TRO Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I'm not a singer, too old now.... but I never stopped singing all through the game.The fans are simply amazing!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) I like this write up. http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/astonvilla/id/963 Some things change; most things don't. Paul Lambert ditched the tracksuit for a rather smart suit at the Emirates Stadium, but pretty much everything else about Villa was reminiscent of a typical claret-and-blue performance, with the team picking up where it left off at the end of last season.- Mangan: Arsenal reap what they sow- Report: Villa stun 10-man Gunners So what did we learn from watching Villa against Arsenalć Brad Guzan is on the verge of becoming an outstanding goalkeeper; Christian Benteke is close to being unplayable, on his day; Fabian Delph is slowly, steadily and stealthily graduating to a midfielder of genuine Premier League class; and Villa's defence remains very much a work in progress (with quite a lot of progress required). Same old Villa, then, at the Emirates. Except Lambert's team, which lost a narrow encounter 2-1 last season, came away with an excellent 3-1 victory and all three points. The postmatch post mortem may pick over the bones of one or two big refereeing decisions that went Villa's way -- the award of a second penalty, the dismissal shortly afterward of Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny -- but there was more to this result than questionable officiating and Arsenal's shortcomings. Villa, demonstrating the character that typified the climb away from relegation in 2012-13, fought their way back into the game after a poor start. Lambert had two significant decisions to make heading into this match: whom to select at centre-back, and whom to hand the third midfield place to in the absence of the injured Yacouba Sylla. His defensive choice was sound. As expected, he stuck with the partnership that saw Villa to safety a few months ago, the Ron Vlaar-Nathan Baker combo that looked reasonably impressive during the preseason. Inside six minutes, Lambert's defensive strategy was picked apart. Vlaar's error paved the way for Theo Walcott to lay on a pass for Olivier Giroud to tuck inside Guzan's near post, and it was quickly and horribly clear this team's defensive frailties are still an issue. A minute or so later, Baker required treatment for an injury, which forced him off a short time afterward. Lambert had his two other senior central defenders on the bench and turned to Ciaran Clark instead of new signing Jores Okore -- somewhat controversial, but given Okore had missed most of the summer friendlies, a safer bet. Clark did well for the remainder of the match and will probably retain the shirt for the midweek trip to Chelsea. Okore's time will surely come. The jitters remained. Guzan and debutant left-back Antonio Luna dithered into an almighty mess at one point in the first half, requiring Clark's intervention to deny Giroud a second, but the way Villa got back into the game owed much to the threat of the front three and the midfield matching Arsenal's. Karim El Ahmadi, the player Lambert chose ahead of Leandro Bacuna, Aleksandar Tonev and Gary Gardner to deputise for Sylla, began to have an influence, as did Ashley Westwood. Arsenal, and most notably Jack Wilshere, couldn't hide their frustrations as the balance swung Villa's way. Then there was Delph. Superb throughout, the midfielder whose first three seasons at Villa were more or less wrecked by injury continued to showcase his development at the Emirates with an impressive performance. He was unfortunate not to score with a long-range strike in the second half that hit the inside of the post. His value to Villa grows. The strength of Lambert's team continues to be the three forwards, led by Benteke. The Belgian's two goals were both penalties, the first of which he actually missed but had the reaction to follow up and head in the rebound. Benteke was well supported by Gabby Agbonlahor, who won both penalties, and Andreas Weimann, who should really have scored and will be cursing his wild finish with the game at 1-1. However, it was Weimann's break and pass that played in Luna for the third goal, gift-wrapping the points and crowning a dream Premier League debut for the Spanish left-back. It's been said before by this writer, but with this trio fit and in form, Villa stand a chance of winning any match. In a nutshell, typical Villa: a fantastic goalkeeper, constantly threatening strikers, a steadily improving midfield and a vulnerable defence living on its nerves. On the opening day of the 2013-14 season, however, the difference was a positive result against one of the league's top four, something Villa came close to achieving last season but fell just short. Maybe it was all down to Lambert's change of dress. Edited August 19, 2013 by Nigel 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villastine Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Football is all about results and we got a great one Saturday. Defensively we can still be a worry. Vlaar had a poor game, made some bad decisions and was lucky to stay on the pitch. In that form he is not the man to marshall our back four. On the plus side Clarke had a good game. Luna could of being better at times but what a goal for a full back! Lowton was good. Delph, Westwood and KEA all gave 100%. Could not fault them really. Benteke was marked and didn't look as fast as he can be. Was still a collasssous and won everything in the air. brilliant player. Weimann had a good game. Will be a big season for him. Gabby or Brad for MOTM. Both were excellent. I think Gabby just shades it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Had an awesome day out! I've been to the Emirates 4 times now and never seen us lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TartarugaJones Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Well done boys, well done indeed!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PussEKatt Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Great win ( PL needs to wear a suit every match from now on ) bit too much back passing ,but, hey if we get that result most of the time then I am not complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrackpotForeigner Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Good article that, Nigel. I didn't realise ESPN had anyone who can distinguish arse from elbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Good article that, Nigel. I didn't realise ESPN had anyone who can distinguish arse from elbow. Same here. Will keep an eye out for future releases now, hopefully hey can keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Particularly liked this line.. It's been said before by this writer, but with this trio fit and in form, Villa stand a chance of winning any match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honest bunch of lads Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just watching the MOTD anaylsis, credit to the pundits for picking up on the contact for the second pen. However, Alan Shearer's analysis of the first pen was laughable. He said Sczezny shouldn't have been sent off because Gabby was going away from the goal. Well whenever the striker dribbles past the keeper they are always going to push the ball away from goal otherwise they would just be taking a shot! So according to his logic whenever a player dribbles past the keeper and gets taken out then it can't be a red! