Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle – Review

It went all wrong for Aston Villa who have now suffered a third straight defeat in the Premier League. Aston Villa performed very poorly in the first half with Newcastle having almost all the chances. Newcastle controlled the game well and the pace of Remy and Ben Arfa tore Villa’s defence. Ben Arfa scored the first goal for Newcastle after Remy’s skill got passed Lowton out wide, he managed to pick out the Frenchman. Aston Villa lost defender Okore to injury after he chased on a long ball towards Remy, Clark was his replacement. The closest Villa came to scoring was when Clark volleyed a lose ball from Lowtons cross from a tight angle on the right.

In the second half Aston Villa massively improved, the team played higher up the pitch and controlled the majority of the game. However, Villa found it difficult to break down the Newcastle defence. It wasn’t until the 70th minute when Kozak’s substitute appearance may have interrupted Newcastle’s defence as Benteke headed in from a corner. Ben Arfa caused Luna problems all game and if there were to be a winning goal, it would come from Ben Arfa. Surely enough, one of his shots was parried by Guzan which went towards the way of Gouffran who made no mistake.

I was bitterly disappointed by Villa’s performance, Villa struggle to win games at home and it’s no wonder why. Villa can’t string together two good halves. The team is also one dimensional, with the attack focused on a counter or getting it to Benteke. It’s getting to predictable and if Lambert want’s the team to beat Norwich, we’re going to have to see changes to the starting 11.

First of all, Bennett deserves a chance back into the starting 11. Luna wasn’t pressing Ben Arfa, and Luna was clearly the weak link in the defence. I think Luna has played well over the last few games, but it appears as though he has taken his starting 11 spot for guarantee. Bennett played well in the League Cup a few weeks back and I think he should get a chance back into the starting 11.

The Weimann-Benteke-Agbonlahor combination also needs a change. The issue with Aston Villa is that the team is only playing in the centre. Lambert has brought in another forward Kozak, is there a similarity between him and Benteke? Yes, it’s height and strength. The best way to utilise this is by width, we haven’t got any. I think Weimann and Agbonlahor can play well away, but at home we’ve got to see some width. I want Lambert to play a 4-2-3-1 formation and play Tonev and Albrighton out wide, yes Albrighton. He hasn’t played for a while, but he offers valuable width.

Villa are missing an attacking midfielder at home, this would’ve been a good game to play either Tonev or Helenius behind Benteke. Someone to get those loose balls from Benteke and create an opening for either Weimann or Agbonlahor.

Until these things are addressed, I don’t think Aston Villa will see another home win anytime soon.


Comments

172 responses to “Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle – Review”

  1. Terry Jones avatar
    Terry Jones

    Adam 2231 have just submitted an articale and think that may answer your question mate.

    1. I’ll take a look at it during half time of the Chelsea game.

  2. Well it stands out like a sore thumb, again Left back could not stop their wing play,as for midfield again bad days for wiesman and Luna, if we had not beaten Arsenal we would be sitting on the bottom, they put 5 across the middle and we had no answers for it.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      That arsenal result hid a multitude of sins. One win and 3 defeats is relegation form and please don’t say 3 of the games were sky four teams teams like stoke and Swansea are taking point of them at the moment. Best time to play them before they click into gear as well. Anyone else who thinks we will finish outside of bottom 6 is sadly mistaken IMO.

      1. I don’t know, watching a few of the other games, despite some of the “big money signings” of the smaller clubs, they still lack quality as I figured due to buying a few players instead of depth. A lot of these teams look really, really poor. The lack of quality in the EPL is still showing.

    2. Coming into the game I felt Luna played well enough to keep his spot at LB, today I hope he’s lost it for a game or two.

      Weimann has played well in the league recently but in the cup he did play well. Lambert has bought players in for squad depth, he needs to use it now.

  3. Almost a carbon copy of the Liverpool game. We cant play counter-attacking football at home. Lambert’s answer….put on another forward and bypass the midfield!! No fucking wonder we ended up losing!! I just cant understand why this problem wasnt addressed in the summer. Lambert wants to play a 4-3-3 style so why didnt he bring in a creative player to spearhead the midfield??

    On another note, one bad game for Luna does not mean Bennett should come back in!

    Something tells me that in Jan we will be signing a centre back and a midfielder.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      A centre bk and creative midfielder should of been signed in the summer it’s not like lambert knew we didn’t need one instead he signs another striker ffs. He is clueless if this was mcleish we would be screaming for his head now. It took lambert ages to take off kae who anyone could see was worst player on the pitch there is no game changers on the bench. It’s a fucking disgrace IMO

    2. Don’t we want to put pressure on our players? Bennett played well and deserves a start against Norwich. Luna really struggled against Ben Arfa today

      1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
        OohAhPaulMcGrath

        Yes and no. This is the problem with young players and no older heads. If u drop weimann it could destroy him but on the other hand whoever replaces him will have to do well to keep place. It could be weimann would come bk stringer than ever. The good thing with weimann is even though he’s not scoring he still works hard for the team and could of had a couple of assists today with a bit of luck.

