It would be inappropriate of me to talk about a Villa vs Norwich match without talking about our former leader first. Attending the match, I was unsure as to how our fans would react to Lambert. I knew this because I wasn't sure how I'd react myself! I'd called for initial praise for the job he did on these very boards, but on the morning of the match I honestly didn't know what I would do. Would I boo? That didn't seem right. Would I applaud? Again, that wasn't fitting.
In the end I'm delighted that we ALL simply ignored him. Total ignorance. I was pleased and I think Lambert will have been a little disappointed. Even better. The fans were fantastic and approached the game in the right way: give Lambert nothing to feed on whilst backing our new manager and current players to the hilt. The applause for Stan Petrov in the 19th minute was phenomenal, it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Well done to all who attended
Now to the match, which in all honesty was absolutely dreadful quality wise, from both teams. Thankfully, we were by far in a way the better of the two dreadful teams. The red card obviously affected the game, but not to the extent labelled by Lambert. Norwich were in total control of the match from minute one, despite being hit by the normal sucker punch we seem get each week at the moment. One chance = one goal. Well, that rule only equates to the opposition. We seem to require at least three piss-easy chances before we score. Is it good goal keeping or poor finishing? Probably a little bit of both. Hoolahan HAD to score his early chance. Bury it. The keeper shouldn't have even had a chance to make the save, but what a save it was. Had that gone in, we'd have won the game very comfortably in my opinion.
Villa were terrible, awful, hopeless. Their three shining lights were Guzan (for obvious reasons - he had so much to do!), Vlaar (who I'd never rated but was immense on the day) and Benteke (who has received much criticism but there is definitely a good player in there - not worth £7m though). When you consider how poorly Norwich played, it has to be viewed as a plus that we still looked a far more capable, organised and talented side than the hosts. Lambert is an excellent manager but I think they'll go down. To say their midfield was 'anonymous' would be an understatement, and its midfield where games are often determined. One thing is for sure, Villa have a hell of a lot more problems than we do!
Their goal was really the only sour point. A misunderstanding... well no, a lack of concentration on Turner's behalf and ball watching from both centre halves cost us. That was as bad as it got. Chances came and went. The referee, who had an absolute shocker for us by the way, missed a clear penalty shout when Vlaar clipped Bennett. The officials also seemed to miss a one on one which was flagged offside despite being played through by a Villa defender. They got the red card spot on. Ignore Lambert (again)... his argument was completely flawed. Elliott had his arm on Joe's shoulder BECAUSE he was blocked off and into touch. Villa should have been down to nine men moments later after wee Wes was hacked down by Herd. The makeshift defender's plea to the ref somehow earned him a stay of execution. Only the ref knows why that wasn't a second yellow card.
It really should have made no difference to the scoreline. Even 11 v 11 Norwich should have at least earned a point and probably all three, so to only come away with a point was very disappointing, despite us fighting back from a goal down with not long left. Holt should have scored his one on one, but the really wasteful chances were ones which didn't even result in a shot. I lost count of the number of mis hit, over hit and under hit crosses and passes in the final third. It was embarrassing at times. Thankfully, this was an off-day. The players can cross the ball, exceptionally well. But improvements in the final third need to be made because Villa should have been put to the sword in all honesty. I believe those improvements will be made. I feel very comfortable with the new manager - I think he has got his tactics correct. If I had a quibble it would be that he makes substitutions a tad earlier, but we are used to Lambert who was a genius at tactical subs - its almost inevitable that Hughton or any other manager who had come in may fall a little shorter on that front. No question though, Hughton impressed more than Lambert on Saturday.
Player ratings, if your not so bored of reading all the above!:
Ruddy 6 - couldn't give him more - he had nothing to do, again!
Martin 6 - did ok, would have made a big impact once the red happened, shame he had to go off
Bassong 7 - our best defender this season. Switched off a bit for the goal but again led by example
Turner 6 - would have been a 7 had he not cocked up for the goal
Garrido 6 - got forward well second half but quiet game
Johnson 5 - should have been subbed when the red happened. Passing was diabolical at times
Tettey 7 - dopey first half, excellent second. Stopped any potential breakaways. Massively important player for us
Pilkington 5 - quiet, crossing poor. Hit and miss this season so far but undoubted quality
Bennett 7 - had his namesake on toast every time he got the ball, crossing poor though. Probably should have stayed on unless injured
Hoolahan 8 - the star of the show. The only star if truth be known. Should have scored and a few passes went astray but that's what you get from Wes. You take the rough with the smooth because there is a lot more smooth than rough. Key player
Holt 6 - did ok, should have scored. Hold up play good but a few wasteful passes. One sublime pass to Wes in first half
Subs
Bennett 5 - should have scored, didn't get forward enough but he's a centre back in his defence! Looks a little short of confidence
Morison 6 - one cracking run, unlucky with a far post header. Made an impact a helped press them back
Snodgrass 5 - poor delivery and poor attempt at goal
I think those ratings highlight perfectly how poor City were. I would have taken a point before a ball was kicked but in the circumstances that were played out, I think we all should accept it was two points dropped. Positives to be taken, especially the shape of the team which is now solid yet creative.