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just watching the MOTD anaylsis, credit to the pundits for picking up on the contact for the second pen. However, Alan Shearer's analysis of the first pen was laughable. He said Sczezny shouldn't have been sent off because Gabby was going away from the goal. Well whenever the striker dribbles past the keeper they are always going to push the ball away from goal otherwise they would just be taking a shot! So according to his logic whenever a player dribbles past the keeper and gets taken out then it can't be a red! I agree with Shearer. The point is it was open to debate. You could argue that had Gabby jumped the challenge would he have had the goal at his mercy from that angle? Its open to question. The ref handled the situation perfectly IMO. I think the penalty was a big enough punishment, no need to send him off when it was not malicious. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honest bunch of lads Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just watching the MOTD anaylsis, credit to the pundits for picking up on the contact for the second pen. However, Alan Shearer's analysis of the first pen was laughable. He said Sczezny shouldn't have been sent off because Gabby was going away from the goal. Well whenever the striker dribbles past the keeper they are always going to push the ball away from goal otherwise they would just be taking a shot! So according to his logic whenever a player dribbles past the keeper and gets taken out then it can't be a red! I agree with Shearer. The point is it was open to debate. You could argue that had Gabby jumped the challenge would he have had the goal at his mercy from that angle? Its open to question. The ref handled the situation perfectly IMO. I think the penalty was a big enough punishment, no need to send him off when it was not malicious. But you're forgetting that there is always the chance of a referee not giving the foul. The penalty alone isn't enough punishment to put players off committing fouls like this in the first place. With no chance of a red card, the keeper's options are: 1. Let the striker have an attempt on goal/open goal (chance the striker will miss) 2. Foul the player, and concede a pen (chance the referee will not give the foul AND chance the penalty will be missed.) That's why the keeper should be sent off in these situations. Yellow card isn't enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just watching the MOTD anaylsis, credit to the pundits for picking up on the contact for the second pen. However, Alan Shearer's analysis of the first pen was laughable. He said Sczezny shouldn't have been sent off because Gabby was going away from the goal. Well whenever the striker dribbles past the keeper they are always going to push the ball away from goal otherwise they would just be taking a shot! So according to his logic whenever a player dribbles past the keeper and gets taken out then it can't be a red! I agree with Shearer. The point is it was open to debate. You could argue that had Gabby jumped the challenge would he have had the goal at his mercy from that angle? Its open to question. The ref handled the situation perfectly IMO. I think the penalty was a big enough punishment, no need to send him off when it was not malicious. But you're forgetting that there is always the chance of a referee not giving the foul. The penalty alone isn't enough punishment to put players off committing fouls like this in the first place. With no chance of a red card, the keeper's options are: 1. Let the striker have an attempt on goal/open goal (chance the striker will miss) 2. Foul the player, and concede a pen (chance the referee will not give the foul AND chance the penalty will be missed.) That's why the keeper should be sent off in these situations. Yellow card isn't enough. Its down to discretion. The keeper does stand a chance of being sent off, as to act as a deterrent. It would be rather draconian to give a straight red in all cases and would offer too much advantage to the forwards. Better to leave it in the hands of the ref. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmygreaves Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 But you're forgetting that there is always the chance of a referee not giving the foul. The penalty alone isn't enough punishment to put players off committing fouls like this in the first place. With no chance of a red card, the keeper's options are: 1. Let the striker have an attempt on goal/open goal (chance the striker will miss) 2. Foul the player, and concede a pen (chance the referee will not give the foul AND chance the penalty will be missed.) That's why the keeper should be sent off in these situations. Yellow card isn't enough. Does the keeper deserve to go if a genuine attempt to stop the ball was made and the forward was inadvertently fouled??? Personally I hate all this last man, red card crap. The rule was introduced to stop the professional foul..... The forward's through on goal and the chasing defender hacks him down = Red card. Or in a cup final Gabby's gone past Vidic with only the keeper to beat then Vidic drags him down = Red card...................... oh shit!???!?? Anyway Red card should be for the professional foul. The keeper shouldn't even have been booked on Saturday. It was a pen, no further punishment necessary, end of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) ^^^ Can't agree with that at all. Mainly (but not limited to) because how you would decide if the keeper meant it or not? Edited August 19, 2013 by Stevo985 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 ^^^ Can't agree with that at all. Mainly (but not limited to) because how you would decide if the keeper meant it or not? Who he plays for and/or whether you are at home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDuck Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 What a lovely surprise it was to land in Heathrow Sunday morning and check the football results :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted August 19, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted August 19, 2013 Gabby knew what he was doing and its my guess he burst into the penalty knowing it was always going to end in a penalty, it's a nightmare situation for a defense when a player sprints into their area with the ball. Gabby clapped the official for being brave enough to send the Arsenal player off, Arsenal were lucky not to pick more bookings up, in the first 25 minutes they put in some very robust challenges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_sun_never_sets Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 ...Did anyone else think that, with the ball, we looked relatively poor.....just throwing it out there - its a good thing - we can improve! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condimentalist Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 ...Did anyone else think that, with the ball, we looked relatively poor.....just throwing it out there - its a good thing - we can improve! I think we tried to move the ball forward quicker than we might do in other games. I'd think in home games we might be a bit more patient with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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