        1. Weiman should have been subed at half time,he was not at his best,we should then have gone to a 4-4-2 and changed the way we were playin using the midfield.

          Luna was caught out all the time with Ben-Arfa and couldn’t keep pace, a totally different player to the one I seen in pre season.

        2. I think dropping Weimann will help remind him that he isn’t amazing will come back stronger. This season he hasn’t been himself

          1. I’m inclined to agree, Benteke needs the same treatment.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
              OohAhPaulMcGrath

              Fair point even though he scored today his body language just dosnt seem the same. It’s obvious he is going thru the motions with is until he goes to utd or wherever thou in his defence he had 2 players marking him which should mean more space for weimann and gabby etc but we just didn’t know how to exploit it.

    3. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      Ps agree still prefer Luna for Bennett but on,y just

  4. Badger123 avatar

    Sounds very much like the Liverpool game, only worse.
    It kind of makes up for the fact that I didn’t get to see the game (and sadly probably won’t see another until after xmas).
    Not that I’m glad we lost!

    By the sounds of it, the way we play at home is a big concern, especially if we were hoofing it to Benteke again, as that really is the last resort when you’re trying to play decent football.

    So the questions we were asking a couple of weeks back are repeated.
    Does Lambert know what to do to change it?
    And do we have the personnel to achieve it?

    Hopefully the answers to both questions are yes.

  5. We did not deserve to win or draw…….

    Lambert has to look at the game and identify how he can mix it up cause going by today we will be fighting again this season.

    Benteke didn’t have the best of games either, his ball control was not what we see normally.

    The middle of the park was dominated by Frenchmen, and we allowed it, we didn’t use the width of the pitch we expected to get counter attacks and Pardrew knew exactly how to deal with it.

    Time for our manager to review the playing methods we use and have plans B,C,D,and E because every team we play from now on will know how to close us down and shut us out. He has to step up now and be counted.

    The crowed booed them off at half time and again at full time, that can only mean one thing………..Unrest with the supporters.

  6. villa1996 avatar

    4 games in and we are a point worse off than last season relegation battle 4th year in a row no wonder benteke wants to go Lerner will pocket all the money from the sale when it happens, lambert all ready using the same excuses already were pick ourselves up and go again; I have had enough cant go though this again Lerner sell up and fuck off where the money gone lerner we got extra form bt why havd we spent fuvk all lamberts signings are shit we should be where Stoke are not in ususal 16th again lerner lambert out it will never get better when them villa fans save your money your being duped every season by p.r listen to ohh ahh

  7. Not sure I can cope with another relegation battle! We definitely need to mix things up a bit and not play the same predictable system in every match. Surely Lambert should be analyzing the opposition before matches and adapting the system to suit the opposition.

  8. 1st half was really poor not just on the pitch but the holte end was shocking to.I was in the North and we had to start off most of the singing plus we were being mocked by the Newcastle fans for our home support.Shocking all round IMPO.2nd half was better but as you say the predictability long balls to Benteke and over passing with no end product had us again counter attacking at home.I heard nothing much in support today but hen again you have to have something to support.Lowton piss poor today……UTV

  9. Players getting complacent…need a kick up the proverbial!

  10. Terry Jones avatar
    Terry Jones

    Villa 1996 fully agree all hail Oohah the great like myself he speaks it how he sees it and it ain;t going to be pretty.I don;t fully blame Lerner although he could show more ambition for our club instead of using it as a money cow.But though,s fans whom wanted Lamberk in the first place and yet they still hang on to every word and excuse he comes out with.He is the one whom sold Lerner on the idea he could build a team on the cheap.He and He alone is responsible and with only three points after four games it just shows how deluded he and they are to think that this season is going to be any different than last only maybe we will be relegated.

  11. bit of over reaction going on here i know it was bad but we played as good as Newcastle let us, my only gripe is why wait to change it, after ten minutes you could see that the formation was wrong we totally by- passed midfield, so an attacking midfielder would of been a waste of money. we desperately require a plan B also why after a two week break were the players so tired and leg weary,

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      Spot in same as Liverpool game. Kae should have been taken off within 20 mins totally out if his depth

  12. villa1996 avatar

    Lambert is a crap manager face it, this team has one good game 5 bad games and lambert is too stubborn to change things his way or high way it may work in one game but not the next ten and these so called players that suppose to have learned from last season clear havent they gone backwards they are shit players and always will be and we sigined them up on new contracts they got a reward for frinshing 15th no wonder they playing crap thats all they have to aim for to get the same again great job Lerner under your leadership crap decision after crap decision

  13. We’ll be fine…..really really fine!!

    1. Terry Jones avatar
      Terry Jones

      B6 can i have some of what you are smoking or drinking or are you reading Lamberks book of fairytales.

