KOZAK, AFTER HE SCORED
Well, I thought that was a very decent game, where we looked a lot more disciplined and organised.
That said, I’m sure a more clinical attack would have done much better against us, but who cares?
We got that clean sheet that ended a shocking run of 26 games without conceding. A statistic that looks even worse when you consider we hadn’t kept a clean sheet in this calendar year.
The biggest talking point will no doubt be Benteke’s injury.
I thought it looked like an ankle problem, but it seems it’s more a groin strain, which figures, given the way the player slipped.
Whatever, it’ll most likely mean at least a couple of games out, something we all feared.
Will Benteke be missed?
Too right he will, in my opinion.
Moving on to more positive things though, I thought this was a good game in that it was a typical English game of graft and blood and guts. And a bit of an eye-opener for Kuzak and Tonev, who got a fair bit of “treatment”.
I’m not sure about Tonev; he needs to sharpen up, as the overall pace of the game made him look a bit slow. Early days though.
Lowton was totally dropped from the squad, which surprised me, as I thought he was one of Lambert’s favourite players (what’s gone on there, I wonder?), but Bacuna did very well against Redmond, who ended up getting subbed.
Hughton got dog’s abuse from the Norwich fans for that decision and I’m minded to agree, because he looked a bit of a threat, but hey, again, who cares? He looks a bit of a petulant little so and so and needs to wind his neck in. A real nose, by the looks of it, so fair play, I suppose.
On the other wing, Luna did a decent job against Snodgrass, who also caused problems.
Gabby looked our biggest threat and gave Norwich loads of trouble with his pace.
Weimann looked a bit sharper to me and was unlucky when he hit the post.
Benteke did what he always does, as did Delph. KEA did a decent job, although I’m sure I saw him totally bottle out of a 50-50, which was poor in my mind.
The man of the match though, was Brad Guzan.
A totally justified decision, because he was magnificent in the way he commanded the box.
What a contrast to the player who got battered in that semi against Blackburn.
A super save from a penalty that shouldn’t have been given (although I understand why it was when I put my neutral head on) and a great save late on that ultimately earned us the three points.
I’ve just heard he touched the ball more than any other Villa player.
I’m not surprised, although I didn’t get the impression he was massively tested today.
A decent overall performance, but I have to say I wasn’t very impressed with Norwich.
Their fans booed them off and I can see why.
Still, 3 points away, a change of style in that we played a 4-4-1-1 and finally a clean sheet.
Let’s hope it’s the first of many eh?
I don’t particularly care about the ins and outs.
We won and that’ll do for me.
I’m a happy bunny today.
Fantastic to see the team grind out a 1-0 win after last week’s dismal display against Newcastle. However, the possession stats suggest it was all Norwich.
A bit concerning that our two key players (in my opinion) – Okore and Benteke – are out with injuries. Hopefully Benteke won’t be out for too long, but I think it will be good to give someone like Kozak or Helenius a run to help them find their feet. You never know, Benteke might struggle to get back in!
With regards to Lowton, I’m sure Lambert has just told the lad to have a day off. He played practically every game last season and looked a bit off the pace last week, so maybe it will do him good to be rested for a spell.
Yes, could be Bencey.
Whatever, I thought it was a decent choice with hindsight.
Norwich had loads of possession, but never really produced the final product.
I was worried about the Redmond/Van Wolfswinkle combo, but it never materialised.
A bloody good three points, which will do for me me mate 🙂
It was scrappy, but overall it is a great result. The result and clean sheet will do wonders for the moral. Today was definitely an improvement from the Newcastle game though.
Guzan was outstanding. Commanded the area well and snapped up pretty much everything that crossed in front of him today.
Gabby, Wiemann both did what they do best. Gabby looked lively running at the defense and Wiemann’s eye for picking out passes is only getting better with each game. As for Gabby coming off, I think it was the right call. Especially with the Spurs and Man City coming up. With Benteke out at least a week, we will need Gabby to be 100% for both games.