OTBC IHWT
In the end I'm delighted that we ALL simply ignored him. Total ignorance. I was pleased and I think Lambert will have been a little disappointed. Even better. The fans were fantastic and approached the game in the right way: give Lambert nothing to feed on whilst backing our new manager and current players to the hilt. The applause for Stan Petrov in the 19th minute was phenomenal, it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Well done to all who attended
Now to the match, which in all honesty was absolutely dreadful quality wise, from both teams. Thankfully, we were by far in a way the better of the two dreadful teams. The red card obviously affected the game, but not to the extent labelled by Lambert. Norwich were in total control of the match from minute one, despite being hit by the normal sucker punch we seem get each week at the moment. One chance = one goal. Well, that rule only equates to the opposition. We seem to require at least three piss-easy chances before we score. Is it good goal keeping or poor finishing? Probably a little bit of both. Hoolahan HAD to score his early chance. Bury it. The keeper shouldn't have even had a chance to make the save, but what a save it was. Had that gone in, we'd have won the game very comfortably in my opinion.
Villa were terrible, awful, hopeless. Their three shining lights were Guzan (for obvious reasons - he had so much to do!), Vlaar (who I'd never rated but was immense on the day) and Benteke (who has received much criticism but there is definitely a good player in there - not worth £7m though). When you consider how poorly Norwich played, it has to be viewed as a plus that we still looked a far more capable, organised and talented side than the hosts. Lambert is an excellent manager but I think they'll go down. To say their midfield was 'anonymous' would be an understatement, and its midfield where games are often determined. One thing is for sure, Villa have a hell of a lot more problems than we do!
Their goal was really the only sour point. A misunderstanding... well no, a lack of concentration on Turner's behalf and ball watching from both centre halves cost us. That was as bad as it got. Chances came and went. The referee, who had an absolute shocker for us by the way, missed a clear penalty shout when Vlaar clipped Bennett. The officials also seemed to miss a one on one which was flagged offside despite being played through by a Villa defender. They got the red card spot on. Ignore Lambert (again)... his argument was completely flawed. Elliott had his arm on Joe's shoulder BECAUSE he was blocked off and into touch. Villa should have been down to nine men moments later after wee Wes was hacked down by Herd. The makeshift defender's plea to the ref somehow earned him a stay of execution. Only the ref knows why that wasn't a second yellow card.
It really should have made no difference to the scoreline. Even 11 v 11 Norwich should have at least earned a point and probably all three, so to only come away with a point was very disappointing, despite us fighting back from a goal down with not long left. Holt should have scored his one on one, but the really wasteful chances were ones which didn't even result in a shot. I lost count of the number of mis hit, over hit and under hit crosses and passes in the final third. It was embarrassing at times. Thankfully, this was an off-day. The players can cross the ball, exceptionally well. But improvements in the final third need to be made because Villa should have been put to the sword in all honesty. I believe those improvements will be made. I feel very comfortable with the new manager - I think he has got his tactics correct. If I had a quibble it would be that he makes substitutions a tad earlier, but we are used to Lambert who was a genius at tactical subs - its almost inevitable that Hughton or any other manager who had come in may fall a little shorter on that front. No question though, Hughton impressed more than Lambert on Saturday.
Player ratings, if your not so bored of reading all the above!:
Ruddy 6 - couldn't give him more - he had nothing to do, again!
Martin 6 - did ok, would have made a big impact once the red happened, shame he had to go off
Bassong 7 - our best defender this season. Switched off a bit for the goal but again led by example
Turner 6 - would have been a 7 had he not cocked up for the goal
Garrido 6 - got forward well second half but quiet game
Johnson 5 - should have been subbed when the red happened. Passing was diabolical at times
Tettey 7 - dopey first half, excellent second. Stopped any potential breakaways. Massively important player for us
Pilkington 5 - quiet, crossing poor. Hit and miss this season so far but undoubted quality
Bennett 7 - had his namesake on toast every time he got the ball, crossing poor though. Probably should have stayed on unless injured
Hoolahan 8 - the star of the show. The only star if truth be known. Should have scored and a few passes went astray but that's what you get from Wes. You take the rough with the smooth because there is a lot more smooth than rough. Key player
Holt 6 - did ok, should have scored. Hold up play good but a few wasteful passes. One sublime pass to Wes in first half
Subs
Bennett 5 - should have scored, didn't get forward enough but he's a centre back in his defence! Looks a little short of confidence
Morison 6 - one cracking run, unlucky with a far post header. Made an impact a helped press them back
Snodgrass 5 - poor delivery and poor attempt at goal
I think those ratings highlight perfectly how poor City were. I would have taken a point before a ball was kicked but in the circumstances that were played out, I think we all should accept it was two points dropped. Positives to be taken, especially the shape of the team which is now solid yet creative.
OTBC IHWT
I could have sworn he was a centre back in OUR defence!
