VILLAMARV

Divisive isn't he? Its more about building a decent squad for me. If we actually have the opportunity to get him signed up I think we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if we passed it up. He isnt setting the world alight at the moment but he works hard and makes good decisions on the field. His distribution is what lets him down (and usually brings the sighs from the crowd). Alot of people seem focussed on his free kick delivery on the weekend - which WAS mainly appalling - but doesnt anyone remember the first one? Fizzed in, curling towards the far post. Great delivery to be fair. His confidence must have taken a battering over the summer but he has come out fighting for us and I respect that. If and when Delph's off it will leave a first choice midfield 3 of Westwood, Sanchez and Richardson with Bacuna, Sylla, Gardner and DJ as backup and then what? Clarke who can move out of position? (Herds contract is up in the summer) even with one of the 3 more advanced like Cole, Grealish, Nzog, Tonev. An injury to Westwood or Sanchez and we're playing full backs in the middle, academy guys or Sylla. I think we want Cleverley and A.N.Other to replace Delph

jones and evans out for a week or 2 would be handy

Id like to see this: Guzan Lowton Okore Clarke Cissoko Sanchez Delph Bacuna Grealish Agbonlahor Benteke

Dont get the problem with tekkers yesterday no more than a couple of inches away from winning us the game. Frustrating that he missed his chances, but worst player on the pitch? Richardson, Nzogbia and Weimann were all close to useless in that game. Cleverley was pretty poor in possession.

anyone remember Petrovs first season? Hardly glory filled. I totally agree the guy has a few holes in his game and its pretty obvious hes had a bit of trouble adapting to the pace of the PL compared to the Spanish second division. Im always prepared to give new foreign players a bit of time to settle. The thing for me with Sanchez is we're watching him grow with every game and he IS getting better and better. I also thought when Delph came on there was another player on his wavelength. The little passes to people under pressure suddenly turned into our midfielders in keeping possession shocker. Definately a player in there

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: "I'm disappointed but I felt we did well with 10 men. "The sending-off (Kieran Richardson) changed the course of the game. I don't think there was any malice in it but I can understand why the ref's sent him off. If you go in with your studs you leave yourself open for that. "I think we are playing well at the moment. When you lose any game it's not nice. We have to regroup and go on. It's a boost to have Fabian Delph and Ron Vlaar back." Someone's got a new catchphrase ;P

Generic insult

Nzogbia in the starting 11 richardson losing head skanky rebound goal Benteke misses a coupe of chances Pretty Boring All too inevitable Okore was mint though.

Great performance today I thought. About the only positive to cling to but still good enought to be worthy of a mention

If theres one thing I've learnt from Lamberts reign its not to get all excited over transfer windows.

really chuffed for him. After our run of bad injuries to key players its a real relief. Sanchez turns into a really key player for a few important weeks

First of all, we won't get him for free in the summer. Someone else will. If he's available for free he won't be coming here. But I said in the summer, the best way to think of that £8m is a try before you buy. That's what we've got with Cleverley. We effectively bought him in the summer, we've just given ourselves an opportunity to "un buy" him. That £8m is not what we're paying to buy him in January. That is what we paid to buy him in the summer, but with an opportunity to send him back instead and keep our money. If we hadn't agreed that fee, then he would be available for less in january, but everyone else would be able to buy him. Similarly with the "free" situation in the summer. yeah IF he signs permanently its exactly like paying 8m in the summer. He certainly works hard and that goes a long way in his favour. I dont think we've seen the best of him but his all round game is tidy enough for me. pretty similar to westwood in my eyes which if/when we lose Delph, we might be a bit mad to pass up signing him if the opportunity is there. He's british and home grown and that shouldnt be underestimated in Lamberts thinking if we sign him I reckon. Premiership prices are already crazy but I wonder whether we're seeing another kick on effect of the FFP rules in that the big clubs are going to be less willing or able to veer off their business plans too much (If they're bothered in the slightest). Barring madness like PSG offering you silly money for average defenders they're all going to need to maximise their income from sales and I think we'll see it a bit harder to get people off them all on the cheap. whereas the rest of us will remain ripe for the picking as soon as someone makes their England debut. Just something im keeping an eye on in case i can moan about it later! Anyway I dont think its that much for an England international central midfielder who'll be coming here in his prime with a point to prove. Just a shame it seems it will be to replace Delph in the squad.

I loved how the Blyth guy on the telly looked as if someone had just farted when they drew the balls out

Delphouneso and Blackpool it is then

brighton for me, half their starting 11 would be cup tied

safe by the end of march would make it a good season for me.

http://www.teamtalk.com/aston-villa/9594724/Aston-Villa-boss-Paul-Lambert-takes-time-out-in-Munich

no link it was an actual question Just checking i wasnt dreaming really

Ive been wondering when this idea was gonna pop up so i could jump on it and pretend i know what im talking about but I loved his little interview on football focus earlier in the season coz he actually came across as a human being living a stable life. that can only be a good thing for us. Also although i wish hed kept his arms down I do think the Alan hutton that took out Shane Long a few years ago would have gotten sent off yesterday and that maturity is what made koncheski look so foolish. Really hope he keeps this up coz its just all good from him this season and hes really earned his moment in front of the Holte yesterday

yeah injuries are part of football. But anyone who cant see our record over the last 2 years in abnormally unlucky are deluded for me. Ive never known a period like this in 30 odd years. Hope Westwood's ok. Anyway, Whats all this Ive been to Munich watching training, Come back and worked on some things with the boys stuff? isnt this the interesting thing about our manager this week?

So calm on the ball yesterday. loved seeing him step up and take the ball forward when it all opened up in front of him. Looks a really good player

Couldnt agree more. Its Ireland all over again unfortunately. But its not like his attitude or application was ever doubted before by previous managers before we threw a load of money down the drain. We got what we paid for imo. He might bang a free kick in here and there - and I'll admit the one agianst west ham a few years ago was a crucial moment. But to my mind its the only moment like richard says....in 3.5 years. Whats that thing where you keep doing the same thing and getting the same results but then expecting it to change????

Yeah, I totally agree Jonah. Good performance even without the assist. But what a lovely ball in from the free kick hope he's not out too long after watching that

I reckon he's earnt the benefit of the doubt on such things. good recovery though, everything else was top notch today

really wish he'd have buried that one in front of the holte today