Saints V Villa 4-1 Post match Chat!!

[Horton Heath Saint]

We were brilliant today, and well done Nigel Adkins.

[manji]

Went to the game today not perfect but thoroughly enjoyable. Now watching the game on Sky apparently we had a poor first half. Really ? It wasnt world beating but not bad at all . At half time I still thought we would get something from the game.

[Chez]

He's got some wheels, that's for sure. For the penalty my first thought was that the ball was a couple of yards too long for him, and that the keeper would get there first. Those two yards disappeared in an instant, and then Mayuka had the touch to push it past the keeper.

 

He could give us a very different offensive threat to the one we've relied on for 2+ years, and he could be deadly in the last twenty minutes of games.

aha, and the ages of these guys (Lallana, Mayuka and Ramirez) just brings further joy. It's a young man's game and we have these guys in their prime.

[Saint137]

Been a long time since we were main game on MOTD (and won)

[Dark Munster]

Bloody hell! Can we just enjoy tonight before we carp ourselves thinking about Everton?

 

Def' a game of two very different 45 minutes. First one was dire but the second was really enjoyable to watch (watched online). Gaston looked very good and so was JP'n. Sorry but Fox has to warm the bench.

I would go further and say he should be left back in the changing room.

[S-Clarke]

What planet are Villa fans living on? They're not as massive as they think they are.

 

''Got outplayed by the worst team in the league''

''let's be honest, soton are ****''

''we got done by, essenially, a championship team''

''Not one of Southampton's players would get in our 11, that's the worrying thing''

 

 

errr...ok, out of the clouds you come Villa. You are now a pretty **** team, full of average young players. hth.

[Crazy Diamond]

''Not one of Southampton's players would get in our 11, that's the worrying thing''

 

So they wouldn't have Ramirez? Blimey.

[S-Clarke]

So they wouldn't have Ramirez? Blimey.

 

Very uneducated fans methinks. Still living in the MoN era.

[badgerx16]

''Not one of Southampton's players would get in our 11, that's the worrying thing''

 

 

Ramirez, Lallana ? Really ?

[Saints Warrior]

Gaston looked class, his positional play was good, passing and holding and tackling very good. Some great one-twos with lambert

 

NC, lambert, Punch great going forward.

 

Keeper also done well and commanded area with good kicks. some great goals too!!

 

Well done Saints

 

And I got £50-00 for £1 at 50/1

[Saint Garrett]

My dads not happy....5er on 3-1 at 20s! Don't think I've ever seen him want to save pen!

[Crab Lungs]

What planet are Villa fans living on? They're not as massive as they think they are.

 

''Got outplayed by the worst team in the league''

''let's be honest, soton are ****''

''we got done by, essenially, a championship team''

''Not one of Southampton's players would get in our 11, that's the worrying thing''

 

 

errr...ok, out of the clouds you come Villa. You are now a pretty **** team, full of average young players. hth.

 

I'll add those ridiculous comments to these... I might request we do a sticky on the forum and immortalise these comments

 

Thoughts from a villa fan! Harsh....

That 2nd half is by far worse than anything under GH and AMc. Let's be honest, Southampton are a dreadful side at the back and to create as little as we did is criminal. Beaten 4-1 by arguably the leagues worst side is just not good enough.

*

 

Snipped their initial reactions from their forum;

 

http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=73612

 

Check these mongers out;

 

Feels more poignant than the home loss to Bolton. Could never have seen this even under our two previous managers. Nothing more than relegation fodder I'm afraid - we need to get some results against far better teams now. I can't put down a 4-1 loss to Southampton as simply teething issues in a new regime, it is desperate.

 

****ing terrible. I expect tough matches against good teams, and ups and downs as we develop but against ****ING SOUTHAMPTON that was disgusting, abominable and thoroughly unacceptable.

 

That 2nd half is by far worse than anything under GH and AMc. Let's be honest, Southampton are a dreadful side at the back and to create as little as we did is criminal. Beaten 4-1 by arguably the leagues worst side is just not good enough.

 

To get a good hiding from the weakest team in the division is a very poor and depressing reflection on where we really are as a team. Beating Swansea was a false dawn and I expect more days like this than the one last week with the players we have at our disposal.

 

Awful performance against a very poor side. They will lose heavily plenty of times this season Southampton and at 1-0 at half time, they were there for the taking.

