Villans
This is one from the Irish Villans funny lads about us and the Blue noses.