Benteke, I’m eager to hear how bad his injury is. Although I’m glad we picked up Kozak. Helenius still hasn’t found his feet yet, but Kozak looked good and I enjoyed him helping out in defense. I think he will only get better.
Bacuna, Luna I thought coped well and the team as a whole looked solid, unified.
Tonev, he’s like a young Holman. Runs all day, finds himself in the right place at the right time, but his decision making and overall finishing was extremely poor. Personally I think he is just trying to hard to get that first goal.
All about the result today good win the team needs to build on this and get their act together no going backwards next week today was a step in the right direction but only a small step were too far behind in turns of play but one win doesnt mean Lerner or lambert are off the hook dont you fans forget that
About Lowton: maybe PL was angry with him about the 2nd goal conceded against Newcastle when he wasn´t marking his man and let him in much too easily. Could be the reason.
Otherwise, this win should give us some much needed self-confidence.
In 5 games we had to change our defence every time but I have the feeling we are getting stronger in this direction. But we have to keep the ball much better. This was the reason why Norwich could put a lot of pressure on us.
Good point re Lowton, Joty.
I actually like the fact that no-one is safe in thinking he’ll always get a game.
Agreed, the defence is slowly looking better and a clean sheet will only help with the confidence.
A few have mentioned us giving the ball away and not keeping possession, but I don’t think it was anywhere near as bad as against Pool (I didn’t see the Newcastle game).
Norwich had to bring it to us, which suits us nicely, as our pace is frightening.
But they couldn’t do it.
Just seen Hull have scored two at Newcastle. Just shows how we need to change it at home.
Pool lost to Southampton.
They never convinced me at all at VP and really aren’t very good, imo.
Still beat us though!
Di Canio first for the chop?
I’d say so.
Did you see the anger on the fans faces, it reminded me of Oohah on Vlaar. 🙂
At least Di Canio had the balls to face the fans, albeit at a distance.
I’d like to see a lot more of that Bill, as the game’s far too remote from us fans, imo.
That’s because Norwich were expected to beat us by their fans which proves how far Wev fallen
Good shout I think hughton looked under pressure too today
Mourinho coukd be a possibility for sack hardly setting world alight at chelski
There top of the league… LMAO
IM saying my Aston thrillers will be up to 10th place end of play tomoz
No show from oohah and terry as yet…..they must be comforting each other after todays result. 🙂
Haha.
They’re certainly not as forward in replying when we win 🙂
I did hear that Oohah is getting in touch with Terry to ask what went wrong, it was not supposed to happen.
Not sure what It looked like on TV but being there, for me (and others around me), Weimann was terrible. Leaves Luna exposed sooo much while he’s waving his hand in the air looking for somebody to blame for his poor pass…..
Just goes to show that you can get up em on a small pitch, so much so KEA had a blinder.
Bacuna, Clarke & Delph were quality and even Helenius & Kojak were good.
3 points, VP Tuesday, C’mon the lads…!!!
I certainly didn’t see re Weimann, but happy to bow to that opinion, as we couldn’t see what he was doing in tracking back.
Weimann’s first chance was crap, straight at the goalie, but his second, where he hit the post, was a good effort, imo.
I love the kid, but he can drop out of the game, imo.
Still one of my faves though.
Thought we were great first half…could have scored 2 or 3. Weimann was especially unlucky. Second half we were lucky to hold on, but great game from Guzan and the defence threw themselves in whenever needed. Nice ti finally not concede.
Delph played well again, although im not convinced by KEA. I really dont get his inclusion. Tonev was dire today, all he does is shoot or give the ball away. Thankfully he can only get better.
Great to see Kozak score, although hopefully Benteke isnt out for too long.