 

Sick of seeing us help out teams who are desperate.

 

we're like a ****ing charity.

 

The season is still young but that performance cannot be repeated too often or we will be in deep ****. The defending was laughable at times and the cover in front of the defence was nowhere to be seen. Ireland is the only real quality midfielder we have and it is blatantly obvious that we miss his presence in that area of the pitch when he isn't there.

 

Southampton are a poor side but we made them look unplayable second half. It is very worrying to lose in that manner to a side that will struggle this season to stay in the league. We have to hope that Lambert knows what he is doing and can manage a response from the players that ensures this doesn't happen again anytime soon.

 

The worst thing?

 

Southampton werent even any good?

 

We played a woeful promoted side who have lost 4 on the bounce and got done 4-1. Soul-destroying.

 

I fully expected a loss/draw. They are hurt. They were spouting all last week "our season starts against Villa" I thought they would come out blazing. They didn't and when we went 1-0 up i thought we were lucky as ****. They were terrible and still beat us 4-1. That's what i'm most worried about.

 

[sammysaint]

Great performance, missed the game 1st game i dont go to and we win, anyways really hope we can take this forward, teams like Villa are the ones we need to beat at home and draw against away.

 

Gaston Lambo Yoshi all looked decent Clyne and Punch looked good in most parts and can only build on this, young keeper got 90 mins hopefully so more on tuesday.

 

NA has finaly given in after staying loyal to guly fox and davis and dropped all 3 of them, really hope tuesday young Shaw gets 90 mins and hopefully he gets some experience and confidence and we can use him next week as il take a draw.

[MongoNeil]

What planet are Villa fans living on? They're not as massive as they think they are.

 

''Got outplayed by the worst team in the league''

''let's be honest, soton are ****''

''we got done by, essenially, a championship team''

''Not one of Southampton's players would get in our 11, that's the worrying thing''

 

 

errr...ok, out of the clouds you come Villa. You are now a pretty **** team, full of average young players. hth.

 

That's brilliant. And I thought our fans had rose tinted spectacles.

[Crazy Diamond]

Let's be fair, these are the fans that were unhappy with Martin O'Neil only delivering fifth place twice and two cup semi-finals. Ronaldo signing for them wouldn't go down well. "United sold him, he can't be that good. Waste of money."

[Pugwash]

Think the villa fans all have the 'dinosaur' mentality. They need a dose of reality - perhaps a few seasons in the lower leagues would give them some perspective.

[Barry the Badger]

Think the villa fans all have the 'dinosaur' mentality. They need a dose of reality - perhaps a few seasons in the lower leagues would give them some perspective.

 

Yeah, cos our fans certainly seemed full of "perspective" at 1-0 down today.

[Latheal]

Read through and can't believe nobody has mentioned Lallana. I thought he was by far our best player and had a captains performance. Picked us up when we were down, great run and desire for the first goal, and generally was just a class above. So many good performances, it's easier to pick out the bad (Fox). Been a critic of Fonte, but he looked a Premiership defender today, Yoshida looked class, just playing the ball out from an interception makes such a difference.

 

But the front 4... Wow. That was as good as I've seen for years. It took me back to the Nicholl 4-2-4 days and it was just a joy to watch. Ramirez, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana, if they play like that for the rest of the season we are in with a chance of doing more than just staying up. Not getting carried away - perhaps it was a poor Villa side, but jesus, we looked good. Even first half I thought we controlled it.

 

Call out to Adkins as well. As others have mentioned, really emotional moment when the crowd started singing his name and he responded. Don't know if it's just drunken thoughts, but actually feel like everybody in this together. Proud of the team, proud of the way we play, proud of the manager, and just amazed that half that team were playing in league 1 just 2 years ago. Three out of the front 4 were with us on that journey. None of them looked out of place today (or this season).

 

Whatever this season brings, I'm totally sold. Rather go down playing like that than trying to nick a goal here and there. It's great entertainment down at St Mary's at the moment.

[Saints Warrior]

be good to see Villa go down with Liverpool?

[The Kraken]

Ricky: Again mediocre until he got his goal then he becomes all important.

 

I've often noticed you waffling and talking self-important nonsense before. But thanks, this clinches it and tells me all I need to know.

