Chap of Steel

Be good if we could keep hold of the ball for more than 10 seconds

Well at least we've had a chance

Would he leave though? Bournemouth could be in the Premier League next season the rate they're going.

Given all the crap us fans ensure Delph's form was a rare highlight. You'd think the club would try and capitalise on this with an improved contract but it's looking increasingly unlikely. Of course things could change but if Delph leaves on a free it will be yet another indication of our lack of ambition.

I never thought I'd say this but after seeing how he managed Palace last season Pulis would be a good option given our current state. Unemployed with Midlands connections too and I'm sure he'd be interested. At least we'd stop shipping goals, even if it wouldn't be the most exciting football.

Cannot completely blame him today. My worry is how will he get the players motivated? Even an improved performance garnered 0 points. There's a chance a new manager would instil a sense of there being a fresh start. Will Lerner sack Lambert? Probably not yet. But surely if we lose a couple more games the media attention and general fan atmosphere will make something happen. Bad times for us fans.

I agree the fault is with Benteke, IMO. Crazy. Lambert needs to go (and you do wonder if the sack might indeed be coming) but I don't think there was a lot wrong today. If the game ended 1-0 or even 1-1 the comments would be very different. Can't blame Lambert for what Benteke did.

Typical

Didn't see the QPR game so looking forward to seeing how he does against Spurs as it looks like Hutton is still injured. More of this please Matt!

Last time we played Spurs at home (admittedly in one of the cups) we lost 4-0. I reckon we might score but can't see us getting anything. 1-3 Spurs

I doubt we'll go down, but the constant mediocrity of the team is frustrating. I've always been fairly pro-Lambert but I fail to see how we can progress with him. Lerner won't sack him, though.

I was out and didn't watch the game. Deep down I was expecting at least a point (and sadly I'd probably have been happy with that) but upon checking my phone for the score I wasn't even surprised. I'd said before the game it had the air of the Fulham away game and from what I can see / the highlights this was unfortunately the case. Ok, more possession is encouraging. What's more worrying is that after losing to QPR I have no idea where we are going to pick up points. Spurs and West Ham next, we'll be lucky to get a point. At the same time I don't think we'll go down somehow. We'll probably win more important games towards the end of the season. But it's just so demoralising to see Villa as the whipping boys of the Premier League.

Hate to be cynical but I agree. Can't see us winning. Has an air of the 'easy games' last season like Fulham and Crystal Palace away. Unlike Villa QPR have actually been scoring goals if not picking up points.

There's nothing shitty about Burton! Two play-off place finishes in League Two in the past two seasons. Not bad for a team who were non-league not long ago and a team who don't spend much. Rowett's achievement on a smaller budget are probably exactly why he's interesting Blues. Obviously I'm biased (in terms of both Villa and my local club Burton!) but it's a real shame to leave Burton where they are (3rd) As much as I hate it as a Villa fan he obviously has a link to the club. I agree that it seems very risky on his part though. The club are in a bad way.

Saw his interview on Newsnight and he referred to "we, the ordinary people." Ordinary people? You're a millionaire who was married to Katy Perry!!

Burton Albion are my local team and it would be a shame to see Rowett go - he's done a great job so far. With Burton 2nd in League Two there's a chance both teams will be in the same league next season anyway...

Everton always represents a tough match but what was particularly disappointing was the approach to the game. I wasn't particularly optimistic before but Everton were 17th - if we'd started with a bit more intensity we could have capitalised on the nervousness at a very quiet Goodison. Instead even after a couple of minutes the pattern of the game was clear and we were happy to let Everton dictate the play which probably boosted their confidence. Despite some injuries we still had Vlaar and Benteke but there was an overall sloppiness about the whole team. Very disappointing and there is now huge pressure on us to beat QPR which we all know will be easier said than done...

It could just be the van Gaal link. Given the money they're throwing around they might look elsewhere.

I guess just because the contract talks seem to have been going on for a while now. Someone mentioned in the thread that contract talks were mentioned in articles a while back. Obviously I imagine such discussions are prolonged but it's got me slightly worried. Really hope he stays.

I have just seen a few news articles about a closed doors friendly against Leicester that took place at Bodymoor Heath earlier today. We lost 3-2. Apparently Leicester fielded a strong side but I can't find anything about our squad. Anyone seen anything else about it?

I understand the Arsenal game criticism but don't understand the critics of today's performance. Of course we played to defend. What else could we do against the league leaders? They put 6 past Everton away..

If we do lose I hope it doesn't distract from our very decent start to the season.

Does anyone know if the match is being broadcasted on local radio?

Not sure why people are suggesting a completely different Villa side. IMO it would be best to change a couple of players, no point playing a load of players who aren't used to each other - and I'm not just saying this because of the Man U result!

Wasn't that just ITK silliness?