Borgs

And look who was just next to Benteke on the half break.... Brett Holman. Work rate's incredible. We might be playing with 10.5 here, especially with the mostly uninvolved Agbonlahor removed.

That's so very, very dumb. He won't play the next time he's available. Lambert is entitled to be fuming.

It's truly funny how off the mark are some of Holman's passes.

Linesman's a total sucker. Vlaar did no more than touch him.

Yeah... thought that was a pen.

I'd like to see wee Barry on for the second half in place of Delph.

Delph's been alright. Nothing penetrative about his passing but he's rarely given it away. I'd reckon if Bannan then for Albrighton and he and Holman can keep switching. Otherwise, Ireland for Gabby and sit him in behind Benteke, whom they're not handling all that well.

That'll do. Ugly, but a goal and a lead. Let's not have another Southampton.

Anyone still think we aren't relegation material?

Not sure at this point. I've thought not based on the performances, since we've been only mediocre and not dire, but I'm beginning to wobble based largely on our insipid attack. Need goals to survive. Still, I think the season's too young for an educated assessment.

I thought Villa more than held their own. It seems I'm in the minority but there was a certain solidity to the first half performance that affirmed to me that this club is no chance of going down. The quality for the top half is lacking but there's a good foundation being formed. Won't bother with ratings. Everyone was about a six except for Vlaar and Bennett. Benteke's shocking headed miss was a blight on an otherwise pretty good game.

Delph played OK. I'd have pulled either Holman or Gabby before Delph. Fine with subbing Albrighton. Caution to the wind - Bannan for Holman?

It's not over at all. Score flatters them.

Poor body language, Fabian.

Defoe still looking for his first.

Lucky goal. That's going well wide. Oh well, waste your chances....

Emile Heskey would've scored the second one. That's all one needs to know.

Now, for that miss, there's no excuse. That's really terrible.

A near post shot by Benteke was getting blocked. Keeping it on the ground would've made it interesting for Lloris, though. At least he was needed. Not his strong foot, unfortunately.

Cagey affair. They've no punch up the middle; their limited joy has come from the left. Don't think Dempsey's giving them much; might have Sigurdsson to deal with in the second half. Probably Adebayor eventually. No half-time changes for us if I'm Lambert.

Vlaar's been brilliant.

Good defensive header by Benteke. Can't disagree with his selection, despite last week's poor game, because he works much harder than the other two. I'd have picked Bent instead of Gabby but we'll see. Things are going well. Nobody's playing badly.

I'd not be surprised if Lambert goes with one up front and packs the midfield, as theirs is one of the strongest. Benteke's most suited to that job, but the only striker against WBA to really earn a starting spot this week was Bent, so he should be rewarded. He's undoubtedly best equipped to take the few chances I expect.

Don't get the negativity. It was a decent performance at the beginning and towards the end and were it not for poor finishing we would've won that. Also showed plenty of fight and spirit to come back from a goal behind.

Agreed. I gave out a lot of sixes but it was one of those "greater than the sum" team efforts. The only really lacking area was obviously the front third, but that sort of performance is going to pick up points more often than not.

6 Guzan – flapped at one and, owing to Villa’s possession, had little else to do bar slap out a cross-shot

6 Lowton – played Morrison on for their goal, otherwise solid and got forward often

6 Bennett – adapting to top flight, positionally OK, went close with a free kick and a crucial foot in on Lukaku late

6 Vlaar – won a bunch of aerial balls and unlucky to assist the goal and have his man played on by RB

6 Clark – got on the end of a couple of corners and kept a good position and a line with Concrete Ron

6 El Ahmadi – dependable in possession without being spectacular; couple of decent challenges

6 Delph – still not convinced; his next left-footed dragback would’ve been read; booked on a give-away

8 Holman – relentless in defence as usual; always available and offered more than a minor threat

5 Benteke – tried hard and good movement; should’ve had at least one but wasteful

5 Agbonlahor – very quiet

5 Albrighton – underwhelmed

7 Bannan – quality on the ball in limited time

8 Bent – what more could he do?

6 N’Zogbia – little time to make an impression, which is a good thing based on form for this club

Good against Swansea

Shit against southampton

Good against Man City the champions

Shit against West brom

I'm starting to notice a pattern.

Been far from shit. Bossed the ball, just no cutting edge. Had a tap-in blocked and it's not as if Foster's done nothing note-worthy.

Gabby's been anonymous - I'd have taken him off for Bent. At least Benteke was taking up positions and getting involved, despite being profligate, and is a threat in the air when times get desperate.

He hardly won a header all day

... but won a couple, including at least one corner, which is more than any Villan bar the centre-backs.