[trousers]

@jonnygould: We have @Simonpeach of @pressassocsport on #avfc's 2nd half capitulation at #saintsfc. It's @tsExtraTime with me & @JohnKreger from midnight

[trousers]

@BroadcastMoose: I'll say it again Rickie Lambert should get a call up from Roy Hodgson for England's game v San Marino next month

[Crazy Diamond]

@BroadcastMoose: I'll say it again Rickie Lambert should get a call up from Roy Hodgson for England's game v San Marino next month

 

Too late Moose. We still think you're a ****.

 

Billy Sharp is still awaiting his apology by the way.

[dannysfc]

Am feeling Good and Relieved that We Won and all importantly got the 3 points which is Good

and that We are briefly out of the bottom 3 hoping that all 3 teams below us drop points as well...!!!

I came close to Winning some Money as I had 3-1 Saints But I Won about £7 as I had Lambert last

scorer which he Was But their You go!!!

Ramirez played Great as well which was Good to see and was Good seeing Saints first on MOTD as well!!!

Roll on Sheff Wed on Tuesday in the Cup at Home and Everton in the League Away too!!!

COYR!!!

[Crab Lungs]

Superb write up

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9555849/Southampton-4-Aston-Villa-1-match-report.html#

 

and here;

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/22/southampton-aston-villa-premier-league

Edited 22 September, 2012 by Crab Lungs

[The9]

Hello Gaston Ramirez.

Goodbye Danny Fox.

 

The last bloke we took an age to buy ended up playing left back... careful.

[Red]

Thought we played nice footy throughout.many plus points, thought Yoshi was good. So happy for the players and the manager, deserve success for the way they approach the game. Was very happy to get last min pen, had bet correct score 4-1 at 40-1 odds, sweet!

 

Excellent I would say - had a massive game and more importantly kept us in it before we got the 1st!

[Gigersaint]

I'll add those ridiculous comments to these... I might request we do a sticky on the forum and immortalise these comments

 

 

 

Snipped their initial reactions from their forum;

 

http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=73612

 

Check these mongers out;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've finally found one from a Villa fan who wasn't quite so bitter about their defeat.... they're not all bad!

 

http://www.avfcforums.com/topic/13731-match-thread-southampton-4-1-aston-villa-ft/page__st__120

 

Isn't this the same southampton side that nearly beat united and city? why is everyone talking about them as if they are trash we should have steam rolled. Maybe this is the same attitude our players had and why we lost. They have a poor defense but they have been banging in goals against everyone, balls deep attacking. We should have expected this, and we didn't handle it apparently.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Incredible win. Incredible performances - Clyne better at LB than RB. Richardson had a great game and looked class. Only Fox looked shaky and even he had a better 1st half than normal I thought. We might just get something at Everton now?

[shurlock]

IMO Richardson looked pretty poor when he came on -and I was a fan last season. Perhaps Richardson + Clyne is an upgrade on Clyne + Fox but its not a massive one.

 

Other than that, thought Davis was excellent - good on the ball and strong in the tackle (even if he seems a bit slight); Lallana also had an v.good game after the overelaborations of last week (still wants too much time tho) and Rickie was exceptional - gratifying that he was on a similar wavelength with Ramirez. Punch looked better as the game went, even if his shot for the goal was going out for a throw. Still think Mayuka represents a better option- couples pace with a decent touch and decision-making, a rare combination though does like to take up central positions. Yoshida had one or two slips -does like to get tight on the attacker- but otherwise looked a cool customer. Will be interesting to see how we stand up to Fellaini as Jos is probably our best defender in their air (that said, Villa did play quite a bit of hoofball and we coped OK).

 

All in all, a good performance, even if we were helped by Ireland's exit. Also interesting how we do better when we attack teams - can we do a slightly watered down variant of this away from home as IMO the strategy of soaking up pressure and hitting teams on the break is a loser (we don't have the pace or the defensive qualities to play those precise percentages and pull it off).

 

The team was poor but thought the Villa fans were good value.

Edited 23 September, 2012 by shurlock

[Suomi Saint]

Three words: Gaston - Ramirez - CLASS.

[dubai_phil]

What a weird afternoon.

Took the Polish Honeymooners for a golf lesson (fark me it was hot)

Got to our home pub well early and the staff were just asleep.