Although is it just me…or is our team just crying out for that attacking midfielder that we didnt buy!! Gabby playing there today?? Looks like clutching at straws to me from Lambert…
I have to say i don’t agree with 99% of what ooh ah says but he is always here win lose or draw, its only terry that will come out when we lose! He is a nose for sure, only ever has bad things to say, KEA was good 2day Delph was brill, tonev utter crap but its his 1st game, still a LOT to learn though, helenius was decent when he came on, kozak will be a good player, he’s no benteke but makes good runs and defensively better than the beast, bacuna will be very good in time i tink, RB is not his position and he did very well, luna was against a good winger in snodgras and think it was 50-50 between them 2day, but Lamberts subs were strange to say the least and i just don’t get why we don’t hold onto the ball when leading? It puts us under so so so much pressure its no wonder we concede so much! And sorry ooh ah but vlar Clark and guzan were excellent 2day no matter what u say!
Agree vlaar and Clark did well credit where credits due. But they were still dodgy in opening 30 mins after that they both improved
I’m still reserving judgement until Christmas, we know we can play away from home, it’s at Villa Park we need to see wins and clean sheets. I remain optimistic and expect to be flamed again for it but we’re only five games in. I didn’t see the match sadly. In a way I’m looking forward to seeing us play a couple of matches without Benteke, just so we can get an idea of how good Kozak actually is, but it really is a worry about Benteke being injured.
Benteke is a massive loss Foxy, no matter which way you look at it.
I know what you’re saying, but he’s just a class apart and looking at the others, they won’t compare, so it’s tough for them.
yes but how many of those players are living in bentekes shadow we may see in the next couple of games somebody rise to the challenge
Well might as well get used to it he will be off in jan or next yr. he is unofficially a loan player from one if sky 4
Except we’ll get a huge fee for him, something you complain about for loan deals. And no, he won’t be sold in January.
How do u know he won’t go in jan?
same reason he didn’t go in the summer he knows what’s best for his career at the moment
Well while watching the game in my local was pleased to see a clean sheet & three points & had it not been for Sir Brad Gurzen & Sir Gabby of Villa then things may have been a lot different.Am still not overly convinced we have a team that is anywhere near being mid-table or higher.But a win is a win no matter how you do it.So am going to watch again on MOTD & will sit whilst watching with a rather large glass of whiskey a rye smile on my face & a cigar.
how do you get a rye smile on a cigar?
Billy mate meant on me face had a few while watching the game so may not sober up till Monday.Nice three points though.
Just come and and all is ay is OOhaah fcuking moaning away FFS..
TJ doesn’t think we have a team that should be around midtable and yet after more then half of our games being against three top six teams we sit 12th..
You couldn’t make this sh!t up….!!
Personally I’d have taken the clean sheet even at 0-0; the win was a bonus – at last the defence can start to have some self-belief, and they won’t have that dismal record hanging around them at the start of every game.
I might be in a minority here, but if Benteke is only out for a couple of games then I’m not too worried – Kozak will come into his own and the likes of Wiemann need to come out of the Belgian’s shadow again; Villa shouldn’t be a one-man team.
Overall a very good day for Villa!
Agreed, might do us some good to be without Benteke for a bit. Might do Benteke’s ego some good too!
Some (slightly) good points.
We really can’t be looking at us being a one man team.
You have to admit, he’s bloody good though
Ardent, I’d have taken that 0-0 too, but didn’t think much of Norwich in the end.
Badger, look at the Premiership games and results since the start of the season – there’s really no team playing particularly well so far: Liverpool got their just desserts this afternoon [they were pretty crap against us as well]; “The Special One” finally got a win after four or five games, Man City have hardly started brilliantly, etc.
Norwich may not be brilliant, but they’re not mugs either.
It may change in the next few months, but at this early stage there doesn’t seem to be any real stand-out team in the division, so for us to be mid-table right now seems ‘just right’ – we’re not down with the real garbage [Sunderland…] and not far off the top five or six either.
Steady as she goes…
Can’t argue with Benteke’s quality – the young man is a class act. Still don’t think he has even hit his full potential yet, which is a scary thought!