5 games unbeaten, 2 wins, 2 clean sheets and 5 goals scored, but are we happy yet? The simple answer is no, but it is not an easy answer. In comparison, Leicester came to Villa Park having lost 6 of their previous 7 games.
This was a game Aston Villa had to win, especially after the debacle that was the QPR game. We could not afford to drop any more points from the bottom end clubs, if we are to survive and make some form of progress, These are the games we should be aiming to take all 3 points from.
Following on from Burnley away, the team must have been brimming some form of confidence after keeping a clean sheet (GUZAN! GUZAN!) and taking the points (oooo Christian Benteke!!) to secure us a nice 12th place; it put the team in good stead with the upper hand against our neighbours.
My only major concern before the game started was regarding Wiemann. Not the fact that he wasn’t playing, I was happy with this as he was asking to be dropped for a few games now, but my worry was who Lambert would choose to replace him? Answer – N’Zogbia.
Review
Our starting line up was strong with a nice 4-3-2-1 formation that puts the beast at the tip. First thing to notice was that our midfield was noticeably better, more composed and linked with the exception of N’zogbia. Throughout the game, he seemed to lack any form of passion to play which caused a lot of difficulty for the likes of Hutton who would be supporting on the wing and then find himself in a position where N’zogbia hadn’t moved at all to make space for the ball. This was not a one off occurrence as it continued right up to the point where he finally got substituted in the 76th minute which was perhaps Lamberts only downfall of the game. He took too long to detect the weak point in the game, but he did detect it and Grealish brought a much better dimension to the team. N’zogbia should not start next week against the Albion.
Guzan was unlucky with Leicester’s goal as it took a naughty deflection on the way in, so he was not at fault. Mahrez should have been shut down before the initial shot was released because we gave him way too much space and even then, it went through 3 players before reaching Guzan. This simply was not good enough, but we replied, and replied in style.
Westwood was putting in a man of the match performance. People may have questioned him lately, but this week he came out fighting. His link up play with Benteke was beautiful from the off. They knew exactly where each other were on the pitch and passed it almost too easily between each other; this is something I am excited to see blossom over the rest of the season. Outside of their link up play, Westwoods all around performance and communication was great; the way he instructed Clark before he took the free kick sums this up. The ball in was perfect and the header was well deserved. Clark has been asking to score from a header for a while now and it finally happened. The fight in this youngster has surprised all of us just as much as the resurgence of Hutton. Which brings us nicely….
Something I’ve been banging on about with the return of Benteke is that I don’t want us to become a one man team that relies solely on the beast and although the winning goal was executed from a perfect cross from the Belgian, I was ecstatic to see that other players were scoring (albeit both are defenders). Hutton handled it like a pro, assessing and shooting with a calm composure and I couldn’t help but compare his striking ability to that of Gabby and Wiemann, strange times. Hutton of course got Man of the Match, but it easily could have went to Clark or Westwood had he have stayed on. Having said that, I think the right player was awarded because he has been consistent all season and this game really emphasised his attacking ability.
Verdict
Leicester played a good game, we just played a better one and they should be very grateful that they have Schmeichel in goal as he outstandingly was the difference between a 2:1 win and a potential 4:1 win.
It was good to see Villa win a game by scoring more than a single goal, especially during a home game where we previously only had 4 goals to our name. You can see an added confidence to the team now that Benteke is back. It allows us to get further up the pitch because you can actually rely on him to get the ball and hold it whilst the runs are made (very evident for the Hutton goal).
Richardson can play an attacking game and everything I have previously said about him was voided by his display. He could have done a lot better in closing down Nugent during Leicester’s final attack because it honestly looked like he gave up and let him run across.
Lambert is finally starting to get the substitute system? I think he made all sub decisions spot on today, the only problem is the timing of those subs should have been earlier, especially in the case of Zog. But when they did come on, they were the right players for that game. Credit where credit is due.
Gabby’s presence is ever needed regardless of whether he scores or not. He applies a lot of pressure and in most cases, the defence just can’t handle his speed. Going back to our 2nd goal, he played a major part in bringing the ball half way up the pitch and holding it before making the Benteke pass. Great link up between the strikers and an even better ball to Hutton.
All in all, it shows that when the team plays, they play well together and can provide scoring opportunities for each other. Lambert needs to work on the ideal person to start over N’zog and make those subs a little earlier to ensure we keep the pressure going but overall, this is an improvement and begs a lot of questions when certain players return from injury.
The January Window
I’m bringing up the window because I think it plays a part in this game. We won the game, yes, but it wasn’t as convincing as it should have been and the weak links are still apparent.
As strong as Cissokho is, I feel that a better left back would be in order because Cissokho doesn’t offer what Hutton offers on the right. He struggles going forward and although his crosses improved this week, he still isn’t spot on. I’d like to see some cover brought in here and have even wondered whether Lowton could play left back as he offers a lot more going forward?
Would love to hear all the suggestions on the transfer window but let’s try and keep all comments in line with the game and as usual, you can always submit your opinions to us rather than comment. We like the different views and encourage the opinions.
I think the comment about the timing of the subs is harsh. Lambert used up a sub before half time taking Westwood (injured) off for Richardson. Grealish came on in the 60th for Cleverley (injured) and Bacuna came on for N’Zog (ineffective) in the 76th.
He couldn’t really have done much about the timing. Although I do agree N’Zogbia just isn’t good enough.
my argument here was mostly towards N’zog staying on for 76minutes.