Our Dubai_Saints chief Twit arrived and his dinner got screwed up putting him in a temper tantrum

It took the staff 30 mins to change channels to the match and then we AGAIN had Arabic commentary

Then Puncheon has an absolute MARE and it is comedy goal give away again

 

The Twitterer decides to take his temper tantrum home to watch with Eng commentary, the Honeymooner says we can't leave we have the lucky Nun and you another another forum guy here (Great to FINALLY meet you Saint without a Halo!)

 

And then kaboom

 

Rickie Lambert beats FOUR defenders to score

Clyne's goal has a worldy build up

Puncheon shows Lallana how to get the ball into the goal from the near post

And Mayuka looks - awful - air kicks and nerves and then HOLY COW one shimmy and two defenders step aside to give him an acre of space and then the IF RICKIE SCORES THIS HE IS JOINT TOP SCORER IN THE PL moment

 

So next week what to do? Ban the Smithmeister? Same pub crap service and Arabic AGAIN?

 

The Nun is annoyed as hell as she now has to leave my bar each match day

 

Oh and the BEST moment?

 

Second goal - The Arabic 'tater did that "Foreign Thingy"

 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

 

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTON

 

That lasted about 45 seconds

 

Sweet

 

Final word? Ramirez.

[positivepete]

Read through and can't believe nobody has mentioned Lallana. I thought he was by far our best player and had a captains performance. Picked us up when we were down, great run and desire for the first goal, and generally was just a class above. So many good performances, it's easier to pick out the bad (Fox). Been a critic of Fonte, but he looked a Premiership defender today, Yoshida looked class, just playing the ball out from an interception makes such a difference.

 

But the front 4... Wow. That was as good as I've seen for years. It took me back to the Nicholl 4-2-4 days and it was just a joy to watch. Ramirez, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana, if they play like that for the rest of the season we are in with a chance of doing more than just staying up. Not getting carried away - perhaps it was a poor Villa side, but jesus, we looked good. Even first half I thought we controlled it.

 

Call out to Adkins as well. As others have mentioned, really emotional moment when the crowd started singing his name and he responded. Don't know if it's just drunken thoughts, but actually feel like everybody in this together. Proud of the team, proud of the way we play, proud of the manager, and just amazed that half that team were playing in league 1 just 2 years ago. Three out of the front 4 were with us on that journey. None of them looked out of place today (or this season).

 

Whatever this season brings, I'm totally sold. Rather go down playing like that than trying to nick a goal here and there. It's great entertainment down at St Mary's at the moment.

 

Spot on. Especially the comparison with the Nicholl days for our younger viewers.

[sperm_john]

Must be the only game I've attended where I didn't celebrate a goal. That equaliser meant nothing to me. After the dominant first half, to go 1 - 0 down was shocking, and I wanted nothing but all three points. We got it, happy days. Superb control of the football - I don't like people who hark on about possession stats but 60% to us flattered them in all honesty. We comprehensively outplayed Villa today.

 

I am getting ever more worried however about the fact that our players can't seem to stay on their feet - not through tackling, but just slipping over. Those basic defensive errors that we are continually being told will be ironed out are still there. Clyne and Fonte are always falling over.

 

Clyne was my MOTM personally, and whilst Ramirez was very good, I fear a lot of people got caught up in the hype of seeing our new man start his first Saints game. Clyne was everywhere, tracking back, making last ditch tackles, interceptions, not to mention his goal.

 

Lambert was out of the game at one point and I wanted him subbed. Fair play to him, he got a chance and took it. I should know better than to doubt him...!

 

yes you should, never doubt the lambert ... ever!

[Appy]

The9 sounds more stupid every year when he doubts Lambert.

 

He will deny doing so though.

[Saint86]

partly, perhaps, but Puncheon and both CB's were at fault too. Much more to do with terrible passing and lack o effort when losing it.

what problems? Funny, the new guy gets your praise, despite diving in and not getting tight enough to their striker at corners, but Fonte gets the dig. Preconceived opinion of his showing or what? Fonte was top notch so much so I'd have to drop Yoshi rather than him if Jos was to come straight back in.

didn't notice him leaving us exposed.

aye? It'shis short passing that means we keep possession reducing the pressure on our back four.

damn the lad with faint praise. He dominated the middle giving us the platform to win the game.

didn't see that at all. The one thing he didn't do was track back, tackle or out his head where it hurts. Completely attacking. He played up front most of the game. No idea where you get the idea that he could play as a defensive midfielder.

he helped turn the game. Sluggish in the first half, he got hold of it in the second half. You might be right about there being better out there, but until then he is the best option at right midfield.

