WBA 1 – 0 Villa; thoughts

As soon as Kieran Richardson was sent off, for what for me, was a good decision by Mike Dean, I thought we were in trouble.
In real time, it looked a terrible tackle and although the slow motion replay showed it wasn’t quite as bad, you just can’t go in like that with your studs showing.
While I can see that some of you might debate that, I thought it was a potential ankle breaker.
So a good decision.
I want to give a bit of credit to the ref here, by the way, as I thought he called most things correctly and gave probably a man of the match performance.
So in short Richardson is out for our next game.
No major loss for me, as I really don’t rate him and it surely makes Delph’s return easier for Lambert.

So we were down to 10 men after 21 minutes and I just had the feeling that even though Albion were quite toothless, we wouldn’t be able to hold on.

I have to say our performance today seemed to revert back to our usual level of a lack of creativity, but I have to temper my thoughts with that fact that we were a man down.

That said, I still think we had too many invisible players.
N’zogbia was one. Surely his days at the Villa are numbered now, but I can’t see a way out for him, given his wages. The only way he’s going is if we swallow a big percentage of his wages.

What about Cleverley? I really don’t see it with him at all.
He needs to be replaced with someone better. Someone who gets involved more.

While I’m loathe to complain about Okore (who was probably my MOTM) or Clark, am I the only one who thought our defence overall was very poor at actually clearing the ball?

Hutton, who had a torrid time early on actually looked our most creative player at times.
That’s the crazy world of Villa at present, it seems.

Sanchez gives the ball away far too much, but I still like the looks of him and hopefully he’ll improve that side of things. He’s looking a very good buy for the £3.5 million he cost.

The actual goal itself, from Gardner of all people, was poor. Guzan should have done better, but it shouldn’t have mattered, as we had two defenders near enough on the line, which should have seen us safe.
Hmm……

Did we deserve to lose against a very average Albion side?
I don’t know really, but going 70 minutes with a man down, the odds are against you.
Then again, if we’d have kept eleven players on the pitch I reckon we’d have probably taken all the points.

While it’s disappointing to lose against Albion, who have actually become a bit of a banker game for us over the last good few years, you won’t find any hysterics from me today.

For once I agree with Lambert.
We go again.

Trouble is, it’s Man United next, isn’t it?

101 Comments

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  1. fucked-right-off
    fucked-right-off December 13, 2014 at 5:43 pm . Reply

    Lambert is without doubt the most tactically inept “manager” in the game. Why he started with Richardson and clearly went there with the attitude of “don’t lose the game” baffles me. I’ve stuck with Lambert and tried to support him like i have every other Villa manager in the 35 years i have followed them but today is the final straw. I refuse to support a “manager” who is so negative it’s frightening. Now to make matters worse we are told that it’ll take 3-5 years to put us back on the map…….This club does not deserve the support it gets, it is a complete and utter shambles.

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson December 13, 2014 at 6:47 pm . Reply

      Join the club, Badger looked at them stats this times last season and guess what, We are no further forwards than going backwards, and what your intermated things are not going to change, 6 shots at goal, 2 on target, don’t that tell you how inept Lambert is, again We will have to thank other teams If We stay in the league, what they hell do We do to stop a yank sitting in he’s world saying fuck you brits I don’t give a fuck. I say again , not buying, not going, and hope We go down to give him what he deserves as a Yank that knows nothing of the English game.what a sorry state We are in.

  2. Benno
    Benno December 13, 2014 at 6:06 pm . Reply

    I thought Okore looked the business today, especially given the pressure we were under. You cant really knock the defence this season, our problem is further up the field.

    I think Sanchez is going to be some player for us too. Yes, he gives the ball away too easily at times, but he gets around, wins the ball and always wants the ball. I agree about Cleverley too, works hard but there is no end product in terms of killer passes, crosses or even shots. There are much better players available for that kind of money.

    Obviously today was totally dictated by the sending off, but i still dont think Lambert is getting the team right. I just dont understand the formation he is playing and how on earth Nzogbia is getting into the team!

