Borgs

Bowery's not giving us much. I suspect he was picked partly for his physique, but he's barely being required to use it. Might see him depart early in the second for more creativity.

Butchered and cooked that one, did Gabby. Absolutely should've scored. Let's hope it's not Liverpool again.

Yes... I'd like to know how it got to the point whereby any player can direct expletive-laden invective in the face of referees and nothing comes of it. Regardless of the referee's decision, this will never be acceptable. Gerrard was guilty at least twice today.

Well that rather petered out. Weren't really a threat from the instant the half-time whistle blew. For perhaps a tad over a third of the game we looked a decent Premier League side. Alas, youthful (read: stupid) mistakes nearly (Bannan to Suarez) and then actually did (Baker on Suarez) do us in. Had ref Mason been watching Carragher closely at set pieces we'd have had at least one penalty, but I don't think we deserved much more than zero points on the whole. If it wasn't for Guzan they'd have had a few more, which is a common refrain for a Villa fan. I figure the 17th-placed team will need 38 points at the end. Massively important to us is the next Sunderland appointee... it's between us, them and QPR. Wigan seemingly always squirm out of it.

He's a magical player, one has to admit.

Again! What is it with these linesmen... "Don't foul him! Don't foul him!" Shove yourself up Dermott Gallagher after your flag, you twit. How dare he instruct anyone.

dida was good Taffarel, too.

Oops. did I say that? Some credit for Bennett there, too. He cops a lot of flak but the cross that led to the corner was precise.

Zog for Weimann, please.

Francis has that one right.... dreadfully timid goalkeeping. One of the easiest takes Cesar would ever have had to make, if he wasn't petrified of being hurt. Should've worn red heels with those tights.

What happened to him? Was he in a car accident? Or did he just throw himself head-first in to a wall hundreds of times?

Agreed. A wishy-washy pass, but there's no way it wasn't within Bannan's reach and he let it run, oblivious to what was behind him.

Reading are of such low quality there had to be a win, so I'm chuffed. Lambert got the tactics right and McDermott had no plan to curtail Villa's midfield dominance. Benteke and Agbonlahor were the best on the pitch and it could be said of nobody that they had a bad game. Weimann could've done a bit better with his chances, if I had to pick out anyone.

Marking is absolutely shocking!

Disagree. I think N'Zogbia, when he puts his mind to it, through natural talent, is better at keeping the ball than Bannan. It's just that he traditionally plays further forward and isn't often asked to do it.

Come on, Zog!! Hit the farking target at least!

I'd consider removing Weimann except there's absolutely NOONE of sufficient quality and more suited to the circumstances on the bench. What's Holman going to do, apart from pass to the Reading defence while lacking the pace on the ball to break their pressing?

Uh oh... inauspicious start for the Zog. Errant pass barely rescued by Gabby, then a dribble in to a cul-de-sac before being dispossessed and nearly committing a needless foul.

Gabby's become so very good at keeping the ball; hardly ever dispossessed in tight areas these days.

Bannan looks very shaky. I'd drag him as well, I think. Probably Zog, the replacement. not much choice. Ireland would've been handy in this ball-keeping exercise.

Guzan – 10 - A good save, a great save, a world-class save, safe hands on crosses and good distribution. Perfection. Lowton – 7 – Constantly available on the right and defended well. Went close with a near screamer. Bennett – 5 – Daft and decent in equal measure. Clark – 4 – Can’t cost the club a result with a brainless mistake and rate higher than this, despite other solid work. Baker – 6 – Played well enough. Contributed to their being largely non-threatening. Westwood - 5 – Largely anonymous. Left too much space for Silva. Delph – 7 - Industrious and skilful. Lacked a final pass. Typically booked in a rash manner. Wiemann – 5 – Worked hard as usual but zero quality this outing. N’Zogbia – 5 – Bad Zog made an appearance. Agbonlahor – 7 – Provided a threat with his probing dribbling. Benteke – 7 – Might’ve had a goal but for a goal-line clearance and won a penalty but for ref’s obstructed view/reticence. A well-marshalled menace. Holman – 5 - Didn’t want the responsibility and is lucky to hit grass with his passes. Dawkins – 6 - OK El Ahmadi – Not enough time to rate.

He did get something on it, shown by the replay Blimey, he did too. Best player this season by a mile. And that obviously includes Benteke.

Though he likely didn't, in his current form I wouldn't be surprised if Guzan got a hand to that Yaya shot, too. Keen to see a replay from behind the post.

Ahem... Brad Guzan?

Mancini is a clown no? No wonder they're double figures behind United. Picking one striker at relegation battlers...