Mediocre. Really? He won almost every header, kept the ball and linked up well with Ramirez all game. What are you expecting if him?

 

I agree cbez. Up and away is an over oppinionated no it all who clearly didn't watch the game. Their goal was due to clyne and punch ****ing around at right back and giving the ball away a few times in 1 min. They were two of our worst players first half along with Morgan. Fox was unlucky to be subbed but for whatever reason it was a good sub so fair Doom's to Nigel. Richardson was solid and clyne was inspired on the left allowing him to use his pace through the middle and cut inside at speed against slow turning mid fielders like a bloody rapier to their under belly. Who new he was good at left back. Also, the guy who said he was left footed above... who were u watching? It was noticeable that he stayed off his left foot and avoided using it.

 

Morgan improved second half and puncheon is just an enigma. Can be so dangerous going forward but equally he can loose the ball just as much. His passing was average, his goal was a lucky reflection and the first goal was a massive error by him tbh. Loosing the ball for no reason by the side of the box. As I said poor first half. Lambert was also crack first half and looked off the pace. Lallana was hands down our best player, worked so hard, tackling back, beating their players at ease and great assist for the first goal. Ramirez was quality but still needs time to gel. And yoshida was solid. I actually think that jos may have trouble getting back in the team. Keeps being clumsy at this level and fonts was imperious today. For this who couldn't see the highlights or the game.. yoshi was good. Tall for a Jap, at least to my mind, very good in the air. Good control of the ball, confident in possession and a good passer. Also, our defence didn't look slow at any point today. And benteke, bent and abonglahor are not exactly slow.

 

In midfield Davis was a literal beast. Worked hard, some good runs and passing and ran the show. Second half him and Morgan gave Gaston the time to pull the strings.

 

Also can the idiots stop going on about Ramirez being signed as a right winger on other threads. As I've said on several threads and been lambusted for, he is going to be central attacking mid or left wing, with mayuka on the right... oh look. Isn't that what we played today? 12million to play him out of position.... ye right.

[View From The Top]

The9 sounds more stupid every year when he doubts Lambert.

 

He will deny doing so though.

 

The bloke is a c**t. Unable to admit when he's wrong despite all the evidence to the contrary.

[Chez]

Fox was unlucky to be subbed

not IMO. He was terrible. He gave the ball away almost every time and topped that off by not busting a gut to get back to recoup his error. All done right in front of Adkins. Distribution is normally his best asset. When that is not working he offers nothing to the side and rightly subbed.

 

Lambert was also crack first half and looked off the pace.

I don't agree with this point either. He won everything in the air and caused their back four lots of problems right from the off.

 

Agree with you regarding Ramirez not being a winger. He played centre forward in the first half and a tad deeper in the second. Mayuka is not a right midfield or right winger. He's a central striker doing a job for the team. I don't want to see him starting on the right side of a 4-4-2 (or 4-2-4 as it was at times yesterday).

[Thedelldays]

So they wouldn't have Ramirez? Blimey.

haha...not one of our players..?

is Boruc better than Guzan...? probably but will give them the benefit of the doubt..?

clyne..?

morgan

Lambert made their strikers look like £30m+ worth of mugs

Ramirez and lallana are better than fuking bannan......

 

villa are in the poo this season...fact

[Window Cleaner]

not IMO. He was terrible. He gave the ball away almost every time and topped that off by not busting a gut to get back to recoup his error. All done right in front of Adkins. Distribution is normally his best asset. When that is not working he offers nothing to the side and rightly subbed.

 

.

 

Tbh Chez it looked as if his injury was hampering him a bit at ther moment of their goal, didn't seem to be able to amorce any sort of forward movement at all.

It's still something that needed sorting out in the summer though.

[Chez]

before the season I did wonder if there were three sides worse than us and then my Bluenose friend reeled off their squad list and made me feel a whole lot better. The right back looked OK, Ireland is tidy if given a luxury position and Bent, when on form (which he looks far from) is a threat. The rest, meh.