    Benteke is the best player we’ve had at Villa for a long time, and if we want to keep him, we have to get better players in and around him.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 13, 2014 at 7:09 pm . Reply

      Benteke will go as soon as possible it’s just a matter of time no matter who we sign. We are never going to get decent players to support him

  3. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN December 13, 2014 at 7:02 pm . Reply

    Hope we don’t go through with the purchase of cleverly,had him for a test run not impressed.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 13, 2014 at 7:07 pm . Reply

      No nor me no better than bacuna or Westwood can see y utd don’t want him

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 13, 2014 at 7:16 pm . Reply

      Well you couldn’t make this shit up Lamberk is pleased with our movement what a clown http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-paul-lambert-pleased-8284768

  4. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN December 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm . Reply

    We seem spoilt for choice in defense, sorry I can’t say the same for the midfield.New blood January lol I think the booze has finally got to me.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 13, 2014 at 8:19 pm . Reply

      That’s the on,y positive this season Hutton and Okore

      1. GIDDYVILLAN
        GIDDYVILLAN December 13, 2014 at 8:33 pm . Reply

        What about baker & your best buddy vlaar mate????I think as long as you keep Clarke & baker apart its not too bad in defense.isn’t it????

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 2:22 am . Reply

          Yep Clarke and Okore should be the default CB pairing now Lambert has stumbled on a winning partnership at last but only because of injuries. All fans were calling for Okore ages ago ffs.

  5. TBaggie
    TBaggie December 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm . Reply

    Banker game? You’ve beaten us once in 8 games and that was lucky!

  6. jvillan
    jvillan December 13, 2014 at 9:30 pm . Reply

    as russell slade cardiff manager said if 442 good enough for real madrid good enough for him, we set up to defend from the off no width gabby couldnt keep the ball up front in fact cant keep nowhere stupid free kick he gave on stroke half time, trust lambert in january well season 2012/13 he signed about 9 players and only okore and maybe kozak any good,already this season cole sendross richardson how many of first half of season matches have they been available to play going to pay8million for cleverly when he is just like bardsleyoshea brown quinten fortune ben foster all internationals at utd but also crap

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 2:24 am . Reply

      Agree imo Benteke and Okore are Lambert’s best signings the rest are just crap imo though can’t quite decide on Cissoko.

  7. OriginalLondonLion
    OriginalLondonLion December 14, 2014 at 1:10 am . Reply

    N’zogbia, Richardson and Cole are just shadows of the players they once were, and Cleverly never has been a star player. He was a passenger at Man Utd who was sussed as soon as Utd weren’t good enough to carry him. So it is a good job somebody else will be doing the buying come January.

    As others say above what new blood won’t cure, is Lambert’s defensive mind-set before the sending off – shown in the starting roles for Richardson and N’zog.

    Benteke and Gabby were playing with their backs to goal with a marker right on them, nobody in our midfield could hold the ball long enough to allow the forwards to turn.

    Man Utd next – well the good news is we have busted a longer sequence already the season by winning away to Palace. We will have to take every chance we create.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 2:28 am . Reply

      Just hope we don’t part with £8m for Cleverley everton are welcome to him. We can get just as good for a couple of mill elsewhere. Can’t see anything but a utd win next week. They won’t thrash us as Lamberk will park the bus but will be a comfortable 2.0 for them maybe both goals coming second half then Lamberk can say we drew 0.0 with them in first half!!’

  8. Gary Penrice
    Gary Penrice December 14, 2014 at 10:07 am . Reply

    Who said this?
    “There is a good way to lose in football sometimes and I felt we did that today”.

    God help us!

    1. Bill Pearson
      Bill Pearson December 14, 2014 at 1:12 pm . Reply

      Let me guess Lambert, I’ve now resolved that what happening it will not get any better and god help the club, 10 goals in 19 games the worst in the league, our defence holding but not one brain in the midfield and forward line accept Benteke, what a joke, what players will move to Villa Park, ? the end is nye a sinking ship in January is what I see.