  14. villa1996 avatar

    Its not an over reaction this has being happening for 4years now crap home games pluz the fact were the same as last year the man city home game we will be thrashed 6 0 we have not improved at all its another battle to stay up and that to is 4 battles to much Lerner out

  15. Morgan Villa avatar
    Morgan Villa

    We were shocking today, the players did not want the ball. Not going to blame individual players but some of that team needs a break drop Wiemann he looks out of sorts atm.

    See how it goes for the rest of the season but some of those young hungry players did not look up for it at all and were very disappointing. Sissoko looked good for them and as much as i hate to say it if we had of scored it would have not reflected the game.

    Hope everyone is ok not been on here as i am very busy UTV

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      Good points Morgan good to cu back

  16. 2nd half was alot better we pushed created chances.No support in the 1st half for the team either from the fans.Home style needs a sort out think we are exploited out wide because of 3 in midfield and 3 upfront.There is a case for 4-4-2 here I think.

  17. villa1996 avatar

    Spot on ohh ahh yet the fans come out with the same bollocks it will work dont worry were 16th already miles behind and thats where we stay no ambition Lerner ohh ahh right were the new Wigan we will go down eventually playing the lambert game and if I hear transition once more I kill someone

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      True villa1996 how much longer can we get away with it we will go eventually. It’s great to have kids rather than overpaid mercenaries but there had to be a balance. When utd had giggs scholes etc coming through they still had great pros at the club that helped bring them on like robson, Hughes pallister etc. Wev got no one of that ilk at vp which is why someone like Barry on year would have been good business. He always gives a 100% as well.

  18. to be fair we didnt win any midfield battles last season until sylla established himself i think he gives us more balance and gives westwood more scope to make some of those passes that we haven’t seen this year

  19. I thought we have become a bit predictable,sloppy in midfield and exploited out wide.Long balls to big target man is some of it.Defending is a major issue to.I honk we could do with trying to set up differently….UTV

    1. Think

    2. The word you are looking for is ‘SHIT’.

  20. Astonvilla1 avatar
    Astonvilla1

    They are a disgrace should beat teams like newcastle the money they are paid not the villa I know lambert wants to sort them out PATHETIC

  21. Very predictable result, nothing learned from last season. Don’t like to pick on him because he’s useful away, but Weimann is not contributing anything other than a bit of huff and puff. We really need to make 2-3 changes from away games to home games. Creativity needed but we’ve known this for a few seasons now. Just look at what a difference one quality player can make ie Ben Arfa.

  22. Well I’m inclined to agree with Oohah and Terry, start of the season we came out with all guns firing, what the fuck gone wrong? this time we cannot blame Vlaar Clarke both saved us from a bigger defeat, I like one or two other can see complacently in the team midfield was never right from the start, we do have to blame Lambert on today’s results his home work was wrong he should have known that Newcastle would play 5 across , we should have played wide on the wing. Not down the middle.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      Agree bill fwiw I thought Clarke played really well today and even vlaar did ok but Should if cut out cross for their first goal. I think okore being injured is a massive blow as he wil easily be our best ch lets hope he’s not out too long. It seems that all we do pass to Benteke up front and now he is being Sussed a d crowded out all tge time the problem is there is no plan B just like under MON. If you look at our squad as a whole you have to say that the players themselves are just not good enough especially at home. Kae was dire today and gave the ball away at least 3 times before his 4th give away led to their goal. Why lambert bought a striker instead of a creative midfielder is a serious question that needs to be asked.

      1. I don’t want to slate MON, we haven’t had success since he left us. Yes, he spent a ton of cash but it did work.

        Lambert is a little bit arrogant, doesn’t make changes until it’s too late and won’t change the system against a team where we are more likely to win.

        1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
          OohAhPaulMcGrath

          Lambert is a little bit arrogant, doesn’t make changes until it’s too late and won’t change the system against a team where we are more likely to win.

          Bit like MON then Adam !

  23. villa1996 avatar

    Fans dont realise pick up one or nothing points in the next 2 games and we could be bottom we hav norwich and man City we wont beat city so we have to beat norwich or else thats it’s for lambert and will start calling for his head

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      I think Norwich are beatable but man city ain’t all that they’ve not started well this season and couldn’t beat stoke today so u never know. Unfortunately even if we lost both games 10 nil lamberk will still be here the problem is he is simply doing whats asked of him ie keeping us up that is his remit and technically that makes him immune from the sack. The other problem of course is if he went then what I can’t think of one half decent manager who would come here tbh.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath avatar
      OohAhPaulMcGrath

      Ps Everton beat chelski 1.0 lol

    3. If we lose to Norwich, I think there will be a fan unrest. I’ll be soon panicking.

      You can’t go 1 win in 5 games, let alone 1 win in 6 games.

      I know it’s the beginning of the season but it’s important to get a few points on board

  24. villa1996 avatar

    Our next 3 home games man city, Tottenham and Everton you can forget wining them 5 homes loss on the trout mark my words lambert out

  25. Neither would I, as he’s “young and enthusiastic”. He’d make a solid director but he’s terrible as a manager.