Aston Villa 4 – 3 WBA; Great game and result!

After our very encouraging showing against Liverpool, I set a lot of store in the fact that we had to keep up the same kind of performance, if we were to show any signs of improvement over the previous few weeks.
I’d have been happy with a draw in what I was expecting to be a typically dour derby, to be honest and although that might make it seem that my expectations have been massively lowered, it wasn’t the case here. I just know how many derbies tend to go.
It was always more about the performance for me, as long as we didn’t lose, of course.

Well, we certainly didn’t disappoint today, did we?
It was quite simply one of the best derbies I can recall (a certain nose thrashing apart) and it had pretty much everything from early goals, own goals, flukey goals and penalty calls.
Just the way I like it.

Albion helped matters in playing a high line, but it was also the case that (and it gives me great pleasure in saying it again) Lambert went for it.
My attitude has always been that if you’re going to lose, at least go down trying to win.

So after us going 2-0 down to a frankly very good first goal and an unlucky one from Delph, I must admit I panicked a bit and wondered if we were going to bottle it. There was no need though, as the lads were resolute today and I applaud them.

I’ve constantly beaten the drum that we should take advantage of our biggest asset, which is our youth and use it to outwork the opposition. We did that in spades tonight, just as we did against Pool and it caught Albion out, in my opinion.
We pressured them and never allowed them time to play, with many second balls dropping to us, which is always a good sign.

Of course, with both sides being somewhat gung-ho, there were always going to be goals and it was no major surprise when we pulled two back, although it could have easily gone the other way, with a very open game being played.

I really thought it would be a different game in the second half, but it wasn’t. It was still very open and I was thinking after about an hour that Albion might actually have enough to deserve to edge the game, but who cares? We got the result, simple.
Not that we didn’t deserve it; we did.
The truth is, I forgot what the score was and was just enjoying a game that could have gone either way, depending on luck. Again, just the way I like it.

It probably wasn’t one for the purists, as there was some shocking defending on both sides, but that doesn’t bother me.
Entertainment value = 10 out of 10
A big win against the Albion = 10 out of 10

What more could you want?

Big shouts for Vlaar, Benteke and Delph, who edged MOTM for me.

158 Comments

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  1. Foxy
    Foxy January 29, 2014 at 10:27 pm . Reply

    Ianrobo is a no show again after a win, the negative (edited).

  2. Dave Lee Roth and Lennie Kaye
    Dave Lee Roth and Lennie Kaye January 29, 2014 at 10:37 pm . Reply

    So do we all think we can qualify for the Champions League on this bargain basement showing?

  3. markdrapernumber8
    markdrapernumber8 January 29, 2014 at 10:45 pm . Reply

    Europa league is a given. UTV

    Lambert out

  4. #HELENIUS
    #HELENIUS January 29, 2014 at 10:52 pm . Reply

    Clarke and Lowton shocking, Vlaar, Delph, Benteke and Weimann different gravy. Let the “but the baggies are shit” comments commence from the negatives….. Lambert’s claret blue army!! What a night!!!!!

  5. VTID
    VTID January 29, 2014 at 11:01 pm . Reply

    Badger, summed up superbly, and as I sit right next to the away fans what a trophy………….

    We had moments with doggy defending, and moments of good defending.

    3pts thank you very much UTV

  6. Foxy
    Foxy January 29, 2014 at 11:11 pm . Reply

    Just watched it on MOTD, Delph’s strike went in at 72mph. Two nice goals from them but Andi’s and especially Delph’s were absolute crackers. Andi appears to have his mojo back, long may it continue.

  7. Langfordvilla
    Langfordvilla January 29, 2014 at 11:13 pm . Reply

    Very, very proud of our young guns tonight. They wore the famous claret and blue shirt with great pride! Great effort. Lets win the next 2 or 3 home games.
    Nice write up Badger…100% agree with every word.

  8. bob
    bob January 29, 2014 at 11:15 pm . Reply

    Have to say “what another great performance from the villa side” delph, vlaar, guzan, Clark, Bertrand, weimann and benteke all get 8s and 9s for performance. Yeah the baggies played well but we played better the second half was more tactical but Lambert was up to it especially with the barker substitution to negate there subs
    UTV

    1. Mark
      Mark January 29, 2014 at 11:22 pm . Reply

      Bertrand seems to have picked this side up. The things he said (as a loan player) about villa being a big club with lots of history when he signed ON LOAN speaks volumes for the man and the respect he deserves.

      If he signs for us at the end of the season then I for one will be one happy villain if he keeps his performances up. He looked class to me tonight.

      Wiemann also looked different player.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 30, 2014 at 1:29 am . Reply

      Bob why did we have it go 2 down yet again to start paying. Did exactly tge same at hawthorns.

      1. bob
        bob January 30, 2014 at 9:30 am . Reply

        the first two goal were against the run off play. 1st goal was a wild strike and the second was a cross turned in by delph. villa were moving throught the gears and were caught buy two lucky goals but as you saw they had the stones to keep playing the same way and get the win

  9. Mark
    Mark January 29, 2014 at 11:18 pm . Reply

    We outscored them tonight so we done a job. Yes we were shit for the first 10 minutes but we turned it around so we showed a never say die attitude.

    Could not understand a word of Lamberts post match interview but 3 points is 3 points and what a goal by Fabian coming into form just at the right time, and Tekkers apart from his miss he played well so lots to be positive about.

    We now play an Everton side who lost 4-0 to Liverpool last night and have no Lukaku so let’s go for it……..

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath January 30, 2014 at 1:28 am . Reply

      Lamberk has gone back to playing like last season now we are safe. As wev nothing to lose now it dosnt matter if we get stuffed occasionally as we are safe anyway. Defensively we won’t be as good but better going forward. Whatever we are still nothing more than a mid table team at best and will never be anything but that under Lerner.