  9. Jay Dee
    Jay Dee December 14, 2014 at 12:03 pm . Reply

    Why was Richardson going in like that anyway especially in one of the most important games for Villa supporters in the season he wants lynching UTV We should get beat by UTD poor poor Villa

  10. Simon James Mills
    Simon James Mills December 14, 2014 at 12:50 pm . Reply

    You know what makes me laugh when fans say we had our 2 strikers out for a long time yet I recall our 2nd highest scorer from last season was bacuna who is prefect fit wonder why we not scoring enough another great manger tactic from lambert who doesn’t play him

  11. billys boots
    billys boots December 14, 2014 at 1:15 pm . Reply

    there seems to be a motivation problem with a majority of our players just lately captain wants away. our latest international thinks hes too good for us,any of the played midfield yesterday looked like they had never seen a ball before, sanchez i rate highly but im not sure the rest of the team do with there being no movement to receive a ball so he ends up being caught in possession. was that the worst game we have seen from benteke? i don’t think gabby,andi, n,zog should be near the first team squad, don’t know the answer,not sure lambert does either without spending squillions in jan

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm . Reply

      Brendan Rodgers anyone bound to get sacked tomorrow I actually rate him and at least tries to play decent football.

      1. Simon James Mills
        Simon James Mills December 14, 2014 at 2:46 pm . Reply

        Love him over lambert

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 2:57 pm . Reply

          Me too if Sturridge was playing today would be a different story imo

      2. GIDDYVILLAN
        GIDDYVILLAN December 14, 2014 at 2:51 pm . Reply

        I don’t think he’d do any worse,would he?????

      3. Andrew
        Andrew December 14, 2014 at 4:20 pm . Reply

        Problem with him is he focuses no time on the defense. While our defenders are in much better form and possibly are better than Liverpool’s currently, they could get killed under Rodgers. Oh and Sanchez would be out of the team, seeing as Rodgers doesn’t play Pool’s only DM in Lucas and they look far better when Lucas plays.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 5:17 pm . Reply

          True but maybe he will have learnt his lesson at liverpool and play a DM. it’s only recently Lamberk has seen the light on that one. And like you say our defenders are arguably better than theirs.

          1. Andrew
            Andrew December 14, 2014 at 10:58 pm . Reply

            Maybe but I have my doubts as he didn’t against United.

          2. Andrew
            Andrew December 15, 2014 at 1:51 am . Reply

            Good points are he’d have no problem allowing Grealish and Robinson to show their talent. He has no problem giving Sterling his chance, Borini and a fair few youngsters around. And he’d have Benteke to work around.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath December 15, 2014 at 2:18 am . Reply

              True. What worries me is liverpool are desperate for a striker and Benteke and Sturridge up front would be mouth watering for the bin dippers. Can see them making a bid tbh if not jan then summer.

          3. Andrew
            Andrew December 15, 2014 at 3:24 am . Reply

            It’s possible but they don’t need someone like Benteke, while Lambert’s back injury has really killed his aerial game, they still have him. They need someone with a lot of technical ability, but also a vast work rate, much like Suarez had. A Cavani, Higuain type, both well out of their price range, but someone more like them. I can also see them choosing Bony over Benteke. I do think we’ll have Benteke for at least another year or so. Still has a bit to prove to be worth what Villa’s price tag is on him, which I’d say is at least 25m. Most teams like Pool can’t go out and pay that without them having a huge rate of return, especially as all the Suarez money has been spent and they’re dipping into their own funds, that surely has FFP looking at them.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath December 15, 2014 at 6:07 pm . Reply

              True but if they sell Moreno to sunderland they might be ok fir ffp. Knowing us we would prob just part exhim for Lambert!!!

          4. Andrew
            Andrew December 15, 2014 at 6:45 pm . Reply

            Moreno? Their Spanish LB? You mean Borini? It’s possible, but they’ll get nowhere near the 14m that was “offered” to them. Honestly have my doubts Benteke’s topping their list of strikers wanted right now. Especially as Bony’s available for around 25m. But I guess we won’t know until January. Just can’t see us selling Benteke in January. Unless we’re playing like 2 strikers in as I have my doubts Kozak will be back this season.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath December 16, 2014 at 10:09 pm . Reply

              Borinho that’s the one. It’s only a matter of time before he goes and if he wasn’t injured he would of gone last summer imo. It all dens how he performs in jan for example a hatrick on sat v utd and he’ll be off in jan. I could see him and Sturridge up front for the bin dippers

          5. Andrew
            Andrew December 17, 2014 at 3:53 am . Reply

            Can’t see it. Liverpool aren’t gonna cough up the money we want.

      4. ifiruledtheworld
        ifiruledtheworld December 15, 2014 at 9:28 pm . Reply

        Even if they do sack Rodgers, you surely don’t expect Lerner to suddenly be ready to part ways with Lambert? Unless there’s some truth to the Cuban rumours which I doubt as I can’t imagine Tom Fox recently doing an interview and talking about the future with Lerner if there was something in the pipeline.

