honest_bertie

good point ref Gabby, as much as I respect Gabby and would like him to stay at the club idealy he does not justify his wages, think he is a great ambassador for Villa and a useful backup player but I would rather replace him and take a punt on Aubameyang.

I think Lescott would be a similar signing to when we signed Bent but not as expensive in fee. He might just be the difference in us staying up, he comes with plenty of experience, is of a proven quality which we lack and if he has the right attitude then he could be a good influence on our relatively young inexperienced team. 8-10 mil I think is about the right pice, its the Jan window so thats probably added a couple of mil and although he'd have little resale value after his time here if he helps keep us in the premier league then I think the TV money next year will more than make up for any resale value he'll lose. Wages are the only concern but if he was come here on 50-60K a week and we can move on Dunne, Ireland, Given, Hutton and Warnock either now or in the summer then I don't see a major problem.

don't think he is cup tied in either Capitol or FA cups, looking at the match report of Charlton v Barnsley (Capitol 1 Cup), which they lost, he didn't feature at all so maybe he'll be free to play against Bradford.

So want Lambert's Villa to be a success but completely embarrased with the last three performaces.

As gutted as i am with yesterdays result i believe in Lambert we have a manager who can get a response and help the team recover from such a thrashing. I'm not saying we will go on to beat Spuds on boxing day but I'm glad its Lambert who has to pick up the pieces and get the team back in shape and not McLiesh or Hollier, no matter how bad it seems after Chelski the 3/4 games previous showed too much progress to just write PL and what he is doing off. Totally agree we need more quality but he couldnt change it all in just one summer window and now cant do anything until Jan, hopefully then we can reinforce the squad.

can't see this one happening really, the only thing that might give it some credence would be that he sounds a bit like a version of Holt at Norwich, personally would rather and think we will keep to looking for younger players but you just don't know with Lambert, guess that what makes transfer windows so exciting now .

any news on ho Ron's injury is clearing up, hoped he'd be back by now. As things stand think he'd be best starting on the bench as he might have lost a bit of match fitness but once he's fully back up to fitness think he should replace Herd. No slight on Herdy though, he's been great but just think Ron, Clark and Baker could be a great back three if we intend to stick with that formation, it seems to be working at the mo.

good post, far to early to write Bennett off.

hear a lot of people comparing Clark and Baker and asking who's better, personally think they are both great but offer different things and as a result now seem to be forming a great partnership.... Credit to Herd for how he has done alongside them but I would like to see Ron on the right of a defensive 3, given time that could be an awesome back line.

Awesome

Great goal last night, good squad player.

Yeh I noticed that. Shay Given last night was like Jekll and Hyde, some very dodgy moments, shat myself every time he had the ball at his feet and then he pulled off a couple of wonder saves, the save from Holts header was immense. There is still a great keeper in there in parts but he has to be number 2 at the moment, Brad every time for me.

still unsure how to feel about Zog, last night when he came on I thought oh no here we go, he'll get the ball, run into a couple of Norwich players and lose it, and to my credit he did a couple of times. However to his credit he also played a few nice intuitive passes and was involved in at least two of our goals. On form and if he can concentrate on making the nice passes and cut out running into brick walls he could be a handy option.

he was doing ok but I wouldn't say very well, had one chance when he was put clean through he should have buried but their keeper made a good save. Noticed a couple of times he got a bit frustrated calling for the ball and it going elsewhere, think maybe the team have got quite used to not playing with him up top perhaps and as I watched last night I found myself thinking maybe he just doesn't suit our style of play.... we certainly looked more dangerous with Benteke, Andreas and Zog up there.

At the game... Holman been good but tiring towards end of first half, KEA doing ok with Delph, just need a bit more width on the left... Given very worrying, would like to see Guzan on. Overall we should be winning, hope we can nick it in second half.

Nelson Premier Inn car park = limited spaces / £1.50 per hour. Probably best to head to NC County Hall car park which should be sign posted from A47 or maybe the riverside multi storey near the train station.

sorry CI, not to sure... I am off to get my lunch in a minute and walk past there, I'll see if I can find out.

nice one Wiz, cheers for the heads up in the Morrisson's car park situation, effing joke really as that would be a perfect place to park, why can't they just open it up for matchdays.

nearby to Carrow Rd generally its all permit parking in the close residential areas, across the road from the stadium is a retail park with Morrisons, Boots, Next etc, not sure what the score is for matchday/night parking (its free when you go shopping) but there is loads of car park spaces, that will be the closest and easiest place to park. Apart from that there a multi-storey near the train station thats a short walk from the ground and 3/4 in town. Norwich City Council have parking locked down unfortunately not many places really for free parking I'm afraid.

Can't wait for this. Being a resident of the fine city of Norwich and not getting to as many Villa games as I'd like to I'm well up for this and really really hope we can get the win. For the last few weeks I've had to put up with being told by Norwich fans how they should have no problem winning tonight and that Lambert is word removed and they are better off without him and Villa are sh**e and falling like Newcastle did when they got relegated. I like Norwich and generally like to see them do well but tonight it it'll be a joy to behold for me if we win.

Missed all the commentary and only caught last 5 mins on talk sport but nice to hear collymore praising a villa team and from what he says clark mom, that so?

fully agree

unfortunately your're probably right

sums up last season very well in one short sentence.

can hear what people are saying about how we should be fitting Bent in as well as Benteke but I think people need to remember this is a squad game now, modern footy is now not just about eleven players. This time 3 weeks ago I would have been totally against the sale of Bent but now the way I see it is that if he is not prepared (not saying he's not but get that impression) to be part of a squad and feels he should start each game then I'd rather he left. If Lambert thinks he can win a game by using Bent as a starter he'll play him, if not he's on the bench.... Look at Man U, they have always been successful when they have had a group of strikers who they can rotate at anytime an that is how I'd like to see Villa, Solskjaer made pretty much a whole career up there as a sub. I want players here who are hungry but at the same time see the bigger picture, to his credit I think Gabby gets it and this is reflected in his form recently, I hope Bent does as well but if not then maybe separate ways is best.