      1. Foxy
        Foxy January 30, 2014 at 8:11 am . Reply

        Every silver lining has its cloud!

      2. Bencey83
        Bencey83 January 30, 2014 at 9:51 am . Reply

        We’re not safe yet!

        1. Foxy
          Foxy January 30, 2014 at 10:01 am . Reply

          I think Lambert gets some tactics and selections very wrong but I don’t think he doesn’t care. Did anyone read Mourinho’s comments about West Ham not playing the game and defending all match? I agree with him completely, Big Sam did what he thought he had to do to survive but the mindset is the same as Lambert’s sometimes, it’s as if they forget that we go to the Villa to have some fun and be entertained, and pay top dollar to do so.

  10. bob
    bob January 29, 2014 at 11:23 pm . Reply

    Look at it this way in say 5 years are team could be pretty much the same and they will be challenging for Europe at the very least. We can archive this maybe Lambert does have a plan after all
    UTV

  11. SJS24
    SJS24 January 29, 2014 at 11:41 pm . Reply

    Has anyone else noticed that when lambert has that navy padded jacket (changed it tonight i think at half time for a villa one) on it always brings us shit luck. KEEP IT OFF FOR F***s sake

    1. Mark
      Mark January 29, 2014 at 11:46 pm . Reply

      For Villas 3rd Goal did you see Lambert push that villa fan back in the stands who went out to congratulate him!!!

      He is a man of the people lol 🙂

      1. Bill Pearson.
        Bill Pearson. January 30, 2014 at 9:20 am . Reply

        Yes mark and he must have been in his 60s 🙂

      2. Bencey83
        Bencey83 January 30, 2014 at 9:52 am . Reply

        I think he did that to protect the fan from getting removed by the stewards.

        1. Foxy
          Foxy January 30, 2014 at 10:02 am . Reply

          I agree Bencey, plus Lambert doesn’t know if he’s friend or foe. Does the club get fined if fans come onto the pitch?

  12. Bencey83
    Bencey83 January 29, 2014 at 11:43 pm . Reply

    Well done lads. Great to see Tekkers and Weimann hitting a bit of form. Plus we didn’t have Gabby today, who has looked our biggest threat lately. Have to say, Vlaar was ball watching for West Brom’s third goal and then ran into Clarke! Clarke and Lowton are poor defensively. Bacuna’s not really a right back, but is possibly the best one we have at the moment! Get Bertrand signed up permanently, get Jenkinson in from Arsenal, and Okore back fit alongside Vlaar and we’ll have a decent defence for the first time in years.

  13. SJS24
    SJS24 January 29, 2014 at 11:49 pm . Reply

    I agree with comments about lowton who sadly after showing so much promise last yr simply doesn’t have the quality needed at this level (think Hutton would do a better job in this side). Bertrand easy decision. Need a quality midfielder, simple as that!

  14. Terry Jones
    Terry Jones January 30, 2014 at 12:03 am . Reply

    Come on Girls put the handbags down We Win We Win We Win Bagged the Baggies.Better than what i expected still say though Lambert should go and Lerner sell the club as he is never going to be able to pick a manager to take this club to a level where we are challenging for top honours.

  15. saddened
    saddened January 30, 2014 at 8:35 am . Reply

    Great game, it could have gone either way which is why I don’t think we should get carried away, I thought Vlaar and Delph were exceptional, and a very important 3 points, great comeback, but should we really be happy allowing a team as awful as the Baggies to score 3 goals ….

  16. Morgan Villa
    Morgan Villa January 30, 2014 at 9:01 am . Reply

    Bertrand was MOTM for me, held onto the ball well, was able to judge timing, crossing, passing, tackling well. I cant remember a LB doing this since Bouma. Did not panic on the ball either

    Vlaar looked like he got an injury in the first half and struggled with the ball, I hope he is alright as he is important for team morale.

    One thing i noticed was Holt, did not realise what a clever footballer he is, his positioning was very good, he challenged for the ball a lot, was able to direct the other players, he also supported Benteke for a ball although nothing came of it, he will benefit this squad. I think he will also help Bentke mature. I saw some critics of him for last nights game but in all fairness at times our players look static and dont support the other players in the team.

    We are crying out for another CB and AM and both need to be experienced in this league as this will help the youngsters develop and learn to stay calm on the ball.

    Have to say the baggies were no where near the side we played at the Hawthorns or the team that came to Villa Park last season the players looked at times dis interested and unable to put us under any kind of pressure, they are in real trouble.

    1. Foxy
      Foxy January 30, 2014 at 9:47 am . Reply

      So Holt is bringing an experienced head? I wonder what Hoolahan will do in midfield knowing Holt and Lambert and how things have worked in the past?

      We’ve lacked decent movement for ages, Wiemann is the one who makes the dashes into space and a lot of the time no one lets him loose or thinks to play into space for him to run into. Benteke coming back to life has given Wiemann someone to go and play with and they work well together. Gabby gives a lot of strength and pace, Holt brings a bit of cunning and guile with a lot of experience? Should be interesting to see where it goes.

  17. Bill Pearson.
    Bill Pearson. January 30, 2014 at 9:43 am . Reply

    Well that’s the best nights sleep I’ve had for ages, and thanks to Bob giving me a chance to see the game, albeit it was in Russian I think, lads going two down made me start to look hard at why, it to me was a mixture of midfield and defence, couldn’t make out it it was Delf or El -k , got to say Clarke and Lowton have got to sort themselves out , slack defending, motm, Vlaar for me Oohah player come good and to think we slated him at first, makes you wonder if we should give the rest more time. PS you’ll nerve get me up till 3_47 am in the morning playing silly sods.

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