  12. kerryvillan
    kerryvillan December 14, 2014 at 2:53 pm . Reply

    Sanchez stats for West Brom game,

    65 passes 91% accuracy.

    He was our best player by a mile, always looking for the ball and always trying to make a forward pass, the only player who moves after he passes and the only player who seems to know what space is! The reason he gives it away at all is because there is zero movement in this team, when they do move he will find them.

    Cleverly is a load of shit Westwood is way better but both of them can’t pass forwards so can only have 1 in the team.

    Richardson is a joke, he wasn’t good 5 years ago and he’s worse now, we have players like grealish and bacuna on the bench, grealish fair enough does not have the experience but how is he ever going to get it of he doesn’t start games? And bacuna scored what 7 or 8 goals from right back but can’t get in a midfelid destroyed by injury and has what 3 goals in 3 years? It’s beyond belief the decisions lambert makes.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 December 14, 2014 at 3:26 pm . Reply

      Agree; very surprised we haven’t seen more of Bacuna this year – would do well teaming up with Hutton on the right side of midfield – can only think he has to play Cleverly as part of the loan terms?

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 3:28 pm . Reply

        Bacuna should play right bk next week. Hutton is a huge loss for us next week

        1. GIDDYVILLAN
          GIDDYVILLAN December 14, 2014 at 3:52 pm . Reply

          Why won’t Hutton be playing next week have I missed sumin??

          1. GIDDYVILLAN
            GIDDYVILLAN December 14, 2014 at 4:03 pm . Reply

            Just read it brum mail yes we’ll certainly miss him,lambo will play lowton I bet & probably get torn apart.bacuna for sure imo.not looking forward to the outcome of this game one bit.

          2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 5:14 pm . Reply

            Suspended

  13. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 December 14, 2014 at 3:23 pm . Reply

    Didn’t see the game yesterday but Sanchez was my MOM against Leicester and, yes he does give the ball away at times, BUT at least he tries to be creative. I said after that game that I think we have bought one hell of a player for the money. On another point there is a lot of criticism of Westwood on here, pretty unfairly in my mind and we will miss him over Christmas. Manure – 6 straight wins and not lost at Villa (in any kind of game!) for 20 years; purely on the basis of they must eventually lose a game – what price a Villa win?

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 3:26 pm . Reply

      We did beat them 1.0 away under MON somehow. Utd are in a false position imo if you watched the last 4/5 games they’ve played de gea has saved them time after time. We should play 3 up front and go for it if we sit back we will lose anyway.

      1. Andrew
        Andrew December 14, 2014 at 4:08 pm . Reply

        Probably get crushed sitting back. We won’t play 3 up front, it’ll be the usual formation. It’s alright as well, it’s not like Benteke’s finishing is better than Balotelli who hit it at De Gea every shot. He’ll just put it wide each and every time. Although no Cleverley and no Richardson to replace Cleverley in midfield, a midfield of Delph and Sanchez and that’s about it is what we have centrally… Of course unless he puts Herd there. Which Bacuna should go there but I have my doubts.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 5:15 pm . Reply

          Whichever way u look at it we will lose la,berk will go for damage limitation

          1. Andrew
            Andrew December 14, 2014 at 10:59 pm . Reply

            Always does.

  14. jvillan
    jvillan December 14, 2014 at 4:44 pm . Reply

    fox said in big speech some body going to check stats
    well 10 goals 17 matches one cup
    36matches no goals out of 92
    gabby and wiemen 2 strikers as keane said give them 10000 pound coundt score brothel
    delphplays couple matches for england thinks he a star

  15. billys boots
    billys boots December 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm . Reply

    guzan
    vlaar. okore clarke

    lowton bacuna sanchez delph cissoko

    robinson grealish

    benteke

    i would pay to see that formation just once but you just know wieman and agbohnlahor would be in there instead

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 7:11 pm . Reply

      Playing devils advocate we are sure Lamberk won’t try for a win and even if he did we will lose anyway hence this is a free game. On that basis should Lamberk rest some players for games after where we are more likely to get a result of put them into a game we’ve no hope of winning. With xmas period coming up we need to pick and choose games to turn up in or not if that makes sense?

