Ok, at first glance, it might seem that the result didn’t matter to me; It did, of course.
But given this was a game where nearly all of us fans and pundits had written us off, for me, it was more about how we performed today.
The game started pretty slowly for us. Our movement compared to Chelsea’s was always second best and I had it in my mind that we were just going to get beaten by a better class of side. Chelsea’s movement in the area that counts is worlds apart, with Willian, Torres and Hazard showing their usual quick thinking and passing.
Nothing new in that thinking then; you pay mega-money, you get generally better players.
So it was about how we dealt with it.
Which is the bit that really pleased me.
We actually looked like we could defend today, with Vlaar being outstanding for me. Baker did well too and while I had massive doubts about Bennett starting, as I generally don’t rate him at all, he also did mostly OK. Bacuna performed well too.
The midfielders did ok, with KEA working hard but I have to be honest; I thought Delph was anonymous early on, but he got better as the game went on. Weimann was also anonymous for most of the game, as was Gabby, which led to me questioning the tactics.
But just when I was expecting a second half onslaught from Chelsea, it didn’t happen.
While they looked like they always had enough to grind us down, we were very resolute and were still working very hard.
Hard enough to get the result, which is all that matters to me.
I take my hat off to Benteke today.
He looks sharp again (and no, I don’t believe he’s looking for a move to Chelsea) and dealt well with some of the best (sneakiest?) defenders in the Prem.
A cracking win then and totally bonus points, that should mean survival is pretty much sorted.
I quite like Mourinho, but he doesn’t do himself any favours, does he?
Brilliant to a man, for me Bacuna MOTM and what an improvement from young Mr Bennett the lads come on leaps and rounds from last season.
A special well done to Mr Lambert the way his tactics took Hazard and Oscar out the game will be a lesson to the rest of the Premier League and could cost them the title.
haven’t been able to get on much over the weekend coz of work, needless to say, deliriously happy with the result and the performances, pleased for the team to put together what will be hopefully a confidence inspiring couple of performances at home, delighted for the masses who attend VP each home game and have suffered so much, happy for villans everywhere! 🙂
Chelsea fans blame Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy for defeat to Aston Villa
Briliant
Great result.. let’s hope PL can show he is a forward thinking manager and pick the right team against Stoke.. yesterdays line up is his default team BUT against Chelsea it works perfectly.. against Stoke i would give Albrighton a start..
As long as he sticks Albrighton on the right. I know Wiemann plays better there (despite playing better as a striker or behind one or two) but Albrighton is a lot better on the right.
Different teams require a different approach..
Will say the William sending off was a bit weak but i think the ref based it on his reaction rather than Delphs
Even my Chelsea loving boss (I forgive him, barely) though we deserved the win. Second yellow was harsh, but overall. job well done!
One-nil to Villa and an excellent performance but all the pundits want to talk about whether or not Chelsea and, more importantly Mourinho were hard done by. It’s always all about him. When he was asked about the decisions in the game he just said in his own pretentious, egotistical way “I AM NOT GOING TO COMMENT BECAUSE IF I DO I WILL BRING THE GAME IN TO DISREPUTE”. Well why be interviewed at all then ? Because it is always all about him.
As for Shearer and Savage on MOTD on Saturday. Shearer initially praised Villa and then lambasted the referee Chris Foy for having a “bad game”.
If you look at the supposedly contentious decisions then I don’t see how he can make that analysis. The handball was handball by Matic, no argument there. Joe Bennett and Ron Vlaar were level, either side of Ramires, so to say Bennett was last man was not straight forward, therefore the benefit of the doubt goes to the defender, another correct decision. Willian’s second yellow card was the only incorrect decision by Mr Foy out of them all. Shearer said he didn’t even think it was a foul. Of course it was, the outstretched hand of Willian interrupted the stride of Delph, causing him to stumble and fall over.Willian should not have been booked for that however.The thing that annoys me is that people are referring to it as a sending off.It was a second yellow card that was given. In all honesty Mr Foy made a rod for his own back by booking Baker in the first 4 minutes for his first challenge of the game.That then set the tone for the ref. As for Ramires’ tackle. Nothing more to say except his reaction to being sent off should be taken into account when punishment is served.He showed his dissent at the decision when he stormed off. What the hell did he expect ? Then followed the Jose show, he clearly delights in being centre stage. He is not fit to lace Brian Clough’s boots when it comes to being centre of attention.
Finally, for those who watched the Monday view on Sky, where Ray Parlour and, former referee, Dermot Gallagher are asked to give their views on the weekends games. The presenter Rob Wotton is clearly a Chelsea fan because when they spoke about the handball and Dermot Gallagher confirmed that he believed it was, Rob Wotton, or in this case, Rob Wot’s he on said “REALLY ?”, “REALLY ?” He also said that Chris Foy was pointing towards the centre circle, therefore indicating a goal. In point of fact Mr Wotton, Chris Foy would have been running to the centre circle if it was a goal.He was pointing for a foul. He then kept badgering Dermot Gallagher about the Joe Bennet decision. Dermot Gallagher said it was “possibly” a sending off but as there was doubt then the yellow card was correct. Rob Wooton then came out with the statistic that out of Chris Foy’s last 8 red cards,6 have been Chelsea players,or managers. He then asked Dermot Gallagher if there was anything that can be looked at by the authorities to prevent Chris Foy from refereeing future Chelsea games.Dermot Gallagher immediately countered the biased git’s comments by stating that all the red cards Foy has issued were correct.Rob Wotton could not comment on that.
End of rant.
first of all wot a good game 🙂
secondly some of us predicted we would test chelsea ~ i know i thought we were a good bet because chelsea would have to come attacking. i also saw OohAhPaulMcGrath also say villa will turn um over
also most of you guys think lambert lacks tactical capabilities well a team of 1 or 2 real premier class have beaten man city chelsea and arsenal and also battered pool away but only getting a point.
just playing devils advocates 12 months after a thumping at chelsea we beat um and fair and square lmao (get in there) VTID
Well said SSR