VillaIRE

He was the most expensive defender the manager has signed.......maybe that is an indication he would have played? Fair enough. But Okore was left out in the Arsenal game and when Baker, first choice (!) alongside Vlaar was injured, Clark came on to take his place so looked very much fourth choice for that game. He then wasn't started against Chelsea in the next game, with Clark preferred and Okore came off the bench to replace the injured Clark - and remained in the team because both the Chuckle Brothers had been injured. If I remember correctly, Okore suffered a hamstring injury pre-season and only made an appearance in the last game. He wouldn't have been match-fit come the start of the season.

I was heartened to read an article title just now: Lambert demands more from Villa over Christmas (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lambert-demands-more-villa?) ... and then I almost choked on my coffee: I must have been watching a different game on Saturday. If we carry on performing like that, we're surely in for it.

Randy needed a manager popular with the fans as he knew that austerity at the club would be unpopular. Lambert's brief when he joined was to drop the wage bill in any way possible while keeping us in the Premier league. To that end, we're a success to our owners. We achieved that last season and if things go our way, we probably will again this season. It doesn't matter about the quality of football - AVFC is to be run in best business practice. If every Premier League team was run to this model, our league standing would be competitive. The problem is - it's not. Every Premier League team has its own model and those who spend, play better football. Us Villa fans know we're a big club, and we want that status back. The only way that's possible is through a change of ownership. I've been supportive of Lambert given his restrictions, but it's waning. He had certain tactics in mind when he bought his players, but now when we need to change tack, we can't as our one-dimensional squad can't seem to adapt. There's a misery at the club right now and it's showing on the pitch. Would a change of manager help? Possibly. I think Lambert could turn things around, but we need some quality players capable of playing in a different system.

Although we scored in this game, I won't forget that we didn't create it.

This is mainly how I see things too - like last season, the way we play relies on a single striker on top form, scoring from half chances and the few clear cut chances we create. The fraction of goals he scored from our total goal tally last season is testament to this. Without players around him also in good form, the tactics just do not work. Weimann, for example, has offered so little this season. The second Benteke touches the ball this season he's under huge pressure (some have taken to fouling him during matches). We can all see he's not playing close to the standard of last season, his touch has been poor I admit, but the entire team must also share some of the blame. We need a Benteke getting on the end of crosses, using his height and strength here, and it's just not happening.

Even a Benteke on top form would still have trouble scoring the goals we crave with the minuscule amount of chances that have been created over the last few many games

Guzan 6 - Could have been tighter to his post for third. Luna 4 - Was run ragged, but in his defence, had no help all day from Agbonlahor Baker 3 - Awful. At fault for at least the 2nd goal and was slow to react to everything. Clark 5 - Not a good game and doesn't play well with Baker. Has been better this season but playing with Vlaar KEA 4 - I gave him a 4, but any game is rarely above 5. He's not a terrible footballer but just is not up to Premiership standard. Westwood 5 - Not great. Some passes were poor and those that connected weren't necessarily the right passes in the first place. Sylla 5 (Weimann 5) - tried, but lacks incisiveness and is too afraid to do much other than pass either backwards, or laterally. Agbonlahor 6 - two bright spells in the first half, but lacked quality today. Albrighton 7 - Probably the most effective today but wins no more than a 7 from me. Didn't seem to lack too much confidence and was prepared to take on his man. Benteke 6 (Kozak 5) - He'll again get the criticism versus his standard last season. He won a few good balls in the air. His first touch is lacking but again, the service to him was appalling. Even if he held up the ball well, there's nothing behind him as the midfield 3 are on the half way line.

Just putting together some of Lambert's post-match interview now -

Donacien > Herd

Vlaar off? Hope he isn't injured. He's been great this season.

Ray Houghton

I'll wager that most of us will be shouting after 60 something minutes "Get Benteke on now"

Not to be controversial, but aside from the penalties, has Benteke really had much of a goal scoring chance? He hit the bar and had a decent shot saved from Howard, but that was in just one game - I don't remember too many more since. Last season he was scoring from half-chances, which made him exceptional. In my opinion, his first touch and jumping reach seem to be letting him down, but any striker will find it tough to score when there's noone creating good chances for him.

I thought Vlaar was terrific once again today.

It was a really bad team performance and a boring game to watch today. At times it felt the formation was 8-0-2. While I'm respectful of Lambert, I think he set the team up to avoid defeat today. I still think his post-match interview will go along the lines of "I thought we were terrific today. I can't fault the effort of the players. Christian was unlucky not to score, and on another day we have a penalty and a red card etc etc." but at best, we were clueless today.

Vlaar was the pick today. He was solid when called upon and was the most effective when it came to distribution.

Benteke on bench!!!

Benteke is not in the matchday squad

After 6 games played: 3 wins AND ..... 2 points ahead of Manchester Utd. I'll take that

We should start a worldwide villa fans fundraiser to buy-out the rest of his contract ... just need to raise £4.16m ...

One of Benteke's best!

I always think that particular case is a little harsh on Vlaar (Fellaini at Everton) - when I first saw it, I too thought he simply lost his man, but if you watch the replay carefully, as the ball is crossed in from the corner, Vlaar is clearly pushed forward by Anichebe and then struggles to get back into a position to successfully challenge Fellaini. Sure, maybe he could have been more resilient, but I don't completely blame him in this instance.

Badly lost his cool with a reckless challenge. Could have been more than yellow to some refs.

Benteke again!!!

Great goal!