  16. jvillan
    jvillan December 14, 2014 at 7:12 pm . Reply

    billy boots
    thats 12 players
    but expect lambert yo 523 next week get vlar wiemen back in lambertspets lowton to replace hutton utd probably win 3/4 nil lambert will come out say cant fault players we got into utd half at least 4 times after centring blame injuries suspensions grealish to young even tho wilson mc nair for utd younger

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 9:09 pm . Reply

      Even with 12 players we would lose

  17. billys boots
    billys boots December 14, 2014 at 7:37 pm . Reply

    thats why it didnt look right when i wrote it down on to the naughty step for me i think

  18. Benno
    Benno December 14, 2014 at 9:15 pm . Reply

    If Man United can put a young kid up front ahead of the likes of Falcao, then I think Lamberk could give Grealish or Robinson a shot over Nzogbia and co.! We cant score any less goals thats for sure!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 14, 2014 at 9:28 pm . Reply

      Change of subject anyone read this latest takeover rumour by Mark Cuban another yank billionaire yawn that’s all we need but probably a step up from lerner http://www.winnersports.co.uk/billionaire-mark-cuban-interested-in-buying-aston-villa-fc-42201

      1. Andrew
        Andrew December 14, 2014 at 11:01 pm . Reply

        Nothing wrong with a Yank… But he’s tweeted “He doesn’t even know what team that is :)” I do question the smiley face though.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath December 15, 2014 at 2:15 am . Reply

          Usual bull shit then. Even liverpool are suffering under the yanks they just here to make money and stop relegation process.

          1. Andrew
            Andrew December 15, 2014 at 3:19 am . Reply

            They had a net spend of 40m… And spent 140m altogether. I’d hardly call that suffering. It’s more Rodgers spent it on players not good enough nor are they players suitable for his tactics. Plus money? Come on, their owners own the Boston Red Sox… They wouldn’t own Liverpool for money purposes.

          2. Andrew
            Andrew December 15, 2014 at 3:49 am . Reply

            2 things on this Cuban thing as well.

            1. He lives in Dallas and is well known for sports, Villa were just in Dallas. Something tells me, he’s heard of us.

            2. I don’t know of any rich man, especially a billionaire businessman, that uses emoticons, and he used a smiley one when claiming he’s never heard of us. That screams sarcasm to me, unless he’s trying to put it nicely that it’s basically a no.

  19. jaymo83
    jaymo83 December 14, 2014 at 11:42 pm . Reply

    Another change if subject – apparently Steve Clarke will be our new number 2 and will be appointed early this week???

    1. Andrew
      Andrew December 15, 2014 at 1:30 am . Reply

      Read that rumour about a week or two ago and while he is a well respected man, he’s a defensive kind of manager and not sure we need one of those.

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath December 15, 2014 at 2:16 am . Reply

        He’s a good tactician as well that’s some thing lamberk definitely dosnt have

        1. Andrew
          Andrew December 15, 2014 at 3:20 am . Reply

          That is true. I’m not saying I don’t like him, he’s well respected but he’s definitely a defensive minded guy, which is why most Pool fans want him back, as he did well under Dalglish.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath December 15, 2014 at 2:15 am . Reply

      Now that would be a great move imo great tactical ability and well respected rather have him as manager tbh

  20. Andrew
    Andrew December 15, 2014 at 1:36 am . Reply

    Linked to Ben Marshall, 23 year old winger at Blackburn. 5 goals, 3 assists so far in 19 games. 14 goals and 21 assists in 93 games in the Championship. I have my doubts, though we’ve reportedly sent a scout to watch him, guess we’ll see.

    1. saddened
      saddened December 15, 2014 at 8:17 am . Reply

      That Marshall looks decent, but will get injured in training then spend a couple of seasons on the bench !

      1. Andrew
        Andrew December 15, 2014 at 5:38 pm . Reply

        Think he’s played RB like twice in his career according to the stats I looked up. My guess is another Bacuna… Played out of position constantly despite being a creative player, he’ll be made a defensive player.

      2. Andrew
        Andrew December 15, 2014 at 8:00 pm . Reply

        Seems we’re linked to a winger at Watford now too. Right position, no idea if these two are good enough though. Some Villa fans think so.

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