With Fulham failing to register a notable shot on target, yet still managing to get a point, Paul Lambert was still taking the positive approach of seeing it as a point gained in Villa’s relegation fight. The average Aston Villa fan may have questioned his substitutions in the game, but they can’t fault his glass half full outlook. UTV
1. Take away the two key moments where he cost us the win, Fabian Delph had a promising game. I know it’s the mistakes that count, but he’s starting to look like the player we hoped we brought. His attitude is spot on. He’ll learn from the Fulham game and get better.
2. We’re in proper form. Last five games W 3 D 1 L 1. It’s what you want when you’re in a relegation battle. If the next five games mirror the results of the last five, Villa are sorted. Also, from being pretty much the worst Premiership team in terms of results of 2012, distinct progress has been made in 2013.
3. Charles N’Zogbia was probably the brightest spark going forward in the team against Fulham (I wish he’d play with his head up more though). Nice goal. Villa certainly need him to turn up at the relegation party. He’s another useful attacking weapon that can make the difference. Who’s next to step up? Darren Bent?
4. Villa vs Sunderland, Norwich vs Villa and Wigan vs Villa – three pressure cooker games, but we’ll have the power of our supporters. Sunderland is home (shame it’s a Monday), and our away support should be able to take over small grounds like Norwich (already done it once this year) and Wigan.
5. Stoke City
PS – And Fulham boss Martin Jol, when asked about Villa, was quoted as saying, ‘The future is theirs’.
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I’d be far more worried if I were a Stoke or Newcastle fan – they are both hitting a patch of dire form. Stoke’s performance against us was the worst I have seen from a Prem side for some time, so at the moment, they are my favourites to go down. They just don’t look like scoring and their once solid defence is looking at sixes and sevens. At least we have a genuine threat going forward in most matches and that is usually enough to keep you safe.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens at Sunderland….getting them fired up for a derby is one thing, but can Di Canio do it every week?
Really hoping that our games against the big boys don’t knock the stuffing out of us.
CraigWright Very true. We’re up for it and have being fighting all season. Stoke have got problems, lets see how they do in the forthcoming six-point games. Di Canio – I thought he might actually struggle to get the dressing room, but you just have to see the pics of the players celebrating the third goal today with him, he’s sorted that quick-smart. I think he could be a good short-term fix and worth giving MON the boot for. It was a massive win for them today. If only we had won yesterday…it would have been sweet to be above Newcastle.