I for one was happy with the win & I’m no way going to tarnish that by dissecting the performance or how we could of improved it.its 3 worthy points plain & simple.
In no way intending to Tarnish, but more highlighting the points that could ensure we get another 3 points next game. After all, you are only as good as your last game right?
Maybe I read it wrong but you clearly stated you weren’t happy,but there wasn’t a simple answer. all my VILLA muckers I’ve spoke to are chuffed to FUCK with the points.over to you Mr cheese.
The only thing that did stand out for me was the goals were scored by defenders,maybe that could be food for thought.
I was happy with the defenders scoring the goals because it showed that people outside of Benteke can score for us. Maybe that is a wrong way of looking at it.
I am also very happy with the points, it was an entertaining game, we played well for the most part and come away with the deserved.
Good point the less we rely on Benteke the better imo
Easily pleased giddy
3points are better than fuck all,that ain’t rocket science.why ooha????aren’t you pleased with 3 points.
Giddy we’ve had 2 wins in 12 games and that takes you to 11th ffs. Which shows how overrated the PL is. If you think 2 wins in 12 games plus 10 goals scored in 15 games is acceptable then there something wrong somewhere.
You should know Oohah by now Giddy he’s only pleased if We go down, then its I told you so.:-)
2 wins in 12 and 10 goals scored in 15 games Bill. You obviously think that’s acceptable
Of cause not nobody thinks that, you know and I know up still now its down to who We played, Oohah Lambert started with a plan that was doomed to fail, he thought young men that wanted football fame would fight for it, that never got off the ground, so I’m glad for anything We get stands to reason, feet are showing him all is not well in camp Oohah, time will tell.
Leicester at home is as easy a game as you can get. Forget the 5 match unbeaten bollox most were lucky draws and before that we didn’t win for 8 games ffs
So basically when we now win we should be pissed off because it ruined the run of defeated games we were on.aren’t you slightly glad the rot has now eased off,maybe we should be rock bottom then you’d have something to gloat about.
No I won’t be happy till Lambert and lerner have gone
Ps you should be happy when we win & pissed off when we lose obviously it’s the other way around for you OOHA.
Yep that’s because when we win Lamberk apologists like yourself suddenly forget how shit he is. Lamberk l gets no credit struggling to beat the worst team in the league at home. Also when we win it means there is less pressure on Lamberk to goi want him out
I’ll nip that one straight in the bud I’m not a LAMBERT apologist & take offense to that remark.love to see the back of him I was pleased the team won & never once praised the manager,that’s a classic case of you twisting things try another target OOHA your sounding like a stuck record.
Fair enough giddy but surely u can see every time we win it strengthens lamberks position. I want him out even if he wins the next ten games
Posts are landing in the wrong place.
I’m trying to come to terms on saying Abonglahor is needed? Yes he has speed but standing and waiting not being part of a team, great crossing of ball but Benteke did his job, I can only think you believe clubs fear his speed ,he has a job looking for open spaces, yes NZog not what Villa wants move him on.
Other teams do fear his pace because he cause mistakes to be made. With the team selection we have, I think he is essential. would like to see him return to his older form, especially if he can build a partnership with Benteke but again this is all personal opinion. I would also be happy seeing Robinson have a go over Gabby.
Blackpool we’ll piss over them. 😉
The same way we pissed over Orient, Sheff Utd and Millwall you mean?
I was taking the urine chill ffs
Why not try playing with wingers so that Cissokho doesn’t have to get forward so much?!
It might be a little left of centre, but I was watching the highlights of the other games this weekend and in particular newcastles win over chelsea and west ham’s brief stint in 3rd place in the table.
and its given me hope, 2 weeks ago .. I had lost the faith in Lambert and I have defended him for years on here, not always on his merits, half the time purely based on my opinion of him being better than the alternatives available to a Villa for sale with a lot of failed long shots on young lower division players in the squad.
Now I am not saying my faith is completely restored. or this is the dawn of Lamberts great run to glory. We beat the bottom team who have lost 6 from 7.
But the eternal optimist and rationalist in me is asking the questions of my doubts over Lambert.
all of our initial thoughts on him were great job at Norwich, most varied tactics and line ups of all teams in his last season with norwich, and a touch of european pedigree from his Dortmund days.
then the last 3 years happened and to be honest I had forgotten that.
Anyways my point is .. say we didn’t have lambert say we had either one of the two most criticised and hated managers by their own clubs 5/6 weeks ago .. Allardyce or Pardew.
Just look at the turn around in their fortunes?
If that is possible then there is hope with a team that regains injured players (benteke Okore, delph and Kozak and Vlaar yet to come back)
That love him or hate him, we could do a lot better this season than in the last 3.
Just as well as my position hasn’t changed regardless if some of my faith is restored in Lambert or not .. there is no alternative for Villa management right now .. so lets hope he keeps this run going for as long as possible and get the most of Benteke while we still have him .. no matter what this season brings .. that is probably the next cloud on the horizon for Villans .. the loss of Benteke this summer at the latest.
Its gonna be interesting to see if Lambert has the balls to start with grealish against the Baggies. Odds are he will start Weimann, which we all know screws the balance of the team up!!
OOHA I know exactly where your coming from & can only see him being ousted when it’s too late to rectify the problem ie championship football.
I wouldn’t bet on lerner even getting rid of him then giddy
The above post was a reply to you OOHA