[Chez]

Tbh Chez it looked as if his injury was hampering him a bit at ther moment of their goal, didn't seem to be able to amorce any sort of forward movement at all.

It's still something that needed sorting out in the summer though.

I didn't realise he was injured. Might explain the poor showing. I'm loathe to berate him. He's just short of pace and having been in that position I know how hard it can be to play at fullback without it. Seems strange that Dixon AND Harding discarded if Shaw is not yet ready.

Still don't know why Butterfield got a new deal. Could have spent those wages elsewhere. We must have a good plan for the fullback area, but I struggle to see it.

 

With Fox and Guly out of the side, Fonte proving the mugs on here that he can do it and now Davis replaced, I fear for Puncheon. This board demands a whipping boy!

[hasper57saint]

My Villa supporting neighbour won't talk to me about yesterday. In the past he has considered Villa as a big club (In Brum yes) but yesterday exposed them (and him) for 'talking up a self-inflicted defeat'.

[Gingeletiss]

Great 2nd half performance and a few things stood out for me.

 

1. Ramirez was absolute quality, retained the ball well and played some wonderful through balls. We haven not had a player who could do this for years. He looked strong too and linked well wth lambert and lallana.

2. Yoshida at the back looked very calm. when clearing the ball he always looked for an out ball rather than just hoofing it clear.

3. Richardson, although rusty at times added some cutting edge and looks better defensively than fox.

4.I thought clyne was better on the left than the right.

 

I thought Villa were pretty average but they have a young team and will be up and down.

 

....and ours is?

[Appy]

Villa are **** and their fans are deluded, can see us finishing above them.

[Legod Third Coming]

Three things I learned yesterday...

 

1. As a supporter of Danny Fox, he simply isn't currently cutting it in this league. Was Darren Bent wearing Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility?!

 

2. Lallana is one of the most gifted English players in the league. And has added a yard of pace. Sublime control, vision and movement.

 

3. There is not one better English centre forward than Rickie Lambert playing today. The man has power, poise, control and placement. If he doesn't get an England call-up it's a disgrace. Think about it. Defoe or Lambert? Who would you have up front this season? Remembering that a striker's job is singular - TO SCORE GOALS.

 

I know Villa are poor but some of the ball control by Clyne, Gaston, Punch, Lambo and Lallana was sensational. And Davis and Morgan did a sterling job too.

[Pugwash]

Yeah, cos our fans certainly seemed full of "perspective" at 1-0 down today.

 

Wooosh...

[Legod Third Coming]

I didn't realise he was injured. Might explain the poor showing. I'm loathe to berate him. He's just short of pace and having been in that position I know how hard it can be to play at fullback without it. Seems strange that Dixon AND Harding discarded if Shaw is not yet ready.

Still don't know why Butterfield got a new deal. Could have spent those wages elsewhere. We must have a good plan for the fullback area, but I struggle to see it.

 

With Fox and Guly out of the side, Fonte proving the mugs on here that he can do it and now Davis replaced, I fear for Puncheon. This board demands a whipping boy!

 

It won't get one if we play like that second half performance every week. Puncheon got a deserved ovation when he went off. When he ran at the full backs they couldn't cope. Shame he didn't do more in the first half, but he linked up really well with Richardson second half.

[Thedelldays]

Three things I learned yesterday...

 

1. As a supporter of Danny Fox, he simply isn't currently cutting it in this league. Was Darren Bent wearing Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility?!

 

2. Lallana is one of the most gifted English players in the league. And has added a yard of pace. Sublime control, vision and movement.

 

3. There is not one better English centre forward than Rickie Lambert playing today. The man has power, poise, control and placement. If he doesn't get an England call-up it's a disgrace. Think about it. Defoe or Lambert? Who would you have up front this season? Remembering that a striker's job is singular - TO SCORE GOALS.

 

I know Villa are poor but some of the ball control by Clyne, Gaston, Punch, Lambo and Lallana was sensational. And Davis and Morgan did a sterling job too.

now you can compare lambert and torres..

 

[Legod Third Coming]

now you can compare lambert and torres..

 

 

You all laughed. But where is Torres in the scoring charts... Give me Sir Richard of Lambert over the whispy Spaniard any day!